Clean energy has made tremendous progress on technology.

Solar is cheaper. Batteries are scaling. Virtual power plants are becoming real grid assets. Electrification is accelerating.

But many people still do not understand why these technologies matter to them personally — or whether they are actually worth the cost.

So what’s missing?

In this conversation, Nico sits down with Jessica Fishman to explore why the next phase of the energy transition may depend less on technical innovation and more on public understanding, trust, and emotional connection.

Jessica shares lessons from nearly two decades working across solar, storage, policy, and communications, including what the industry can learn from the Inflation Reduction Act, why facts alone rarely change minds, and how clean energy companies can better connect their work to the things people already care about: affordability, resilience, independence, and economic opportunity.

Expect to learn:

🔹 Why facts alone rarely change minds

🔹 How clean energy can evolve from a “push” industry into a “pull” industry

🔹 What the IRA taught us about public awareness and policy durability

🔹 Why emotional connection often matters more than technical precision

🔹 How stronger public understanding could accelerate energy adoption

If you’ve ever wondered why technically superior solutions still struggle to earn broad public trust, this conversation is worth your time.

Are there other technologies you’ve scouted on the frontlines of the Clean Energy Revolution that you think we should be covering here on SunCast?

Hit us up - team@suncast.me with your feedback & recommendations.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to their contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://suncast.media/episodes/.

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