What if it works?

About What if it works?

Energy powers our homes, our cars, and our lives. But the kinds of energy we use—and the ways we use it—are rapidly changing our climate. We need new and clean energy, now. MIT Energy Initiative hosts Rob Stoner and Kara Miller talk with energy experts about the science, technology, and policies that can transform our energy systems and give us a more sustainable future. Hear from those testing new ideas and working on breakthroughs in labs, industry, and government—the ones who aren’t afraid to ask, “What if it works?”

Publisher

MIT Energy Initiative

Category

science · technology

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Oct 2024

Latest episode

19 Nov 2025

Latest episodes

21 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   19 Nov 2025

   Energy storage is heating up

   Asegun Henry, an innovator and professor at MIT, says that energy storage is arguably the single most important technological problem we have to solve. He is developing and commercializing a new type of battery based on thermal energy conversion instead of the conventional electro-chemical reaction—a battery that’s been dubbed, “sun in a box.” He shares what it takes for a new technology to compete in today’s market and how his technology might be the gamechanger we need to decarbonize the power grid. What if it works? is a production of the MIT Energy Initiative. This episode was hosted by Rob Stoner and Kara Miller. Transcript and show notes at energy.mit.edu/podcasts

2. 

   16 Jul 2025

   How energy systems are shaped

   We rely on our energy systems to allow us to do work, travel, process information, and support all sorts of economic activity. MIT Professor Jessika Trancik helps us zoom out for a big picture view of how energy systems are shaped and where there is opportunity to innovate. What if it works? is a production of the MIT Energy Initiative. This episode was hosted by Rob Stoner and Kara Miller. Transcript and show notes at energy.mit.edu/podcasts

3. 

   4 Jun 2025

   Unraveling DNA to transform carbon

   MIT Professor Ariel Furst discusses how harnessing DNA and engineering microbes transforms carbon into valuable products, offering simple yet microscopic solutions with significant decarbonization results in this interview with Rob Stoner and Kara Miller.

Who has been a guest on What if it works?

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Ariel Furst
• Amos Winter
• Catherine Wolfram

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

550,541

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.7 / 5

7 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

12 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 70 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

71

Social presence

0

YouTube

93

Engagement

81

Contact What if it works?

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.