Radical Truth

Robert Rubinstein

Radical Truth is a podcast produced by TBLI Group and hosted by Robert Rubinstein. TBLI is making the financial system work for all. Our podcast cover the wide range of ESG and Impact Investing topics. What it is? Why is it booming? Is it really helping? Is Impact regenerative in nature? How will climate change impact investments? There will be regular interviews with thought leaders, some known and some not known, but all brilliant and we will have engaging conversations with all of them. Let’s make the financial system work for all. This is Radical Truth. Visit https://tblicircle.com/

  1. Shareholder Activism Meets Climate Action—How to Drive Big Oil's Energy Transition w/ Mark van Baal

    2D AGO

    Shareholder Activism Meets Climate Action—How to Drive Big Oil's Energy Transition w/ Mark van Baal

    Welcome to TBLI Radical Truth Podcast, where knowledge inspires and we explore bold strategies for shareholder activism, climate finance, and transforming the energy industry from within through ESG engagement and impact investing.In this episode, we're joined by Mark van Baal, founder and executive director of Follow This—the Amsterdam-based shareholder activism organization mobilizing thousands of green shareholders and institutional investors to compel Big Oil companies like Shell, BP, ExxonMobil, Chevron, and TotalEnergies to align with the Paris Climate Agreement and accelerate the energy transition to renewable energy. After a decade as a climate journalist inspired by Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth," Mark pioneered a revolutionary approach to climate action: using shareholder resolutions and proxy voting to pressure fossil fuel companies to shift their billions from oil and gas exploration into clean energy and carbon reduction.In "Shareholder Activism Meets Climate Action," Mark reveals how Follow This transformed from a single €30 share purchase in Shell in 2015 into a global movement that drove climate resolutions supported by over €4 trillion in assets under management from major institutional investors including pension funds, asset managers like AXA and Amundi, and sustainable investment leaders. He shares insights on how shareholder engagement and ESG voting drives measurable climate progress—from Shell's first-ever climate ambition announcement to BP and Equinor setting emissions targets—and why climate resolutions focusing on financial risks from declining fossil fuel demand are becoming critical tools for protecting shareholder value and accelerating decarbonization. Mark demonstrates how activist investors and responsible shareholders are using corporate governance, proxy season, and AGM voting to force energy companies to address Scope 3 emissions, product emissions, and the financial sustainability of fossil fuel business models in a net-zero economy.TBLiIRadical Truth Podcast brings you climate leaders in shareholder activism, ESG engagement, and sustainable finance who are driving systemic change in energy, fossil fuels, and corporate climate responsibility. Let's begin our conversation with Mark van Baal on shareholder activism, climate resolutions, and transforming Big Oil through investor pressure.This is TBLI Radical Truth Podcast.

    1h 1m
  2. Myanmar Crisis 2026 – The Hidden Cost of Capital

    FEB 10

    Myanmar Crisis 2026 – The Hidden Cost of Capital

    Robert Rubinstein: Welcome to TBLI Radical Truth, the platform dedicated to the pioneers redefining the purpose of capital. Today, we aren't just discussing financial returns; we are exposing the human cost of irresponsible investment. By January 2026, the humanitarian crisis in Myanmar has reached a staggering breaking point: 3.6 million people are internally displaced. While the world looks away, the military regime is weaponizing the country's natural wealth—jade mining, rare earth minerals, and mega-hydro projects—to fund a war against its own citizens. I’m your host, Robert Rubinstein, and joining me today as co-host is Dr. Rieki Crins. Dr. Rieki Crins: Robert, the scale of the atrocities is chilling. The United Nations has documented systematic war crimes—entire villages burned and ethnic minorities facing genocide-level persecution in Kachin, Rakhine, and Shan States. Yet, the "blood money" continues to flow through global supply chains and extractive industries. Robert Rubinstein: Our guest today is a courageous Kachin human rights activist working on the ground in Myanmar. They are at the frontlines, gathering evidence of war crimes under a military dictatorship and demanding accountability from a regime operating with total impunity. In this episode of TBLI Radical Truth, we pull back the curtain on: The 2026 Humanitarian Reality: The current state of the conflict zones in Kachin and beyond. The Finance-War Connection: How extractive industries—gold, timber, and jade—bankroll the junta. The Failure of International Sanctions: Why current global pressures are missing the mark. ESG and Responsible Investment: What investors must know about their exposure to Myanmar. Robert Rubinstein: This is more than a Myanmar story—it’s a wake-up call for global finance. Are your investments enabling atrocities? Please welcome our guest, a brave voice for the silenced. This is TBLI Radical Truth.

    55 min
  3. Democratizing Impact Capital Through Crowdfunding/w Ellen Hensbergen

    FEB 3

    Democratizing Impact Capital Through Crowdfunding/w Ellen Hensbergen

    Welcome to TBLi Radical Truth Podcast, where knowledge inspires and we explore innovative investment models democratizing impact investing, sustainable finance, and climate solutions.In this episode, we're joined by Ellen Hensbergen, Managing Director Benelux at Invesdor—Europe's leading impact crowdfunding platform. With leadership experience at ABN AMRO and Munt Mortgages, Ellen is pioneering a financial revolution in impact capital and equity crowdfunding, shifting from exclusive venture capital to a pan-European ecosystem where everyday investors fund renewable energy, sustainable startups, and UN Sustainable Development Goals-aligned climate solutions.In "Democratizing Impact Capital Through Crowdfunding," Ellen reveals how Invesdor's merger with Oneplanetcrowd created Europe's largest impact investment platform. From renewable energy projects like Windpark Fryslân to MedTech and circular economy innovations, she demonstrates how equity crowdfunding bridges financial returns with measurable social impact and ESG performance. Ellen shares how the European Crowdfunding Service Provider (ECSP) license enables cross-border impact investing across Europe, why crowdfunding is becoming a viable alternative to traditional VC for sustainable startups, and how transparent impact measurement tracks environmental and social returns alongside financial performance.TBLi Radical Truth Podcast brings you leaders in sustainable finance and ESG who are democratizing capital markets for climate action.Let's begin our conversation with Ellen Hensbergen on impact crowdfunding and sustainable investing in Europe.This is TBLi Radical Truth Podcast.#TBLIRadicalTruth #ImpactInvesting #EquityCrowdfunding #SustainableFinance #ESGInvesting #Invesdor #Oneplanetcrowd #DemocratizingCapital #RenewableEnergy #ClimateFinance #ImpactCapital #SustainableDevelopmentGoals #SDGs #CrowdfundingEurope #GreenInvesting #SocialImpact #EnvironmentalInvesting #RetailInvestors #FinancialInclusion #CircularEconomy

    1h 3m
  4. How Pension Funds Can Save the Planet: Stewardship vs. ESG | Catherine Howarth (ShareAction)

    JAN 13

    How Pension Funds Can Save the Planet: Stewardship vs. ESG | Catherine Howarth (ShareAction)

    How Pension Funds Can Save the Planet: Stewardship vs. ESG | Catherine Howarth (ShareAction) Trillions of dollars in pension funds hold the power to dictate the future of our planet, yet most of that capital remains passive. In this episode of Radical Truth, host Robert Rubinstein sits down with Catherine Howarth, CEO of ShareAction, to discuss why your retirement savings are a massive lever for climate and social change. We move beyond simple ESG metrics to discuss the "Radical Truth" about investor stewardship. Catherine explains how ShareAction is holding global banks and retailers accountable through systemic advocacy and why the traditional definition of fiduciary duty is being redefined to include environmental and social outcomes. Key Insights for Investors: 08:45 – The Power of Your Pension: Why passive investing is no longer enough. 19:20 – Stewardship vs. Divestment: Which strategy actually drives corporate change? 31:10 – The Future of Fiduciary Duty: Protecting long-term value in a 2026 climate reality. 44:00 – How ShareAction leverages grassroots activism to influence boardroom accountability. Connect with Radical Truth: Explore more about our work at TBLI Group. Subscribe for weekly insights into Impact Investing and Sustainable Finance. #SustainableFinance #PensionFunds #ShareAction #ImpactInvesting #ESG #Stewardship #RadicalTruthPodcast #RobertRubinstein This is TBLI Radical Truth

    1h 1m
  5. The Father of Carbon Trading: Richard Sandor on Market-Based Climate Solutions

    12/02/2025

    The Father of Carbon Trading: Richard Sandor on Market-Based Climate Solutions

    How did a single financial innovation help end acid rain and create the blueprint for modern climate finance? In this episode of Radical Truth, host Robert Rubinstein sits down with the "Father of Carbon Trading," Dr. Richard L. Sandor. Dr. Sandor, Chairman and CEO of Environmental Financial Products, reveals the "Radical Truth" behind five decades of market creation. From inventing interest rate futures to founding the Chicago Climate Exchange (CCX), he discusses how well-regulated emissions trading systems can drive massive carbon reduction while creating entirely new asset classes for sustainable investing. We also discuss his groundbreaking new book, "Carbon Hunters: Reflections and Forecasts of Climate Markets in the 21st Century," and why climate capitalism is the key to a net-zero future. Key Insights from a "Hero of the Environment": 08:15 – The Invention of Financial Futures: Lessons for today's climate markets. 19:30 – Cap-and-Trade Success: How the SO2 program proved market-based solutions work. 32:10 – Carbon Hunters: A look into the future of global environmental policy. 45:45 – Creating Capital Infrastructure: Why carbon pricing exceeds costs by 30 to 1. Resources & Links: Join the TBLI network at TBLI Group. Get the new book: "Carbon Hunters" (World Scientific, 2025). #CarbonTrading #ClimateFinance #RichardSandor #ESG #ImpactInvesting #CarbonHunters #NetZero #RadicalTruthPodcast #TBLI

    1h 25m

About

Radical Truth is a podcast produced by TBLI Group and hosted by Robert Rubinstein. TBLI is making the financial system work for all. Our podcast cover the wide range of ESG and Impact Investing topics. What it is? Why is it booming? Is it really helping? Is Impact regenerative in nature? How will climate change impact investments? There will be regular interviews with thought leaders, some known and some not known, but all brilliant and we will have engaging conversations with all of them. Let’s make the financial system work for all. This is Radical Truth. Visit https://tblicircle.com/