261: Earth’s Biggest Forest Is On Fire, with Rob Mullen
Matt Matern talks with artist Rob Mullen about the vast boreal forest, its freshwater and climate importance, growing wildfire threats, conservation challenges, and the wilderness expeditions that shaped Mullen’s life and art.
260: Leah Qusba on Why Republicans Still Support Solar
GoodPower CEO Leah Qusba joins Matt Matern to discuss winning public support for clean energy, combating disinformation, engaging rural communities, and using authentic local voices to accelerate the transition to a cleaner energy future.
259: How Cora Stryker Is Bringing Plug-In Solar to the Masses
BrightSaver CEO Cora Stryker joins Matt Matern to explore how affordable plug-in solar could lower energy bills and expand clean energy access. They discuss new legislation, renters’ rights, battery storage, and the growing movement behind it.
258: The AI Beehive Fighting Colony Collapse, With Saar Safra
Beewise CEO Saar Safra explains how AI, robotics, and solar-powered BeeHomes are helping save honeybees. Discover how the technology monitors and treats colonies 24/7, reduces colony collapse, and could help protect the global food supply.
257: The Future of EV Charging Looks More Like Hospitality, with Zak Winnick
Matt Matern talks with Rangeway Energy founder Zak Winnick about reinventing EV charging with reliable stations, comfortable amenities, renewable energy, and a hospitality-first approach designed to make electric road trips easier and more enjoyable.
256: Can Kelp Help Rebuild Our Oceans? with Bren Smith
GreenWave co-founder Bren Smith explains how regenerative ocean farming can restore ecosystems, create resilient jobs, and strengthen food systems—from kelp and shellfish farms to seaweed biostimulants that can reduce water and fertilizer use.
255: Storing Carbon in the Ocean, with Garrett Boudinot
Matt speaks with Dr. Garrett Boudinot, CEO of Vycarb, about transforming industrial CO₂ into permanently stored bicarbonate using water. They explore scalable carbon capture, real-time verification, and how the technology could help decarbonize heavy industry.
254: How Fossil Fuel Companies Are Quietly Buying Legal Immunity, with David Fenton
Climate communications expert David Fenton explains why better storytelling—not more data—is the key to climate action. He and Matt Matern discuss messaging, media failures, fossil fuel accountability, and how ordinary people can help change the conversation.
253: The $10,000 Robot That Restores Ecosystems 24/7, with Tom Chi
Tom Chi, founding partner of At One Ventures and Google X pioneer, joins Matt to explain how AI, drones, and deep tech can restore mangroves, coral reefs, and seagrass while making nature recovery cheaper—and why expanding our "aperture of care" matters.
252: Why Only 1% of US Farmland Is Organic, with Linley Dixon
Dr. Linley Dixon explains how organic farming can fight climate change, restore soil health, and improve food quality. She discusses chemical agriculture, organic fraud, PFAS contamination, policy challenges, and how consumers can support local, truly organic farms.
251: Turning Ordinary Lampposts Into EV Chargers, with Jeff Prosserman
More than 40% of Americans can't charge an EV at home. Voltpost CEO Jeffrey Prosserman explains how retrofitting lampposts and utility poles into EV chargers could make charging affordable, accelerate adoption, and help drive America's clean energy future.
250: The Founders Loved the Land…and Left One Thing Unfinished
In the final "250 for 250" episode, Matt explores how America's founders viewed land, soil, and stewardship. From Jefferson's weather journals to Washington's farming practices, he reveals the ideals—and myths—that shaped our relationship with nature.
249: He Watched January 6 Happen (Then Wrote This Book), with Brian Jay Jones
Biographer Brian Jay Jones explores the environmental legacy of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax, the surprising story behind The Cat in the Hat, and why storytelling shapes climate action. He also discusses his new book, The Capitol, and America's evolving identity.
248: Why The Lorax Matters More Now Than Ever, with Philip Nel
Matt speaks with Dr. Philip Nel about The Lorax and why Dr. Seuss's environmental classic is more relevant than ever. They explore its lasting cultural impact, the power of storytelling, environmental activism, and why hope is essential for protecting our planet.
247: America’s Best Idea – How the U.S. Invented the National Park
Matt explores the story behind America’s national parks - from Yellowstone’s creation in 1872 and John Muir’s influence on Theodore Roosevelt to today’s battles over public lands. Part of the “250 for 250” series on environmental history and civic action.
246: Micah Loewinger on the Decades-Long Movement to Kill FEMA
Matt speaks with Micah Loewinger, co-host of On the Media, about FEMA, disaster misinformation, and the politics of emergency management. They explore conspiracy theories, Hurricane Helene, climate-driven disasters, and the agency's uncertain future.
245: How 20 Million Americans Got a Republican President to Build the EPA
Earth Day 1970 brought 20 million Americans into the streets, helping create the EPA, Clean Air Act, and Clean Water Act. This episode explores the era’s bipartisan support for environmental protection and asks how that shared commitment was lost.
244: Why Jonathan Criss Left SpaceX After 13 Years to Solve the Water Crisis
Matt speaks with Jonathan Criss, CEO and co-founder of Vital Lyfe, about transforming access to clean drinking water. A former SpaceX engineer, Jonathan explains how his portable desalination technology can produce safe water from nearly any natural source, helping address global water challenges.
243: The Climate Solution Hidden in Every Sidewalk, with Dean Forgeron
Matt speaks with CarbonCure CTO Dean Forgeron about injecting CO2 into concrete, where it mineralizes into limestone-like calcium carbonate. They discuss cutting cement use, storing 768,000 tons of CO2, and reducing emissions at the source.
242: Why a Top Climate VC Is Endorsing Tom Steyer for Governor, with Dan Miller
Matt and Dan Miller of The Roda Group discuss why renewables beat fossil fuels on cost, AI’s climate impact, EV adoption, fossil fuel subsidies, and why Tom Steyer could reshape California’s energy future in the 2026 governor’s race. Plus utility reform plans.
241: Cut 30% of Your Energy Bill Without Spending a Dime, with Ibhade Eigbobo
Matt talks with Budderfly’s Ibhade Eigbobo about energy efficiency, virtual power plants, battery storage, and Budderfly’s energy-as-a-service model helping small and midsize businesses reduce utility costs and modernize aging equipment.
240: Why Protecting Nature Starts With Protecting People, with Brett Jenks
Matt talks with Rare CEO Brett Jenks about scaling climate resilience in 2,000+ coastal communities, why adaptation matters, and how financial, ecological, and social resilience can prevent a global climate migration crisis.
239: Fast Fashion Is Killing the Planet, with Marci Zaroff
Matt Matern talks with sustainable fashion pioneer Marci Zaroff on the true cost of clothing—from cotton in our food supply to organic fibers, greenwashing vs certification, and the shift toward traceable fashion.
238: The Right to Protest Is Under Attack, with Annie Leonard & André Carothers
Annie Leonard and André Carothers, co-authors of Protest: Respect It, Defend It, Use It, join Matt to discuss why the right to protest is under unprecedented attack — and why defending it is inseparable from the fight against climate change.
