Shows
HVAC Full BlastFamily Ties in HVAC: The Good, the Bad, the BalanceVirginia Zunk, finance leader at Trane and HVAC insider, dives into what it’s really like to work with family—and why it can be both a superpower and a challenge. Learn how to set boundaries without burning bridges, why emotional expectations matter more than you think, and the surprising upside of having your biggest cheerleader in the same building. Plus, hear the story behind the “dessert side vs. growing food side” argument, why CrossFit is the OG cult, and how family ties can actually strengthen customer relationships.If you’ve ever wondered how to keep work and pe...
2026-01-1940 min
Climate OneENCORE: Solar Power to the PeopleAt this moment, the cheapest way to create electricity is by pointing a solar panel at the sun. That’s good news for the climate. It’s also good news for communities who want to take control of their own electricity generation.
In the heart of Brooklyn, UPROSE is helping to build a solar project that will be owned by the community, provide jobs, and help residents bring down their energy costs. In Puerto Rico, where hurricanes have devastated the power grid, community members are building solar microgrids to provide reliable electricity as the utility has proven they...
2025-12-2658 min
Commonwealth Club of California PodcastENCORE: Solar Power to the PeopleAt this moment, the cheapest way to create electricity is by pointing a solar panel at the sun. That’s good news for the climate. It’s also good news for communities who want to take control of their own electricity generation.
In the heart of Brooklyn, UPROSE is helping to build a solar project that will be owned by the community, provide jobs, and help residents bring down their energy costs. In Puerto Rico, where hurricanes have devastated the power grid, community members are building solar microgrids to provide reliable electricity as the utility has proven they...
2025-12-2657 min
America First Energy PodcastAmerica First Energy Podcast Episode 15: Navigating Virginia’s Energy Future featuring Dwayne Yancey Cardinal NewsIn this episode of the America First Energy Podcast, Skyler Zunk sits down with Dwayne Yancey, co-founder and editor of the Cardinal News to talk about Virginia’s energy landscape. Dwayne shares his perspective on local issues, challenges and opportunities for rural localities and the impact data centers have on the whole state. Later on, Skyler is joined by Ben Wilson to talk about the upcoming gubernatorial candidates and how both are supportive of a nuclear energy strategy to benefit Virginia. Learn more about Cardinal News by visiting: https://cardinalnews.org/
2025-10-3154 minAmerica First Energy PodcastAmerica First Energy Podcast Episode 12 Property Values Study featuring Dr. Zhenshan ChenBen Wilson is joined by Dr. Zhenshan Chen, an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics at Virginia Tech. Ben will chat with Dr. Chen about his latest study “Impact of large-scale solar on property values in the United States: Diverse effects and causal mechanisms” including the methodology used, a note on previous studies and what makes this research unique. Later on in the episode, Ben is joined by Skyler to discuss how the US aluminum industry is faced with power issues. Read Dr. Chen’s study: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10...
2025-09-2440 minAmerica First Energy PodcastAmerica First Energy Podcast Episode 9 Moving VA ForwardBen Wilson is joined by Energy Right Director of Policy and Engagement, Dylan Taylor to bring you coverage of the 2025 Resilient Virginia Conference. We’ll highlight conversations with Austin Counts and Kara Dotten from Appalachian Voices, catch up with Harrisonburg City Council Member, Laura Dent and wrap up our conversation with Energy Right Board Member, Corin Jackson.Later on, Ben and Dylan will recap the conference and discuss new investments in Brunswick County, VA! The America First Energy Podcast is brought to you by Energy Right. To learn more about the Energy Right visit www.ene...
2025-08-1338 minAmerica First Energy PodcastAmerica First Energy Podcast Episode 8 Start Showing UpJoin the America First Energy Podcast, on the farm! Starting off with Ben, who is joined by Allison Wickham, where she walks us through the agrivoltaics practices she employs with bees at the Siller Pollinator Company, sharing solutions and what she’s learned from her time beekeeping. Next up, Skyler is with a longtime friend of Energy Right, Matt English, a solar grazer who invited us back to his farm to chat about lambing season and his dual use farm. To wrap up the episode, Skyler and Ben discuss an opinion piece out of Cardinal News by Dwayne Yancey....
2025-07-1648 minAmerica First Energy PodcastAmerica First Energy Podcast Ep 7 with Pete Sepp Energy Policy is Economic PolicySkyler sits down with Pete Sepp, President of the National Tax Payers Union. Skyler and Pete discuss Virginia energy challenges and solutions, ways communities are using renewable investments to diversify local revenue and look at Federal tax policies and permitting reform. In the news, Ben sits down with Skyler to go over a new property values study out of Virginia Tech. https://news.vt.edu/articles/2025/06/solar-property-value.html
2025-07-0239 minAmerica First Energy PodcastAmerica First Energy Podcast Episode 6 Virginia is Energy HungrySkyler sits down with VA Department of Energy Solar Program Manager, Aaron Berryhill who shares his research of utility scale solar, his research and role at helping educate communities about the solar opportunities of the present and future. Afterward, Ben will join Skyler to discuss the Memorial Day Weekend brownout in Louisiana in our in the news section. The America First Energy Podcast is brought to you by Energy Right. To learn more about the Energy Right visit www.energyrightus.org. Follow the America First Energy Podcast on X @AmericaFirstEP
2025-06-0348 minAmerica First Energy PodcastAmerica First Energy Podcast Episode 5 Solar: Fuel is FreeSkyler Zunk and Ben Wilson take you along to the Virginia Solar Summit where they had the opportunity to speak to leaders in the solar industry from all across the commonwealth, today’s episode features interviews with Jess Gray, CEO of Gray’s Lambscaping, Dan French, Executive Producer Solar Farm Summit, Carlos Class, CEO of Solarix and Charles Skelly, Business Manager at IBEW Local 666.To learn more about the Energy Right visit www.energyrightus.org.The America First Energy Podcast is brought to you by Energy Right. Follow the Amer...
2025-05-2144 minAmerica First Energy PodcastAmerica First Energy Podcast Episode 1 featuring Glenn DavisIn today’s episode of the America First Energy Podcast, co-hosts Skyler Zunk and Ben Wilson are joined by Virginia Department of Energy Director, Glenn Davis. Join us as we cover the energy landscape across the commonwealth, discuss barriers to growth, and look at the current energy imports across VA. Big thank you to Virginia Department of Energy Director, Glenn Davis! America First Energy Podcast is brought to you by Energy Right. To learn more about the Energy Right visit www.energyrightus.org. Follow the America First Energy Podcast on X @AmericaFirstEPOur next episode wil...
2025-03-2633 min
Climate OneSolar Power to the PeopleAt this moment, the cheapest way to create electricity is by pointing a solar panel at the sun. That’s good news for the climate. It’s also good news for communities who want to take control of their own electricity generation.In the heart of Brooklyn, UPROSE is helping to build a solar project that will be owned by the community, provide jobs, and help residents bring down their energy costs. In Puerto Rico, where hurricanes have devastated the power grid, community members are building solar microgrids to provide reliable electricity as the utility has proven they...
2025-02-1458 min
Commonwealth Club of California PodcastSolar Power to the PeopleAt this moment, the cheapest way to create electricity is by pointing a solar panel at the sun. That’s good news for the climate. It’s also good news for communities who want to take control of their own electricity generation.In the heart of Brooklyn, UPROSE is helping to build a solar project that will be owned by the community, provide jobs, and help residents bring down their energy costs. In Puerto Rico, where hurricanes have devastated the power grid, community members are building solar microgrids to provide reliable electricity as the utility has proven they...
2025-02-1458 min
MPoweredMPowered x Virginia Zunk: Empowerment, Transitions, and the Power of VulnerabilitySend us a textHi Sunshine and welcome to MPowered! ☀️In this episode of MPowered, Virginia Zunk joins us to share her unique high school journey and the challenges she faced while transitioning into her current role. Virginia talks about the importance of advocating for oneself, taking on new projects, and building supportive relationships in the workplace. We discuss how to find confidence in overwhelming situations, the role of vulnerability in friendships, and strategies for managing anxiety and depression. Virginia also shares her experiences making adult friendships, feeling MPowered by small external factors like a blaz...
2024-06-111h 05
John Flannery, “LET FREEDOM RING”Solar in Virginia - a panel discussion before the VA Soil & Water Conservation DistrictsThere is a pressing question about what we do for solar development to assure environmental quality while conforming with tried and true rural Virginia values. John Flannery, Area II Chair, introduced a panel of talented experts in the field - Scott Cameron, as Chair, Judy Dunscomb, Zach Jacobs and Skyler Zunk. This discussion goes to how we get there from here - and we thought we should discuss that now so we may implement what is necessary. JPF
2023-04-2136 min