Month: February 2026

A Day In the Life of a Former Maximum-Security Psychiatric Hospital Director

A Day In the Life of a Former Maximum-Security Psychiatric Hospital Director

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Tune in this week for a rare opportunity to step into the world of a mental health institution leader. You’ll hear powerful reflections from Dr. Charles Dike, previous medical director of a maximum-security psychiatric hospital and current CEO of a state mental health center. He’ll bring you into his day-to-day experience as a forensic psychiatrist, and the realities of leading in a challenging, rewarding and at times intense environment. Dr. Dike readily acknowledges the importance of collaboration when working through turbulence and when trying to make a positive impact in people’s lives. With clarity and conviction, he describes the necessity of holding on to every single person’s humanity, even while acknowledging harms done by and experienced by some of those he serves. We’ll also hear about Dr. Dike’s principles for motivating others and promoting team growth, and his priority of building a culture of care amongst patients, families, staff, and community. You’ll hear about his out-of-the-box approaches, and the ways he leads as a coach. Join in to hear from this truly transformative leader, who leads with passion, humility, and strength alongside a remarkable openness to guidance and correction.

The Addy Hour is recorded at the Yale Teaching Studios, with engineering support from Ryan McEvoy, edited by Orlando Suazo, and hosted by Dr. Nii Addy. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and follow our podcast page, to help us grow this podcast and our community.

Navigating the Climate Tech Capital Stack & The Future of VC | Sophie Purdom

Navigating the Climate Tech Capital Stack & The Future of VC | Sophie Purdom

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The “Green Premium” is officially dead. If you think a great invention is enough to save the planet—and a business—think again. In this eye-opening breakdown, Sophie Purdom (General Partner at Planeteer Capital) pulls back the curtain on the brutal reality of climate tech. While there’s an $82 billion “gold mine” of dry powder waiting, most founders are looking in the wrong places.

Whether you’re curious about how the world’s biggest industries (Energy, Food, and Transport) are being rebuilt or you want to know why your favorite “eco-friendly” startup might vanish tomorrow, Sophie provides the unfiltered truth on what it actually takes to win the climate war.
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📧 Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom
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Common Questions
Why are climate tech startups failing? Many rely on a “green premium” (charging more for being eco-friendly), which fails in a tough economy. Success now requires being cheaper or better than the “dirty” alternative.

Is there still money for new climate companies? Yes, but the “dry powder” is concentrated. Investors are pivoting away from pure software toward “hardware-enabled” solutions that solve real-world industrial problems.

How is AI affecting climate change? AI requires massive amounts of energy for data centers (the “Hungry Hippo”), creating a massive challenge—and opportunity—for the energy grid.

What is the best way to get involved in climate tech? According to Sophie, the world needs more builders and founders in heavy industry and risk mitigation rather than more venture capitalists.

Investing in Climate Tech Innovation

Investing in Climate Tech Innovation

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Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 0:37 — 940.5KB) | Embed

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The “Green Premium” is officially dead. If you think a great invention is enough to save the planet—and a business—think again. In this eye-opening breakdown, Sophie Purdom (General Partner at Planeteer Capital) pulls back the curtain on the brutal reality of climate tech. While there’s a $82 billion “gold mine” of dry powder waiting, most founders are looking in the wrong places.

Whether you’re curious about how the world’s biggest industries (Energy, Food, and Transport) are being rebuilt or you want to know why your favorite “eco-friendly” startup might vanish tomorrow, Sophie provides the unfiltered truth on what it actually takes to win the climate war.
—
📧 Subscribe to Our Substack: https://substack.com/@futureinbloom
—
Common Questions
Why are climate tech startups failing? Many rely on a “green premium” (charging more for being eco-friendly), which fails in a tough economy. Success now requires being cheaper or better than the “dirty” alternative.

Is there still money for new climate companies? Yes, but the “dry powder” is concentrated. Investors are pivoting away from pure software toward “hardware-enabled” solutions that solve real-world industrial problems.

How is AI affecting climate change? AI requires massive amounts of energy for data centers (the “Hungry Hippo”), creating a massive challenge—and opportunity—for the energy grid.

What is the best way to get involved in climate tech? According to Sophie, the world needs more builders and founders in heavy industry and risk mitigation rather than more venture capitalists.
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Fighting Infections the World Forgot: Interview with Dr. Neima Briggs

Fighting Infections the World Forgot: Interview with Dr. Neima Briggs

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Billions of people live with parasitic worm infections — yet most of us never hear about them. In this episode, Dr. Neima Briggs explains why neglected tropical diseases stay neglected, how worms outsmart the immune system, and why making vaccines against parasites is far harder than for viruses. From unexpected allergic reactions in vaccine trials to the promise (and limits) of mRNA technology, we explore the science, global inequities, and future of fighting infections that thrive in poverty but increasingly affect a warming, interconnected world.

Community Health Resilience Amidst Healthcare, Economic, and Environmental Challenges: An Interview with Dr. Suzi Ruhl

Community Health Resilience Amidst Healthcare, Economic, and Environmental Challenges: An Interview with Dr. Suzi Ruhl

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How can we leverage the legal system and the medical system to best support the communities these systems should be serving?

In this episode, our hosts Shivani and Shakeri interview the dearly admired Dr. Suzi Ruhl, a lawyer and epidemiologist who shares her expertise on equitably building individual and community resiliency by tackling highest priority conditions created by health, economic and environmental challenges. In this lively and enlightening conversation, Dr. Ruhl expresses the link between environmental justice and public health, the disproportionate impact of environmental, economic and health burdens faced by minority, low-income and tribal communities, and the legal, medical, and environmental dimensions to providing equitable healthcare.

Links to Initiatives Mentioned in this Episode:
An Environmental Justice Mapping Tool: https://www.epa.gov/ejscreen
The Elevate Lab: https://medicine.yale.edu/childstudy/services/community-and-schools-programs/elevate/
Yale’s Child Study Centre: https://medicine.yale.edu/childstudy/

Severe Mental Illness in Loved Ones – Navigating Resources, Support & the Care System w/ Corey Minor Smith and Vicky Sigworth

Severe Mental Illness in Loved Ones – Navigating Resources, Support & the Care System w/ Corey Minor Smith and Vicky Sigworth

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Join in for this deeply honest, revealing and empowering conversation as I welcome two pioneering women who graciously share their stories and bring you into their world. In this episode, we highlight the topic of severe mental illness to raise awareness and bring greater understanding. My guests also share critical resources and information for everyone, especially those with loved ones, friends or others you know living with severe mental illness. We lean into the tensions that arise between supporting others and sustaining your own health, mental health and wellness. We also consider some alarming statistics, especially when it comes to medication, caregiving, and illness. Even so, it’s no surprise that the power of community shows up throughout our discussion. Get ready to be inspired and equipped, as our guests share words of wisdom from their experience, knowledge, and emerging friendship.

Get caregiver resources at www.coreyempowers.com
Learn more about the National Alliance on Mental Illness at www.nami.org

The Addy Hour is recorded at the Yale Teaching Studios, with engineering support from Ryan McEvoy, edited by Orlando Suazo, and hosted by Dr. Nii Addy. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a rating and follow our podcast page, to help us grow this podcast and our community.