Free Daily Podcast Summary
The Energy Forum: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy
Hosted by experts at the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, “The Energy Forum” brings together policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to explore key topics in energy and sustainability.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago14 min
Bonus Episode: How Filmmaking Can Move the Energy Conversation Forward
How can filmmaking help move the energy conversation beyond polarized debate? In this bonus episode of “The Energy Forum,” our producer, James Deering, sat down with Gregory Kallenberg, founder of Rational Middle Media, to explore how documentary storytelling can make complex energy issues accessible and create space for common ground. His company debuted its new film, titled “Staying Power,” at the Center for Energy Studies’ 10th Annual Energy Summit. Kallenberg discusses the research that inspired the film and the challenge of turning lengthy interviews into a concise narrative without losing the substance of each speaker’s perspective. He also shares how he hopes “Staying Power,” will spark constructive discussions in community, corporate, and policy settings as a way to move toward practical solutions. This episode was recorded on Oct. 7, 2026. Related Media: Watch “Staying Power”: https://stayingpowerfilm.com/ Film premiere at The Baker Institute’s 10th Annual Energy Summit: https://tinyurl.com/2bb7a69b Featured: Gregory Kallenberg, https://rationalmiddle.com/ You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
- 2 weeks ago26 min
38: Cooling the AI Boom: Water, Power, and Public Trust
As artificial intelligence fuels the expansion of data centers, communities are asking what these facilities will mean for their water supplies, electricity bills, and infrastructure. Can new cooling technologies and smarter investments help meet growing demand without compromising local resource security? In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Gabriel Collins and Eric Willman examine how water and energy needs are interacting during this data-center boom. Building on discussions at Rice University’s Water Nexus Conference, they explore how cooling choices affect water consumption and electricity demand, how data-center developers could help strengthen local infrastructure, and why public skepticism extends beyond simple resource consumption. This episode was recorded on Oct. 20, 2026. Featured: Gabriel Collins, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/gabriel-collins Eric Willman, https://profiles.rice.edu/staff/eric-willman Related Research: Gabe’s keynote slides from the Water Nexus Conference: https://tinyurl.com/42wvc2bc “Could the Permian Basin Become America’s Next AI Data Hub?”: https://tinyurl.com/3ehyfb8y Gabe’s chapter of “Energy Insights 2026”: https://tinyurl.com/2hzjxutw You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
- 3 weeks ago17 min
37: Diesel Deals and Drone Threats Shape Oil Markets
Geopolitic dynamics continue to shape global oil markets. Yemen’s Houthis have threatened to attack Saudi Aramco facilities, heightening concerns over the security of Middle Eastern oil supplies. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has announced a deal for Russia to immediately supply more than 300,000 metric tons of diesel, as fuel prices remain a contentious issue ahead of America’s midterm elections. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Abhi Rajendran and Skip York discuss what these recent developments mean for the global energy market. Featured: Abhi Rajendran, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/abhi-rajendran Skip York, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/harold-skip-york Mentioned in this episode: “Mid-2026 Global Oil Market Outlook: Iran Conflict to Have a Lasting Impact,” in Energy Insights 2026: https://issuu.com/mh183/docs/energy_insights_2026/28 This episode was recorded on Oct. 13, 2026. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
- Sep 22, 202633 min
36: Can Batteries Help Power the AI Energy Demand?
On Aug. 20, the Center for Energy Studies and the Energy Institute at the Price College of Business at the University of Oklahoma hosted a joint conference on “Energy, Technology, and Grid Resilience.” At the conference, fellows joined industry leaders and policymakers to examine how the rapid growth of data centers and artificial intelligence is reshaping electricity demand and raising new questions about grid reliability. As demand grows, so do concerns about whether the U.S.’ current power system can keep pace. Much of the conversation has focused on building new transmission and generation, including behind-the-meter power. But there is another potential part of the solution: long-duration energy storage. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” CES experts Gabriel Collins and Peter Hartley sit down with Jon Parrella, CEO of TerraFlow Energy, to discuss how large-scale batteries could help data centers manage volatile power needs, optimize existing grid infrastructure, and provide backup power during periods of grid stress. This episode was recorded on Aug. 20, 2026. Follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
- Sep 9, 202617 min
35: Hormuz Closures, Venezuela’s New Plan, and Oil’s Uncertain Path
The global oil market continues to be volatile. Tensions between Iran and the United States persist, driving economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The Strait of Hormuz’s intermittent closures not only have led to a lower available oil supply but also have reduced its reliability as a route for shipping. Recently, the Trump administration announced a new plan to open Venezuelan oil fields to investment, with one stated goal being to fill America’s depleted strategic petroleum reserves. Meanwhile, the demand for petroleum products, especially heating oil, is expected to rise as the colder months approach for those in the Northern H. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Abhi Rajendran and Skip York discuss what these recent developments mean for the global energy market. Featured: Abhi Rajendran, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/abhi-rajendran Skip York, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/harold-skip-york This episode was recorded on Sept. 8, 2026. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
- Sep 2, 202627 min
From Baker Briefing: Unpacking Venezuela’s Opaque Oil Deal
A recently announced deal between the U.S. and Venezuela to produce 65 billion barrels of oil – roughly a fifth of Venezuela’s total proven oil reserves – has raised questions about its terms. A single Latin American company, NABEP, run by Venezuelan executive Alejandro Betancourt, has been tapped to produce the oil, with part of the company being potentially owned by the U.S. Department of Defense. But it is unclear whether the oil fields covered by the contract can support the scale of production promised. And while the U.S. has an agreement to buy some of the oil produced at cost, do not expect prices at the pump to go down tomorrow. Francisco J. Monaldi, Wallace S. Wilson Fellow in Latin American Energy Policy and director of the Latin America Energy Program, joins Ambassador David M. Satterfield to discuss what is known – and what remains unclear – about the deal, as well as the promise of a Latin American energy boom to come. Featured: Francisco J. Monaldi, Ph.D: https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/francisco-j-monaldi. This conversation was recorded on Sept. 1, 2026. You can follow @BakerInstitute on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
- Aug 18, 202623 min
34: Thinking Big With Small Reactors
Small modular reactors, or SMRs, are attracting growing interest as a potential source of reliable, lower-carbon electricity for industries, data centers, and countries that may not need, or be able to finance, a large conventional nuclear plant. Turning that potential into real-world projects, however, requires more than innovative reactor designs—it depends on financing, manufacturing, regulation, workforce training, and public confidence. A new agreement between the United States, South Korea, and Japan aims to strengthen cooperation on deploying SMRs internationally. The partnership could offer countries another option alongside emerging Chinese and Russian nuclear-export models. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Gabriel Collins and Henry Haggard discuss what it would take for SMRs to become a practical, competitive option for countries seeking reliable power and long-term energy security. Featured: Gabriel Collins, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/gabriel-collins Henry Haggard, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/henry-haggard This episode was recorded on Aug. 11, 2026. Follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
- Jul 30, 202617 min
33: Why Oil Markets Bounced Back
Oil markets have experienced significant volatility across much of July, particularly after the dissolution of a ceasefire between Iran and the U.S., which temporarily reopened the Strait of Hormuz. The resumption of conflict — Iranian strikes on vessels transiting the strait, Houthi threats to vessels attempting to transit the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from the Red Sea, the reimposition of the U.S. blockade, and 13 consecutive days of U.S. strikes on Iran — saw oil prices climb over $100 per barrel, only to settle back again as tensions abated. In this episode of “The Energy Forum,” Abhi Rajendran and Skip York examine why the market seems increasingly able to absorb geopolitical shocks. Featured: Abhi Rajendran, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/abhi-rajendran. Skip York, Ph.D., https://www.bakerinstitute.org/expert/harold-skip-york. You can follow @BakerInstitute and @CES_Baker_Inst on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Learn more about our data-driven, nonpartisan policy research and analysis at bakerinstitute.org.
Get The Energy Forum summaries in your inbox
Free AI-powered daily recaps. Key takeaways, quotes, and mentions — in a 5-minute read.
Get Free Summaries →Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
You Might Also Like
Listeners also like.
Energy Policy Now
Experts discuss current energy policy challenges and their societal and environmental impacts.
Energy Gang
A podcast that breaks down clean energy technology, policy, and market trends shaping the global energy transition.
Resources Radio
Experts discuss climate change, energy, ecosystems, and environmental policy research in accessible weekly episodes.
Catalyst with Shayle Kann
Shayle Kann interviews experts on energy technologies, markets, and policies shaping decarbonization.
Interchange Recharged
Explores clean tech, green finance, and energy policy driving the global shift to renewable power.
The Clean Energy Weekly Brief
PodcastAI
Clean Power Hour
Experts discuss clean energy innovations and strategies to accelerate the transition to renewable power and decarbonize the economy.
Critical Capital
Explores how markets, policy, and capital shape the future of clean and critical energy infrastructure through expert conversations.
De Week van Energeia
Een wekelijkse update over ontwikkelingen in de Nederlandse energiesector, samengevat in ongeveer vijfentwintig minuten.
Intelligence Squared: Business
Discusses the future of capitalism and major economic trends with business leaders, authors, and economists.
The AI Power Podcast
Explores AI policy, regulation, and global power dynamics shaping artificial intelligence’s impact on security, economy, and geopolitics.
Wall Street Week
Wall Street Week explores global capitalism stories, hosted by David Westin in New York.
About The Energy Forum
Hosted by experts at the Center for Energy Studies at Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy, “The Energy Forum” brings together policymakers, researchers, and industry leaders to explore key topics in energy and sustainability.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from The Energy Forum in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's The Energy Forum daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of The Energy Forum as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the The Energy Forum podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official The Energy Forum product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts, any in the catalog. Basic raises that to 15, Pro to 40 and Max to 100. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does The Energy Forum release new episodes?
The Energy Forum publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does The Energy Forum cover?
The Energy Forum covers topics including News, Business, Government. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting The Energy Forum summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.