Electric Ladies Podcast

Joan Michelson
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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. 5D AGO

    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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 12/16/2025

    How Design & Tech Are Transforming Cities – Nikki Greenberg, Real Estate of the Future, from Smart City Expo World Congress 2025

    "(B)efore we're even thinking about AI, it's actually thinking about how are we using our technology effectively and is it part of our processes? Does it complicate things or does it simplify things? And the advice that I always give them is like, before you start bringing in new technology and new processes and having to train people and doing their job in a different way and adding complication first, look at what you're doing and…pair back the stuff that doesn't need to be there anymore. And then think about technology." Nikki Greenberg on Electric Ladies Podcast   Cities are in transformation mode – between affordability and housing challenges, the need to be resilient to climate's impacts, and yet maintain the vibrancy that draws billions of people to cities. How can they do that? What role does technology play – and does AI change everything? Listen to architect and urban designer, Nikki Greenberg, CEO of Real Estate of the Future and an advisor on urban innovation, in this fascinating conversation Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson had with her at the 2025 Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Spain.   You'll hear about: ●        How cities can be hubs of "soft diplomacy" as city leaders across the globe share best practices, tips and strategies to make their cities better, more affordable and more climate-resilient. ●        First things first: The first things she counsels city leaders to do before thinking about technology, including A.I. ●        How climate change has affected city building codes: From the type of energy systems to have to where to locate them, to designing flexibility into building structures. ●        Plus, insightful career advice:   "You can't stop learning and you can't be complacent. And yes, you might have time constraints. Yes, you might have disadvantages. Yes, you may have been in your career and been very good at it for a very long time, but it doesn't mean that you can sit still and stop learning.…The advantage that you have is that you have experience, you have professional networks, you know how to hold down a job….But you have to get behind the new technology and learn how to use it because that's the tools that we're using moving forward." Nikki Greenberg on Electric Ladies Podcast   Read Joan's Forbes articles here.   You'll also like: ·       Urban Climate Actions at the 2025 Smart City Expo World Congress: Listen to Joan's panel with three extraordinary urban women leaders from across the globe who are using creative strategies to address climate issues. ·       Using Climate Modelling – with Maria Caffrey, Ph.D., UK National Physical Laboratory, on how climate modelling works and how best to use it most effectively   ·       How Cities Can Thrive Through Polycrises – With Lauren Sorkin, Resilient Cities Network, on the range of crises cities are facing all at once today and how to manage them, at Smart City Expo World Congress 2024. ·       How to Rebuild After Disaster – With Majora Carter, Urban Revitalization Expert and CEO of the Majora Carter Group ·       Predicting Climate Impacts In Neighborhoods – with Jessica Filante Farrington, AT&T's Director of Global Sustainability   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

    41 min

  5. 12/09/2025

    What's a 'Tech Humanist'? – Kate O'Neill, CEO of KO Insights at Smart City Expo World Congress 2025

    "One of the other important things about tech humanism to me is that the three-way relationship between business humans and tech is primarily about the relationship between business objectives and human outcomes and using technological capability to amplify that alignment, as opposed to using technology to amplify only the business objective side of that relationship. So really trying to think about how does a business meet the humans that it serves, and then how can technology be part of making that more effective and more successful so the business can succeed and the humans can have a better experience on the other side of that success." Kate O'Neill on Electric Ladies Podcast  Technology has infiltrated every aspect of our lives, yet do we really understand its relationship with humans? Everybody's talking about and wrestling with understanding artificial intelligence – AI – in their business, governments and lives, but not everyone understands the intersection between technology and the human experience. How can we maximize it? Listen to self-described "tech humanist" Kate O'Neill, CEO of KO Insights and an advisor on these issues, including to the United Nations AI Advisory Board, in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson at the 2025 Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, Spain. You'll hear about: ●        Why humans are at the core of everything: "You're never more than a degree away from people downstream of the decisions that you're making." ●        Questions matter: What are the questions boards and leaders should be asking instead of just collecting data and making decisions as if humans are not affected? ●        How can we leverage AI to address climate change? It's about a range of factors, both impact of the technology itself and how it can be leveraged to help humans. ●        Plus, insightful career advice:   "It's anybody's guess, on some level, what the next set of jobs that AI implementations will displace are going to be. But what I think we can feel fairly confident about for the time being is that soft skills, the soft skills that we've all been told are those we need to cultivate. Like context intelligence, emotional intelligence, good judgment, communication, those kinds of things are incredibly important no matter what. And the great thing about this for the question that you ask, is that women have been socialized to be stronger in those skills in general. So we already have an advantage when it comes to that." Kate O'Neill on Electric Ladies Podcast Read Joan's Forbes articles here. You'll also like: ·       Urban Climate Actions at the 2025 Smart City Expo World Congress: Listen to Joan's panel with three extraordinary urban women leaders from across the globe who are using creative strategies to address climate issues. ·       "Technology is Not Neutral": with Stephanie Hare, Ph.D., author of "Technology is Not Neutral," Researcher and BBC Broadcaster ·       Leveraging A.I. For Sustainability: with Mandi McReynolds, Chief Sustainability Officer at Workiva, software infrastructure company ·       Using Climate Modelling – with Maria Caffrey, Ph.D., UK National Physical Laboratory, on how climate modelling works and how best to use it most effectively  ·       Predicting Climate Impacts In Neighborhoods – with Jessica Filante Farrington, AT&T's Director of Global Sustainability   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

  6. 12/04/2025

    Unique Practical Urban Climate Actions – Joan's Panel of International City Innovators from Smart City Expo World Congress 2025

    The World Bank reports that, "today, more than half of the world's population – over 4 billion people – lives in cities." It also estimates that this shift is going to continue, in fact to DOUBLE to nearly 70% – or 7 out of every 10 people will live in cities by 2050. That's only 25 years away. At the same time, extreme weather events are increasingly devastating cities – we have all witnesses how Hurricane Melissa decimated Jamaica last week, for example, destroying home and businesses, schools, houses of worship, government buildings, everything. So what can, should and ARE cities doing to keep their people and economies safe and climate resilient?  What's working and what can we learn from them?  Today we're going to find out from four extraordinary women from across the globe." Joan Michelson's Introduction to the Panel at Smart City Expo 2025   We need to share what works in cities across the globe, and that's exactly what my esteemed panel did recently at the Smart City Expo World Congress 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Here is the recording of Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson's panel which includes three women from three countries: Japan, Bolivia and Argentina, as well as Joan from the U.S. Listen to hear fascinating ideas and stories from these women: You'll hear from: ● Nidya Pesántez is UN Women for the Americas and the Caribbean Representative in Bolivia, where she also coordinates the Environmental Strategy for a Just Transition in Latin America and the Caribbean.  ●       Sofía María Galnares Giagnorio Cámara is Provincial Deputy of Santa Fe Deputy, Argentina, and the youngest elected provincial deputy in Santa Fe province. She also serves as President of the Commission on Environment and Natural Resources in the Legislature. ●       Asuka Ito is an international advisor to the Government of Japan's Cabinet Office on the Cross-ministerial Strategic Innovation Promotion Program (SIP). She serves on the International Advisory Board for the Phase-3 "Smart Mobility Platform" initiative in Japan. ●        Plus, questions from the audience   Read Joan's Forbes articles here.   You'll also like: ·       Predicting Climate Impacts In Neighborhoods – with Jessica Filante Farrington, AT&T's Director of Global Sustainability ·       The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus ·       AI and Climate Solutions – with Stephanie Hare, Ph.D., Researcher, Author of "Technology Is Not Neutral" and BBC Broadcaster ·       Climate Policy & the Economy – with Gina McCarthy, White House National Climate Advisor, Biden Administration, and former EPA Administrator under President Obama 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

    48 min

  7. 11/18/2025

    Career Advice For Difficult Times From 5 Women Leaders

    "Your job isn't to know the answer. Your job is to ask all the right questions of where the business is going and…Don't be afraid…(Align) with people who could see the possibility of (your) experience…Take that stretch job and just remember you're in the room to ask different questions, and that's perfectly fine. So, take the stretch and then lean into your experience that allows you to have a different lens and a different perspective." Mandi McReynolds, Chief Sustainability Officer at Workiva on Electric Ladies Podcast   When the economy feels tough or you feel like things are spiraling, it's a good time to remember that you have agency. You can control what you think about, focus on and even your emotions – yes, you can. This is one of our periodic career collage episodes with valuable reminders from five extraordinary women who were interviewed on Electric Ladies Podcast over the past year. Listen up and let us know what resonates with you, texting it to us @joanmichelson on social media. You'll hear advice from: ·       Ann Canela, Head of Niagara Cares and Director of Corporate Giving at Niagara Bottling, the largest bottler in the U.S. ·       Mandi McReynolds, Chief Sustainability Officer at software conglomerate Workiva. ·       Silvia Bastante de Unverhau, of LGT Private Bankers International, including on how women see and allocate their wealth. ·       Yvonne Burton, President of Burton Consulting International, focused on technology and international relations. ·       Page Motes, Chief Compliance and Sustainability Officer at Hertz on the reinvention of the car rental business, including with a focus on sustainability. Read Joan's Forbes piece on Career Advice For Difficult Times, and more of her articles here.   Elevate your career with expert coaching and ESG advisory with Electric Ladies Podcast. Unlock new opportunities, gain confidence, and achieve your career goals with the right guidance.   Subscribe to our newsletter to receive our podcasts, articles, events and career advice – and special coaching offers.. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts or iHeartRadio and leaving us a review!   Don't forget to follow us on our socials Twitter: @joanmichelson LinkedIn: Electric Ladies Podcast with Joan Michelson Twitter: @joanmichelson Facebook: Electric Ladies Podcast

    36 min

  8. 11/11/2025

    How Climate Modeling Affects Everything – Maria Caffrey, Principal Scientist, UK's National Physical Laboratory

    "(Climate modelling)…it's being used in things like insurance companies. It's being used by companies for their ESG assessments. So, when you get your insurance premium at the end of the year, there is some kind of climate model that has said something about the risk of your house to flood. It has said something about your risk to fire. And so that might be driving up your insurance premium…And so it's being involved in your lives in many different ways. The food you consume, those grocery bills, there's prices behind it that are being driven by people using climate models saying something about the supply chain." Maria Caffrey on Electric Ladies Podcast Climate modelling is the foundation of a lot of planning and equations that so much of our economy and policy is based on. So, how does it work and how reliable is it? How can they tell? Listen to Maria Caffrey, Principal Scientist at the UK's National Physical Laboratory in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. You'll hear about: ●        How climate modelling actually works, and who uses it and why. ●        How climate modelling measures risk and how reliable it really is – especially at a time of geological and weather patterns never seen before. ●        What the economic and social impact is of how climate modelling is used today. ●        Plus, career advice, such as:   Read Joan's Forbes articles here. You'll also like: ·       Predicting Climate Impacts In Neighborhoods – with Jessica Filante Farrington, AT&T's Director of Global Sustainability ·       The Politics of Climate & Energy – with Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan, Co-Chair, Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus ·       AI and Climate Solutions – with Stephanie Hare, Ph.D., Researcher, Author of "Technology Is Not Neutral" and BBC Broadcaster ·       Climate Policy & the Economy – with Gina McCarthy, White House National Climate Advisor, Biden Administration, and former EPA Administrator under President Obama   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

    36 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
    503
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Green Connections Media LLC
  • Show Website
    Electric Ladies Podcast

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