Best and Brightest … Genius — Esquire

A once-in-a-lifetime game-changing advance
in our field everyone else will follow
— Marshall Goldsmith

Astrophysicist turned new media whiz — NBC

Passionate … confident … — Forbes

You don't just learn theory from
him, you improve your life.
— Inc.

The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard University, Standford University, Princeton University, MTV, IBM, US Army

My Mission

My mission is to help change American (and global) culture on sustainability and stewardship from expecting deprivation, sacrifice, burden, and chore to expecting rewarding emotions and lifestyles, as I see happen with everyone I lead to act for their intrinsic motivations.

In my case the emotions have been joy, fun, freedom, connection, meaning, and purpose.



Systemic change begins with personal change.

Some of my values. What are yours?
Months living off the grid in Manhattan: 45 (and counting)
Loads of garbage I filled in 2025 so far: 0
Loads filled in 2024: 0
Loads filled in 2023: 0
Loads filled in 2022: 0
Loads filled in 2021: 0
Loads filled in 2020: 0
Loads filled in 2019: 1
Loads filled in 2018: 1
Loads filled in 2017: 1
Days picking up litter: 3,236 and counting
Years not flying: 10 (119 months) and counting
2024-25 grid electric grid use at home: 0 kilowatt-hours
Annual carbon emissions: about 1 ton
Daily burpees: 264,431 and counting
Resting pulse: 38 bpm

LATEST BLOG POSTS

Avoid Eating “Doof”. What’s doof?

on January 11, 2020 in Nature

EDIT: Here’s my TEDx talk on doof: EDIT: I recorded podcast episodes on doof. Here’s the first: EDIT: People who are using the word doof: New York City Mayor Eric Adams, bestselling author Dr. Joel Fuhrman, bestselling author Dr. Michael Greger, bestselling author Dr. Michael Turner, addiction specialist and psychology professor Bruce Alexander, and more. Many more I’ve lost track of, but will try to share as they come. We[…] Keep reading →

274: Applying Leadership and the Environment in corporations

on January 10, 2020 in Podcast

This episode describes how I train corporate and institutional leaders in environmental leadership. My TEDx talks

273: We few, we happy few, we band of brothers

on January 9, 2020 in Art, Podcast

I understand why historical reasons lead us to look to scientists, journalists, educators, and legislators for leadership, but they don’t know how to lead. They may excel at their crafts, but sharing research however accurate, or stirring controversy, spreading facts and figures, and chasing votes rarely inspire people to change their behavior. I’ve long looked to Mandela, King, and Gandhi as role models. I’m increasingly looking at leaders who inspire[…] Keep reading →

Why do people ask about energy levels?

on January 8, 2020 in Awareness, Fitness

Tell someone you’re vegetarian and the most common response will have something to do with protein—where you get it from, how much they eat, etc. The next most common I hear is a question I don’t understand nor know how to ask: Do you have more energy? The question comes in other forms: do you have less energy, how has it affected your energy levels, etc. Can someone help me[…] Keep reading →

What rowing 2,000 meters for time feels like

on January 7, 2020 in Awareness, Fitness

The standard distance people compare rowing skills is 2,000 meters. Because of current and wind, you can’t compare times on the water, but you can with a rowing machine. World records are around 5:40, something like a sub-four-minute mile. Most rowers will describe the experience of rowing a 2k for time some of the most grueling six-to-eight minutes of their lives. Here’s why. Rowing works you to your soul Benching[…] Keep reading →

272: Ruth Bader Ginsburg, pumping iron, and the environment

on January 6, 2020 in Podcast

Ruth Bader Ginsburg knows about lifting weights and exercising because she does it. No amount of reading, watching TED videos, debating, or analysis can match experience. People who only read, research, and academically learn about performance-based activities don’t know what they’re talking about. Any parents out there? I don’t have kids. Am I qualified to advise you on how to raise your kids? I bet you learned more in the[…] Keep reading →

271: Vanessa Hering, part 1: Champion body builder, vegan, Ivy MBA

on January 5, 2020 in Podcast

Vanessa’s original post said she Wanted to be a better advocate for veganism: so I trained 1.5 years and won the UPENN body building competition. When asked why, she wrote For the animals, for health, for the environment. Never thought I would have the amazing privilege to be educated at an Ivy League school like University of Pennsylvania, but being there I had to use the opportunity to showcase the[…] Keep reading →

Hear me on The Professional podcast with Gary Roth

on January 4, 2020 in Audio, Leadership, Nature

Gary Roth invited me to a conversation with him for his podcast, The Professional Podcast. Even if you’ve heard me on other people’s podcasts, you’ll hear how my messages on leadership and environmental leadership are evolving. First, here’s the conversation (or click for his site) About The Professional Podcast The Professional Podcast is dedicated to becoming the best at what you do. It’s about being the best at work, at[…] Keep reading →

How long can I keep my fridge unplugged?

on January 3, 2020 in Choosing/Decision-Making, Nature

I love the site Low Tech Magazine, which I consider one of the best on the net. Reading its piece Too Much Combustion, Too Little Fire, the section “Energy Use Compared: Ancient vs. Modern Households” made me think of my food power consumption. It was December and I don’t heat my apartment so it’s cool. Yet my refrigerator was on. As I started to wonder if I could get by[…] Keep reading →

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