Welcome to The Fundamental Molecule. This show explores the intersection of water, technology and entrepreneurship. Each week, Tom Ferguson, Managing Partner of Burnt Island Ventures, interviews innovators, experts, entrepreneurs and investors in the world of water, to help us understand where this trillion dollar industry is headed. These are the stories of the people building the future of the world’s most valuable and fundamental resource. Explore all of our episodes and learn more at htt ...
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This show is intended to provide a short and quirky look into psychological and other wellness topics. Bonus points are awarded to those who can endure the antics of Bert and Ernie (aka Dan and Cody). If you stick with the show long enough you just may come across some nuggets of knowledge. Try to find joy in sifting through the muck to find the meaning.
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*Update Everyone* Will be podcasting when I can, due to changes in my personal life....but..Half of new podcasts will be on Patreon. - If you like to hear more bonus episodes, monthly polls, and all my episodes adfree then just check my patreon to see what you like - https://www.patreon.com/bdsmnoir * If you like hearing about the basic fundamentals in bdsm, relationship styles, stories, bloopers, and maybe even kinky confessions then stick around... If you like to send me anonymous kinky co ...
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How does one separate news from opinion? Mahrukh Inayet, journalist and news editor cuts the clutter and analyses stories that matter to you. She loves facts and likes to stick to them. Join Mahrukh on her podcast where she gives you a pure analysis of what's happening around you.
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Welcome to the Caffeine & Cash Flow Podcast with Financial Advisor Michael Schulte of WestPac Wealth Partners. Are taxes, market volatility, inflation and other risks draining YOUR energy and YOUR portfolio? If you need need help planning how to tackle these financial headwinds, then this is the show for you! New episodes bi-weekly. Visit our website for show notes, resources, more information and to contact Michael at CaffeineCashFlow.com. Or call 702-767-4897.
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Content marketing isn't just a channel anymore—it's the engine driving the entire marketing landscape, especially in B2B SaaS. Welcome to Content Blocks, the podcast designed specifically to unpack this monumental shift and equip early-stage SaaS startups with actionable strategies to build powerful content foundations. Hosted by Joe Michalowski, Content Blocks is your go-to resource for navigating the rapidly evolving world of B2B content. Why early-stage SaaS? Because that's where content ...
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Remember the rush you got when you read your favorite fiction book? Wondering why you are unable to get that rush in your story? Unable to head forward without proper transition? Falling flat and the story seems too boring? Then this is the podcast you must listen to. Stories have been one of the most important ways to pass and retain information across millennia. No matter how much pizzazz you add to the presentation, without a story rooted in its foundation, the presentation isn't going to ...
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From Facebook Ads to the latest/greatest CRM, I’m sharing everything a modern Loan Officer needs to thrive in the 21st century. I share everything I learn about Mortgage marketing - ad platforms, automated follow up, referral strategies, sales/conversion tips, team building strategies, and building the mindset of a champion so that you too can defy the odds and win. This show is for Loan Officers and mortgage brokers who understand that technology will either crush their business or transfor ...
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Jonathan Jackson - Flooding, Fairness, and Sticking to Your Knitting
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40:16
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40:16Flooding is becoming an increasingly obvious mega issue in the world today. It costs anywhere between $200 billion and $500 billion in the US alone each year. They're 31% of natural catastrophes and 1.8 billion people, about a quarter of the planet, live under flood risk. This is a nightmare for insurers who are raising their premiums in response, …
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Anne Mushow - Building a Utility Data Dragnet
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46:43
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46:43There is so much that is dumb in water, but easily one of the dumbest is that in the US - let alone the rest of the world - 60 percent of meters are offline and need to be read by hand in 2025. It is an insane state of affairs, and we have had our eyes out for teams to solve it for literally years. Anne Mushow is the driving force behind the soluti…
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Craig Beckman - A Generational Shift in Membrane Design
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46:13
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46:13One of the reasons why working in water is fun is the people who work in it - dedicated, driven, modest, self-effacing, hard working, but with a lightness that comes from doing something that really matters. Craig Beckman personifies these qualities and then some, and he also happens to be working on a generational - and I really do mean that it's …
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Importance of Having a Balanced Structure to Succeed in Any Market
13:24
13:24
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13:24When the market feels unpredictable, your plan shouldn’t be. If you’re worried about the volatility and how you’re invested, now might be the time to step back and reassess your strategies to ensure we are adequately prepared for whatever the market throws our way. In this episode, Michael shares a structured, three-bucket approach to help investor…
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Will Hewes - Managing Water for a Hyperscaler
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44:23
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44:23It's no secret that the so-called "hyperscalers"—Amazon, Microsoft, Google, Meta, and others—are doing their hyperscaling in the context of the AI revolution. The pace of digital infrastructure buildout is mind-boggling—about $450 billion in 2024 and with no sign of slowing. All of this has implications for the water sector. So I wanted to talk to …
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How to build a SaaS brand strategy that actually sticks (with the DRMG team)
43:25
43:25
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43:25If your product is different, your messaging should be too. But most SaaS companies still sound the same. In this episode, Joe sits down with Dustin Robertson and Mike Geraci, partners at DRMG and architects behind standout SaaS brand strategies like Mosaic’s. They unpack the difference between category design and traditional positioning, explain w…
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Join Brennan and Dale (aka Cody and Dan) as they take a deep dive into a phenomenon they know all too well, the Dunning Kruger Effect. As part of the cognitive bias series, this episode ventures down the lane of a bias in which incompetent people perceive themselves to be very much competent. We'll explore the history of the Dunning Kruger Effect, …
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In this episode, we dive into the problem of B2B marketers trying to copy the success of content programs and series like Hot Ones. We look at the difference between gimmicks and concepts. And then look at the ins and outs of what makes the Hot Ones concept so successful. Originality, creativity, and enthusiasm all play a role. But you don't need a…
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In this episode, Joe shares insights on the right approach to SEO for companies that are just beginning. Key points include understanding the levels of SEO investment, the importance of laying a solid technical foundation, prioritizing bottom-funnel keywords, and building a comprehensive content strategy. Joe emphasizes that while advanced SEO tact…
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Market Performance in Past Periods with Tariffs
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27:06
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27:06Tariffs are back in the headlines—and so is market volatility. But is this a reason to panic or just another chapter in a long financial story? In this episode of Caffeine & Cash Flow, Michael Schulte walks through five historical periods of U.S. tariffs—from the Smoot-Hawley Act of the 1930s to recent measures under Presidents Trump and Biden—and …
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In this episode, Joe Michalowski discusses the concept of 'content snowballs' in the SaaS industry, emphasizing the importance of long-term content strategies over immediate results. Drawing on insights from Jay Clouse's Creator Science podcast and an interview with James Clear, the author of 'Atomic Habits,' Joe explains how the visible success of…
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Shane Dyer - Iteration, Hiring, and Customer Voice
41:34
41:34
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41:34It's so fun when you feel like an investment has been dragged out of your hands. At the end of our deployment of our first fund, I was adamant that our final investments had to be blindingly obvious because the next best use of funds was to give more capital to companies we already knew were amazing. So when I met Shane Dyer, CEO of Irrigreen, the …
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The 4 types of input engines for quality content at scale
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16:09
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16:09In this episode, Joe Michalowski discusses the crucial role of quality inputs in creating impactful content, inspired by a Stephen King quote. He recounts his own journey from a novice freelance writer to a seasoned content creator, emphasizing the importance of gathering valuable insights. Four primary strategies for building robust input engines …
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This episode discusses Jon Hamm's career post-Mad Men and draws parallels to effective content marketing strategies. Despite perceptions, Hamm has been consistently working in various roles. Using Hamm's career as a metaphor, the talk emphasizes the importance of the 80/20 rule in content strategy—highlighting that while big, splashy moments (20%) …
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Megan Glover - The Outsider Becomes the Insider
36:41
36:41
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36:41When you hear a canary singing in the coal mine, you should stop and listen. Without torturing the metaphor too far, this is how I felt when I started working with Megan Glover at 120Water in 2017 as she started to build her business. The success of a business is predicated on the talent of the people running it, and Megan was important because she…
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Sticking to the Fundamentals of Diversification During Market Volatility
14:54
14:54
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14:54You’ve heard the term “diversification” countless times—but are you actually doing it right? As the financial landscape continues to evolve, understanding how to properly diversify your investment portfolio is more crucial than ever. In this episode, we’re going to get into the investing fundamentals we consistently stick to in order to help achiev…
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Join George Constanza and Kramer (aka Cody and Dan) as they present episode 2 of the cognitive bias series with a focus on confirmation and desirability biases. This includes a history and summary of seminal research related to both confirmation and desirability bias. Additionally, join George and Kramer for the interactive icebreaker, interactive …
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Joe Michalowski addresses the common concern of content marketers: "Do we have enough content?" He outlines a systematic approach to ideation, helping marketers continually generate strategic content by focusing on audience pain points and responsibilities. Key Discussion Points: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview 00:13 Is there such thing as …
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Alex Fuglesang - A Deep Dive Into Desal, Literally
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40:34
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40:34Sometimes things just strike you as dumb and then one day you understand why. The current model of desalination is a great example. It's something that everyone thinks that we at BIV should be invested in up to the eyeballs, and, of course, we support technologies that are pertinent to desal, but the legacy model is just a tough nut to crack. Ever …
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Bracket Busters and Stock Flops: The Risky Game of Picking Winners
20:23
20:23
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20:23March Madness is here, and just like filling out a bracket, picking individual stocks can feel like a thrilling gamble. But the odds of winning big are slim. In fact, history shows that most stock picks, like most brackets, end up busted. Many investors can’t resist chasing big wins, even though diversification is a smarter play. One economist, Hen…
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Simple ways to approach positioning and messaging from a content seat
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16:35
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16:35I explore the critical overlap between content marketing and product marketing, focusing specifically on positioning and messaging. Discover a straightforward approach for content marketers to quickly build effective positioning and messaging frameworks, even when official documentation is lacking. Key Discussion Points: 02:36 Building positioning …
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You've found Content Blocks! However you made it here, I'm thrilled to have you. This is just a quick 5-minute memo from me where I introduce the idea behind Content Blocks, why I'm planning to focus on B2B SaaS content, and what you can expect from episodes moving forward. As a quick introduction of myself, my name is Joe Michalowski and I've been…
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Felicia Marcus: A Public Servant for our Era
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47:28
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47:28Felicia Marcus is one of the most significant public servants in water, having served on the Board of Public Works for the City of LA, served as Regional Administrator for the EPA in Region 9, COO of the Trust for Public Land and Western Director of the NRDC. As if that wasn't enough, she was also the Chair of the State Water Resources Control Boar…
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Scott Bryan - Pilots, Impact and Acceleration
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42:09
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42:09I owe what I get to do every day here in a job I love to many people, but Scott Bryan really helped. In 2015, he took a chance on me to become the VP of Programming at Imagine H2O running the Accelerator, and it was a learning curve which laid the groundwork for what we do here at BIV. Scott is one of the most important figures in early stage water…
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Paul Hauffen - The Customer Inclusion Loop
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46:07
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46:07True dyed-in-the-wool software pros are a valuable breed in water and Paul Hauffen is one of the best. A two-time entrepreneur, he sold his last company Sedaru, and, in a founding hiatus, is bringing his enormous experience to bear helping companies along their trajectory, partially as a BIV Venture Partner. Paul is a very wise man indeed and his i…
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Join Mufasa and Taka (aka Cody and Dan) as they introduce the cognitive bias series and do a deep dive in the quickest and nerdiest way on the topic of Fundamental Attribution Error (FAE). This includes a brief history about the development of the concept, prominent research studies and their findings, reasons that it occurs, and how to combat it. …
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Today we’re going to piggyback of our conversation in the last episode by focusing in on recency bias and show you how the concept plays itself out among investors. As Michael will explain, recency bias is the tendency to give more weight to the most recent information when making decisions, which can often lead to skewed perceptions and poor finan…
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Mudasser Iqbal - AI, Water and Institutional Memory
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42:18
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42:18There is a lot going on in AI right now, from the travails of ChatGPT to the technology being essentially single handedly responsible for the surge of the so-called “Magnificent Seven” and therefore the overall S&P 500 in 2024. But what does it mean for water? Mudasser Iqbal is a career technologist and an exceptional guy, previous CEO of Visenti b…
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Join Oliver Putnam and Charles-Hadan Savage (aka Cody and Dan) as they reflect on 2024 and set intentions for 2025 in the least efficient way possible. This includes a summary of the phenomenal guests on #beyondFLG and interesting topics on Quick N' Nerdy from 2024 followed by a summary of early plans for 2025 including a continuance of phenomenal …
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As we begin a new year, it’s helpful to reflect on our financial habits and the biases that may influence them. By understanding and mitigating these biases, we can make more informed decisions and set ourselves up for greater financial success. In this episode, Michael will highlight the most common cognitive biases that he sees in people, which i…
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Discussion with babygirl on the New Year - ASMR
6:21
6:21
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6:21Thank you everyone for being patient, as I been healing from the death of my mom in 2024. Until next time
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In this festive episode of Caffeine and Cash Flow, Michael guides you through the 12 Days of Financial Wellness. Discover essential tips on managing assets, liabilities, protection, and cash flow as you prepare your balance sheet for the new year. Whether you're planning for personal property, savings, investments, or understanding liabilities, thi…
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The Pension & Retirement Plan Contribution Adjustments for 2025
18:40
18:40
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18:40As we approach the new year, it's essential to stay informed about the financial changes that could impact your retirement planning. The latest episode of the Caffeine and Cash Flow podcast will provide you with updates for 2025, focusing on pension and retirement plan contribution limits. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: The maximum…
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Debra Coy - Earnings Calls, Inflection Points, and Perspective
41:44
41:44
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41:44Over the last decade, I've been so lucky to learn from seriously good water people, and Debra Coy is one of the best. Over four decades, she has built an extraordinary body of work from public markets analyst to XPV, the preeminent water investing firm that has been extraordinarily supportive to us, to her current independent role advising and sitt…
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What Will the Market Do Under Trump? Let's Look at Historical Data (Part 2)
15:46
15:46
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15:46We’ll continue with part two of our conversation on how the economy has grown under previous presidential administrations. In the previous episode, we discussed some of the more recent administrations, but this time we’ll go back deeper into history and take a good look at older data. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: How inflation fa…
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What Will the Market Do Under Trump? Let's Look at Historical Data (Part 1)
22:51
22:51
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22:51With the election behind us, we now know that former President Trump will have another four years in the White House. While that could mean policy shifts in all sorts of areas, we want to focus on how it may impact the economy so Michael will take a deep dive into the data on different economic growth factors, and what the numbers have looked like …
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Guillaume Clairet - Operations, Rule-Breaking and Erin Brockovich
37:58
37:58
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37:58We all know about the CEO in a company. When the company is small, the CEO does everything, and when it's big, the CEO sets the vision, hires the right people and makes sure they have what they need to be successful. But what about a layer deeper than that? Guillaume Clairet is a fascinating example of a world class COO. Now he's too modest to be k…
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It's always worth paying attention to top-level consultants as crucial advisors to their usually enormous clients. They have their finger on the pulse of the practical needs of the market and are responsive when they see critical mass in an area. Sarah Brody runs the North American water practice of McKinsey, which she has restarted in response to …
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Michael Rigney - The Millenium Falcon of Heat Pump Water Heaters
39:06
39:06
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39:06The idea of an Overton Window when the conditions around a political issue change that in turn changes the nature of what is politically possible, is a useful one in assessing businesses. Sometimes conditions change enough in a market or sector that there is suddenly a significant window of opportunity for a founder to run through. We think that is…
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Retirement Half-Truths: Beware of These Potentially Misleading Statements (Part 2)
20:27
20:27
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20:27When it comes to planning for retirement, there's no shortage of advice out there. Unfortunately, much of it can be misleading or only half-true. That can be a problem for investors because they end up following guidance that doesn’t apply to their situation. Today we continue our two-part discussion on these potentially misleading statements by sh…
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Retirement Half-Truths: Beware These Potentially Misleading Statements (Part 1)
28:02
28:02
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28:02We hear a lot of half-truths in the financial world, not necessarily because people try to make misleading statements, but because sometimes a simple statement just doesn’t quite tell the whole story. Join us for part one of this discussion as we cover common misconceptions about market losses, portfolio fees, mortgage interest, diversification, an…
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Ifetayo Venner - Gatekeepers, Big Infrastructure, and Leadership
45:58
45:58
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45:58It's nice to have friends in high places, and in water, there are few places higher than the presidency of the Water Environment Federation, the core trade body for the wastewater industry. Ifetayo Venner and I got to know each other in 2017 when we both spoke at the opening session of WEFTEC, WEF’s annual gathering for the wastewater world, and we…
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Mae Stevens - Building the Case for Water on Capitol Hill
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37:04
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37:04If I was to write a list of all the tricks we’re missing in water, it would be a lot, and somewhere near the very top would be lobbying - engagement with government on the federal and state level. I recognize we've made a lot of progress in the last five or six years in terms of securing capital for the required infrastructure renewal in the US, bu…
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Jorge Richardson - Water Access, Reliability, and Selfies with Bono
48:02
48:02
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48:02Jorge Richardson - Water Access, Reliability, and Selfies with Bono Sometimes businesses pop up that take a bit of time to make sense. HOPE Hydration is one of those businesses. When I first met Jorge Richardson in 2021, he was chock full of confidence, like a lot of entrepreneurs in 2021, with an admirably aggressive plan, but I couldn't quite see…
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College Financial Planning: Insights For Parents and Grandparents (Part 2)
17:02
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17:02Paying for college has become increasingly harder with rising costs. Starting early for your child's or grandchild's education can make a big difference and reduce the need for excessive borrowing later. In this two-part series, we’ll cover the key aspects of college financial planning from both the parent and grandparent perspectives. Part one bro…
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Matt Rosenthal - Business Beneath Our Feet
47:43
47:43
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47:43There's an old saying from east London: “Where there's muck, there's brass.” Essentially, what this means is that the management of the dirtier side of life is invariably an opportunity for a decent business. Sewers are a big business. There are a million miles of them beneath our feet in the US, and about 300 million of them need to be inspected a…
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College Financial Planning: Getting a Handle on the Rising Cost of Tuitions (Part 1)
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22:46Paying for college has become increasingly harder with rising costs. Starting early for your child's or grandchild's education can make a big difference and reduce the need for excessive borrowing later. In this two-part series, we’ll cover the key aspects of college financial planning from both the parent and grandparent perspectives. From underst…
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On Altered Traits Pt. 2 with Lotus McClatchie
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45:02
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45:02Join Snoop Dogg and Kevin Hart (aka Cody and Dan) as they follow up on the altered traits of consistent mindfulness by talking about lived experiences with long time mindfulness expert Lotus McClatchie. In this episode, Snoop and Kevin hear first hand from Lotus about strategies for developing mindfulness and the observable change that occurs. This…
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Peter Fiske - From Academic to Entrepreneur (and beyond)
45:25
45:25
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45:25Peter Fiske has packed a lot into his career, from being a rare successful academic to entrepreneur crossover to his current role as head of NAWI, the National Alliance for Water Innovation. He's just someone who loves building stuff, and he's done a lot from building and selling PAX Water Technologies to setting up the infrastructure for the radic…
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Little Things That Make Big Things Happen
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23:54
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23:54In any sport, it is often the smallest, most consistent actions that make the biggest difference. In today’s episode, Michael shares insights from his experience coaching youth baseball to show that this philosophy is just as important in financial planning as it is on the field. Listen in as he shares 15 “little things” that everyone should focus …
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