Stories for the future

This episode is about something that hit harder than I expected when I lost my job in oil and gas: Not the income. Not the office. But the identity. Who was I if I wasn't “Veslemøy, the geophysicist”? What was I supposed to say at parties, in my bio, or when someone casually asked, “So, what do you do?” In this solo episode, I talk about how I’d unknowingly tied my self-worth to my job title — and...

If you've ever felt torn between making a difference and making a living , this episode is here to help you reframe that tension - and start building something more sustainable. Both for the planet. And for yourself. My guest today is Judith Hartlmaier , co-founder of Positive Impactpreneur — a business built on a powerful mission: to support the supporters. Judith works with solo practitioners, c...

Welcome to a new mini series on Stories for the Future! I call it The Quiet Pivot. Ever find yourself in that weird limbo where your job just doesn’t vibe with who you are anymore? That’s what I like to call the "Quiet Pivot," and yes, I’ve been there. After saying goodbye to the oil and gas industry in 2016, I experienced that unsettling space where the old me didn’t fit, but the new me was still...

Holly Smith is shaking things up in the world of impact investing, and trust me, you don’t want to miss this one! At just 25, she’s already made quite the splash, transitioning from a psychology background to making a dent in the world of sustainable finance. Now based in Singapore, Holly’s not just talking the talk; she’s part of running a venture studio that’s all about driving positive change,...

Burnout can hit hard, especially when you're doing what you think is your dream job. In this conversation with Danielle Droitsch, we dive deep into her journey through decades of climate and conservation work, and how she found herself hitting that famous wall. She opens up about the importance of rediscovering your purpose and aligning your career with your strengths to truly find fulfillment. We...

Exploring the world of rooftop solar, we dive into how we can make clean energy not just a dream but a financially viable reality. Today I chat with Noaa Cohn, the VP of Product at InRange , where they’re shaking up the old-school solar mindset. We’ll uncover how they’re aligning the interests of landlords and tenants to roll out solar installations that not only benefit the environment but also m...

Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch . You can always find more information about the podcast and my work on storiesforthefuture.com My guest today is Siddharth Sareen, an award-winning Research Professor working at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Norway. Highlights: We explore the energy transition in Norway, emphasiz...

Today, we’re diving into the exciting world of climate solutions with Pepin van Dijk. Pepin’s work with Carbon Fix is all about finding those bold, early-stage ideas—what we like to call "moonshots"—that can actually make a dent in our carbon problem. We chat about the importance of collaboration and how even in these chaotic times, innovative thinking can lead to impactful changes. Want to be a g...

Want to be a guest on Stories for the future: Beyond the Bubble? Send Veslemoy Klavenes-Berge a message on PodMatch . You can always find more information about the podcast and my work on storiesforthefuture.com and follow me on Substack at vklavenes.substack.com In this episode we’re diving deep into the world of political polarization and media literacy. Join me as I chat with David Beckemeyer,...

Today, I'm excited to share some big news that’s been brewing in my mind for a while now. I'm broadening the scope of Stories for the Future beyond just energy and climate talk, diving into the juicy stuff about how we can shift our thinking and break out of those echo chambers. It’s not just about transitioning energy systems anymore; it’s about transitioning how we relate to each other in this i...

Ever wondered why we react the way we do to change, especially when it comes to the big stuff like sustainability and the energy transition? Well, today we're diving into that very topic with our guest, Gerdien de Vries, an expert in climate psychology from TU Delft. We’ll explore why some people are all in for new energy solutions while others dig in their heels. We'll break down psychological co...

Today's chat is all about the energy transition and how international oil companies are navigating this tricky terrain. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Krista Halttounen, a sustainability researcher and CEO of Halton Ventures, who dives deep into her research on the oil industry's future in a world aiming for lower carbon emissions. We explore some eye-opening insights from her PhD thesis,...

Today, we're looking into how industry associations like the European Association for Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) can play an important role in connecting the dots in the complex world of energy. I had a chat with Artem Kotenev, the president of the Oslo chapter of EAGE, who shares his insights on how EAGE is stepping up to bridge gaps between traditional oil and gas expertise and the growi...

My guest in this episode is sustainability expert and author Jenny Morgan, and we discuss the themes of her new book 'Cancel Culture in Climate'. Jenny shares her insights into how cancel culture negatively impacts the climate action movement by promoting fear, silence, and retraction among organizations. She emphasizes the need for positive accountability and collaboration, particularly within th...

My guest in this episode is professor Brad Hayes, a geoscience consultant and adjunct professor at the University of Alberta, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences. We dive into the importance of understanding energy security and the need for diverse solutions that respect environmental impacts while ensuring energy access for all. Takeaways: Energy literacy is crucial for understanding the...

Navigating the transformation of the energy sector, particularly as fossil fuel giants like Equinor pivot towards renewable energy, is no small task. This episode dives into the intricacies of this transition, highlighting the role of sustainability professionals who find themselves at the crossroads of environmental responsibility and corporate profitability. My guest is Natasha Blisson, a season...

How does a global company steeped in combustion engine technology navigate the energy transition? This episode dives into the intricacies of communication and innovation at Wärtsilä, a leader in marine and energy solutions. Meet Jane Jünger, who shares her journey from journalism to leading communications in a tech giant, and now to her role at the University of Bergen. We discuss the vital role o...

Geoscientists are essential for shaping a sustainable future, and today's conversation dives deep into how they can transition away from traditional fossil fuel industries towards more innovative and environmentally friendly roles. I chat with Emer Caslin, a business development manager at ICRAG, who shares her journey from the oil and gas sector to exploring geoscience's contributions to the Sust...

Creating optimistic and realistic narratives about the future is essential for inspiring collective action against climate change. In this episode, we meet Steve Willis, an author and innovator, who discusses his climate fiction novel "Fairhaven," which explores solutions to pressing environmental challenges. Steve emphasizes the need for large-scale projects to address the climate crisis and high...

In this episode of 'Stories for the Future,' I reconnect with one of my very first podcast guests, Anders Dræge, an ex-petroleum geophysicist who shifted from a successful career in Norway's state-owned energy company, Equinor, to a new role in the insurance sector. We discuss Anders' motivations for leaving the oil and gas industry due to environmental concerns, his transition and adaptation to a...

In this episode, we delve into the complexities of the energy sector with Maximilian Haas, a geomechanical engineer at SLB. We talk about the binary perceptions of the oil and gas industry and the crucial gray areas often missed. Highlighting Max's journey from academia to the energy sector, this episode stresses the need for open-minded dialogue and collaboration in tackling climate and energy ch...

We kick off the new season with a special episode featuring six different voices from the European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers (EAGE) Annual Conference in Oslo. The episode explores how to foster better understanding and dialogue between professionals in the oil and gas sector and the general public. Key themes include energy transition, sustainability, the role of geoscience, and t...

In season 6, I revisit a topic that is both close to my heart and relevant to my career: how can we encourage dialogue between professionals in the oil and gas industry and those outside of it? As a professional who transitioned from oil and gas, I often find myself defending my past self, the one who wanted to highlight the positive aspects of the industry that are often overlooked or disregarded...

In order to create the future, we first need to be able to imagine it. Today, on this last episode of the season, I'm joined by Merlin Bola , an enthusiast in ecology, psychology and storytelling. Merlin's journey began with a deep interest in environmental studies, leading him to some really big questions about life and humanity. Merlin advocates for the use of imagination as a tool to envision f...

My guest today is an expert in climate communication. Her name is Katherine Duarte, and the reason I fist noticed her, was because she was a fresh breath on my Instagram feed. I noticed that she shared important, serious and very interesting stuff about climate and sustainability, but she did it in a very funny way. Today we discuss the complex, difficult, but very interesting topic about how to c...