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Productive PassionsAuthor: christytagye
Change is happening everywhere eliciting excitement and anticipation in its wake. How do we harness that excitement for ourselves when we find work to be overwhelming, monotonous, or dissatisfying and were ready for change? Thats the question were looking to answer as we talk with guests who have turned their passion into meaningful work! Productive Passions - hosted by Christy Tagye - takes us on a journey with guests who have dared to reshape their lives and follow their dreams. In each episode, we have candid conversations with people who have embraced change jumping headfirst into uncertainty and following their passions. Well explore their stories, experiences, sources of support, and what fuels their motivation to persevere when things arent sunshine and rainbows. Hear from experts who provide valuable advice, and resources for actionable steps to begin your transformative journey. Subscribe to Productive Passions wherever you listen to podcasts and never miss an episode! Language: en Genres: Business, Careers, Personal Journals, Society & Culture Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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How Opportunity Becomes the Breakthrough: Non-Dilutive Funding and Climate Innovation | Ep. 50
Episode 52
Friday, 23 January, 2026
Entrepreneurship often rewards access before capital. In this episode, Christy Tagye sits down with Aaron Fitzgerald, Co-Founder and CEO of Mars Materials, to explore how non-dilutive funding, opportunity-driven thinking, and integrity can reshape what is possible in climate innovation and beyond. This conversation unpacks how mindset, mentorship, and building for real-world adoption create pathways to scale meaningful work without sacrificing purpose. Today's Takeaways Use non-dilutive funding to extend runway: Pursue grants, fellowships, pilots, and government programs to scale without sacrificing as much equity and governance. Build for “drop-in” adoption: Design products that fit existing supply chains so customers can adopt with minimal operational disruption. Define your market clearly when you’re “premium innovation”: Position your offering as its own category (ex: low-carbon vs. fossil) and sell to buyers who value verification and outcomes. Treat opportunity like a skill: Seek legitimate doors that lead to more doors—then take the next step, even if it’s small. Don’t numb the hard parts—feel them: Emotional processing is part of growth; avoiding it slows progress and confidence. Choose your battles wisely: Effort is required at every level—direct your energy toward what compounds over time. Mentor with honesty + support: Truth without tools discourages; truth paired with resources transforms. Create “firsts” for others: Exposure, introductions, and access can become identity-changing opportunities. Find Aaron Fitzgerald LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fitzgeraldaaron/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fitzgerald_aaron/ Instagram Mars Materials: https://www.instagram.com/marsmaterialspbc/ Website: https://www.marsmaterials.tech/ Email: aaron@marsmaterials.tech Stay Connected with Productive Passions Website: https://www.productivepassions.com/ Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5sVM0bWVyyPfoq63jA2th7 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/productive-passions/id1722526123 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ad852885-1fd6-4fb5-8e09-702be230d5b3/productive-passions iHeartRadio:https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1323-productive-passions-158963722/ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ProductivePassions Social Links Facebook: https://facebook.com/productivepassions TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@productivepassions Instagram: https://instagram.com/productivepassions LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/productive-passions Christy’s LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/christytagye Email: christy@productivepassions.com If this episode inspired you, subscribe, leave a review, or share it with someone ready to lead with gratitude and purpose. Productive Passions — Helping you turn passion into purpose with Christy Tagye.
