The Turning Point Podcast
On The Turning Point Podcast, we talk to mission driven leaders who are dedicated to social and environmental impact, doing their part to help our species navigate this critical moment of change. Joanna Macy, the great environmental activist and systems ecologist, said that when faced with planetry crisis, there are three stories we can tell ourselves. *Business as usual* in which we tell ourselves that some degree of damage is necessary for human progress. *The great unraveling* in which we tell ourselves that mass ecosystem destruction is inevitable. And *The Great Turning* in which we tell ourselves that evolving the way we live is the only way forward and that we’re at the beginning of one of the great human projects in our history. On this podcast we talk to the people who are writing that third story with their own work in their own lives. Welcome to the turning point.
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Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Burning medical waste is harmful, expensive, and still surprisingly common in 2025. In this episode of The Turning Point, we explore why—and what mission-driven healthcare leaders can do about it.
Kelly Prchal, CEO of Clean Waste Systems, shares how her company’s ozone-based waste treatment system is disrupting the status quo. With no heat or water required, these machines sterilize waste, reduce volume, cut emissions, and can save hospitals millions over time.
You'll hear about the operational, financial, and ethical benefits of switching to ozone-based waste processing, including real-world success stories and insights into overcoming the industry's biggest adoption barriers.
If you're a business leader looking for innovative, no-compromise sustainability solutions—this is an episode you don't want to miss.
🔗 Learn more about Clean Waste Systems’ solutions: https://www.cleanwastesystems.com
🔗 Learn more about how we help mission driven business grow their impact: https://stillpointinsight.com/
Chapters with Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome + Meet the Guest
01:33 – Defining Regulated Medical Waste
03:01 – The Problem with Burning Waste
06:20 – How the Ozone System Works
10:45 – Visualizing the Output
14:00 – ROI: Cost & Sustainability Benefits
18:19 – Adoption Challenges + Solutions
25:00 – Midwest Hospital Case Study
30:00 – Operational Culture & Employee Impact
33:00 – What Comes Next for Clean Waste Systems
Key Takeaways:
Most medical waste is still incinerated.
Burning creates significant carbon emissions.
Ozone kills pathogens without high energy use.
Clean Waste Systems machines can cut volume by up 80%.
Hospitals can save 50%+ on processing costs.
Treated waste is inert, safe, and unrecognizable.
On-site treatment reduces third-party liability.
The tech aligns with ESG and sustainability mandates.
#PodcastForChange #SustainableInnovation #HealthcareLeadership #ESGGoals #ClimateTech #GreenSolutions #MedicalWaste #OzoneTreatment #HealthTech #ImpactBusiness
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Wednesday May 28, 2025
Battery storage is one of the most critical — and misunderstood — components of the clean energy transition. In this episode, Zahra Hargens Iliff, founder and CEO of Vessyll, joins us to talk about how her company is helping businesses cut costs and reduce grid strain by deploying on-site battery systems.
We explore why battery storage is essential to meeting future energy demand, how utilities and private companies can collaborate more effectively, and what policy and infrastructure barriers are slowing things down. Zahra also shares her journey from construction to climate tech, and why we don’t need to wait for perfect conditions to move forward.
This is a grounded, systems-focused look at where energy is going — and what it will take to get there.
🔗 Learn more about Vessyll's energy storage systems: https://www.vessyll.com
🔗 Learn more about about how we help mission-driven business grow their impact: https://www.stillpointinsight.com
Chapters
01:29 – What battery storage actually does 04:01 – Energy demand, data centers & diesel backup 06:38 – The myth of all-or-nothing energy transitions 08:47 – Utilities, grid infrastructure & collaboration gaps 11:00 – How battery systems reduce demand charges 14:30 – Use cases: medical clinics, data centers, commercial buildings 17:12 – The promise of distributed energy systems 19:30 – Why the U.S. is behind: a global comparison 22:00 – Zahra’s journey from homebuilding to battery tech 24:13 – What drives the work: curiosity and persistence 27:46 – Barriers to adoption: education, affordability, and incentives 33:02 – How federal tariffs are disrupting progress 38:47 – What collaboration could make possible 42:10 – What Zahra wants listeners to know and do
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
Former athlete and advertising exec Dr. Justin Baker joins Ian C. Williams to share his journey through burnout, meditation, and a PhD in Human Factors. What starts as a personal healing story evolves into a deeper exploration of why self-awareness alone isn’t enough to create meaningful organizational change.
Justin breaks down the flaws in the “mindfulness industrial complex,” and explains how behavioral science and design thinking can help reimagine work from the outside-in. Together, they explore what it takes to build mindful organizations, why space and intention matter, and how leaders can start making practical, human-centered changes today.
Perfect for listeners in leadership, consulting, education, or personal transformation.
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
In this episode of The Turning Point, Ian C. Williams discusses the critical connection between personal transformation and planetary transformation. He emphasizes the urgency of addressing the sixth mass extinction and the need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions. Ian explores the concept of discipline as a means of learning and adapting, rather than mere control. He highlights the importance of self-awareness in organizations and the necessity of operationalizing behavior change to create a cohesive and healthy organizational culture. Drawing parallels between nature and organizational development, Ian advocates for a systemic approach to change that prioritizes sustainability and mindfulness.
Takeaways
Personal transformation is essential for planetary change.
Discipline should be viewed as a learning process.
Taking responsibility for oneself is crucial for effective change.
Organizations can either have a culture by design or by default.
Motivation alone is not enough for behavior change.
Healthy organizations are cohesive and adaptable.
Nature provides valuable lessons for organizational health.
Systemic change requires collective effort and awareness.
The journey of self-development is ongoing and essential.
Chapters:
04:46 Personal Responsibility and Change
07:58 The Role of Discipline in Transformation
10:48 Navigating Personal and Systemic Change
14:02 The Journey to Organizational Development
16:52 Nature as a Guide for Organizational Health
19:53 Cohesion in Healthy Organizations
22:47 Operationalizing Change in Organizations
25:45 The Intersection of Nature and Human Systems
28:27 The Call to Action for Individuals
Wednesday Apr 16, 2025