How is a 26-year-old entrepreneur convincing risk-averse investors to build with trees instead of steel? At 26, Nate Helbach has already founded Neutral, one of America's most innovative real estate development companies. Growing up between Wisconsin and California's redwood forests sparked his environmental passion, leading him to pioneer mass timber construction that reduces building emissions by up to 26.5%. Currently breaking ground on the tallest mass timber building in the Northern Hemisphere in downtown Milwaukee, Nate discusses the gap between sustainability solutions and implementation.

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As AI adoption accelerates, the demand for data centers is skyrocketing – with that growth comes the urgent challenge of building these massive projects sustainably. On this episode, Keith sits down with Alana Spencer, co-founder and managing partner at Alma Environmental Partners and former VP of Sustainability at Clayco, to explore how the intersection of AI and infrastructure is reshaping the future of energy and the environment.

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Tim Montague, President of the Clean Power Consulting Group, joins Keith to explore how we're moving from clean energy potential to mass deployment. From the rapid rise of solar and wind to the trillion-ton challenge of legacy carbon, Tim shares practical insights for entrepreneurs navigating policy uncertainty and market volatility, plus bold ideas for restoring our climate future.

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How can data center companies help lead the sustainability charge? Chris Pennington, Director of Energy and Sustainability for Iron Mountain Data Centers, is showing us the way. Chris illuminates the path to data center decarbonization and shares how Iron Mountain is driving bold, measurable change at the heart of the digital economy.  

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Jigar Shah, clean energy pioneer and former Director of the DOE Loan Programs Office, discusses how populist drives for energy independence could boost clean energy adoption. On the Age of Adoption podcast, he shares his deploy-first philosophy, emphasizes market momentum, and explores how to retain talent and scale clean energy solutions.

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In our post-truth era, how does an 85-year-old publication maintain trust while testing tomorrow's technology today? Phil Radford, CEO of Consumer Reports, blends decades of environmental advocacy with rigorous product testing to guide climate tech adoption. Leading an ad-free, subscriber-funded organization, he champions electric vehicle safety, battery standards, and durability, ensuring sustainable products also meet consumer priorities like savings, safety, and performance in a rapidly evolving market.

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Steven Shimek, owner of Shimek Strategic, joins Age of Adoption to discuss the often-unseen ethical decisions behind agency work, and why he turns down clients tied to fossil fuels. From insider intel to moral conviction, he shares how personal values shape strategy in a marketing world navigating “green hushing” and accountability.

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Breana Wheeler, Director of Operations for BREEAM USA, joins us to discuss how science-based building certification can decarbonize real estate. She explores climate resilience, retrofitting, and global collaboration – emphasizing that finance, regulation, and long-term thinking are key to transforming the 70% of buildings still lacking sustainable validation.

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Keith chats with Anica Landreneau, Global Director of Sustainability at HOK, about how she champions inclusive, economically sound green design. From shaping LEED policy to guiding HOK’s carbon-neutral operations, Anica bridges technical rigor with equity. Her reflections connect bold decarbonization goals to practical choices – revealing how sustainability, done right, honors both innovation and common sense.

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In this episode of the Age of Adoption podcast, host Keith Zakheim welcomes Duncan Meisel, Executive Director of Clean Creatives. Drawing from his background in climate NGO communications, Duncan has pioneered a global movement to eliminate ties between creative agencies and fossil fuel companies. The conversation explores how Clean Creatives provides a pledge for agencies and brands, targets those working with polluters, and confronts the conflicts of interest that arise when agencies serve both sustainability-focused clients and fossil fuel companies simultaneously.

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In this episode of Age of Adoption, host Keith Zakheim welcomes Neal Rickner, CEO of Airloom Energy, about reimagining wind turbine technology.

Neal, a former F-18 pilot with the Marines who later worked at Google X on the Makani project, explains how Airloom Energy is developing revolutionary wind turbines that can be mass-manufactured, easily transported, and deployed without specialized equipment—all while significantly reducing costs. Instead of pursuing marginal improvements through larger turbines, Airloom creates adaptable systems that can be installed in locations where traditional wind turbines aren't feasible.

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How does a transit-dependent child from Los Angeles become the Chief Mobility Officer for America's automotive heartland?

In this episode of Age of Adoption, host Keith Zakheim welcomes Justine Johnson, Chief Mobility Officer for the State of Michigan. Drawing from her extensive background spanning from the NYC T

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As a member of the Senior Executive Service, Ms. Ross worked with leadership across DoD, other government institutions, and external organizations to advance DoD’s climate and sustainability objectives. Prior to this appointment, she served as Chief of Staff to the 25th Secretary of the Army, where she provided oversight and guidance to the Army’s large and diverse staff and coordinated with the Army’s senior leaders to ensure timely execution of the Secretary’s priorities and statutory responsibilities.

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Breene Murphy, President of Carbon Collective, is the first online investment advisor dedicated to solving climate change. With a strong background in finance, marketing, and climate, Breene has been a passionate volunteer with Citizens' Climate Lobby for 10 years, even helping pass climate legislation. He’s also the director of the ecoadventure documentary series Seven Crossings with big wave surfer Jamie Mitchell. Breene enjoys connecting with the climate community and sharing insights on climate action through speaking engagements and podcasts.

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Jan Stanek is an electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, economist, and a passionate advocate for clean energy and electromobility. After witnessing extreme pollution in China, he became determined to minimize his family’s environmental impact. In 2012, he moved back to the Czech Republic, embracing renewable energy, installing solar panels, and driving electric cars like the Nissan Leaf. Jan founded the "Electrodad" YouTube channel in 2019, where he shares his journey with clean energy and electric vehicles, inspiring thousands. With over 40,000 subscribers and millions of views, Jan continues to promote sustainable living and a greener future.

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