Best CCSA Podcasts (2025)

1
813: The Interconnection Crisis: Why the Distribution Grid Is Holding Back Clean Energy | Samantha Weaver, CCSA 31:02

15d ago31:02

31:02

The biggest threat to scaling community solar isn’t cost. It’s interconnection. Live from the PowerUp Stage at RE+ Northeast, Samantha Weaver of the Coalition for Community Solar Access dives into why so many promising clean energy projects never make it past the planning phase. Spoiler: it’s not because the technology isn’t ready—it’s because the …

1
Tune in and get ready to upgrade your marketing toolbox! 1:07:37

3h ago1:07:37

1:07:37

We’re back with Bill Shipley from Constant Contact, and this time we’re talking way more than just email. Bill gives us the scoop on all the new tools Constant Contact has rolled out—from SMS marketing to social media scheduling to seamless ad integrations. If you thought it was just an email platform, think again. These updates are designed to mak…

1
818: Era Of Easy Money Ends: Prepare For A New Financial Landscape | Rob Sternthal On What To Expect 29:40

1d ago29:40

29:40

Winter is coming If you're a solar or battery developer, especially in utility-scale or C&I, you're likely feeling it already: capital has tightened, exits have dried up, and project timelines are stretching longer than ever. Sound familiar? Rob Sternthal, co-founder of XIP and a two-decade veteran of clean energy finance, joins Nico to deliver a t…

1
817: Turn Your Roof into a Money Machine: How to make as much as $32/Hour with Solar + AI Compute power! | Karl Andersen of Lektra 43:08

5d ago43:08

43:08

What if your rooftop solar could do more than just power your fridge? Karl Andersen believes it can—and should—power the future of AI. Karl unpacks the grid’s biggest vulnerabilities, why data centers lack critical power infrastructure, and how we can turn solar-powered homes into the building blocks of a decentralized compute network. Lektra’s tec…

1
816: Load Shifting, AI, and DC-Coupling: The Future of Residential Energy Storage | Terahive’s Ram Bhat 20:10

8d ago20:10

20:10

If you think batteries are just for backup, think again. The post-NEM 3.0 world has flipped residential solar economics—and companies like TeraHive are leading a storage revolution that’s all about ROI, not just resilience. Ram Bhat, Head of Product at TeraHive, explores how software-first thinking and DC-coupled architecture are transforming what’…

1
815: Can Your EV Really Power Your Home? Barry Cinnamon Says “Yes!” 21:26

11d ago21:26

21:26

What if your truck could power your house—and save you hundreds a month on electricity? Could your EV be a secret energy arbitrage opportunity? Barry Cinnamon, a true solar pioneer, shows that it’s possible right now with Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) systems. Listen in as Barry breaks down why V2H is finally ready for prime time—and why the utility-centri…

1
814: Zero-Cost Home Batteries? How Haven Energy Cracked the Code 1:03:50

13d ago1:03:50

1:03:50

Why haven’t more homeowners installed batteries—despite growing outages and rising rates? I tend to agree with Vinnie Campo, co-founder and CEO of Haven Energy, who believes the answer lies in who owns the asset. But beyond who owns the asset (and assuming, then, that it should not be the homeowner?), is there a way to deliver a truly zero-cost, fu…

1
Clay Cutters with Anna Scott and Debi DelaCruz 1:07:34

13d ago1:07:34

1:07:34

Today we’re joined by Anna Scott from Cutters For Clay and Debi DelaCruz of De La Designs for a conversation all about clay cutters. We cover how to store and clean them, tips for getting started, and best sellers. Whether you’re just beginning with clay cutters and stamps or looking to add to your setup, there’s something here for you. Check out t…

1
812: The Real Cost of Tariffs: What’s Stalling U.S. Solar Deployment | Andrew Birch & Kerim Baran 41:11

20d ago41:11

41:11

You can buy solar panels in many places around the world for around 10 cents-a-watt— so why are Americans still paying an average of about $3.70 for every watt installed? In this candid and fiery live episode, Nico Johnson sits down with long-time clean energy champions Andrew Birch and Kerim Baran to unpack what’s really slowing down solar deploym…

1
811: The EV Tsunami Is Here. Are Utilities Ready? With Rachel Bryant | GridX 17:47

22d ago17:47

17:47

What if the utility bill you barely understand holds the key to stabilizing the grid, accelerating electrification, and saving you money? Rachel Bryant has spent nearly 20 years navigating the complex world of energy regulation—as both an engineer and a lawyer. Now at GridX, she’s helping utilities across the country translate convoluted tariff str…

1
Successful Studio Spaces 56:06

27d ago56:06

56:06

In this episode, we are joined by Steve and Erin Racioppi to talk all about finding and designing the perfect studio space. We cover what to look for (and what to avoid) when touring potential locations, how to set up your space for the best creative flow, and what really matters. Plus, Steve drops a hot tip about one deal breaker of his when searc…

1
810: Inside Texas’ Renewable Energy Boom—and the Policy Risks Ahead | Doug Lewin & Nico Johnson 42:41

27d ago42:41

42:41

Texas: where oil and gas once reigned supreme—and now, renewables are rewriting the rules. In this special live episode recorded at Intersolar & Energy Storage North America 2025, Doug Lewin and Nico Johnson flip the script. Doug takes the mic to interview Nico about his biggest takeaways from the show, and the two dive deep into what’s fueling Tex…

1
809: Storytelling > Specs: How To Sell Anything Better In 2025 37:11

29d ago37:11

37:11

“Don’t pitch slap me.” That’s the line Spenser Meeks uses to describe the all-too-common trap most any professional falls into when presenting information (Usually via presentation decks) — jumping straight into specs and data before earning your audience’s attention. In a lively convo, Spenser and Nico break down why 60% of all conference speaking…

1
808: Solar Loans Are Broken — Atmos Has The Fix 40:12

1M ago40:12

40:12

The FinTech Reboot Solar Has Been Waiting For What happens when local banks finally start playing ball in solar lending? Ravi Mikkelsen is here to tell us. In this “Where Are They Now” episode, we reconnect with Ravi Mikkelsen, the co-founder and CEO of Atmos Financial, who first joined SunCast in 2021. Since then, the solar financing world has bee…

1
807: Say Goodbye to 'Virtual Power Plants' — Embrace Demand Flexibility 31:30

1M ago31:30

31:30

“Virtual power plant” might be trending—but Eversource’s Tilak Subrahmanian says it misses the mark. In this RE+ Northeast PowerUp Live stage interview, Nico sits down with Tilak for a refreshingly candid utility perspective on how distributed energy resources (DERs) are being integrated, managed, and monetized at scale. Spoiler: it's not just abou…

1
Influencer Marking with Michaela "MJ" Jaskowiak of As You Wish Pottery 1:12:17

1M ago1:12:17

1:12:17

Today we chat with Michaela "MJ" Jaskowiak of As You Wish Pottery about the importance of Influencer Marketing. MJ takes us through what it is, how to reach out to influencers, and why you should be prioritizing this marketing strategy in 2025. This is an episode you'll come back to again and again! Bisque Imports has partnered with 4-H, America's …

1
806: Inside MIT’s Solutions Factory: Scaling Climate Tech 2.0 | Ben Downing, The Engine 21:44

1M ago21:44

21:44

What’s blocking our climate tech breakthroughs? It’s not the tech. It’s the process. Ben Downing has seen the system from both sides—first as a Massachusetts state senator, then as VP at Nexamp scaling solar across the country. Now, as Chief Growth Officer at The Engine, MIT’s accelerator for “tough tech,” he’s helping commercialize game-changing i…

1
805: Why Energy Storage Is the Linchpin of America’s Clean Energy Future | Joan White, SEIA 24:34

1M ago24:34

24:34

The U.S. grid is facing its biggest stress test since WWII. The answer? Batteries. Joan White, Director of Storage & Interconnection Policy at SEIA, joins Nico on the PowerUp Live stage at RE+ Northeast to unpack the audacious 700 GWh storage deployment target laid out in SEIA’s latest white paper. That’s a 50% increase over the “business as usual”…

1
804: From DOE to IREC: Maria Robinson’s Mission to Modernize Energy Access 21:42

2M ago21:42

21:42

When Maria Robinson took the helm at the Grid Deployment Office within the US Department of Energy (US DOE), she stepped into one of the most pivotal (and difficult) roles in the clean energy transition. Now that she’s no longer a government employee, Maria reveals what really happens inside DOE decision-making rooms, why the grid is far more fragi…

1
803: Is C&I The Solar Market Savior In 2025? With John Carroll Of Solaredge 26:55

2M ago26:55

26:55

Residential solar may still be a long way from recovery —but the commercial and industrial (C&I) solar market is heating up. In this power-packed episode recorded live at RE+ Northeast, Nico sits down with John Carroll of SolarEdge to explore why the commercial market could be the biggest growth driver in clean energy this year. From training insta…

1
802: 12,000x Faster: Why Xendee is the new Microgrid standard, with CEO Adib Nasle 1:17:48

2M ago1:17:48

1:17:48

Microgrids are essential to the clean energy future—but they’re still too complex, slow, and unbankable. That’s the problem Adib Naslé set out to solve. With Xendee, he’s built a platform that makes distributed energy systems faster to plan, easier to finance, and smarter to operate. Nico digs into how Adib and his team turned 20 years of national …

1
Handling Negative Reviews with Maddie Riegel 48:47

2M ago48:47

48:47

Nobody wants a bad review, but it happens—even to the best studios. In this episode, we're joined by Maddie Riegel, owner of Glazed Expressions, who has mastered the art of responding to negative feedback with grace and professionalism. Maddie walks us through her approach to handling tough reviews on Google, Facebook, and Yelp—without losing your …

1
801: This $389M Deal Proves Clean Energy Isn't Waiting on Washington|Encore Renewable Energy’s Chad Farrell 30:56

2M ago30:56

30:56

At a time when uncertainty looms for many clean energy companies, Encore Renewable Energy just secured a $389 million financing deal that proves the big money’s still looking for good bets to be made. Chad Farrell walks us through their recent landmark deal with Brookfield and what it signals for the broader renewables industry. From raising capita…

1
800: What 800 Episodes Taught Me About Clean Energy & Leadership, with guest Host: Lisa Ann Pinkerton 1:19:11

2M ago1:19:11

1:19:11

800 episodes. 1 unforgettable conversation. For the first time in years, Nico Johnson becomes the guest on his own show, interviewed by friend and fellow podcaster, Lisa Ann Pinkerton. What follows is a raw and powerful exploration of the highs, lows, and turning points behind SunCast’s success. Whether you’re building a brand, running a business, …

1
799: State of the Solar Industry 2025: Inside Intersolar with 3 Industry Experts (and podcasters) | Joe Ordia, Chris Crowell, Sean White 40:21

2M ago40:21

40:21

Live from the Hub Stage at Intersolar 2025, Nico gathers a powerhouse podcaster panel to dig into what’s really going on in the solar & battery sectors. Sean White (Solar Sean), Chris Crowell (Solar Builder), and Joe Ordia (Solar Surge) don’t hold back as they swap stories and product insights live from the show floor, and discuss the tough realiti…

1
798: The Hidden Goldmine in Commercial Solar—And How to Tap Into It; with Claire Broido Johnson 1:21:36

2M ago1:21:36

1:21:36

There are billions of square feet of commercial rooftops in the U.S. that should have solar—but don’t. Why? Because financing these projects has been nearly impossible… until now. For years, the thousands of unrated businesses, nonprofits, and local institutions that want to go solar are stymied by one primary roadblock - financing. One developer i…

1
Kiln Chat with Jim Skutt 1:09:00

2M ago1:09:00

1:09:00

We are so excited to have the King of Kilns himself, Jim Skutt, on the podcast this week! Jim talks to us about kilns types, best practices for loading, how easy repairs can be, and more. He even answers some very specific "hypotheticals" from Christine and Ammie. This will be an episode many of us come back to over and over again, we just know it!…

1
797: How Solar Can Revitalize America's Rural Heartland 21:16

2M ago21:16

21:16

Smithville, Texas, a town known for its giant gingerbread man and Hollywood cameos, is making headlines for something even bigger—its solar future. With a 1.4MW solar power plant now generating clean energy for over 100 homes, this small town is proving that the energy transition isn’t just for big cities. In this episode, we go behind the scenes o…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

CCSA Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Glazed Over

CCSA

1
Change the World

Poza

1
SunCast

Nico Johnson

1
ACA Connects

American Cable Association

1
813: The Interconnection Crisis: Why the Distribution Grid Is Holding Back Clean Energy | Samantha Weaver, CCSA 31:02

1
Tune in and get ready to upgrade your marketing toolbox! 1:07:37

1
818: Era Of Easy Money Ends: Prepare For A New Financial Landscape | Rob Sternthal On What To Expect 29:40

1
817: Turn Your Roof into a Money Machine: How to make as much as $32/Hour with Solar + AI Compute power! | Karl Andersen of Lektra 43:08

1
816: Load Shifting, AI, and DC-Coupling: The Future of Residential Energy Storage | Terahive’s Ram Bhat 20:10

1
815: Can Your EV Really Power Your Home? Barry Cinnamon Says “Yes!” 21:26

1
814: Zero-Cost Home Batteries? How Haven Energy Cracked the Code 1:03:50

1
Clay Cutters with Anna Scott and Debi DelaCruz 1:07:34

1
812: The Real Cost of Tariffs: What’s Stalling U.S. Solar Deployment | Andrew Birch & Kerim Baran 41:11

1
811: The EV Tsunami Is Here. Are Utilities Ready? With Rachel Bryant | GridX 17:47

1
Successful Studio Spaces 56:06

1
810: Inside Texas’ Renewable Energy Boom—and the Policy Risks Ahead | Doug Lewin & Nico Johnson 42:41

1
809: Storytelling > Specs: How To Sell Anything Better In 2025 37:11

1
808: Solar Loans Are Broken — Atmos Has The Fix 40:12

1
807: Say Goodbye to 'Virtual Power Plants' — Embrace Demand Flexibility 31:30

1
Influencer Marking with Michaela "MJ" Jaskowiak of As You Wish Pottery 1:12:17

1
806: Inside MIT’s Solutions Factory: Scaling Climate Tech 2.0 | Ben Downing, The Engine 21:44

1
805: Why Energy Storage Is the Linchpin of America’s Clean Energy Future | Joan White, SEIA 24:34

1
804: From DOE to IREC: Maria Robinson’s Mission to Modernize Energy Access 21:42

1
803: Is C&I The Solar Market Savior In 2025? With John Carroll Of Solaredge 26:55

1
802: 12,000x Faster: Why Xendee is the new Microgrid standard, with CEO Adib Nasle 1:17:48

1
Handling Negative Reviews with Maddie Riegel 48:47

1
801: This $389M Deal Proves Clean Energy Isn't Waiting on Washington|Encore Renewable Energy’s Chad Farrell 30:56

1
800: What 800 Episodes Taught Me About Clean Energy & Leadership, with guest Host: Lisa Ann Pinkerton 1:19:11

1
799: State of the Solar Industry 2025: Inside Intersolar with 3 Industry Experts (and podcasters) | Joe Ordia, Chris Crowell, Sean White 40:21

1
798: The Hidden Goldmine in Commercial Solar—And How to Tap Into It; with Claire Broido Johnson 1:21:36

1
Kiln Chat with Jim Skutt 1:09:00

1
797: How Solar Can Revitalize America's Rural Heartland 21:16

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