Optimistic Outlook
On the Optimistic Outlook, Barbara Humpton, CEO of Siemens USA, engages listeners in the technological transformation occurring across American industry and infrastructure. Episodes not only examine challenges related to climate, workforce and digital transformation but offer solutions and a path forward by deploying readily available technologies. Barbara’s visionary perspective is designed to spark bold thinking among listeners, urging them to innovate toward a sustainable and eco-friendly future. Each episode delves into the intersection of technology, leadership, and workplace dynamics, offering practical insights and inspiring stories from industry experts. From renewable energy to digital manufacturing, Barbara explores the transformative potential of sustainable solutions, urging listeners to rethink traditional approaches and embrace innovative strategies. With a keen eye toward mentorship and collaboration, Barbara empowers individuals to drive positive change within their organizations and communities. Listeners can expect thought-provoking discussions on topics such as the role of digitalization in reshaping industrial manufacturing, the impact of sustainable transportation on urban development, and the importance of fostering a culture of innovation in the workplace. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, Barbara demonstrates how businesses can leverage technology and leadership to address pressing environmental challenges while driving economic growth and prosperity. The Optimistic Outlook is more than just a podcast—it’s a platform for meaningful dialogue and inspiration. Listeners are encouraged to join the conversation and contribute their ideas for building a more sustainable and resilient future. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or an aspiring leader, this podcast offers invaluable insights and practical advice for navigating the complexities of a rapidly changing world. Join Barbara Humpton and her guests as they explore the possibilities of tomorrow and uncover the key drivers of success in an era defined by innovation, sustainability, and leadership. Together, let’s imagine a future where optimism reigns supreme and bold ideas pave the way toward a brighter, more sustainable world for all.
Episodes
Episodes
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
The State of Sustainability: Insights from Climate Week NYC 2024
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
Wednesday Oct 02, 2024
Join Barbara for an insightful episode taking listeners behind the scenes of Climate Week NYC, held September 22 to 29. This episode recaps conversations and highlights across a pivotal annual event gathering political and business leaders, innovative researchers, high-profile media, and local influencers from across the U.S. and the globe. Together, they discuss the current state of sustainability, evaluate climate action efforts, and explore cutting-edge technologies driving a net-zero future. Barbara speaks with Adam Lake, Head of Communications, North America, Climate Group; Shyla Raghav, Chief Climate Officer for TIME; and Kristy Drutman, Founder of Brown Girl Green. Discover what impressed them most about Climate Week NYC 2024 and their key takeaways from this influential event.
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Smart People Podcast: Guy Kawasaki on How Steve Jobs Taught Remarkable Thinking
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
Tuesday Oct 01, 2024
We're bringing you an extra episode highlighting one of our favorite podcasts. Smart People Podcast is a biweekly, interview-based podcast that features today's most well-respected thought leaders engaging in authentic conversation. The show is an excellent binge, and in this episode, Guy Kawasaki delivers a practical, tactical, and sometimes radical discussion of how to make a difference in the world and live a fulfilling life.
If you like this episode, listen to Smart People Podcast wherever you get your podcasts, or visit their website here.
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Busting Myths About Manufacturing Careers
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
Wednesday Sep 25, 2024
More than 500,000 American manufacturing jobs remain unfilled. Are negative perceptions and myths about manufacturing holding young people and career seekers back from pursuing these high-paying jobs now attainable to people of all backgrounds?
Terry Iverson, former owner of Iverson & Company and founder of CHAMPION Now!, an organization dedicated to improving the image of manufacturing among students, parents, and educators, joins Barbara to discuss:
The roots of the worker shortage problem
Common myths and misconceptions
Inspiring career success stories
Why newcomers are advancing quickly
The case for ANYONE interested in manufacturing applying for open roles
Show notes:
CHAMPION Now!: https://championnow.org/about/
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
Navigating the Fourth Industrial Revolution: Transforming American Manufacturing
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
Tuesday Sep 10, 2024
Digital innovation is breaking out of Silicon Valley and revolutionizing manufacturing plants across America. What vision do manufacturers have for these cutting-edge tools? How are they tackling digital transformation, cybersecurity, workforce development, and AI integration? Join Barbara as she speaks with Stephen Gold, President and CEO of the Manufacturers Alliance, to get an expert’s take on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the strides American manufacturers are making in adopting advanced technologies.
Show notes:
Digital Transformation Report: https://www.manufacturersalliance.org/research-insights/digitalizationreport
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Encore: Brewing Innovations - Tapping Into Sustainable Beer Production
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Tuesday Aug 27, 2024
Barbara is joined by Maisie Devine, Executive Director of Sustainable Innovation at AB InBev and Founder of the 100+ Accelerator program. They dig into how strategic collaborations between large corporations and startups are not only speeding up net-zero strategies but also driving significant cost savings that reinforce the business case for sustainability - including in the beer brewing industry! This episode originally aired August 8 2023.
Show Notes:
100+ Accelerator Program
Vertical Farming Initiative
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Net-Zero Now: Making Sustainability Good for Business
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
Tuesday Aug 13, 2024
In the race to meet sustainability objectives, corporate commitments are skyrocketing. The Net Zero Tracker reports a 40% increase in corporate net-zero targets since June 2022, now encompassing half of the world’s largest companies. This surge extends to broader sustainability goals, including biodiversity, nature, and equity. Yet, the pace must quicken, and the scale of action must expand. Join Barbara and her guest, Sabine Hoefnagel, Global Head of Sustainability & Risk at ERM, for an enlightening conversation. They’ll explore the trends fueling these corporate pledges and unpack the compelling business incentives driving private-sector investments in sustainability. Discover the tools that can help businesses fast-track their sustainability milestones.
Show notes:
ERM: https://www.erm.com/
Accelerate net-zero: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/sustainability.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw5ea1BhC6ARIsAEOG5pxuGTkHSkmc8DPlU36ZrCAOEJrLfpG5UOTtXyMG1PVyeo9IZSm4QJYaAuGzEALw_wcB&acz=1&gad_source=1
Thursday Aug 01, 2024
Insights: The Search for Big Ideas in Sustainability
Thursday Aug 01, 2024
Thursday Aug 01, 2024
As the clock ticks down on critical climate goals, can we still turn the tide? Barbara reveals why she believes the answer is “yes” while drawing inspiration from the recent Breakthrough Energy Summit, which brings together global leaders focused on big ideas for net-zero technologies. In this episode, she explores how new breakthroughs in technology *partnerships* can help us to meet our climate targets. Discover how to decarbonize buildings, how to rapidly scale solar power, and much more.
Show notes:
Bronzeville microgrid: https://theoptimisticoutlook.podbean.com/e/the-overlooked-solution-to-scaling-clean-power
Breakthrough Report: https://transition.breakthroughenergy.org/
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Encore: Charting a Path to Decline Greenhouse Gasses
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Tuesday Jul 23, 2024
Babara talks with Chad Frischmann, co-author of the New York Times best-seller "Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming," about what is possible in the arena of reducing greenhouse gasses. They have some surprisingly positive insights based on existing and emerging technologies.
They offer a vision of a future where atmospheric greenhouse gasses start to decline year after year and describe what a truly regenerative future might entail. This episode originally aired on September 16, 2022.
Show Notes:
Regenerative Intelligence
Project Drawdown
Tuesday Jul 02, 2024
The overlooked solution to scaling clean power
Tuesday Jul 02, 2024
Tuesday Jul 02, 2024
As AI data centers multiply electricity needs and grid transmission challenges linger, how will the United States produce enough affordable, reliable, and clean power? Can we continue to grow the economy without forsaking critical climate objectives? In this episode, Barbara spotlights a key solution: the opportunity to innovate at the "grid edge," where technologies can be applied to rapidly scale renewables. Barbara not only makes the case for how to transform the power grid; she presents an example in Chicago's South Side neighborhood Bronzeville, which recently switched on a powerful grid edge project in the form of America's first neighborhood-scale microgrid. Get ready to hear expert commentary on how microgrids supercharge utility services. This opens up new possibilities to accelerate the energy transition while also making grids more resilient to shocks and disruption in the face of more severe weather.
Show Notes:
News coverage of microgrid launch: https://chicago.suntimes.com/real-estate/2024/05/24/comed-bronzeville-microgrid-electric-power-energy-housing-authority
ComEd press release: https://www.comed.com/news/news-releases/2024-05-24
Accelerate Carbon Reduction: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/sustainability.html?gclid=CjwKCAjwp4m0BhBAEiwAsdc4aDgrEeye3t9H7I8CDD-Al8KysZS8NrUdjc5uY9SVTePmEkG4exRpqRoCwhIQAvD_BwE&acz=1&gad_source=1
Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
Tuesday Jun 18, 2024
When Susan Nickey started her career in banking, few people saw a future in financing renewables. It wasn’t even a sector yet! Today, as EVP & Chief Client Officer for climate positive investment firm HASI and the Board Chair of the American Clean Power Association, Susan is working to advance clean energy from a stronger position: with renewables now mainstream, low cost, and competitive. Barbara opens this conversation by delving into Susan's career as they explore clean power's past and future. Key questions answered include: What needs to be done to get the clean energy transition moving faster? And what’s the role of renewables as electricity demand surges to support a data center boom driven by generative AI? This episode will get you up to speed on the last energy trends impacting the energy transition and energy security. Get ready to learn why innovation with financing is as important as technology development and R&D. You’ll also learn how permitting reform and workforce development can further catalyze the massive private sector investment in clean energy spurred by the Inflation Reduction Act.
The Optimistic Outlook
The national conversation surrounding America’s infrastructure has focused on how to fix it and fund it. In The Optimistic Outlook podcast, Siemens USA CEO Barbara Humpton looks deeper, focusing on how reinventing infrastructure can help address societal challenges.