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Consensus in Conversation

Author: Conor Gaughan

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Welcome to Consensus in Conversation, a new podcast hosted by Conor Gaughan where we talk to innovators and entrepreneurs who have built great businesses and careers that do well while doing good.
A rich life is so much more than a unicorn start-up going public. The true unicorns are those living fulfilling lives doing what they love AND making it to their kid’s games. This podcast is an opportunity to talk to inspiring leaders, job creators, innovators, and problem solvers – people across the country who are making the world a better place and more sustainable place, while successfully making good money.
Join the conversation and enjoy a new episode every Thursday!
81 Episodes
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60 billion board feet of wood products are used in the U.S. every year, a majority produced by fresh logging and shipped from across the globe, while simultaneously, millions of tons of local wood waste ends up in landfills off-gassing carbon as it rots. But that inefficiency could rapidly change thanks to Cambium and its CEO and co-founder, Ben Christensen, who are revolutionizing lumber supply chains with their Carbon Smart Wood™ and Traece operating system. Cambium reclaims fallen or removed trees that would typically end up in landfills and turns them into a locally sourced, carbon negative material that could potentially cut global carbon emissions by 4%. The firm is also using new technology to better track the trees during the supply chain process, increasing transparency, traceability, and sustainability. Cambium is also just getting started, partnering with mega brands like Microsoft and Patagonia in recent years and continuing to develop their clean technology and expand their markets. Ben Christensen is an accomplished ultra marathon runner, so it’s probably fitting that the company he runs is built with long-haul sustainability and scalability in mind. Surrounded by forests and the outdoors as a child, Ben went to Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies to pursue his passion, and it was there that the idea for Cambium first took root. Not long after, Ben and his co-founder, Theo Hooker, a childhood friend and fellow ultra marathon runner, were racing to transform waste wood into valuable building materials. Hear Ben share how his love for the outdoors turned into a revolutionary sustainable materials startup, why wood waste is such a massive problem (and also a potential market), and what carbon smart wood means for the future of lumber, supply chains, and our planet. Episode Highlights00:00 Ben Christensen on wood waste 00:51 Conor Gaughan introduces Ben and Cambium06:34 Early passion for wood, a childhood co-founder, and ultra running16:37 Yale’s Forestry Program, natural climate solutions, and carbon sinks22:42 Launching Cambium, wood’s waste issue, and carbon smart materials29:09 The potential market, building with scalability in mind, and evaluating impact 35:33 Brand partnerships, remaining unique, and aligning purpose with profits44:37 Innovations to watch, the blue carbon space, and staying optimistic 49:20 Leaving a legacy and where to learn more51:57 End creditsIf you liked this, listen next to our episode with Jasmine Crowe-Houston of Goodr on Being A Voice For Hunger And Why Food Waste Is All About Logistics.More on Cambium and Ben Christensen:cambiumcarbon.com linkedin.com/company/cambium-carbon linkedin.com/in/btchr Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone.Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really does make a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
C-Zero and Zach Jones, its co-founder and CEO, are using innovative thermocatalysis technology to convert natural gas into zero-emission hydrogen, offering the tantalizing potential to decarbonize major industries while scaling the fuel of the future. Hydrogen is one of the most promising sources of clean energy in existence, and a key component in alternative fuels capable of decarbonizing hard-to-electrify industries like heavy shipping. But there’s a catch: the current processes used to extract hydrogen from hydrocarbons like natural gas create a rather unsustainable byproduct – carbon dioxide. Hard-tech firm C-Zero has the answer: a revolutionary method to convert natural gas into hydrogen and a solid carbon byproduct instead, which could have industry, or even world-changing, implications. And Zach, a biomedical engineer, multi-time founder, and venture capital investor with a lifelong passion for hydrogen, is perfectly positioned to take this technology to the next level, having spent his entire career in and around the innovation economy. Hear Zach share how his interest in hydrogen led him to the idea that would become C-Zero, why “turquoise hydrogen” is the secret to Hydrogen 3.0, and why thermocatalysis could decarbonize the future of energy. Episode Highlights:00:00 Zach Jones on turquoise hydrogen 00:54 Conor Gaughan introduces Zach and C-Zero06:05 Ranch life, interest in chemistry, and Duke University10:39 Entrepreneurial bug, business school, and investing career 18:17 The hydrogen thesis, origin of C-Zero, and the TAM25:42 Turquoise hydrogen, transport, and public private partnerships34:32 Pitching investors, global markets, and the long-term horizon44:19 Fighting climate change, future scale, and exciting innovations50:16 Staying positive and leaving a legacy52:29 Where to learn more53:09 End credits If you liked this, listen next to our episode with Dr. Seonghoon Woo of Amogy on Materials Science, Decarbonized Transport, and Alternative FuelsMore on C-Zero and Zach Jones:czero.energy linkedin.com/company/c-zero linkedin.com/in/zachjones06 Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
A favorite soda can be a huge part of people’s identity – roughly half of the American population drinks at least one soda on a daily basis – which is why OLIPOP is completely reimagining the soda industry with its healthier, prebiotic, low sugar alternative that tastes as good – if not better – than its traditional counterparts. Ben Goodwin has spent his entire career building the beverage industry and business skills needed to conjure great tasting flavors from great-for-you ingredients. Ben is not only OLIPOP’s co-founder, CEO, and formulator, but also a huge reason why the innovative B Corp Certified startup’s bright-colored cans are already in stores across the country. At just 20 years old, he helped ferment (launch) a kombucha company, later founded and worked as lead formulator for kefir-based probiotic soda brand Obi, and then launched OLIPOP in 2017 with co-founder David Lester. Hear Ben share OLIPOP’s “15-year overnight success story,” the science behind the benefits of prebiotics vs probiotics, and his lifelong quest to disrupt the soda behemoths with a sustainable, healthy alternative – which IS still a soda! Episode Highlights00:00 Ben Goodwin on creating functional soda 00:54 Conor Gaughan introduces Ben and OLIPOP04:42 Rough upbringing, passion for health, and dropping out of college11:23 Founder mythologies, key habits, and first beverage formulation 17:57 Learning to tinker, microbiology, and building a first beverage brand25:51 What is OLIPOP, the 3rd wave of soda, and making healthy taste good32:13 First 4 flavors, scaling to stores nationwide, and the science of microbiomes44:40 B Corp Certification, doing good and doing well, and defining positive impact52:52 Where to learn more (and find the closest store with OLIPOPs near you!53:41 End credits If you liked this, listen next to our episode with Joey Zwillinger of AllbirdsMore on OLIPOP PBC and Ben Goodwin:drinkolipop.comdrinkolipop.com/pages/store-locator linkedin.com/company/olipop-pbclinkedin.com/in/ben-goodwin-646a9376 Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
The world currently removes less than .0001% of the carbon required to meet the IPCC’s 2050 goal – so there’s A LOT of work to be done – which is what makes Graphyte’s ready-to-go solution all the more valuable.Barclay Rogers, a former environmental lawyer, mechanical engineer, and multi-time founder, is bringing his unique set of experiences and leadership skills to making scalable, affordable CO2 removal an immediate reality with his new startup, Graphyte. Rather than rely on energy-intensive and still-developing technology like Direct Air Capture, Barclay and his team realized that they could use nature’s own hyper-efficient carbon capture process – photosynthesis – to leverage natural resources in their revolutionary Carbon Casting process, a first-of-its-kind technique that traps carbon in easy to store bricks forged from the biomass waste generated by farms, logging camps, and paper mills. With their world-leading carbon removal operations already underway at their Pine Bluff, Arkansas facility, Graphyte is able to offer durable carbon removal that's scalable, affordable, and, maybe most importantly, ready right now. Hear Barclay Rogers talk about Graphyte’s origin story, the importance of scalability for climate solutions, and why his native Arkansas is the perfect home for biomass-based carbon removal.Episode Highlights00:00 Barclay Rogers on carbon removal in the heartland00:32 Conor Gaughan introduces Barclay Rogers and Graphyte04:37 Arkansas roots, natural resources, and mechanical engineering09:36 Environmental law, government, and pivot to entrepreneurship 19:20 Startup career, the carbon industry, and the potential of biomass 25:25 The origin of Graphtye, durable carbon removal, and scalability33:43 Innovation curves, public policy factors, and the value of carbon40:24 Breakthrough Ventures, climate change, and growing a community 46:11 Leaving a legacy and finding motivation47:43 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Dr. Vince Romanin of Gradient on Heat Pumps, Zero-Carbon Infrastructure, and the Triple Bottom LineMore on Graphyte and Barclay Rogers:graphyte.com linkedin.com/company/graphytecarbon linkedin.com/in/barclayrogers Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Tom Neyhart founded PosiGen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to help the families and communities most impacted by the disaster rebuild their homes, save money, and boost energy resilience through solar power. He not only succeeded, but created an entirely new market by providing affordable solar and energy efficiency to low and middle income families. Tom, who moved from CEO to Executive Chairman of the Board last year, pioneered a new era of solar development years ahead of other firms, positioning B Corp Certified PosiGen as a key leader in the industry. An inspirational leader, successful businessman, and serial entrepreneur, he held leadership roles in construction and retail before starting PosiGen in 2011. Tom grew the innovative company as CEO over the next twelve years, expanding from Louisiana to other states, skyrocketing its revenue, and receiving numerous recognitions, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Blue Ribbon Award and Department of Defense’s Patriot Award. Hear Tom Neyhart talk about how a desire to help others led him to revolutionize solar power as we know it, what makes PosiGen’s unique model so affordable, and why prioritizing impact benefits people, the planet, and profits. Episode Highlights00:00 Tom Neyhart on rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina00:48 Conor Gaughan introduces Tom and PosiGen305:25 Louisiana roots, serial entrepreneurship, and teamwork 14:44 Hurricane Katrina, helping others, and the origin of PosiGen23:19 Selling solar savings, PosiGen’s unique model, and building trust29:50 Pitching investors, B Corp status, and maximizing impact 39:59 The future of renewable services, public policy, and scaling solar46:38 What’s next for PosiGen, exciting innovations, and leaving a legacy50:19 Where to learn more and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Michael Chanin of Cherry Street Energy on Scaling Solar, Utilities, and Market CompetitionMore on PosiGen and Tom Neyhart:posigen.com linkedin.com/company/posigen linkedin.com/in/thomasneyhart Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Goodr has a simple but powerful mission: feed more and waste less. The sustainable waste management firm’s founder and CEO, Jasmine Crowe-Houston, believes that hunger in America is not a scarcity issue– it’s a problem of logistics. Which is actually good news, because that’s an issue technology can solve! By leveraging detailed inventory management, predictive analytics and advanced supply chain logistics, Goodr is helping businesses reduce waste, cut carbon emissions and harness tax credits, all while supporting sustainable hunger solutions across the nation. Jasmine is an award-winning business leader, TED speaker, and author, who began her entrepreneurship journey spotlighting black celebrity philanthropy, nonprofits, and other charitable causes on BlackCelebrityGiving.com. After moving to Atlanta in 2013, she began hosting free pop up restaurants every Sunday out of her own pocket, offering soul food meals to people experiencing homelessness. When a video of Jasmine at one of these events went viral in 2016, she was inspired to learn more about food donations and soon discovered the shocking scale of America’s food waste problem. Realizing that a truly sustainable hunger solution couldn’t rely on donations alone, Jasmine launched Goodr in 2017 to offer businesses a win-win way to save money and build food security in their communities, and she has since grown her local startup into a B Corp Certified company serving a national network.  Hear Jasmine talk about turning her Sunday passion into a thriving company, why Goodr takes a holistic approach to waste management, and how technology can help create a hunger-free future.Episode Highlights00:00 Jasmine Crowe-Houston on sustainable solutions to hunger00:52 Conor Gaughan introduces Jasmine and Goodr04:15 Early life, the importance of storytelling, and giving a Ted Talk08:48 Entrepreneurship, blackcelebritygiving.com, and sports for good 15:45 Feeding the hungry in Atlanta, going viral, and launching Goodr  20:39 The logistics of hunger, win-win solutions to food waste, and growth30:47 Covid, pivoting to hunger relief, and scaling a national network38:09 Impact report, the Goodr Foundation, and grocery store program43:40 Finding inspiration 45:10 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Jamila Norman of Patchwork City Farms on Urban Farming, Food Advocacy, and Good FoodMore on Goodr and Jasmine Crowe-Houston:goodr.colinkedin.com/company/goodrco linkedin.com/in/jasminecrowe instagram.com/goodrcoConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
With climate change causing unprecedented extreme weather, fluctuating temperatures, and rising sea levels, only one thing is certain: the future isn’t going to look like the past. And yet, all of our risk analysis models are based on past data from historical patterns that no longer hold true. How can businesses make intelligent decisions on building for that future while protecting themselves from tomorrow’s risks? That’s the question that motivated Rich Sorkin to found Jupiter Intelligence, a climate risk analytics firm with a mission to help organizations build resilience and mitigate the effects of the changing climate. As co-founder, CEO, and chairman of Jupiter, Rich has combined his wealth of entrepreneurial experience and expertise in emerging technology to successfully scale the company since its launch in 2018, leveraging cutting-edge science, real-time data, and advanced modeling to achieve next-level climate risk insights and analytics. Rich earned an economics degree from Yale before attending Stanford’s Graduate Business School in 1986.  Whether researching under a Nobel Laureate, cutting his teeth at Apple, or leading game-changing technology to market at firms like Creative Labs, Zip2, and Kaggle, Rich is ever at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship.Hear Rich share why a change in perspective led him to launch Jupiter Intelligence, what the current assumptions about climate risk are missing, and how the startup is leveraging generative AI and real science to enhance risk analysis for the future.Episode Highlights00:00 Rich Sorkin on the impact of climate change 00:49 Conor Gaughan introduces Rich and Jupiter Intelligence06:30 Early interests and work for a future Nobel Prize winner at Yale10:55 Emerging tech, mapping trends, and career in Silicon Valley 17:41 Entrepreneurial lessons, Zeus, and the origin of Jupiter Intel22:50 What Jupiter solves, climate infrastructure, and risk management31:08 Misconceptions, driving change with data, and generative AI40:46 Aligning profit with purpose, innovations to watch, and leaving a legacy49:24 Where to learn more and conclusion50:06 End credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Max Evans of ClimateAi on Dorm Room Entrepreneurship and AI-Based Climate SolutionsMore on Jupiter and Rich Sorkin:jupiterintel.comlinkedin.com/company/jupiterintellinkedin.com/in/richsorkin  Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Alfred Johnson returns to the pod to give us the update on tax credit transferability and clean energy markets, just over a year after launching Crux Climate. As co-founder and CEO of Crux, Alfred has the startup’s revolutionary management software poised to capitalize on a multi-billion (if not trillion) dollar opportunity in clean energy tax credits. After graduating Stanford in 2008, Alfred worked for the U.S. Treasury Department, BlackRock, and Clara Lending before co-founding his first software company, Mobilize, in 2016 with Allen Kramer. That startup was acquired in 2020, but it wouldn't be the last venture for Alfred and Allen. In 2023, the two launched Crux Climate, a software startup developing online solutions to allow organizations to buy and sell tax credits for clean energy. Since its launch, clean energy tax credits have skyrocketed, with the Inflation Reduction Act and other government regulations incentivizing clean energy. Hear Alfred talk about what’s changed in this monumental first year, the massive implications of transferability for the private and public sectors, and why Crux is uniquely positioned to define the clean energy tax credit market as we know it. Episode Highlights00:00 Alfred Johnson on energy’s $3 trillion market00:52 Conor Gaughan introduces Alfred and Crux Climate01:46 Alfred’s work in software, finance, and government leading to Crux05:01 Attempting to summit Mount Marcus Baker, AK’s 3rd highest peak07:13 What Crux Climate solves, transferability, and the tax credit market14:36 Marketplace growth, predicting scale, and providing business value 25:10 Domestic energy’s evolution, private vs public sectors, and competition32:25 The future of clean energy, surprising takeaways, and what’s next for Crux40:09 Optimism, exciting industry innovations, and advice for a younger self46:07 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Peter Godart of Found Energy on Aluminum Fuel, NASA, and Engineering Impact at ScaleMore on Crux and Alfred Johnson:cruxclimate.com linkedin.com/company/cruxclimate linkedin.com/in/alfredjohnson01 Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.com If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
85% of used clothing ends up in landfills, but textile recycling and rewards platform Trashie is out to save our castaway garments from becoming mountains of waste. Launched only a few months ago, Trashie is taking the fashion industry by storm with its instantly recognizable Take Back Bag and viral closet cleanup videos, and the mind behind this magic is Trashie founder and CEO, Kristy Caylor. Kristy earned a BS in Industrial Engineering and her MBA from USC’s Marshall School of Business before entering the fashion industry, where she worked for iconic brands like Banana Republic, Gap, and Band of Outsiders. She co-founded her own fashion brand, Maiyet, in 2010, and eight years later, co-founded For Days, the original closed-loop clothing company. As CEO of For Days, Kristy oversees strategy, marketing, technology, product design, and growth (just to name a few), successfully growing the brand globally while earning various awards for its mission-driven work. But Kristy recognized that more could be done to reduce the amount of used clothing that went to waste, so she launched Trashie.Trashie sells its Take Back Bags to customers, who fill them up with unwanted clothing, accessories, and shoes, and mail them back to the brand in exchange for TrashieCash, which customers can use to purchase real world items and rewards, thanks to Trashie’s impressive partnership network. Hear Kristy share how she employs a systems engineering approach to business, what she learned working at top fashion brands versus building her own, and why Trashie’s approach to upcycling is a win-win for everyone. Episode Highlights00:00 Kristy Caylor on the textile waste problem 00:42 Conor Gaughan introduces Kristy and Trashie03:48 Undergrad STEM, first startup, and entrepreneurship07:51 Business school, the fashion industry, and professional evolution 16:28 Co-founding For Days, its business model, and clothing waste26:20 Trashie’s origin, the Take Back Bag, and incentivizing circularity36:12 Sustainability in fashion, industry innovations, and changing behavior42:28 What’s next for Trashie and finding optimism46:25 Where to learn more and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Catherine Roggero-Lovisi of Modern MeadowMore on Trashie and Kristy Caylor:trashie.io linkedin.com/company/trashie linkedin.com/in/kristycaylor Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Dr. BJ Johnson knows that if you want to make the biggest climate impact in the least amount of time, you start by improving upon an existing technology. And he’s doing exactly that as the co-founder and CEO of ClearFlame, a startup modifying diesel engines to run on decarbonized liquid fuels. Before co-launching ClearFlame, BJ studied mechanical engineering and energy systems at Stanford University, earning three (3!) degrees: undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral. He was also a world-class athlete, competing for the US National Swim Team at the World Championships in 2013 and 2014, the same time he was working on his Ph.D, which would ultimately lead him to the idea that would become ClearFlame. That idea might be simple in its approach, but it could make a game-changing impact for both the planet and business alike. By modifying existing diesel engines, ClearFlame’s technology can cut carbon emissions in half for heavy-duty transportation fleets, without requiring charging infrastructure or engine replacements. With many clean fuels already cheaper than diesel, it can simultaneously provide major bottom line savings too.Hear BJ share how he balanced world-class athletics and doctoral work, the critical importance of ‘bridge technologies’ to making an immediate impact, and why ClearFlame’s accelerated path towards cheaper, sustainable diesel engines is poised to make them the Tesla of heavy duty transportation.Episode Highlights00:00 BJ Johnson on ClearFlame as the Tesla of heavy duty00:48 Conor Gaughan introduces BJ and ClearFlame4:04 Studying energy at Stanford, Silicon Valley, and athletics15:28 The idea for ClearFlame, combustion tech, and liquid fuels 23:28 Carbon negative solutions, the first sale, and scaling growth30:20 Total addressable market, tech unicorns, and doing good and well38:10 Diversifying entrepreneurship, exciting innovations, and finding optimism42:47 Wrap up and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Dr. Seonghoon Woo of Amogy on Materials Science, Decarbonized Transport, and Alternative Fuels Watch this short video to see how ClearFlame’s technology works: youtube.com/watch?v=WDvGDFqFtHo More on ClearFlame and BJ Johnson:clearflame.com linkedin.com/company/clearflameenglinkedin.com/in/bj-johnson-6b9213120Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Father’s Day is this Sunday, June 16, and we’re celebrating in our own, special way… today’s episode features Mike Gaughan: missile launch officer, successful businessman, sports coach, and, most importantly, Conor’s dad! Hear the stories that Conor grew up on, including Mike’s time from paperboy to the Air Force Academy and beyond, the three phone phone calls you should make every day, and what it takes to be a true leader in business, and in life. Episode Highlights00:00 Mike Gaughan on why teamwork matters00:50 Conor Gaughan introduces his dad02:09 Childhood aspirations, athletics, and military background12:38 Axioms for life, working as a paperboy, and farming20:45 Air Force Academy, business lessons, and memorable stories27:38 Civilian life, the bookmobile, and climbing the corporate ladder38:29 Building connection, solving problems, and finding optimism43:35 Leaving a legacy and final words of wisdom45:55 End credits If you liked this episode, listen next to our episode with Greg Putnam of Little Belt Cattle Co.Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Internet ads – you probably see hundreds, maybe thousands a day without thinking about them. But it turns out the process for serving those ads involves a highly complex digital supply chain that generates 7.2 million tons of carbon emissions annually. That’s why ad-tech veteran Anne Coghlan is on a mission to decarbonize media and advertising with Scope3. A lifelong lover of logic and problem-solving, Anne earned her Master’s at University College London in the Philosophy of Mathematics, later joining digital advertising company AppNexus in 2015. There she met future Scope3 co-founder Brian O’Kelley and helped to develop many of the technologies that underpin digital ad delivery today. When Anne left the ad industry to join supply chain tech company Waybridge, she began to notice that a lack of consideration for sustainability and energy consumption existed across both industries. So, in 2021, she reunited with O’Kelley and other AppNexus alumni to found Scope3, a public benefit corporation aiming to decarbonize advertising and media by better measuring the carbon emitted from digital display and video ads. In 2023, Anne made AdAge’s 40 under 40 list and secured the #2 most influential person in performance media on PMW’s Power 100 List, but the COO of Scope3 is just getting started. Hear Anne Coghlan share how her love for math ultimately led to co-founding a startup, why online ads only scratch the surface of Scope3’s potential use cases, and what the future holds for decarbonized digital media.Episode Highlights00:00 Anne Coghlan on decarbonizing digital supply chains 00:53 Conor Gaughan introduces Anne Coghlan and Scope305:08 The beauty of math, interest in music, and academic pursuits 16:10 Studies to consulting, joining AppNexus, and Waybridge 21:27 Launching Scope3, how it works, and the media industry’s footprint34:14 Problem solving with math, maximizing impact, and open sourcing tech45:01 What’s next, remaining optimistic, and the future of sustainable ads49:39 Where to learn more51:32 End creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Allison Wolff of Vibrant Planet on Beneficial Fire, Sustainable Software, and Nature-Based Climate SolutionsMore on Scope3 and Anne Coghlan:scope3.com linkedin.com/company/scope3data linkedin.com/in/annecoghlan Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Just popping into the feed for a quick hello from Consensus in Conversation host, Conor Gaughan, to update you on the coming weeks.We’ve been hard at work with some great shows planned for this summer, including a few special episodes that may look and sound a little different than our regular programming. We think you’ll really enjoy them. So, no episode for today, but we’ll be back in June with some great new conversations. See you next week! Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you’re enjoying the show please leave us a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Just over one year ago, the IRS published its final rules and guidance on the transferability of clean energy tax credits. Not only did transferability solve a major flaw in the Inflation Reduction Act’s plan to support clean energy infrastructure development, but, as many founders correctly foresaw, it was about to create an entirely new financial market. This week, we’re re-releasing our conversation with one of those visionary founders: Alfred Johnson, CEO and Co-Founder of Crux Climate, after a great live conversation we had with Alfred at American Clean Power Association’s 2024 CLEANPOWER expo, which we plan to bring to the pod later this year. Crux is a software startup revolutionizing clean energy tax credit management, and Alfred is well-suited to break down clean energy tax incentives, share founders' lessons, and talk about the rapidly growing clean energy market, which is expected to receive $3 trillion in investments over the next decade.A Stanford grad, Alfred Johnson worked for the U.S. Treasury Department and BlackRock before launching his first software company with co-founder Allen Kramer. That company was acquired in 2020, leaving Alfred and Allen ready for their next adventure. And, in 2023, they launched Crux Climate to develop online solutions for organizations to buy and sell clean energy tax credits, helping ensure that capital goes to the impactful startups that need it to scale, and that credits go to those that can actually use them. Hear Alfred Johnson talk about the founding idea for Crux, how to find an ideal co-founder, and why he thinks tax credit transferability is one of the most influential government policy choices ever made.Episode Highlights00:00 Conor introduces ACP CLEANPOWER 2024, Alfred, and Crux03:04 D.C. upbringing, Stanford, and the intersection of private and public sectors12:27 The startup bug and launching Crux Climate18:03 Crux’s core business, finding buyers and sellers, and building scale 26:16 The tax credit marketplace, a new asset class, and the near-term future32:02 ESG, aligning purpose with profits, and creating sustainable impact 38:51 Advice for young entrepreneurs, leaving a legacy, and finding motivation45:57 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, stay tuned for next week’s live follow-up with Alfred, and in the meantime, listen next to Jonathan Goldberg of Carbon DirectMore on Alfred Johnson and Crux Climate:cruxclimate.comlinkedin.com/company/cruxclimate linkedin.com/in/alfredjohnson01Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
HVAC is one of the most important quality of life utilities that we never think about– at least, until it stops working. It’s also energy inefficient and expensive, responsible for almost 20% of global GHG emissions, with decades-old infrastructure way behind the design innovation curve. But Dr. Vince Romanin has a solution: reimagine HVAC as we know it by combining personal heating and cooling in one, easy-to-install electrified heat pump that reduces emissions by 95% – the Gradient system. After earning his M.S. and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering and heat transfer from Berkeley, Vince worked as a development engineer at otherlab. It was there that he recognized the world-changing potential of innovative HVAC to decarbonize infrastructure while improving lives, and in 2021 he co-founded Gradient with the goal of building a better air source heat pump.  Hear why CEO Vince Romanin took to engineering at such a young age, what it takes to launch a clean tech startup, and how Gradient’s technology could change the world.Episode Highlights00:00 Dr. Vince Romanin on making HVAC exciting and cutting emissions00:54 Conor Gaughan introduces Vince Romanin and Gradient04:51 Early influences, model rockets, and engineering at Dayton08:59 GE internship, thermodynamics at Berkeley, and climate change15:22 Joining otherlab and recognizing the potential in HVAC19:05 Launching Gradient and the two problems it solves25:48 Fundraising, product prototyping, and a unique user experience30:44 Why use heat pumps, decarbonizing infrastructure, and the TAM38:41 Workforce development, sustainability, and creating impact 44:11 Interesting climate breakthroughs to watch 48:58 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Matt Rogers of Mill Industries on Food Waste, Impactful Product Design, and Innovation OR ​​Manik Suri of GlacierGrid on Transformative Tech, Automating Energy Use, and Cold Chain 2.0More on Gradient and Vince:gradientcomfort.comlinkedin.com/company/gradient-comfort/ linkedin.com/in/vromaninConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Pavle Jeremic wants to end resource scarcity by literally rearranging atoms. Inspired to build a better, more abundant future after witnessing violent conflict in his parents’ native Yugoslavia, Pavle launched Aether Biomachines in 2017 at just 21 years old. Since then, he’s successfully led the protein engineering startup to the cutting edge of nanotechnology, working to solve our planet’s resource scarcity problem. Today, Pavle and Aether are combining protein synthesis, machine learning, and nanoscale engineering to rearrange atomic structures, enabling everything from impact-free resource extraction to self-healing materials.  Hear why at such a young age, Pavle became obsessed with building a future of abundance, what it takes to scale a true deep tech startup, and how Aether Biomachines is turning science fiction into reality.Episode Highlights00:00 Pavle on using machine learning models to rearrange atoms00:38 Conor Gaughan introduces Pavle Jeremic and Aether Biomachines04:23 Protein engineering, growing up around scarcity, and interest in science07:36 Synthetic biology, UC Santa Cruz, and genetic engineering projects 16:16 Origin of Aether Biomachines, its long-term view, and its product categories26:10 Storytelling in science, what industry Aether sees itself in, and defining “machine”33:12 Deep tech, scarcity vs abundance, core pillars for scaling impact41:22 Current problems, future solutions, and balancing the two46:37 Exciting climate innovations to watch 52:04 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Peter Godart of Found Energy on Aluminum Fuel, NASA, and Engineering Impact at ScaleMore on Aether Biomachines and Pavle:aetherbio.comlinkedin.com/company/aetherbio linkedin.com/in/pavlejeremicConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Food waste is a $25 billion problem for American supermarkets, but Josh Domingues has an app for that. Josh is the founder and executive chairman of Flashfood, a simple but elegant application that directly connects consumers with local grocery stores to buy food nearing expiration at a huge discount. This approach is a win-win-win for all parties: grocers get paid for food they would throw out, customers get a massive discount, and less food waste ends up in pollutive landfills.Josh spent his early career in finance and management, but a complaint from his sister, a chef, about how much food is thrown away after events set him on a new path to turn trash into treasure.Hear how Josh turned a simple idea into a game-changing startup, why the grocery industry is moving towards sustainable innovation, and what’s next on Flashfood’s plate. Episode Highlights 00:00 Josh on the moment he realized Flashfood would work00:52 Conor Gaughan introduces Josh Domingues and Flashfood05:09 Growing up in Toronto, hockey, and entrepreneurial influences12:02 Career in finance, management consulting, and path to founding15:38 How a catering event led to the launch of Flashfood23:05 Entering the marketplace, building a product, and pitching the idea31:12 How FlashFood works today for consumers and businesses37:48 Breaking into the industry and US vs Canadian grocers41:57 Prioritizing sustainability, food security, and positive impact  48:46 Finding optimism 51:15 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Nick Whitman of Divert on Food Waste, Renewable Energy, and Impact TechnologyMore on Flashfood and Josh:flashfood.comlinkedin.com/company/flashfoodinclinkedin.com/in/joshdominguesConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Two founders of 1953 Tequila, Lindsey Davis Stover and Shivam Mallick Shah, join Conor for a special in-person conversation to share how their ultra-premium, additive-free tequila is prioritizing sustainability, elevating women in the spirits industry, and also offering an awesome drinking experience.Lindsey, Shivam, and the rest of the 1953 founding team met through Congressional campaigns for Virginia’s 10th district, and the idea for a women-led, luxury tequila company followed soon after. True to their mission, the founders secured a deal to source from an agave farmer who was passing his farm on to his daughters. Named after the year women in Mexico gained the right to vote, 1953 Tequila has shaken up the male-dominated spirits industry from day one, and it was recently named the Best Additive-Free Tequila by Men’s Journal.As you’ll hear, Shivam Mallick Shah and Lindsey Davis Stover have big dreams for tequila and beyond.Episode Highlights:00:00 Lindsey on pitching her crazy idea for a tequila company00:48 Conor Gaughan introduces Lindsey, Shivam, and 1953 Tequila 02:00 Bureaucratic backgrounds and running for Congress13:00 The idea to launch, women in spirits, and meeting agave farmers20:32 Branding, the origin of the name, and making it additive free28:10 Building in a new industry, getting to market, and finding distribution33:09 Challenges as a women-led brand in a male-dominated industry 36:37 Social impact opportunity, sustainability, and doing good 41:35 Building for the future, remaining optimistic, and sources of inspiration48:28 Where to learn more… or find a bottle! 50:00 Outro and end creditsThe book Lindsey mentioned: What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi YamadaShivam meant to mention she is reading: Big Bets: How Large-Scale Change Really Happens by her husband, Rajiv Shah.If you liked this episode, listen next to John Little of Smooth Ambler Spirits Co. on Craft Distilling, Sustainable Growth, and Disrupting the Bourbon IndustryMore on 1953 Tequila, Lindsey, and Shivam:1953tequila.com and instagram.com/1953tequilalinkedin.com/in/lindsey-davis-stover-1b65707linkedin.com/in/shivam-mallick-shah-54a953135Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgoneHave questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comAs Conor mentioned in the show, we're taking a break for his birthday and we'll be back the first week of May with more great conversations!If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Manik Suri is implementing smart technology into cooling, ushering in the era of Cold Chain 2.0. Before founding GlacierGrid in 2020, Manik finished top of his class at Harvard, went to Cambridge for a masters in international relations, returned to Harvard for a law degree, co-founded the Governance Lab, with stops at storied institutions like DE Shaw and the White House Economic Council along the way. Cooling technology has lagged behind other industries in the clean energy transition, but GlacierGrid’s all-in-one management platform is using smart technology to bridge that gap and build a more sustainable, advanced, and efficient cold chain.Hear Manik share how he’s pursuing dual passions for entrepreneurship and positive impact, why cooling technology is vital for the modern world, and how smart technology can decarbonize an entire industry. Episode Highlights:00:00 Manik Suri on the planet’s cooling crisis00:57 Conor Gaughan introduces Manik and GlacierGrid07:00 Academic upbringing, Harvard, and international internships16:03 Law school, The White House, and path to entrepreneurship23:25 GlacierGrid’s rebrand, the hidden economy, and the cold chain33:34 Pitching investors, aligning profits with impact, and future scale 40:09 Exciting innovations, long-term thinking, and staying positive48:07 Where to learn more 49:03 Conclusion and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Nick Whitman of Divert on Food Waste, Renewable Energy, and Impact TechnologyMore on GlacierGrid and Manik Suri:glaciergrid.com linkedin.com/company/glaciergridlinkedin.com/in/maniksuriConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Stanford rocket scientist and fintech entrepreneur Karthik Balakrishnan is integrating high-tech infrastructure modeling with video game interface design to create a software platform that allows businesses to virtually test their plans for maximum sustainability and bottom-line impact. In 2018, Karthik co-founded software startup ACTUAL based on a unique premise: what if you could plug your business idea into a science-backed simulation that operates like a computer game? The software platform allows users to choose a sustainability strategy, map out its various permutations, and compare those simulation results, enabling businesses to explore the full range of possibilities for their capital and implement the most impactful without real-world risks.Hear ACTUAL president and co-founder Karthik Balakrishnan talk about how SimCity influenced their approach, combining user interface with data visualization, and why gamifying decision making is so important for the future. Episode Highlights:00:00 Karthik Balakrishnan on making specialist knowledge more accessible00:53 Conor Gaughan introduces Karthik and ACTUAL05:45 Growing up on the coasts and aerospace engineering at Stanford 10:45 Rocket science, entrepreneurial spirit, and the generalist mindset17:43 Fintech, founding Coin, and risk-taking versus reliability 27:24 Angel investing, the Pioneer Fund, and an impact-based framework 32:55 The origin of ACTUAL, the elevator pitch, and de-risking innovation 42:49 Real world variables and misconceptions about sustainable software  49:15 Exciting innovations, defeating defeatism, and staying positive53:40 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Peter Godart of Found Energy on Aluminum Fuel, NASA, and Engineering Impact at ScaleMore on ACTUAL and Karthik Balakrishnan:actualhq.comlinkedin.com/company/actualhqlinkedin.com/in/kbalakriConnect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and threads.net/@ckgone Have questions, or a great idea for a potential guest? Email us at CiC@consensus-digital.comIf you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
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