Welcome to Chad's Climate Quest! I'm Chad Frischmann, and I'm on a mission to discover the most impactful solutions that not only tackle climate change but also guide us towards a regenerative future. Climate change is the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced—a crisis of our own making, driven by the greenhouse gases our economies emit. It affects everything, from increasing poverty and food scarcity to creating climate refugees and causing devastating biodiversity loss.
But there's a silver lining. If we must change everything, we have the chance to design a better, regenerative future that benefits both humanity and the planet. Join me as I talk to some of the world's leading thinkers and doers who are dedicating their energy, wisdom, and intellect to solving this monumental challenge in ways that benefit us all.
Connect with us:
Website: http://www.regenintel.earth
Socials: @chadonclimate
Welcome to Chad's Climate Quest! I'm Chad Frischmann, and I'm on a mission to discover the most impactful solutions that not only tackle climate change but also guide us towards a regenerative future. Climate change is the greatest challenge humanity has ever faced—a crisis of our own making, driven by the greenhouse gases our economies emit. It affects everything, from increasing poverty and food scarcity to creating climate refugees and causing devastating biodiversity loss.
But there's a silver lining. If we must change everything, we have the chance to design a better, regenerative future that benefits both humanity and the planet. Join me as I talk to some of the world's leading thinkers and doers who are dedicating their energy, wisdom, and intellect to solving this monumental challenge in ways that benefit us all.
Connect with us:
Website: http://www.regenintel.earth
Socials: @chadonclimate
In this powerful episode of Chad’s Climate Quest, Chad Frischmann sits down with environmental educator and creator of Queer Brown Vegan, Isaias Hernandez. Together, they explore the complex intersections of race, queerness, and environmental justice—and why mainstream climate movements often leave people like Isaias behind.
Isaias opens up about the challenges of being seen as a "legitimate" voice in climate science, the backlash they’ve faced, and how they’re using digital media to make climate education inclusive, emotional, and accessible. From eco-anxiety and burnout to queer ecology and creative joy, this conversation pulls no punches.
🔊 You’ll learn:
What queer ecology actually means
How social media is shaping climate literacy
The hidden gatekeeping in climate organizations
Why Isaias prefers education over "activism"
A bold vision for inclusive, regenerative futures
This isn’t your usual climate conversation. And that’s exactly the point.
In this deeply insightful episode of Chad’s Climate Quest, visionary chef and regenerative food systems expert Charles Michel returns to explore a radical but elegant idea: that pleasure, not sacrifice, may be the key to solving climate change.Together, Chad and Charles dive into:• Why chocolate is one of the most destructive crops—and how it could become a climate solution• The concept of gastrophysics and how food shapes our perceptions, emotions, and ethics• The untapped potential of food education to transform public health, economics, and environmental outcomes• How regenerative supply chains can restore ecosystems while delivering joy• Why storytelling and sensory experience may be more powerful than facts in shifting consumer behaviorThis episode will change the way you think about food, climate, and the power of human experience. It’s a call to reimagine not just what we eat, but how and why we eat it.👉 Subscribe to join Chad’s Climate Quest and meet the planetary thinkers building a regenerative future. https://www.regenintel.earth/#ClimateSolutions #RegenerativeFood #Gastrophysics #CharlesMichel #ClimateAction #SustainableLiving #ChadsClimateQuest #FoodSystems
What does it mean to reimagine power, participation, and governance in the age of climate crisis? In this episode, Chad Frischmann is joined by Benjamin Life, Co-Founder of OpenCivics, for a deep dive into systemic innovation and the structures needed to build a regenerative future.
Together, they explore:
🌍 What it means to be a commoner in today’s world
⚙️ How decentralized technologies like DAOs can support civic engagement
🏞️ Why bioregional governance may be the key to planetary resilience
💡 How we move beyond extractive economies toward thriving local systems
Benjamin shares a powerful vision of unrivalrous collaboration, ecological stewardship, and a future where everyone has a role in shaping a better world.
🎙️ Learn more at opencivics.co
🌱 Discover more regenerative solutions at https://www.regenintel.earth/
In this episode of Chad’s Climate Quest, Chad Frischmann is joined by visionary leader Meg Pagani for a powerful conversation about redefining leadership, power, and imagination in a time of global transformation.
Together, they explore:
Why power and purpose must be reimagined for a regenerative future
How the invisible forces within us — like fear, hope, and imagination — shape visible change
The importance of meeting people where they are to create real, lasting system transformation
Why authentic leadership grounded in empathy and integrity matters more than ever
How reconnecting with nature, community, and creativity can guide a new era of leadership
Meg shares deeply personal insights from her journey as an entrepreneur, artist, and activist, offering inspiration for anyone seeking to lead with courage, compassion, and creativity.
"If we can't imagine a better world, we'll never build it."
Tune in for an inspiring exploration of how we move beyond broken systems — not through heroes or saviors, but through everyday leaders embracing power as a force for healing and regeneration.
👉 Follow Chad’s Climate Quest for more conversations with the thinkers, builders, and dreamers shaping a better tomorrow.
#RegenerativeLeadership #MegPagani #ChadsClimateQuest #Imagination #ClimateSolutions #SystemChange
In this episode of Chad’s Climate Quest, Chad sits down with David Carlin, former Head of Risk for the UN Environment Programme's Finance Initiative, to unpack how global financial institutions are navigating the climate crisis—and where they’re falling short. David introduces a brand-new framework for understanding climate impact finance, explores how markets can become levers for regeneration, and challenges the limits of "sustainability" as a goal. From the Task Force on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) to the credit card metaphor of planetary debt, this conversation is equal parts sobering and empowering.
If you're curious about how finance can drive systemic change—or wondering what it means to go beyond greenwashing—this is a must-listen.
Saad Amer is not your typical climate activist. He’s a Harvard-trained environmental justice advocate, co-founder of Plus1Vote, a United Nations consultant, an expert reviewer for the IPCC — and yes, he’s also appeared in Vogue.
In this episode of Chad’s Climate Quest, Chad Frischmann sits down with Saad for a dynamic conversation on how climate action intersects with culture, fashion, politics, and science. Together, they unpack why we need more glamor in the climate movement, how activism actually creates systemic change, and why youth voter turnout may be one of our most underutilized climate solutions.
You’ll hear:
Why Saad proudly calls himself an “activist” — and why that still matters
How beauty, social media, and storytelling can help us reach beyond the climate echo chamber
The emotional toll of activism and how young leaders can protect their joy and energy
A bold vision for a regenerative, equitable future — and how we can get there
💬 “This isn’t just about stopping emissions. This is about transforming everything — and doing it fabulously.”
🔗 Explore more at RegionIntel.Earth
🌍 Produced in collaboration with Better Worlds
Tags:climate justice, Saad Amer, youth activism, regenerative economy, climate solutions, voting and climate, Chad Frischmann, Better Worlds, sustainability podcast, environmental justice, IPCC, UN climate
Why do so many people struggle to take action on climate change, even when they care deeply? In this episode of Chad’s Climate Quest, host Chad Frischmann sits down with Dr. Renée Lertzman, a leading psychologist and strategist, to explore the emotional and psychological dimensions of the climate crisis.
Dr. Lertzman unpacks why fear, anxiety, and even apathy can paralyze us—and how we can transform those feelings into action. Drawing from her decades of research and work with organizations like Google and the World Wildlife Fund, she shares practical tools for building resilience, navigating climate grief, and inspiring action without burnout.
💡 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✔️ Why climate anxiety and eco-grief are real—and how to manage them
✔️ The psychological reasons people disengage from climate action
✔️ How fear-based messaging can backfire—and what works better
✔️ How to foster emotional resilience in yourself and your community
✔️ Why organizations need to integrate psychology into their climate strategies
✔️ Dr. Lertzman’s vision for a world where psychological awareness drives climate action
💬 Have thoughts on this episode? Let us know!
🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned:
📢 Follow Dr. Renée Lertzman:🌐 Website: https://reneelertzman.com/?ref=betterworlds.com📺 Project Inside Out: https://reneelertzman.com/project-inside-out/?ref=betterworlds.com🔥 More from Chad’s Climate Quest:🎧 Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7BQEMslkKenjZ6xk5aZxsV?si=8b7b82b6c9944e69
🌱 Learn more about Regen Intel: https://www.regenintel.earth/?ref=betterworlds.comFollow RegenIntel at:Instagram: @regenintel LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/regenerative-intelligence Follow Chad at:Instagram: @chadonclimate LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadfrischmann
🎧 Available on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Your Favorite Podcast App
#ClimateChange #ClimateAnxiety #Psychology #RegenerativeFuture #Sustainability #ChadsClimateQuest
In this episode of Chad’s Climate Quest, host Chad Frischmann sits down with Danijel Višević, founding partner of World Fund, Europe’s largest climate tech venture capital firm. From shaping climate narratives as a journalist to advising world leaders and now funding breakthrough technologies, Danijel shares how impact investing is driving the transition to a regenerative economy.
watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/xpDRlGk67xk
💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ How venture capital is evolving to tackle the climate crisis
✅ Why regeneration is the next big shift in finance
✅ The urgency of decarbonization vs. long-term solutions
✅ The biggest opportunities in climate tech investment today
✅ How World Fund evaluates investments for real climate impact
🌱 Key Takeaways:
📢 Listen Now & Join the Climate Investing Revolution!
🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations on climate solutions, impact investing, and regenerative innovation!
#ClimateTech #ImpactInvesting #RegenerativeFinance #GreenVentureCapital #WorldFund #ClimateSolutions #SustainableInvestment #RegenerativeEconomy #Decarbonization #FutureOfFinance
How can businesses integrate sustainability into their DNA and move beyond ESG compliance toward true regeneration? In this episode of Chad’s Climate Quest, host Chad Frischmann welcomes Julia Zhou, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Tidal Impact, to explore the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability. Julia is also President of the Sigma Squared Society.
Julia discusses:✔️ Why ESG ratings don’t always tell the full story✔️ The importance of embedding impact into corporate strategy✔️ How businesses can transition from extractive to regenerative models✔️ The role of leadership in driving sustainable transformation✔️ Rethinking economic success beyond billion-dollar unicorns
This conversation is a must-listen for leaders, investors, and changemakers seeking to align business success with planetary well-being.
🔗 Connect with Tidal Impact: tidalimpact.io🔗 Learn more about Region Intel: regenintel.earth
📢 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe to Chad’s Climate Quest wherever you get your podcasts!
#Sustainability #ESG #RegenerativeLeadership #ImpactInvesting #SustainableBusiness #ClimateAction #BusinessForGood
In this episode of Chad’s Climate Quest, host Chad Frischmann sits down with Marc Buckley, a regenerative futurist, ecological economist, and global food systems reformist, to explore how shifting our collective mindset can empower billions to embrace a regenerative future.
Marc shares his journey—from his early influences in nature to his work shaping global policy, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the emerging Resilient Development Goals (RDGs). Together, Chad and Marc unpack the barriers that prevent people from imagining a thriving, regenerative future and discuss how we can align institutions, economic systems, and individual actions to create real, systemic change.
Key topics include:
🌍 The power of imagination in solving the climate crisis
🌱 The transition from sustainability to regeneration
🏛️ Why institutions struggle to drive systemic change
⚡ The exponential impact of regenerative thinking
🤝 How selfless service (Seva) can transform our world
If we want a future that works for everyone, we need to redefine how we live, work, and develop our planet. Join us for an inspiring conversation about unlocking human potential and designing a world where both people and nature can flourish.
🎧 Tune in now and take the first step in shifting your mindset toward regeneration.
Watch the video version
Find out more and apply for a cohort at:
regenintel.earth/education
In this episode, Chad Frischmann interviews Lubomila Jordanova, founder and CEO of Plan A, a software provider that helps businesses reduce their emissions and improve their ESG performance. They discuss the importance of addressing climate change and the opportunity to build a regenerative future. They also talk about the role of science, community, and financial institutions in driving change Jordanova shares the journey of starting Plan A and the importance of transparency and accountability in combating greenwashing. They also touch on the concept of regenerative business models and the need for collaboration and step-by-step progress.
Lubomila's Bio:
Lubomila Jordanova, CEO & Founder, Plan A Link to profile photo Lubomila Jordanova is the co-founder and CEO of Plan A, a software provider offering an end-to-end platform that uses machine learning and science to enable businesses to reduce their emissions and improve and report on their ESG performance. The company was recently named World Economic Forum Technology Pioneer 2022. Lubomila is also co-founder of the Greentech Alliance, a community of more than 2,000 Greentech startups connected to more than 500 advisors from VC, media, and business. Prior to Plan A, she worked in investment banking and venture capital as well as the fintech industry in Asia and Europe. Lubomila has been recognised as an Obama Europe Leader 2022, MIT Innovator Under 35 Europe 2022, Marshall Fund Fellow 2022, Top 50 Women Entrepreneurs in Germany 2022 (Handelsblatt) and 30 under 30 (Forbes), among others.
Connect with us:
Website: http://www.regenintel.earth
Socials: @chadonclimate
Connect with Lubomila:
Twitter: @planaearth / @lubomilaj
Instagram: @planaearth /@lubomila.earth
Facebook: @planaearth
Linkedin: @ljordanova
In this episode, Chad Frischmann interviews chef Charles Michel about the importance of food education and the role of food in creating a regenerative future. They discuss the need for a mindset shift in our relationship with food and how food can be a conduit to culture and community. Charles emphasizes the importance of questioning our food choices and making more informed decisions that benefit both ourselves and the planet. He also highlights the role of art and pleasure in driving change and encourages individuals to explore different foods and flavors. The episode concludes with a vision for a regenerative future where children are taught about the principles of the living world through food education.
Charles Bio:
In 2020, he consulted for the World Food Programme in Colombia. Charles began as a chef at the Institut Paul Bocuse, later training in Michelin-star restaurants. He shifted to using food as art to evoke emotion and community impact. From 2013-2016, he was “chef-in-residence” at Oxford’s Experimental Psychology department. He's advised brands on new food paradigms and creates educational content on Patreon. With over 30 talks and 12 published papers, he advocates for food literacy's transformative power, teaching worldwide and emphasizing food's role in social and environmental change.
Connect with us:
Website: http://www.regenintel.earth
Socials: @chadonclimate
Connect with Charles:
Twitter: @charlesxmichel
Instagram: @charlesxmichel
In this episode, Chad Frischmann interviews Neil D'Souza, founder of MakerCite, a company that uses AI, data, and apps to help companies make sustainable product and supply chain decisions. They discuss the need for a regenerative future and the opportunity to build a better future by design. MakerCite's technology simplifies the process of understanding supply chains and making better decisions by decoupling the knowledge needed from the people making the decisions. They have built a massive supply chain database and use AI to connect it with the data customers have. The goal is to help companies make better, greener, and more successful products.
Neil's Bio:
Neil D’Souza has worked in the sustainability field for more than 18 years. In 2018 he founded Makersite. Prior, Neil worked on over 200 customer projects - part of it as CTO at Thinkstep, where he led the development of their Sofi sustainability platform.
Connect with us:
Website: http://www.regenintel.earth
Socials: @chadonclimate
Connect with Neil:
LinkenIn: @neilsaviodsouza
In this episode, Chad Frischmann interviews Nisaa Jetha, a global impact strategist, about her career shift from being a solicitor to working on climate change and sustainable development. They discuss the importance of language and vernacular in communicating climate solutions and the interlinkages between climate and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). They also explore the role of governance in accelerating real solutions and the failures and merits of big events and gatherings in the climate space. Nisaa shares her vision for a regenerative future, which includes shifting regulation and compliance, increasing investment allocation, and driving policy change.
Nisaa's Bio:
Nisaa is a Global Impact Strategist ranked by the Founder Institute within the Top 20 Impact & Sustainability Start-Up Leaders across Europe & selected as one of 27 Climate Challenge Labs inside the Innovation Lab at COP27. She is a qualified solicitor with private equity experience across impact curation, ESG, SDG metric build-out of mid-cap PE portfolios and corporate brands across various jurisdictions.
She launched an energy governance group in the highest house of UK Parliament (2015) hosted by then Under-Secretary of State for International Development & Climate Minister through the membership organisation she founded, worked as a policy analyst and speech writer for Canada's previous Special Envoy to Sudan, nominated by the United State of Women Summit hosted by The White House, one of 32 global 92Y Genius Panels in partnership with MSNBC on Google Campus & sat on the only global working group for youth and gender equality with the United Nations (UN Women).
Connect with us:
Website: http://www.regenintel.earth
Socials: @chadonclimate
Connect with Nisaa:
Website:www.nisaajetha.com
Twitter:https://twitter.com/nisaajetha
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisaajetha
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/nisaajetha
Renata Lopez-Merriam, a communications and collaboration expert, shares her journey from the world of luxury brands to the realm of social and environmental impact. She emphasizes the importance of collaboration and alliances in creating real change. Renata introduces the concept of the 'Wheel of Impact,' a four-step process that identifies opportunities, solution-based organizations, agents of change, and the power of community. She highlights the need for personal and planetary consciousness to be interconnected and recommends practices such as meditation and self-reflection. Renata's vision for a regenerative future is one of collaboration, and she is kickstarting a project called Earth Stories to gather personal stories about how the Earth crisis is affecting individuals.
Renata's Bio:
Kingdom B, founded in NY in 2010, is a consultancy specializing in Communications and Partnerships, aiming to accelerate results for brands through creative collaborations. Born in Rio, Renata spent 27 years in NY/LA, starting in luxury advertising with Burberry and leading growth for 37 LVMH brands at MediaCom. Transitioning to publishing in 2003, they headed Interview Magazine, fostering global partnerships in fashion, art, and music. In 2011, Kingdom B was launched, working with brands like Newsweek and Microsoft. After a failed startup in 2019, they shifted to sustainability, joining Singularity, TTI, and others, while becoming a board member at ProNatura Int’l to aid communities through blended finance models. They co-created the Wheel of Impact and led We Speak Dance through 2022. Now, they head Strategic Partnerships for Salva, focusing on regenerative eco-tourism. A mother of two, they hold an MBA in Marketing and communicate in five languages.
Connect with us:
Website: http://www.regenintel.earth
Socials: @chadonclimate
Connect with Renata:
LinkedIn: @renata-lopes-merriam
Website: http://www.kingdomb.net/
In this episode of Chad's Climate Quest, Chad Frischmann interviews Chante Harris, a climate tech strategist, about building a regenerative future. They discuss the urgency of addressing climate change and the opportunity it presents to create a better future. Chante shares her journey in the climate tech space and the importance of cross-sector collaboration. They also discuss the role of venture capital in funding climate tech solutions and the need for a new model of finance that focuses on long-term, regenerative thinking. Chante emphasizes the importance of community resilience and the need to include diverse perspectives in building regenerative cities. They envision a future where cities are designed to enhance and restore our relationship with natural systems, with a focus on transportation, urban farming, and affordable access to regenerative solutions. They highlight the need for collaboration between technology, policy, and other sectors to create a more sustainable and equitable future.
Chante's Bio:
Chante Harris is a leader in social and financial innovation, known for scaling campaigns for the Obama Administration, Fortune 500 companies, and startups. Her work has been highlighted in Business Insider, Thrive Global, and more. Recently, she led climate investment at SecondMuse, supporting early-stage climate tech globally. Her team helped 20 startups raise over $25M and expand significantly. She launched an innovation challenge aiding 1,200+ startups in 64 countries and developed a network for top investors with over $17B in climate capital in 2021. Named by NASDAQ and others as a leading figure, she drives climate innovation and sustainable city development. Co-founder of Women of Color Collective in Sustainability, she has unified over 5,000 women of color since 2019. Based in NYC, she's on the Board of Summit Impact and is passionate about meditation and hiking.
Connect with us:
Website: http://www.regenintel.earth
Socials: @chadonclimate
In this episode, Chad interviews Lucian Tarnowski, the founding curator of United Planet, a decentralized ecosystem of change makers. They discuss the importance of collaboration and the need to rethink the allocation of capital to fund ecosystemic transformation. They also explore the concept of designing for non-incremental transformation and the power of collective intelligence and creativity.
Connect with us:
Website: http://www.regenintel.earth
Socials: @chadonclimate
In this episode, Chad Frischmann interviews Ferananda Iberra, co-founder of the Medicare Currency Project and director of the Commons Engine. They discuss the importance of the commons and its connection to a regenerative future. Ferananda shares her expertise in collective intelligence and holding space for diverse perspectives. They also delve into the intersection of living systems and digital systems, exploring the potential of cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology in supporting the commons. The conversation highlights the need for accountability, inclusivity, and experimentation in creating a regenerative economy and society.
Ferananda's Bio:
Ferananda Ibarra is a civic innovator that has been working at the intersection of living systems, collective intelligence, organizational architecture, economics, entrepreneurship and technology. Her work is focused on the creation of new systems that intrinsically incentivize life-enhancing behaviors at all levels of agency, supporting distributed and conscious participation in our global evolution. She co-founded The Metacurrency Project, Holochain and currently serves as Director of The Commons Engine, a service agency focused on currency design and decentralized tech for commons-oriented projects. The source of her commitment arises from the experience of living systems. Nature gives her powerful keys in her inquiry towards wholeness. Love as a first commitment brings forward a heart intelligence that nourishes her deeply.
Connect with us:
Website: http://www.regenintel.earth
Socials: @chadonclimate
Connect with Ferananda
Instagram: @ferananda
X: @fer_ananda
Tiktok: @medial_woman
LinkedIn: @ferananda
Chad Frischmann discusses the importance of addressing climate change and the opportunity to build a regenerative future. He emphasizes the need for collaboration and long-term commitments in climate action relationships. Kayalin Akens-Irby joins the conversation and talks about the concept of climate culture and how it can be integrated into business and popular culture. They discuss the power of partnerships, the role of consumers and producers, and the importance of data-driven solutions like carbon labeling. They both express optimism for the future and the role they play in creating a sustainable and inclusive world.
Connect with us:
Website: http://www.regenintel.earth
Socials: @chadonclimate
Chad Frischmann discusses the need to address climate change and build a regenerative future. He introduces his guest, Nick de la Forge, a co-founder and general partner at Planet A Ventures, a green tech venture fund. They discuss the role of venture capital in driving sustainable solutions and the importance of data in supporting change. They also explore the potential of advanced geothermal energy and the transformation of the plastics industry. The conversation touches on the need for a regrowth paradigm and a vision for a future where humans are interconnected with nature.
Connect with us:
Website: http://www.regenintel.earth
Socials: @chadonclimate
