Electric Equity

In this episode of Electric Equity, guest host Dr. Kayla Garrett speaks with Shannon Ames, the Executive Director of the Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI). How does LIHI move the needle toward access to renewable energy sources, specifically hydropower, while minimizing or eliminating its environmental and cultural impacts? The conversation explores: What "low-impact hydropower" means and the...

In this episode of Electric Equity, Brian speaks with Dr. Jenny Howell of Baylor University and explores the deep connections between theology, ecology, and food justice. Dr. Howell directs a unique graduate program at Truett Seminary that challenges students to break out of traditional silos and think holistically about the world’s most pressing issues. Teaching on-site at the World Hunger Relief...

In this episode of Electric Equity, Brian sits down with Nick Stolberg to explore the intersection of energy access, rural livelihoods, and sustainable agriculture. From the surprising role of a “chicken farmer” to deeper questions about energy poverty, resilience, and community development, this conversation connects everyday work with global challenges. Together, they reflect on how local food s...

In this episode of Electric Equity, Brian Thomas speaks with Bryan McInnis, Director of Business Development for the Europe, Middle East, and Africa region at EG4 Electronics. Bryan recently relocated to Kampala, Uganda, placing him at the center of one of the fastest-growing regions in the world for off-grid solar and energy access. In their conversation, Bryan explains how EG4 partners with nonp...

In this episode of Electric Equity, Brian talks with Nathan Nickerson, former executive director of Konbit Sante, a nonprofit that has partnered with Haitian healthcare institutions since 2001. Nate explains what “Konbit Sante” means—an idea of shared effort and collaboration—and describes the organization’s long-term approach to strengthening healthcare in northern Haiti. Rather than focusing on...

Bad Bunny's Superbowl LX halftime show gives us a glimpse of Puerto Rico's struggling electric grid, especially since Hurricane Maria's impact in 2017. Was privatization the right way to rebuild PR's infrastructure, or has it caused more problems than before? In this brief episode we provide a high-level history for those made curious by Bad Bunny's performance.

Jean Thaylord is a member of the nonprofit group EarthSpark, which builds micro utilities in Haiti. He grew up in Haiti, but was able to study electrical engineering at Rutgers University in New Jersey. He joined EarthSpark in 2018 where he helps operate two prepaid town-level micro grids in the remote Tiberon Peninsula of Southeast Haiti. Together, these two microgrids have about 1000 connections...

In this episode, I speak with Aimie Servant, a licensed professional engineer at the Alaska Village Electric Cooperative (AVEC), about what it really takes to keep the lights on in some of the most remote communities in North America. While much of Alaska relies on the Railbelt grid, AVEC operates independent microgrids serving rural villages—small “electrical islands” powered close to the people...

This episode introduces us to Mackendy, the General Manager and Cultural Liasson for JustEnergy's work in Haiti. We learn how how he lost his mother as a child amid Vodou curses, but was able to study languages and translation services. He recalls the story of a blackout during his wife's c-section, and unpacks Haitian fuel shortages, black market fuel sales, and using propane as a fuel for electr...

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Kayla Garrett, a professor in Baylor University's department of Environmental Science and co-founder of the nonprofit JustEnergy, about how electricity access shapes human freedom and responsibility. Kayla’s journey began as an undergraduate in humanitarian engineering, when a service-learning trip to Haiti involved helping a hospital install an off-grid solar and...