
Climate work, explained through practical interviews.
The gist
Electric Ladies Podcast is a brisk interview show about the systems shaping climate, energy, sustainability, and corporate responsibility. Recent conversations move from grant strategy and climate communication to long-duration energy storage, healthcare, clean power access, and carbon credits.
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About Electric Ladies Podcast
Electric Ladies Podcast is an interview-driven show about the work behind climate, energy, sustainability, corporate responsibility, and communities. It has a practical center. Rather than treating climate as a single debate, the show follows the people dealing with funding, communication, infrastructure, healthcare, and accountability in specific settings. One conversation looks at how nonprofits and mission-focused businesses rethink grants when federal funding becomes unstable. Another asks how journalists and communicators can keep people safe from extreme weather when the words themselves can trigger resistance. A storage-focused episode turns the clean energy transition into a grid reliability problem: what happens when the wind is still and the sun is not available. The healthcare conversation connects climate action to patients, utility bills, primary care, and access to cleaner power. The carbon credits discussion gets into trust, ratings, company behavior, and skepticism about greenwashing. Short questions keep the tempo up. Longer guest answers give the show its substance. The editorial strength is translation: policies, markets, technologies, and advocacy tools are repeatedly brought back to plain-language consequences. The show is comfortable with technical material, but it usually pauses to define why the detail matters. It also has a career-minded streak, with guests framed as people whose professional paths may teach listeners something. The recurring lens is not just what is changing, but who has to make the change work. That includes funders, doctors, journalists, companies, utilities, manufacturers, and community organizations. The tone is warm without becoming soft. It can be admiring, especially when guests describe difficult work with clarity, but the questions still press for mechanisms and examples. Listeners get a mix of policy context, business reality, and applied climate literacy. The show suits people who want more than headlines and less than an academic seminar. It is best for curious professionals, advocates, and climate-aware generalists who want to understand how sustainability decisions are actually made.
Made for: For climate-aware professionals, advocates, communicators, and curious generalists who want policy, business, technology, and career context in plain language. It suits listeners who like expert interviews with concrete examples.
What sets it apart: The show connects climate and sustainability to everyday operating problems: grants, patients, utility bills, storage factories, media language, and carbon credit trust. Its follow-up-heavy style turns complicated systems into usable explanations.
In their own words
Engaging and enlightening interviews with women leaders on energy, climate, sustainability and corporate responsibility -- ESG, environment,social and governance issues. Business, policy and technology, money, the arts and careers. Topics include driving innovation, leadership, communications and career advice. Inspiration, trends and insights. Hosted and produced by Joan Michelson, acclaimed journalist, business leader, coach and speaker, based in Washington, DC.
Why you'd press play
Carbon credits get cross-examined before you let them anywhere near your conscience.
Press play if you want
- a clearer answer when someone calls carbon credits a scam
- clean-energy policy translated into factories, tax credits, and household stakes
Episodes
- 1
New Nuclear Energy Is Growing Fast – Maria Korsnick, President and CEO, Nuclear Energy Institute
·52m - 2
How To Pressure Electeds For Climate, Clean Air – Dominique Browning, Mom's Clean Air Force
·48m - 3
How Hospitals Can Juggle 24/7 Care & Climate Impacts – Carol Gomes, CEO & COO of Stony Brook University Hospital
·47m - 4
How Utilities Are Evolving While Keeping The Lights On – Nicole Pearson & Brad Johnson of Bentley Systems
·39m - 5
Using Software, AI To Reduce CO2 & Increase Resilience – Lydia Walpole & Chris Bradshaw of Bentley Systems
·46m - 6
88% of Companies Say Sustainability Creates Long-Term Value – Maura Hodge, KPMG Chief Sustainability Officer
·52m - 7
Microgrids Keep The Lights On, For Less – Jana Gerber, President of Microgrids, Schneider Electric
·33m - 8
How To Talk About Climate In A Polarized Culture – Katharine Hayhoe, Climate Scientist, Professor at Texas Tech University & Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy
·1h 1m - 9
Critical Minerals 101 – Abby Wulf, Critical Minerals Expert, Former Head of Critical Minerals at the Dept. Of Energy, & Center for Critical Minerals Strategy
·1h - 10
Mobilizing Women's Influence – Paula Noble Fellingham
·49m - 11
A Creative Leverage For Good – Kate Williams, 1% For The Planet
·54m - 12
How Design & Tech Are Transforming Cities – Nikki Greenberg, Real Estate of the Future, from Smart City Expo World Congress 2025
·41m - 13
What's a 'Tech Humanist'? – Kate O'Neill, CEO of KO Insights at Smart City Expo World Congress 2025
·49m - 14
Unique Practical Urban Climate Actions – Joan's Panel of International City Innovators from Smart City Expo World Congress 2025
·48m - 15
Career Advice For Difficult Times From 5 Women Leaders
·36m - 16
How Climate Modeling Affects Everything – Maria Caffrey, Principal Scientist, UK's National Physical Laboratory
·36m - 17
Car Rentals Reinvented & Sustainable – with Page Motes, Chief Compliance & Sustainability Officer, Hertz
·1h - 18
Women's Trillions Drive New Economic Values – Silvia Bastante de Unverhau, LGT Private Bankers International
·1h 4m - 19
America's Largest Bottler On Plastic – Ann Canela, Head of Niagara Cares, the Philanthropic Arm of Niagara Water
·56m - 20
Leveraging AI For Sustainability – with Mandi McReynolds, Chief Sustainability Officer at Workiva
·33m - 21
Carbon Accounting 101 – with Alyssa Zucker, Senior Industry Principal in Carbon at Workiva
·50m - 22
Hotel Rooms Affect Your Health & The Planet – JoAnna Abrams, Founder/CEO of MindClick
·53m - 23
New Venture Capital Models For Women & CleanTech – Cecile Blilious, Veteran Venture Investor, Venture ESG, European Women in VC
·1h 6m - 24
Japan Embraces Climate & Sustainability – Yvonne Burton, Expert On Doing Business In Japan, at Osaka Expo 2025
·58m - 25
Artificial Intelligence (A.I) And The Climate - Stephanie Hare, Ph.D., Researcher, Broadcaster and Author of "Technology Is Not Neutral"
·34m - 26
Energy Efficiency Saves Money & CO2 – Paula Glover, CEO of the Alliance To Save Energy
·1h 4m - 27
Career Advice From 5 Women Trailblazers – Hilary Doe, Cong. Chrissy Houlahan, Zara Summers, Tensie Whelan, & Claire Seaborn
·38m - 28
Using Captured Carbon To Make Energy – Bjork Kristjansdottir, Carbon Recycling International
·49m - 29
You Can Make A Difference Where You Are – Laur Hesse Fisher, MIT's Environmental Solutions Initiative
·54m - 30
Recycled Steel Goes Mainstream - Tabitha Stine, General Manager, Energy Solutions, Nucor Corporation
·1h 1m - 31
Unlocking Capital For Women And Climate Solutions – Women Leaders In Finance And Investment, The Earth Day Women's Summit
·51m - 32
Climate Is A Security Emergency – From A Top Climate Scientist & A Geopolitical Expert
·33m - 33
Food, Fashion & Ag vs. Climate Change – Voices From The Earth Day Women's Summit
·47m - 34
Business Leaders Bridging The Climate Gap – Voices From The Earth Day Women's Summit
·47m - 35
Green Cement Is Changing How We Build – Marci Jenks, Eco Material Technologies
·33m - 36
Leading In Times Of Great Change – Deborah Lee James, 23rd Secretary of the U.S. Air Force
·46m - 37
The Politics Of Progress On Climate And Energy – U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)
·44m - 38
Women Rewriting The Climate Conversation – Voices From The Earth Day Women's Summit
·54m - 39
How Michigan Turns IRA Tax Credits Into Growth – Hilary Doe, Chief Growth Officer, Michigan
·46m - 40
Sustainable Business Is Good Business – Tensie Whelan, Founding Director of the NYU Stern Center for Sustainable Business
·51m - 41
Female Farmers Are Transforming Cotton – Alison Ward, CEO of CottonConnect
·54m - 42
Building A Culture Of Innovation – Telle Whitney, Author of "Rebooting Tech Culture," Co-Founder of AnitaB.Org Institute
·46m - 43
Where's My Carbon Coming From? – Zara Summers, Chief Science Officer, LanzaTech
·51m - 44
What Canada's Energy Policies Can Teach The U.S. – Claire Seaborn, former Chief of Staff to Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
·59m - 45
A State Program Leading The Clean Energy Transformation – Doreen Harris, President and CEO, NYSERDA
·51m - 46
Turning Waste into Energy (and Wine) – Autumn Huskins, Finance Director, Hitachi Zosen Inova
·39m - 47
Career Advice From 5 Extraordinary Women – Women's History Month
·42m - 48
Beyond Partisanship in Climate Action – Chelsea Henderson, Director of Editorial Content at RepublicEn.org; Author of "Glacial: The Inside Story of Climate Politics"
·54m - 49
Why Geothermal Energy is the Next Big Thing - Dr. Marit Brommer, International Geothermal Association
·50m - 50
How to Rebuild Cities After Disaster – Majora Carter, Urban Revitalization Strategist & Author, Reclaiming Your Community
·48m - 51
3 Reasons Why Clean Energy is Here to Stay – Jennifer Granholm, 16th U.S. Secretary of Energy
·22m - 52
Women Leading the Charge for Renewables – Gauri Singh, Deputy Director-General of IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Agency
·50m - 53
The Future is Electric - Joan on Full Crew podcast with Matt Bianco and Chris Treanor
·1h 2m - 54
Putting AI to Work for the Climate – Dr. Stephanie Hare, Researcher, Broadcaster and Author
·34m - 55
Can Cities Thrive in a World of Polycrises? – Lauren Sorkin, Co-founder and Executive Director, Resilient Cities Network
·29m - 56
Connecting with Curiosity – Jennifer Hough, Author & TEDx Speaker
·1h 16m - 57
The Future Of The Energy Transition, Grid - Joan Moderating ICWS Webinar With Energy Leaders
·1h 11m - 58
Buying Sustainable Fashion at the UN - Joan Moderates Climate Week
·31m - 59
Scaling Donations – Kate Williams, 1% For The Planet
·52m - 60
Converting CO2 To Energy – Bjork Kristjansdottir, Carbon Recycling International
·49m - 61
New Research: Community Impact Of Green Manufacturing – Bethia Burke, President, The Fund For Our Economic Future
·54m - 62
Career Advice For Times Of Great Change – From 5 Electric Ladies
·49m - 63
How Climate Policies Boost Economic Opportunities – Gina McCarthy, Fmr. White House National Climate Advisor & Head of the Climate Policy Office (Biden Admin.), Fmr. EPA Administrator (Obama Admin.)
·32m - 64
SEC Climate Rules & Risk: Tara Giunta, Global Co-Chair of ESG & Sustainable Finance Practice at Paul Hastings Law Firm
·52m - 65
Climate Change & National Security: Sherri Goodman, Fmr Undersecretary of Defense, Author of "Threat Multiplier: Climate, Military Leadership & Global Security"
·51m - 66
"Seek First To Understand" – Jennifer Hough, Author, TEDx Speaker & Advisor on Talking About Climate Change
·1h 16m - 67
What Is Recycled Steel? - Tabitha Stine, General Manager, Energy Solutions, Nucor Corporation
·1h 1m - 68
Energy Efficiency Savings & Opportunities – Paula Glover, CEO of the Alliance To Save Energy
·1h 4m - 69
Learning From Canada's Energy Policies – Claire Seaborn, former Chief of Staff to Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources
·59m - 70
Financial Opportunities For Climate, Energy – Heather Boushey, White House Council of Economic Advisors & Chief Economist of Invest in America Cabinet
·45m - 71
Project 2025 & Climate – Rachel Frazin, The Hill Energy & Environment Reporter
·36m - 72
New Research, Buildings Reinvented – Erin McLaughlin, The Conference Board
·54m - 73
Performing Our Femininity & Values – Joan Michelson Speaks At Parlay House DC
·30m - 74
Reducing The Government's Carbon Footprint – Anna Siefken, Federal Energy Management Program
·54m - 75
Unusual Career Advice – Powerful Insights From 5 Renowned Electric Ladies Guests
·35m - 76
Making A Difference Where You Are – Laur Hesse Fisher, MIT's Environmental Solutions Initiative
·54m - 77
Accessing Inflation Reduction Act Tax Credits – Rachel McLeery, Senior Advisor, Dept. of Treasury
·43m - 78
Energy Transition Is In Full Swing - Lisa Jacobson, BCSE & Tara Narayanan, Bloomberg New Energy Finance
·54m - 79
Wave Energy & Second Chances – Inna Braverman, Eco Wave Power
·46m - 80
Financial Support For Exporting, Trade – Judith Pryor, Export Import Bank of U.S.
·1h 8m - 81
SEC Climate Rules Unlock Business Value – Kristen Sullivan, Deloitte Audit, Sustainability
·50m - 82
Transforming America's Transportation System – Polly Trottenberg, Deputy Secretary, US DOT
·46m - 83
Women Voters, Climate & This Critical 2024 Election
·33m - 84
Reducing IT's Carbon Footprint – Monica Batchelder, Chief Sustainability Officer, HPE
·44m - 85
Music, Public Health & Climate Action – Emma O'Brien, Global Scrub Choir
·51m - 86
The Future of Sustainability & ESG – Joan on "Doing Sustainability" Podcast With Gary Baker
·36m - 87
The Power Of Buildings – Katie McGinty, Johnson Controls Chief Sustainability Officer
·44m - 88
Advanced Technology Improving Transportation – Michele Mueller, Michigan DOT
·1h 2m - 89
Mobilize, Measure, Manage ESG - Evelyne Saelens, UL Solutions ESG Advisory Lead
·42m - 90
What Is 'Brave Thinking'? - Mary Morrissey, Renowned Speaker & Advisor, Author of "Brave Thinking: The Art and Science Of Creating A Life You Love"
·59m - 91
Career Advice Collage Time! Powerful Insights From 5 Extraordinary Women Changemakers in 2023
·37m - 92
Climate Philanthropy - Heather Grady, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
·47m - 93
Transforming Our Energy System – Vanessa Chan, U.S. Dept of Energy
·58m - 94
Career Advice From 5 Extraordinary 'Electric Ladies' Of 2023 – By Listener Demand!
·30m - 95
Good Corporate Citizenship In A Crisis – Susan McPherson, McPherson Strategies
·40m - 96
"Healthcare Without Harm" to People & Planet – Dr. Katherine Gergen-Barnett & Dr. Anna Goldman, Boston Medical Center
Hidden gemElectric Ladies Podcast examines how Boston Medical Center addresses climate and health risks while serving a safety-net population, with Dr.
·1h 14m·5 clips - 97
Creativity & Relationships Help Secure Grants – Megan Pater, CEO/Founder of Fund Nation & ECE Solutions
Joan Michelson frames Electric Ladies Podcast around the funding crisis facing nonprofits and mission-focused businesses after federal cuts under the Trump administration and Republican-led Congress.
·53m·3 clips - 98
How Carbon Credits Work – with Donna Lee, CEO & CoFounder, Calyx Global
Hidden gemElectric Ladies Podcast hosts Joan Michelson and Donna Lee, co-founder of Calyx Global, focus on how carbon credits work and why verification matters in a market the host describes as reaching "300 million issuances." Donna Lee says Calyx Global was founded in 2021 to help buyers judge whether credits tied to trees, landfills, wind farms, or other projects are actually worth what sellers claim.
·53m·3 clips - 99
Ensuring Electricity With Long Duration Storage – Julia Souder, Long Duration Energy Storage Council
Joan Michelson interviews Julia Souder, CEO of the Long Duration Energy Storage Council, about providing 24/7 clean electricity.
·54m·5 clips - 100
How To Talk "Climate" To Keep People Safe – Allison Agsten, USC Center for Climate Journalism & Communications
Joan Michelson interviews Allison Agsten, director of the USC Center for Climate Journalism and Communications, about effective climate communication in a polarized era.
·1h 2m·5 clips