With equal parts humor and in-depth analysis, Asher, Rob, and Jason safeguard their sanity while probing crazy-making topics like climate change, overshoot, runaway capitalism, and why we’re all deluding ourselves.
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Power: Limits and Prospects for Human Survival
Post Carbon Institute: Energy, Climate, and Collapse
How have humans become powerful enough to disrupt the world's climate, trigger the sixth mass extinction, and cause serious harm to the biosphere? And with all the abilities and technologies we've accrued, why do we so often oppress instead of uplift one another? Join us as we explore the hidden driver behind the converging crises of the 21st century. It all comes down to power - our pursuit of it, overuse of it, and abuse of it. Learn how different forms of power arose, what they mean for u ...
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Holding the Fire: Indigenous Voices on the Great Unraveling
Post Carbon Institute: Indigenous Voices on the Great Unraveling
Indigenous thought leaders offer their unique perspectives on this moment of shared crises, the consequence of global industrialized society having been built on extraction, colonialism, perpetual growth, and overexploitation of nature. Award-winning journalist and author Dahr Jamail hosts in-depth interviews with leaders from around the world to uncover Indigenous ways of reckoning with environmental and societal breakdown. If you’re concerned about climate change, species extinctions, loss ...
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The Earthlings Podcast takes a look at the big issues facing humanity in the early 21st century and our relationship to our environment, technology, and each other. Each episode, award-winning journalist, and former NPR reporter Lisa Ann Pinkerton hosts experts, scientists, and leaders working to solve the world’s biggest challenges. Together, they cover wide-ranging topics including environmental solutions, emerging technologies, what the future might look like, and more. Support us on Patr ...
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#103: Navigating the Polycrisis with the Post Carbon Institute
56:34
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56:34In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow at the Post Carbon Institute, about the polycrisis—the convergence of environmental, social, and technological challenges shaping our world today. Richard explains how climate change, economic instability, inequality, and artificial intelligence are interconnected, maki…
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#105 - Unlocking the Magic of Weird Thinking with the Octopus Movement
1:10:37
1:10:37
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1:10:37In this episode, we explore the transformative power of nonlinear thinking with Perry Knoppert, founder of The Octopus Movement. This global community connects nonlinear thinkers to address complex challenges and spark meaningful change. In the discussion, Perry shares how embracing chaos and breaking free from rigid, linear structures can unlock c…
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#104: The Role of Rocks in Carbon Sequestration with Eion
30:03
30:03
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30:03In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we sit down with Anastasia Pavlovic Hans, CEO of Eion, to explore enhanced rock weathering (ERW) — an innovative carbon removal technology that leverages minerals to pull CO2 from the atmosphere. Anastasia discusses how ERW integrates seamlessly into agriculture, its long-term effectiveness, and the financial ince…
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Even AI Chatbots Hate Us: The Rise of the New Luddites, with Brian Merchant
1:09:46
1:09:46
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1:09:46Send us a text Who knew that the breakthrough moment of AI sentience would come from interacting with an annoying neo-Luddite? After failing to raise a single dollar for PCI’s newest initiative — the $350 billion Transdisciplinary Institute for Phalse Prophet Studies and Education (TIPPSE) — Jason, Rob, and Asher devise the only profitable pitch fo…
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#102: Optimizing the EV Ramp-Up at the Grid’s Edge with Rhythmos.io
26:04
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26:04In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Ken Munson, CEO and Founder of Rhythmos.io, about how the rapid electrification of vehicles and buildings is reshaping the electric grid. Ken shares insights into the challenges utilities face, including major infrastructure investments, and how innovative tools—like managed charging and advanced data…
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A Temporary Techno Stunt: Tom Murphy on Falling out of Love with Modernity
54:21
54:21
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54:21Send us a text Recovering technology booster Tom Murphy visits Crazy Town to discuss his journey from shooting lasers at the moon, to trying to "solve" the energy predicament, to falling out of love with modernity itself. Asher, Jason, Rob, and Tom discuss the roots and short-lived nature of modernity, which has not only shaped the world we inhabit…
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#101: From Gray To Green: Producing Clean Hydrogen Through Electrolysis with Cipher Neutron
24:51
24:51
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24:51In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Gurjant Randhawa, CEO and President of Cipher Neutron, about the future of green hydrogen and the innovations making clean hydrogen production more sustainable and accessible. Gurjant breaks down why green hydrogen—produced through electrolysis using renewable energy—is critical for decarbonizing indu…
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#100: 100 Interviews, Infinite Futures with Lisa Ann Pinkerton
34:02
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34:02Greetings, Earthlings! Welcome to a very special episode of Earthlings 2.0. Today marks our 100th episode, a milestone in our journey exploring the biggest challenges and opportunities facing humanity in the 21st century. Typically, we cover topics like climate change, robotics, agriculture, and the energy transition—but today, we’re turning the sp…
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Eating the Future: The NY Times Goes Full Ecomodernist on Food and Farming
47:00
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47:00Send us a text How will we feed people living in the megacities of the 21st century, especially while confronting climate chaos and the depletion of fossil fuels and fossil water? According to the mainstream media: ecomodernism! Massive deployment of technology on factory farms and an extreme ramp-up of industrialization will save the day – right? …
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#99: Beyond Lithium: How Air, Water, and Rock Could Power the Grid with Hydrostor
28:29
28:29
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28:29In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Jon Norman, President of Hydrostor, about the critical role of energy storage in supporting a cleaner grid. Jon discusses Hydrostor’s Advanced Compressed Air Energy Storage (A-CAES) technology, which leverages air, water, and rock to store and release energy efficiently. The conversation covers how t…
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#98: Beyond Organic: Understanding Regenerative Agriculture
58:09
58:09
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58:09In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we chat with Dr. Allen Williams, Founding Partner of Understanding Ag, about the core principles and practices of regenerative agriculture, as well as its economic advantages. Allen highlights how regenerative agriculture plays a vital role in restoring soil health, boosting crop yields, and fostering sustainable …
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#97: Autonomous Trucking: The Future of EV Freight and Transport
28:10
28:10
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28:10In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Joanna Buttler, Head of the Global Autonomous Technology Group for Daimler Truck North America, about the future of autonomous trucking and the steps Daimler is taking to bring this technology to market. Joanna discusses the company’s testing strategies, the challenges of regulatory frameworks, and t…
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Bargaining With Collapse: A Superabundance of Lab Grown Meat and Dryer Balls
37:32
37:32
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37:32Send us a text Do you contemplate topics like climate change, biodiversity loss, and the risk of civilizational collapse? If so, then you probably understand something about bargaining – a psychological defense mechanism that’s one of the five stages of grief. With just a wee bit of embarrassment, Asher, Jason, and Rob reveal damning episodes of ba…
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#96: Skipping the Lines with Autonomous EV Charging
26:04
26:04
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26:04Greetings Earthlings! In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with David Alspaugh, CTO and co-founder of Inductive Robotics, about the challenges and solutions surrounding electric vehicle (EV) charging. David discusses the growing need for EV charging infrastructure, the challenges parking lot operators face, and the cutting-edge autonomous ch…
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#95: Women Investing in Women Pays Dividends with True Wealth Ventures
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44:10Greetings, Earthlings! In today's episode of Earthlings 2.0, we delve into the powerful world of venture capital and its significant role in shaping industries by empowering women as leaders and investors. Our guest, Dr. Sara Brand, founding general partner at True Wealth Ventures, shares her insights on investing in women-led companies and how thi…
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The House Is Quite Literally on Fire: Peter Kalmus on the Climate Emergency Hitting Home
53:48
53:48
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53:48Send us a text Peter Kalmus, climate scientist and returning friend of Crazy Town, used to live in Altadena, California, where one of the disastrous Los Angeles wildfires struck on January 7th. Having learned that his former house had burned, Peter penned an emotional article for the New York Times about his family's decision to leave LA two years …
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#94: How EV Charging Can Build Grid Resilience
25:57
25:57
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25:57Greetings Earthlings! In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Anurag Kamal, CEO and co-founder of ElectricFish, about their innovative approach to ultra-fast EV charging. ElectricFish’s solution is designed not only to speed up EV charging but also to enhance grid stability and provide backup power during outages. Anurag shares the inspira…
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#93: Unlocking Cleantech’s Funding Future with the Cleantech Group
46:51
46:51
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46:51Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we are joined by Richard Youngman, CEO of the Cleantech Group, a pioneer in championing clean technologies since 2002. Richard provides a masterclass on the importance of perseverance and strategic funding in fostering sustainable technologies and driving innovation. Discover how the Cleantech Group, throug…
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The Frequent Flyer Tree: Losing the Last Bit of Sense in the Climate Emergency
30:28
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30:28Send us a text In the world of college sports, money talks and the volleyball team walks, er, flies 33,000 miles to play games. The NCAA, like almost everyone else, is playing games with Mother Nature. What do we expect student-athletes to gain from ignoring the climate emergency (not to mention putting their health at risk)? Who cares, as long as …
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#92: Making EV Batteries More Sustainable
27:27
27:27
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27:27Greetings Earthlings! In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Steven and Zora Chung, co-founders of ReJoule and CEO and CFO respectively. ReJoule is a company transforming battery diagnostics and repurposing used batteries for second-life applications. This innovation not only extends battery life but also reduces waste, helping pave the w…
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#91: Building Resilient, All-Electric Homes for the Future with Arch Rao
39:16
39:16
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39:16Greetings Earthlings! In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we explore the transformative potential of home electrification with Arch Rao, founder and CEO of Span.IO. Arch shares his journey from Tesla to revolutionizing the electrical panel industry to facilitate the transition to all-electric homes. We discuss the technological innovations that make…
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#90: Powering Sub-Saharan Africa with Solar Solutions and EVs
25:41
25:41
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25:41Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we explore the innovative role of solar energy in solving South Africa's power crisis. We’re joined by Sabatha Mthwecu, Founder of Solar Rais to discuss how solar systems are helping combat blackouts and offer solutions to the country’s ongoing energy challenges. Sabatha sheds light on the growing use of so…
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#89: Revolutionizing Farming with Solar-Powered AI Robots
23:23
23:23
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23:23Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we explore a fascinating intersection of technology and sustainability: the innovative application of robotics, artificial intelligence, and solar energy in agriculture. Our conversation centers on Aigen, a trailblazing startup developing autonomous, solar-powered robots that manage weeds without chemicals.…
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Shotgunning Hedwig: The Dilemma of Invasives and the Bizarre Decision to Slaughter Barred Owls
33:36
33:36
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33:36Send us a text The US Fish and Wildlife Service decided to "manage" barred owls by shooting half a million of them over the next three decades. Jason, Rob, and Asher (along with the postal workers at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry) are upset about this plan for addressing the predicament of invasive species. Surely there's a finer t…
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88: Community Solar Cuts Costs and Carbon for Anyone
32:57
32:57
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32:57Hello Earthlings! In this week’s episode, we explore the accessible and innovative world of Community Solar. This model allows individuals and businesses to subscribe to solar energy without installing panels. We’re joined by Vihann Kong, Senior Executive Director of Enterprise Acquisition at Ampion, to discuss how community solar projects democrat…
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#87: Decarbonizing Aluminum Through Upcycling
35:09
35:09
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35:09Hello Earthlings! In today's episode of Earthlings 2.0, we explore the cutting-edge realm of upcycled aluminum with our guest, Eric Donsky, CEO and Chairman of Atomic13. Atomic13 is making waves by transforming scrap aluminum into durable, low-carbon aluminum extrusions, reducing embodied carbon by an incredible 95%. We delve into the science behin…
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#86: Unlocking the Power of Soil for Carbon Sequestration
32:44
32:44
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32:44Hello Earthlings! This week on Earthlings 2.0, we dive deep into the ground beneath our feet with Yard Stick, a company harnessing the transformative potential of soil carbon measurement in sustainable agriculture. As the backbone of food production and a vital carbon sink, soil health is critical—but it’s often overlooked in broader climate conver…
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Breaking News: Crazy Town Joins the Newly Formed Department of Entropy
45:08
45:08
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45:08Send us a text Rob, Jason, and Asher talk about joining the new Trump Administration, at least until Elon Musk eradicates it. They explore the implications of Trump 2.0 through three reality-bending lenses – shifting baselines, entropy, and the upside of down – and three ways of responding: resistance, resilience, and regeneration. They decided the…
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#85: Powering Utilities with Big Data for Cleaner Grids
26:33
26:33
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26:33Hello Earthlings! This week on Earthlings 2.0, we connect with Camus Energy, a company providing a cutting-edge grid orchestration platform designed to help utilities operate and build a reliable, affordable, and zero-carbon grid. Their technology platform enables utilities to navigate the transition to a two-way grid—one that integrates local rene…
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