The Upsiders

Welcome back to The Community Curiosity Collective! In an age of runaway energy bills and unreliable grids, we ask a crucial question: What if the power source wasn't hundreds of miles away, but right in your neighborhood?This week, we dive into the soaring trend of Community-Owned Renewable Energy Projects—local, decentralized initiatives where citizens invest in and benefit from their own power sources, from rooftop solar cooperatives to local wind farms. This "Power to the People" model is more than just a clean energy transition; it's a social and economic revolution.We explore how this grassroots model is surging globally, with over 2 million people involved in 23,000 projects across 30 European countries alone. Community energy provides an alternative to the utility-led system that has historically prioritized profit over people, leading to blackouts and transmission line failures.In this episode, we spotlight local heroes, including Brooklyn's UPROSE (Brooklyn's oldest Latino community-based organization) and their work on the Sunset Park Solar project, as well as efforts to bring solar to marginalized communities right here in Indiana.Learn how community ownership creates a massive Upside by:Increasing Energy Security through local microgrids and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).Driving Economic Benefits and job creation directly back into the neighborhood.Reducing resistance to renewable projects, leading to a faster, fairer transition.This is the inspiring story of how collective action is democratizing energy, making power cleaner, safer, and fairer for all.Show NotesPower to the People: An Overview of Community Energy | Earth.orgUproseSunset Park SolarWhat is community ownership for renewable energy? | Institute for Human Rights and BenefitsCommunity-Owned Community Solar: Opportunities and Challenges | Environmental Law and Policy CenterA landfill in Indy will soon be home to community solar | Mirror IndySolar United NeighborsSolar power is about to become a lot more expensive for Hoosiers as net metering expires | IndyStar

"America is a place where the luxuries are cheap and the necessities are expensive.” — Joseph Cohen, SociologistWelcome back to The Community Curiosity Collective! For decades, our culture has equated success with "more": more money, more stuff, and more growth. But what happens when that relentless pursuit of economic expansion makes our most basic needs, like healthcare, housing, and childcare, impossibly expensive?This week, we explore the radical idea known as the De-Growth Movement: the push to abolish endless economic growth as a primary social objective.We reframe this concept not as a path to scarcity, but as a pathway to a different kind of richness: intentional consumption, less stress, and the reclamation of time.In this episode, we tackle the paradox of modern American life. The costs of necessities like housing and education have doubled or tripled since 1996, far outpacing inflation. We ask:How does the affordability of cheap luxuries distract us from the crisis of expensive necessities?Can technology and "decoupling" truly solve environmental challenges, or is a fundamental shift in consumption necessary?What non-material gains—like community, time, and greater fulfillment—do we rediscover when we embrace the philosophy of "Buy Less, Choose Well?"Join us as we explore the power of minimalism and conscious consumption, and find out why this movement isn't about working less, but about living more.Show NotesDegrowthCan we save the planet by shrinking the economy? | VoxHow Companies Can Embrace Conscious Consumption | ForbesHow to Be a More Conscious Consumer, Even If You’re on a Budget | NYTimesThe power of consumer choice | ETechForget retail therapy - this is the age of the conscious consumer | World Economic ForumPurpose over profit: are B-Corps the future of sustainable business? | ReutersFind a B CorpWhat Is Conscious Consumption, And Why Is It Important? | The Momentum

For many, a fast internet connection and a working computer are a fact of modern life. But for millions across the globe and right here in the U.S., a lack of digital access and skills is creating a gap that threatens to leave entire communities behind.Welcome back to The Upsiders. This week, we explore the often-overlooked Digital Divide—a chasm that prevents access to education, employment, healthcare, and civic life for underserved populations.We highlight the incredible, Unsung Heroes of Digital Inclusion: the organizations fighting on the front lines to ensure technology is a tool for social equity, not a barrier. We look at the innovative models being built by groups like the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), EveryoneOn, and Human-I-T, who are not only providing affordable devices and internet but are also embedding Digital Navigators into communities for personalized support.This is the ultimate Upsider story: one of purpose-driven progress. We explore how fixing this divide creates massive positive ripple effects, leading to:Increased economic opportunity and better job attainment.Stronger community resilience and civic participation.A more equitable future for all.Join us as we examine the powerful strategies—from ethical e-waste recycling to community-driven training—that are ensuring the benefits of technology truly reach every last person.Show Notes:National Digital Inclusion AllianceWhat is Digital Inclusion | IEEEResearch on vulnerable people and digital inclusion: toward a consolidated taxonomical framework | National Library of MedicineEveryone OnHuman-I-TDigital LiftWorld Literacy FoundationEducational Equality Institute

Get ready to look to the sky, Upsiders! This is the most excited Los has been about an upside so far. On this special episode, Los and Bertram explore a truly futuristic vision of agriculture that's already taking root and revolutionizing how we get our food: vertical farming. As traditional arable land dwindles at an alarming rate and the global demand for food skyrockets, we dive into how farming upwards is not just efficient, but essential for our future. We'll explore the incredible benefits of vertical farming, from year-round access to fresh produce – like the world's first vertical strawberry farm leveraging AI to perfect peak-season flavor – to its ability to thrive anywhere, even in urban centers typically far from farmland. Discover how companies like Eden Green and Dream Harvest are innovating in this space, even offering fun, carbon-negative blends. But it's not all sunshine and hydroponics; we also tackle the challenges, including the energy demands of artificial lighting and climate control, and how ongoing research aims to overcome these hurdles. Plus, we uncover a surprising solution to the problem of empty office buildings: transforming them into bustling vertical farms, solving two urban challenges at once. Tune in to see why vertical farming is truly on the up-and-up! Show Notes: Vertical Strawberry Farm in Virginia Uses AI to Create Maximum Berries With Peak-Season Flavor Year-Round | Good News Network How far can vertical farming go? | BBC Earth has lost a third of arable land in past 40 years, scientists say | The Guardian The 19 Biggest Companies in Vertical Farming Today | Eden Green Vertical Farming Has Found Its Fatal Flaw | Wired Vertical Farming – No Longer A Futuristic Concept | USDA Agricultural Research Service Empty Office Buildings Are Being Turned Into Vertical Farms | Smithsonian Magazine

Join Los and Bertram on The Upsiders as they explore a revolutionary vision for urban living: the 15-minute city. Imagine a world where your daily needs – work, groceries, leisure, and community – are all within a comfortable 15-minute walk or bike ride. We delve into the ambitious work of Carlos Moreno, the driving force behind this concept, and his mission to reshape cities around people, not cars. We discuss the potential for increased walkability, stronger communities, and a more human-centered urban experience. To bring this concept to life, we examine Culdesac Tempe, Arizona, a groundbreaking car-free neighborhood designed with walkability at its core. While acknowledging some early skepticism and the complexities of large-scale urban change, Los and Bertram highlight the positive potential of these initiatives to create more livable, sustainable, and connected urban environments for the future. Show Notes: Culdesac | A Car-Free Neighborhood America’s “First Car-Free Neighborhood” Is Going Pretty Good, Actually? | Dwell Meet the Micro-Retailers | Culdesac TEDtalk: The 15-minute City | Carlos Moreno 15-minute Cities | Buro Happhold

From the murderous automatons of early science fiction to the collaborative cobots of today, robots have always fascinated and, at times, unnerved us. Join Los and Bertram on The Upsiders as they delve into the evolving world of robotics, exploring how these intelligent, physically embodied machines are reshaping our lives. We'll unpack the key components that make a robot, from the sensing capabilities that prevent collisions to the actuators that power their movements, including the fascinating advancements in soft robotics. Discover how cobots are transforming workplaces, working safely alongside humans to handle repetitive tasks and improve efficiency, from vacuuming hotel floors to assisting diners at Chili’s. We'll also explore the cutting-edge research into robotic intuition, examining how AI is enabling robots to understand and prioritize tasks in complex environments, potentially revolutionizing search and rescue operations and even giving super-powered abilities to our canine companions. Join us as we look beyond the fears of job displacement and uncover the positive impact robots are having on our present and future. Show Notes The Robot Report | Exploring the Business and Applications of Robotics Everything you wanted to know about soft, hard, and nonmurderous automatons. | The WIRED Guide to Robots What are Cobots? | Built In Chili’s to deploy Rita the Robot at 51 more locations | Restaurant Dive The Future of Work: How AI and Automation Are Changing Business | Aspen University Helping robots zero in on the objects that matter | MIT

Join Bertram and Los on The Upsiders, a podcast that takes you on a journey through time to discover the brighter side of today's world. In our inaugural episode, we dive into the world of streaming platforms and their seemingly endless supply of shows. But did you know that even with all these options, there are still countless gems lost in the annals of television history? In this episode, we explore four forgotten shows that deserve a second look: American Grit: A reality competition series that put contestants through intense physical and mental challenges. Boot Camp: A reality competition show that followed recruits through the grueling training process of military boot camp. Murder in Small Town X: A reality murder-mystery game show that delved into the mysteries and secrets of a small town. Ghostwriter: A children's show where a group of kids solves local crimes, capers, and mysteries in their neighborhood, with the help of a ghost who can only communicate through writing and words. Discover why these shows were so special and why they deserve to be rediscovered. Tune in to The Upsiders to hear Bertram and Los discuss the impact these shows had on television and why they believe they should be brought back to life.