Pathways to Progress Speaker Series

In this episode, Alex Zook interviews Dr. Casey Handmer, co-founder of Terraform Industries, about the science and strategy behind converting atmospheric CO₂ into sustainable hydrocarbons. They unpack the thermodynamics and catalysis of the process, compare hardware and software development cycles, and identify the main hurdles in scaling chemical manufacturing. The discussion also examines U.S. manufacturing capacity, explores AI’s emerging role in engineering workflows, and concludes with practical insights for researchers and entrepreneurs entering the hard-tech arena.Follow Casey on X: x.com/CJHandmerConnect with us:https://www.pathwaystoprogress.xyzx.com/PathsProgressSubscribe for email updates:https://xyz.us9.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=49a752205c201402feab70ff2&id=c3e053f33c This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathsprogress.substack.com

Kumar Garg, co-founder and president of Renaissance Philanthropy, joins Laura Messner and Berke Celik to discuss the motivation and vision behind the organization’s launch in May 2024, and the principles that have enabled its rapid scale-up.In this conversation, they explore:The founding vision and strategic priorities of Renaissance PhilanthropyOrganizational principles that support effective growthThe art of agenda-setting and policy entrepreneurshipBuilding impactful public-private partnershipsLeveraging innovative funding mechanismsIdentifying high-impact opportunities in overlooked areas — from eliminating lead exposure to addressing potassium deficiencyThe importance of R&D and innovation in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs)Check out Renaissance Philanthropy. Follow Kumar Garg on X.Connect with us: Website TwitterSubscribe for email updates. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathsprogress.substack.com

Jay Turner, the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Environmental Studies at Wellesley College and author of Charged: A History of Batteries and Lessons for a Clean Energy Future, joins Sam Peterson to discuss environment politics and the clean energy transition.Check out Jay's book and The Big Green Machine data dashboard.Connect with us: Website Twitter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathsprogress.substack.com

Jason Crawford, the founder of the Roots for Progress, joins Arturs Semenuks to discuss moral progress and economic growth.Check out Jason's blog.Connect with us: Website Twitter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathsprogress.substack.com

Rasheed Griffith, CEO of the Caribbean Progress Studies Institute, joins Dominic Sobhani to discuss discuss the Institute's focus areas—economic growth acceleration, dollarization, fiscal conservatism, and citizenship-by-investment programs—while also exploring Caribbean history and Rasheed's distinctive personal journey.Check out the Caribbean Progress Studies Institute Substack.Connect with Rasheed.Connect with us: Website Twitter Subscribe to our email updates. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathsprogress.substack.com

Réka Juhász, an economist at the University of British Columbia and co-founder of the Industrial Policy Group, joins Keishi Kimura and Thomas Bombarde to discuss the new economics of industrial policy.Connect with us: Website Twitter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathsprogress.substack.com

Kurtis Lockhart, Executive Director at the Charter Cities Institute, joins Kartik Akileswaran, co-founder of Growth Teams, to discuss the history of charter cities, their impact on development, urban planning, and economic growth.Check out the Charter Cities Institute.Check out Growth Teams.Connect with us: Website Twitter Subscribe for email updates. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathsprogress.substack.com

Saloni Dattani, researcher on global health at Our World in Data and a founder and editor at Works in Progress, joins Berke Celik to discuss global health R&D, snake bites, and the challenges in collecting health data.Check out Saloni's blog and work at Our World in Data.Connect with us: Website Twitter Subscribe for email updates. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathsprogress.substack.com

Caleb Watney, co-founder and co-CEO of the Institute for Progress, joins Keishi Kimura to discuss how to build an entrepreneurial state to energize U.S. R&D.Check out the Institute for Progress.Connect with us: Website Twitter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathsprogress.substack.com

Matt Clancy, head of the Innovation Policy program at Open Philanthropy, joins Ethan Jiang to discuss various topics in the economics of innovation. We are fortunate to have Matt as an advisor at Pathways to Progress.Check out Matt's blog.Connect with us: Website Twitter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathsprogress.substack.com

Anton Howes, a historian of innovation, joins Dominic Sobhani to discuss innovation, inspiration, and causes of the Industrial Revolution.Check out Anton's Substack.Connect with us: Website Twitter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathsprogress.substack.com

Alec Stapp, co-founder and co-CEO of the Institute for Progress, joins Ethan Jiang to discuss progress.Check out the Institute for Progress and Alec's Twitter.Connect with us: Website TwitterSubscribe for email updates. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit pathsprogress.substack.com