In this episode Danielle and Jen interview Shiva Farrokhi, founder of in-it, a video crowdsourcing platform focusing on social change. The phrase video virtual memory is mentioned, so you know this is going to be good. Shiva is an Iranian designer, strategist and social entrepreneur currently living in Portland, Oregon. She started in-it due to her experience of living through 2 important socio-political times that negatively impacted her life in Iran & USA -Green movement and the Muslim ban-. They made her realize that we, the people, don’t really have a voice in deciding anything that pertains to us socially, politically and economically. So she decided to use the power of design and technology to fix that.

Hatch The Future

HTF 033 Elevating All Voices

In this episode, Collin Gabriel and Danielle Olson interviewed Tom and Sheri Eckert who are both counselors and the founders of the Oregon Psilocybin Society. They are the forces behind getting a 2020 ballot measure to legalize the facilitated use of psilocybin. You’ll learn about: the history of psilocybin it’s current status in terms of the law and social perceptions the potential benefits of “facilitated use” are (guided experience with a trained professional) the steps that Tom and Sheri have taken to create an organization and campaign to change people’s minds and the law 

HTF 032 Advocating for Psilocybin

In this episode, Hatch Program Manager, Danielle Olson sits down with A Social Ignition founder Sonja Skvarla.  A Social Ignition runs two core programs for men serving time in prison across the state of Oregon: The Ignition Option and The Long Haul. "The Ignition Option is a 12-session entrepreneurship series that builds confidence, exercises creativity, and teaches the language of business. Graduates may enter The Long Haul, our individual coaching program to push students to their particular goals." Get Involved

HTF 031: #LifeIsCumulative

EP30 - Tea Fleets and Painted Streets  Picture yourself strolling down the beautiful tree-lined streets of Portland when suddenly you are struck by the sight of a large mural painted right in the middle of a 4-way stop. As you stand there, thinking to yourself “how did this get here? Who made this place?”, you notice a bench made out of clay, open and inviting, placed on the sidewalk and right next to a tiny neighborhood library. You sit and take in this odd, idyllic scene - spending a moment to connect with your surroundings. Very often these murals and sculptures are the work of collaborative, community projects facilitated by City Repair, a group of permaculturists, anthropologists, environmentalists, and citizens devoted to bringing neighbors together through neighborhood projects. In this episode, Collin Gabriel and Frankie Ku sit down with RIdhi D’Cruz, Adrian Haley, and Jasmine Co from City Repair to discuss placemaking, houselessness, chocolate cake, a tea “horse”, and the upcoming 17th Annual Village Building Convergence, a 10-day spread of permaculture, natural-building, and intersection painting events open to all!   Hosts Collin Gabriel, Channelsmith, Hatch Innovation Frankie Ku, Brand and Marketing Manager, Hatch Innovation   Guests Ridhi D'Cruz, Co-Director of City Repair Ridhi D'Cruz is a Co-Director with City Repair. This is her sixth year working with City Repair and the Village Building Convergence. As an intercontinental cross-pollinator, sociocultural anthropologist and permaculture educator who has been living in Portland since 2010, Ridhi participates, facilitates and supports Placemaking capacity building, houseless advocacy, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Cultural Sustainability, Social Permaculture and transformational leadership development. She is also a passionate herbalist, urban wild-crafter, natural building enthusiast, participatory technology activist, animal lover and permaculture urban homesteader.   Adrian Thalasinos Haley, Volunteer at City Repair Adrian Thalasinos Haley, a BFA alumni in sculpture from UW Madison, joined the larger movement of Portland’s creative, justice driven, and growth motivated communities over 13 years ago. His unique blend of skills and experience in metal fabrication, construction, and marine engineering has empowered his gadgeteer and mad-scientist spirit. He served as welder for Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, an ocean going environmental organization, from 2003-2005, and occupied his time inventing and implementing various ocean defence projects around the world. In 2006, he co-formed the Gadgetron, a community shop in the Portsmouth neighborhood of North Portland that explored appropriate technology(1). Its intention was to liberate technology from industry and empower individuals to be makers, fixers, and creators. Adrian also served as the tool coordinator at the North Portland Tool Library in 2007. Crows Foot Creatives is a project that Adrian started up to crystallize his maker skills and make them available to the larger Portland community. He has since served small business and co-ops, organizations, and individuals in their desire to implement their visions. Jasmine Co, Intern at City Repair Jasmine Co is a PSU student, artist, and massage therapist. She has a passion for ecological change and collective growth. This year she is excited to be interning with City Repair and the Village Building Convergence. Jasmine has been focusing on their newest mobile placemaking project, the T-crab. In this episode you’ll learn The inspiring history of City Repair and how it was founded. All about the Village Building Convergence and how you can get involved. Shared experiences that deepen community by connecting neighbors and neighborhoods How to work with local government to develop codes and laws that meet the needs of community members How the team at City Repair utilizes a largely volunteer staff. Decision-making strategies for building community Why process development is the primary goal of the VBC Where and when you can find yourself under the T-Horse and the rest of the T-Fleet.   Links to Resources Mentioned City Repair The Village Building Convergence 2017 The T - Crab Fundraiser Hatch Innovation 

HTF 030: Tea Fleets and Painted Streets

EP29 - ‘Soup’er Communities with Amy Kaherl In this episode, Danielle Olson sits down with Amy Kaherl, founder of Detroit Soup. In 2010, Amy was able to transform a small potluck-style event for funding the arts into a larger funding mechanism for community projects aimed to do good for Detroit. For as little as $5, attendees eat, hear pitches from entrepreneurs, vote for a winner to receive the cumulative funds, and ultimately create change. Detroit Soup has hosted 151 meetings as of this podcast and has become an international movement, with communities developing their own unique flavor of this original event (including our own here at HatchLab, The Social Pitch). Added to that, Detroit Soup has managed to raise over $132,000 dollars directly from the Detroit community, directly for the Detroit community. Listen in to Amy’s inspiring thoughts about its journey, and how entrepreneurship and community-building intersect. Host Danielle Olson, Program Manager, Hatch Innovation Guests Amy Kaherl, Founder of Detroit Soup In this episode you’ll learn The origin story of Detroit Soup and how it has become an international movement. Amy’s thoughts on what community is, and how events like Detroit Soup can help to cultivate it. Lessons learned from the years of hosting community pitch events A step-by-step process on how Detroit Soup runs their event. How the Soup community events can cultivate synergies between entrepreneurs. More about Amy Kaherl I love Detroit. Detroit is unique as it is enormous. People here are passionate without large egos and are eager to problem solve with amazing and unique ideas. I started with SOUP in 2010 with some fiercely passionate ladies who were excited to try out an idea in a loft above a bakery. Never in my wildest imagination did I think it would grow to become a staple to the flow of the city. I studied theology and popular culture at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA after growing up and going to college in Michigan. I wanted to study connection and meaning in our everyday experiences and since departing in 2008 I have found the ability to do that here in Detroit. SOUP is a place for connecting with people who begin as strangers and become friends, a safe space to explore what matters to us as individuals and as a community, and a place to practice democracy. When I am not running SOUP, I help curate events at The Jam Handy and DJ as Amy Dreamcatcher with the monthly Nothing Elegant! If you have further questions or want to connect, please feel free to email me! Links to Resources Mentioned Detroit Soup Rebel Nell The Empowerment Plan The Jam Handy Event Space Hatch Innovation  

HTF 029: 'Soup'er Communities

HTF 028: Chicken Eggs and Chasin' Dreams In this episode Amy Pearl sits down with Henlight Co-Founder Edward Silva.  Edwards unique story highlights the path that some entrepreneurs take when entering into prize based competitions, in this case the Thought For Food Challenge.  Interestingly, Edward’s journey with the Thought For Food Challenge did not end with his team’s victory.  Instead, along with a small team of enthusiastic volunteers, they expanded the reach of this challenge worldwide, inspiring innovative ideas from young people across the globe.     Host Amy Pearl, Executive Director, Hatch Innovation   Guests Edward Silva, Co Founder of Henlight   In this episode you’ll learn Edwards story, and the way he drew on his own experiences to come up with a novel innovation. How the Thought For Food Challenge incentivized the innovations behind Henlight. The story of Edward’s journey after winning the challenge, and how an ambassador network allows Thought For Food to expand their global reach. Examples of winners and innovations from the Thought For Food Challenge. How incentive based prizes inspire innovations in areas that may be lacking new ideas.   More about Edward Silva I believe in leveraging the power of technology to create a more food secure world. As a Prize Developer at XPrize and co-founder of Henlight – a solar powered solution to help small-scale poultry farmers – I actively support building a bridge to a more abundant future by leveraging appropriate technology. Throughout my career, I have been afforded the opportunity to participate in an array of activities in the U.S. and abroad related to food, agriculture, and renewable/natural resources . Winning the 2013 Thought for Food Challenge, being selected as U.S. Delegate for the Y20 Summit, studying international agricultural development at the University of California, Davis and most recently serving as Executive Director of Thought For Food, have allowed me to gain a unique global perspective on how to develop products and solutions in a more creative, open, and innovative way. Links to Resources Mentioned XPrize The Thought For Food Challenge Henlight 

HTF 028: Chicken Eggs and Chasin' Dreams

HTF 027: Happy Brain Science “We go about pursuing happiness backwards. We think once we accomplish our goals we’ll be happy, but science shows that happiness is essential as a first step to accomplishing our goals.”   Can we be truly happy at work? Science says yes. Hear from two leaders who have made it their mission to make you happy. When these experts say happiness, they mean deep, sustained well-being. New research on happiness is comforting. Learn what you can do to bring your “prime brain real estate online” and improve your life in ways that will make you a more satisfied person. This is not based on opinion, but backed by science.     Host Amy Pearl, Executive Director, Hatch Innovation   Guests Scott Crabtree, Chief Happiness Officer, Happy Brain Science Ayla Lewis, Speaker and Facilitator, Happy Brain Science In this episode you’ll learn Why happiness -- “subjective well being“ -- could change your life. Happier people are more successful, make more money, have more satisfying relationships, and even live longer. Becoming happier is possible, in some cases within four week. This is backed by peer-reviewed research. Why happiness has to happen before success and achievement can occur. Learn the single most effective thing you can do to boost happiness. More about Scott Crabtree As the Founder and Chief Happiness Officer at Happy Brain Science, Scott Crabtree empowers individuals and organizations to apply findings from cutting-edge neuroscience and psychology to boost productivity and happiness at work.  Scott’s audiences range from intimate groups of five CEOs to groups of thousands at conferences. Recent clients include Microsoft, Bose, Blizzard Entertainment, and Dreamworks. His insights have been quoted in Inc., InfoWorld, Fortune, and VentureBeat among other publications. In his 25-year career, Scott has served as a leader in game development and software engineering. He’s founded startups and worked at a variety of technology companies large and small. In early 2012, he resigned his position as Tech Strategist at Intel to pursue his passion full time: helping people apply science to be happier and more successful. “I loved making games and apps,” he says, “But when I began to delve into the science of happiness, I realized that I was onto something. Beyond just being pleasant, happiness at work can significantly increase productivity, creativity, and engagement. It makes for better organizations and more successful people.” Scott holds a B.A. in Cognitive Science from Vassar College. When he is not immersed in scientific data, he loves spending time with his wife, young daughters, and mutt, especially in nature, and also enjoys playing in a band. He lives in Portland, Oregon. More about Ayla Lewis An expert in utilizing systems and strategies, Ayla thrives on working with individuals and organizations to maximum their success. As a certified teacher with two education degrees, she is adept at guiding clients through a process of learning and application. Her experience includes helping organizations increase their outreach and impact, mediating department mergers, and instituting systems to increase purpose and productivity. Whether co-presenting or on her own, Ayla resonates with audiences in interactive workshops that help people get the best from their brains. Ayla helps others live happier, healthier lives. Her current favorite authors are George Seldes, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Dr. Daniel J. Siegel and Napoleon Hill. “To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and to endure the betrayal of false friends. To appreciate beauty; to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better whether by a healthy child, a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition; to know that even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson Links to Resources Mentioned Happy Brain Science  Find products, courses, and recommended reading here. The How of Happiness: A New Approach to Getting the Life You Want by author Sonja Lyubomirsky Harvard scientist Daniel Gilbert and his TED talk called “The Surprising Science of Happiness” and his book "Stumbling on Happiness"  Daniel Gilbert’s Personal site Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk “How Great Leaders Inspire Action” Kelly McGonigal Ted Talk: How To Make Stress Your Friend Huffington Post article about our brains and work Review of General Psychology Research Paper “Bad is Stronger than Good” 2001 Harvard Business Review article: Bad is Stronger than Good - for Bosses 

HTF 027: Happy Brain Science

HTF 026: Living In Waste: How Our Trash Can Be Our Treasure with Michael Reynolds In this episode, Collin Gabriel, longtime fan of Earthships, chats with architect and Earthship founder, Michael Reynolds. 35 years ago, Michael designed a living structure that can harvest its own water, power, food, heat and comfort with most of its building supplies composed of used tires, dirt, and trash. He called it the Earthship. Since then, Michael (he calls himself Mike) and the Earthship have propelled an unbelievable movement in sustainable home design, with students from all over the world descending on Taos, New Mexico, home to Earthship innovation, to learn from a team of experts while living in Earthships. Naturally, the Earthship has captivated the minds of aspiring builders, architects, sustainability enthusiasts – humans – who are looking for a better, freer, more organic way of living. As Michael says, "The sun is our powerplant in the sky. That's the point. All we have to do is relate to it." Tune in to hear how Michael stumbled across the Earthship concept, how the Earthship works, where they’ve been built, how they fulfill the needs of emergency crises, and how our waste ultimately liberates us. Host Collin Gabriel, Channelsmith, Hatch Innovation   Guests Michael Reynolds, Architect, Earthship Biotecture Born in 1945 and graduated from University of Cincinnati in 1969. He is a self-described “guy who’s trying to do some sustainable housing for the future” He believes our consumerist society is destroying our natural resources and ecosystems. And thus called “King of garbage” In this episode you’ll hear about The history of Michael and Earthship Biotecture, and how the Earthship design originated How the Earthship focuses on 6 key principles: Comfort, Water, Natural materials, Food products, Sewage treatment, Electricity Why we don’t need leaders, just roadmaps. How the Earthship Academy is training a growing movement of students across the world. New innovations that have been integrated into the Earthship system How the Earthship design is being adapted for a diverse set of environments, as an answer to a diverse array of natural disasters Links to Resources Mentioned Hatch Innovation Garbage Warrior Documentary Earthship Biotecture Earthship Academy Earthship Island Earthship Simple Survival app Quotes "The sun is our powerplant in the sky. That's the point. All we have to do is relate to it." "If you can get past the definitions, you could really live your life!" "We don't need leaders now. We need pathways, maps. Because people are willing to go. They just need the maps."

HTF 026: Living In Waste

Toilets, Rice, and Poverty: Redefining Global Aid with Lin Liu For years, USAID and other NGOs (non-governmental organizations) have been trying to improve sanitation as well as create a safe water supply for countries throughout the developing world. With varying degrees of success in the cities, only pockets of rural communities have adopted the use of toilets as a means of disposing human waste. As the population in these areas rise, lack of safe sanitation creates an extreme health risk to children and villagers resulting in endemic diarrheal disease. There is one organization, WaterSHED, that has been working on a different approach. Host Amy Pearl had a chance to catch up with WaterSHED’s Director of Strategic Partnerships, Lin Lu, to discuss their amazing work in Cambodia, and more specifically how their market-based approach is helping to speed the adoption of safe sanitation practices in rural communities. Provocateur Amy Pearl, Executive Director, Hatch Innovation Guests Lin Liu, Director of Strategic Partnerships, WaterSHED   In this episode you’ll learn Why sanitation projects of the past have proven ineffective, and what the barriers are in regards to sanitation in rural Cambodia What collaborative approaches work best for entrepreneurs and business owners in rural communities How monetary transactions work in a market for sanitation About WaterSHED’s open source design for a toilet How WaterSHED has fostered the behavior change necessary to encourage local adoption WaterSHED’s plan for a business model change, and what methods they have used to help the market for toilets reach 40% saturation Links to Resources Mentioned WaterSHED Development Innovation Grants WaterAid Diageo Foundation The Gates Foundation WaterSHED Asia Twitter Hatch Innovation Terms Micro Finance Institutions (MFI): A microfinance institution is an organization that offers financial services to low income populations. Almost all give loans to their members, and many offer insurance, deposit and other services.    

HTF 023: Toilets, Rice, and Poverty: Redefining Global Aid

EP 22: Feminism and Justice for All     Let’s listen to Hatch Innovation’s Director of Events & Culinary Happenings, Jess DeNoto chat with upcoming panelist Emilly Prado. Emilly is a writer who focuses on the intersection of feminist identity, race, class, gender and popular culture. Throughout this episode, Emilly covers authors and artists who’ve inspired her over the years, to current events and the recent articles she’s researched and written, and how our own identities and perceptions play a role in the content we view. Please join us and contribute your identity and perception to this ever-growing conversation.   Host Jess DeNoto, Hatch Innovation A native New York turned longtime Portland resident, Jess has been enjoying french presses at Hatch since its grand opening in January 2014, and currently serves as the director of ComCap Conferences, gatherings of community capital leaders from across the country. Outside of the Hatch realm, Jess is the Executive Director of Vegan Iron Chef, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organized based in Portland, OR, and is a co-founder of Vida Vegan Con (2009-2015), an award-winning international vegan lifestyle, blogging & social media conference.  She received a degree in Marketing Communication from Emerson College in Boston, MA, and spends her free time talking to her cats (Huxley & Zelda), obsessing over curry pastes, placing library holds, living car-free and cultivating a community garden plot with her wife. This episode marks Jess’ first appearance on the Hatch the Future podcast. You can find her online as @jdfunks on Instagram and @getsconed on Twitter. Guests Emilly Prado, Writer, Bitch Media Writer, photographer, and future librarian. A Chicana native of the San Francisco Bay Area, she has called Portland home since 2009. Her writing typically focuses on pop culture with an intersectional feminist lens in relation to race, class, and gender. She earned a B.A. in Child and Family Studies from Portland State University with cum laude honors, received a 2016 ALA Spectrum Scholarship, and is a current MLIS candidate at San Jose State University. Her work has appeared in Bitch Media, the Portland Mercury, Feministing, Ms. Magazine, and Travel Portland. When not writing, working, or schooling, she makes zines, sells homemade pinback buttons, and travels as much as possible. You can see her work at www.emillyprado.com In this episode you’ll hear about An exploration of Intersectional Feminism Recognizing the social responsibility of diversifying both professional and personal environments How the editing process can change the original intent Examination of identity and gender in contemporary politics and popular culture Referenced Resources: Emilly’s website Bitch Media Bell Hooks Institute   Referenced Articles: “How Media Coverage of Sexual Assault Victims in Portland Perpetuates Rape Culture” Medium.com September 21, 2016 “The Hunger Games’ Anti-Consumerism Message is No Match for Cover Girl” Bitch November 19, 2013   Referenced Inspiration + Voices: Amandla Stenberg Janet Mock St. Sucia Xicanisma Chimamanda Adichie Selena - The Film Remezcla Kat Blaque Black Girl Dangerous Nalgona Positivity Pride UW’s Women Who Rock Alice Bag’s Women in LA Punk 

HTF 022: Feminism and Justice for All

Put Your Money Where Your Food Is with Narendra Varma of Our Table Cooperative In today’s episode, host Amy Pearl sits down with Narendra Varma of Our Table Cooperative. Narendra started Our Table Cooperative in 2011 with his wife Michelle, after they spent years in the investment and tech spaces. Narendra talks about how these experiences helped him realize a vision for a better food system and find a piece of land to achieve that vision. Our Table is a unique cooperative, because it brings together all three stakeholders: workers, consumers, and producers. What follows is an inspirational vision that we hope will spring up all over the globe. Host Amy Pearl, Hatch Innovation Guests Narendra Varma, Director, Our Table Cooperative Born and raised in India, Narendra came to the United States in 1986 to attend Brown University. After graduating with a degree in Educational Technology, he went to work at Microsoft Corporation where his greatest achievement was a kids’ movie creation product that was a commercial dud but spawned an avid fan group. While at Microsoft, Narendra was lucky enough to meet his wife, Machelle, and receive a stockoption-fueled financial windfall allowing him to quit his day job. After an obligatory globe-trotting walkabout, Machelle and Narendra spent the next ten years raising children, renovating houses, and coming to the realization that our system of agriculture is broken, our economic and financial systems are a pyramid scheme, and that, between peak resources and climate change, our children likely face a difficult future. Unfortunately, these subjects made poor dinner conversation so Machelle and Narendra decided to devote their time, money, and energy towards an effort to reimagine our food system around the principals of Permaculture Design and Biodynamic agriculture. They purchased a 58-acre farm just outside Portland, Oregon and founded a vertically integrated food and agriculture cooperative that is experimenting with new ways to grow, process and sell food. In this episode you’ll hear about The co-operative model How small the percentage of the money you pay for a crop goes to the farmer How the land-use laws in Oregon helped Narendra start Our Table Cooperative The role permaculture played in his design and ideation process The vertical integration of food The reasons for his unique blend of polyculture and monoculture farming Multi-stakeholder member-owned cooperatives Links to Resources Mentioned Hatch Innovation Hatch Oregon Our Table Cooperative Slow Money Permaculture Powells Books Our Table’s Co-Op Model The Big Short

HTF 021: Put Your Money Where Your Food Is

Reflecting on a Nuclear Legacy When your family is from Hiroshima, you have strong feelings about the nuclear age, war, and its legacy.Who better to talk about the fallout of our nuclear past than artists? And better, artists who come from cities that were affected and involved. Visual artist Yukiyo Kawano takes her grandmother’s kimono and sews replicas of the bombs that were dropped on her city. She has made Little Boy and Fat Man sewn with her own hair. In a new creation, she has partnered with performance artist Meshi Chavez and poet Allison Cobb to create “A Moment in Time.” How is art an act of activism? Host Amy Pearl, Hatch Innovation Guests Yukiyo Kawano, Visual Artist Yukiyo Kawano, a third generation hibakusha (nuclear bomb survivor) grew up decades after the bombing of Hiroshima. Her work is personal, reflecting lasting attitudes towards the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Kawano’s main focus is her/our forgetfulness, her/our dialectics of memory, issues around cultural politics, and historical politics. For the latest project, she used pieces of translucent kimono fabric and sewed together with strands of her hair (the artist’s DNA as a third generation hibaku-sha), for the possibility of looking inward, suggesting another/personal view to our official receptacle of memory. During the school show in Vermont, Kawano performed in front of the object in desperation about the urgency of expressing fears about the devastation of our human bodies. The historical conjuncture, with the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan and the legacy of the nuclear era opened up a space for the performativity of her/our questioning of history, memory, witnessing, and disaster in the present moment. Kawano is currently living in Portland, Oregon. email address: yuki@yukiyokawano.com Allison Cobb, Poet Allison Cobb is the author of Born2 (Chax Press); Green-Wood (Factory School); Plastic: an autobiography (Essay Press); and After we all died forthcoming in September 2016 from Ahsahta Press, which was a finalist for the National Poetry Series. Cobb’s work combines historical and scientific research, essay, and poetry to address issues of landscape, politics, and ecology. She was a 2015 finalist for the National Poetry Series; a 2015 Djerassi Resident Artist; a 2014 Playa Resident Artist; received a 2011 Individual Artist Fellowship award from the Oregon Arts Commission; and was a 2009 New York Foundation for the Arts Fellow. She works for the Environmental Defense Fund. She lives in Portland, Oregon, where she co-curates The Switch reading, art, and performance series. Meshi Chavez, Performance Artist Meshi Chavez lives and creates work in Portland Oregon. Meshi’s most recent productions include Being Moved,“...or be dragged.” and  We Two Boys. His work has premiered in both New Mexico and Oregon. In this episode you’ll hear How artists and art represent the impacts of science, war, and powerlessness What is Bhuto dance, and how it is a perfect medium for expression and collaboration How a speech by President Obama inspired a poem of sound and words to be shared How art activates a space for contemplation, catharsis, and healing, which is more important (sometimes) than acting Why art is key to helping make invisible things felt and experienced, and why this is so important   Links to Resources Mentioned Hatch Innovation Hatch Oregon  

HTF 017: Reflecting on a Nuclear Legacy

WTF is a Blockchain? You’ve heard about Bitcoin. You might have heard the word ‘blockchain’. But what about Ethereum? In this episode, you’ll get the full explanation of what a blockchain is, how cryptocurrencies have value, and how ‘smart contracts’ are shaping the future of transactions. You will then hear about one company using this technology – CPay – which is using the Ethereum blockchain to make everyday payments simpler, faster, more secure, and also provide community benefit. Simon Love speaks with founder Jon Underwood and lead developer Ryan Casey about this fascinating technology. Listen in to hear why Jon says “Ethereum will either thrive or fade away based on how well it can solve real-world problems with smart contracts" Guests: Jon Underwood, Founder and CEO Jon Underwood is the Founder & CEO of Cloud Currencies, dba cPay. Jon sees money like water, and has studied the way money flows for a long time. cPay started with the question “What if we could dig ‘local trenches’ to make money flow where we wanted it to, transforming scarcity into abundance, and creating a new source of economic strength that could ‘flood’ our local economies, building community health and wealth for everyone?” Jon has a strong interest in Rudolf Steiner’s economic indications, often referred to as Associative Economics, and has started numerous ventures and companies. Jon has ongoing interests in local currencies, local foodsheds, local energy, localizing regional economies, community-wide rewards programs, and exploring new corporate governance and management structures that are better able to support the varied interests of the community of stakeholders. Jon received his BA in Economics from U.C. Berkeley, and his ‘Green’ MBA in Sustainable Business form Marylhurst University. Jon and his wife Carrie live near Reed College, along with their two Weimaraners Henry and Evelyn. Ryan Casey, Lead Developer Ryan Casey is a global expert on the Ethereum blockchain, making him an invaluable asset to cPay. A native of Portland, he began programming in the first grade. Ryan has been building web apps since 2011, and has focused almost exclusively on several open source projects using the Ethereum blockchain. A highly skilled programmer, Ryan is part of a global group working on the infrastructure necessary to build out the Ethereum Blockchain ecosystem, and specializes in smart contracts. Ryan states “cPay helps keep capital in the bioregional economy, which enriches all local market participants, and furthermore redirects money that would have otherwise been lost to transnational corporations into projects that directly impact the local quality of life. If you want to improve the region you live in, invest in it.” Ryan is a programmer with Nexus Development and contributor to Maker DAO, and built our payment App from the ground up. He received his B.S. in Computer Science from George Fox University. In this episode you will learn: What is a blockchain? How blockchains function without a central command What is cryptocurrency and how is value created? The difference between Bitcoin and Ethereum blockchains What 'mining' is in the context of blockchains, and how value is created How value can come from proof of work or proof of stake The risks of blockchains, such as the 51% attack? How cryptocurrency differs from cash and credit cards How Ethereum can be used with Smart Contracts Why a fixed supply of cryptocurrency (e.g. Bitcoin) is not essential for value storage Why half of the people on the planet will have SOME money stored in the cloud in 5-10 years How CPay is able to minimize transaction fees and donate to charities of the user's choice Links: Ethereum Website: https://www.ethereum.org/ CPay website: http://www.cpay.us CPay Investment Page (OR Residents ONLY): https://secure.hatchoregon.com/offerings/cpay/ Ethereum Wikipedia Page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethereum Vitalik Buterin's writing: https://github.com/vbuterin/scalability_paper/blob/master/scalability.pdf Ethereum community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/ethereum/ Bitcoin community on Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/Bitcoin/

HTF 016: WTF is the Blockchain?

 Energy: A New Take on Wood and Water In this double-header, Simon Love interviews two companies implementing innovative sustainable energy technologies.  The episode touches on sustainable projects in urban versus rural environments,how to work with local government and communities, and where these technologies are headed. First up is Bill Kelly from Lucid Energy, a startup that is creating usable energy from gravity-fed water systems. Bill opens up about the realities of innovating in a tightly-regulated environment. Bill shares his tips for innovators in the clean tech space.   Then we hear from Andrew Haden and Meagan Nuss from Wisewood, a company bringing biomass heating systems to the Western USA. Andrew and Meagan discuss one project in particular, in rural Harney County, where a biomass boiler will use local juniper wood to heat community buildings. Not only is it a system using local renewable resources, but the energy system will eventually be owned by the community in the form of a co-op.   In this episode you’ll learn How Lucid Energy’s turbine system captures energy in water pipes that is normally wasted. How the new turbine replaces a wasteful system of valves Why it can be tough for a ‘no-brainer’ technology to make it to market How innovative projects proceed when there are many stakeholders involved Bill Kelly’s advice for innovators in clean tech How Lucid Energy is prepared for a future that involves both distributed energy in rural areas and grids in concentrated urban areas. The story behind Wisewood, and how it can be economical to ship wood pellets from BritishColumbia to Stockholm but not to use them locally. How biomass energy and forest restoration  are so closely tied together. How cheap hydroelectric power and natural gas prevent biomass projects from happening,despite the need for material to be removed from forests for forest health. How a small town in Oregon is replacing a diesel boiler with a district energy scheme using local juniper wood How something as simple as a wood-fueled boiler can actually be very empowering for rural communities. Links Lucid Energy   Wisewood     Guests Bill Kelly, Chief Operating Officer, Lucid Energy Bill Kelly is a veteran leader with a broad range of experience working with utilities, technology companies and investors in the water sector. He is the former President of Isle Utilities and was the firstU.S.-based employee. He was responsible for establishing the growing Isle Inc. Company presence inNorth America and facilitated and grew their Technology Approval Group (TAG), an innovation forum that brings new step change technologies to the municipal water and wastewater sector. Bill has also served as as a senior advisor at SkyH20 and Clean Power Capital. Bill earned a Bachelor of Arts inInformation and Communications Studies from California State University-Chico. Andrew Haden, Founder and President, Wisewood Andrew is the Founder of Wisewood, Inc. and has over 12 years of experience working in the biomass sector.  Andrew has led the development and implementation of multiple biomass energy projects through complete cycles of feasibility assessment, engineering, construction, commissioning and ongoing operations support. He leads the design component of all Wisewood energy projects. Prior to founding Wisewood, Andrew worked at Bear Mountain Forest Products and Ecotrust. Andrew is an expert on the regional biomass industry and has an MS in Rural Development from the SwedishUniversity of Agricultural Sciences and a BA in Sustainable Agriculture from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington. Meagan Nuss, Project Development Coordinator, Wisewood Meagan is Wise wood’s Project Development Coordinator. She works closely with community partners to move projects forward and respond to client needs, and also investigates biomass supply opportunities across Wisewood’s project areas. Meagan specializes in biomass energy and has a background in forest management, fire ecology, and forest collaborative groups. She is experienced as a volunteer mediator and facilitator, and brings these skills to her interactions with prospective biomass energy clients. Prior to coming to Wisewood, Meagan worked for Northwest Natural Resource Group, the Forest Guild, andGreenWood Resources. Meagan has an MS in Forest Ecosystems and Society from Oregon StateUniversity, and a BA in Environmental Studies from Lewis & Clark College. 

HTF 014: Energy - A New Take on Wood and Water

How Green is Weed - Sustainability and Cannabis with Cristian Koch and Simon Love Simon Love speaks with Cristian Koch, one of the founders of HIFI farms, located in Portland, OR. “HIFI farms is a Clean Green Certified™ craft cannabis cultivation company” that is developing one of the most sustainable growing operations in the Pacific Northwest. Often overlooked in this booming industry is the impact and energy consumption of traditional cannabis cultivation techniques. HIFI’s unique approach using technology, and passive systems, allowed them to raise $2.8 million dollars for their startup farm. In this episode you’ll learn: Cristian’s history and background as an entrepreneur. The unique advantages and challenges of growing cannabis both organically and sustainably. How the cultivation of soil is such an important component in their process. How they developed their unique technology system, which in some cases saves up to 90% of their traditional energy usage. The opportunity and profits that come from a focus on quality and sustainability vs. quantity and faster production. How they raised $2.8 million by inspiring younger investors looking to make a difference The importance of working with certifying bodies, and the future relationships that can develop. The Future of cannabis growing operations and their relationship to sustainability Links:   HIFI Farms Clean Green Certification Articles: HIFI Farms Planting Sound Roots Portland cannabis cultivator raises $2.8M for a 50-acre farm The Resource Innovation Institute Guests: Cristian Koch Founder and Chief Cultivator, HIFI Farms Starting HIFI with a 3 other close friends, Cristian is a former musician, producer, and medical marijuana grower. His goal is to grow a fully sustainable and organic cannabis operation that utilizes technology and passive natural systems to decrease the impact of their business.  

HTF 012: How Green is Weed - Sustainability and Cannabis with Cristian Koch

The Hatch the Future podcast is at the forefront of social innovation. Explore world-changing ideas and the people acting on them - from food to finance, identity to innovation and everything in between, hosts Simon Love, Amy Pearl, and guests dig into what’s positively disruptive.