Actionable frameworks and honest stories from founders, investors, policymakers, and engineers shaping the climate economy.
What The Grove Is About
The Grove is where climate conversations become playbooks.Each episode delivers two things this industry needs most:
Frameworks you can apply from fundraising to regulation.
Stories that inspire the human side of building climate solutions.
Our episodes explore every corner of climate innovation:
Raising capital, finding customers, scaling operations.
Where capital flows and why conviction matters.
Explained by the people shaping the rules.
Deep dives on technologies from batteries to carbon markets.
Start Listening
Dive into candid conversations that reveal how climate innovation really happens — and what it takes to grow solutions that last.
The Grove Podcast
The Grove Podcast
The Grove Podcast
The Grove Podcast
The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Louie, Founder of Climate Proof, about the critical importance of climate adaptation in addressing ongoing climate change. Louie shares his journey into journalism, the lessons learned from his experiences, and how media and data-driven reporting can effectively communicate the need for adaptation. He discusses the challenges in defining key terms like adaptation and resilience, the evolving conversation around climate adaptation, and the growing interest from businesses and financial professionals in preparing for climate impacts. Louie also reflects on the hurdles of building sustainable models for climate reporting and the importance of collaboration and sharing best practices to drive meaningful action.
The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Rod Adams, Managing Partner at Nucleation Capital and longtime advocate for advanced nuclear energy. Rod shares his journey from Navy nuclear officer to venture investor, explaining why small modular reactors and next-generation designs are critical for a clean energy future. He breaks down the challenges facing the nuclear sector, the growing ecosystem of innovative companies, and the role nuclear can play in replacing fossil fuels and supporting growing energy demand.
The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Dr. Liz Whitney, Biogeochemist and Knauss Fellow at NOAA National Ocean Service, about her journey in the climate tech space. Liz shares the importance of academic research in addressing environmental challenges, her work in environmental chemistry, and the role of community engagement in driving climate solutions. She also reflects on the challenges of funding, mentorship for women in science, and the insights gained from hands-on research in tackling issues like PFAS contamination.
The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Freya Burton, Chief Sustainability Officer of LanzaTech, about her 20-year journey in the climate tech industry. Freya shares the milestones of LanzaTech, including the development of their carbon recycling technology and the scaling of operations from a small team to multiple plants worldwide. She discusses the importance of sustainability in business, the evolution of climate tech policies, and the significance of women in leadership roles. Freya also offers advice for young women entering STEM fields and reflects on the challenges, inspirations, and personal insights that drive her work.
The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Ben Silton, CEO of TrelliSense, about the challenges and perceptions of success in the startup world. Ben discusses the concept of ‘false summits,’ where founders may reach substantial revenue yet still feel they haven’t truly made it until hitting a major milestone like an IPO. He reflects on the continuous journey of entrepreneurship, the fleeting nature of accomplishment, and the importance of understanding and contextualizing success while navigating growth, learning, and the ups and downs of building a startup.
The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Sophia Xu, Co-Founder and CSO at Carbon Bridge, about her journey in revolutionizing the bio-industrial economy through innovative gas fermentation techniques. Sophia shares her early experiences in biotech, the evolution of Carbon Bridge, and the challenges and opportunities she faces as a young female founder. She highlights the importance of resourcefulness, building a strong team, and securing funding, while reflecting on the first proof of concept of creating methanol from methane and the impact of her work on the renewable fuels and chemicals industry.
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The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Celine King, Founder & CEO of GreenIRR Inc., about the realities of entrepreneurship beyond the success stories. Celine shares her perspective on the challenges and personal struggles that founders often face, highlighting the vulnerability required to build a company and the difficulty of pursuing your vision in public. She reflects on how the startup narrative is often glorified, emphasizing that true entrepreneurial journeys involve persistence, sacrifice, and resilience behind the scenes.
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The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Jimmy Chiu, Co-founder & CTO at Loop CO2: Sustainable Solution, about navigating market pivots and startup strategy. Jimmy shares his experiences in identifying the right market, emphasizing the importance of targeting high-profit opportunities and maintaining sustainable profit margins. He discusses how starting small can be effective if the venture is profitable, the critical role of adaptability in a startup environment, and the ongoing process of finding the first application that drives growth and long-term success.
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The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Rob Avis, Co-Founder and Chief Engineering Officer at 5th World, about the concept of regeneration and its role in reshaping how we interact with nature. Rob shares insights from his experience in the industrial food and oil and gas industries, emphasizing the need to shift from conventional paradigms to regenerative practices. He discusses how food choices, decentralized systems, and innovative approaches can create positive impact, and introduces Fifth World’s mission to develop solutions that bridge technology and nature. Rob also reflects on the challenges and opportunities of implementing regenerative systems in today’s world.
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The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Ben Soltoff, Ecosystem Builder and Entrepreneur in Residence at MIT, and author of Disciplined Entrepreneurship for Climate and Energy Ventures. Ben shares his journey in the climate tech space, discussing the importance of research, policy, and advocacy in driving meaningful climate solutions. He reflects on the unique challenges faced by climate entrepreneurs, the collaborative nature of the field, and the qualities—like grit and persistence—that contribute to success. Ben also highlights his book as a practical resource for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to create impact in the climate and energy sectors.
The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Austin Riesenberger, founder of SWERV, a startup improving indoor air quality through innovative energy recovery ventilators (ERVs). Austin shares how his background in mechanical engineering and HVAC inspired him to create affordable, efficient, and easy-to-install air quality solutions for modern homes. He discusses the challenges of product design, market discovery, and cash flow, as well as the role of customer feedback in shaping SWERV’s development. Austin also reflects on the personal motivations behind his work, the determination required in entrepreneurship, and his vision for creating technology that truly improves people’s lives.
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The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Mo Balapour, CEO and co-founder of SusMaX, about his journey from academia to entrepreneurship in the clean tech sector. Mo shares how he and his team developed a technology that recycles coal ash into construction aggregate, and the extensive research and market discovery involved in bringing it to market. He discusses the importance of understanding supply chain challenges, incorporating customer feedback, and scaling production, while emphasizing patience and finding the right investors on the long path to building a sustainable, environmentally impactful business.
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The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Agabas Agudor, founder of AppCyclers, to discuss his vision for transforming e-waste management across Africa. Agabas shares how AppCyclers aims to become the leading platform for electronic waste trade, connecting individuals, industries, and organizations in a Pan-African movement toward sustainability. He highlights the importance of collaboration, innovation, and overcoming logistical challenges to make e-waste exchange seamless. Agabas also outlines AppCyclers’ five-year goal of creating a unified ecosystem where e-waste is efficiently traded and repurposed, driving progress toward a cleaner, more sustainable future for the continent.
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The Grove Podcast
In this episode, Blake Newcomer interviews Quantum Wei, founder and CEO of Harmony Desalting, a company dedicated to making water desalination more affordable and accessible. Quantum shares his journey from studying mechanical engineering to leading a mission-driven startup tackling global water scarcity. He discusses how his experiences in Kenya shaped his passion for water issues, the evolution of desalination technology, and the challenges of scaling energy-efficient solutions. Quantum also reflects on the importance of innovation, teamwork, and maintaining a sense of fun and learning while building impactful technology for the future.
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