The Capitalist Hippie

Every year, millions of tons of waste threaten our environment, but Marco Prayer, CTO and Co-Founder of RecycleSmart is leading a transformative journey. With over 15 years of software development experience, Marco infuses his leadership with a passion for sustainability. RecycleSmart has redefined recycling nationwide, using cutting-edge technology under Marco's guidance to streamline waste manag...

Cordell Jacks is a visionary leader with a career that spans founding and directing social enterprises focused on public health, cleantech, circular economies, and social purpose companies. For his impactful work, Cordell has been recognized with global industry awards, fellowships, and grants.    Today, he serves as CEO and Co-Founder of Regenerative Capital Group, a fund that trains and invests...

Did you know that the average person's daily spending habits can significantly impact the environment? Meet Sanchali Pal, the visionary founder of Commons, an app that empowers users to make eco-conscious choices in their everyday lives. Drawing from her experiences as a former consultant working directly with those affected by the climate crisis, Sanchali recognized the urgent need for a solution...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Michael Green, a visionary architect at the forefront of mass timber construction. His innovative books, "The Case for Tall Wood Buildings" and "Tall Wood Buildings: Design, Construction, and Performance," have reshaped urban architecture, promoting sustainable materials like cross-laminated timber and glulam beams. As founder of Michael Green Architec...

Every year, billions of pounds of perfectly good food go to waste in landfills. Today, we're exploring the profound issue of food waste with Jordan Schenck, the Chief Customer Officer at Flashfood. She offers insights into how we can transform this narrative, one meal at a time. At Flashfood, Jordan oversees various strategic initiatives to drive positive change. Her leadership is a testament to h...

Landfills receive millions of tons of wood waste every year. Most of the waste can be recycled and repurposed; however, the lack of infrastructure in this sector means that the useful material doesn't always reach the right people. Today, we're diving into the future of sustainable wood sourcing with a true innovator: Ben Christensen, CEO and Co-Founder of Cambium Carbon, who was recognized by For...

The home energy efficiency industry is undergoing a transformative shift towards sustainability. Today, we're excited to explore this dynamic landscape with Lauren Salz, Co-Founder and CEO of Sealed, a trailblazing climate tech company at the forefront of this revolution. Recognized for her remarkable leadership, Sealed was named one of the 10 most innovative energy companies of 2021 by Fast Compa...

Every day, the urgency to address climate change grows more pressing. Yet, amidst the daunting challenges, there's a beacon of hope: a movement driven by countless ideas, companies, and individuals dedicated to effecting positive change. Today, we're sitting down with Kip Pastor, an award-winning filmmaker and the Founder & CEO of Pique Action, a Public Benefit Corporation at the forefront of this...

Delve into the realm of renewable energy with John Witchel, the visionary CEO of King Energy. With a background in software and finance, John's journey back to the renewable energy sector is driven by a profound desire to make a meaningful impact. Join us as we explore how King Energy is revolutionizing the solar industry by addressing the "Split Incentive Problem" in solar energy for multi-tenant...

Each year, millions of tons of waste find their way into landfills, harming our planet and ecosystems. Amidst the challenges of this crisis, there are companies lighting the way forward. In today's episode, we're thrilled to introduce Lindsey Hoell, the Founder & CEO of Dispatch Goods, a pioneering reverse logistics company committed to addressing the global waste crisis head-on.   Lindsey's entre...

Mike Winterfield is Founder and of Active Impact, Canada's largest climate tech seed fund. As a seasoned entrepreneur and dedicated advocate for environmental sustainability, his career spans over two decades across software, professional recruitment, and venture capital where he has continually demonstrated his commitment to making a positive impact. Following his role as COO at Traction on Deman...

How do we build solutions for a better planet? We educate new young leaders who can create those solutions.  Climate change is undeniably one of the most pressing issues facing humanity today, and the urgency to address it has never been greater. With the launch of Pearson College's Climate Action Leadership Diploma Program, a new wave of young leaders is emerging, ready to tackle this global chal...

An enlightening conversation with Britt Wray, Author and Director of CIRCLE at Stanford Psychiatry, where we delve into her groundbreaking research and advocacy in the intersection of climate leadership, emotional well-being, and community resilience.  Using her expertise in science communication, Britt Wray ignites meaningful action in a world grappling with climate change. From acclaimed books l...

  Every day, millions of people worldwide lack access to reliable electricity, forcing them to rely on dangerous and expensive alternatives. However, one entrepreneur, Sam Goldman, is on a mission to change that narrative. With degrees in Biology and Environmental Studies, an MBA, and a passion for social transformation, Sam has dedicated his career to making clean energy accessible and affordable...

Sustainable building solutions are critical in a world where construction consumes over 50% of all resources extracted globally annually, and less than 10% of plastic waste is recycled. That's where Dustin Bowers comes in. Founder and CEO/CTO at PLAEX Building Systems, he has a diverse background in carpentry, fine arts, and environmental passion, which led him to create innovative solutions for s...

One garbage truck full of plastic enters the ocean every minute. Even though the material can seem like a facilitator and even an improvement in our daily lives, it is convenient to throw it away without a second thought – and the environment is suffering because of it. Estimations say that by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the ocean.  Today, we have an inspiring conversation with D...

Did you know that chemicals and fuel spills from traditional boats can harm our waters? Lack of maintenance, fuel type, and leaks can increase the pollution and the number of harmful bacteria in the marinas, affecting water health. Electrifying cars has provided a fossil free future on our roads, but what about our waterways?  This week, join us as Marco Pimentel, our host, sits down with Mitch Le...

Globally, a new era of business strategy is emerging — one that is bold, proactive, and regenerative. Did you know that instead of holding steady, regenerative companies make courageous moves to reconnect with the social and environmental systems they're a part of?   This week, we delve into the heart of regenerative business practices with Jill Doucette, the visionary behind Synergy Enterprises,...

Conventional fuel solutions, particularly the widely used "natural gas," conceal a myriad of environmental hazards. Methane, the primary component in this mix, is a potent greenhouse gas — 25 times more impactful per gram than carbon dioxide — accompanied by a cocktail of toxic air pollutants, including benzene, a known carcinogen. And in home climate control, a silent but critical battle wages ag...

Agriculture stands as one of the most pollutant practices known to man. In Canada alone, 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from crop and livestock production, excluding emissions from fossil fuels or fertilizer production. Not only that, but considering how we handle manure, transportation, chemical pesticides, and fertilizers, we are looking at a giant impact on the environment worldwide. ...

Believe it or not, steam is still a big deal in industries. It stands for 8% of the global primary energy use, generating over 2 gigatonnes of greenhouse emissions per year. Facing that scenario, innovators like Addison Stark see this as an opportunity and need for change and emerge as sustainability champions.   Addison's journey fuels his passion for the decarbonizing industry, from spearheading...

Global energy-related CO2 emissions surged to a record high in 2022, marking a concerning milestone in our collective carbon footprint. In this episode, Robert Murphy, CEO of Othersphere, joins us to discuss the pressing need to accelerate sustainable infrastructure deployment amid these increasing emissions.  Robert's extensive background — from global organizations like the World Bank, Enbridge,...

Did you know that over a billion people rely on our oceans as their primary food source? However, our sea life is in danger due to overfishing, pollution, and harmful fish farming practices. In this episode, Kirk Havercroft, the CEO of Sustainable Blue, sheds light on the critical challenges threatening our oceanic ecosystems and his company's groundbreaking solutions. Based in Nova Scotia, Sustai...

The average person in Canada produces an equivalent of 14.2 tonnes of CO2 yearly. In the United States, the number goes up to 17.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide.   Most people have no idea about those numbers or even what they mean. And Michelle Li is trying to make sure people understand the impact of their daily lives on the environment. As a former Silicon Valley employee, she made it her mission to...

The global population is expected to grow to 10 billion people by 2050, and one of the biggest challenges the next generation will face is feeding everyone.   Deeply concerned with those challenges, Marc St-Onge decided to look for solutions by creating a series of global platforms for the development of sustainable fermentation-based protein and food ingredients, decentralized healthcare, and cle...