Hi, Energy!

SoCalREN
  • 5.0 (11)
  • GOVERNMENT
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Reducing energy use today is key to a safer, more affordable, and sustainable tomorrow. Introducing Hi, Energy!, where we bring you front-row access to the innovators and leaders across Southern California who are making a real difference. From demystifying the benefits of heat pumps to breaking down what decarbonization really means, we’re here to help you navigate the path to a cleaner, greener future. From landing green jobs to rethinking how we get around, we’re diving into bold ideas and everyday actions that make a real difference. Whether you’re looking to make smarter energy choices at home, work, or in your community, this podcast connects you to the conversations that will inspire change. Join us as we light the way to a brighter, more sustainable future. New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon. Follow us at: https://socalren.org/ Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

  1. 12/15/2025

    Breaking into Climate Tech and Clean Tech Transformations

    In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about the grid, climate tech startup culture, and California’s special relationship to climate issues.  Josh Rothermel of SoCal Edison and formerly of Rivian and the UCLA Anderson Energy & Cleantech Association, joins Esteban to talk about having a career in clean energy. Josh and Esteban discuss simple but important questions like “what is the grid?” and “what is an internal combustion engine?” and so much more. Josh also shares his impressions of California’s well-above-average climate consciousness.  Additional References from the podcast: After 4 Years And Billions Of Dollars, The Texas Grid Is Not Fixed  The Carbonauts  New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.

    29 min

  2. 11/10/2025

    Achieving Environmental Goals Through Community Engagement

    In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about the connections between community engagement and environmental policy. Ken Chawkins, a professor at UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs, joins the show to share wisdom from  nearly 30 years in public affairs, serving business, labor, government, and nonprofits.  Ken and Esteban discuss coalition building towards climate solutions, how to get involved locally and politically to support the environment, climate policy from a working class perspective, and so much more.  Additional References from the podcast: Books Who Is Government by Michael Lewis Articles California makes major changes to the state's landmark environmental law to build more housing  Environmental impact of Al Gore Making change in the "diesel death zone" | LA Public Press  People/organizations mentioned East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice Cynthia Kennedy of Pasadena 100 Other “Who are the stakeholders and what stakes are they holding?” Ken’s UCLA Syllabus  New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.

    31 min

  3. 10/31/2025

    Climate in the News

    In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about how climate news is made. Sammy Roth, a former climate columnist for the LA Times and the host of the podcast and newsletter Boiling Point, has been writing about Southern California’s climate issues for over a decade. He now writes an independent newsletter, Climate-Colored Goggles, about climate & culture. In this episode, he comes to spill the tea on climate news. Sammy and Esteban discuss how California is a hub for many of the most important climate issues facing the entire United States, how to become a clued-in reader of climate news, how to read lots of climate news without feeling down, and so much more.  Additional References from the podcast: Books Silent Spring by Rachel Carson Articles Sammy’s weekly Boiling Point newsletter E&E News by Politico Canary Media Inside Climate News Volts by David Roberts  Everybody needs a Climate Thing | David Roberts for Grist Podcasts Sammy’s Boiling Point Podcast Esteban’s appearance on Sammy’s podcast People/organizations mentioned Jim Lawson John Lewis Bill McKibben United Farm Workers New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.

    42 min

  4. 09/29/2025

    Driving Blueprint for Mobility and Civic Strategy

    In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about all of the options we have to move around LA. Eli Lipmen, Executive Director of Move LA, shares that the future of clean transit is a future with many options. Eli and Esteban discuss the 2028 Olympics from a transit perspective, some of Move LA’s biggest policy wins, why a public transit advocate like Eli still sees value in owning his car, and so much more.  Additional References from the podcast: Books Nobody Walks in LA by John Bwarie  Articles LA Metro’s 2024 Ridership Soars to More Than 311 Million Measure M - LA Metro L.A. Metro Releases Measure M Five-Year Comprehensive Assessment, Equity Report  People/organizations mentioned Metro Micro LADOT LANow DASH Overview Commuter Express GO Pass Festival Trail     New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.

    35 min

  5. 08/25/2025

    Putting Local Communities at the Forefront of the Climate Conversation

    In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about local organizations keeping the residents in the communities they serve at the forefront of the climate conversation. Esteban is joined by Nicole Landers, Director of Communications & Partnerships @ GreenWealth Energy. Nicole is a longtime climate consultant and one of the founders of a community garden that helped nourish and support her local Venice community. Nicole and Esteban discuss community-focused efforts to make electrical vehicle charging more accessible, how a few friends can make a real impact on the climate and on their community, how building sustainable communities is an investment in groups of people historically left out of the conversation, and so much more.  Additional References from the podcast: Books Michael Pollan | Bookshop Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things Articles Mandatory Commercial and Multifamily Organics Recycling (recycLA) | SB 1383  GFO-22-614 - Reliable, Equitable, and Accessible Charging for Multi-family Housing 2.0 (REACH 2.0)  My California Dream| Ben Stapleton Sierra Club Insider Charge4All — Southern California EVen Access  Videos Healing our community, one garden box at a time. | Nicole Landers | TEDxVeniceBeach Who Killed the Electric Car? - Wikipedia Common Ground Film and Kiss the Ground Film      Podcasts Travel With Meaning  People mentioned Los Angeles Clean Tech Incubator US Green Building Council of California The Carbonauts   New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.

    40 min

  6. 07/28/2025

    Understanding Climate Policy Decision Making

    In this episode of Hi, Energy! We learn about local clean energy projects and how they support a larger and greener statewide vision for California. He is joined by Heather Repenning, Vice President, Account Manager and Resilience Lead at Jacobs, and the former Executive Officer for Sustainability at LA Metro where she led efforts to support clean transportation and reduce emissions within LA Metro’s capital expansion program. Heather and Esteban talk about the way design choices made by local governments impact the choices we make as we travel through southern California. They also discuss the opportunities for sustainable development leading up to the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic games, and some of Heather’s favorite LA and climate books.  Additional References from the podcast: Books The Day of the Locust by Nathanael West The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-Eun  Ecology of Fear: Los Angeles and the Imagination of Disaster by Mike Davis City of Quartz: Excavating the Future in Los Angeles by Mike Davis  Articles Here is the syllabus to the climate policy course Heather teaches at USC  Podcasts  People mentioned Walter Moseley James Elroy Cyclavia LA 2025 LA Compost New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon. Follow us at: https://socalren.org/ Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

    34 min

  7. TRAILER

    Hi, Energy! is Back!

    Hi, Energy! is back! This season, we’re diving deeper into real-world stories, smart energy solutions, and local community voices driving change right here in our neighborhoods. Hear from Southern California’s best and brightest leaders rolling up their sleeves to make clean and sustainable energy work for everyone.And insights from experts who work with government officials to turn big climate goals into real climate action. New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon.

    2 min

  8. 02/25/2025

    Environmental Justice: A Call For Equality

    In this episode of Hi, Energy! Esteban Gast dives into the vital topic of environmental justice with Veronica Padilla-Campos, Executive Director of Pacoima Beautiful. Together, they explore what environmental justice means, the systemic issues behind environmental racism, and how climate change disproportionately impacts low-income and marginalized communities. Veronica shares inspiring stories of advocacy, the real-world consequences of environmental inequities, and actionable steps to drive change.

    30 min
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Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Reducing energy use today is key to a safer, more affordable, and sustainable tomorrow. Introducing Hi, Energy!, where we bring you front-row access to the innovators and leaders across Southern California who are making a real difference. From demystifying the benefits of heat pumps to breaking down what decarbonization really means, we’re here to help you navigate the path to a cleaner, greener future. From landing green jobs to rethinking how we get around, we’re diving into bold ideas and everyday actions that make a real difference. Whether you’re looking to make smarter energy choices at home, work, or in your community, this podcast connects you to the conversations that will inspire change. Join us as we light the way to a brighter, more sustainable future. New episodes of Hi, Energy are coming out every month. So check out our Instagram and subscribe to the show on YouTube, Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts or visit https://socalren.org/about/podcasts for full episodes and highlight reels coming soon. Follow us at: https://socalren.org/ Instagram Facebook Twitter LinkedIn

Information

  • Creator
    SoCalREN
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © SoCalREN 2021
  • Show Website
    Hi, Energy!