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Apr 20, 2022 · 36m · we-live-to-build

He Froze Water in a Barn and Raised $30 Million

Yaron Ben Nun · 22m spoken Sean Weisbrot · 11m spoken
0:00 / 0:00
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gold bands on the timeline = statements, start to end. Hover to read, click to jump. CC turns on captions

In this episode of 'We Live To Build,' host Sean Weisbrot interviews Nostromo Energy CTO Yaron Ben Nun about developing ice-based thermal storage technology, the nuances and perils of reverse mergers, and confronting climate change through entrepreneurial innovation.

How this conversation actually went

Every chapter scored 0–10 on four independent dynamics. Hover any point for the reasoning behind the score. Sean holds 33.1% of the talking time here. How this is scored →

Sean as informed peer 2.7 Guest teaching 3.0 Guest disagreement 1.6 Sean pushing back 2.0
05100:0010:0020:0030:000:00–2:15 · Sean as informed peer 0/10 Episode Overview and Podcast Milestone Announcements Solo host monologue providing an episode overview and announcing the podcast's upcoming milestone of 100 episodes.2:28–13:29 · Sean as informed peer 0/10 We Live to Build Show Introduction The guest delivers an extensive narrative detailing his transition from fighter pilot to clean tech founder, explaining the physics of latent heat and ice storage while the host listens quietly.13:30–19:47 · Sean as informed peer 4/10 The Mechanics and Perils of Reverse Mergers and Public Listings The guest educates the host on the hidden regulatory, financial, and liquidity pitfalls of public reverse mergers, while the host draws parallels to cryptocurrency market making.19:47–22:21 · Sean as informed peer 4/10 Public Relations, Media Scrutiny, and Executive Visibility The host argues that modern executive visibility and relentless public relations are essential to sustain market interest, while the guest emphasizes product execution.22:21–25:30 · Sean as informed peer 1/10 Mitigating the Grid's Evening Ramp-Up Cliff The guest schools the host on grid mechanics, highlighting California's record 16.9 gigawatt evening ramp-up drop and the necessity of thermal storage.25:31–29:34 · Sean as informed peer 5/10 Decarbonizing Soda: Brainstorming Direct Air Carbon Capture When the guest reveals soda makers burn fuel for carbonation and suggests biomass, the host pushes back by advocating for direct atmospheric capture to prevent combustion.29:34–35:27 · Sean as informed peer 5/10 Climate Realism, Generational Ethics, and Global Infrastructure A heated philosophical clash ensues over climate fatalism; the host defends his decision against having children by citing recent climate disasters, while the guest aggressively challenges his passive resignation.0:00–2:15 · Guest teaching 0/10 Episode Overview and Podcast Milestone Announcements Solo host monologue providing an episode overview and announcing the podcast's upcoming milestone of 100 episodes.2:28–13:29 · Guest teaching 4/10 We Live to Build Show Introduction The guest delivers an extensive narrative detailing his transition from fighter pilot to clean tech founder, explaining the physics of latent heat and ice storage while the host listens quietly.13:30–19:47 · Guest teaching 5/10 The Mechanics and Perils of Reverse Mergers and Public Listings The guest educates the host on the hidden regulatory, financial, and liquidity pitfalls of public reverse mergers, while the host draws parallels to cryptocurrency market making.19:47–22:21 · Guest teaching 1/10 Public Relations, Media Scrutiny, and Executive Visibility The host argues that modern executive visibility and relentless public relations are essential to sustain market interest, while the guest emphasizes product execution.22:21–25:30 · Guest teaching 6/10 Mitigating the Grid's Evening Ramp-Up Cliff The guest schools the host on grid mechanics, highlighting California's record 16.9 gigawatt evening ramp-up drop and the necessity of thermal storage.25:31–29:34 · Guest teaching 3/10 Decarbonizing Soda: Brainstorming Direct Air Carbon Capture When the guest reveals soda makers burn fuel for carbonation and suggests biomass, the host pushes back by advocating for direct atmospheric capture to prevent combustion.29:34–35:27 · Guest teaching 2/10 Climate Realism, Generational Ethics, and Global Infrastructure A heated philosophical clash ensues over climate fatalism; the host defends his decision against having children by citing recent climate disasters, while the guest aggressively challenges his passive resignation.0:00–2:15 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Episode Overview and Podcast Milestone Announcements Solo host monologue providing an episode overview and announcing the podcast's upcoming milestone of 100 episodes.2:28–13:29 · Guest disagreement 0/10 We Live to Build Show Introduction The guest delivers an extensive narrative detailing his transition from fighter pilot to clean tech founder, explaining the physics of latent heat and ice storage while the host listens quietly.13:30–19:47 · Guest disagreement 2/10 The Mechanics and Perils of Reverse Mergers and Public Listings The guest educates the host on the hidden regulatory, financial, and liquidity pitfalls of public reverse mergers, while the host draws parallels to cryptocurrency market making.19:47–22:21 · Guest disagreement 1/10 Public Relations, Media Scrutiny, and Executive Visibility The host argues that modern executive visibility and relentless public relations are essential to sustain market interest, while the guest emphasizes product execution.22:21–25:30 · Guest disagreement 0/10 Mitigating the Grid's Evening Ramp-Up Cliff The guest schools the host on grid mechanics, highlighting California's record 16.9 gigawatt evening ramp-up drop and the necessity of thermal storage.25:31–29:34 · Guest disagreement 2/10 Decarbonizing Soda: Brainstorming Direct Air Carbon Capture When the guest reveals soda makers burn fuel for carbonation and suggests biomass, the host pushes back by advocating for direct atmospheric capture to prevent combustion.29:34–35:27 · Guest disagreement 6/10 Climate Realism, Generational Ethics, and Global Infrastructure A heated philosophical clash ensues over climate fatalism; the host defends his decision against having children by citing recent climate disasters, while the guest aggressively challenges his passive resignation.0:00–2:15 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Episode Overview and Podcast Milestone Announcements Solo host monologue providing an episode overview and announcing the podcast's upcoming milestone of 100 episodes.2:28–13:29 · Sean pushing back 0/10 We Live to Build Show Introduction The guest delivers an extensive narrative detailing his transition from fighter pilot to clean tech founder, explaining the physics of latent heat and ice storage while the host listens quietly.13:30–19:47 · Sean pushing back 2/10 The Mechanics and Perils of Reverse Mergers and Public Listings The guest educates the host on the hidden regulatory, financial, and liquidity pitfalls of public reverse mergers, while the host draws parallels to cryptocurrency market making.19:47–22:21 · Sean pushing back 2/10 Public Relations, Media Scrutiny, and Executive Visibility The host argues that modern executive visibility and relentless public relations are essential to sustain market interest, while the guest emphasizes product execution.22:21–25:30 · Sean pushing back 0/10 Mitigating the Grid's Evening Ramp-Up Cliff The guest schools the host on grid mechanics, highlighting California's record 16.9 gigawatt evening ramp-up drop and the necessity of thermal storage.25:31–29:34 · Sean pushing back 4/10 Decarbonizing Soda: Brainstorming Direct Air Carbon Capture When the guest reveals soda makers burn fuel for carbonation and suggests biomass, the host pushes back by advocating for direct atmospheric capture to prevent combustion.29:34–35:27 · Sean pushing back 6/10 Climate Realism, Generational Ethics, and Global Infrastructure A heated philosophical clash ensues over climate fatalism; the host defends his decision against having children by citing recent climate disasters, while the guest aggressively challenges his passive resignation.

speaking balance: gold is Sean, purple is the guest (3 minute bins)

0:00 · Sean 99.5% · guest 0.5%0:00 · Sean 99.5% · guest 0.5%3:00 · Sean 5.3% · guest 94.7%3:00 · Sean 5.3% · guest 94.7%6:00 · Sean 0% · guest 100%6:00 · Sean 0% · guest 100%9:00 · Sean 0% · guest 100%9:00 · Sean 0% · guest 100%12:00 · Sean 26.7% · guest 73.3%12:00 · Sean 26.7% · guest 73.3%15:00 · Sean 11.2% · guest 88.8%15:00 · Sean 11.2% · guest 88.8%18:00 · Sean 22.4% · guest 77.6%18:00 · Sean 22.4% · guest 77.6%21:00 · Sean 43.2% · guest 56.8%21:00 · Sean 43.2% · guest 56.8%24:00 · Sean 37.8% · guest 62.2%24:00 · Sean 37.8% · guest 62.2%27:00 · Sean 21.2% · guest 78.8%27:00 · Sean 21.2% · guest 78.8%30:00 · Sean 75.6% · guest 24.4%30:00 · Sean 75.6% · guest 24.4%33:00 · Sean 58.1% · guest 41.9%33:00 · Sean 58.1% · guest 41.9%36:00 · Sean 83.2% · guest 16.8%36:00 · Sean 83.2% · guest 16.8%
Sharpest disagreement ▶ 34:41 Guest confronts host's fatalistic climate inaction

The guest directly attacks the host's pessimistic stance on future water wars, accusing him of presuming doom while sitting around instead of taking action.

 Hardest push from Sean ▶ 34:23 Host rejects historical comparison of human suffering

The host rejects the guest's claim that past generations suffered just as much, insisting that upcoming climate-induced depletion of clean water and air represents an existential crisis.

 Biggest teaching moment ▶ 23:30 Technical breakdown of grid ramp-up cliff

The guest provides precise grid analytics, explaining how California's 16,900 MW solar drop-off at sunset drives massive fossil fuel spikes.

 Sean holds their own ▶ 28:54 Host counters biomass carbonation with direct air capture

The host points out the flaw in burning biomass to carbonize drinks, proposing direct atmospheric extraction to leave biomass intact.
the scores for every segment, with the reasoning behind each
ChapterTopicSean as informed peerGuest teachingGuest disagreementSean pushing backWhy
Episode Overview and Podcast Milestone Announcements 0000 Solo host monologue providing an episode overview and announcing the podcast's upcoming milestone of 100 episodes.
We Live to Build Show Introduction 0400 The guest delivers an extensive narrative detailing his transition from fighter pilot to clean tech founder, explaining the physics of latent heat and ice storage while the host listens quietly.
The Mechanics and Perils of Reverse Mergers and Public Listings 4522 The guest educates the host on the hidden regulatory, financial, and liquidity pitfalls of public reverse mergers, while the host draws parallels to cryptocurrency market making.
Public Relations, Media Scrutiny, and Executive Visibility 4112 The host argues that modern executive visibility and relentless public relations are essential to sustain market interest, while the guest emphasizes product execution.
Mitigating the Grid's Evening Ramp-Up Cliff 1600 The guest schools the host on grid mechanics, highlighting California's record 16.9 gigawatt evening ramp-up drop and the necessity of thermal storage.
Decarbonizing Soda: Brainstorming Direct Air Carbon Capture 5324 When the guest reveals soda makers burn fuel for carbonation and suggests biomass, the host pushes back by advocating for direct atmospheric capture to prevent combustion.
Climate Realism, Generational Ethics, and Global Infrastructure 5266 A heated philosophical clash ensues over climate fatalism; the host defends his decision against having children by citing recent climate disasters, while the guest aggressively challenges his passive resignation.

Statements from this episode (11)

Assertion Partly supported
Ben Nun: Solar costs 1.5 to 2 cents/kWh versus 8 to 12 cents on the grid
“Today we're talking about one and a half US cent per KWH of solar, two cents maybe, and still the grid cost of energy is between eight to 12 cents.”
Yaron Ben Nun Apr 20, 2022 ▶ 6:53
Assertion Contradicted
Ben Nun: Cooling systems are the biggest electricity consumers on the grid
“It was very obvious that the biggest consumer on the grid is cooling systems.”
Yaron Ben Nun Apr 20, 2022 ▶ 7:35
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Ben Nun: Nostromo loses under 1% capacity after 6,500 freeze cycles
“We have already proved that after 6500 cycles, we lose less than one percent of the ability To freeze water.”
Yaron Ben Nun Apr 20, 2022 ▶ 12:13
Insight
Ben Nun: Avoid lithium-ion batteries inside buildings when simpler alternatives exist
“We believe that lithium ion is amazing, but whenever you can avoid it with a simple and clean means, you better avoid it, especially inside buildings.”
Yaron Ben Nun Apr 20, 2022 ▶ 12:30
Assertion Contradicted
Ben Nun: Maintaining a public listing costs at least $250,000 annually
“If you're going to be public, you'll start to spend at least a quarter of a million of a dollar a year only to be public.”
Yaron Ben Nun Apr 20, 2022 ▶ 16:26
Insight
Ben Nun: Pre-revenue public startups get treated like speculative gambles
“If you are a young company and you don't have income yet, you are more likely to be caught as something that people are gambling on because you don't show income fast enough.”
Yaron Ben Nun Apr 20, 2022 ▶ 19:10
Assertion Supported
Ben Nun: California's grid lost 17 gigawatts of solar over three hours
“And a few days ago, a new world record was broken in California. The ramp up for three hours was 16 A 1900 megawatt drop. 16,900 megawatts. This is almost 17 gigawatts of electricity was vanished from the four p.m. To nine p.m. Through three hours of ramp up.”
Yaron Ben Nun Apr 20, 2022 ▶ 24:03
Assertion Contradicted
Ben Nun: California's 2030 goal is to reach 50% solar energy
“The 2030 goal of California is reaching 50% solar.”
Yaron Ben Nun Apr 20, 2022 ▶ 25:11
Assertion Contradicted
Ben Nun: Major soda makers generate carbonation by burning fossil fuels
“Almost All the soda makers, I'm not talking about Perrier, these guys, all the other companies, I won't name even one, you know them, you've drink their soda. They are making this CO two by burning intentionally fuels.”
Yaron Ben Nun Apr 20, 2022 ▶ 27:17
Opinion
Weisbrot: Having children right now is a really bad idea
“I honestly think that having children right now is a really bad idea.”
Sean Weisbrot Apr 20, 2022 ▶ 30:06
Prediction Open · timeframe Apr 2222
Weisbrot: Humans have maybe 200 years left before Earth becomes unlivable
“I think we've got 200 years left, maybe, before the Earth is unlivable for humans, and once all the humans are gone, the planet will rebound, the animals will come back, everything will be fine, and a new species will take over.”
Sean Weisbrot Apr 20, 2022 ▶ 33:35
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