Connecting with Curiosity – Jennifer Hough, Author & TEDx Speaker
Release Date: 12/31/2024
Electric Ladies Podcast - Women Leaders Discuss Careers, Trends, Technologies and Innovation in Energy, Climate, and Corporate Responsibility
"The climate crisis has roots in fossil fuels, but at the same time, fossil fuels fund this Russian invasion to Ukraine. So it means this is a fossil fuel war. If we will actually fight against our overall actually dependency on fossil fuels in the same way we will fight against climate change." Svitlana Krakovska on Electric Ladies Podcast The climate emergency is a security threat, and a “threat multiplier,” as former Defense Undersecretary Sherri Goodman has written. Looking at security in the same way as it has been is no longer working. The old view leaves us very vulnerable....
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“Food systems have to do with everything from production to processing, distribution, and the utilization. Then of course, end of life for food systems which includes food waste. In the United States, 40% of the food that we produce goes to waste. This means with distribution challenges that not everybody has equitable access to the kinds of foods that they need and want, at the times that they need them." Robin Currey on Electric Ladies Podcast Climate change is disrupting our food and agriculture systems, including the critical supply chains that feed and clothe us. Yet,...
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“Most things when it comes to corporate sustainability do not happen in a vacuum. I am part of an environmental sustainability team, but we would not be able to accomplish anything without our energy teams, our network teams, and more. The ability to take what can be a complex idea and translate that into a compelling business case often comes down to dollars and cents. While it takes time, that's how we've been able to drive change.” Rosie Austin on Electric Ladies Podcast In a poll at The Earth Day Women’s Summit in Dallas, Texas, 100% of respondents said that business is...
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“Our core business is harvesting and collecting the by-product from coal combustion plants historically, called fly ash. We introduce it into supplementary cementitious materials to create a Portland cement replacement. We are pushing for 20% and even 30% [replacement of traditional cement] and hopefully reaching 100% one day with our technologies that are still in development.” Marci Jenks on Electric Ladies Podcast We need infrastructure that’s safe, strong, durable and climate resilient. To build our cities, roads, bridges and more, 30 billion tonnes of concrete is poured around the...
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“Change is a constant. This is the world that we live in. And so how do you decide what needs to change and transform? The best leaders have certain traits about them when it comes to leading an organisation through change. Great leaders have an ability to communicate and inspire and they never get tired of doing it. Or if they get tired, they keep doing it anyway because constant communication is essential when you're going through change.” Deborah Lee James on Electric Ladies podcast (previously Green Connections Radio) Many companies are scaling back their climate,...
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“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.” This week, Congress is set to debate legislation that could reshape the United States’ energy landscape. At stake is more than $700...
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“How do we get people in the tent to even hear the story? With ‘Living with Ed’ and other projects, we were a family they could identify with. We were yelling, laughing, loving each other while talking about real issues. I represented the average person’s perspective on issues like taking the subway. There’s the funny, and there’s the conflict. If it’s not entertaining, it’s not going to connect.” Rachelle Begley on Electric Ladies Podcast Culture wars around climate change do more harm than good. As climate-driven extreme weather events become more frequent,...
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“We did lots of infrastructure investments over the last handful of years to make sure our communities are in the best possible place they can be. And we complemented federal investment with workforce investment to ensure Michiganders are getting access to those kinds of roles, some of which didn't even exist previously. [This ensures] that Michigan communities could benefit from learning to be solar installers and get access to new economic income streams.” Hilary Doe on Electric Ladies Podcast The Justice Department is suing Michigan over its climate initiatives under the Clean Air...
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“Blue state pension funds are doubling down on sustainability while red state pension funds are firing you. Companies are challenged because for some constituencies, they have to demonstrate their sustainability credentials, and for others, they have to hide them. So it's a really challenging time. But if you can demonstrate the business case, then maybe you can navigate being more proactive with those constituencies that really want this, and alleviating the risks with those constituencies that don't understand why it matters.” Tensie Whelan on Electric Ladies Podcast Mother Nature...
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“I've been particularly passionate about working with women in those communities to teach them about new techniques so they can understand how to run their farm more effectively, but also understand their rights as women in those communities so they have a stronger voice…. And because they were called an ‘ambassador,’ their status in the village rose.” Alison Ward on Electric Ladies Podcast Have you ever wondered where your shirt really comes from, or where the cotton in your jeans was grown? While the tag might tell you where they were made, it won't tell you where the cotton...
info_outline“If you want to get something done in this world that transcends what’s already happening, you have to be willing to listen to the people that are trying to hold dearly to how it has been. Become a master bridge builder. Be committed to asking questions such that you understand where the commonality is. Find the common points.” Jennifer Hough on Electric Ladies Podcast
At the end of a year where every country and neighborhood seems more divided than ever, and many of us feel like we’re walking on eggshells in every conversation, we’ve found ourselves in uncharted terrain. How can we prevent tightly held agendas, biases and self-interests - conscious or unconscious ones - from derailing meaningful interactions, whether at a dinner table or in the workplace?
In my final episode of the year, I’m revisiting a powerful interview with Jennifer Hough, author of “Unstuck,” TEDx speaker and advisor to leaders. In this interview, Jennifer draws on the laws of physics to offer insights into “regenerative conversations” – where we walk away more informed and empowered.
One key takeaway: asking someone “What is important to you?” helps you understand their deepest values and frame conversations in ways that build bridges, not walls. Whether as a parent preparing for a new school year, a professional leading a team, or simply someone looking to strengthen your personal and professional relationships, this episode is filled with actionable wisdom to help you connect more effectively.
You’ll hear about:
- How to listen differently to the climate deniers and others afraid of (any) change.
- What “cognitive dissonance” is and how to transform it.
- How to talk about climate change in a way that builds bridges.
- How to incentivize people to see solutions differently.
*BONUS* Set yourself up for success in the year ahead
As highlighted in my latest piece in Forbes, 2025 holds tremendous potential for women. To seize these opportunities, it’s essential to own the space you occupy, own your knowledge and own your expertise.
As we wrap up 2024, I’m leaving you with powerful career advice from Jennifer:
- Be clear about who you are and your purpose.
- Work with a mentor or guide to develop both personal and practical skills.
- Let go of the need to do everything yourself. Accept help at a deeper level than you may be used to, and never stop seeking support.
“‘What’s the greatest thing that you can do with the skill sets you already have that might leave you feeling fulfilled, that you went to bed that night knowing that you did what you came to the planet for and you woke up in the morning excited about getting up?” Jennifer Hough on Electric Ladies Podcast
Read Joan’s Forbes articles here.
You'll also like:
- Jill Tidman, Executive Director of The Redford Center, a nonprofit that produces and support environmentally-focused documentaries and media, on how to talk about climate change.
- Dr. Emma O’Brien, Founder of the Global Scrub Choir and Head of Music Therapy at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, on how music builds bridges and how they use it to communicate about the public health issues related to climate change.
- Ann Friedman, Founder and CEO of Planet Word Museum, about the power of language and how we communicate across various media and formats.
- Paula Glover, President of the Alliance to Save Energy, on how talking about – increasing – energy efficiency helps build bridges to solutions to mitigating climate change.
- Rachel McCleery, Senior Advisor, Treasury Dept. Inflation Reduction Act Program, on how to leverage the IRA to save money reducing a building or business’s energy use and carbon footprint.
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