Flanigan's Eco-Logic

Ted Flanigan

Flanigan's Eco-Logic, hosted by Ted Flanigan, provides cutting-edge information and insights in sustainability and the clean energy space. Episodes address alternative energy -- featuring solar, storage, microgrids, vehicle grid integration, and energy access. In addition, the podcast covers resources issues -- like water and food issues, and even slow fashion. Flanigan’s enthusiasm, vast experience, and deep network in the energy and environmental arena are palpable as he brings exciting and encouraging green developments to the fore, interviewing and engaging leading policy makers and practitioners throughout the United States and in many countries around the world.

  1. Alix Lebec -- Scaling Innovative Finance for Sustainability

    16H AGO

    Alix Lebec -- Scaling Innovative Finance for Sustainability

    Alix Lebec is the Founder and CEO of LEBEC Consulting. She grew up in Paris, then her family moved to South Korea and China.. she was educated in Paris and in London, and now lives in Miami. Ted notes at the onset, "You are truly a global citizen." She and her colleagues are working on global solutions. Her specialty is innovative finance for sustainable development. LEBEC Consulting's mission is to democratize access to capital, opportunity and knowledge. The women-led team has grown into a platform to mainstream and scale innovative finance. Alix explains that its three pillars are its strategic advisory services, managing its own boutique investment fund, and making funders and non-profits and others aware innovative finance. At its core is blending forms of finance and bringing together different capital tools. Her firm is expert at using philanthropy to catalyze initiatives, to de-risk them, then bringing in institutional and larger investors to scale initiatives. Alix's work is sector agnostic. She and her colleagues are advising clients and raising funding across sectors including water, energy, agriculture and food, affordable housing, and health. It's all about scaling solutions by using an innovative finance playbook to shape a resilient and healthy economy and climate. For the past five years, LEBEC Consulting has worked with families, foundations, corporations, and banks, all looking to put capital to work in more impactful ways. At the other end of the process are recipients: The firm is supporting socially responsible entrepreneurs. Ted asks for a few examples and Alix presents four: She began developing the innovative financing model working with Water Equity, an organization founded by Gary White and actor Mat Damon. Its mission was to help women and their families get small loans to access drinking water, originally in India and Bangladesh. They began by using private sources of capital to provide micro-financing for water taps into main lines. Based on a track record of consistent repayments, they effectively de-risked larger investments of more conventional grants and loans from major organizations. Ultimately, the initiative secured $5 billion in capital for a range of water infrastructure and sanitation projects scaled up on several continents. Seeing that "financing playbook" work so well encouraged Alix to launch LEBEC Consulting. Other consulting works, included working with a Fortune 500 company that required strong returns for its investments, but that also wanted to have greater societal impact. Alix helped the company mix its financing tools, strategically blending its philanthropic endeavors with more conventional financial instruments. For the Miami Foundation, Alix built an innovative for affordable housing and environmental protection in Florida, using its philanthropic activities to prove the model and then seed conventional financing. LEBEC Consulting also works with non-profits and entrepreneurs with sourcing capital and using limited funds for the greatest impact. The conversation shifts to Alix's assertion that the world is falling short some $5 trillion in funding for the new economy... investments in low-carbon, climate-resilient solutions. "Clean energy is the future," she says, things like scaling solar-powered water pumping. Closing the funding gap is critical to enhancing food production for a growing population. There is also a huge need for health care and education. While some think that foundation grants and program-related investments will be sufficient, Alix believes that philanthropy has to be leveraged to tap into larger sources of financing, like big banks such as JP Morgan. Another key driver, she asserts, is proper valuation of climate risk. As the insurance industry forces us all to get real on these risks, capital will flow to help close the multi-trillion-dollar gap. Ted closes with asking Alix where she got the passion for her work. She responded that early exposure to different cultures, growing up abroad, and traveling across the Southeast Asia region, opened her eyes. Her first job, working on a documentary in Sudan, reinforced her sense of need and direction. Then working for The World Bank, she saw first-hand the struggles of underserved communities, and the disparity with people who have so much. This rooted her passion and LEBEC's important drive to democratize access to capital, opportunities, and wealth.

    34 min
  2. The 250-Episode Milestone

    JAN 5

    The 250-Episode Milestone

    250. A big number. A lot of podcast episodes! Flanigan's Eco-Logic hit this major milestone in December. Sierra Flanigan and Skye Flanigan, Ted's daughters host this milestone edition. They draw out the good, the breadth of topics and featured guests... and even some of the biggest blunders! "So what does this milestone mean to you Dad?" Ted thanks his daughters for urging him to shift from publishing a monthly newsletter -- which he did for 40 years -- and to create a podcast. "After all Dad, you love to talk, you are full of BS, and you know so many professionals in this space! If you can just get to 10 podcasts, you'll be off and running," they said then. No one imagined hitting the 250 mark! Ted talks about how the podcast has enriched his life. Yes, it takes a lot of work, but how amazing it is to have the privilege to interview and network with so many inspired and inspiring individuals... over 200 great guests with valuable perspectives all.  Skye notes that the podcast has featured quite a number of "big wigs" Yes, notes Ted. It's been an honor to converse with so many chief executive officers, executive directors, a mayor, a U.S. Representative... even a Chinese billionaire. Featured guests include Gina McCarthy, Mary Nichols, Mike Peevey, Denis Hayes, and recently Jon Creyts, the Executive Director of Rocky Mountain Institute where Ted began his career. Ted also discusses his international guests, beaming in from Tahiti, Dubai, Nairobi, Scandinavia, and Australia... covering topics such as ocean health, "slow fashion," and energy access in the developing world. He thanks repeat guests including Jigar Shah, Steve Lewis, Jonathan Parfrey, and Evan Mills. The informal conversation touches on over 50 guests... from grubstaking with Henk Van Alphen, to recycling the unrecyclable with Tom Szaky, to much more efficient electric transmission lines with Dr. Jason Huang, and watershed health with TreePeople's Amanda Begley. Ted notes Rebecca Tickell's Big Picture Ranch films on the soil and regenerative agriculture, and Jack Gro... the NFL's sustainability officer. The breadth of issues is what makes the podcast fresh and interesting for listeners. Ted discusses his view of sustainability and the taxonomy he has developed that address what he calls the spheres of sustainability... energy, water, transportation, the built environment, greenhouse gases, waste management, food and agriculture, and health and wellness. Topics covered include climate music, wildlife crossings, oyster farming, sustainable energy utilities, coffee, tea, the Aspen Ski Company's methane capture, and biophilic design with former colleague Bill Browning. Sierra has hosted Eco-Logic's 17 crash courses in which she interviews Ted, together working to take challenging topics and to relate them in interesting and digestible ways. These include courses on offshore wind, vehicle-to-grid integration, microgrids for energy resilience, net billing, and most recently a course on combusting green hydrogen. More to come! Ted threatens to tackle power factor in an upcoming episode... a complex nuance of power system engineering. When asked, Ted presents a few key lessons learned. First off, be prepared. Then. like journalism, kick off with the meat of the matter. Not to much chit-chat! Then hang loose. And yes, there will be blunders.... He recounts some of those with a chuckle.  The conversation ends with thanks to all who have been instrumental in making the podcast a success: Sierra Flanigan, Skye Flanigan, Alizeh Siddiqui, and Bill Flanigan, with special recognition to Eco-Logic's podcast coach, Rhys Waters from Podstarter in Nova Scotia. It's a team effort, with lots of parts. Ted laments that recording the conversations is the least of it! In closing Ted again thanks his wonderful guests and encourages listeners to send nominations for more of them. "We've had so many great guests that we'd never heard of including recent ones like Tom Chi, Ralph Bianculli, Rinaldo Brutaco, John Belizaire, Chance Claxton, and Heather White. Bring 'em on! We're now working on the next 250!"

    31 min
  3. Andrew Arentowicz -- Burgers Made of Beef and Veggies

    12/29/2025

    Andrew Arentowicz -- Burgers Made of Beef and Veggies

    Andrew Arentowicz is the Co-Founder and CEO of 50:50 Foods, a firm devoted to making healthier burgers. Drew explains that his company's burgers are made up of 50% beef and 50% vegetables. Concerned about the ravages of Amazon rainforest slash and burn practices -- to raise cattle for beef -- Drew and his colleague went to work in their own kitchens to make burgers that taste just as good as their all-beef brethren, but that are healthier both for the planet and for their consumers. Drew tells his origin story...  from early explorations, the realization that consumers are unwilling to completely give up beef, to his early recipes, leading to manufacture at a major burger facility in San Diego. At this point, the burgers are available in 142 retail outlets -- notably at Pavilions and Vons supermarkets, through Thrive on line, and at Disneyland. Clearly 50:50 Foods has come a long way... a bootstrapped start-up that Drew notes "checks all the boxes!" He discusses the dual needs to cut down on beef consumption and to increase vegetable consumption. For parents, his burgers are a form of "stealth health," as they taste better while offering a potential sustainability solution. While not marketed for their environmental benefits, Both burgers address environmental concerns head on. Fully 14% of all greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to cows. For every pound of beef production avoided, 100 pounds of greenhouse gases are avoided. Cows and cow food production are responsible for nearly half of all fresh water used in America, dwarfing the 12% used in our homes. Every Both burger cuts water use by nearly 2,000 gallons in the switch from all beef to 50:50's recipe. But Drew is not one to "brow-beat" consumers: Fundamentally, he stresses that Both burgers are delicious. And when produced at scale, they will cost less as vegetables cost less than beef on a pound-per-pound basis.  The conversation weaves through Drew's rather fortuitous start-up, some of the challenges of working within FDA and USDA protocols and regulations, the clear benefits of 50:50 Foods, and the entrepreneurial path that Drew and his team have taken in developing their potent niche. What's next? First, scaling the burgers.... then taking a look at other related products like meat balls, hot dogs, and chicken nuggets.

    33 min
  4. Heather White -- Tackling Eco-Anxiety

    12/22/2025

    Heather White -- Tackling Eco-Anxiety

    Heather White is the founder and director of the non-profit OneGreenThing. She and her colleagues are focused on helping people of all ages overcome eco-anxiety, and more specifically climate anxiety. Rather than being paralyzed by the enormity of it all and the gloom and doom of myriad threats to our natural world, she has developed a philosophy of empowerment. For those interested, she provides a test that measures and identifies each of our unique powers to make a positive contribution to climate sanity. Based on Bozeman, Montana, Heather is connected with Mother Earth. Her books help others find their own connections. Her books do not prescribe what people ought to do, but instead asking about who they are... and thus how they can use that self identity to take action... and to find joy in taking action. She explains that it's fulfilling... a far cry from the eco-anxiety that stymies action and well-being. Heather's three books flesh out her philosophy. In 2021, she wrote "OneGreenThing: Discover Your Hidden Power to Help Save the Planet." This was followed by a guide: "Sixty Days to a Greener Life." Recently, she has published "Eco-Anxiety: Saving Our Sanity, Our Kids, and Our Future." The last book's forward was written by Erin Brockovich who serves on OneGreenThing's board.  Ted and Heather jump into plastics and the gross ravages of plastic pollution. Her upcoming TedX talk on global plastic pollution is all about solutions and what each of us can do to repel the onslaught of plastic in our lives. To the greatest degree possible, she urges us to avoid single-use plastics, to buy products that have minimal packaging, and to use compostable materials where possible. She offers a plethora of solutions and encourages us all to complement our consumer patterns with being active in the policy arena. The podcast covers Heather's tenure at the Environmental Working Group which she headed, and her remarkable experiences with media. She's been featured on Good Morning America, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, the New York Times, Washington Post and more. And to maintain balance in life, she talks about her own daily practice of getting outside, and imparts the wisdom of a fellow author... who recommends us all to spend time each day... looking up.

    32 min
  5. Tom Chi -- Building a Sane Climate Future

    12/15/2025

    Tom Chi -- Building a Sane Climate Future

    Tom Chi is an inventor, entrepreneur, and investor with a deep knowledge of astrophysics. He was a founder and executive at GoogleX working with autonomous driving and AI when he first became alarmed by climate change. A coral reef near his Hawaii home died in less than eight weeks. Mass bleaching and reef collapse took away the most beautiful thing he had ever seen, every color of the rainbow diminished to gray and brown. Tom explains that climate change is not gradual but instead it is marked by extreme fluctuations. Its the outliers, the six degrees hotter in summer and 2 degrees cooler in winter as was the case at his reef, 122 degree heat in British Columbia, and multiple thousand year events taking place in less than a decade, all dangerous outliers. Clearly the Earth's natural systems are out of equilibrium. Tom believes that we have messed up on climate change communications. They are centered on average temperature changes that are "papering over" the worst parts of climate destabilization. At that moment, Tom decided to give up his work at GoogleX -- the best job he'd ever had -- to work on climate solutions. The awakening spurred him to dig into the source of the death in his neighborhood. And he learned that it could happen to entire world, damage that might take 10 - 20 million years to resolve. He considered taking a sabbatical. But he knew the lift was large enough: Clearly he could not effectively work on this in his spare time. So Tom travelled the world to the front lines of ecological damage, to glaciers calving at alarming rates, rivers running dry, Southeastern Asian rainforests destroyed. He witnessed communities where people live on $2 dollars a day, and how that links with ecosystem destruction like slash and burn in the Amazon. He was digging into the root causes of global ecological problems and found some 60 issues that need attention. Rather than being lost in the abstraction of destruction of our ecosystems, he talks about the need to work locally. "Specificity is the friend of innovation." The more specific you are in addressing problems, the faster you succeed, he explained. At One Ventures, Tom brings his tech savvy to influence investors to support new innovations, to stabilize them into high-yield manufacturing cycles... getting technologies into a global business setting to be profitable. He and his colleague are disrupting those sectors that do the most damage. One of At One's investments is with Factor 2 that is developing a geothermal technology that uses CO2 as the working fluid, replacing water with far greater efficiency. Ted and Tom talk about Tom's new book that will be released in February titled "Climate Capital: Investing in Tools for a Regenerative Future." In it he lays out the world's biggest challenges -- climate destabilization, economic destabilization due to AI, and geopolitical instability. He then addresses these with his 4 Cs... critical thinking , creativity, compassion, and community. Sometimes the problems at hand are so big that they are abstract. One of is book's key directives for all of us to repair our own backyard bioregions. He presents inspiring, localized stories... like the reemergence of the Nene birds in Hawaii. It was a small group of people there that spearheaded a captive breeding program that turned that species' decline around. A lone biologist in San Francisco focused on a native species of butterflies, worked with local botanical garden, and created an ideal habitat that rebounded that rebounded population. He stated that you've got to get past national headlines and get specific to get results. That is where we have the power to change the course of history. Tom works directly on technologies that are restoring mangroves with drones, robots that effectively replant coral reefs and sea grasses. Tom ends with a thoughtful response to Ted's question on his work-life balance. He explains that his form of relaxation and best thinking comes from time in his hammock in Hawaii, away from devices. A little swaying motion triggers the vestibular system. He believes that if you want to be less anxious about the future, get into the process of creating the future you want. The people that will make it are "the builders." They make progress every day, not at a newsworthy pace, but progress that is accretive and additive. This is grounding, a salve for what people are struggling with.

    43 min
  6. Andrew Rothman -- Wildlife Protection Campaigns

    12/08/2025

    Andrew Rothman -- Wildlife Protection Campaigns

    Andrew Rothman, the Wildlife Campaigns Director at Environment America (EA), had good and timely news: He is pleased to report that just this morning, the U.S. Congress approved an extension to the pilot program that has funded 35 wildlife crossings projects in America. The six-year extension will bring $1.2 million through the Department of Transportation to local planning efforts and infrastructure to protect wildlife and motorists.  Education and advocacy are key parts of Andrew's job, in this case EA's efforts culminating in favorable public policy. The crossings solve two problems: wildlife deaths and motorist accidents. This additional funding will support all manner of crossing forms, be they smaller structures, or modifications to existing bridges and underpasses, or culvert widening for terrestrial and aquatic species. "How did you choose glom onto wildlife?"  Andrew describes his early roots:  his family cabin in the north woods of Wisconsin, the Burgess books that impressed him with stories for children about wildlife. As he got older, he focused on rain forests and their wonton destruction for beef production. To combat that habitat destruction he formed the non-profit Rainforest Biodiversity Group in college, something that continues to this day. And he explains, the need is great. World Wildlife and the Zoological Society of London have reported that North America has lost 40% of species of wildlife since 1970, due in large part to habitat loss, but also to pollution and toxins.  Andrew is credited with having created Latin America's first bird tourism trail. By doing so, he found the means to allow fellow birders to witness some of Central America's most interesting birds... including the endangered Green Great Macaw. Birding trails were a natural addition to ecotourism in countries like Costa Rica. They tapped into existing lodges in remote sites. And through bird tourism, Andrew enabled local farmers to care for their livelihoods while doing better for conservation. Back in the States, Andrew has been a spokesperson and advocate for wildlife. He spent 11 years at the American Bird Conservancy. He has lectured extensively and written articles and papers. One discussed in the podcast is his paper on the impacts of fighter jet training on wildlife, including test bombings with practice munitions. Andrew explains that much of this has taken place in the American Southwest. He and others have worked to change military policies, for instance regulating training altitudes to protect wildlife.  Andrew is new to Environment America and is excited about the organization's work and strategies. Just how does EA prioritize its funding? Andrew notes the breadth and width of the threats to wildlife. He notes that EA is pragmatic, only taking on campaigns that have a good chance of success. He discusses EA's canvass that exists to this day and that surveys neighborhoods to inform and guide its policies and research directions. Much of EA's funding is grass roots... small denominations that collectively are critical to wildlife across America. For those interested in chipping in, see EnvironmentAmerica.org.

    32 min
  7. Amanda Begley -- Watershed Health

    12/01/2025

    Amanda Begley -- Watershed Health

    Amanda Begley is the Associate Director for Watershed Health at TreePeople, one of LA's largest and most influential non-profits. TreePeople is now 52 years old, originally founded by Andy Lipkis to plant trees to absorb pollution and clean the air. Amanda explains that her nature-based work with watershed health is a reflection of Andy's message of creating functioning community forests to heal the severed cycles of nature. Trees are at the core of effective watershed management, increasing the quality of life in urban environments. Amanda explains how watershed management integrates activities within a common area of land that drains to body of water. It's about "basins of relations," the trees, water, soil,  people, and all sorts of activities.  On behalf of TreePeople, Amanda guides this process in the Santa Clara watershed. She's an educator, a connector between communities and their needs, developing projects for water supply and water quality and community benefit. Thanks to Los Angeles County's 2018 Measure W, LA's nine watersheds are taking new approaches. Instead of allowing an inch of rain in LA to wash the streets into the sea, releasing 3.5 billions of gallons of polluted water in to the Pacific Ocean, Amanda her colleagues are working to retain the water in the upper reaches of the watersheds for multiple benefits, creating more green space, shade, cleaner air, more habitat for birds and pollinators. When queried about what homeowners can do, Amanda recommends simple measures such as diverting downspouts so rainwater can be used to water trees and shrubs. Yes, there was a time, when stormwater management was all about channeling water to the sea to avoid dangerous flooding. But now there are better solutions... ways to capture precious fresh water and to use it to green our communities. Much of TreePeople's work has been in "upper watersheds," providing mountain restoration after fires. She and her team have been replanting native plants and restoring the biological functions of that land. Measure W funding has three goals: refilling "water savings accounts" (aquifers), promoting water quality, and community enhancement, be it new parks, less concrete, green and complete streets, more trees, gardens, habitat, and more. Measure W provides $280 million each year to fund projects that make local sense. LA is a national leader in this regard. The best example of watershed health in LA? Amanda highlights the South Gate Urban Orchard Park that recently opened in a tough, industrialized area of Los Angeles. Now there is an oasis there with clean water feeding avocado and citrus orchards, community gardens and native plants. There are trails for hiking and a play area for kids inspired by local tribal partners. "We can do this," she says, proving that we can create spots in LA's intense urban infrastructure that feel restorative. LA gets a bad rap of being divorced from nature, but Amanda sees it differently, that we are blessed to be here nestled between the ocean and mountains, a vibrant community now bolstered by thoughtful watershed management.

    30 min
  8. Kari Hammerschlag - Healthy Food for the People

    11/24/2025

    Kari Hammerschlag - Healthy Food for the People

    Kari Hammerschlag has spent the past 30 years promoting healthy food. She's been advocating for healthy farming practices and working with schools and institutions to serve healthy food. As the Deputy Director for Food and Agricultural Policy at Friends of the Earth (FOE), she is passionate and clear: For years, our federal government has bowed to the wishes of agribusinesses and the agrochemical industry. This year is even worse, with the current administration not only rolling back EPA funding, but working to streamline new pesticide approvals, and beyond that... launching PR campaigns to promote the safety of these chemicals, misinforming the public. The vast majority of Americans want healthy food. Polls show that 80% do. And while many are very concerned about the chemicals going into our food, our government is at odds with this strong majority. Even Robert F Kennedy Jr's Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) campaign is contradictory to federal policy. An effort that was begun to promote healthy food, MAHA has been coopted and conflicted... resulting in funds being stripped away from small farms, organic and regenerative agriculture, and instead being used to support big business.  Kari notes that 60 - 70 chemicals used by U.S. farms today are banned in the countries where they are manufactured. The Chinese make Paraquat but have banned its use in China and instead ship it to America. That's just one issue. Meanwhile, the United States is losing 60 farms a day due to labor issues, climate change and weather, not to mention tariffs that are hurting small and big farms. We are up against "corporate controlled food," explains Kari. Kari makes clear the connection between agriculture and climate change. Working for Environmental Working Group some years ago, Kari wrote the "Meat Eaters Guide to Climate Change and Health." In it, she advocates "diet shift." In the case of meat, she suggests, if you eat it... eat less and use the savings to make sure that the meat that you buy is healthy. Food factory meat is laced with antibodies and growth hormones. Fatty tissues in meat accumulate toxins like dioxins. Later in the discussion, Ted asks Kari what we each of us can do. She smiles and simulates eating a forkful of food, making clear that we each control what we eat. We can choose to eat organic. We can support local farms through farmers' markets. We can ask our local supermarkets and restaurants where our food is sourced. But Kari explains that we can't solve the food issue just by changing our consumption patterns. She emphasizes that we also need to get engaged in the policy arena: Join organizations like FOE, she says, and reach out to our politicians with this simple message: We want healthy food.

    33 min
See All (253)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Flanigan's Eco-Logic, hosted by Ted Flanigan, provides cutting-edge information and insights in sustainability and the clean energy space. Episodes address alternative energy -- featuring solar, storage, microgrids, vehicle grid integration, and energy access. In addition, the podcast covers resources issues -- like water and food issues, and even slow fashion. Flanigan’s enthusiasm, vast experience, and deep network in the energy and environmental arena are palpable as he brings exciting and encouraging green developments to the fore, interviewing and engaging leading policy makers and practitioners throughout the United States and in many countries around the world.

Information

  • Creator
    Ted Flanigan
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    253
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Flanigan's Eco-Logic
  • Show Website
    Flanigan's Eco-Logic