Energy in the Room is hosted by Katie Nickless, where the conversations are as real as the people driving the energy transition. Each episode brings you face-to-face with the changemakers shaping our energy future - sharing stories, tackling challenges, and offering insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Join us as we explore what it really takes to power change.
Energy In The Room
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10 episodes
Updated Daily
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Podcast Overview
Energy in the Room is hosted by Katie Nickless, where the conversations are as real as the people driving the energy transition. Each episode brings you face-to-face with the changemakers shaping our energy future - sharing stories, tackling challenges, and offering insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Join us as we explore what it really takes to power change.
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Publishing Since
9/16/2025
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Recent Episodes
May 31, 2026
The Investment Reality of Renewable Energy
In this episode of Energy in the Room, Katie sits down with Stephen Panizza - Founding Partner and Head of Renewable Energy at Federation Asset Management and former Chief Investment Risk Officer at the CEFC - for a candid conversation about what it really takes to deliver the energy transition in Australia. Stephen shares why he believes “we need to make energy boring again”, unpacking the shift from hype-driven conversations to the hard reality of building renewable infrastructure at scale. From batteries and grid engineering to community engagement, data centre demand, and investor expectations, this episode dives deep into the practical challenges shaping the future of energy. The conversation also explores why most renewable projects fail at the grid connection stage, what investors actually look for in developers, the growing role of batteries in supporting AI and data centres, and why community trust can make or break a project. Whether you're working in renewables, infrastructure, investment, or simply trying to understand where the energy market is heading next, this episode offers a grounded and refreshingly honest perspective from one of the industry's most experienced voices. This podcast is brought to you by Vinova.
May 5, 2026
Why the Energy Transition is Really a People Challenge
In this episode of Energy in the Room, Katie sits down with Jessica Johnston, Chief People Officer at Aula Energy, to unpack one of the biggest challenges facing the renewables sector: people. With a career spanning financial services, M&A, transformation, and workforce strategy, Jess shares how her unconventional journey into leadership shaped her perspective on scaling businesses, building resilient teams, and creating the human infrastructure behind Australia’s energy transition. Together, they explore why technical brilliance alone isn’t enough to grow successful organisations, how leaders can avoid costly hiring mistakes, and why culture, adaptability, and values alignment matter more than ever in high-growth environments. Jess also shares practical insights into: - Interview techniques and hiring strategies for scaling teams - Why most “mishires” are actually design failures - The role of diversity in driving innovation and better business outcomes - Supporting women in leadership and navigating imposter syndrome - Building inclusive workplaces in the renewables industry - Tackling the talent shortage through transferable skills and workforce design This is an honest and practical conversation about leadership, workforce strategy, and the people challenges shaping the future of energy in Australia. This podcast is brought to you by Vinova.
March 15, 2026
Inside the Nelson Report: Making the NEM Fit for Net Zero
In this episode of Energy in the Room, Katie sits down with economist Tim Nelson, chair of the independent Nelson Review of Australia’s National Electricity Market. Tim cuts through the jargon to unpack what’s actually inside the report and what it means for renewables, storage and firming investment across the NEM. They explore how the review tackles “hidden” behind-the-meter resources, a more weather-dependent grid and the need for credible long-term investment signals beyond the Capacity Investment Scheme. Katie also presses into the people side of the transition – from economics and engineering skill shortages to why curiosity and collaboration matter for solving first-of-a-kind system challenges. If you work in energy and want a clear, grounded take on where policy, markets and talent need to move next, this one’s for you.
10 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Energy In The Room?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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