Episodes

In this episode, host Sean Grady sits down with Jim Galligan, Senior Vice President at TerraTherm, to discuss advanced thermal remediation technologies. Jim, an industry veteran with over 34 years of expertise, dives deep into thermal conduction heating (TCH), electrical resistance heating (ERH), and steam-enhanced extraction (SEE)—powerful techniques used to remediate recalcitrant contaminants like PFAS, chlorinated solvents (PCE, TCE), PCBs, dioxins, and petroleum hydrocarbons.Learn how therma...

In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady welcomes Michael Hoffman, president and CEO of the National Waste and Recycling Association (NWRA). Hoffman shares his 37 years of experience in the waste and recycling industry, discusses NWRA's advocacy efforts at the local, state, and federal levels, and outlines his vision for improving safety, membership engagement, and industry innovation. He also explains the challenges surrounding packaging EPR, PFAS regulation,...

Join host Sean Grady as he welcomes Jim Sullivan, Chief Strategy and Development Officer at Veolia North America’s Environmental Solutions and Services (ESS) group. In this insightful conversation, Jim discusses his extensive career journey at Veolia, detailing how his roles in sales, operations, and strategic leadership have shaped the company’s sustainability vision and innovation strategy. Discover how Veolia’s ESS group is driving significant advancements in hazardous waste management,...

In this episode, Energy expert Robert Bryce breaks down the global energy crisis, the impact of rising electricity costs, and the realities of renewable energy. He explains why energy policies are hurting the working class, how wind and solar energy face major challenges, and why nuclear power could be a key solution. Bryce also discusses electric vehicles (EVs), the expansion of data centers, and the politics of energy regulations. Get the facts on energy affordability, infrastructure challenge...

In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady speaks with Jasper Steinhausen, business consultant, author, and CEO of Business with Impact. Jasper specializes in helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrate sustainability into their business models—profitably. Learn how to make sustainability profitable with Jasper Steinhausen, business consultant, author, and CEO of Business with Impact. In this episode, we explore how small and medium-sized e...

Understanding Environmental Insurance with Expert John Wasilchuk. In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady speaks with John Wasilchuk, the Director of the Environmental Practice at Gallagher Risk Management Services. John shares his extensive experience in evaluating environmental risks and designing insurance programs for organizations and the benefits of environmental insurance for industrial waste companies. Plus, he shares the impact of climate change on i...

In this episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady is joined by Matthew Sekol, a sustainability expert at Microsoft and author of 'ESG Mindset.' They discuss Matthew's book, which serves as a guide for companies to think critically about ESG and adopt a holistic approach to business. The conversation covers a range of topics including the importance of developing an ESG mindset, the challenges of integrating ESG into core operations, and the role of leadership in drivin...

Sean Grady sits down with Wendy Buckley, President and CEO of STARS HazMat Consulting, to discuss the vital topic of lithium-ion battery safety. With over 27 years of experience in hazmat transportation and regulatory compliance, Wendy shares her expertise on the hazards, regulations, and industry best practices for handling these powerful yet potentially dangerous batteries. The conversation covers everything from the everyday devices powered by lithium-ion batteries — like smartphones, e...

In this monumental 100th episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady dives into the critical issue of combustible dust with two leading experts: Dr. Kevin Aikman, a plant biologist and certified industrial hygienist with over 30 years of consulting experience, and Dr. Ashok Dastidar, Vice President at Fauske & Associates, specializing in chemical process hazard analysis. The episode covers the science behind combustible dust, its potential risks, the role of industrial h...

Sean Grady interviews Sean Easton, co-founder and Chief Revenue Officer of Wastelinq, a cutting-edge waste-tracking software platform. Easton discusses his journey in the waste industry, from his career beginnings to co-founding Wastelinq, which has innovative features such as AI-assisted waste profiling, dynamic routing for treatment methods, and inventory management. Additionally, they touch on sustainability goals, compliance, and the importance of data privacy. Easton shares insights on the ...

Jason Kunz, a safety leader with over a decade at 3M, shares insights on building top-tier safety programs, preventing serious injuries, and how technology is reshaping safety. He also touches on worker engagement and a life-saving CPR experience. Tune in for practical tips to elevate your safety approach. Learn more about Jason at at ⁠⁠www.kunzCompany.com⁠⁠. Thanks to our sponsors: E-Tank, TerraTherm, Enthalpy Analytical, and Zappa Stewart.

Sean Grady interviews Robert Wilkinson, an expert with over 25 years of experience in environmental investigation, assessment, and management. Robert, who is the CCR Technical Manager at TDEC's Bureau of Environment, discusses his extensive background and how he became involved in managing issues related to coal combustion residuals (CCR) at TVA coal-fired power plants in Tennessee. The conversation dives into the history and regulatory framework of CCR, the environmental and health impacts, the...

Join host Sean Grady as he interviews JP Verheul, Senior Chemist, and Mike Allen, VP of Trace Lab Services, from Enthalpy Analytical. Discover the critical work Enthalpy Analytical is doing in analyzing environmental samples for PFAS and other contaminants. Learn about the challenges and complexities in the testing and regulatory landscape, especially concerning drinking water, wastewater treatment, and industrial impacts. The episode also features detailed discussions on analytical methods, sta...

In this final episode of our 8 part series, Sean Grady welcomes back Skip Elliott, a veteran business manager with over 40 years of experience in high-risk industries. Skip discusses his extensive career, including his tenure as the Administrator of the U.S. Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) and as the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation. The conversation centers around the inaugural Rail Hazmat Thought Leader Summit held in Dallas, Texas. Sean and...

Join host Sean Grady in conversations with industry experts at the Rail Hazmat Summit, featuring insights from Brian Kokkila, Assistant Chief of Operations for the Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire. Explore the challenges and collaborations in emergency response activities, focusing on rail incidents and stakeholder engagement. Learn some of the take aways Brian plans to focus on when he returns to his post as a result of this Rail Thought Leaders Summit. Thanks to our sponsors: Enthalpy Analytica...

In this episode, join host Sean Grady as he delves into the world of 911 emergency response operations with April Heinze, the Chief of 911 Operations at the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). Get ready to explore the crucial role of 911 operators, the setting of standards, training procedures, and the challenges faced by the emergency response community. Tune in for valuable insights and behind-the-scenes perspectives from a key player in the realm of emergency response. Thanks to ...

In this episode, host Sean Grady interviews John Walsh, the director of hazmat programs for the Short Line Safety Institute, discussing the crucial role of hazmat training for first responders in the rail industry. Walsh shares insights on the challenges and importance of safety training for short line and regional railroads, emphasizing the need for collaboration and leveraging digital technologies for effective training delivery. The interview highlights key takeaways from the Rail Hazmat Thou...

Welcome to the environmental transformation podcast. Today's guest is Nikos Avlonas, CEO of the Center of Sustainability and Excellence, discussing sustainability practices and the impact of new climate disclosure rules on organizations. From sustainability training to navigating the complexities of sustainability reporting, join us as we explore the evolving landscape of sustainable business practices. Thanks to our sponsors: Enthalpy Analytical, Zappa-Stewart, E-Tank, Cascade Environmental,...

Welcome to the Environmental Transformation Podcast with host Sean Grady. In this episode, Sean interviews Anthony Mangeri, a renowned expert in Emergency and Disaster Management. Anthony shares insights into his role as a professor at Rowan University and the American Military University, as well as his experience as the regional president of the International Association of Emergency Managers. Discover how Anthony helps communities navigate natural and technological hazards, mitigate risks, an...

Welcome to the Environmental Transformation Podcast, where industry leaders discuss pivotal topics shaping the future. In this episode, host Sean Grady engages in an enlightening conversation with Kari Gonzales, the President and CEO of MXV Rail. Discover how MXV Rail, the world's premier rail research advisory, is revolutionizing the industry through cutting-edge research and training programs. From enhancing safety to promoting resilience, MXV Rail is at the forefront of innovation. Explore th...

In this episode, Sean interviews Pat Brady, General Director of Hazardous Materials Safety at BNSF Railroad. Learn about Pat's role at BNSF and his vast experience as an emergency responder, we also cover topics such as response readiness in the hazmat community, challenges in hazmat training, credential standards, and how technology such as virtual reality is changing the way Class I railroads are targeting the Gen Zs entering the workforce. Finally we dive into all the elements of stakeholder ...

Welcome to the Environmental Transformation Podcast. In this episode, host Sean Grady interviews Bill Schoonover, the Associate Administrator of Hazardous Materials Safety for the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Bill shares insights on organizing the inaugural RAIL Thought Leaders Summit in Addison, Texas, and discusses the outcomes and future objectives of bringing thought leaders together to enhance hazmat safety and preparedness. Join us for a deep dive into the comple...

In this insightful episode of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, host Sean Grady engages in a compelling dialogue with Emily Donovan, co-founder of Clean Cape Fear, about their ongoing battle against PFAS pollution in the Cape Fear River watershed. Exploring the intricate journey from petitioning the United Nations to address human rights violations to the complex responses from major corporations like DuPont, Chemours, and Corteva, this episode sheds light on the critical environmental a...

Using Super Absorbent Polymers (SAPs) to solidify liquid wastes with Whit Rawls. In this compelling installment of the Environmental Transformation Podcast, Sean sits down with Whit Rawls, the expert sales engineer from Chase Corp's Zappa Stewart, to explore the fascinating technology behind SAPs. We deep dive into the use and impact of SAPs across various sectors, including waste management, sediment dredging, drilling operations, municipal wastewater treatment, and environmental remediation. F...