Shows
Ask the Experts with AlkaInnovating Clean Energy: Todd Medema on Automation, Climate Change, and Career EvolutionAlka Sharma introduces Todd Medema, exploring his academic background and career journey. Todd discusses challenges faced in Tesla's grid scale battery storage and the broader shift to clean energy. He shares insights on merging his passion for board games with a technology career, offering startup advice and consulting in the clean energy sector. The conversation highlights his transition from automotive to clean energy technology, his interest in automation, and his book, "How to Serve the Hurricane." They discuss adapting to climate change through innovative design. The episode concludes with ways to connect with Todd Medema and a wrap-up.
(0:00) Introduction of...
2025-12-3032 minAsk the Experts with AlkaInnovating Clean Energy: Todd Medema on Automation, Climate Change, and Career EvolutionAlka Sharma introduces Todd Medema, exploring his academic background and career journey. Todd discusses challenges faced in Tesla's grid scale battery storage and the broader shift to clean energy. He shares insights on merging his passion for board games with a technology career, offering startup advice and consulting in the clean energy sector. The conversation highlights his transition from automotive to clean energy technology, his interest in automation, and his book, "How to Serve the Hurricane." They discuss adapting to climate change through innovative design. The episode concludes with ways to connect with Todd Medema and a wrap-up.
(0:00) Introduction of...
2025-12-3032 min
If This Goes On (Don't Panic): Science Fiction, Fantasy & Progressive PoliticsBailey's Books: Sword, Sorcery, Science, Astronauts, AIs, Horrors, & HurricanesIn this episode Alan reviews (books linked below): Double Edged Sword & Sorcery 1 published by Brackenbury Books 2024 The Walls of Shira Yulun by Dariel R.A. Quiogue Waste Flowers by Bryn Hammond How to Surf a Hurricane by Todd Medema published by Atmosphere Press 2025 Vigilance by Allen Stroud published by Flame Tree Press 2024 Sub-Liminal by Alastair Miles published by Shadow Dragon Press 2025 Unseen Gods by Justin Holley published by Flame Tree Press 2025
2025-12-0514 min
The Future Lab with Lee SchneiderSurfing the Future: Todd Medema discusses how to be hopeful in the age of climate changeIn this conversation, Todd Medema discusses his debut novel HOW TO SURF A HURRICANE, exploring with host Lee Schneider the techniques of writing a solarpunk thriller and the role technology might have in addressing climate change. Todd emphasizes the importance of hope and human resilience in solarpunk narratives, contrasting this approach with the often dystopian views prevalent in other science fiction genres. The discussion also delves into the current state of science fiction writing and publishing.Visit Todd's author website and check out the wiki with details about the characters and story. Learn more about his Solarpunk...
2025-11-0527 min
If This Goes On (Don't Panic): Science Fiction, Fantasy & Progressive PoliticsSolarpunk: Electric Vehicles and Batteries with Todd Medema and Navarre BartzAlan and a couple of engineers from the the Solapunk community, Navarre Bartz and Todd Medema, discuss everything you want to know about electric vehichles, battery technology, EVs that are not Tesla, and charging stations. Todd also discusses his new book, How to Surf a Hurricane, and how he got involved with Solapunk, and much more! You can find How to Surf a Hurricane here: https://howtosurfahurricane.com/
2025-09-2953 min
How To Protect The OceanOcean Books and Solarpunk Stories: Todd Medema’s Climate Heist Novel to Inspire ActionOcean Books can do more than entertain—they can inspire action, hope, and a fresh way of thinking about climate change. In this episode, Todd Medema introduces his new novel, How to Surf a Hurricane, a solarpunk heist that imagines a near-future world adapting to climate change. Todd and Andrew Lewin explore how fiction can shift the narrative from doom to determination, showing how communities can come together to protect nature and build a better future. Solarpunk climate fiction takes center stage in the second half of the conversation. Todd shares his journey from clean energy and po...
2025-08-0143 minHow To Protect The OceanOcean Books and Solarpunk Stories: Todd Medema’s Climate Heist Novel to Inspire ActionOcean Books can do more than entertain—they can inspire action, hope, and a fresh way of thinking about climate change. In this episode, Todd Medema introduces his new novel, How to Surf a Hurricane, a solarpunk heist that imagines a near-future world adapting to climate change. Todd and Andrew Lewin explore how fiction can shift the narrative from doom to determination, showing how communities can come together to protect nature and build a better future. Solarpunk climate fiction takes center stage in the second half of the conversation. Todd shares his journey from clean energy and po...
2025-08-0143 min
Sustainably GeekyEp 82 - How to Surf a HurricaneAs the climate continues to change, so too do our expectations for what the future might hold. Climate fiction (cli-fi) is a growing genre that explores these possibilities, for better or worse. Clean energy tech expert Todd Medema is one of the people telling these stories in his debut book How to Surf a Hurricane. Todd joins us to discuss his inspiration for writing the book, and how and why he developed a climate story that is intentionally hopeful. He also shares his perspective on effective ways to tackle the climate crisis. Resources discussed in this episode:How...
2025-07-2930 min
The Local LoopCARES, Community, and Leaving a Footprint with Todd LipaSend us a textTrevor and Dion sit down with Todd Lipa of CARES to talk about transforming a childhood church into a full campus of community care, from food and family services to the beloved Duck Race in Shiawassee Park.
2025-06-191h 04
Women Mind the WaterTodd MedemaTodd Medema, the latest guest on the Wo(men) Mind the Water Artivist Series
podcast, is author of How to surf a hurricane, an scifi ecothriller. We
talk about many things including technology, scifi, and climate change. He
advises us to recharge and connect with nature, join communities with
similar values and start taking action. For Todd, writing his new novel was
a way to make a difference.
2025-05-0200 min
Mokena's Front Porch PodcastFrom Hatch Hall to Zap Taco HouseSend us a textDowntown Mokena’s restaurant scene was ZAPPED with the addition of Zap Taco House on Mokena Street. As Todd and Jason (owners of Zap) are bringing food and entertainment to downtown we will share the story of this buildings beginning. In 1901 the building we know as Zap, was moved from an unknown location to its home today and John Hatch, a WW1 Veteran and Mokena’s First Village Clerk, established Hatch Hall. This building hosted dances, community meetings, VFW Meetings, parties, performances and more over the years. It has lived...
2023-03-1735 min
Tank Talks By Ripple VenturesFighting Zoom Fatigue with Tom Medema of UseBubbles.comIn 2022, Zoom fatigue is a thing. Collaborating, co-working, and networking over a screen presents a new set of issues that we are only now starting to address. Our guest today is Tom Medema, Founder and CEO of usebubbles.com, a platform designed to improve asynchronous collaboration and reduce zoom fatigue.About Tom Medema:Tom Medema is the founder and CEO of bubbles, a workplace productivity platform leading the async revolution. Before bubbles, Tom co-founded Bloomon, a successful DTC flower delivery service, and experienced the thrill and pain of building a global engineering workforce. His experience a...
2022-08-2644 min
Modifier50. Going on an Expedition with Todd MedemaExpedition is an RPG system that combines cards and a mobile app (all free, all open-source) to streamline the RPG experience, allowing you to play the way you want to. Built to be modded, Todd shares the strengths and challenges of playing the Expedition way, and may be just the project you were looking for!
2018-01-1143 min