Everybody in the Pool

Josh Garrett, CEO and co-founder of Redwood Climate Communications, is a climate messaging veteran who advises climate tech startups and nonprofits. He discusses crafting simple, repeatable stories, word swaps that broaden appeal, how fossil messaging shaped the debate, leading with co-benefits like health and affordability, and practical local actions such as showing up at zoning meetings.

What if solar panels on your roof, a home battery in your garage, and the EV in your driveway could together make you money — while simultaneously solving the grid capacity crisis?This week on Everybody in the Pool, Molly sits down with Marco Krapels, SVP and Chief Marketing Officer of Enphase Energy, to discuss what surging data center energy demand means for the future of residential clean energy — and why Enphase thinks the answer is turning millions of American homes into a distributed, AI-optimized virtual power plant.We talk about:Why the AI energy crisis might be the thing that finally scales residential solar and batteriesHow Enphase's software turns rooftop solar, home batteries, and EV chargers into smart, dispatchable grid assetsThe virtual power plant model, and why utilities are finally on boardHow Green Mountain Power in Vermont and Octopus Energy in the UK have already proven this works at scaleWhy adding solar and a 10 kWh battery to less than 10 million homes could solve the U.S. capacity crunchThe bi-directional EV charger that's coming later this year and why it's a 7x multiplier on home battery capacityWhat a future where homeowners get paid by hyperscalers and utilities — instead of paying for their electricity — could actually look likeWhy clean, distributed energy is the fastest path to winning the AI raceLinks:Enphase: https://enphase.com/All episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Al Subbloie, founder and CEO of Budderfly, builds energy-as-a-service systems that finance and install efficiency upgrades for commercial franchises. He explains targeting repeatable franchise sites, tackling HVAC/lighting/refrigeration/intelligent management, creating virtual power plants from behind-the-meter assets, and aligning cost savings with carbon reduction for scalable grid impact.

99% of registered fleets belong to small and mid-size businesses — but the EV industry wasn't built for them. High upfront costs, years-long waits for grid access, and charging solutions designed for large operators have left the backbone of the American economy behind.This week on Everybody in the Pool, we meet a founder who’s changing that. Galina Russell, co-founder of Mitra EV, built a turnkey solution that bundles electric trucks and vans with charging infrastructure, so plumbers, electricians, and delivery companies can electrify their fleets without the logistical headache.We talk about:Why small commercial fleets are the most overlooked (and impactful) EV opportunityThe barriers to EV adoption for small and mid-size business ownersMitra’s "laptop and charger" model: leasing vehicles and installing charging together, from day oneHow Mitra works within existing grid capacity instead of waiting years for new powerBattery storage, peak shaving, and the vision for 50 megawatts of distributed backup powerWhy cost savings — not climate ideology — is the killer pitch to small business ownersLinks:Mitra EV: https://www.mitra-ev.com/Galina’s book recommendation, The Grid by Gretchen Bakke: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/grid-9781632865687/All episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susan Hunt-Stevens, founder and CEO of Tessi, builds an AI-driven platform to speed post-disaster home repairs. She talks about using aerial and phone imagery for 24-hour damage assessments. Conversations cover tackling contractor fraud, coordinating patchwork funding, partnering with volunteer relief groups, and seizing repairs as chances for climate-resilient upgrades.

Niall Murphy, co-founder and managing partner at Morphosis who builds investable climate adaptation strategies. He reframes adaptation as an emerging market and investment opportunity. Topics include why adaptation is essential beyond 1.5°C, how private capital and insurers are mobilizing, Morphosis’s adaptation index and financing structures, and real-world investable solutions like solar-filtering polymers and micro-desalination.

Lisa Pinckney, Culinary Experience Specialist at Copper who helps cooks switch from gas to induction. Sam Kalish, Co-founder and CEO of Copper explaining appliance-integrated batteries and grid value. Weldon Kennedy, Co-founder and CMO describing the Charlie battery-equipped induction range and installation perks. They discuss a stove with a built-in battery, induction cooking’s precision and safety, plug-and-play electrification, and scaling appliance-based grid assets.

Heat pumps are having a moment. Last year, the U.S. passed China to become the world's number one market for heat pumps—and they're not slowing down. But while heat pumps are efficient and effective on paper, they haven't always been objects of desire. Until now.This week, Molly talks to Paul Lambert, CEO and co-founder of Quilt, about building a heat pump company that's equal parts climate solution and consumer product. Paul explains how his team is reimagining the mini-split heat pump—not just as an HVAC system, but as a piece of technology you're proud to have on your wall.We dive into:How heat pumps work: Why an AC is basically "a half-broken heat pump" that only runs in one directionThe two types of heat pumps: Ducted systems vs. ductless mini-splits, and why room-by-room control is a game-changerDesign as climate strategy: How Quilt spent half their initial capital on a domain name and invested heavily in industrial design to create pull, not just policy pushThe installer advantage: Why partnering with contractors (instead of doing it all in-house) unlocked national scaleSmart grid integration: How Quilt's internet-connected system enables demand response without sacrificing comfort—curtailing load in empty rooms while keeping occupied spaces perfectThe data center opportunity: How replacing electric resistance heating with heat pumps near data centers can free up 75% of the energy load—without building new generation capacityWhy incentives help but aren't required: 60% of America is primarily cooling-driven, and heat pumps are just better air conditionersPricing reality: Quilt is competitive with high-end Japanese mini-splits, not luxury-priced like early Nest thermostats or TeslasThe personal mission: How Paul's Alberta roots in the fossil fuel industry and his commitment to his kids' future drove him to climate techKey insight: Space heating and cooling represent half of all home energy use and 70% of fossil fuel consumption in homes—making HVAC the single biggest lever for decarbonizing buildings.Links:Quilt: https://quilt.comFind a Quilt installer: https://quilt.com (click "Find an Installer")All episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Buildings account for a third of America's greenhouse gas emissions, yet until recently, we've been flatlined on progress. That's changing—fast. This week, Molly talks to Panama Bartholomy, founder of the Building Decarbonization Coalition, about how an unlikely alliance of utilities, manufacturers, installers, and nonprofits is transforming the way we heat, cool, and power our homes.Panama explains how finding 80% common ground among competitors created unstoppable momentum—and how the U.S. just became the global leader in heat pump sales for the fourth year running.We dive into:The coalition model: How businesses, government, and nonprofits work together through "shuttle diplomacy"Why buildings matter: They represent ~33% of U.S. emissions and are the largest source of air pollution in California's worst air basinsThe heat pump revolution: How the U.S. went from third place to global leader in just five years—heat pumps now outsell furnacesThe gas infrastructure trap: Why we're spending $50 billion annually on aging pipes while gas bills rise twice as fast as electric ratesNeighborhood-scale solutions: How utilities are offering $35,000 checks to electrify entire neighborhoods instead of replacing gas pipelines"Stove Gate" as a paradigm shift: How controversy over gas stove safety created "sticky facts" that changed public perceptionWhat "pollution" means: Why language matters—moving from "decarbonization" to a term everyone understandsThe path forward: Why installers are the real heroes, and what political will looks like in actionKey stat: Space heating and water heating represent 90% of building emissions—and heat pumps can do both jobs 2-4x more efficiently than gas?Links:Building Decarbonization Coalition: https://www.buildingdecarb.org/BDC's 2025 Wrapped Report: https://buildingdecarb.org/2025-wrapped-decarb-editionAll episodes: https://www.everybodyinthepool.com/Subscribe to the Everybody in the Pool newsletter: https://www.mollywood.co/Become a member for the ad-free version of the show: https://everybodyinthepool.supercast.com/Visit our sponsor, Climatize, and get $50 in investment credits when you create a profile! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Quinn Nakayama, Senior Director of PG&E's GRID division, discusses innovative strategies to modernize California's energy grid amidst growing demands. He explores how electric vehicles and smart charging can actually lower rates while addressing wildfire risks. Quinn highlights data centers as flexible partners, discussing their role in reducing infrastructure needs and managing load growth. He also shares insight on using advanced technologies and temporary solutions to balance energy demands with net-zero goals, ensuring a cleaner and more efficient grid.