Everybody in the Pool

Molly Wood
  • 4.6 (9)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Enough with the "problem porn." We all know the climate crisis is a big deal. This podcast is entirely about solutions and the people who are building them. Entrepreneurs are inventing miracles; the business world is shifting; individuals are overhauling their lives; an entirely new economy is being born. Don't be the last one in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 1D AGO

    E122: Better cooking (and grids) with Copper

    This week on Everybody in the Pool, another sexy gadget that doubles as a grid asset! We take a field trip to the Berkeley headquarters of Copper, which is reimagining the humble stove as a powerful tool for decarbonization. Their flagship product, Charlie, is a 30-inch induction range with a built-in battery that allows for plug-and-play installation, precise cooking, and the potential to support grid stability. We talk about: How a battery in a stove can reduce the need for electrical infrastructure upgradesThe magic of induction cooking - safety, precision, and efficiencyIncentive programs making electrification more accessibleThe potential for appliances to become grid interactive assetsCopper’s vision for scaling electrification across housingBonus: their in-house chef loves it, too. Links:Copper: https://www.copper.com/ All episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/ Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/ Become a member for the ad-free version of the show: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    37 min

  2. FEB 5

    E121: Making heat pumps sexy with Quilt

    Heat pumps are having a moment. Last year, the U.S. passed China to become the world's number one market for heat pumps—and they're not slowing down. But while heat pumps are efficient and effective on paper, they haven't always been objects of desire. Until now. This week, Molly talks to Paul Lambert, CEO and co-founder of Quilt, about building a heat pump company that's equal parts climate solution and consumer product. Paul explains how his team is reimagining the mini-split heat pump—not just as an HVAC system, but as a piece of technology you're proud to have on your wall. We dive into: How heat pumps work: Why an AC is basically "a half-broken heat pump" that only runs in one directionThe two types of heat pumps: Ducted systems vs. ductless mini-splits, and why room-by-room control is a game-changerDesign as climate strategy: How Quilt spent half their initial capital on a domain name and invested heavily in industrial design to create pull, not just policy pushThe installer advantage: Why partnering with contractors (instead of doing it all in-house) unlocked national scaleSmart grid integration: How Quilt's internet-connected system enables demand response without sacrificing comfort—curtailing load in empty rooms while keeping occupied spaces perfectThe data center opportunity: How replacing electric resistance heating with heat pumps near data centers can free up 75% of the energy load—without building new generation capacityWhy incentives help but aren't required: 60% of America is primarily cooling-driven, and heat pumps are just better air conditionersPricing reality: Quilt is competitive with high-end Japanese mini-splits, not luxury-priced like early Nest thermostats or TeslasThe personal mission: How Paul's Alberta roots in the fossil fuel industry and his commitment to his kids' future drove him to climate tech Key insight: Space heating and cooling represent half of all home energy use and 70% of fossil fuel consumption in homes—making HVAC the single biggest lever for decarbonizing buildings. Links: Quilt: https://quilt.comFind a Quilt installer: https://quilt.com (click "Find an Installer")All episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    34 min

  3. JAN 29

    E120: Panama Bartholomy and taking pollution out of buildings

    Buildings account for a third of America's greenhouse gas emissions, yet until recently, we've been flatlined on progress. That's changing—fast. This week, Molly talks to Panama Bartholomy, founder of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, about how an unlikely alliance of utilities, manufacturers, installers, and nonprofits is transforming the way we heat, cool, and power our homes. Panama explains how finding 80% common ground among competitors created unstoppable momentum—and how the U.S. just became the global leader in heat pump sales for the fourth year running. We dive into:The coalition model: How businesses, government, and nonprofits work together through "shuttle diplomacy"Why buildings matter: They represent ~33% of U.S. emissions and are the largest source of air pollution in California's worst air basinsThe heat pump revolution: How the U.S. went from third place to global leader in just five years—heat pumps now outsell furnacesThe gas infrastructure trap: Why we're spending $50 billion annually on aging pipes while gas bills rise twice as fast as electric ratesNeighborhood-scale solutions: How utilities are offering $35,000 checks to electrify entire neighborhoods instead of replacing gas pipelines"Stove Gate" as a paradigm shift: How controversy over gas stove safety created "sticky facts" that changed public perceptionWhat "pollution" means: Why language matters—moving from "decarbonization" to a term everyone understandsThe path forward: Why installers are the real heroes, and what political will looks like in actionKey stat: Space heating and water heating represent 90% of building emissions—and heat pumps can do both jobs 2-4x more efficiently than gas?Links:Building Decarbonization Coalition: https://www.buildingdecarb.org/BDC's 2025 Wrapped Report: https://buildingdecarb.org/2025-wrapped-decarb-editionAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ Visit our sponsor, Climatize, and get $50 in investment credits when you create a profile! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    38 min

  4. JAN 22

    E119: Reinventing the grid with PG&E

    What if the solution to our energy challenges isn't building more—but applying new thinking to the grid we’ve already got? This week, Molly talks to Quinn Nakayama, the senior director at PG&E’s Grid Research Innovation and Development, also known as GRID, division. (Clever, right?) After years of controversy over wildfires that led to the utility’s eventual bankruptcy, PG&E is moving forward with dedicated R&D, pitch competitions, and monetary investment to figure out how to use new technologies to meet growing demand without compromising California’s clean energy goals. We cover:The massive energy demands from data centers and electrificationInnovative strategies to manage load growth without building massive infrastructureHow electric vehicles and smart charging can actually reduce electricity ratesCalifornia's unique challenge of meeting net-zero goals while supporting economic growthCreative solutions like using data center backup generators as temporary grid support In upcoming episodes, we’ll talk with some of the startups PG&E has identified as particularly promising reinvention partners! Links:PG&E’s GRID initiative: https://www.pge.com/en/about/pge-systems/research-and-development.html?vnt=innovationAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show:https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/Visit our sponsor, Climatize, and get $50 in investment credits when you create a profile! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

  5. JAN 15

    E118: Getting protein from the source, with Leaft Foods

    This week on Everybody in the Pool, we're diving into the world of protein production — in reverse. Recently, the USDA released a new food pyramid that controversially places red meat and dairy at the top. That, combined with the global and particularly American obsession with protein, make it a great time to talk to Ross Milne, CEO of Leaft Foods. Leaft is developing a groundbreaking technology that extracts protein directly from alfalfa leaves, potentially reducing emissions by 97% compared to traditional animal agriculture. Leaft Foods isn't just creating a protein alternative - they're reimagining the entire food production system. By isolating RuBisCO, the most abundant protein on the planet, they've developed a nutritional powerhouse that outperforms eggs, whey, and beef in amino acid profile. Their first product, LeafBlade, packs 18 grams of protein and 58% of daily iron intake into a tiny 100ml pouch. We talk about:How extracting protein directly from leaves could transform agricultureThe nutritional superiority of RuBisCO proteinWhy efficiency matters in solving the climate crisisHow this technology could improve both human nutrition and animal farmingThe potential for scaling a more sustainable protein production method Links:Leaft Foods: https://www.leaftfoods.com/All episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show:https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ Visit our sponsor, Climatize, and get $50 in investment credits when you create a profile! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min

  6. JAN 10 · BONUS

    Feed Drop: The S2G Podcast: The Future of Protein Through a Cross-Sector Lens

    Here’s a bonus episode for you to kick off 2026. Back in episode 97, we interviewed Kate Danaher of S2G Investments about investing in the ocean economy. S2G are actually investors in a few of the companies we’ve had on Everybody in the Pool, including Matter, Moleaer, and Sofar Ocean. So this week, we’re featuring one of their interviews as they prepare to launch their new season. The S2G Podcast is hosted by the team at S2G Investments, and looks at what it will take to scale the food and agriculture, oceans and energy transitions. Episodes launch every two weeks with a range of guests, including company leaders, innovators, investors, and policy experts. Season 3 starts on January 15 and you can find the S2G Podcast wherever you get your podcasts. S2G Episodes: https://www.s2ginvestments.com/insights/podcastSubscribe to the S2G Podcast: https://www.s2ginvestments.com/podcastAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show:https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    43 min

  7. JAN 8

    E117: Reinventing Wood Without Trees

    This week on Everybody in the Pool, we’re starting the year with an audacious question: what if we reinvented one of the most basic materials in the world? Decarbonizing the built environment means tackling the stuff we use everywhere — wood, concrete, and steel — at the same time we’re trying to build millions of new homes, strengthen supply chains, and reduce our exposure to geopolitical and climate risk. That’s a tall order. But it’s also unavoidable. My guest is Nathan Silvernail, co-founder and CEO of Plantd, a company building a tree-free, carbon-negative alternative to engineered wood. Designed as a drop-in replacement for OSB (oriented strand board), Plantd’s material looks and behaves like conventional wood — but without cutting down trees. And they’re not stopping at the material itself: Plantd is building the machines, manufacturing process, and agricultural supply chain needed to produce it at scale. We talk about:Why “sustainable wood” isn’t always as sustainable as it soundsWhy trees can’t scale fast enough to meet demand and climate goalsWhat it takes to replace a commodity material without asking builders to change how they buildThe co-benefits: turning waste into biochar and high-purity carbon for adjacent industrial marketsThe hard realities of scaling hardware, agriculture, and manufacturing at the same time LINKS:Plantd: https://www.plantdmaterials.com/All episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show:https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/Visit our sponsor, Climatize, and get $50 in investment credits when you create a profile! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min

  8. 2025-12-18

    E116: The Narnia box for critical minerals

    This week on Everybody in the Pool, we’re diving into one of the biggest bottlenecks in the clean energy transition: critical minerals—the lithium, nickel, cobalt, copper, and precious metals we need for EVs, batteries, and the grid. The problem isn’t that we’re running out. It’s that extraction and refining are expensive, polluting, and increasingly constrained by geopolitics. My guest is Adam Uliana, co-founder and CEO of Chemfinity Technologies, a startup spun out of UC Berkeley that’s building a modular “metal-selective Brita filter” for refining. Chemfinity’s system takes messy inputs—like e-waste, catalytic converters, industrial wastewater, and even mine tailings—and separates out high-purity metals one at a time using tunable “nano-sponge” materials. In other words: a potential way to recover critical minerals with dramatically fewer steps, less energy, and a much smaller footprint. We get into:What “critical minerals” are and why the supply chain is such a vulnerabilityThe climate and human costs of mining—and why recycling and recovery matterHow Chemfinity’s process works (liquify the feedstock, then filter metals out in sequence)The real technical unlock: highly selective nanoscale materials that can distinguish near-identical metalsWhat scaling looks like: pilots now, modular systems later—including shipping-container deployments at mining sitesThe business model question: when Chemfinity sells equipment vs. when it makes sense to sell recovered metals Links:Chemfinity Technologies: https://www.chemfinitytech.com/All episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show:https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

Enough with the "problem porn." We all know the climate crisis is a big deal. This podcast is entirely about solutions and the people who are building them. Entrepreneurs are inventing miracles; the business world is shifting; individuals are overhauling their lives; an entirely new economy is being born. Don't be the last one in. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Information

  • Creator
    Molly Wood
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Molly Wood
  • Show Website
    Everybody in the Pool

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