In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, David Goldstein, founder of Hydronic Shell Technologies, joins Joel and Owen to discuss the urgent challenge of decarbonizing existing buildings, particularly old, multi-family structures in New York City. The conversation addresses the technical and economic challenges of retrofitting occupied buildings, innovative solutions featuring exterior facade-integrated HVAC systems, and the realities of gaining buy-in from building owners. David also shares his entrepreneurial journey and reasons for optimism about the future of sustainable retrofits. Key takeaways include the need for scalable, cost-effective decarbonization solutions, the importance of continued R&D, the complex interplay of market forces, policy, and community impact in driving real climate action, and so much more.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Miles Haladay, COO of Concrete Transition Capital, joins Joel and Owen to discuss the environmental challenges and opportunities of decarbonizing the concrete industry. The conversation covers the massive global impact of concrete, innovative technologies for low-carbon production, the crucial role of finance and data, and the accelerating influence of AI and software in sustainability. Key takeaways include the importance of focused action, collaboration across industries, optimism about scaling climate solutions despite persistent challenges, and so much more.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Julia Pyper, Vice President of Public Affairs at GoodLeap and host of the Political Climate podcast, joins Joel and Owen to discuss the state of clean energy and sustainability. The conversation covers personal and systemic challenges to making homes more sustainable, the complexity of rebates and incentives, and the role of technology—especially virtual power plants—in transforming the energy landscape. Listeners will gain insights into overcoming policy barriers, practical tips for sustainable home upgrades, an optimistic view of how innovation and accessible financing can make a real difference in building a cleaner future, and so much more. Don’t miss this great conversation.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel Cesare and Owen Barrett dive into the challenges and future direction of the climate movement, questioning whether current efforts are truly effective or in need of a major rebrand. They discuss the disconnect between climate initiatives and everyday concerns, the potential impact of redirecting resources toward issues like affordable housing and regenerative agriculture, and the role of regulation versus market forces in advancing renewable energy. The hosts emphasize the importance of practical action, clear communication, and optimism, encouraging listeners to focus less on complaining and more on building real solutions for a sustainable future. Don’t miss this episode!

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Andrew Jones, Founder of Carba, joins Joel and Owen to explore the science, business, and challenges of large-scale carbon removal. The conversation covers the role of biochar in sequestering carbon, the importance of both decarbonization and carbon removal for climate solutions, and the myths and skepticism surrounding the industry. Andrew also shares insights from his entrepreneurial journey, discusses the scalability and environmental co-benefits of his approach, and offers an optimistic outlook on the future of climate action. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the complexities and opportunities in the fight against climate change.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, climate leader and author Auden Schendler joins Joel and Owen to discuss the shortcomings of the current environmental movement and the urgent need for systemic, policy-driven solutions to climate change. The conversation explores why individual and corporate sustainability efforts often fall short, the importance of building powerful movements, and the necessity of bold, sometimes uncomfortable action to drive real change. Auden shares personal stories, critiques greenwashing, and emphasizes that meaningful progress requires collective pressure on corporations and governments. Listeners are encouraged to move beyond token actions, embrace the challenges of activism, find hope in the opportunity to be part of a transformative movement, and more.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, award-winning climate tech journalist and entrepreneur Sherrell Dorsey joins Joel to explore how authentic storytelling, innovation, and optimism can drive real progress in sustainability. They discuss the importance of making environmental action accessible and inspiring, the challenges and opportunities in climate tech, and the need for practical, inclusive solutions that resonate with diverse audiences. Key takeaways include the value of relentless optimism, the power of decentralized leadership, the impact of positive, authentic narratives in building a more sustainable future, and so much more.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen welcome Chris Pyke, Chief Innovation Officer at GRESB. Chris discusses the evolution of sustainability reporting in real estate, the challenges of balancing action with transparency, and the future of ESG standards. The conversation also explores the intent behind GRESB, the need to streamline reporting processes, and the importance of transforming underperforming assets into sustainable ones. Key takeaways include the value of actionable transparency, the necessity of both financial and non-financial metrics, the industry’s ongoing journey toward meaningful impact and innovation in sustainability, and more.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen are joined by clean energy leader Jigar Shah to discuss the evolution and future of sustainability, clean tech, and decarbonization. The conversation covers the importance of affordability and execution in clean energy solutions, the challenges and opportunities in distributed energy and grid flexibility, and the need for industry transparency and collaboration. Jigar shares career insights, advice for entrepreneurs, and a hopeful vision for 2035, predicting the end of global energy poverty and the dominance of clean energy. Listeners will gain practical takeaways on driving impact, overcoming industry barriers, the power of collective action in building a sustainable future, and so much more.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen are joined by Raz Godelnik, Associate Professor of Strategic Design and Management at Parsons School of Design and author of "Rethinking Corporate Sustainability in the Era of Climate Crisis." Raz discusses why current ESG and sustainability efforts are falling short. The conversation explores the need to move beyond incremental change and shareholder capitalism, the importance of holistic, systems-level thinking, and why sustainability must better connect with people’s real priorities. Key takeaways include the value of asking better questions, the role of education and design thinking in driving change, hope inspired by the next generation of leaders, and so much more.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen welcome Gus Bartholomew, Co-Founder of Leafr. Gus discusses the pressing need for action over excessive reporting in the sustainability sector. The conversation also explores the pitfalls of audit fatigue, the importance of building lean, impact-focused sustainability teams, and the value of bringing in specialized expertise at the right time. Gus shares insights on rebranding sustainability as a driver of operational efficiency and business value, offers career advice for aspiring professionals, and emphasizes the power of authentic communication and collaboration. Key takeaways include prioritizing progress over perfection, leveraging smart resourcing, fostering a culture of action to drive meaningful change, and so much more.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel welcomes Matthew Knoll, Co-founder and CTO of Quilt. Matthew shares Quilt’s mission to accelerate home electrification through innovative, user-friendly heat pump technology. They discuss the shortcomings of traditional HVAC systems, the benefits of ductless mini splits, and how Quilt’s vertically integrated approach improves design, efficiency, and user experience. Listeners will learn about the economic and environmental advantages of switching to smarter, more sustainable home heating and cooling solutions, as well as the broader impact of technology and market forces on the future of clean energy. Don’t miss this great conversation!

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen welcome author and consultant Alex Kruzel to explore the shifting landscape of corporate sustainability. The conversation covers the challenges of effective messaging, the growing influence of regulation and compliance, and the potential for sustainability to align with national security and economic interests. Alex shares insights from her book, "The Courage to Continue," and discusses the need for actionable, value-driven solutions in the business world. Key takeaways include the importance of reframing sustainability for broader appeal, the role of regulation in driving change, reasons for optimism in global efforts, particularly in China and India, and so much more.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen fly solo as they dive into the evolving landscape of sustainability, discussing Formula 1’s ambitious net zero goals, the debate between real and “fake” net zero, and the growing fatigue around ESG reporting in commercial real estate. They share insights from a recent industry conference, explore the impact of rising energy costs, and consider the future of renewable energy in light of new policies and market shifts. Key takeaways include the importance of focusing on direct emissions reductions, the need for credible sustainability frameworks, reasons for optimism as the industry adapts to new challenges and opportunities, and so much more.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen welcome Aaron Tartakovsky, Co-Founder and CEO of Epic Cleantec, exploring innovative water reuse technologies. Aaron shares how his company transforms building wastewater into valuable resources, recycling water for non-drinking purposes, and even creating beer and whiskey from treated water. The conversation delves into the challenges of water infrastructure, regulatory hurdles, and the importance of making sustainability both economically viable and engaging. Key takeaways include the potential for decentralized water systems, the need to view wastewater as a resource, and the power of creative marketing in driving climate innovation. Aaron's approach demonstrates that sustainable solutions can be both impactful and fun, offering hope for addressing water scarcity and environmental challenges. You won’t want to miss this conversation.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen welcome James Ball, Director of the Future Cities Initiative at the National Building Museum. The conversation explores the need for a radical reimagining of urban development, moving beyond individual building approaches to a holistic city-level perspective. James challenges current sustainability narratives, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, diverse perspectives, and creating an optimistic vision for urban transformation. Key takeaways include the necessity of breaking out of existing regulatory and design constraints, the power of including multiple stakeholders in urban planning, and the potential for innovative solutions that make sustainable design more appealing and accessible. The episode underscores the importance of hope, creativity, and collective action in addressing climate change and urban challenges. Don’t miss this great conversation!

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen welcome Josh Dorfman, a climate entrepreneur and media personality behind Supercool. The conversation spans Josh’s entrepreneurial journey, from founding a sustainable furniture company to creating Planted, a carbon-negative building materials manufacturer using innovative grass-based panels. Key discussions include effective communication of climate solutions, the importance of focusing on business outcomes rather than technology features, and the critical role of entrepreneurs in driving sustainable innovation. Josh shares valuable insights on scaling climate tech, and highlighting how companies can make meaningful environmental impact while increasing profits. The episode emphasizes optimism, entrepreneurial resilience, and the potential for solving climate challenges through practical, market-driven approaches. Don’t miss it!

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen welcome Becca Timms, Founding Principal at Ultreia Advisory, as they dissect the current state of sustainability and ESG reporting. The conversation explores critical industry challenges, including the over-reliance on complex reporting frameworks and the need for more practical, business-focused approaches to environmental impact. Becca shares insights from her 12-year career, advocating for aligning sustainability efforts with financial goals and breaking down organizational silos. Key discussions include the potential of marine protected areas as an alternative to traditional carbon reduction strategies, the importance of data management, and the need for more flexible, results-driven sustainability initiatives. The episode offers a candid, provocative look at how companies can create meaningful environmental change while maintaining business performance. Don’t miss it!

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen welcome Thomas Stanchak, Managing Director of Sustainability at Stoneweg US, to explore innovative approaches to sustainability in real estate. Thomas shares his unique journey from asset management to ESG leadership, emphasizing a data-driven, pragmatic approach to decarbonization. Key discussions include the challenges of building performance standards, the potential of biodiversity in real estate, and the use of AI for creative communication. Thomas advocates for forward-looking ESG reporting, highlights the economic potential of renewable energy, and demonstrates how technology and creative thinking can make sustainability more engaging and actionable. The episode offers insights into transforming sustainability from a compliance exercise to a strategic business opportunity. You won’t want to miss it.

In this episode of Less Talk, More Action, Joel and Owen welcome Jack Rusk, Co-Founder and CEO of C.Scale, a software startup revolutionizing embodied carbon analysis in building design. During the conversation, Jack explains how his company uses data science and machine learning to help architects and engineers make more sustainable choices early in the design process, focusing on whole life carbon emissions. The conversation also explores the challenges of decarbonizing the construction industry, the importance of looking beyond individual actions to systemic changes, and the potential for technology to drive meaningful environmental impact. Key takeaways include the significant carbon reduction potential in early design decisions, the need for unified demand signals for low-carbon materials, the importance of supporting design professionals in transforming projects from the inside, and so much more.