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Steph Speirs

Future in Bloom

A Earth Sciences , Science and Business podcast

#50 in Earth Sciences · 🇿🇦 #89 in Earth Sciences · 🇮🇳
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About the show

Intelligent solutions for a thriving world 🌎 Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions. Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach. Supported by the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. — About Me: Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur (Solstice CEO/founder), Yale SOM climate instructor, and former White House NSC staffer. She founded Future in Bloom and serves on the Sierra Club Foundation & Vote Solar Boards.

Newest episodes

How to Tell the Future of Climate Tech | Nat Bullard, Halcyon

38 min

Technology is constantly changing, especially in the climate space, and the innovations that look good today may be outpaced. No one can tell the future, but how can we make good hypotheses about which technologies will succeed? In this episode of Future in Bloom, Steph sits down with Nat Bullard, Co-Founder of Halcyon, an AI-driven energy market intelligence platform. Together, they talk about how to think about the potential long-term impact of current technology, decipher information through the noise, and build a lasting career in the energy industry. ​ Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom — Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions. Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach. — About Steph Speirs: Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and teacher. She founded Future in Bloom, a media studio about intelligent solutions for a thriving world. Steph teaches climate entrepreneurship at Yale School of Management and is a Resident Fellow at the Center for Business and the Environment. She keynotes and advises philanthropists, investors, and companies on the future of climate tech and clean energy. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club Foundation, Vote Solar, and on the Credit Committee of the Community Investment Guarantee Pool. Steph most recently cofounded and was CEO of Solstice, an enterprise dedicated to radically expanding the number of American households that can take advantage of clean energy using community-shared solar farms (acqu...

How Do You Swim With Aggressive Sharks?

13 min

What can a close encounter with a nine-foot shark teach us about business, community, and the future? At Grist’s recent 10th anniversary event of their 50 Fixers list, Steph explores what becomes possible when we choose collaboration over competition, build unlikely coalitions, and share value with the communities we serve. The same shift in perspective can change how we think about climate solutions, infrastructure, and even the stories we tell about the natural world. Because the goal isn’t simply to survive. It’s to create a future where we can thrive together — by caring for one another, being good neighbors, and, instead of swimming away from each other, swimming toward each other.

What to Do When the Perfect Climate Solution Takes Too Long | Jackie Wong, NRDC

45 min

Right now, humanity puts billions of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. This has real, negative impacts on environmental and human health. Clean energy and the updated infrastructure that it demands are steps towards a healthier future. If that’s well known, why aren’t we building more? In this episode of Future in Bloom, Steph sits down with Jackie Wong, Senior Vice President of Climate and Energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the largest environmental advocacy groups in the country. Together, they talk about why imperfect climate solutions are needed and how policymakers, businesses, and communities can all evaluate the trade-offs that come with them. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom —

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All episodes

How to Tell the Future of Climate Tech | Nat Bullard, Halcyon

38 min

Technology is constantly changing, especially in the climate space, and the innovations that look good today may be outpaced. No one can tell the future, but how can we make good hypotheses about which technologies will succeed? In this episode of Future in Bloom, Steph sits down with Nat Bullard, Co-Founder of Halcyon, an AI-driven energy market intelligence platform. Together, they talk about how to think about the potential long-term impact of current technology, decipher information through the noise, and build a lasting career in the energy industry. ​ Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom — Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions. Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach. — About Steph Speirs: Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and teacher. She founded Future in Bloom, a media studio about intelligent solutions for a thriving world. Steph teaches climate entrepreneurship at Yale School of Management and is a Resident Fellow at the Center for Business and the Environment. She keynotes and advises philanthropists, investors, and companies on the future of climate tech and clean energy. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club Foundation, Vote Solar, and on the Credit Committee of the Community Investment Guarantee Pool. Steph most recently cofounded and was CEO of Solstice, an enterprise dedicated to radically expanding the number of American households that can take advantage of clean energy using community-shared solar farms (acqu...

How Do You Swim With Aggressive Sharks?

13 min

What can a close encounter with a nine-foot shark teach us about business, community, and the future? At Grist’s recent 10th anniversary event of their 50 Fixers list, Steph explores what becomes possible when we choose collaboration over competition, build unlikely coalitions, and share value with the communities we serve. The same shift in perspective can change how we think about climate solutions, infrastructure, and even the stories we tell about the natural world. Because the goal isn’t simply to survive. It’s to create a future where we can thrive together — by caring for one another, being good neighbors, and, instead of swimming away from each other, swimming toward each other.

What to Do When the Perfect Climate Solution Takes Too Long | Jackie Wong, NRDC

45 min

Right now, humanity puts billions of tons of CO2 into the atmosphere every year. This has real, negative impacts on environmental and human health. Clean energy and the updated infrastructure that it demands are steps towards a healthier future. If that’s well known, why aren’t we building more? In this episode of Future in Bloom, Steph sits down with Jackie Wong, Senior Vice President of Climate and Energy at the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the largest environmental advocacy groups in the country. Together, they talk about why imperfect climate solutions are needed and how policymakers, businesses, and communities can all evaluate the trade-offs that come with them. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom —

How to Get More Climate Tech as Cheap as Solar| Eric Rubenstein, New Climate Ventures

1 hr 1 min

In the past 50 years, the cost of generating solar power has dropped by 99%. That’s largely due to economics: when more solar generators get made, the cheaper it is to make more. This isn’t unique to solar power; in the right circumstances and with enough time, these economics play out with many new technologies. But the climate crisis is here, now, so how much longer can we wait? In this episode of Future in Bloom, Steph sits down with Eric Rubenstein, co-founder of New Climate Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm investing in new climate technologies. He answers questions about what founders and investors should know about each other, how venture capital can accelerate the energy transition, and how data centers might be a bigger force for good than you imagine. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom

Why You Can’t Get Solar and Why That’s Changing | Cora Stryker, Bright Saver

1 hr 15 min

Most Americans support solar. Most are interested in it. But most people can’t afford it because of cost. And 63% of renters say the only reason they don’t have it is that they’d have to go through their landlord. Balcony solar, also called plug-in solar, is solving both of those problems. In this episode of Future in Bloom, Steph sits down with Cora Stryker, co-founder of Bright Saver, a non-profit organization seeking to expand access to clean energy by paving the way for a low-cost, renter-friendly, plug-in solar energy solution. She answers questions about how to reduce the cost of solar options in the US, where balcony solar is expanding, and why she wants members, not just customers. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom

How AI is Making Global Supply Chains Visible | Peter Swartz, Altana AI

50 min

Supply chains are made up of thousands of interconnected pieces, each with their own customers, suppliers, and responsibilities. In a global economy, how can any one company, let alone one person, understand where a product is really coming from? In this episode of Future in Bloom, Steph sits down with Peter Swartz, co-founder and Chief Science Officer of Altana, an AI-powered platform that provides governments and companies with visibility deep into their supply chains, for a conversation about the ever-complex trade system, the disruptions it’s experienced, and how generative AI is making an impact. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom

How to Expand Climate Tech and Community Trust with Brandon Middaugh

1 hr 2 min

Most climate solutions don’t fail because the science is wrong. They fail because the market around them doesn’t get built. So, who is building more markets, and how? In this episode of Future in Bloom, Steph sits down with Brandon Middaugh, General Manager of Microsoft’s Sustainable Markets and Climate Innovation Fund, for a conversation about climate investing and community-first AI. From measuring blades of grass in a marsh to leading one of the largest climate finance initiatives in the world, Brandon talks about the importance of data-driven decision-making in every aspect of her career. She answers questions about how and when to invest, how to work meaningfully with communities, and how to support the organizations who are building solutions for the future. Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom

How can we finance development that’s good for the planet and the communities that live there?

47 min

7 out of 10 Americans don’t want a data center in their backyard, and it’s hard to blame them. But we’re also seeing backlash increase against clean energy infrastructure, which is definitely hurting our ability to transition off of fossil fuels. Columbia’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law found 498 contested renewable energy projects in 2025, a 32% increase from the prior year. They also found a 16% increase in local laws restricting renewable energy development. Resistance has been at the heart of every environmental movement. You look at the history, you understand the harm, and you fight to make sure it doesn’t repeat. But building the clean energy we desperately need takes something resistance alone can’t deliver. It takes openness to the still-imperfect solutions that represent a huge improvement over the status quo for planetary health. Building climate tech means understanding multiple truths. No development should harm. But no development at all means we fail to address climate change urgently. My guest today, Dawn Lippert, has protected the environment for decades and understands industrial tradeoffs. Now she’s calling for an environmentalism which centers on innovating and building faster.

Fixing the Reason Why Nobody Wants a Heat Pump | Jeff Coleman, Eli

42 min

Jeff Coleman woke up one morning and realized he was running a different kind of company than he started. What began as a software platform to help homeowners access clean energy incentives became a product with a much harder problem to tackle: a fintech company speeding up the rebate turnaround between utilities, governments, and contractors. In this conversation, Eli’s founder shares the truth about scaling a company rooted in clean energy through a political reversal, why the path to energy upgrades is paved with paperwork for contractors, and why he believes leaning into the “boring” parts of climate tech is crucial to expanding clean energy access.

The climate tech company copying trees to remake our world sustainably

42 min

On this episode of Future in Bloom, Steph Speirs speaks with Etosha Cave, co-founder and Chief Science Advisor at Twelve. Twelve is discovering new ways to recycle CO2 and transform it into the things we use in our everyday lives. Etosha discusses her journey from grad school, realizing nature doesn’t treat CO2 as waste, so why should we? She dives deep into the story of how she helped build a company that mimics photosynthesis to turn captured carbon and water into fuels and everyday products. Along the way, they discuss why CO₂ is such a “stubborn molecule,” how Twelve chose what to make from sixteen possible options, the role the Inflation Reduction Act played in their pivot to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), and why the company can now produce jet fuel almost anywhere in the world. It’s a conversation about science, commercialization, and the belief that waste and pollution are design choices we can make differently.

It feeds half the world. It Also Emits 2% of Global CO₂. Can We Fix It?

42 min

In this episode of Future in Bloom, host Steph talks with Dr. Lea Winter, a chemical and environmental engineering professor at Yale, to explore how we can redesign the basic chemistry of our economy and actually reuse CO2. Lea breaks down why carbon isn’t just a pollutant to get rid of but an essential building block of our everyday lives. Her lab is developing ways to take CO2 from the atmosphere or industrial emissions and convert it into fuels, chemicals, and materials using reactions that could one day replace fossil-fuel-based manufacturing. Lea also explains how synthetic fertilizer enabled the population boom of the 20th century, but at a steep cost: massive fossil fuel dependence, significant CO2 emissions, and widespread nitrogen contamination of groundwater and ecosystems. Her lab is pursuing green ammonia pathways that use only air, water, and renewable electricity. Together, Lea and Steph discuss her work on transforming wastewater into a resource recovery opportunity, converting nitrogen contaminants into ammonia for fertilizer. Lea shares her vision of a truly circular chemical economy, one designed to eliminate waste, increase resilience, and expand access to essential resources for communities around the world.

Impermanent Philanthropy: A new way to think about legacy with Santhosh Ramdoss

33 min

What if the best thing a foundation could do was plan its own ending? In this episode of Future in Bloom, Steph Speirs sits down with Santhosh Ramdoss, President & CEO of Gary Community Ventures, to explore a radical idea that could reshape philanthropy: Impermanence. By 2035, Gary will have spent every dollar of its assets in service of Colorado kids and families, which intentionally departs from how most foundations operate. Santhosh shares the founding vision behind Gary’s sunset, why traditional endowments behave more like dams than rivers, and how his team is working to transform institutional wealth into community well-being. He also opens up about his own journey, what nature can teach all of us about letting go, and how to leave the world better than we found it.

Better Soil with Natural Carbon Removal: A Yale Geochemist Explains

42 min

What if one of the most powerful climate solutions wasn’t something we needed to build, but something the Earth has been doing for billions of years? In this episode, Steph Speirs sits down with Dr. Noah Planavsky, a geochemist at Yale University and one of the world’s experts on enhanced rock weathering. They explore how crushing silicate rocks like basalt and spreading them on farmland can accelerate a natural process that pulls CO₂ from the atmosphere and locks it in the ocean for thousands of years. All this both improves soil health and boosts crop yields. Dr. Planavsky breaks down the science, explains why farmers already understand soil chemistry better than most academics, and makes the case that carbon removal should benefit the communities where it operates. He shares his choice to co-found two carbon removal companies and then walk away from any financial stake so he could advocate for transparency and sound science.

The 200 People Who Control Your Electricity Bill

44 min

Charles Hua, founder of Powerlines and former US Department of Energy strategist, makes the case that America’s energy affordability crisis is a regulatory problem. With 80 million Americans struggling to pay their utility bills, and rates rising at the fastest pace in a generation, Charles points out the real power to control consumer prices resides with Public Utilities Commissioners, roughly 200 people he calls “The Supreme Court Justices of Energy.” This small group controls more than $200 billion a year in utility spending. This, all within a system designed almost a century ago. Steph and Charles discuss why the grid runs at just 50% efficiency, how “capex bias” rewards utilities for building new infrastructure instead of optimizing what already exists, what the rise of data centers could mean for your power bill, and the inexpensive and solutions we could implement quickly if they get the greenlight from regulators. Whether you’re in climate tech, policy, or just nervous to open your electric bill lately, this episode will open up a world we don’t see or think about that often, happening behind every flip of a lightswitch.

Clean Energy Has to Outcompete Fossil Fuels (Not Cancel Them)

42 min

Aliya Haq has been involved in the environmental movement since she was eight years old, protesting an incinerator in her rural hometown. Over 25 years she’s led policy at Greenpeace, Breakthrough Energy, and now the Clean Economy Project. In this conversation, she tells Steph Speirs why the old playbook of “stop bad things” no longer meets the moment, and what it takes to actually build a clean economy fast enough to matter. Aliya and Steph dig into the practical questions facing every climate tech founder and investor right now: Why does clean energy need policy to exist? How do permitting reform, transmission, and interconnection actually get unstuck? And how do companies navigate a moment where wealthy funders are backing away from climate, and federal policy feels like quicksand? It’s a candid and clearsighted conversation about what it means to shift from activist to builder–and why the economics of clean energy are already winning, if we let them.

“People are going to fly whether we like it or not.” Now what?

45 min

The aviation sector has an emissions problem. Convincing people to fly less won’t cut it: The answer is fundamentally reinventing the fuel itself. In this episode of Future in Bloom, host Steph Speirs sits down with Dr. Staff Sheehan, a computer scientist-turned-chemist and five-time entrepreneur, to unpack sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs). Staff breaks down what’s blocking cheap, abundant, clean electricity. He shares how this problem led him to co-found his fifth company, a nuclear energy startup called Project Omega. He makes the case that nuclear is the safest, most space-efficient, and most reliable baseload energy source available, and that its bad reputation is largely driven by misinformation and resistance from the fossil fuel industry. Along the way, Staff and Steph tackle greenwashing in aviation, the ethanol industry as a blueprint for SAF adoption, U.S. vs. EU policy approaches, the geopolitics of energy independence, the air quality crisis near airports, and why fossil fuel incumbents “play dirty” to maintain the status quo.

How One Person’s Impact Can Unlock Gigawatts of Energy

47 min

Matt Traldi, co-founder of Greenlight America, joins Steph Speirs to unpack the “hidden” political friction points stalling the U.S. energy transition. From the permitting bottleneck to why wind and solar are losing by forfeit in local council rooms, Matt breaks down how the next generation of energy is being held back by zoning laws rather than technology. Learn why showing up to a single Tuesday night hearing can have the same carbon impact as planting 4 million trees, and how Matt’s journey from labor unions and the Obama-era EPA led him to tackle the organizing gap in the clean energy revolution.

Why Most Grid Batteries Won’t Survive a Winter Storm

50 min

Arvin Ganesan, CEO of Fourth Power, joins Steph Speirs to unpack what’s really happening at the intersection of extreme heat, carbon blocks, and the future of long-duration energy storage. From the “25% demand surge” hitting the U.S. grid to why traditional lithium-ion isn’t enough for our wind and solar future, Arvin breaks down the massive technological friction points holding back the next generation of environmental giants. Learn why the shift to decentralized power is making the grid more volatile and how a career spanning from the U.S. Senate and Obama-era EPA to Apple led Arvin to solve the “loneliness” of climate tech entrepreneurship. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom — Common Questions What is long-duration energy storage (LDES)? It refers to systems that can store energy for 10+ hours to handle grid fluctuations when the sun isn’t shining. How does Fourth Power’s technology work? It uses electricity to heat carbon blocks to extreme temperatures, which can then be converted back to power as needed. Why is grid demand increasing so fast? The primary drivers are the massive energy needs of AI data centers, the transition to Electric Vehicles (EVs), and a resurgence in domestic manufacturing. What are the biggest challenges for climate tech CEOs? Beyond the tech, it’s about managing investor trust and the emotional toll of leading a “hard tech” revolution.

The Hidden Barrier to America’s Clean Energy Future

36 min

Antoine Vagneur-Jones, Head of Trade & Supply Chains at Bloomberg NEF, joins Steph Speirs to unpack what’s really happening at the intersection of tariffs, critical minerals, and the clean energy transition. From the “3x price gap” hitting U.S. solar modules to why the “New Oil” narrative is questionable, Antoine breaks down the massive geopolitical friction points holding back the next generation of environmental giants. Learn why blanket tariffs might be hurting domestic manufacturers more than protecting them and how the global battle for lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements is redefining the “Valley of Death” for clean tech startups. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom — Common Questions Are critical minerals actually as scarce as oil? Unlike oil, which is burned and lost, minerals like lithium are part of a hardware-based system and can be recycled, meaning we don’t face the same “scarcity” in the ground. Why are solar panels more expensive in the U.S.? Due to a “wall of tariffs,” solar module prices in the U.S. are approximately three times higher than the rest of the world. Does the U.S. rely on China for refining? Yes. China currently controls approximately 60% of lithium refining capacity and 85% of rare earth mineral processing. How long does it take to move a clean tech factory? While battery plants are complex, a solar module assembly facility can be relocated to a new geography in roughly six months to avoid trade barriers. — #cleanenergy #tradewar #sustainability #climatetech #geopolitics #greenenergy — Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions. Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lec...

How AI Slashes Clean Energy R&D by Decades W/ Lisbeth Kaufman

38 min

Lisbeth Kaufman, AWS Head of Climate Tech Startups and former founder, joins Steph Speirs to discuss how the world’s largest cloud provider is accelerating the next generation of environmental giants. From “building a star on Earth” with fusion energy to AI-powered robots eliminating pesticides, Elizabeth breaks down the massive $7 billion resource engine helping startups scale past the “Valley of Death.” Learn why big tech is the secret weapon for 24/7 clean energy and how generative AI is slashing R&D timelines from 40 years to just 10. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom — #ClimateTech #Sustainability #ArtificialIntelligence #CleanEnergy #Startups #FutureInBloom — Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions. Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach. Future in Bloom is supported by the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. — About Me: Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and teacher. She founded Future in Bloom, a media studio about intelligent solutions for a thriving world. Steph teaches climate entrepreneurship at Yale School of Management and is a Resident Fellow at the Center for Business and the Environment. She keynotes and advises philanthropists, investors, and companies on the future of climate tech and clean energy. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club Foundation, Vote Solar, and on the Credit Committee of the Community Investment Guarantee Pool. Steph most recently cofounded and was CEO of Solstice, an enterpris...

Navigating the Climate Tech Capital Stack & The Future of VC | Sophie Purdom

39 min

The “Green Premium” is officially dead. If you think a great invention is enough to save the planet—and a business—think again. In this eye-opening breakdown, Sophie Purdom (General Partner at Planeteer Capital) pulls back the curtain on the brutal reality of climate tech. While there’s an $82 billion “gold mine” of dry powder waiting, most founders are looking in the wrong places. Whether you’re curious about how the world’s biggest industries (Energy, Food, and Transport) are being rebuilt or you want to know why your favorite “eco-friendly” startup might vanish tomorrow, Sophie provides the unfiltered truth on what it actually takes to win the climate war. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom — Common Questions Why are climate tech startups failing? Many rely on a “green premium” (charging more for being eco-friendly), which fails in a tough economy. Success now requires being cheaper or better than the “dirty” alternative. Is there still money for new climate companies? Yes, but the “dry powder” is concentrated. Investors are pivoting away from pure software toward “hardware-enabled” solutions that solve real-world industrial problems. How is AI affecting climate change? AI requires massive amounts of energy for data centers (the “Hungry Hippo”), creating a massive challenge—and opportunity—for the energy grid. What is the best way to get involved in climate tech? According to Sophie, the world needs more builders and founders in heavy industry and risk mitigation rather than more venture capitalists.

Investing in Clean Energy Innovation Keynote | Yale Clean Energy Conference

57 min

In this keynote panel from the Yale Clean Energy Conference, we go beyond the surface of “green tech” to discuss the brutal realities of financing the energy transition. As policy support for clean energy wavers in America, we share how we navigate the shift from software-enabled “asset-light” technologies to the capital-intensive infrastructure needed to transform global industry. We explore why the human side of venture capital is often more important than the technology itself , and how the next era of climate tech—Climate Tech 3.0—is being shaped by national security, industrial policy, and the massive power demands of AI. Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom —- We answer the biggest questions facing the energy transition: The Policy Exposure: We explain why we believe there is no way to invest in clean energy at scale without taking a specific policy point of view. Management Over Math: We discuss why we look for agile management teams that can “roll with the punches” as the best way to de-risk a business. The AI Opportunity: We explore how AI load growth is making grid optimization and behind-the-meter solutions more valuable than they have ever been. Climate Tech 3.0: We define the next era where costs are falling, but technologies must have freestanding economics with minimal reliance on subsidies. Breaking In: We offer candid advice for students, emphasizing specificity and the importance of building trust in a tough market. —- About this podcast: Recorded at the Yale Clean Energy Conference on November 6-7, 2025, this keynote features our panel: Amy Duffuor (Azola Ventures) , Terry Kellogg (Helios Climate Ventures) , and Rakesh Shankar (Antin Infrastructure Partners). We provide a masterclass on the “funder mindset,” detailing how we move capital from university labs to the massive infrastructure projects that define our climate future.

Fervo’s 24/7 Power Breakthrough w/ Dawn Owens

36 min

Dawn Owens, Fervo Energy’s Head of Project Development and Commercial Markets and VP, sits down with Steph Speirs to discuss enhanced geothermal energy. Enhanced geothermal is a 24/7 clean energy solution that’s rapidly becoming cheaper than fossil fuels and can provide stable power to the grid without raising your electricity bill. Dawn breaks down the biggest myths, from induced earthquakes to water contamination, and shares the vision for a world with clean air and affordable power. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom Common Questions How does Fervo’s technology avoid induced seismicity (man-made earthquakes)? Is enhanced geothermal like fracking, and how does it prevent water contamination? How can geothermal meet the massive, growing energy demand of AI and data centers? Why is geothermal important for achieving 24/7 clean energy? How is the geothermal industry providing a “just transition” for oil and gas workers? — #geothermalenergy #fervoenergy #cleanenergy #aienergy #climatetech #deeptech — Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions. Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach. Future in Bloom is supported by the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. — About Me: Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and teacher. She founded Future in Bloom, a media studio about intelligent solutions for a thriving world. Steph teaches climate entrepreneurship at Yale School of Management and is a Resident Fellow at the Center for Business and the En...

Revival: Milford Utah’s Geothermal Future

10 min

What happens when the next generation of clean energy lands in a small rural town? After suffering from economic “boom and bust” cycles of mining, railroad, and hog production, Milford, Utah was ready for change. This documentary explores how Fervo Energy’s cutting-edge geothermal project is breathing new life into the community, providing 24/7 green power, stable clean energy careers, and tripling local business in just a few years. Discover how a project developer’s connection to the community and commitment to hiring locals is fundamentally changing the town’s economic outlook, and how oil and gas workers are meaningfully transitioning to a better future. Revival is supported by the Clean Economy Project. — Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom Common Questions Why is Milford, Utah important for renewable energy? How does Fervo Energy’s geothermal project differ from previous geothermal plants? What are “careers” as opposed to “jobs” in a rural community? How is the oil and gas industry experience transferable to clean energy? What is baseload 24/7 power? — Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions. Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach. — About Steph Speirs: Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and teacher. She founded Future in Bloom, a media studio about intelligent solutions for a thriving world. Steph teaches climate entrepreneurship at Yale School of Management and is a Resident Fellow at the Center for Business and the Environment....

Clean Econ: Revival In The West | The Unscalable Key to Clean Energy Trust

31 min

Why are clean energy projects being banned across America? The answer isn’t technology, it’s trust. In this panel from the Aspen Institute’s Clean Econ: Revival In The West, we uncover the unscalable secret to success: enduring community trust. Learn how the same expertise used in oil and gas is delivering zero-emissions, 24/7 geothermal power, and why local relationships are the most vital part of project development. The discussion features Milford High School Principal David Kluff and Fervo Energy’s Senior SVP of Strategy Sarah Jewett. Subscribe to Our Substack: /@futureinbloom — The panel answers the biggest questions facing the energy transition: Shifting Economics: Learn how to shift the economic outlook in boom-and-bust towns and create long-term careers. Culture Over Policy: Understand why “policy follows culture” is increasing opposition to clean energy projects. Durable Projects: Discover how to build durable, bipartisan projects by focusing on people and community needs. Base Load Power: Explore how the oil and gas workforce is essential to delivering clean, 24/7 geothermal base load power. The Unscalable Key: The most important secret to project success—enduring trust—is fully revealed. — About this video: The video features a panel discussion at the Aspen Institute, a prominent “think tank”, where experts address pressing global issues. This “climate change forum” explores strategies for organizations and governments to take greater action on “climate change” and “environmental protection”. Discover how leaders are working towards solutions for a “warming planet”.

Welcome to Future In Bloom with Steph Speirs

2 min

Intelligent solutions for a thriving world — Subscribe to Our Substack: /@futureinbloom — Future in Bloom bridges climate tech and human nature. Hosted by clean energy entrepreneur Steph Speirs, Future in Bloom brings together innovators, scientists, and investors working on the world’s most promising planetary solutions. Adapted from the Yale School of Management course “Climate Tech Innovation and Commercialization,” learners discover next generation technologies through data-driven lectures, deep dive studio interviews, and vivid short documentaries. Future in Bloom is here to show that a thriving future is within reach. Future in Bloom is supported by the Yale Center for Business and the Environment. — About Me: Steph Speirs is a clean energy entrepreneur, strategic advisor, and teacher. She founded Future in Bloom, a media studio about intelligent solutions for a thriving world. Steph teaches climate entrepreneurship at Yale School of Management and is a Resident Fellow at the Center for Business and the Environment. She keynotes and advises philanthropists, investors, and companies on the future of climate tech and clean energy. She serves on the Board of Directors of the Sierra Club Foundation, Vote Solar, and on the Credit Committee of the Community Investment Guarantee Pool. Steph most recently cofounded and was CEO of Solstice, an enterprise dedicated to radically expanding the number of American households that can take advantage of clean energy using community-shared solar farms (acquired by MyPower/Mitsui). Steph previously worked at the White House National Security Council and in clean energy companies in India and Pakistan.

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