Consensus in Conversation

Conor Gaughan
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Consensus in Conversation

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!

  1. Dr. Bryan Staley of EREF on Managing Waste, Reducing Landfill Emissions, and The Science of Trash

    1 DAY AGO

    Dr. Bryan Staley of EREF on Managing Waste, Reducing Landfill Emissions, and The Science of Trash

    Dr. Bryan Staley knows a thing or two about waste. In fact, the president and CEO of the Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) is one of the world’s leading experts on sustainable waste management and landfill emissions, and he’s on a lifelong mission to help scientists, corporations, and individuals alike better understand the impact of what we throw away. For many of us, waste is one of the most immediate climate-adjacent issues, and one of the few that we can significantly influence as individuals. Installing solar panels or buying an EV may not be possible for everyone, but all of us have to take out the trash, and little contributions like knowing what can and can’t be recycled or thinking more carefully about what goes in our trash can add up to a big difference. And when individuals, companies, or even entire industries run into questions and concerns about how to best manage their waste, EREF is working hard to provide the answers. The non-profit sits at the intersection of science, business, and scholarship, advancing the circular economy and sustainable resource management through unbiased scientific research and education. Having begun as an EREF scholar himself, for the past 13 years Dr. Bryan Staley has led the foundation as it shapes our understanding of the science behind crucial issues like PFAs (aka forever chemicals), landfill methane capture, and even AI-powered recycling robots to help better manage waste and build a more sustainable world. Hear Bryan share how growing up on a farm taught him the importance of long-term planning, the complexities of how waste breaks down, and why EREF’s independent science is a critical tool for anyone committed to understanding and reducing their environmental impact. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Bryan Staley on measuring landfill emissions00:49 Conor Gaughan introduces Bryan and EREF05:53 Farming roots, patient planning, and academic trajectory11:06 Waste management, EREF, and eye-opening research programs18:04 Landfill emissions, turning methane into energy, and microbiology24:58 The origin of EREF, expanding the mission, and achieving circulatory 30:04 Core principles, balancing interests, and the science of waste disposal 38:41 Food waste, composting, and the challenge of circular textiles44:07 Innovations to watch and best practices for individual waste management51:37 Finding motivation, defeating defeatism, and remaining optimistic 55:21 Where to learn more56:13 End credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Matt Rogers of Mill Industries on Food Waste, Impactful Product Design, and Innovation. More on Dr. Bryan Staley and EREF: erefdn.orglinkedin.com/in/bryan-staley-b79b6738linkedin.com/company/environmental-research-and-education-foundation As mentioned in the episode, here is Bryan’s thesis, “Environmental and Spatial Factors Affecting Microbial Ecology and Metabolic Activity During the Initiation of Methanogenesis in Solid Waste.” Connect with Conor Gaughan on linkedin.com/in/ckgone and a href="http://threads.net/@ckgone" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    58 min
  2. Lauren Dunford of Guidewheel on Data-Driven Efficiency, Sustainable Factories, and Finding Champions

    OCT 17

    Lauren Dunford of Guidewheel on Data-Driven Efficiency, Sustainable Factories, and Finding Champions

    Data is one of the most critical, and underused, tools for combating climate change – the more information we have about our impact, the better decisions we can make towards managing it. Lauren Dunford, co-founder of revolutionary startup Guidewheel, is on a mission to place that tool in the hands of manufacturers, offering a unique, data-driven system for monitoring factory operations, reducing energy costs, and improving efficiency. CEO Lauren launched the startup in 2018 with co-founder and current CTO Weston McBride, leading Guidewheel’s development of its core product, the FactoryOps platform, a system they describe as “Fitbit for Factories.” With funding from major ESG players like Breakthrough Energy Ventures and the Decarbonization Partners fund, and brand name customers like Coca-Cola FEMSA and Igloo, Guidewheel’s cutting-edge approach to sustainable manufacturing operations is turning heads across the industry. Lauren received a degree in Sustainability in Global Environment and Health at Stanford, where she also co-founded the Stanford Green Fund and ran the Students for a Sustainable Stanford program. After completing a Fulbright scholarship studying supply chain in India, Lauren worked her way up to chief of staff at the B-Corp Revolution Foods, where she saw firsthand just how impactful data could be for operational efficiency and sustainability, developing the idea for what would soon become Guidewheel. Hear Lauren discuss her passion for studying environmental impact, why better data can help industries cut costs and bolster sustainability, and how the practical approach of picking low-hanging fruit could make a significant impact in the long run. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Lauren Dunford on adding sustainability into existing workflows00:52 Conor Gaughan introduces Lauren and Guidewheel04:28 Bay Area background, impact driven entrepreneurship, and Stanford 13:12 Fulbright Scholarship, Revolution Foods, and supply chain logistics 18:06 The lightbulb moment, business school, and launching Guidewheel26:00 The potential market, manufacturing inefficiencies, and hidden economies34:46 Adoption from big brands, pitching to investors, and implementing AI44:27 Aligning profit and purpose, the future of data, and defeating defeatism50:49 Exciting climate innovations and leaving a legacy53:30 Where to learn more and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Anne Coghlan of Scope3 on the Philosophy of Math, Decarbonized Media, and the Future of Digital Ads More on Lauren Dunford and Guidewheel: guidewheel.com linkedin.com/in/lauren-dunford-6887ab7 linkedin.com/company/guidewheel 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 makes a difference!  Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

    56 min
  3. Benjamin Stabler of Heart Aerospace on Hybrid Planes, Regional Aviation, and Democratizing Flight

    OCT 3

    Benjamin Stabler of Heart Aerospace on Hybrid Planes, Regional Aviation, and Democratizing Flight

    In the more than a century since humans first took to the skies with powered flight, still only about 20% of the world’s population has actually flown on an airplane. But that demand is on the rise, and air travel’s CO2 emissions are set to triple by 2050. So Benjamin Stabler and Heart Aerospace have a groundbreaking solution: decarbonize and democratize flight for all. Ben, who joined Heart as CTO earlier this year, has been leading technical work on the ES-30, an innovative, battery-electric hybrid regional aircraft. Heart Aerospace is building a system of decarbonized, short-haul aircrafts that are cheaper to operate and more energy-efficient than traditional air travel. Founded in 2019, the startup has raised over $140 million to date developing and scaling its revolutionary technology, which is not only more sustainable, but, given its significant reduction in direct operating costs per trip, potentially more profitable too, allowing for the development and revitalization of regional air travel networks that help create a more connected world. Prior to leading technical development for Heart’s newly established North American operations, Ben received an M.S. in electrical engineering from Stanford University, led software and hardware teams for the SpaceX Crew Dragon program, and co-founded Parallel Systems, an automated, battery-electric freight rail vehicle startup. Hear Ben talk about his lifelong love for aviation, how the ES-30 actually works, and why electrified, short-distance flights could change the future of aviation as we know it. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Benjamin Stabler on decarbonizing short distance flights 00:49 Conor Gaughan introduces Ben and Heart Aerospace05:28 Passion for airplanes, Stanford engineering, and SpaceX16:07 Origin of Heart Aerospace, joining as CTO, and electric aviation26:39 Hybrid electric regional aircraft, efficiency, and the U.S. markets30:17 Decarbonizing flight and democratizing air travel38:11 Rising aviation demand, the long-term horizon, and exciting climate tech45:43 Remaining optimistic and where to learn more49:48 End credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Forrest North and Jason Marks of TELO Trucks on EVs, Mini Pickups, and Autonomous Tech More on Ben Stabler and Heart Aerospace: linkedin.com/in/ben-stabler linkedin.com/company/heart-aerospace heartaerospace.com 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 makes a difference!  Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

    51 min
  4. Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on Her New Book: What If We Get It Right? Visions Of Climate Futures

    SEP 26

    Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on Her New Book: What If We Get It Right? Visions Of Climate Futures

    Marine biologist, policy expert, writer, and teacher Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson is in love with climate solutions, and her new book, What If We Get It Right? Visions of Climate Futures, offers a refreshing, inspiring look at what our best possible climate future could look like through contributions and conversations with leading voices in art, poetry, economics and science. Ayana studied environmental science and public policy at Harvard University, where she also forged a lifelong friendship with host Conor Gaughan. She later received a Ph.D. in marine biology from Scripps Institution of Oceanography before co-founding Urban Ocean Lab, a non-profit think tank for the future of coastal cities that she still leads today. Ayana, the Roux Distinguished Scholar at Bowdoin College, has co-edited the bestselling climate anthology All We Can Save, co-founded The All We Can Save Project, and even co-created and co-hosted the How to Save a Planet podcast. More recently, she has co-authored a roadmap for integrating the ocean into climate-related policy called the Blue New Deal, developed U.S. federal ocean policy at the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and served on the board of directors for both Patagonia and GreenWave. Honestly, listing all of her climate-focused initiatives, policies, and accomplishments would take an entire podcast itself. Hear Ayana talk about falling in love with the ocean, the secret importance of being good at attending cocktail parties, and how she’s merging science, policy, culture, and social justice to envision our best possible climate future. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on visions of climate futures. 00:53 Conor Gaughan introduces Ayana03:57 Early interests, Harvard University, and passion for the ocean 14:32 Designing a fishing device, Caribbean conservation, and How To Save a Planet24:16 Founding Urban Ocean Lab and the core ideas of What If We Get It Right?34:21 Problems and possibilities, reimagining infrastructure, and actionable climate policy 45:24 Climate tech unicorns, looking for local solutions, and being an optimistic realist 51:47 Conclusion and where to learn more52:52 End credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Allison Wolff of Vibrant Planet on Beneficial Fire, Sustainable Software, and Nature-Based Climate Solutions More on Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, What If We Get It Right?, and Urban Ocean Lab: ayanaelizabeth.com getitright.earth urbanoceanlab.org allwecansave.earth 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 makes a difference!  Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

    55 min
  5. Zal Bilimoria of Refactor Capital on Seed-Stage Venture, Investing in Founders, and Being a Solo GP

    SEP 19

    Zal Bilimoria of Refactor Capital on Seed-Stage Venture, Investing in Founders, and Being a Solo GP

    Knowing whether or not to invest in a startup isn’t easy – it’s a skill that makes VCs like Zal Bilimoria extremely valuable. And Zal, the co-founder and solo GP of seed-stage VC firm Refactor Capital, is leveraging his knowledge to build a portfolio of human and planetary health-focused startups merging profits, sustainability, and technology. Zal honed his skills and eye for the market working for tech industry giants like Microsoft and Google through pivotal moments in their history, and even created a new role for himself at Netflix, pioneering their dedicated mobile platform, before turning his hand to investing at a16z. It was there that he recognized his passion for health, biotech, and other impact-oriented industries, and in 2016, Zal struck out on his own to launch Refactor Capital. The firm has since invested in over 100 companies – four of which have gone on to reach unicorn status – and recently finished raising its fourth $50M fund. Hear Zal share key insights from his time at tech and VC behemoths, the importance of believing in founders over ideas, and which startups and technologies could literally change the world for the better. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Zal Bilimoria on super responsiveness00:44 Conor Gaughan introduces Zal and Refactor Capital07:03 Early passion for computers, UPenn, and Microsoft 11:36 Google, head of mobile at Netflix, and product management18:05 Biotech and health, angel investing, and shifting investment strategy21:49 Launching Refactor Capital, being a solo GP, and hard tech 28:47 Getting deals done, communication, and managing portfolios 36:20 Aligning profit and impact, exciting tech, and sci-fi vs science reality 42:53 Climate tech and human health, urgency, and Checkerspot 47:42 Aether Biomachines, founder dinners, and entrepreneurship52:15 Leaving a legacy and defeating defeatism 56:01 Conclusion and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Pavle Jeremic of Aether Biomachines on Rearranging Atoms, Scaling Deep Tech, and Defeating Scarcity More on Refactor Capital and Zal Bilimoria: refactor.com linkedin.com/company/refactor-capital linkedin.com/in/zalzally 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 makes a difference!  Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

    58 min
  6. Matt Ryan of Soli Organic on Indoor Organics, Carbon-free Fertilizer, and the Ag Tech Revolution

    SEP 12

    Matt Ryan of Soli Organic on Indoor Organics, Carbon-free Fertilizer, and the Ag Tech Revolution

    Soli Organic grows approximately 120,000,000 units of fresh herbs and greens every year, making it the number one grower of fresh, organic, culinary herbs in the U.S. That’s an impressive agriculture story on its own, but Soli has an even more amazing twist – they grow it all indoors! Led by CEO Matt Ryan, former head of brand management at Disney and chief marketing officer at Starbucks, the company is taking the indoor agriculture sector by storm (or rather, soil) with its commercial-grade organic growing systems and sustainable soil-based technology. Founded over 30 years ago as Shenandoah Growers, the Virginia-based company has grown under Matt’s leadership to serve over 20,000 retail locations across the country while developing an integrated platform of farms, production, and logistics facilities. As the only controlled-environment producer to use soil-based technology, Soli is still growing rapidly, even launching a 140,000-square-foot soil-based vertical farm in Texas earlier this year. Hear Matt Ryan share his business wisdom from game-changers like Disney and Starbucks, the revolutionary potential of precision fertilizers for indoor, soil-based growing, and how Soli is working to make flavorful, nutritious, and affordable organic produce available to all. Episode Highlights: 00:00 Matt Ryan on indoor organic technology 00:46 Conor Gaughan introduces Matt and Soli Organic05:30 Harvard studies, history, and passion for business09:47 Working at Disney and marketing at Starbucks13:57 Joining Soli’s board, becoming CEO, and its origin 17:30 The elevator pitch, soil tech, and precision organic fertilizer 24:10 Defining organic, sustainability in farming, and climate tech29:57 Raising capital, critical storytelling, and the triple bottom line36:03 Community engagement and leaving a legacy38:20 Where to learn more39:23 Conclusion and end credits If you liked this episode, listen next to Nicolas Pinkowski of Nitricity on Lightning-Powered Fertilizer and the Decarbonized Future Of Food More on Soli Organic and Matt Ryan: soliorganic.com linkedin.com/company/soliorganic linkedin.com/in/mattryanceo 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 makes a difference!  Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

    41 min
  7. Ben Christensen of Cambium on Solving Wood Waste, Building For Scale, and Running Ultra Marathons

    AUG 29

    Ben Christensen of Cambium on Solving Wood Waste, Building For Scale, and Running Ultra Marathons

    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 Highlights 00:00 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 credits If 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.

    54 min
  8. Zach Jones of C-Zero on Hydrogen 3.0, Decarbonizing Natural Gas, and The Innovation Economy

    AUG 22

    Zach Jones of C-Zero on Hydrogen 3.0, Decarbonizing Natural Gas, and The Innovation Economy

    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 Fuels More 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/@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 makes a difference! Consensus in Conversation is a podcast by Consensus Digital Media produced in association with Reasonable Volume.

    55 min
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About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Conor Gaughan
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    87
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Consensus Digital Media LLC
  • Show Website
    Consensus in Conversation

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