Electric Ladies Podcast

Joan Michelson
  • 4.9 (54)
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Engaging and enlightening interviews with women leaders on energy, climate, sustainability and corporate responsibility -- ESG, environment,social and governance issues. Business, policy and technology, money, the arts and careers. Topics include driving innovation, leadership, communications and career advice. Inspiration, trends and insights. Hosted and produced by Joan Michelson, acclaimed journalist, business leader, coach and speaker, based in Washington, DC.

  1. 7H AGO

    How Utilities Are Evolving While Keeping The Lights On – Nicole Pearson & Brad Johnson of Bentley Systems

    How Utilities Are Changing While Keeping The Lights On – Nicole Pearson & Brad Johnson of Bentley Systems   "The really great thing about electric utilities is that they maintain a singular focus almost regardless of what's going on around them. It's safety, reliability, resilience. So they'll adapt and flex…They're not going to take a risk that sacrifices safety, that sacrifices your light coming on….The difference now that I've noticed is their willingness to move forward with technology and change decades, long processes and workflows and legacy built systems……. because they see how they can still maintain and maintain more efficiently, safety, reliability, resiliency." Nicole Pearson on Electric Ladies Podcast   Utilities are being transformed even as they keep the lights on. They have to become more resilient to the effects of climate changes and be responsive to new energy sources and technologies and even invent new business models while also regulated – all without dropping a moment of power.  How? Listen to Nicole Pearson, Director of Marketing for Energy and Brad Johnson, Industry head of Energy Systems at Bentley Systems in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. It was recorded live at the Bentley Systems "Year in Infrastructure" 2025 conference. You'll hear about: ●        How utilities have evolved and are evolving without risking service, safety, reliability and under the regulatory microscope. ●        How Bentley Systems' software is reducing risk and increasing resilience of utilities. ●        How utilities are leveraging A.I. while monitoring for cyberattacks and hallucinations to keep systems, workers and consumers safe. ●        Utilities have to plan decades ahead, even 30+ years ahead, yet technologies evolve so fast. How can they plan that far ahead? ●        Plus, career advice, such as:   "The first one is own it. Own it. What is it? Your career. And when I say own it, I'm constantly, even today having meetings with people that I don't know, requesting mentorship, reaching out through LinkedIn, going to events. I try to stay very connected and not just people in my close industry or even work type …Every single person you meet is a connection and could have an impact on your life and vice versa….When you meet somebody, keep the conversation going. …So one day if they need something or you need something, you have a connection….My second piece of advice is… you should always have a list of things that you want to accomplish, that you want to put on your résumé. And regardless of what's going on around you in your job, focus on those things." Nicole Pearson on Electric Ladies Podcast     Read Joan's Forbes article on whether A.I. makes our infrastructure safer or not here, and her Joan's other Forbes articles here.   You'll also like: ·       Using Software & AI to Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems ·       Leveraging AI for Sustainability – Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva ·       Artificial Intelligence and the Climate: Stephanie Hare, Ph.D, author of "Technology is Not Neutral" and BBC Broadcaster ·       How Design & Technology Are Redesigning Cities: Nikki Greenberg, Real Estate of the Future, live at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 ·       88% of Companies Say Sustainability Increases Long-Term Value: Maura Hodge, Chief Sustainability Officer, KPMG ·       The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus   Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.   Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

    39 min

  2. FEB 10

    Using Software, AI To Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems

    Using Software, AI To Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems   "For example, if we have a concrete pile, we can change the parameters and use AI to suggest actually a more optimal design with regards to how much concrete is going to be used. So we quite often, as engineers, we are risk averse. So sometimes you can over design to make sure consequences in construction and infrastructure are real. We do need to be precise, but we can use AI to ensure that we have a reduced amount of carbon and concrete in that pile, but still meeting the outcomes that we set out to achieve." Lydia Walpole on Electric Ladies Podcast Infrastructure like roads and bridges, as well as buildings today need to be built with strong climate resilience, as well as reduced carbon footprint. Innovative software systems are leveraging AI to increase performance. How? Listen to Lydia Walpole, Senior Director of Global Performance and Chris Bradshaw, Chief Sustainability Officer both of Bentley Systems in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. It was recorded live at the Bentley Systems "Year in Infrastructure" 2025 conference.   You'll hear about: ●        How Bentley Systems' digital twin technology is reducing risk, waste and CO2 and improving performance. ●        How sustainability and climate resilience shift the approach to infrastructure builds from "reactive to predictive," as Chris said, as extreme weather increases. ●        How their technologies are transforming infrastructure builds across the globe. ●        Plus, career advice, such as:   "I often hear about imposter syndrome, and I know it's easy to say, but I've worked in a male dominated environment my whole career, and I've never felt like I shouldn't be here. And it is easy to say, don't feel that, but you deserve to be where you are. You've worked hard and recognize that. …Secondly, be curious and remain curious, and make sure you are continuing to learn and educate yourself every day….Keep abreast of new technologies." Lydia Walpole on Electric Ladies Podcast  And Chris Bradshaw added: "My biggest piece of advice would be to be bold. Don't be shy. Diverse groups make better decisions, always…. You are bringing a different point of view." Read Joan's Forbes article on whether A.I. makes our infrastructure safer or not here, and her Joan's other Forbes articles here. You'll also like: ·       Leveraging AI for Sustainability – Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva ·       Artificial Intelligence and the Climate: Stephanie Hare, Ph.D, author of "Technology is Not Neutral" and BBC Broadcaster ·       How Design & Technology Are Redesigning Cities: Nikki Greenberg, Real Estate of the Future, live at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 ·       88% of Companies Say Sustainability Increases Long-Term Value: Maura Hodge, Chief Sustainability Officer, KPMG ·       The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus   Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.   Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

    46 min

  3. FEB 3

    88% of Companies Say Sustainability Creates Long-Term Value – Maura Hodge, KPMG Chief Sustainability Officer

    "There is value in being able to articulate the qualitative value of sustainability…And yes, obviously revenues can be attached to that, but obviously just the opportunity to open up new markets more broadly and innovate…There's the risk and compliance component, which tend to be more easy to actually quantify. And then there's the brand reputation…So you can make the case qualitatively in any of those three areas…There's this movement from morality to materiality now that CFOs are involved…We actually take that all the way to the financial statements, to the balance sheet, to the profit and loss statement, and identify those specific line items where there could be savings or synergies or increases." Maura Hodge on Electric Ladies Podcast   Companies have to focus on long-term value and returns, and a recent report by KPMG found that 88% of them say sustainability creates both. They also see it as a competitive advantage. Why? Listen to Maura Hodge, Chief Sustainability Officer of global management consulting and accounting firm KPMG in this enlightening conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson.   You'll hear about: ●        How companies see sustainability as a competitive advantage. ●        How sustainability and ESG initiatives drive return on investment and long-term value. ●        Why CFO's are on board with ESG, as both a risk mitigation and revenue driver. ●        What companies can do to make progress themselves. ●        Plus, career advice, such as:   "My experience has been looking for those opportunities of new area growth, innovation. Of course, there's risk. There's going to be risk when you move into those areas…I actually pivoted and started working with venture capital backed life sciences companies…then I got to come back to sustainability after that. …I think keeping your eyes open, keeping your ears open, developing your network, and being willing to make those changes and taking those pivots in your career will pay off….(And) the way that you get ahead is actually sometimes by taking two steps back. And so, it's more of a step up, plateau, then maybe take a step down and then start moving up again. And that's how you kind of break into the next level." Maura Hodge on Electric Ladies Podcast   Read Joan's Forbes article on Maura's panel at the Workiva conference here, and her Joan's other Forbes articles here.   You'll also like: ·       Business Leaders Bridging the Climate Gap – Joan's panel at The Earth Day Women's Summit 2025 with four top business leaders. ·       Sustainable Business Is Good Business – Tensie Whelan, Founding Director, NYU  Stern School of Sustainable Business. ·        Leveraging AI for Sustainability – Mandi McReynolds, VP of External Affairs & Chief Sustainability Office at Workiva ·       The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus ·       6 Ways Sustainability Can Help Businesses Navigate Tough Times and Drive Growth – From Workiva, KPMG and NYU   Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.   Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

    52 min

  4. JAN 28

    Microgrids Keep The Lights On, For Less – Jana Gerber, President of Microgrids, Schneider Electric

    "What is a microgrid?...There's a lot of challenges that folks are dealing with around the grid infrastructure, with weather related challenges and load growth and other elements. And so what a microgrid does is help those customers become not only consumers of energy, but also producers of energy. So we like to call that a prosumer….So a microgrid helps to create that bridge between the building and the big grid…So if the grid's no longer there (e.g., an outage), they can act independently of the grid. It also helps with deploying more renewables on their sites, as well as really energy costs." Jana Gerber on Electric Ladies Podcast Our hearts go out to the many people who are out of power in the current massive winter storm. We wish they had access to a microgrid to give them power when the grid is down, like during this ferocious storm. How does a microgrid work? Can you get one for your home? Listen to Jana Gerber, President of Microgrids at Schneider Electric in this helpful and engaging conversation with Electric Ladies host Joan Michelson, live at the Schneider Electric U.S. Innovation Summit a couple of months ago. They also share insightful career advice. You'll hear about: What a microgrid is, how it works and how to use it. How microgrids can serve communities in disaster situations – and are doing so in real time. How facilities as different as military bases to airports to EV charging are using microgrids to keep the power on. How microgrids are powered by renewables and batteries…and so much more Plus, insightful career advice, such as… "I think having purpose in what we do really drives that passion. And so continue to find what your North star is and where your passion aligns with that and keep going at it. So I think that's the important thing….I've had multiple different roles across different elements of the (SE) business and really getting to understand the perspectives and everybody wants to provide value and what they're doing. And so helping to find ways that you can pull folks in to help them bring their value to your customers or through other means is really critical." Jana Gerber on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes articles here. You'll also like: An Industrial Revolution Unlike Any Other – with Gwenaelle Avice-Huet, EVP and head of Automation at Schneider Electric, from their U.S. Innovation Summit 2025 Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), on the politics of energy and infrastructure Doreen Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA, on how New York is leading the way to the clean energy future. Paula Glover, from the Alliance To Save Energy Autum Huskins, Hitachi Zosen Inova, turning waste into energy (and wine) Marit Brommer, Ph.D., International Geothermal Association, how geothermal is a dependable energy source Claire Seaborn, former Chief of Staff to Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources on what the U.S. can learn from Canada's energy policies Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

    33 min

  5. JAN 20

    How To Talk About Climate In A Polarized Culture – Katharine Hayhoe, Climate Scientist, Professor at Texas Tech University & Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy

    "We have to begin our conversations with what really matters to the person or people we're speaking with. And if we don't know what that is, we have to get to know them and build a relationship and then start the conversation where they're at…The second common misconception I see is that we have to load up our wheelbarrow with the biggest load of scary facts we can possibly find and just dump it on people because not enough people are worried about this.…But if we haven't connected the head to the heart, my life, the places I love, the people I love, the things I love my home, the price of my groceries, the price of my insurance, the quality of the air I'm breathing, or my child's breathing, if we haven't made the head to heart connection, people still see this issue as being distant and remote from them." Katharine Hayhoe on Electric Ladies Podcast Signs of climate change are all around us, from ferocious and more frequent hurricanes, and in unexpected places, to massive wildfires and floods, as well as cracking roads and bridges. But many still don't believe it or don't want to take steps to avoid it or become more resilient. So, how can we reach them, especially in the very polarized culture we have today? Listen to Katharine Hayhoe, Ph.D. acclaimed climate scientist, Professor at Texas Tech University and Chief Scientist of The Nature Conservancy in this enlightening conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. Katharine is also the author of several books, including "Saving Us: A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World."   You'll hear about: ●        How to talk about climate issues even without even talking about climate. ●        What we can learn from the faith-based community about talking about the climate crisis. ●        What is happening to the vitally important climate science data that was defunded and taken offline by the Trump administration…and so much more ●        Plus, career advice, such as:   "(W)hat am I uniquely good at? So there's certain things that I'm a lot better at than other people. So that's the filter that we should apply. But then my favorite's the last filter, which is what genuinely gives me joy, what charges my battery rather than depleting it. Now, of course, don't get me wrong, we all have to do things that deplete our battery every day. But if our work does not give us joy or if it gave us joy at some time in the past but is no longer doing so now, that's a sign to us to think differently about what we're doing….(And invest) in making our own lives sustainable is so important. It's something I feel like we often neglect and it falls by the wayside in our focus on everything else that needs to be sustainable. But really I think it starts with US." Katharine Hayhoe on Electric Ladies Podcast   Read Joan's Forbes articles here.   You'll also like: ·       Unique Urban Climate Actions – Joan's panel at Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona with three top urban leaders from around the world. ·       How Climate Modelling Affects Everything – Maria Caffrey, Ph.D., Principal Scientist, UK's National Physical Laboratory ·        Critical Minerals 101 – with Abby Wulf, Former Head of Critical Minerals at the Dept. Of Energy, & Center for Critical Minerals Strategy ·       The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus ·       Climate Is A Security Emergency – Svitlana Krakovska, top Climate Scientist from Ukraine and Mirian Villela, head of Earth Charter International and the Center for Sustainable Development with Joan Michelson at The Earth Day Women's Summit 2025.   Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.   Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

    1h 1m

  6. JAN 13

    Critical Minerals 101 – Abby Wulf, Critical Minerals Expert, Former Head of Critical Minerals at the Dept. Of Energy, & Center for Critical Minerals Strategy

    "Critical minerals and materials…are essential for key economic and national security technologies that help to fuel great sectors in the United States and around the world…We're at a very interesting point in the United States for critical minerals and materials because the US Geological Survey… just released their draft version of their newly updated critical minerals list…(But) they're very difficult to come by. And for a lot of these materials, they are mined as byproducts and co-products. They're used in incredibly low volumes, and so it's very difficult for companies to sort of make money on producing them, which in the United States, of course, to get anybody to do anything they need to be able to make a profit…China has been able to dominate this space and establish a stranglehold over many of these types of supply chains for these different commodities."  Abby Wulf on Electric Ladies Podcast Critical minerals are foundational to all our technologies, from computers to automobiles, weaponry and national security, among others, but they are also scarce and difficult to procure, especially in the volumes needed. So, what are they and what can we do? Listen to Abby Wulf, a top critical minerals expert who recently left the Department of Energy as head of Critical Minerals in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. Abby previously served as the founding Executive Director of the Center for Critical Minerals at the nonprofit SAFE.   You'll hear about: ●        What critical minerals are, what makes them "critical," and where they come from. ●        How critical mineral supplies, and therefore the technologies that we rely on every day, are procured and affected by geopolitical dynamics, including Ukraine and China. ●        U.S. sources of these minerals and the financial incentives that were in the Inflation Reduction Act & Infrastructure Act that helped grow the sector….and so much more. ●        Plus, career advice, such as:   "I think that there doesn't necessarily have to be a trade-off between making money and making a difference….I've just been trying to say yes, to every opportunity that has come my way. …There are going to be different fits and starts and seasons to your career. But the one thing that's sort of driven me more than salary even I would say, are really just experiences… There are so many different things to learn…so I've let my curiosity sort of drive where my next career move has gone…. There's no comfort in the growth zone and no growth in the comfort zone." Abby Wulf on Electric Ladies Podcast     Read Joan's Forbes articles here.   You'll also like: ·       What We Can Learn From Canada's Energy Policies – with Claire Seaborn, energy attorney and former Chief of Staff to the Canadian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources ·       Reducing The IT Sector's Carbon Footprint – with Monica Batchelder, Chief Sustainability Officer of HPE (Hewlett Packard Enterprises) ·       Making Computers Sustainably – with Page Motes, Chief Sustainability Officer at Dell Technologies ·       The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus ·       How GM Is Going All Electric – with Chief Sustainability Officer, Kristen Siemen   Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.   Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

    1 hr

  7. JAN 6

    Mobilizing Women's Influence – Paula Noble Fellingham

    "People care about the diversity because diversity makes teams stronger. And, and this is research based. And so they can say what they want, but those who know that there is strength in diversity, they'll continue on in spite of the, you know, the outcry on the other end….There's research that shows that when the lives of billions of women are improved, here's what happens. Number one, there's better female leadership. Number two, there's stronger education and more equality with women and girls. There's healthier national economies. There's research. …There's stronger families and my friends, there's greater peace." Paula Noble Fellingham on Electric Ladies Podcast To start off the year, we're talking with an expert who has been mobilizing people all over the globe for decades, especially women. Women can make a huge impact right now, if we leverage our strengths and influence. How? Listen to Paula Noble Fellingham talk about her suggestions in this engaging discussion with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson.    You'll hear about: How women can leverage their influence much more effectively, building campaigns. How to make the case for diversity, and specifically for elevating women to leadership roles. How more women leaders advance the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Plus, insightful career advice, such as… "Kick up your ask, because so many women need to be more confident and they need to ask for the promotion. However, they need to be qualified for the promotion…. (S)ay, 'this is what I've done in the last year. This is the how I've helped the ROI of this company. This is what I can do in the future,' and have it written and say it in a way, and this is so important. Say it in a way that doesn't create an adversarial relationship, but invites them. So here's a beautiful way to say it. I invite you to consider the possibility of this because I am qualified…I am qualified because of the things I've done, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and the things I know I can do, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 to help this company move forward." Paula Fellingham on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes article about this new report here and more of her articles here too. You'll also like: ·        Career Advice for Women During Difficult Times: Here is valuable career advice from five extraordinary women at this tumultuous time. It's a good way to start the year too. ·        Women's Trillions Will Change Everything: Listen to Silvia Bastante de Unverhau of LGT Private Bank on how women gaining over 50% of global wealth through "the great wealth transfer" going on will have a profound effect on all economies. ·       Are You A 'Tech Humanist'?: Listen to Kate O'Neill, author of "Tech Humanist," speaker and corporate strategist on what that means, and how to maximize the intersection of technology and humanity. ·       Technology And Design Improving Urban Environments: Listen to Nikki Greenberg, architect and expert in urban design talk about improving where and how we live in cities with design as well as technology. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

    49 min

  8. 12/30/2025

    A Creative Leverage For Good – Kate Williams, 1% For The Planet

    "1% for the planet…the way it works is that we have businesses who are our members, and they're actually supporting environmental partners at the level of 1% of revenues….You invest in the things that matter and the planet matters.…(to) drive impact at scale. And so, in terms of that scale, last year we certified US$100million of support going from these companies to environmental partners….When a company joins, they pay a dues fee to us, but then the rest of their 1%, they will give directly to environmental partners….And then at the end of each year, we certify that giving." ate Williams on Electric Ladies Podcast This time of year we are likely making donations, but this episode is about a creative way to make a bigger difference – and all year long with the normal stuff you buy. You'll hear about businesses, partnering with nonprofits, leveraging each other's strengths and networks to have a much larger impact. We sure need to have a much larger impact right now. So, how do we scale donations and impact? Listen to Kate Williams, CEO of 1% For The Planet on how they help companies of all sizes and shapes leverage and certify their donations strategically in this fascinating discussion with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson.  You'll hear about: How 1% For The Planet works – and why they certify their members' donations. How their Planet Impact Fund works – and the four areas they focus on. Stories of donations that made a big difference, and creative ways they did it Trends they have seen I the corporate donations over the past 10 years. Plus, insightful career advice, such as… "A couple things. One is, step forward and step up before you think you might be ready.… Becoming a CEO or C-suite can be one way that you progress, but you can also just become really deeply knowledgeable in a particular area.… Sometimes as women and just as humans, we can maybe hold ourselves back. So, I would say like, step up before you're ready.…(S)upport appears when once I've taken the step….The other thing is stay open to serendipity…We may forget that serendipity is sometimes how the opportunities that we get to step into are shown to us…. So, stay open." Kate Williams on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes article about this new report here and more of her articles here too. You'll also like: ·        Zainab Salbi, Cofounder of Daughters for Earth, one of the partners in One Earth – and Founder of Women to Women International and its former CEO ·        Rosemary Atieno, Women Climate Centers International – on how they are helping women in rural Kenya grow their economies and address climate change at the same time. ·       Justin Winter, Cofounder, One Earth, on "philanthro-activism". ·       Laur Hesse Fisher, MIT's Environmental Solutions Initiative on making a difference from where you are. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers.. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson

    54 min
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About

Engaging and enlightening interviews with women leaders on energy, climate, sustainability and corporate responsibility -- ESG, environment,social and governance issues. Business, policy and technology, money, the arts and careers. Topics include driving innovation, leadership, communications and career advice. Inspiration, trends and insights. Hosted and produced by Joan Michelson, acclaimed journalist, business leader, coach and speaker, based in Washington, DC.

Information

  • Creator
    Joan Michelson
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    508
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Green Connections Media LLC
  • Show Website
    Electric Ladies Podcast

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