The Green Collar Pod

Sarah Fisher from ICF joins us to talk EV charging, fleet electrification, and making clean transportation more accessible. From career advice to range anxiety myths, this episode is packed with real talk and practical insights.

Resources: 

Alternative Fuels Data Center (AFDC)EV News Daily - podcastVolts - podcast and newsletterGreen Tech MediaEV owners group/local meetups City and state government programs around EVs

Facts checked: 

DC's Circulator bus is indeed electric!  But sadly for public transit lovers, this service was discontinued at the end of 2024. 

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Featuring Justin Den Herder, who is not only a structural engineer from TY Lin, but also a professor of Structural Poetics at Cooper Union, and a poet! 

Connect with Justin on LinkedIn. 

Terms mentioned:

Adaptive reuse - "In architecture, adaptive reuse (also called building reuse) refers to the repurposing of an existing structure for new use." Mass timber - "Mass timber is a new category of wood product that can revolutionize how America builds. It is comprised of multiple solid wood panels nailed or glued together, which provide exceptional str...

There's so much buzz around Episode 9 of Green Collar! We have a fun conversation with Natalie here about the importance of pollinators, recognition days like Bee Day and No Mow May, and even get some insight on how Natalie BEE-came an expert in her field! (Hint: it might be from watching a classic movie about bees). 

Connect with Natalie on LinkedIn. 

Resources:

The Bee Movie - available on Apple TV, YouTube TV, Google Play, and Amazon VideoNational Bee DayNo Mow May

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Featuring Dr. Kiran Mohanraj, a serendipitous sustainability pal made by chance on a flight.

He is a pavement engineer who breaks down myths about zero-emission vehicles, pavement-vehicle interaction, and what true sustainability really means—plus drops some solid dad jokes along the way. 

Connect with Kiran on LinkedIn.

Terms mentioned:

Heat Island Effect

Resources:

Energy and Civilization: A History by Vaclav SmilAPLCA and the LCA Certified Professional

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Featuring Veni Mittal, a dear friend and proud volunteer for Etna Community Organization. 

We'll talk about how to revitalize vacant parking lots, how to create community centers from scratch, and how to empower yourself and others to make grassroots change.  

Terms mentioned: 

Energy burden

Resources mentioned:

Environmental Welfare Society Rebuilding Together PittsburghBPI Certification ProgramEtna Community Organization Evolve EA's website with EcoDistrictsEcoDistricts (Just Communities) certification 

Individuals mentioned: 

Megan TuñónRobert TuñónMary Ellen Ramage

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Featuring Fulya Kocak, one of the first ever LEED accredited professionals a sustainability educator, author, and entrepreneur.

Join us as we chat about ESG, mentorship, navigating periods where "green jobs" aren't plentiful, and anticipating industry trends.

Terms mentioned: 

Green premiums

Resources mentioned:

Fulya's LinkedIn Learning Courses - Note: not all courses on the LinkedIn learning platform are available for free. If you are a student, check with your university, many offer access to the full LinkedIn learning catalogue. Professionals, be sure to ask your employer as they also offer this benefit.

C...

Featuring Gretchen Carey from Republic Services

Join us as we chat about all things community engagement, education, and recycling! 

Terms mentioned: 

Right sizing your waste collection/containers

Resources mentioned:

Mass Recycle - podcastMass Recycle - handbookTRUE Waste Advisor - certification via USGBC

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Featuring Christina Cuellar Nelson from CxAlloy.  

Join us as we chat about all things commissioning, conferences, and smart buildings! 

Terms mentioned: 

Base loadIslanding

Resources mentioned:

Kiss the Ground - movieStart with Why by Simon Sinek - book Last Energy's Small Modular Reactors Data Center Dynamics - newsletterUptime Institute - newsletter

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Featuring Sophie Martin from Page.  

Join us as we chat about all things building science, from the LEED rating system to how to design a sustainable building from its inception. 

Resources mentioned:

The Building Science Podcast - podcast Cowspiracy - documentary Seaspiracy - documentary (on Netflix, need subscription)Dark Waters - filmAll We Can Save edited by Ayana Elizabeth Johnson and Katharine K. Wilkinson - book of essays and poetry

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Featuring Alejandra Menchaca  from AIRLIT studio. 

Join us as we chat about mentorship, entrepreneurship, and how to be "sneakily" sustainable in the workplace.   

Resources mentioned:
1. Healthy Buildings by Joe Allen and John D Macomber - book

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Featuring Betsy Brunner from Idaho National Labs. 

Join us as we chat about environmental activism, the power of volunteering, and how to juggle making systematic change at a large lab while also being an adjunct professor.

Resources mentioned:
1. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer - book
2. The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer - book
3. Kiss the Ground - movie

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Green Collar Pod will officially begin releasing episodes in Jan of 2025. For now, we will keep working and you can work on getting excited to go green!

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