The Shift Ep. 1: Biochar 3.0 with Kathleen Draper
September, 2025In the first episode of The Shift, host Thor Kallestad (CEO of Myno Carbon) sits down with Kathleen Draper, Emeritus Chair of the International Biochar Initiative and U.S. Director of the Ithaka Institute who is one of the original pioneers in the biochar movement. Together, they explore how this ancient material is reshaping modern carbon removal, land recovery, and climate resilience.
From “burnt toast” analogies to the future of Biochar 3.0, this conversation unpacks how biochar can sequester carbon, restore ecosystems, and unlock massive industrial opportunities across remediation, concrete, asphalt, and beyond. Learn how consistency, co-products, and policy frameworks are setting the stage for biochar to scale globally—and why understanding the “frames” we use to talk about climate might be the biggest shift of all.
00:02 – Welcoming Kathleen
00:56 — What Is Biochar?
03:26 — Scaling Requires Consistency: Quality Parameters by Use Case + Co-products
04:39 — Go-to-Market Reality: Selling Biochar, Lowering Hurdles with Co-products
06:02 — Education & Messaging: Avoid “Too Good to Be True”; Industry Roadmaps
07:42 — Market Focus Shift: Ag Economics & Remediation First
09:31 — Performance & Economics: Carbon Markets, Cold-Weather Asphalt, Concrete Gains
11:35 — Accelerated Cure Times: Time – Hitting Strength Faster
12:47 — Use the Right Char: Lower-Grade Biochar for Construction vs. Soils
13:04 — LCA/MRV Opportunity: Monetizing Avoided Methane & Co-benefits
14:36 — Incentives Needed: Motivation Beyond Sequestration Credits
15:39 — Policy & Business Models: Accounting for Avoided Emissions
16:40 — 10-Year Vision: National Biochar Roadmaps Tied to NDCs & Adaptation
17:26 — Quick-Fire: Where Would You Invest $1M?
17:55 — Answer: Biochar Building Materials (Insulation, Drywall, Bricks)
18:42 — Message to Policymakers: Denmark’s Model
20:18 — Beyond CDR Credits: Jobs, Resilience & Real-World Products
21:09 — Global Biochar Innovators
22:20 — The Big “Shift”: Don’t Always Lead with Climate
23:53 — Closing Thoughts & Thank You!