Texas: where oil and gas once reigned supreme—and now, renewables are rewriting the rules.

In this special live episode recorded at Intersolar & Energy Storage North America 2025, Doug Lewin and Nico Johnson flip the script. Doug takes the mic to interview Nico about his biggest takeaways from the show, and the two dive deep into what’s fueling Texas' meteoric rise in solar, storage, and energy expansion.

Expect a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about why Texas has become the unexpected juggernaut of clean energy—and what risks could upend that growth if policymakers aren't careful.

Expect to learn:

🔹 How Texas' merchant energy market supercharged solar and storage

🔹 Why oil and gas giants are quietly backing clean energy

🔹 The looming policy threats that could slow Texas’ renewable momentum

🔹 How massive new data center loads are reshaping ERCOT

Get ready for bold insights, insider perspectives, and a fresh view of how Texas is setting the pace for America's energy future.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

“Don’t pitch slap me.”

That’s the line Spenser Meeks uses to describe the all-too-common trap most any professional falls into when presenting information (Usually via presentation decks) — jumping straight into specs and data before earning your audience’s attention. In a lively convo, Spenser and Nico break down why 60% of all conference speaking sessions (yes, your conference panels) are rated “meh”… and how better storytelling could fix that.

If you’re tired of your message falling flat or sales calls that go nowhere, learn to help people care before they calculate. Spenser, who’s trained the moderators and presenters for RE+ and other top trade shows, shares the emotional and psychological blueprint that can transform technical pitches into conversations that land.

🎭 Why storytelling creates instant emotional engagement

🧠 How to structure sales conversations for maximum buy-in

💬 The “one-liner” framework that makes your value unforgettable

🎨 How to ditch boring slides and make your presentations pop

Whether you’re prepping for your next pitch or just want your message to stick, this episode will help you stand out—without shouting specs.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus

What happens when local banks finally start playing ball in solar lending? Ravi Mikkelsen is here to tell us.

In this “Where Are They Now” episode, we reconnect with Ravi Mikkelsen, the co-founder and CEO of Atmos Financial, who first joined SunCast in 2021. Since then, the solar financing world has been flipped on its head—rising interest rates, shifting policies, and a return to leases have left installers and homeowners alike with questions and headaches. Ravi has been quietly building an answer in the form of a fintech platform that bridges the gap between traditional banking and solar projects.

If you’ve ever wondered why solar loans still feel so complicated—or what it would take to truly democratize clean energy finance—this is your episode.

🔹 Why solar loans are getting more expensive—even as hardware costs fall

🔹 How dealer fees can wipe out the homeowner’s tax credit benefit

🔹 The return of leases—and what that says about market conditions

🔹 Why Atmos is moving out of deposits and doubling down on lending

Tune in to hear how Atmos is powering the next wave of solar finance by making it easier, cheaper, and more transparent—for everyone involved.

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

Our Platinum Presenting Sponsor for SunCast is CPS America!

SunCast is proudly supported by Trina Solar.

You can learn more about all the sponsors who help make this show free for you at www.mysuncast.com/sponsors.

Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

Subscribe to Valence, our weekly LinkedIn Newsletter, and learn the elements of compelling storytelling: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/valence-content-that-connects-7145928995363049472/

You can connect with me, Nico Johnson, on:

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/nicomeo

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickalus