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Positive Charge by GeekWire: Daily Summaries Delivered
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Positive Charge by GeekWire explores the technology breakthroughs working to solve the planet's biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. Hosted by GeekWire's Lisa Stiffler and audio producer Laura Scott, each episode goes inside the labs, companies, and wild places of the Pacific Northwest — and beyond — to meet the creators, champions, and consumers bringing bold climate innovations to life.This is a podcast about hope. The planet faces real challenges, but there are smart, passionate people working hard to address them — whether they're chasing clean energy, treating persistent "forever chemicals," or rethinking sustainability from the ground up. We profile those people and the breakthroughs giving us reason for optimism.Brought to you by Amazon Sustainability.
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- 2 weeks ago26 min
New fuel, same planes: Can cooking oil and captured carbon clean up air travel?
What do Taylor Swift, a tank of captured carbon dioxide and used cooking oil have in common? They’re all part of the conversation about making flying less of a climate problem. In this episode of Positive Charge, hosts Lisa Stiffler and Laura Scott pull on flame-resistant jumpsuits, strap steel-toed caps over their sneakers and head inside Twelve’s new sustainable aviation fuel-making facility in Moses Lake, Wash. There, a maze of shiny pipes and tanks turns captured carbon dioxide, water and renewable electricity into something surprisingly ordinary-looking: clear liquid that can help power an airplane. Then we meet Montana Renewables, which has given part of a century-old oil refinery a new job: making aviation fuel from ingredients including used cooking oil, beef tallow and oily seeds. And Alaska Airlines’ sustainability leader explains why airlines are betting on fuels that work with the planes and airport equipment they already have. Along the way, we unpack the big questions: How does burning fuel made from recycled carbon help the climate? Why does cleaner jet fuel cost more? And what actually happens when you chip in for sustainable aviation fuel while booking a flight? Come for the industrial jungle gym. Stay for the science, trade-offs and possibilities of cleaner flying. Sources and references Interviews: Nicholas Flanders, CEO and co-founder of Twelve Ryan Spies, managing director of sustainability at Alaska and Hawaiian Airlines Matt Upmeyer, vice president of commercial for Montana Renewables Cody McNaughton, plant manager for Twelve's manufacturing facility Michael Donaldson, director of environment, health and safety at Twelve's manufacturing facility Sources: "Sustainable aviation fuel is taking off. What is it, exactly?", Canary Media, Nov. 21, 2024 "Pragmatic assessment of meeting the 2030 U.S. sustainable aviation fuel goal," Biomass and Bioenergy, March 2026 "Europe Widens Its Lead Over US, Asia in Switch to Cleaner Jet Fuel," Bloomberg, Aug. 13, 2026 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Sep 29, 202631 min
Climate Week NYC: Amazon's Kara Hurst on AI data centers; Earthshot's Jason Knauf on climate optimism
At a live podcast taping during Climate Week NYC, executives from organizations worldwide met to wrestle with challenging sustainability questions, including: How do we reach net zero by 2040 when the demand for energy is skyrocketing? This episode of Positive Charge takes listeners inside a private session at The Climate Pledge Hub featuring Kara Hurst, chief sustainability officer at Amazon, and Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize. Plus, we meet Franco Rodríguez Viau, a Gen Z founder whose AI startup is detecting wildfires faster than NASA. From navigating Amazon’s $200 billion AI infrastructure push to turning climate fatigue into "positive tipping points," this conversation explores how radical transparency, buyer alliances and youth-led innovation can accelerate climate solutions. Tune in to hear why climate action could be the most unifying human mission in history — and why the future of sustainability relies on inviting everyone in. Sources and references Interviews: Kara Hurst, chief sustainability officer for Amazon Jason Knauf, CEO of The Earthshot Prize Franco Rodríguez Viau, CEO and co-founder of Satellites on Fire Additional sources: "The new tipping points playbook: The Earthshot Prize and the University of Exeter reveal how to make environmental repair unstoppable", The Earthshot Prize Positive Charge is hosted by Lisa Stiffler and Laura Scott, and edited and produced by Laura Scott, with editorial assistance from Todd Bishop. This episode was sponsored by Amazon and The Climate Pledge.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Sep 16, 202629 min
From plant nuggets to bug kibble: Inside the alternative protein revolution
More than 40 years after the debut of the first commercial veggie burger, the alternative protein sector has evolved far beyond dry bean patties. Today, food scientists and innovative startups are leveraging plant-based ingredients, precision fermentation and cell-cultivation to recreate the taste, texture and nutritional profile of meat while reducing the serious environmental and ethical impacts of industrial animal agriculture. This episode of Positive Charge dives into the technology, economics and consumer psychology behind the next generation of sustainable foods. The journey begins with a visit to Seattle-area startup Rebellyous Foods to sample faux chicken nuggets designed for public school lunchrooms, built using automated, continuous manufacturing processes to lower costs. Then, the conversation turns to our four-legged friends with Jiminy's, a company selling insect-based, eco-friendly dog kibble and treats that provide protein plus soothing some canine allergies. Finally, the episode checks in with the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at NC State to tackle the broader questions facing the industry. From breaking down consumer skepticism and navigating the "ultra-processed" food debate to scaling complex biomanufacturing processes, this discussion explores what it will take to transform alternative proteins from a niche technology into a staple on everyday dinner plates — and in pet bowls. Sources and references Interviews: Rohan Shirwaiker, distinguished professor and director of the Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at North Carolina State University Christie Lagally Bradburn, founder and CEO of Rebellyous Foods Anne Carlson, founder and CEO of Jiminy's Additional sources: "The History of the Veggie Burger," Smithsonian Magazine, March 19, 2014 Analyzing plant-based meat & seafood sales, Good Food Institute, 2025 data "An Extension Guide to Alternative Proteins," Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at NC State "Environmental Impacts of Food Production," Our World in Data "This plant-based chicken startup is bucking alt-protein trends with a new production milestone," GeekWire, Jan. 5, 2026 "The truth about cats’ and dogs’ environmental impact," UCLA, Aug. 2, 2017 Lisa's favorite protein nut balls: 1 C old-fashioned oats 1 C peanut butter, other nut butter, or combo ⅓ C honey ⅓ C chopped, roasted nuts (peanuts, almonds, pecans, etc.) ⅓ C semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate (chips or chopped) 2 Tbs protein powder 1 tsp vanilla extract ¼ tsp cinnamon ½ tsp salt ⅓ C shredded coconut (optional) 2 Tbs chia seeds (optional) Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Form into balls measuring about 2 Tbs, arrange on a pie tin or plate, chill. This episode was hosted by Lisa Stiffler and Laura Scott, and edited and produced by Laura Scott, with editorial assistance from Todd Bishop. Sponsored by Amazon Sustainability.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Aug 26, 202632 min
Your used EV battery isn’t dead — it’s being resurrected to power the grid
The world faces a glut of used EV batteries at the same time it's facing a clean energy crisis as data centers and other users are gobbling up power. But some sustainability entrepreneurs have figured out how to take one of those problems to solve the other. They are repurposing electric vehicle batteries to provide affordable, climate-friendly electricity. In this episode of Positive Charge, we’ll go inside Moment Energy's massive new production facility in British Columbia to see how retired EV batteries are being resurrected into mega batteries that bring power to off-grid communities, industrial sites and businesses. We’ll talk to battery pioneers at Redwood Materials, which deployed the world's largest used-battery and solar installation in Nevada to electrify an AI data center. And we'll seek answers to a critical question: Can yesterday's commute power today's AI boom and our clean energy future? Sources and references Interviews: Eddy Chiang, CEO and co-founder at Moment Energy Colin Campbell, chief technology officer at Redwood Materials Scott Williams, vice president of energy at Crusoe Grayson Shor, founder and executive director of the Pacific Northwest Battery Collaborative, and co-founder and chief product officer of Buckstop, a circular-economy startup focused on the recovery of minerals and other valuable materials Additional sources: "Electric-Vehicle Battery Basics" (Car and Driver) "How long do EV batteries last" (Recurrent) God's Pocket Resort eco-lodge This episode was hosted by Lisa Stiffler and Laura Scott, and edited and produced by Laura Scott, with editorial assistance from Todd Bishop. Sponsored by Amazon Sustainability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Aug 5, 202624 min
Rooftop confessions: 4 big climate tech insights from investors and innovators
Most climate news these days is grim, but on a sunny rooftop in downtown Seattle during Pacific Northwest Climate Week, the mood was surprisingly upbeat. In this episode of Positive Charge, we pull eight climate tech investors and startup founders away from the happy hour cocktails to get their unfiltered real talk on where the industry is actually heading. The optimism isn't rooted in wishful thinking or environmental altruism — it’s built on solid business fundamentals. From calling out "tourist cash" chasing overhyped AI data centers and nuclear tech to doubling down on unsexy workhorses like grid upgrades, solar breakthroughs, and ag-tech, these insiders reveal where real money is flowing and why cleaner solutions are simply winning on economics. We distill their rooftop confessions down to four major themes driving clean tech forward — plus one crucial bonus takeaway on why technology alone will never be enough to save us. Tune in to hear what has climate leaders excited, what makes them worried, and why the future of sustainability is shifting from bleeding wallets to serious green. Sources and references Interviews: Jonathan Azoff, co-founder and general partner of the venture capital firm SNØCAP Yi Jean Chow, investment partner with Clean Energy Ventures Mike Dieterich, author and sustainability executive for Decarb Advisory Ben Shwab Eidelson, co-founder and partner of Stepchange Ventures, co-host of the Stepchange Show podcast Karin Kidder, executive director of E8, a Pacific Northwest-based climate angel organization Duncan Logan, co-founder and CEO of 9Zero, a climate innovation hub with Seattle and San Francisco locations Darian Parrish, founder of PwrOn, a Seattle startup developing portable clean power Susan Su, partner at the venture capital firm Toba Capital and founder of the podcast and Substack Climate Money Additional sources: PNW Climate Week, organizer of the annual event It's Electric, an EV charging startup mentioned by Karin Kidder LazeraH, a nuclear startup pursuing muon-catalyzed fusion mentioned by Jonathon Azoff This episode was hosted by Lisa Stiffler and Laura Scott, and edited and produced by Laura Scott, with editorial assistance from Todd Bishop. Sponsored by Amazon Sustainability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Jul 22, 202632 min
The greenest goodbye: Human composting and the science of becoming soil
What if the greenest thing you ever do is die? This episode of Positive Charge digs into human composting — the process, also called natural organic reduction, that turns a body into clean soil instead of ash or embalmed remains. It's the end-of-life option Martha Stewart says she wants, and a Seattle entrepreneur is the reason it exists. Katrina Spade set out to build a climate-friendly alternative to cremation and burial while still a graduate student in architecture, drawing on a practice farmers have long used to compost livestock. Turning that idea into a business meant clearing two enormous hurdles: engineering a process that safely breaks a body down into soil in a matter of weeks, and rewriting laws that made the practice illegal in all 50 states. We go inside Recompose, her Seattle facility, where bodies rest in stainless steel vessels and naturally occurring microbes generate all the heat that does the work. Then the episode turns to the people signing up. Interest cuts across the political map, with as many customers coming from conservative Eastern Washington as from Seattle, and a surprising share of them are young. Tune in to hear why composting is catching on as death care, how the science actually works, and what it means to choose becoming soil. Sources and references Interviews: Katrina Spade, founder and CEO of Recompose Micah Truman, founder and CEO of Return Home Elyssa Tappero, customer of Recompose and tsunami program manager for the Washington Emergency Management Division Additional sources: Lynne Carpenter-Boggs, chair of the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences at Washington State University Inside Recompose, where the human composting startup is ready to grow its formula beyond Seattle (GeekWire) 50+ & Unfiltered with Shawn Killinger, Episode 124 with Martha Stewart The environmental toll of cremating the dead (National Geographic) The Potential of Our Decay: Cemeteries That Save the American Landscape (Smithsonian) This episode was hosted by Lisa Stiffler and Laura Scott, and edited and produced by Laura Scott, with editorial assistance from Todd Bishop. Sponsored by Amazon Sustainability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Jun 30, 202635 min
Fusion energy: Wishing upon a star in a jar
Fusion has long been the holy grail of clean energy — perpetually promising, perpetually out of reach. But dozens of startups are getting closer to harnessing the reactions that power the sun and stars. We go inside two Washington state fusion companies that are leading the charge — Helion Energy and Zap Energy — and breaks down their technologies in a way that doesn't require a degree in physics to understand. Between the two, Helion has the swagger. The 13-year-old startup has a charismatic, enthusiastic CEO who signed an unprecedented agreement to sell fusion energy to Microsoft for a data center campus in Central Washington. That deadline is only two years out as Helion leverages a $1.5 billion war chest to become the first company in the world to commercially produce electricity from fusion. Zap launched in 2017, but members of its founding team began working on their core technology decades earlier at the University of Washington. The startup has raised $330 million from investors and was selected for a competitive Department of Energy fusion program. Ambitious by the very nature of its work, Zap is also more cautious in its approach. This episode explores Helion and Zap’s strategies and each of their recently revealed, unexpected course corrections — moves that either raise concerns or signal smart new approaches. Sources and references Interviews: David Kirtley, Helion Energy, CEO and co-founder Manav Singh, Helion Energy, director of electrical engineering Matthew Thompson, Zap Energy, senior vice president of fission technology and former vice president of systems engineering and pulsed power Laura Berzak Hopkins, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, associate laboratory director for Strategy and Partnerships, and deputy chief research officer GeekWire’s related coverage: Helion gives behind-the-scenes tour of secretive 60-foot fusion prototype as it races to deployment Helion makes big bet on ‘Tiny Merge’ fusion testbed to meet aggressive Microsoft timeline Inside Zap: Fusion pioneer tries to build ‘a star in a jar’ to unlock abundant clean energy Zap Energy’s nuclear double play: Fusion startup adds traditional fission to its lineup, in industry first This episode was hosted by Lisa Stiffler and Laura Scott, and edited and produced by Laura Scott, with editorial assistance from Todd Bishop. Sponsored by Amazon Sustainability.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
- Jun 30, 202634 min
Eternal no more: The quest to destroy PFAS 'forever chemicals'
Can we actually annihilate the toxic "forever chemicals" polluting our water and soil? The debut episode of Positive Charge dives into the Herculean challenge of destroying PFAS — long-lived contaminants linked to serious health effects like cancer and immune suppression. Even the most rugged, pristine corners of Alaska are facing high levels of PFAS groundwater contamination. Fortunately, a wave of intrepid entrepreneurs are building breakthrough technologies to prove these chemicals aren't as immortal as their name suggests. The episode goes inside two innovative companies tackling the crisis from completely different angles. First, we explore a system that deploys highly portable, shipping-container-sized units to superheat and destroy highly concentrated PFAS stockpiles directly on-site. Then, the focus shifts to a technology that spun out of a sanitation project funded by Bill Gates. This system utilizes intense thermal "poop briquette" boilers to incinerate diluted PFAS from municipal wastewater while generating clean electricity. Tune in to find out how these real-world solutions might just close a massive global infrastructure gap and protect our environment. Sources and references Interviews: Brian Pinkard, Aquagga, co-founder and chief technology officer Heather Koponen, Fairbanks, Alaska, resident impacted by PFAS Stephanie Dotterer, Sedron Technologies, director of strategy Meghan Carlo, Sedron Technologies, senior permit manager Additional sources: Bill Gates drinking water from sewage waste (Gates Notes) ‘Forever chemicals’ are eternal no more thanks to a pollution destroying device from Tacoma startup (GeekWire) Flush with cash: Washington startup lands up to $500M to deploy facilities treating sewage, dairy waste (GeekWire) Alaska Community Action on Toxics Toxic-Free Future This episode was hosted by Lisa Stiffler and Laura Scott, and edited and produced by Laura Scott, with editorial assistance from Todd Bishop. Sponsored by Amazon Sustainability. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
About Positive Charge by GeekWire
Positive Charge by GeekWire explores the technology breakthroughs working to solve the planet's biggest environmental and sustainability challenges. Hosted by GeekWire's Lisa Stiffler and audio producer Laura Scott, each episode goes inside the labs, companies, and wild places of the Pacific Northwest — and beyond — to meet the creators, champions, and consumers bringing bold climate innovations to life.This is a podcast about hope. The planet faces real challenges, but there are smart, passionate people working hard to address them — whether they're chasing clean energy, treating persistent "forever chemicals," or rethinking sustainability from the ground up. We profile those people and the breakthroughs giving us reason for optimism.Brought to you by Amazon Sustainability.
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