Joan Michelson Archives - Page 29 of 31

Tech Entrepreneur Funding – Anna Brady-Estevez, NSF, SBIR Grant Program Director, National Science Foundation

Maybe you have a great idea or new app you developed that you’re itching to bring to life. Maybe you have a friend who does… Or, maybe you’re an entrepreneur who is running out of funds and fears not being able to continue. If this rings a bell, listen up. This podcast provides vital information about a federal grant program you can apply for. There’s no guarantee you’ll be approved, but you certainly won’t get it if you do not apply. It’s called the Small Business Innovation Research – or SBIR – grants (or STTRs). About half a dozen federal agencies offer them, all with different criteria. The SBIR program we’re talking about today is from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and has an open agenda, focused on the potential of the technology to make a big positive societal impact if it succeeds.

The “Un-Utility” – Mary Powell, Green Mountain Power

With so much innovation in the energy sector, the rapid expansion of renewable energy, development of a “smart grid” and the Internet of Things technologies, the utilities have to evolve too. And, without dropping any service to anyone, ever.
So, what’s a utility to do to survive – and to thrive? Enter Mary Powell, CEO of Green Mountain Power in Vermont, who was chosen as one of Fast Company’s most innovative people. She’s turning the business model of a utility on its head, and retains the support of her board because she’s succeeding in every way – customer service ratings in the 90%s and generating sold financial results. How? Listen up.

EcoFilm Festivals 101 – Flo Stone, Founder, D.C. Environmental Film Festival

As the D.C. Environmental Film Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary, host Joan Michelson spoke with Founder Flo Stone about the festival’s unusual business model, and environmental filmmaking circa 2017. The festival attracted 30,000 attendees this year and reached far and wide across Washington, DC into every neighborhood with its uniquely structured festival. Films are screened… Continue reading EcoFilm Festivals 101 – Flo Stone, Founder, D.C. Environmental Film Festival

Flint Water Safety – Nayyirah Shariff, Community Organizer, Activist

Every time you turn on your tap, think about what you’d have to do if you couldn’t use it – ever. That’s what daily life is still like in Flint, Michigan as a result of lead in the city’s water. The story may not be a top the national news these days, but the crisis… Continue reading Flint Water Safety – Nayyirah Shariff, Community Organizer, Activist

Environmental Journalism – Soledad O’Brien, Hearst TV & Former CNN Anchor

Hearst Television's "Matter of Fact" anchor Soledad O'Brien. Photo: Jay Mallin

“People have competing interests…(so) move beyond lazy labeling…a reporter’s job is to provide context…undergirded by data and statistics….Be a little fearless.” The Dakota Access Pipeline fight, hurricanes, droughts, earthquakes… the BP Oil Spill, the potential cuts to the EPA budget and rollback of the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts…Journalists rush to cover these stories as they break in the moment, but what’s missing? Listen to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson’s insightful conversation with renowned journalist Soledad O’Brien, formerly of CNN and MSNBC and now Founder and CEO of Starfish Media Group, an award-winning production company, and host of “Matter of Fact” syndicated on network television via Hearst TV.

Sustainable Theatres! – Paul O’Byrne, Sydney Theatre Company

Imagine an historic, award-winning theatre on the wharf, surrounded by water, in the central business district of one of the most popular and acclaimed cities in the world….Now, think about trying to reduce its environmental impact and all the stakeholders involved. That’s what Paul O’Byrne did, working with Academy Award-winning actress Cate Blanchett and her husband Andrew… Continue reading Sustainable Theatres! – Paul O’Byrne, Sydney Theatre Company

Movies, Environment – Marilyn Weiner, Screenscope Inc.

“Find another way.” We all know the power of movies to move us. EMMY-winning documentary filmmaker – and co-executive producer of the masterful documentary “Dispatches From the Gulf” about the scientific impact of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill – Marilyn Weiner talks with Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson about the ups and downs… Continue reading Movies, Environment – Marilyn Weiner, Screenscope Inc.

Career Planning & Passion – w Alaina Love’s “Passionality”

How do you find the job that makes you feel your best, be engaged in your work?Those of us in the green economy want to make a difference and bring our passion for it to work. But short of going to work for a non-profit or volunteering, how do we do it? Listen here to HR Guru Alaina Love on Green Connections Radio podcast for tips on how to find where you best “fit” based on your values, interests and passions, so you can be your best and happiest “you” at work. Alaina Love is co-author of “The Purpose Linked Organization: How Passionate Leaders Inspire Winning Teams and Great Results.” This book comes with an assessment that will help you discover your “passionality.”

Profitable Social Value – w Cheryl Kiser, Author & Center for Social Innovation at Babson College

How do you create social value and make money at the same time? Whether you’re a big company or a small one, or a non-profit, listen to Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson’s probing conversation with Cheryl Kiser, head of the Lewis Center for Social Innovation at Babson College and co-author of the new book, “Creating Social Value: A Guide for Leaders and Change Makers.”

Disrupt Yourself: w Whitney Johnson, Author, “One of the Most Influential Management Thinkers”

“Sometimes sideways or backwards turns into a slingshot,” Whitney Johnson on Green Connections Radio podcast. Do you want a bigger impact? To be happier at work? Listen to this enlightening conversation between Green Connections Radio host Joan Michelson and Whitney Johnson, award-winning executive from Wall Street to Twitter and author of “Disrupt Yourself.” Grab a pen and paper or your laptop to take notes, and you’ll want to listen to it a couple of times, too. Every few minutes has something you’ll want to think about in the context of your own life and choices.