The Green Hour

Hosted by Preston Poag Jr.

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109

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Dec 2025

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About the show

A community of innovators, activists, and government leaders in the world of sustainability. Each week, Preston Poag interviews leaders of sustainability to discuss their successes, failures, and lessons learned in the pursuit of a greener world.

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60 recent

December 31, 202514 min

Summit Series '25: Angela Gaylard, Head of Biodiversity & Science Support for African Parks

💬 “With environmental DNA, we can measure whether conservation is actually working.” — Angela Gaylard, Head of Biodiversity & Science Support at African Parks.In Episode 15 of our Concordia Summit Series, we sit down with Angela Gaylard, Head of Biodiversity & Science Support at African Parks, to explore how science is reshaping modern conservation across some of the world’s most critical ecosystems.This conversation dives into how conservation decisions are made on the ground—and how new tools like environmental DNA are helping bridge the gap between academic science and real-world impact.👉 What you’ll hear:How African Parks bridges science and on-the-ground conservation managementWhy environmental DNA is transforming biodiversity monitoringHow scientists measure whether restoration efforts are actually workingWhat it takes to restore ecosystem functionality—not just species countsThis episode was recorded at the 15th Annual Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. ________________________________________About The Green Hour PodcastThe Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action.🌎 Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube:🎥 Watch more from the Summit Series ’25: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyjdkjacNUyEFCys09rl4OiibZgERPLdB&si=YQ0Gjj3nG5Dk8JYx

December 19, 202512 min

Summit Series '25: Mark Viso, CEO of Food for the Hungry, Inc.

💬 “We’ve been seeing the people we work with as recipients. How do we give them agency, power, and ownership?” — Mark Viso, CEO of Food for the HungryIn Episode 14 of our Concordia Summit Series, we sit down with Mark Viso, CEO of Food for the Hungry, Inc., to explore how global development is evolving beyond short-term aid toward systems thinking, resilience, and community-led solutions.With more than 50 years of experience working across 20+ countries, Mark breaks down why traditional development models are no longer enough — and how empowering communities with agency, ownership, and voice is key to long-term impact.👉 What you’ll hear:- Why Food for the Hungry is shifting from project-based aid to systems-level change- What “resilience” really means — from absorbing shocks to transforming entire systems- How community-led development creates stronger, more sustainable outcomes- Why U.S. leadership in global development matters for stability, security, and shared values- The role of innovation, platforms, and emerging technologies in scaling impactThis episode was recorded at the 15th Annual Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. ________________________________________About The Green Hour PodcastThe Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action.🌎 Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ly-q3RDy-30?si=W6mJm1g36M9yUY0f🎥 Watch more from the Summit Series ’25: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyjdkjacNUyEFCys09rl4OiibZgERPLdB&si=1xXMutB2naxMqHCG

December 11, 202520 min

Summit Series '25: Dan Foy, Principal at Gallup

💬 “Our mission has always been about giving people a voice — wherever they are in the world.” — Dan Foy, Principal at Gallup In Episode 13 of our Concordia Summit Series, we sit down with Dan Foy, Principal and Global Research Leader at Gallup, to explore how Gallup has spent nearly a century elevating the voices of people around the world — and why that mission matters more than ever. From knocking on doors in rural villages to collecting data across 140 countries each year, Dan breaks down how the Gallup World Poll is reshaping our understanding of global well-being, climate anxiety, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the future of youth thriving. 👉 What you’ll hear: - Why Gallup still conducts in-person interviews in more than 100 countries - How the Gallup World Poll measures well-being, food security, financial inclusion, modern slavery, and more - What rising climate anxiety signals about how people experience environmental change - The challenge of gathering data from Indigenous communities — and what we lose without those voices - How climate change is rapidly becoming an economic risk, from insurance markets to household wealth This episode was recorded at the 15th Annual Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. ________________________________________ About The Green Hour Podcast The Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action. 🌎 Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/ 🎥 Watch on YouTube🎥 Watch more from the Summit Series ’25: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyjdkjacNUyEFCys09rl4OiibZgERPLdB&si=bRLodz5uzA-FNhf1

December 2, 202518 min

Summit Series '25: Steve Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries

💬 “Every item should find its best home from a circularity perspective.” — Steve Preston, CEO of Goodwill IndustriesIn Episode 12 of our Concordia Summit Series, we sit down with Steve Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries International, to unpack what really happens behind the scenes at one of America’s largest reuse and donation systems — and how Goodwill is positioning itself for the future of circularity.From what happens the moment you drop off a bag of clothes, to how long items stay on shelves, to the rise of resellers and new fiber-sorting technologies, Steve breaks down the full lifecycle of a donated item — and why it matters for our planet.👉 What you’ll hear:How Goodwill processes, prices, and moves donated goods through a 4-week retail cycleWhat happens when items don’t sell — and how “by-the-pound” outlets keep materials in circulationWhy resellers are now one of Goodwill’s most important shopper groupsThe staggering reality that 85% of U.S. textiles end up in landfillsHow advanced sorting technologies could unlock high-volume, fiber-specific circularityWhere Goodwill fits as EPR legislation and textile recycling evolve across statesWhy keeping goods “in their highest and best use” is both an economic and environmental winThis episode was recorded at the 15th Annual Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. ________________________________________About The Green Hour PodcastThe Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action.🌎 Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube:🎥 Watch more from the Summit Series ’25: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyjdkjacNUyEFCys09rl4OiibZgERPLdB&si=MXsAgXTmWFzzoWY1

November 25, 202520 min

Summit Series '25: Michael Sheldrick, Co-Founder of Global Citizen

💬 “Culture shapes stories, stories shape leaders, leaders shape policy, and policy shifts the system.” — Michael Sheldrick, Co-Founder of Global Citizen In Episode 11 of our Concordia Summit Series, we sit down with Michael Sheldrick, Co-Founder of Global Citizen, to explore how Global Citizen has mobilized more than 40 million citizen actions, delivered over a billion life-saving interventions, and used the power of pop culture and policy to drive real global change. 👉 What you’ll hear: - How Global Citizen grew from student activism to a worldwide movement - How culture, music, and storytelling influence global policy- Why people still believe in cooperation and solidarity despite global challenges - Insights from his new book "From Ideas to Impact" and how anyone can become a “policy entrepreneur” This episode was recorded at the 15th Annual Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. ________________________________________ About The Green Hour Podcast The Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action. 🌎 Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/ Get a copy of "From Ideas to Impact": https://michaelsheldrick.com/book/🎥 Watch on YouTube: 🎥 Watch more from the Summit Series ’25: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyjdkjacNUyEFCys09rl4OiibZgERPLdB&si=1Y_XnjSjWj0lS7yx

November 20, 202514 min

Summit Series '25: Iván Duque Márquez, Former President, Republic of Colombia

💬 “Climate action is not left or right — it’s a moral duty.” — Iván Duque Márquez, Former President of Colombia In Episode 10 of our Concordia Summit Series, we sit down with Iván Duque, former President of Colombia, to discuss how he became the youngest president in the nation’s history — and how he used his tenure to transform Colombia into one of Latin America’s climate leaders. From passing the Climate Action Law and launching Colombia’s green taxonomy, to creating military environmental protection units and expanding protected areas across land and sea, this conversation dives deep into the policies, vision, and conviction behind one of the region’s most ambitious climate agendas. 👉 What you’ll hear: - How a lifelong dream led Duque to the presidency at age 41 - The policies that helped Colombia meet 30x30 ahead of schedule - How renewable energy capacity expanded by more than 100x - The creation of Colombia’s Climate Action Law and climate cabinet - Why natural assets must be treated as national security assets - The story behind the Concordia Amazon Initiative - Duque’s warning about ideological leadership threatening climate progress This episode was recorded at the 15th Annual Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. ________________________________________ About The Green Hour Podcast The Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action. 🌎 Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/ 🎥 Watch on YouTube: 🎥 Watch more from the Summit Series ’25: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyjdkjacNUyEFCys09rl4OiibZgERPLdB&si=DcLziM0kL590JcRy

November 18, 202516 min

Summit Series '25: Ben Richardson, CEO, Sulnox Group

💬 “We can reduce the consumption of oil about 6 million barrels a day.” — Ben Richardson, CEO of Sulnox Group In Episode 9 of our Concordia Summit Series, we sit down with Ben Richardson, CEO of Sulnox Group, to explore how improving combustion across gasoline, diesel, marine, and even aviation fuels could reduce emissions today—not decades from now. We discuss the technology behind cleaner combustion, what it means for global air quality, and why this matters in the race to reduce fossil fuel dependence. 👉 What you’ll hear: - How optimized combustion could cut oil consumption by 6 million barrels a day - Why incomplete combustion drives CO₂, particulate matter, and black smoke - How Sulnox’s biodegradable fuel conditioner cleans and oxygenates fuel for a more complete burn - Real-world results showing fuel savings and emissions reductions across diesel fleets, marine vessels, and power generators - Why combustion efficiency is a crucial bridge while renewable and electrified systems scale This episode was recorded at the 15th Annual Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. ________________________________________ About The Green Hour Podcast The Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action. 🌎 Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/ 🎥 Watch on YouTube: 🎥 Watch more from the Summit Series ’25: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyjdkjacNUyEFCys09rl4OiibZgERPLdB&si=F4DugCoX-RvHXs1l

November 12, 202515 min

Summit Series '25: John Schultz, COO, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

💬 “Slavery isn’t an 18th-century problem — it’s a 21st-century reality.” — John Schultz In Episode 8 of our Concordia Summit Series, we sit down with John Schultz, Chief Operating and Legal Officer at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, to discuss how modern slavery continues to exist in global supply chains — and how HPE is using technology, transparency, and accountability to confront it head-on. 👉 What you’ll hear:Why modern slavery remains hidden in plain sightHow companies can build human rights due diligence into their supply chainsThe role of technology and AI in tracing forced laborHow circularity and reuse are transforming HPE’s data centers This episode was recorded at the 15th Annual Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. ________________________________________ About The Green Hour Podcast The Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action. 🌎 Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/ 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_JhhoYmXLxI?si=B0yGBKqupWzAJjDm🎥 Watch more from the Summit Series ’25: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyjdkjacNUyEFCys09rl4OiibZgERPLdB&si=BOStFvPJWExrgynQ

November 8, 202525 min

Summit Series '25: Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Former President of Croatia

💬 “Signing the Paris Agreement was one of the most consequential documents I signed as President.” - Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović In episode 7 of our Concordia Summit Series, we sit down with Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, Former President of Croatia, to explore how climate change, diplomacy, and global security intersect on the world stage. From her role in signing the Paris Agreement to her work with NATO, the UN, and the International Olympic Committee, Madam President shares her perspective on leadership, sustainability, and the urgent need for global cooperation. 👉 What you’ll hear: Why climate change is a growing security threat driving migration and instabilityHow the Paris Agreement shaped Croatia’s sustainability agendaThe link between sustainable development and lasting peaceHow global institutions like NATO and the IOC are adapting to a changing climateWhy sustainability is now a core criterion in selecting future Olympic host cities This episode was recorded at the 15th Annual Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. ________________________________________ About The Green Hour Podcast The Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action. 🌎 Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/ 🎥 Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/u2k5ZLn65sw?si=V6Uk0-SfTZf1SbO6🎥 Watch more from the Summit Series ’25: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyjdkjacNUyEFCys09rl4OiibZgERPLdB&si=NgaDA0Wl5zsqWuau

November 4, 202525 min

Summit Series '25: Mekala Krishnan, Partner, McKinsey Global Institute

💬 “We’ve only built 10% of what’s needed for net zero.”In episode 6 of our Concordia Summit Series, we sit down with Mekala Krishnan, Partner at McKinsey Global Institute, to explore how climate adaptation and the clean energy transition must advance together — and why we’ve only built 10% of what’s needed to reach net zero by 2050.👉 What you’ll hear:Why we’ve only deployed 10% of the technologies needed for net zero by 2050How adaptation and mitigation are converging as one global agendaThe massive physical and financial challenges behind scaling renewablesWhy energy security, affordability, and competitiveness must go hand-in-handWhat gives her optimism about global progress toward climate goalsThis episode was recorded at the 15th Annual Concordia Annual Summit in New York City. ________________________________________About The Green Hour PodcastThe Green Hour Podcast is a global platform that connects sustainability leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to share insights on sustainable solutions. With a growing audience across six continents, The Green Hour continues to be at the forefront of global conversations on environmental action.🌎 Website: https://thegreenhourpodcast.com/🎥 Watch on YouTube:🎥 Watch more from the Summit Series ’25: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLyjdkjacNUyEFCys09rl4OiibZgERPLdB&si=e4X9TtQvjzEGmmkS