Electric Ladies Podcast

Innovative Climate Finance – Kanika Singh, Milken Institute, Director of Catalytic Capital

"We're seeing hurricanes, four of the 10 most damaging hurricanes in the United States happened in the last 10 years. Recovery and rebuild continues in many cases. Last year we had the world's most expensive wildfire on record in Los Angeles. These are market failures. Why are these things happening? Something is misaligned. Is it we're not taking care of the natural environment? Is it that our built environment, our buildings and our structures are not able to cope? Where are the policies? Where are the updated building codes?...Now these storms are happening more frequently and with greater intensity and impacting a lot more people, people, communities, companies. It's across the U.S. Everybody's being impacted. So that's the market failure. So how do we fix this?" Kanika Singh on Electric Ladies Podcast Every community in the U.S. and across the globe is now at risk from the ravages of climate change. What is your community doing to prepare? Kanika Singh calls these damages "market failures" because the market did not protect you/us from the damages. How? Listen to Kanika Singh, Director of Innovative Finance at the Milken Institute in this enlightening conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. (You'll want to take notes.) You'll hear about: ● How to identify the market failures in your community, area or region. ● What the role and risk is of insurance companies in today's physical, economic and political climate. ● Financial resources you might tap to make your homes and buildings more climate-resilient (including parts of the Inflation Reduction Act & Infrastructure Act that are still intact). ● How to rebuild differently so your homes, businesses, schools etc. are more resilient. ● Plus, career advice, such as: " Don't hesitate. Trust your gut…Try everything. Try what's out there, go for a walk. Clear your brain. The outdoors always helps. You will find something, and if you don't the first time around, that's still okay because we are getting chances…. Look, learn, but don't be afraid to take a chance, and if it doesn't work out, it's okay. I think we hold ourselves to very high and perhaps exacting standards of success sometimes. And that's not human. It's okay to be human." Kanika Singh on Electric Ladies Podcast Subscribe to our newsletter [https://electricladiespodcast.com/contact-us/] to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. You'll also like: · Impact Investing in New Hands - with Jolyne Caruso [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2026/05/18/impact-investing-in-new-hands-in-new-ways-jolyne-caruso-financial-executive-investor-wealth-advisor/], Financial Executive, Investor and Wealth Advisor · How to Talk Climate In a Polarized Culture [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2026/01/20/how-to-talk-about-climate-in-a-polarized-culture-katharine-hayhoe-climate-scientist-professor-at-texas-tech-university-chief-scientist-at-the-nature-conservancy/] - with Katharine Hayhoe, Climate Scientist, Professor at Texas Tech University & Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy · How Hospitals Can Juggle 24/7 Care & Climate Impacts [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2026/02/25/how-hospitals-can-juggle-24-7-care-climate-impacts-carol-gomes-ceo-coo-of-stony-brook-university-hospital/] - Carol Gomes, CEO & COO, Stony Brook University Hospital · New Venture Capital Models For Women and CleanTech [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2025/09/16/new-venture-capital-models-for-women-cleantech-cecile-blilious-veteran-venture-investor-venture-esg-european-women-in-vc/] - Cecile Blilious, Veteran Venture Investor, Venture ESG, European Women in VC · Creativity & Relationships Secure Grants [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2026/03/24/creativity-relationships-help-secure-grants-megan-pater-ceo-founder-of-fund-nation-ece-solutions/] - with Megan Pater, CEO/Founder of Fund Nation and ECE Solutions · Investing in Companies For Social Impact [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2023/06/08/investing-for-impact-meredith-shields-citi-impact-fund-head/] - with Meredith Shields, CEO of Citi Impact Fund Subscribe to our newsletter [https://electricladiespodcast.com/contact-us/] to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/electric-ladies-podcast/id1077048971] or iHeartRadio [https://open.spotify.com/show/4dEd749SPzyw8lKFOMfs23] and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson [https://twitter.com/joanmichelson]

How Stories Can Shift Culture – Melissa Jun Rowley, Author of "Beyond The Mic Drop: How Stories Can Shift Culture, Power & Policy"

"What are the stories that people can participate in and see themselves in? I think that's one of the keys that we can unlock when it comes to the whole climate narrative is telling stories that build the scaffolding blocks to a larger narrative that people want to be a part of, and we need to make it feel inevitable….The way that justice prevails, whether it's environmental justice or any kind of justice, I think it's that the leaders make it feel inevitable. And that's the climate movement's job. And I think we have every opportunity and ability to do that." Melissa Jun Rowley on Electric Ladies Podcast The movements have been struggling to connect with people to communicate the vital messages about protecting the planet and its inhabitants. How can the climate and justice movements engage people again? Listen to Melissa Jun Rowleg, author of "Beyond the Mic Drop: How Stories Can Shift Culture, Power & Policy" and communications expert and journalist in this fascinating conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. You'll hear about: ● How stories and narratives work to engage people of all stripes. ● How emotion is key to connecting with people, helping them see themselves in the story ● Tips on how to develop and tell stories and tie them into a narrative campaign to drive a positive message for the planet and its inhabitants ● Plus, career advice, such as: "You really need to start looking at yourself differently. You're looking at yourself as one thing, but your skills, your assets, your talents, your passion can be so many things to so many other people…Try to look outside yourself a bit.…It's very hard to see ourselves clearly, and I don't know if we ever really do…So, if you're able to, just talk to other people and say…'What do you see in my skillset and in my energy and in what I've accomplished so far and what I could do that maybe I'm not looking at?' Because it is so hard to see ourselves…(and) it's important to celebrate our wins." Melissa Jun Rowley on Electric Ladies Podcast Subscribe to our newsletter [https://electricladiespodcast.com/contact-us/] to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Read Joan's Forbes articles here [https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmichelson2/]. You'll also like: · People Leveraging Carbon Markets to Save Their Land [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2026/05/05/people-leveraging-carbon-markets-to-keep-their-land-stacey-solie-coproducer-of-the-documentary-from-the-ground-up/] - with Stacey Solie, Documentary Producer of "From the Ground Up" - telling stories to show the power of carbon markets · How To Talk 'Climate' To Keep People Safe [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2026/04/07/how-to-talk-climate-to-keep-people-safe-allison-agsten-usc-center-for-climate-journalism-communications/] - with Allison Agsten, USC Center for Climate Journalism & Communications · How to Talk About Climate in a Polarized Culture [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2026/01/20/how-to-talk-about-climate-in-a-polarized-culture-katharine-hayhoe-climate-scientist-professor-at-texas-tech-university-chief-scientist-at-the-nature-conservancy/] - with Katharine Hayhoe, Ph.D., Climate Scientist, Professor at Texas Tech University and Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy · Seek First to Understand [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2024/10/08/jennifer-hough-communicating-climate/] - with Jennifer Hough, Advisor, TEDx Speaker, Author · How Do We Talk About Climate? [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2023/09/19/how-do-we-talk-about-the-climate-jill-tidman-the-redford-center/] - with Jill Tidman, Executive Director of The Redford Center, nonprofit producing environmental documentaries and media Subscribe to our newsletter [https://electricladiespodcast.com/contact-us/] to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/electric-ladies-podcast/id1077048971] or iHeartRadio [https://open.spotify.com/show/4dEd749SPzyw8lKFOMfs23] and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson [https://twitter.com/joanmichelson]

An Air Force Veteran on Bipartisan Climate And Energy Policy – U.S. Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA)

"While the word 'climate' may be politically charged for some, the need for affordable, reliable, and secure energy is something we can all agree on. Americans are calling for action, and as Members of Congress it's our responsibility to deliver. If we want long-term solutions that address both our constituents' concerns and growing climate risks, we must work together to strengthen our energy and climate security with urgency." Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan to Electric Ladies Podcast [https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmichelson2/2025/03/27/most-americans-want-climate-action-how-to-bridge-the-political-divide/] As we in the U.S. commemorate Memorial Day this week and express gratitude for the sacrifice of thousands of servicemembers on behalf of our country, we are re-airing a landmark interview from last year with an Air Force veteran and Congresswoman who is working tirelessly and on a bipartisan basis to protect the climate and our energy systems. Listen to Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, who is co-chair of the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, a rare example of cooperation on Capitol Hill. She's also co-chair of the bipartisan Women in STEM Caucus and shares insights into how to build bipartisanship, protect our infrastructure from extreme climate events and provide clean, affordable energy. You'll hear about: · How Pennsylvania's political landscape shapes the path of climate legislation · What the Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus is doing to advance the clean energy transition · How extreme weather events can open the door to bipartisan climate action · Why Congresswoman Houlahan's leadership with the Women in STEM Caucus matters · Plus, insightful career advice "Recognize that whatever you choose to do right now is not the end decision for the rest of your life. When you look backwards it's going to make sense, but when you look forward, it's going to be a crooked line. It's not going to be a straight line to somewhere, so do not to be too hard on yourself, do not try to seek perfection." Chrissy Houlahan on Electric Ladies Podcast You'll also like: · Most Americans Want Climate Action, Study Says. How To Bridge The Political Divide [https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmichelson2/2025/03/27/most-americans-want-climate-action-how-to-bridge-the-political-divide/], ELP Host Joan Michelson's article that includes Congresswoman Houlahan. · Women Rewriting The Climate Conversation [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2025/05/14/women-rewriting-the-climate-conversation/], a panel from The Earth Day Women's Summit moderated by Joan Michelson · People Leveraging Carbon Markets to Save Their Land [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2026/05/05/people-leveraging-carbon-markets-to-keep-their-land-stacey-solie-coproducer-of-the-documentary-from-the-ground-up/] - with Stacey Solie, Executive Producer of the Documentary, "From the Ground Up" · The State of Energy Today Might Surprise You [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2026/04/14/the-state-of-energy-today-might-surprise-you-lisa-jacobson-bcse-on-the-2026-energy-factbook/] - with Lisa Jacobson, CEO of the Business Council for Sustainable Energy and Coauthor of the 2026 Energy Factbook · Hilary Doe [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2025/05/06/how-michigan-turns-ira-tax-credits-into-growth/], Michigan's Chief Growth Office on how the state is turning IRA Credits into Growth · Sherri Goodman [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2024/10/15/climate-change-as-security-threat-sherri-goodman-fmr-undersec-defense-author-threat-multiplier-climate-military-global-security/], former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense, on why climate change is an issue of national security. · Joan Michelson's Forbes article on Fossil Fuels, War And Climate: Women On The Frontlines Call For A New Security Mindset [https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmichelson2/2025/05/19/fossil-fuels-war-and-climate-women-on-the-frontlines-call-for-a-new-security-mindset/] Subscribe to our newsletter [https://electricladiespodcast.com/contact-us/] to receive our podcasts, articles, events and career advice – and special coaching offers. Elevate your career with expert coaching and ESG advisory with Electric Ladies Podcast [https://electricladiespodcast.com/]. Unlock new opportunities, gain confidence, and achieve your career goals with the right guidance. Subscribe to our newsletter [https://electricladiespodcast.com/contact-us/] to receive our podcasts, articles, events and career advice – and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/electric-ladies-podcast/id1077048971], iHeart Radio [https://www.iheart.com/podcast/263-electric-ladies-podcast-27494569/] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4dEd749SPzyw8lKFOMfs23] and leaving us a review! Don't forget to follow us on our socials Twitter: @joanmichelson [https://twitter.com/joanmichelson] LinkedIn: Electric Ladies Podcast with Joan Michelson [https://www.linkedin.com/company/electric-ladies-podcast-with-joan-michelson] Twitter: @joanmichelson [https://x.com/joanmichelson]

Impact Investing In New Hands In New Ways– Jolyne Caruso, Financial Executive, Investor, Wealth Advisor

"When you look at where families invest across the spectrum of sustainable and impact investing, climate is really at the forefront. They think about that because, look at our environment, look at the food supply… because of environmental issues. Not withstanding the tariffs too….These are issues that have to be segmented and families are doing the work and they're putting their capital in…(F)amilies really are more and more values aligning their investments, and there's a blurring (of the) line between philanthropy and catalytic investing so that they can invest in climate and do things in all their active portfolios. So I feel like this is just going to increase over time in a pretty significant way." Jolyne Caruso on Electric Ladies Podcast The great wealth transfer of $124 trillion will flow into the hands of women, Millennials and Gen Zrs over the next 30 years, and these are hands that value climate, clean energy, sustainability and social causes more than their forebears. What impact might that have? Listen to Jolyne Caruso, Financial Executive, Investor and Wealth Advisor in this enlightening conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. You'll hear about: ● How women tend to donate and invest differently than men do and why. ● Impact and climate-related investing the way women, Gen Z & Millennials do it. ● New spins on "risk" and "reward" & why financial literacy is crucial. ● What the great wealth transfer is and how it could dramatically affect the economy. ● Plus, career advice, such as: "One of the things that I recommend women do, Joan, is to join boards as soon as they can. And I'll tell you why. When I was at Barnard, I was very involved as a student in my class. I was reunion chair and raising money for my class. But it wasn't until I got on the alumni board at Barnard, which led to getting on the big board at Barnard when I was 40 years old, that my life fundamentally changed….This isn't about giving a hundred thousand dollars to your alma mater that you don't have. It's finding boards that will all take women of all ages…My daughter's on the board of a dog rescue company, organization. Get on a board and sit around the table and become a change agent in that regard….Because you network, you get hands-on experience without being at work." Jolyne Caruso on Electric Ladies Podcast Subscribe to our newsletter [https://electricladiespodcast.com/contact-us/] to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. You'll also like: · New Business Models For Philanthropy [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2026/05/12/new-business-models-for-philanthropy-amy-dornbusch-atlas-daughters-entrepreneur-philanthropist-investor/] - Amy Dornbusch, AtlasDaughters, Entrepreneur, Investor, Philanthropist · Women's Trillions Drive New Economic Values [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2025/10/21/womens-trillions-drive-new-economic-values-silvia-bastante-de-unverhau-lgt-private-bankers-international/] - with Silvia Bastante de Unverhau, LGT Private Bankers International · New Venture Capital Models For Women and CleanTech [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2025/09/16/new-venture-capital-models-for-women-cleantech-cecile-blilious-veteran-venture-investor-venture-esg-european-women-in-vc/] - Cecile Blilious, Veteran Venture Investor, Venture ESG, European Women in VC · Creativity & Relationships Secure Grants [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2026/03/24/creativity-relationships-help-secure-grants-megan-pater-ceo-founder-of-fund-nation-ece-solutions/] - with Megan Pater, CEO/Founder of Fund Nation and ECE Solutions · Investing in Companies For Social Impact [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2023/06/08/investing-for-impact-meredith-shields-citi-impact-fund-head/] - with Meredith Shields, CEO of Citi Impact Fund Subscribe to our newsletter [https://electricladiespodcast.com/contact-us/] to receive our podcasts, blog, events and special coaching offers. Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/electric-ladies-podcast/id1077048971] or iHeartRadio [https://open.spotify.com/show/4dEd749SPzyw8lKFOMfs23] and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson [https://twitter.com/joanmichelson]

New Business Models for Philanthropy – Amy Dornbusch, Atlas Daughters, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist, Investor

"Atlas Daughters is a social venture I launched that creates immersive travel experiences for mothers, grandmothers, and their children — bringing families directly to the NGO projects most worthy of investment and ripe for scale. We identify organizations with proven, high-impact work in areas like sustainability, biodiversity, climate, and global health, and we connect them to a community of female funders ready to help them grow." Amy Dorbusch on Electric Ladies Podcast Women invest, spend and donate differently than men do, and with the great wealth transfer putting trillions more money into women's hands over the next 30 years, it's important to understand new models women are using. So, today we're going to hear from a woman at the center of new ways of donating that merge lessons from investing and entrepreneurship. Listen to Amy Dornbusch, Founder/CEO of Atlas Daughters, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Investor in this enlightening conversation with Electric Ladies Podcast host Joan Michelson. You'll hear about: ● The new business models for philanthropy that women, Gen Zrs and Millennials are developing. ● How women tend to donate and invest differently than men do and why ● What the great wealth transfer is and how it could dramatically affect the economy. ● Plus, career advice, such as: "Don't be discouraged by the people that are not your people…Don't seek validation from people's whose values are different than yours. Seek validation in the people whose values are aligned with yours and who you look up to. Those are your people. And find your people because your people will encourage you in every way possible. And I also believe that second acts are often more impactful than the first acts. So when you get to this stage in life and you combine your life experience with your networks, your resources, and your perspective, the amount of impact that you can have later in life will be exponential….I think most middle aged women should feel that they're just getting started." Amy Dornbusch on Electric Ladies Podcast You'll also like: · Women's Trillions Drive New Economic Values [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2025/10/21/womens-trillions-drive-new-economic-values-silvia-bastante-de-unverhau-lgt-private-bankers-international/] - with Silvia Bastante de Unverhau, LGT Private Bankers International · Scaling Donations [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2024/12/03/scalingdonations/] - with Kate Williams, CEO of 1% for the Planet · Philanthro-Activism [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2023/08/03/philanthro-activism-at-work-justin-winters-one-earth/] - with Justin Winters, CEO/Founder of One Earth · Creativity & Relationships Secure Grants [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2026/03/24/creativity-relationships-help-secure-grants-megan-pater-ceo-founder-of-fund-nation-ece-solutions/] - with Megan Pater, CEO/Founder of Fund Nation and ECE Solutions · Climate Philanthropy [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2023/12/12/climate-philanthropy/] - with Heather Grady, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors · What America's Largest Bottler Thinks About Plastic [https://electricladiespodcast.com/2025/10/13/what-americas-largest-bottler-thinks-about-plastic-ann-canela-head-of-niagara-cares-the-philanthropic-arm-of-niagara-water/] - Ann Canela, Head of Niagara Cares, the Philanthropic Arm of Niagara Water Thanks for subscribing on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/electric-ladies-podcast/id1077048971] or iHeartRadio [https://open.spotify.com/show/4dEd749SPzyw8lKFOMfs23] and leaving us a review! Follow us on Twitter @joanmichelson [https://twitter.com/joanmichelson]