The Shift Ep. 1: Biochar 3.0 with Kathleen Draper

In 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!