Culture Talks
Culture Talks
Podcast Description
Culture Talks, hosted by Lorne Rubis, dives into the world of emerging companies that are passionately dedicated not merely to chasing success, but to making a lasting impact.
Explore the innovative ways next-gen leaders connect people and transform their visions into reality through candid conversations with visionary CEOs, founders, mentors and more.
Each episode delves into the unique challenges faced by these trailblazers as they scale their businesses, focusing on the transformative cultures they are striving to cultivate.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The show covers themes around social impact, corporate culture, and leadership by exploring special topics like the role of education in incarceration through the episode featuring Brian Hill of Edovo, the significance of community and purpose exemplified by Mia Maestro, and sustainable practices in the textile industry discussed with Peter Majeranowski of Circ.
Culture Talks, hosted by Lorne Rubis, dives into the world of emerging companies that are passionately dedicated not merely to chasing success, but to making a lasting impact.
Explore the innovative ways next-gen leaders connect people and transform their visions into reality through candid conversations with visionary CEOs, founders, mentors and more.
Each episode delves into the unique challenges faced by these trailblazers as they scale their businesses, focusing on the transformative cultures they are striving to cultivate.
In this eye-opening episode of Culture Cast, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Dr. Orianna Bretschger, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Aquacycl, to explore her incredible journey from academia to entrepreneurship—and how she’s transforming wastewater treatment with cutting-edge, sustainable technology.
🔬 Why should you care about wastewater?
Most people don’t think about what happens after water goes down the drain—but wastewater treatment is a $200+ billion industry critical to public health, environmental protection, and even climate change. Dr. Bretschger breaks down:
✔ The hidden problems with traditional wastewater treatment✔ How Aquacycl’s bioelectrochemical tech makes it cleaner, cheaper, and more efficient✔ Why sustainability innovation is a huge business opportunity.
💡 From Lab to Startup: The Entrepreneurial LeapGoing from scientist to CEO isn’t easy. Dr. Bretschger shares:
🔥 Her biggest challenges in transitioning from academia to business🔥 How to build a mission-driven company without burning out🔥 Why character matters more than skills when hiring a startup team
👩🔬 Women in STEM & Leadership
🤝 Culture, Trust & Leadership Lessons
What does it take to build a high-performing, values-driven team? She reveals:
✅ The #1 trait she looks for in hires (hint: it’s not experience)
✅ How to foster trust and accountability in a fast-growing startup
✅ The hardest leadership lesson she’s learned (and how it shaped Aquacycl’s success)
🌍 The Future of Water Innovation
💬 What surprised you most about wastewater innovation? Let us know in the comments!
👍 Enjoyed this episode? Like, subscribe, and hit the bell for more deep dives on leadership, innovation, and culture!
#Wastewater #Sustainability #WomenInSTEM #Entrepreneurship #CleanTech #Leadership #Aquacycl #CultureCast
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.