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Earthlings 2.0 Podcast

Earthlings 2.0 Podcast

By: Lisa Ann Pinkerton
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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 Patreon and receive exclusive content and benefits.© 2026 Earth Sciences Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Science
Episodes
  • #164: How the Grid Could Survive the AI Boom with Solid State Transformers With DG Matrix

    #164: How the Grid Could Survive the AI Boom with Solid State Transformers With DG Matrix
    Jun 9 2026
    In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Michael Wood III, Director of Commercial Development at DG Matrix, about one of the biggest challenges behind the AI boom: aging electrical infrastructure. As AI, data centers, manufacturing and electrification drive unprecedented demand for electricity, utilities and developers are increasingly constrained by a grid architecture built around technologies that have changed little in more than a century. Michael explains how DG Matrix is developing the world's first commercially available multi-port solid-state transformer, a power electronics platform designed to simplify energy systems, accelerate access to power, integrate multiple energy sources, and support the growing energy needs of AI data centers and electrified industries. The conversation explores grid modernization, data center energy demand, power system flexibility, and why the future of electricity infrastructure may require a fundamental rethinking of how energy moves through the grid.Key Points:AI data centers are creating unprecedented demand for electricity – The rapid growth of AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure is placing new pressure on an electrical grid originally designed for predictable demand patterns.Solid-state transformers could modernize power delivery – DG Matrix's multi-port solid-state transformer replaces complex power conversion chains with a flexible platform that integrates AC, DC, batteries, renewables, generators, and data center loads.Grid flexibility is becoming as important as grid capacity – As electrification accelerates across transportation, manufacturing, buildings, and computing, future energy systems will need to be smarter, faster, and more adaptable to changing power requirements.Michael Wood III, Director of Commercial Development at DG Matrix, LinkedInLuis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host, Sr. Public Relations Account Executive at Technica Communications🚀 Calling all Earthlings… Visit our website for more episodes!Sign up to our newsletter for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures! We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be!Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode on our websiteThanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page.Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news: Follow us on LinkedInFollow us on Instagram Follow us on our Facebook PageFollow us on X Thanks to Resource Labs for having us on the network!
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    30 mins
  • #163: Can Renewable Energy Replace Combustion? This Company Thinks It Can With FeX Energy

    #163: Can Renewable Energy Replace Combustion? This Company Thinks It Can With FeX Energy
    Jun 2 2026

    In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Hayden Smith, CEO of FeX Energy, about the growing challenge of decarbonizing industrial heat and why long-duration energy storage may become essential to the future of clean manufacturing and grid reliability. While renewable electricity adoption continues to grow, many industrial sectors still rely on fossil fuel combustion to generate the high-temperature heat needed for cement, steel, chemicals, plastics, mining, and food processing. Hayden explains how FeX Energy is developing an iron-based thermal energy storage system capable of storing renewable electricity for long durations and releasing it later as high-temperature industrial heat approaching 900°C. The conversation explores how thermal energy storage could help stabilize renewable-heavy grids, reduce dependence on natural gas, support industrial electrification, and help industries decarbonize without requiring massive transmission infrastructure upgrades.

    Key Points:

    • Industrial heat remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonize – Heavy industry still depends heavily on fossil fuel combustion for high-temperature manufacturing processes.
    • FeX Energy uses iron as a long-duration thermal battery – The company’s Iron Arc Reactor stores renewable electricity and releases it later as high-temperature industrial heat.
    • Long-duration energy storage could improve grid flexibility and industrial electrification – Thermal storage systems may help manage renewable intermittency, reduce grid strain, and lower infrastructure upgrade costs.

    • Hayden Smith, CEO of FeX Energy, LinkedIn

    • Luis de Leon, Earthlings 2.0 Guest Host, Sr. Public Relations Account Executive at Technica Communications

    🚀 Calling all Earthlings…

    Visit our website for more episodes!

    Sign up to our newsletter for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures!

    We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be!

    Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode on our website

    Thanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page.

    Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news:

    • Follow us on LinkedIn
    • Follow us on Instagram
    • Follow us on our Facebook Page
    • Follow us on X

    Thanks to Resource Labs for having us on the network!
    Show More Show Less
    35 mins
  • #162: Whales, Wolves, and Wild Comebacks: The Power of Rewilding with Alister Scott

    #162: Whales, Wolves, and Wild Comebacks: The Power of Rewilding with Alister Scott
    May 26 2026
    In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, we speak with Alister Scott, Executive Director of the Global Rewilding Alliance, about the growing global rewilding movement and how ecosystem restoration could play a major role in addressing biodiversity loss, climate resilience, flooding, wildfire risk, and human well-being. The conversation explores what rewilding actually means: restoring ecosystems by reducing destructive human activity, reconnecting habitats through wildlife corridors, and reintroducing keystone species like wolves, beavers, bison, jaguars, and whales that help ecosystems regulate themselves naturally.Links to other topics discussed in the interview:The list of the Global Rewilding Alliance’s partner projects on every continent can be found hereBen Goldfarb’s book, Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter, by Ben GoldfarbVanuatu’s Protected Area Status with the Protected Planet Initiative's protected areaVideos that showcase the rewilding spiritPrinciples of rewildingImagining a rewilded EarthA rewilded languageWild heroes:HipposOttersBeaversKey Points:Rewilding focuses on restoring ecosystem function – Rather than tightly controlling landscapes, rewilding creates the conditions for nature to recover and self-regulate over time.Nature recovery creates economic opportunities – Protected ecosystems can support local economies through tourism, sustainable land management, and long-term climate resilience.Rewilding can happen anywhere – From marine protected areas to urban gardens and backyard pollinator habitats, biodiversity recovery can begin at every scale.Alister Scott, Executive Director of the Global Rewilding Alliance, LinkedInLisa Ann Pinkerton, Earthlings 2.0 Host, CEO of Technica Communications, Founder of Women in Cleantech and Sustainability, and CEO of PRVIEW, LinkedIn🚀 Calling all Earthlings… Visit our website for more episodes!Sign up to our newsletter for the latest news on the most exciting technology and research shaping our futures! We want to learn more about you! It’ll take just a few moments to complete our survey. Thank you for helping us make your listening experience the best it can be!Are you new to Earthlings 2.0 and don’t know where to get started? Check out our Life at 3C episode on our websiteThanks for tuning in! If you like what we’re doing over at Earthlings 2.0, you can support us by heading over to our Patreon Page.Let’s stay connected! Follow Earthlings 2.0 Socials for the latest updates and news: Follow us on LinkedInFollow us on Instagram Follow us on our Facebook PageFollow us on X Thanks to Resource Labs for having us on the network!
    Show More Show Less
    51 mins
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