Flanigan's Eco-Logic

Ted Flanigan
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Flanigan's Eco-Logic

We all want to live a sustainable life, but where do we start? Flanigan's Eco-Logic, hosted by Ted Flanigan, provides information and insights in sustainability and the clean energy space. Flanigan’s enthusiasm and vast experience in the energy and environmental arena are palpable, whether bringing cutting-edge developments to the fore, or interviewing and engaging with leading practitioners. This show is for those who want a sustainable life but don’t know where to start.

  1. 5D AGO

    Paul Mann on Becoming Water Champions

    Paul Mann is the founder of Water Champions, an engineering and design firm specializing in the efficient and smart use of water. He joins Ted Flanigan to discuss how this came about, and what each of us can do to be water smart.During Covid, Paul and his wife experienced California drought and fires, and began to realize the enormous importance of water at home and worldwide. Fully half of the Earth's population lives in water-stressed areas, and given population growth, demand for water will grow by 20 - 30%. "Water shortage is imminent." Paul and Jenna Mann's story began at home, with an outdoor shower next to their hot tub. They rigged a system such that the shower's water came from captured rainwater, harvested in a large tank. The shower's drain was channeled into their three-level garden beds. These and other measures -- including leak detection systems and irrigation controllers -- cut their water use by a shocking 60 - 70%.They found that new technologies, like recirculating water shower systems, cut water and energy use while delivering more fulfilling showers. These systems collect and reuse water, they clean it, reheat it, and disinfect it with UV. Their discovery with basic practices and new technologies resulted with them wanting to share their experiences, pamphleting their neighbors, telling them about their success. This launched Water Champions. Today Water Champions provides consulting service for homes and businesses to help them use water efficiently... from the water source to its reuse, ultimately supporting end-uses such as drought-tolerant landscaping and permaculture. Paul and Jenna also created the Renova Academy which trains architects, designers, landscapers, homeowners, and others online. One need not give up the pool, Paul explained. Through smart water use, Water Champions helps people maintain quality lifestyles through a portfolio of water solutions.

    34 min
  2. Josh Dorfman on Sustainable Building Materials

    APR 14

    Josh Dorfman on Sustainable Building Materials

    In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Josh Dorfman, CEO at Supercool, a media company covering climate solutions that raise profits and quality of life. Josh is also the host of the Supercool Podcast, and co-founder of Plantd, a company that  manufactures carbon-negative building materials. He is best known as creator and host of The Lazy Environmentalist, an award-winning reality TV show on Sundance Channel, radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio, book series, and e-commerce business. He and Ted briefly discuss his background, born and raised in Armonk, in Westchester County, New York. He studied International Relations at the University of Pennsylvania, and holds an MBA from Thunderbird, The School of Global Management at Arizona State University. He shares that he had his environmental epiphany while working as a quality-control in China. Knowing that bikes would eventually be replaced by cars - and that there were going to be billions of them. Since then, his career has been focused around building companies that solve climate change by cutting carbon, boosting the bottom line, and improving modern life. Josh has launched and led multiple sustainable businesses, including Vivavi, a pioneering retail venture specializing in modern design, sustainable furniture, named to Inc. Magazine’s “Green 50” as an innovator accelerating the green economy. He also highlights his role at Plantd, a manufacturer of carbon-negative building materials, where he raised the company’s seed and Series A rounds, generated millions in early-stage revenue, and grew brand awareness through accolades, including Fast Company’s 2024 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies and the Innovation by Design Awards. Josh shares that he enjoys speaking about innovative climate solutions and communications strategies that sway skeptics to become supporters. He concludes by sharing an optimistic view on the climate crisis, pointing out energy efficiency gains in recent years, as well as the opportunities for entrepreneurial growth to affect change and create stronger and more vibrant communities.

    32 min
  3. Drew Slater on Delaware's Sustainable Energy Utility

    APR 8

    Drew Slater on Delaware's Sustainable Energy Utility

    In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Drew Slater, Executive Director Energize Delaware. The Delaware Sustainable Energy Utility is a non-profit that gives energy-efficiency grants and low-interest loans to qualified borrowers, helping them install solar energy systems or make energy efficiency upgrades. Energize Delaware programs aid residents, businesses, nonprofits, government facilities, farms, faith organizations and schools to become energy efficient. Before becoming the second executive director of Energize Delaware, Drew built a resume of 20 years of experience in various roles, such as Delaware’s Public Advocate, then-Rep. John Carney’s Kent and Sussex coordinator and legislative assistant for the State Senate. In his work with the Office of Public Advocate, he worked to strengthen the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standards and the competition of the Artificial Island project to improve reliability for the electric grid. He and Ted discuss the comprehensive and community driven array of programs that Energize Delaware offers, including energy audits, rebates, low interest loans or grants for large renewable energy systems, and programs available to low-income customers. He specifically highlights the weatherization assistance program, solar initiatives and incentives, and programs for farmers, ranchers, growers, and other agri-businesses to take charge of their energy future. He also shares how Energize Delaware works collaboratively with the utility, working together to ensure market certainty, avoiding program duplicity, and regularly introducing new, innovative, and relevant solutions to power their community with clean, efficient, and affordable energy.

    34 min
  4. Jim Gromer on Thermal Energy Storage Solutions

    MAR 24

    Jim Gromer on Thermal Energy Storage Solutions

    In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Jim Gromer, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) at Thermal Banc/TESS Energy Solutions, a collaborative effort of companies building thermal energy storage solutions - turning waste heat into clean energy. Thermal Banc makes up the sales wing, TESS Energy Solutions the engineering wing, Smart Phases the manufacturing wing, and Novacab comprises the battery.  The technology is revolutionizing energy efficiency by capturing, storing, and reusing waste heat, significantly reducing industrial and commercial energy consumption. For the facilities they serve, such as data centers and universities, Thermal Banc/TESS Energy Solutions technology supports carbon emission reduction, energy efficiency enhancement, resource conservation, and circular economy alignment, demonstrating a dedication to pioneering renewable energy solutions that not only drive profitability, but also contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable world. Ted and Jim discuss his background briefly, based in Colorado, spending most of his career in the television industry, and recently moving into the renewable energy space with Thermal Banc and TESS Energy Solutions. He digs into the technology, which collects waste heat from different kinds of facilities and up to 135 sources. The collected waste is stored in phase change materials, generating power to offset carbon dioxide emissions and to cut peak demand charges.

    31 min
  5. Yin Chen on Green Landscaping Equipment

    MAR 17

    Yin Chen on Green Landscaping Equipment

    In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Yin Chen, CEO and Chairman at Greenworks, a supplier of battery-powered outdoor power equipment (OPE) since 2003. With over 20 years at the forefront of home, yard, and do-it-yourself electric tools, Greenworks is redefining durability and eco-friendliness in the face of climate challenges, delivering high performance equipment focused on reducing carbon footprints. Ted and Yin discuss his background briefly, studying mechanical engineering at China's Donghua University, and business at Warwick University in the UK. He shares humble beginnings of Greenworks, recalling a meeting with one of their first clients placing a modified bike battery on the table, noting that it would be the centerpiece of all their applications. Fast forward, Greenworks now has more than 7,000 employees and manufacturing facilities in China, the U.S. and Vietnam, and offers everything from riding lawn mowers to snow removal tools and pressure washers – all powered by batteries.  Yin shares his outlook on how Greenworks has shifted the narrative, and landscapers are now embracing battery power because it is in their best interest. Environmental benefits aside, Greenworks products improve workers’ day-to-day well-being. As they engage with the cleaner battery-powered technology, landscape professionals can now focus more on their tasks without the negative side effects of inhaling toxic fumes. Yin also highlights Greenworks Optimus line of OPE, which was previously focused around the residential sector, but now focused on developing new products and comprehensive solutions for the commercial sector. The research and development, product testing, manufacturing, and customer service for the commercial equipment is being done at the Greenworks Commercial Center of Excellence in Morristown, Tennessee, ushering Greenworks Commercial into a cleaner, quieter, and more sustainable manufacturing future here in the US.

    34 min
  6. Mark Swanson on Rooftop Wind Energy Systems

    MAR 10

    Mark Swanson on Rooftop Wind Energy Systems

    In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Mark Swanson, newly appointed as the CEO of Aeromine Technologies, the innovative rooftop wind energy system that converts a building’s wind flow into renewable energy. Swanson brings 30 years of leadership experience to Aeromine. For the last 12 years, he has held leadership positions in the rooftop solar industry, with a proven track record in manufacturing, scaling operations, and driving customer-focused growth. Prior to joining Aeromine, Swanson held a distinguished career in solar and distributed energy, serving as COO at Complete Solaria. He also spent time as COO and General Manager of EPC at Borrego Solar Systems, and served as Vice President at SunPower. In his new role as CEO at Aeromine, Mark will oversee Aeromine’s transition from low volume manufacturing and pilot projects to full-scale manufacturing and widespread commercial use. He shares that Aeromine is currently working with some of the world’s largest and most ambitious enterprises to plan their first commercial Aeromine installation. He and Ted discuss Aeromine's breakthrough technology, which is harvesting the flow of wind over a building. The scalable renewable energy solution harnesses the power of wind in an efficient system, with motionless, vibration-less, and noise-less units. The solution is long-lasting, and requires much less rooftop space than other options to generate distributed energy. Ideal for large, flat rooftop buildings – including warehouses, big box retailers, data centers, office, and apartment buildings - Aeromine is leveraging existing financial structures, installation resources and incentives established by the solar industry.

    31 min
  7. Martin Mayorga on Sustainable Coffee

    MAR 3

    Martin Mayorga on Sustainable Coffee

    In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Martin Mayorga, Founder and CEO of Mayorga Organics, a coffee company with the purpose of leading a revolutionary organic food movement that empowers farmers and consumers, protects the environment, and celebrates Latin American heritage. Martin's journey has been fueled by a passion for social justice, sustainable business practices, and making positive impacts through conscientious capitalism. He has dedicated his life to transforming the way agricultural products are sourced, purchased, and consumed, creating value and positive impact for all stakeholders. He and Ted discuss his background and upbringing. Martin was born in Guatemala, and spent his childhood - marked by unrest and political upheaval - moving around from Nicaragua to Costa Rica to Peru, and ultimately immigrating to the US. These formative experiences, coupled with the challenges of being an immigrant to the United States as a Latino in the 1980's, shaped his worldview and approach to business. He decided to use his education in International Business and Finance from Georgetown University to revolutionize the global agricultural trade.  Championing sustainable coffee practices since the mid-90s, Mayorga Organics stands as a testament to the power of creating new, efficient supply chains built from the ground up through a commitment to the well-being of small farmers, their land, and their communities - resulting in the consumer receiving the best quality products at a price that is fair to them. By prioritizing the needs of farmers, communities, staff, and customers, Mayorga Organics has created a brand that resonates with consumers who care about both quality and ethical consumption, while developing industry-leading supply chains that provide better value for all participants. Martin’s focus on lean, high-quality operations has led the company to grow in a highly competitive market while creating a reputation that has led to multiple awards, business recognition, speeches, international distribution, and private label manufacturing for some of the world’s largest retailers.

    31 min
  8. Kate Reimann on Combating Plastic Pollution

    FEB 24

    Kate Reimann on Combating Plastic Pollution

    In this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Kate Reimann, Founder and CEO of Rogue Wave Toys and Rogue Wave Materials. Rogue Wave Toys are made of compostable plastic based on biopolymers and plant based materials. She is making waves as an entrepreneur and sustainability champion, bringing eight years of industry experience, and a lifetime of advocacy for the planet to her decisions both in business and the way she lives her life. She and Ted discuss the inspiration for Rogue Wave, which all started with her kids and their beach toys that were swept out into the ocean by a wave. It hit her when she scrambled to get them all back onshore, enjoying this interface between land and sea, and using products that were detrimental to its health. She decided then that she had to make a better product, and wanted to make conventional, oil-based plastics obsolete. She shares the challenges she faced in engineering and manufacturing, almost throwing in the towel at times. While searching for a truly compostable, petroleum-free material for her beach toy products, Kate realized her mission had to be bigger than beach toys, and to create the biggest positive impact on the global plastics economy, she needed to make this material available to the world.  Kate's ultimate goal is to change the way these products are made and bought. Her innovative, patented, compostable beach toys, made from biopolymers and designed to compost, reflect both her commitment to environmental stewardship and to shifting the materials economy and consumer expectation.

    29 min
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    About

    We all want to live a sustainable life, but where do we start? Flanigan's Eco-Logic, hosted by Ted Flanigan, provides information and insights in sustainability and the clean energy space. Flanigan’s enthusiasm and vast experience in the energy and environmental arena are palpable, whether bringing cutting-edge developments to the fore, or interviewing and engaging with leading practitioners. This show is for those who want a sustainable life but don’t know where to start.

    Information

    • Creator
      Ted Flanigan
    • Years Active
      2022 - 2025
    • Episodes
      215
    • Rating
      Clean
    • Copyright
      © 2023 Flanigan's Eco-Logic
    • Show Website
      Flanigan's Eco-Logic

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