Shows
Climate BreakPlantd, with Nathan SilvernailOverview The buildings and construction sector accounts for approximately 37% of global carbon emissions (UNEP). According to the UN Environmental Programme, much of this impact is derived from the operational aspects of buildings including heating, cooling, and lighting. However, building materials and their production also play a major role. Construction materials include cement, steel, and aluminum. Timber and wooden materials play a major role as well. According to Plantd co-Founder Josh Dorfman, “The global economy produces and transports 4.1 gigatons of concrete, 1.9 gigatons of steel, and 0.8 gigatons of timber products every year.”The UK Green Building Council highl...
2026-01-1401 min
BUILDERSHow Plantd identified business process inefficiencies as a competitive wedge in building materials | Nathan SilvernailPlantd is reinventing engineered lumber by replacing trees with rapidly renewable biomass, scaling manufacturing technology that costs 100x less than traditional OSB production. With customers including DR Horton and growing demand across furniture, RV, and international markets, Plantd has attracted partnerships throughout the building materials industry. In this episode of BUILDERS, I sat down with Nathan Silvernail, Co-Founder & CEO at Plantd, to explore how his decade at SpaceX shaped his approach to building a capital-intensive hardware company that could transform the $65 billion engineered lumber market.
Topics Discussed
Building continuous OSB production systems versus $500M batch presses u...
2026-01-1223 minBUILDERSHow Plantd identified business process inefficiencies as a competitive wedge in building materials | Nathan SilvernailPlantd is reinventing engineered lumber by replacing trees with rapidly renewable biomass, scaling manufacturing technology that costs 100x less than traditional OSB production. With customers including DR Horton and growing demand across furniture, RV, and international markets, Plantd has attracted partnerships throughout the building materials industry. In this episode of BUILDERS, I sat down with Nathan Silvernail, Co-Founder & CEO at Plantd, to explore how his decade at SpaceX shaped his approach to building a capital-intensive hardware company that could transform the $65 billion engineered lumber market.
Topics Discussed
Building continuous OSB production systems versus $500M batch presses u...
2026-01-1223 min
Everybody in the PoolE117: Reinventing Wood Without TreesThis week on Everybody in the Pool, we’re starting the year with an audacious question: what if we reinvented one of the most basic materials in the world?Decarbonizing the built environment means tackling the stuff we use everywhere — wood, concrete, and steel — at the same time we’re trying to build millions of new homes, strengthen supply chains, and reduce our exposure to geopolitical and climate risk. That’s a tall order. But it’s also unavoidable.My guest is Nathan Silvernail, co-founder and CEO of Plantd, a company building a tree-free, carbon-negat...
2026-01-0836 min
AEC Trailblazers: The Founders FilesFrom Carbon-Negative Materials to Media Impact: Building the Playbook for Scalable Climate Solutions with Josh DorfmanIn this episode of AEC Trailblazers, Valentin Noves sits down with Josh Dorfman, a climate entrepreneur and storyteller whose career spans sustainable manufacturing, media, e-commerce, and real-world climate innovation.Known for his sharp blend of humor, practicality, and vision, Josh brings a candid perspective on what it really means to build a low-carbon future—without losing your sanity in the process.Josh shares a formative moment early in his career, when he realized that the U.S. consumer economy is one of the most powerful forces shaping planetary outcomes.As he recalls, “We live...
2026-01-0553 min
The Curious CapitalistThe Curious Capitalist - Josh Dorfman (Supercool)Glen McDermott, the Executive Director of the Conscious Business Collaborative in Connecticut, speaks with Josh Dorfman from Supercool.Josh Dorfman is a climate entrepreneur, author, and media personality and is the Founder and CEO of Supercool.Previously, Josh co-founded and was CEO of Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials manufacturer named to Fast Company’s 2024 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Josh has founded two modern design sustainable furniture startups, launched and led Vine.com, an Amazon business for natural and organic products, and served as CEO of The Collider, the nation’s first innova...
2025-12-3043 min
One Bite is EverythingClimate Innovation as a Blueprint for Systems Change — with Josh DorfmanIn this episode of One Bite is Everything, host Dana DiPrima sits down with climate entrepreneur and Supercool CEO Josh Dorfman for a wide-ranging conversation about how innovation in the climate space is quietly rewriting the rules for how change actually happens.Rather than focusing on individual sacrifice or guilt, this conversation explores systems — and why the most effective climate solutions succeed not because people try harder, but because better choices are designed to be easier, cheaper, and inevitable.Josh shares real-world examples from across industries, from electric trucking and clean infrastructure to agriculture and bui...
2025-12-1849 min
Rental Property Owner & Real Estate Investor PodcastBuilding Wealth with Sustainable Materials: How Climate Innovation is Reshaping Real Estate with Josh DorfmanFor investors, developers, and property owners, the future of real estate isn't just about location—it's about building smarter, cheaper, and more sustainably. In this episode, Brian Hamrick sits down with Josh Dorfman, climate entrepreneur, media personality, and co-founder of Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials company recognized by Fast Company as one of the most innovative in the world. Josh has spent his career at the intersection of business and sustainability. You may know him as the creator of The Lazy Environmentalist (Sundance Channel, Sirius XM, and two books). Today, he's focused on practical climate so...
2025-12-0831 min
Marketing Over CoffeeGreen Energy Update with Josh DorfmanIn this Marketing Over Coffee: Learn about electric vehicles, solar energy, carbon harvesting and more from the man behind SuperCool! Direct Link to File Starting with the plan of being a spy in the CIA! Teaching at Nanjing University and working for Kryptonite Watching China ramp up and wondering what a billion cars on the road means Thunderbird for MBA, Delphi Automotive Systems in Paris Sustainable Furniture and the rise of the Lazy Environmentalist To Sirius and then the TV Show Plantd...
2025-12-0543 min
Fair Hill Farmstead Life#56: Supercool Entrepreneur Josh Dorfman Eliminating Waste and Mitigate Climate ChangeJosh Dorfman is a climate entrepreneur, author, and media personality. As CEO and host of Supercool, he hosts the SUPERCOOL podcast spotlighting real-world climate solutions that cut carbon, boost the bottom line, and improve modern life. Previously, Josh co-founded and was CEO of Plantd a carbon-negative building materials manufacturer named to Fast Company’s 2024 list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies. Josh has founded two modern design sustainable furniture startups, launched and led Vine.com, an Amazon business for natural and organic products, and served as CEO of The Collider, the nation’s first innovation center for climate resilien...
2025-09-1259 min
Risk Management ShowScaling Climate Solutions: Lessons from Top Innovators with Josh DorfmanIn this episode of GRC Chat, we discussed scaling climate solutions and key lessons from top innovators with Josh Dorfman, a climate-focused entrepreneur and founder of Plantd and Supercool. Josh shared invaluable insights into how innovative business strategies are driving the adoption of scalable climate solutions that not only cut carbon emissions but also enhance business profitability and improve lives. From transforming fast-growing biomass into sustainable building materials to redefining transportation and energy solutions, Josh's expertise highlights the critical levers of adoption that make these solutions mainstream. We explored real-world examples like Zūm's AI-optimized s...
2025-09-1114 min
Sustainability TransformationsFrom Lazy Environmentalist to Supercool: Real Climate Innovation That WinsSummaryThe conversation explores effective ways to communicate climate change narratives, emphasizing the importance of engaging people through solutions that resonate with their interests. The speakers reflect on their learning experiences, particularly a pivotal moment in 2006 that shifted their approach from lecturing to engaging audiences in a more relatable manner.Contact:Today’s guest is Josh Dorfman — CEO and host of Supercool,a media company spotlighting climate solutions that actually work. Josh is alsothe co-founder of Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials startup, andcreator of The Lazy Environmentalist, a me...
2025-09-1042 min
Awarepreneurs376 | To Sell Sustainability, Don't Talk About Sustainability with Josh Dorfman Bio: Josh Dorfman is a climate entrepreneur, author, and media personality. He is the CEO and host of Supercool, a media company covering real-world climate solutions that cut carbon, increase profits, and enhance modern life. Josh was previously the co-founder and CEO of Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials manufacturer, which was named to Fast Company's list of the World's Most Innovative Companies in 2024. He has founded two modern design sustainable furniture companies, directed Vine.com, an Amazon e-commerce business specializing in natural and organic products, and served as the CEO of The Collider, the nation's first innovation center for...
2025-09-0854 min
Coconut ThinkingJosh Dorfman: The Lazy Environmentalist (not really)What if sustainability’s future was driven by passion, shaped with youth, and told through real stories?In this episode, I speak with Josh Dorfman. Josh is a climate entrepreneur, author, and media voice at the intersection of sustainability, innovation, and culture. He is the co-founder, CEO, and host of Supercool, the climate-tech podcast and media brand spotlighting the bold founders, investors, and policymakers designing a low-carbon future. His interviews reveal the business models, technologies, and cultural shifts redefining prosperity in an age of ecological disruption. A serial entrepreneur, Josh launched Pl...
2025-09-0745 min
Up Next with Gabriella MirabelliUN 377 - Josh Dorfman. Evolving Your Personal Brand. This episode explores the evolution of Josh Dorfman's personal brand in sustainability, from The Lazy Environmentalist to climate-tech ventures like Plantd and Supercool. Josh shares how authentic storytelling, strategic pivots, and mission alignment shaped his journey — and how he's used his platform to engage new audiences with climate solutions.
2025-08-2827 min
The Jeff Bradbury ShowBuilding a Sustainable Future: Josh Dorfman on Climate-Friendly ConstructionIn this episode of The Jeff Bradbury Show, Josh Dorfman shares his journey as an entrepreneur dedicated to climate change and sustainability. He explains how media can raise awareness about environmental issues, explores innovations in sustainable racing, and discusses the importance of circular economies. Josh also examines AI's role in improving energy efficiency and transforming educational systems. The conversation concludes with insights into his entrepreneurial ventures creating sustainable building materials.
Become a High-Impact Leader:
This episode is just the beginning. To get the complete blueprint for designing and implementing high-impact systems in your district, get your copy of...
2025-08-1827 min
The Spiro CircleA fresh take on climate entrepreneurship and moral ambition - #0018, Josh DorfmanThis week I listened to a podcast about the virtue of justice. It was hosted by Ryan Holiday and featured a conversation with Rutger Bregman - two of my favorite writers!The conversation was called “You’re Not Wasting Time, You’re Wasting Your Life,” and it talked about moral ambition, the truth about success, work, and impact. It tied in nicely with a separate conversation I had with my recent guest, climate entrepreneur Josh Dorfman, which took place for The Spiro Circle this week. “The idea always has been how I can identify solutions to help a...
2025-08-1427 min
An Hour of Innovation with Vit LyoshinThe Future of Climate Tech: Carbon Capture, Carbon-Negative Homes & Sustainability | Josh DorfmanIn this episode of the An Hour of Innovation podcast, host Vit Lyoshin delves into climate-tech entrepreneurship and sustainable innovation with Josh Dorfman, co-founder of Plantd, a company that builds carbon-negative building materials from fast-growing grass.Josh shares the origin story of Plantd, how his time in China shaped his perspective on sustainability, and how a chance encounter with a former SpaceX engineer led to a vertically integrated company tackling climate change through construction. The conversation also explores breakthrough innovations in home energy, AI-powered school transportation, circular trade models, and even electric Formula E racing, all through...
2025-07-1859 min
MadPo3t Podcast| Art|Life| Creative explorationClimate Conversations and Innovations with Josh DorfmanThis week on MadPo3t, we're honored to host Josh Dorfman, the innovative mind behind Plantd Materials and the insightful host of the Supercool Podcast. We kick off with a deep dive into Josh's foundational experience in China, a surprising turning point that set him on his unique professional trajectory. He candidly shares that this was by no means an easy or obvious path, underscoring our belief that true growth is often found in the unpredictable twists and turns of life.Our conversation shifts to Josh's pioneering ventures and media platforms, where he shares...
2025-07-0138 min
AUTM on the AirGreen by Design: Integrating Sustainability into Innovation Strategy with Josh DorfmanWhat happens when climate innovation isn’t just a buzzword but a blueprint for real change? In this episode, we explore how climate-focused technologies are being developed, commercialized, and scaled in ways that go far beyond traditional models. My guest, Josh Dorfman, brings a rare mix of experience in both business and policy, with a track record of building ventures that reduce emissions while delivering everyday value. Josh is the co-founder and CEO of Plantd, a company creating carbon-negative building materials that was recently named one of the world’s most innovative by Fast Company. He als...
2025-06-1835 min
Grounded in MaineJosh Dorfman Talks to Sustainable Businesses on SuperCool Ep 150I told Josh Dorfman when we started talking that I felt a little intimidated talking with him, because he is so accomplished in the sustainability field, but he has THE best stories from his life, getting him to where he is today - you're going to love this, I'm sure of it!Josh's story goes back to working for a bike company in China several years ago, but I'm not going to tell you his story, because he does it so much better- just listen, it's exciting! His mission is to show that we should b...
2025-06-1748 min
The CTO Show with Mehmet Gonullu#476 Stop Pitching Tech, Start Selling Outcomes: Josh Dorfman’s Advice for Climate FoundersIn this episode, Mehmet is joined by Josh Dorfman, CEO of Supercool and host of the Supercool podcast. Josh is a serial sustainability entrepreneur, former investor, and media trailblazer with two decades of experience scaling climate-focused ventures. From founding The Lazy Environmentalist to helping build a company that landed a 10M panel deal with D.R. Horton, Josh shares why storytelling—not tech specs—is what drives results in climate tech today.📌 Key Takeaways: • Why outcomes matter more than tech or climate talk when selling to real-world customers. • The single biggest com...
2025-05-2957 min
Stocked And DeliveredSpeaking of Sustainability: The Smooth Operator, Josh Dorfman of PLANTD Shares Insights About His Impressive Career | Stocked And Delivered Ep. 16In this episode of Stocked And Delivered, hosts Michael Goodman and Todd London are joined by the very cunning and media savvy Josh Dorfman, a successful communicator and environment-first entrepreneur, who has focused on sustainability which is a fundamental way of his life and career. Josh beautifully lays out his path through the media world that has only helped his company's Super Cool and Plantd be well-received in front of customers and investors in a traditionally wood-based industry.Josh’s passion for a better planet and future is palpable and he and his team are right on th...
2025-05-2153 min
The Samuele Tini Show - where business, innovation, and sustainability convergeWhy Your Climate Anxiety Is the Next Billion-Dollar Idea | S. 2 E. 6Feeling overwhelmed by climate change? What if your anxiety could spark revolutionary solutions—and a thriving business? In this eye-opening episode, sustainability entrepreneur Josh Dorfman, known famously as "The Lazy Environmentalist," shares his extraordinary journey from anxious activist to transformative innovator.
From scaling groundbreaking startups Plantd- lwhich builds homes with rapidly renewable materials—to his latest venture Super Cool, Josh demonstrates why sustainability and profitability aren’t mutually exclusive—they're a perfect match.
Discover:
How turning fear into action is fueling billion-dollar climate businesses.
Practical, no-nonsense insights into creating scalable and sustaina...
2025-04-2930 min
Social Entrepreneurship and Sustainability ShowCarbon-Negative Innovation with Josh DorfmanIn this episode, we’re joined by Josh Dorfman, a climate entrepreneur, media innovator, and the voice behind The Lazy Environmentalist. Josh shares his journey building mission-driven companies like Plantd and Supercool, both aimed at solving climate challenges while driving business growth. We dive into the role of social entrepreneurship in scaling sustainable solutions, the future of carbon-negative materials, and the power of storytelling to inspire action. Whether you’re a changemaker, entrepreneur, or curious about climate innovation, this episode offers practical insights on balancing profit, purpose, and impact in today’s sustainability-driven world. For more content, do visit:
2025-04-1534 min
Flanigan's Eco-LogicJosh Dorfman on Sustainable Building MaterialsIn this Convo of Flanigan’s Eco-Logic, Ted speaks with Josh Dorfman, CEO at Supercool, a media company covering climate solutions that raise profits and quality of life. Josh is also the host of the Supercool Podcast, and co-founder of Plantd, a company that manufactures carbon-negative building materials. He is best known as creator and host of The Lazy Environmentalist, an award-winning reality TV show on Sundance Channel, radio show on Sirius Satellite Radio, book series, and e-commerce business.He and Ted briefly discuss his background, born and raised in Armonk, in Westchester County, New...
2025-04-1431 min
Sustainability In Your EarEarth911 Podcast: Josh Dorfman Makes Environmentalism SupercoolJosh Dorfman—known for his The Lazy Environmentalist book series—visites to share his latest efforts to make sustainability seamless, smart, and scalable. From hosting eco-living shows to launching climate tech ventures, Dorfman’s mission: make sustainable choices attractive and accessible. In the 1990s, while working in China, Dorfman saw the country’s shift from bicycles to cars and realized the environmental cost of global development. That insight set him on a path to shift consumer culture toward greener living. “People don’t respond to guilt,” he said. “They respond to practical, self-interested solutions that make their lives better.” Dorfman now leads two new...
2025-04-0737 min
Sustainability ForwardSustainable EntrepreneurshipIn this episode of Sustainability Forward, we dive into Sustainable Entrepreneurship with Josh Dorfman, founder of Plantd and Supercool, and former host of The Lazy Environmentalist. Josh shares his inspiring journey from sustainable media to climate-tech innovation, providing practical insights on creating profitable businesses that positively impact the planet. We explore carbon-negative building solutions, the power of storytelling in driving climate action, and key strategies for entrepreneurs committed to sustainability. Tune in to learn how aligning sustainability with profitability can shape a greener, more resilient future.Keywords: Sustainability, Sustainable Entrepreneurship, Climate-Tech, Carbon-Negative, Innovation, Climate Solutions, Business Sustainability...
2025-03-2827 min
Grid ConnectionsJosh Dorfman on Carbon-Negative Building Materials, Demand Response, and Biking Innovation for a Greener FutureSummaryCurious about the future of carbon-negative building materials and how climate tech can seamlessly integrate into your everyday life? In this insightful episode, Josh Dorfman—co-founder of Plantd and Supercool—explains how he and his SpaceX-trained team developed a groundbreaking, grass-based alternative to plywood that’s stronger, more water-resistant, and greener than conventional wood. Along the way, you’ll discover how streamlined solutions like virtual power plants, user-friendly solar installations, and data-driven demand response can help businesses, homeowners, and entire communities cut costs while slashing carbon emissions. If you’re eager for real-world success stories, tips on scaling su...
2025-03-2052 min
Let's Talk, People with Emily Frieze-KemenyReclaiming Agency Amidst the Climate CrisisAs extreme weather events continue to happen all around us, what responsibility do we have as managers and leaders in caring for our employees while needing to drive performance? What can we do as managers in organizations to take action and support climate change initiatives? These are just a few of the big questions we tackle in this episode with Josh Dorfman, a serial climate entrepreneur, Co-founder of Plantd, and CEO of Supercool, who shares stories of resilience, innovation, and hope from the frontlines of climate solutions. Together, we unpack how leaders can foster a se...
2025-01-2848 min
Earthlings 2.0 Podcast#51: The Grass is Greener with Carbon-Negative Building Products Hello Earthlings! In this episode of Earthlings 2.0, Lisa Ann Pinkerton delves into an innovative solution addressing the global housing crisis without exacerbating our climate emergency with Plantd. With the collective future of 3 billion Earthlings at stake by 2030, the episode navigates the pressing need for sustainable construction methods that align with our carbon budget.In an era where traditional building materials contribute significantly to carbon emissions, this episode spotlights Plantd - a North Carolina-based startup led by Haude Tan and Nathan Silvernail, former NASA and SpaceX engineers. They've reimagined construction by creating carbon-negative structural boards from...
2024-04-0236 min
The Art of ConstructionA World Built with Grass
"We envision a world that stands in balance with nature, a world build with grass."
Construction...with grass? Join us today chatting with Josh Dorfman of Plantd Materials, and how we can all adopt building meaningful change when it comes to climate change by reassessing how to scale plant based (or grass-based) building materials in our world of construction.
Josh Dorfman is a sustainability-focused entrepreneur who has led tech, manufacturing, and media ventures. Josh is co-founder and CEO of Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials company pioneering a novel path to reach gigaton-scale atmospheric carbon dioxide removal. A...
2023-09-1426 min
Smarter Building Materials MarketingHow to Sell High-Performance Building Products to BuildersInnovative, high-performance building materials can be difficult to market and sell. This week’s guest not only has a brand new, innovative product, but one that’s high-performance and sustainable. He talks to Zach about how he’s been able to market and sell this innovation to builders.Josh Dorfman is the CEO and co-founder of Plantd, a company dedicated to making carbon-negative building materials.
2023-07-0316 min
SuperToast🏠 Plantd inova nos materiais de construçãoA Planted inova através da produção de painéis, para a construção de casas, utilizando plantas (gramíneas perenes) que voltam a crescer rapidamente após serem colhidas, ao contrário das árvores.
2023-03-2701 min
The ConTechCrewThe ConTech Crew 350: What is Mass Timber with Kinsol Founder Mike Marshall🏗️ Learn more at http://thecontechcrew.comIn today’s episode, we are joined by Mike Marshall from Kinsol Timber to discuss how he has built his own timber business and what he hopes to achieve with it.Mike’s CV boasts over 20 years of experience spanning all aspects of the timber industry, from manufacturing work all the way to marketing and management. Mike has even been involved in some of the most innovative Timber structures in Canada and has led countless other innovative timber structures.In today’s episode, we discuss how Mike got in...
2023-03-211h 28
Bigger Than Us#213 Josh Dorfman, Co-Founder and CEO of PlantdJosh Dorfman is a sustainability entrepreneur and brand builder dedicated to scaling mission-driven ventures. He is co-founder & CEO of Plantd, a carbon-negative building materials company pioneering a new path to reach gigaton-scale carbon capture. Previously, Josh led Vine.com, an Amazon business unit specializing in natural, organic, and sustainable products. He has founded two award-winning modern design sustainable furniture companies: Vivavi, named to Inc. Magazine's "Green 50" as a pioneer accelerating the green economy, and Simbly, recognized by the National Wildlife Federation for its sustainable practices to preserve forest ecosystems. Earlier in his career, Josh was the author and host...
2023-02-1443 min
Climate CEOs: Scaling StartupsEngineered Wood Innovation: SpaceX Alumni + Serial Founder TeamLearn how Plantd creates engineered wood products with sustainable forestry, advanced engineering, & venture-backed innovation.Led by Josh Dorfman, Plantd turns atmospheric carbon into low-prices, high-performance building materials using industrial hemp, an ultra-strong, fast-growing plant that captures over 3x more carbon than trees.Below are two excerpts from the podcast."Most home builders are using a product called oriented strand board (OSB). We decided to build these, too, but to make them out of hemp. We think there are opportunities to make a better product, but it still looks and performs...
2021-09-3046 min
The Organic GardenerWhere To Put Your Plants.Doug talks about how to choose the best plant for where you are planting in your yard. He also talks about proper spacing for plantd and touched on bee keeping.
2018-06-1030 min