Episodes
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2024 brought us 38 new guests, 2,091 minutes of conversation, and an immeasurable wealth of new ideas and narratives about how to use business to make the world a better place. The challenges we face are great, but with every challenge comes opportunity, and it’s never been more important for impact businesses to tell a compelling, mission-centric story. Join Conor Gaughan as he revisits the best storytelling advice from this year’s expert guests, sharing key insights, analysis, and takeaways.
Whether it's harnessing your inner Luke Skywalker to wow investors and attract customers with analogies that will resonate, or learning the secret to explaining your incredible new technology in lay terms, this episode will definitely offer new angles and perspectives on crafting your business story.
Featured guests in order of appearance:
00:00 Conor introduces the CiC 2024 Year End Wrap Up04:24 Keith Norman: Chief Sustainability Officer, Lyten06:00 Jasmine Crowe-Houston: Founder & CEO, Goodr08:09 Jay Kapoor: Co-Founder & General Partner, VSC Ventures14:58 Nicolas Pinkowski: Co-Founder & CEO, Nitricity17:17 Shivam Mallick Shah: Co-Founder & CEO, 1953 Tequila and Lindsey Davis Stover: Co-Founder & President, 1953 Tequila20:27 Ben Christensen: Co-Founder & CEO, Cambium 24:34 Grant Quasha: Chairman & CEO, Eco Material Technologies26:48 Peter Godart: Co-Founder & CEO, Found Energy29:11 Zal Bilimoria: Co-Founder & Solo Capitalist, Refactor Capital31:59 Pavle Jeremic: Founder & CEO, Aether Biomachines35:39 Jay Kapoor: Co-Founder & General Partner, VSC Ventures39:31 Karthik Balakrishnan: Co-Founder & President, ACTUAL43:02 Lauren Dunford: Co-Founder & CEO, Guidewheel46:52 Dr. Vince Romanin: Founder & CEO, Gradient49:50 Conor Gaughan on the power of storytellingA big thank you to all of our guests this year!
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 [email protected]
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.
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Rinaldo Brutoco has dedicated his life to harnessing the awesome potential of business to create positive change in the world. As a pioneer in impact entrepreneurship, Rinaldo has spent more than thirty years building successful businesses ahead of the curve, and today, his eyes are on the green hydrogen space as a potential game-changer for the future of clean energy.
In this second part of our two-part conversation with Rinaldo – the founding president of nonprofit think (and do!) tank the World Business Academy (WBA) and founder and CEO of green hydrogen transportation firm H2 Clipper (H2C) – we dive into the creation of the WBA, Rinaldo’s business case for the inevitability of a clean energy future, and how his H2 Clipper is reimagining a very old technology in a very new way to accelerate the green hydrogen revolution.
Listen to Rinaldo’s first episode if you haven’t already: Rinaldo Brutoco of World Business Academy on Consumer Law, Merchant Banks, and the Impact of Pay TV
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Rinaldo Brutoco on why hydrogen is here to stay 00:44 Conor Gaughan introduces Rinaldo, World Business Academy, and H2 Clipper04:35 Incubating the WBA, building a governing body, creating true impact 10:29 Business as a steward, shifting the consciousness, combatting climate change20:04 Launching H2 Clipper, green hydrogen, industries buying-in32:28 Economic impact, tech innovation, regulating renewables40:09 Finding motivation, the Optimist Daily, where to learn more46:50 Leaving a legacy and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Zach Jones of C-Zero on Hydrogen 3.0, Decarbonizing Natural Gas, and The Innovation Economy
More on Rinaldo Brutoco, World Business Academy, and H2 Clipper:
linkedin.com/company/world-business-academy linkedin.com/company/h2clipper linkedin.com/in/rinaldo-brutoco-b052a2 optimistdaily.comConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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Episodes manquant?
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How can business solve humanity’s most significant challenges? Why is business the best vehicle to solve them? For the last 35 years, Rinaldo Brutoco has devoted himself to asking – and answering – these crucial questions. The founding president of nonprofit think (and do!) tank the World Business Academy (WBA) and founder and CEO of green hydrogen transportation firm H2 Clipper (H2C), Rinaldo is a trailblazer in both the theory and practice of sustainable business solutions.
Rinaldo graduated from Santa Clara University with degrees in economics and philosophy and later received a J.D. from UCLA School of Law in 1971. His career has had many remarkable turns – pioneer in consumer law, Inc. 500 CEO, author, lecturer, and co-founder of the world’s first paid cable TV company. Behind all these turns was an unshakeable conviction that business could – must – be a force for good, driving Rinaldo to found the WBA in 1987 to explore the role of business in addressing serious moral, environmental, and social issues around the world. The think tank has since been responsible for initiatives like the Optimist Daily newsletter, Safe Energy Project, Global Citizen’s Club, and the New Business Paradigms podcast.
As of 2011, Rinaldo has been practicing what he has preached with the launch of H2C, a firm pioneering a low cost, effective, end-to-end transport and distribution system for green hydrogen. Its revolutionary approach tackles the biggest obstacle to the widespread adoption of hydrogen while also producing a scalable, carbon-free alternative to fossil fuels that’s powered by Rinaldo’s patented generative AI manufacturing technology.
Hear Rinaldo talk about his unique path to clean energy visionary, the importance of teaching entrepreneurship as a noble profession, and why paid cable was a source of good for the world.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Rinaldo Brutoco on the rise of pay TV00:49 Conor Gaughan introduces Rinaldo, WBA, and H2 Clipper04:38 Entrepreneurial interests, UCLA law, Nader's Raiders17:09 Businesses for good, meditation, third party perspectives 25:16 Launching paid cable, having a vision, pitching investors34:55 Modern entertainment, generative A.I, merchant banking46:53 Creating impact, shareholder motivation, finding inspiration51:50 Where to learn more and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Ben Bressler of Natural Habitat Adventures on Nature, Travel, and Pursuing Your Passion
More on Rinaldo Brutoco, World Business Academy, and H2 Clipper:
linkedin.com/company/world-business-academy linkedin.com/company/h2clipper linkedin.com/in/rinaldo-brutoco-b052a2 optimistdaily.comConnect 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 [email protected]
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...
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Agrovision, a global leader in superfruits, is on a mission to make the healthiest snacks the most enjoyable, by utilizing a cutting edge blend of genetic research, freshness technology, and – most importantly – perfectly-suited agricultural locations to supply more consistent, nutritious, and incredible tasting berries year-round through their Fruitist label.
That “vision,” in Agrovision, comes in part from co-founder and executive chairman Steve Magami, who grew up in a health-conscious family surrounded by California’s citrus orchards. Steve graduated the University of California, Santa Barbara with a degree in biology and worked as a private equity investor at Lovell Minnick Partners, where a plan for a potential biofuel business took him on a trip to Peru that would change his trajectory forever.
The biofuel didn’t end up panning out, but Steve saw firsthand how advantageous Peru’s climate and infrastructure development plans were for agriculture, and co-founded Agrovision in 2012 as a vertically integrated produce operation to seize this unique opportunity. Agrovision, now one of Peru’s top exporters, employs over 15,000 field workers in Peru alone, more than half of whom are women, and has supported local communities with meaningful investments in education, transportation and healthcare infrastructure. Since its first commercial harvest in 2015, the firm has added thousands of acres of farmland in 8 countries around the globe, and now sells its high-quality berries to consumer markets across North America, Europe, and Asia. Today, Agrovision is one of America’s fastest growing companies, officially achieving a “Unicorn” valuation earlier this year – no small feat for an ag tech company!
Hear Steve talk about recognizing “perfect storms” of opportunity like the one he found in Peru, how businesses can be responsible partners in developing economies, and why redefining healthy snacking could impact the world for the better.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Steve Magami on his first aha moment 00:53 Conor Gaughan introduces Steve and Agrovision05:08 California upbringing, venture capital, and clean tech12:51 Peru, myth vs reality, and the origin of Agrovision 18:10 The business model, risk management, and microclimates22:50 An outsider mentality, building trust, and transformative irrigation 28:37 Agrovision today, the superfruit industry, and raising capital38:08 Sustainability, community programs, and finding optimism 44:41 Where to learn more and find Fruitist products near you45:50 Conclusion and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Matt Ryan of Soli Organic on Indoor Organics, Carbon-free Fertilizer, and the Ag Tech Revolution
More on Steve Magami and Agrovision:
agrovisioncorp.com linkedin.com/company/agrovisioncorp linkedin.com/in/stevemagamiConnect 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 [email protected]
If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify – it really makes a...
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Agriculture is poised for a regenerative revolution, and Mad Capital wants to finance it. Led by co-founder and CEO Brandon Welch, the firm provides customized, long-term financing for farmers transitioning to regenerative practices, bridging a gap that traditional banks have been hesitant to meet and accelerating the next generation of land stewardship and ecological restoration.
Prior to Mad Capital, Brandon studied Environmental Science at the University of Vermont. An avid outdoorsman, cyclist, and backcountry hiker, Brandon’s adventures, including a coast-to-coast bike ride from Massachusetts to Oregon, have taken him all over the country and instilled a deep appreciation for Americans’ connection to their land. After landing in Colorado in 2017, Brandon helped launch Mad Agriculture to provide resources and support for farmers interested in transitioning to regenerative agriculture, and later joined the organization as Director of Capital.
Brandon and Mad Executive Director Philip Taylor consistently heard regenerative farmers talk about how difficult it was to secure loans from traditional agricultural lenders, so the two co-founded Mad Capital to solve that problem. Since taking over as CEO of Mad Capital in 2022, Brandon has overseen the launch of the Perennial Fund II and is focused on making long-term impact at scale, deploying over $25 million to farmers on over 79,000 acres of land across 15 states.
Hear Brandon talk about developing a passion for outdoor adventures, his mission to create a regenerative revolution in agriculture, and why Mad Capital’s radical approach to financing is so impactful for farmers, the environment, and our future.
Episode Highlights:
00:00 Brandon Welch on the benefits of regenerative agriculture00:53 Conor Gaughan introduces Brandon and Mad Capital05:18 Gateway to the outdoors, environmental studies, and economics11:12 An impact-driven career, biking America, and traveling the country23:03 Founding Mad Capital, carbon sequestration, and financing farmers28:39 The regenerative revolution, the average process, and scaling strategically35:45 Mad’s approach as a lender, raising capital, and structural innovation 45:01 Transforming food systems, benefiting the environment, and finding optimism 52:02 Where to learn more about Mad Capital and connect with Brandon52:54 Conclusion and end creditsIf you liked this episode, listen next to Ron Hovsepian of Indigo Ag on Farming, Sustainability, and Technology
More on Brandon Welch and Mad Capital:
madcapital.com linkedin.com/company/mad-capital-pbc linkedin.com/in/brandonwelchmadConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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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 creditsIf 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-foundationAs 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
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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 creditsIf 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/guidewheelConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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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 creditsIf 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.comConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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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 creditsIf 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.earthConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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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 creditsIf 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/zalzallyConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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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 creditsIf 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/mattryanceoConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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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 creditsIf 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/btchrConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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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 creditsIf 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/zachjones06Connect 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 [email protected]
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.
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A favorite soda can be a huge part of people’s identity – roughly half of the American population drinks at least one soda on a daily basis – which is why OLIPOP is completely reimagining the soda industry with its healthier, prebiotic, low sugar alternative that tastes as good – if not better – than its traditional counterparts.
Ben Goodwin has spent his entire career building the beverage industry and business skills needed to conjure great tasting flavors from great-for-you ingredients. Ben is not only OLIPOP’s co-founder, CEO, and formulator, but also a huge reason why the innovative B Corp Certified startup’s bright-colored cans are already in stores across the country.
At just 20 years old, he helped ferment (launch) a kombucha company, later founded and worked as lead formulator for kefir-based probiotic soda brand Obi, and then launched OLIPOP in 2017 with co-founder David Lester.
Hear Ben share OLIPOP’s “15-year overnight success story,” the science behind the benefits of prebiotics vs probiotics, and his lifelong quest to disrupt the soda behemoths with a sustainable, healthy alternative – which IS still a soda!
Episode Highlights
00:00 Ben Goodwin on creating functional soda
00:54 Conor Gaughan introduces Ben and OLIPOP
04:42 Rough upbringing, passion for health, and dropping out of college
11:23 Founder mythologies, key habits, and first beverage formulation
17:57 Learning to tinker, microbiology, and building a first beverage brand
25:51 What is OLIPOP, the 3rd wave of soda, and making healthy taste good
32:13 First 4 flavors, scaling to stores nationwide, and the science of microbiomes
44:40 B Corp Certification, doing good and doing well, and defining positive impact
52:52 Where to learn more (and find the closest store with OLIPOPs near you!
53:41 End credits
If you liked this, listen next to our episode with Joey Zwillinger of Allbirds
More on OLIPOP PBC and Ben Goodwin:
drinkolipop.comdrinkolipop.com/pages/store-locator linkedin.com/company/olipop-pbclinkedin.com/in/ben-goodwin-646a9376Connect 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 [email protected]. 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.
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The world currently removes less than .0001% of the carbon required to meet the IPCC’s 2050 goal – so there’s A LOT of work to be done – which is what makes Graphyte’s ready-to-go solution all the more valuable.
Barclay Rogers, a former environmental lawyer, mechanical engineer, and multi-time founder, is bringing his unique set of experiences and leadership skills to making scalable, affordable CO2 removal an immediate reality with his new startup, Graphyte.
Rather than rely on energy-intensive and still-developing technology like Direct Air Capture, Barclay and his team realized that they could use nature’s own hyper-efficient carbon capture process – photosynthesis – to leverage natural resources in their revolutionary Carbon Casting process, a first-of-its-kind technique that traps carbon in easy to store bricks forged from the biomass waste generated by farms, logging camps, and paper mills.
With their world-leading carbon removal operations already underway at their Pine Bluff, Arkansas facility, Graphyte is able to offer durable carbon removal that's scalable, affordable, and, maybe most importantly, ready right now.
Hear Barclay Rogers talk about Graphyte’s origin story, the importance of scalability for climate solutions, and why his native Arkansas is the perfect home for biomass-based carbon removal.
Episode Highlights
00:00 Barclay Rogers on carbon removal in the heartland
00:32 Conor Gaughan introduces Barclay Rogers and Graphyte
04:37 Arkansas roots, natural resources, and mechanical engineering
09:36 Environmental law, government, and pivot to entrepreneurship
19:20 Startup career, the carbon industry, and the potential of biomass
25:25 The origin of Graphtye, durable carbon removal, and scalability
33:43 Innovation curves, public policy factors, and the value of carbon
40:24 Breakthrough Ventures, climate change, and growing a community
46:11 Leaving a legacy and finding motivation
47:43 Where to learn more and end credits
If you liked this episode, listen next to Dr. Vince Romanin of Gradient on Heat Pumps, Zero-Carbon Infrastructure, and the Triple Bottom Line
More on Graphyte and Barclay Rogers:
graphyte.com linkedin.com/company/graphytecarbon linkedin.com/in/barclayrogersConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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Tom Neyhart founded PosiGen in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina to help the families and communities most impacted by the disaster rebuild their homes, save money, and boost energy resilience through solar power. He not only succeeded, but created an entirely new market by providing affordable solar and energy efficiency to low and middle income families.
Tom, who moved from CEO to Executive Chairman of the Board last year, pioneered a new era of solar development years ahead of other firms, positioning B Corp Certified PosiGen as a key leader in the industry. An inspirational leader, successful businessman, and serial entrepreneur, he held leadership roles in construction and retail before starting PosiGen in 2011. Tom grew the innovative company as CEO over the next twelve years, expanding from Louisiana to other states, skyrocketing its revenue, and receiving numerous recognitions, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Blue Ribbon Award and Department of Defense’s Patriot Award.
Hear Tom Neyhart talk about how a desire to help others led him to revolutionize solar power as we know it, what makes PosiGen’s unique model so affordable, and why prioritizing impact benefits people, the planet, and profits.
Episode Highlights
00:00 Tom Neyhart on rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina
00:48 Conor Gaughan introduces Tom and PosiGen3
05:25 Louisiana roots, serial entrepreneurship, and teamwork
14:44 Hurricane Katrina, helping others, and the origin of PosiGen
23:19 Selling solar savings, PosiGen’s unique model, and building trust
29:50 Pitching investors, B Corp status, and maximizing impact
39:59 The future of renewable services, public policy, and scaling solar
46:38 What’s next for PosiGen, exciting innovations, and leaving a legacy
50:19 Where to learn more and end credits
If you liked this episode, listen next to Michael Chanin of Cherry Street Energy on Scaling Solar, Utilities, and Market Competition
More on PosiGen and Tom Neyhart:
posigen.com linkedin.com/company/posigen linkedin.com/in/thomasneyhartConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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Goodr has a simple but powerful mission: feed more and waste less. The sustainable waste management firm’s founder and CEO, Jasmine Crowe-Houston, believes that hunger in America is not a scarcity issue– it’s a problem of logistics. Which is actually good news, because that’s an issue technology can solve!
By leveraging detailed inventory management, predictive analytics and advanced supply chain logistics, Goodr is helping businesses reduce waste, cut carbon emissions and harness tax credits, all while supporting sustainable hunger solutions across the nation.
Jasmine is an award-winning business leader, TED speaker, and author, who began her entrepreneurship journey spotlighting black celebrity philanthropy, nonprofits, and other charitable causes on BlackCelebrityGiving.com. After moving to Atlanta in 2013, she began hosting free pop up restaurants every Sunday out of her own pocket, offering soul food meals to people experiencing homelessness. When a video of Jasmine at one of these events went viral in 2016, she was inspired to learn more about food donations and soon discovered the shocking scale of America’s food waste problem.
Realizing that a truly sustainable hunger solution couldn’t rely on donations alone, Jasmine launched Goodr in 2017 to offer businesses a win-win way to save money and build food security in their communities, and she has since grown her local startup into a B Corp Certified company serving a national network.
Hear Jasmine talk about turning her Sunday passion into a thriving company, why Goodr takes a holistic approach to waste management, and how technology can help create a hunger-free future.
Episode Highlights
00:00 Jasmine Crowe-Houston on sustainable solutions to hunger
00:52 Conor Gaughan introduces Jasmine and Goodr
04:15 Early life, the importance of storytelling, and giving a Ted Talk
08:48 Entrepreneurship, blackcelebritygiving.com, and sports for good
15:45 Feeding the hungry in Atlanta, going viral, and launching Goodr
20:39 The logistics of hunger, win-win solutions to food waste, and growth
30:47 Covid, pivoting to hunger relief, and scaling a national network
38:09 Impact report, the Goodr Foundation, and grocery store program
43:40 Finding inspiration
45:10 Where to learn more and end credits
If you liked this episode, listen next to Jamila Norman of Patchwork City Farms on Urban Farming, Food Advocacy, and Good Food
More on Goodr and Jasmine Crowe-Houston:
goodr.colinkedin.com/company/goodrco linkedin.com/in/jasminecrowe instagram.com/goodrcoConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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With climate change causing unprecedented extreme weather, fluctuating temperatures, and rising sea levels, only one thing is certain: the future isn’t going to look like the past. And yet, all of our risk analysis models are based on past data from historical patterns that no longer hold true. How can businesses make intelligent decisions on building for that future while protecting themselves from tomorrow’s risks? That’s the question that motivated Rich Sorkin to found Jupiter Intelligence, a climate risk analytics firm with a mission to help organizations build resilience and mitigate the effects of the changing climate.
As co-founder, CEO, and chairman of Jupiter, Rich has combined his wealth of entrepreneurial experience and expertise in emerging technology to successfully scale the company since its launch in 2018, leveraging cutting-edge science, real-time data, and advanced modeling to achieve next-level climate risk insights and analytics.
Rich earned an economics degree from Yale before attending Stanford’s Graduate Business School in 1986. Whether researching under a Nobel Laureate, cutting his teeth at Apple, or leading game-changing technology to market at firms like Creative Labs, Zip2, and Kaggle, Rich is ever at the forefront of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Hear Rich share why a change in perspective led him to launch Jupiter Intelligence, what the current assumptions about climate risk are missing, and how the startup is leveraging generative AI and real science to enhance risk analysis for the future.
Episode Highlights
00:00 Rich Sorkin on the impact of climate change
00:49 Conor Gaughan introduces Rich and Jupiter Intelligence
06:30 Early interests and work for a future Nobel Prize winner at Yale
10:55 Emerging tech, mapping trends, and career in Silicon Valley
17:41 Entrepreneurial lessons, Zeus, and the origin of Jupiter Intel
22:50 What Jupiter solves, climate infrastructure, and risk management
31:08 Misconceptions, driving change with data, and generative AI
40:46 Aligning profit with purpose, innovations to watch, and leaving a legacy
49:24 Where to learn more and conclusion
50:06 End credits
If you liked this episode, listen next to Max Evans of ClimateAi on Dorm Room Entrepreneurship and AI-Based Climate Solutions
More on Jupiter and Rich Sorkin:
jupiterintel.comlinkedin.com/company/jupiterintellinkedin.com/in/richsorkinConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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Alfred Johnson returns to the pod to give us the update on tax credit transferability and clean energy markets, just over a year after launching Crux Climate. As co-founder and CEO of Crux, Alfred has the startup’s revolutionary management software poised to capitalize on a multi-billion (if not trillion) dollar opportunity in clean energy tax credits.
After graduating Stanford in 2008, Alfred worked for the U.S. Treasury Department, BlackRock, and Clara Lending before co-founding his first software company, Mobilize, in 2016 with Allen Kramer. That startup was acquired in 2020, but it wouldn't be the last venture for Alfred and Allen.
In 2023, the two launched Crux Climate, a software startup developing online solutions to allow organizations to buy and sell tax credits for clean energy. Since its launch, clean energy tax credits have skyrocketed, with the Inflation Reduction Act and other government regulations incentivizing clean energy.
Hear Alfred talk about what’s changed in this monumental first year, the massive implications of transferability for the private and public sectors, and why Crux is uniquely positioned to define the clean energy tax credit market as we know it.
Episode Highlights
00:00 Alfred Johnson on energy’s $3 trillion market
00:52 Conor Gaughan introduces Alfred and Crux Climate
01:46 Alfred’s work in software, finance, and government leading to Crux
05:01 Attempting to summit Mount Marcus Baker, AK’s 3rd highest peak
07:13 What Crux Climate solves, transferability, and the tax credit market
14:36 Marketplace growth, predicting scale, and providing business value
25:10 Domestic energy’s evolution, private vs public sectors, and competition
32:25 The future of clean energy, surprising takeaways, and what’s next for Crux
40:09 Optimism, exciting industry innovations, and advice for a younger self
46:07 Where to learn more and end credits
If you liked this episode, listen next to Peter Godart of Found Energy on Aluminum Fuel, NASA, and Engineering Impact at Scale
More on Crux and Alfred Johnson:
cruxclimate.com linkedin.com/company/cruxclimate linkedin.com/in/alfredjohnson01Connect 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 [email protected]
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.
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85% of used clothing ends up in landfills, but textile recycling and rewards platform Trashie is out to save our castaway garments from becoming mountains of waste. Launched only a few months ago, Trashie is taking the fashion industry by storm with its instantly recognizable Take Back Bag and viral closet cleanup videos, and the mind behind this magic is Trashie founder and CEO, Kristy Caylor.
Kristy earned a BS in Industrial Engineering and her MBA from USC’s Marshall School of Business before entering the fashion industry, where she worked for iconic brands like Banana Republic, Gap, and Band of Outsiders. She co-founded her own fashion brand, Maiyet, in 2010, and eight years later, co-founded For Days, the original closed-loop clothing company.
As CEO of For Days, Kristy oversees strategy, marketing, technology, product design, and growth (just to name a few), successfully growing the brand globally while earning various awards for its mission-driven work. But Kristy recognized that more could be done to reduce the amount of used clothing that went to waste, so she launched Trashie.
Trashie sells its Take Back Bags to customers, who fill them up with unwanted clothing, accessories, and shoes, and mail them back to the brand in exchange for TrashieCash, which customers can use to purchase real world items and rewards, thanks to Trashie’s impressive partnership network.
Hear Kristy share how she employs a systems engineering approach to business, what she learned working at top fashion brands versus building her own, and why Trashie’s approach to upcycling is a win-win for everyone.
Episode Highlights
00:00 Kristy Caylor on the textile waste problem
00:42 Conor Gaughan introduces Kristy and Trashie
03:48 Undergrad STEM, first startup, and entrepreneurship
07:51 Business school, the fashion industry, and professional evolution
16:28 Co-founding For Days, its business model, and clothing waste
26:20 Trashie’s origin, the Take Back Bag, and incentivizing circularity
36:12 Sustainability in fashion, industry innovations, and changing behavior
42:28 What’s next for Trashie and finding optimism
46:25 Where to learn more and end credits
If you liked this episode, listen next to Catherine Roggero-Lovisi of Modern Meadow
More on Trashie and Kristy Caylor:
trashie.io linkedin.com/company/trashie linkedin.com/in/kristycaylorConnect 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 [email protected]
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.
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