Bonus: Throughout the years, guests of SunCast have recommended hundreds of books, many of which are repeat mentions. To celebrate this tremendous milestone, the SunCast team has compiled an ebook with 600 insights from the top books that these clean energy leaders recommended.
There are 30 books covered, with 20 insights from each.
Please fill out the 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯ey to get the FREE ebook, 600 Insights from Clean Energy Revolution, and help us continue to provide more actionable content for you!
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Nico Johnson turned a passion project into his life's focus — rapidly evolving the first podcast for solar energy in emerging markets to a go-to resource for anyone interested in the renewable energy space. In just under eight years, he's transformed SunCast into an important roundtable for industry leaders from startups to corporate giants.
It’s laudable that the show has achieved this milestone of Episode 600, a significant step toward his goal of 1,000 episodes. Yet, success has not always been guaranteed for SunCast as Nico disclosed that he worked on at least half the published episodes in the hours after midnight, underscoring his unwavering commitment to a passion project that eventually became his main focus. Still, with more than 750,000 listens over the past 7+ years, Nico and his guests have clearly found a message that resonates with a faithful and attentive audience.
Yet, Nico remains humble, crediting luck and consistency more than that which is most evident to those who know him: his arduous work ethic & peerless network.
"There are those out there who have said to me and others in my presence, 'SunCast is the number one podcast in the industry' or 'Nico is the top podcaster.' Ironically, while I'll nod and smile, neither is true," he said.
"I've just found ways to build rapport, learned how to build and leverage a strong network, and focused on maintaining authenticity. Those things matter."
He claims his goal is less to stand out than to motivate others to chase his success. "I want people to see SunCast and say, 'If Nico can do that, then so can I,'" he said.
During a wide-ranging conversation with guest host Sean Tanabe, a fellow traveler and expert in the renewable power industry, Nico speaks from his heart about the SunCast journey. Many themes emerge, ranging from dedication, consistency, and mentorship to growth challenges, accessibility, and the impact of saying no.
"Consistency is key," Nico said, explaining how he established regular rituals as vital factors in producing engaging content.
He affirmed his long standing belief in embracing each incremental gain, working steadily, enjoying the luck that finds you, and, most importantly, keeping going. "As I say at the end of each show, ‘showing up is half the battle,'" he added.
Nico opens up about his approach to podcasting, likening it to preparing for a marathon. He meticulously structures his week to accommodate recording interviews while working full-time, a system that ensures consistent output.
Inspired by podcasting mentor John Lee Dumas, Nico shares his motivation behind SunCast — to provide a platform for sharing knowledge and experiences in the solar industry, making it accessible to all.
Feedback has played a significant role in shaping Nico's hosting style. One intriguing aspect discussed is the term "solar warrior," borrowed from a UC Berkeley professor. While some perceive it as too aggressive or masculine, Nico thinks it aligns with creating an inclusive identity within the solar community.
"The feedback around 'solar warrior' helped me catalyze my thinking around what it looks like to build a tribe. People need something to identify with. And I've had so many people — male and female — come up to me and say that they identify as a solar warrior," he said.
Sean noted SunCast podcasts have an outsized impact, particularly Episode 325 with Gregg Dixon, CEO Of Voltus. Nico reflects on the significance of these stories and their alignment with the purpose of SunCast, as well as the importance of making the show's content more accessible and searchable to reach a broader audience to help people understand the vast opportunities within the clean tech industry.
Nico names his "boardroom" of influential figures — from entrepreneur Seth Godin, the late industrialist Andrew Carnegie, Jon Bonanno (Episodes 146 and 153, Dan Shugar (Episodes 39 and 57), (Episodes 120, 335, 414 and 500), Bill Nussey (Episodes 125, 135, 387, 407, 421/422 and 499), and Jigar Shah (Episodes 60, 134 and 458).
Nico acknowledges the significant impact of female leaders in the industry, such as Emily Cohen (Episode 579), Emilie Wangerman (Episodes 312, 313 and 410), Katherine Hamilton (Episode 598), Mary Powell (Episode 450) and Michele Magee (Episode 388).
Behind the scenes of SunCast lies an unsung group of heroes — the dedicated team contributing to its success. Nico highlights the importance of his team and acknowledges the past and present team members for their invaluable contributions.
The conversation delves into the evolution of the solar industry and its unique challenges. Nico highlights how the industry has transformed from infancy into a credible, trillion-dollar sector that's made its way to its teen years, "ready to go off to college. Right? There's a lot we still don't know. But we've got a firm foundation."
Where does Nico go from here? As the industry grapples with growth and evolution, Nico will explore new video content creation and educational pathways for listeners. He understands the need for short-form content and the use of artificial intelligence to curate and catalog the abundance of information available.
But whatever the method, Nico is committed to maximizing his contributions to the industry and maintaining his role as a true "solar warrior" in the fight against climate change.
As the interview nears its end, Sean, drawing from his experience at Peak Power, stresses the increasing importance of storage and solar in the future, particularly in the wake of California's implementation of net energy metering (NEM) 3.0.
The fascinating conversation between Sean and Nico encapsulates the growth and challenges of the solar industry, the evolution of SunCast, the importance of educational pathways and short-form content, and the imperative to maximize contributions while recognizing transferable skills.
It is a testament to the power of vision, consistency, and making choices aligned with personal values and goals. The conversation inspires listeners eager to embrace the clean energy revolution and unleash their inner solar warrior.
Join us to hear how Nico succeeded and navigated challenges and what you can learn from his experience.
Bonus: Nico's guests have recommended hundreds of books, many of which are repeat mentions. To celebrate this milestone, the SunCast team has compiled an ebook with 600 insights from the top books that these clean energy leaders recommended. There are 30 books, each with 20 insights.
Please fill out the 𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐒𝐮𝐫𝐯ey to get the ebook, 600 Insights from Clean Energy Revolution, and help us continue to provide more actionable content for you!
