Through What Matters Water TV + Podcast, the Southern California Water Coalition presents engaging and timely conversations about water. We're excited to present informative, engaging and sometimes humorous stories about the one element we all need for life…water.
Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we live, work, and connect. But behind every AI query, streamed video, uploaded photo, and cloud-based application lies a vast network of data centers that require significant amounts of energy and water to operate.
In Episode 31 of What Matters Water TV & Podcast, we explore the critical intersection of AI, data centers, energy, and water resources. Recorded live at a Southern California Water Coalition event hosted at California State University, Northridge on July 31, 2026, this timely discussion brought together nearly 200 water professionals, policymakers, community leaders, and industry experts to examine one of the most important infrastructure challenges of the digital age.
Host Charley Wilson is joined by an expert panel featuring Joseph Fong, Vice President and Global Building Engineering Growth Lead at AECOM; Larry Lidz, Vice President of Software Security at Cisco; and Michael Van Dyke of Meta's Infrastructure and Energy team. Together, they discuss the rapid growth of AI, the increasing demands being placed on data centers, and the innovative strategies being developed to balance technological advancement with environmental stewardship.
As communities across the country grapple with rising resource demands, this conversation asks a fundamental question: Can innovation and sustainability grow together? Join us as we explore how industry leaders are working to build a smarter future while protecting the water and energy resources that make that future possible.
Watch or listen now to discover why the future of artificial intelligence is also a water conversation.
#aiinfrastructure #artificialintelligence #waterinfrastructure #californiawater #highperformancecomputing #datacenter #datacenters
23 Jun 2026
#30 - The Colorado River Reckoning
40 million people rely on the Colorado River—and it's under more pressure than ever. In this episode of What Matters Water TV and Podcast, we bring you a powerful conversation from the Southern California Water Coalition's May 15, 2026 Quarterly Luncheon in Temecula, where leading water experts tackle one of the West's most urgent challenges: the future of the Colorado River. Featuring perspectives from top leaders across the region: Chuck Cullom (Upper Colorado River Commission) Vineetha Kartha (Central Arizona Project) Bart Leeflang (Central Utah Water Conservancy District) Bill Hasencamp (Metropolitan Water District) Together, they break down the high-stakes negotiations, competing demands, and critical decisions shaping the river's future. 💧 Why it matters: This isn't just a water issue—it affects economies, communities, and everyday life across the West. 👉 Subscribe for more conversations on the issues that matter most. ⭐ If you found this episode valuable, please like, share, and leave a review. #WhatMattersWater #ColoradoRiver #WaterPolicy #CaliforniaWater #Drought #WaterCrisis
20 May 2026
#29 - The Power of Water Storytelling
In Episode 29 of What Matters Water TV and Podcast, we explore one of the most important—and often misunderstood—innovations in water sustainability: advanced water purification and reuse. While the science behind turning recycled water into safe, high-quality drinking water is proven, public perception remains one of the biggest barriers to progress.
This episode shifts the conversation from engineering to storytelling.
Hosted by Charley Wilson, we sit down with three innovative content creators who partnered with the Southern California Water Coalition to help reframe how we talk about water: filmmaker Moses Aubrey, science communicator Maynard Okereke, and creative strategist Erin Winick Anthony. Together, they bring fresh perspective to a complex issue—using visual storytelling, music, and even space exploration as inspiration to help audiences see water reuse in a new light.
Through this dynamic discussion, we examine:
Why storytelling is essential to advancing water policy
How creative voices can bridge the gap between science and public understanding
What it takes to transform hesitation into confidence when it comes to recycled water
At SCWC, we understand that solving California's water challenges isn't just about innovation—it's about communication. When communities feel informed and inspired, they are empowered to support smart, sustainable solutions.
This episode is a powerful reminder: the future of water depends not only on the solutions we build, but on the stories we tell.
Watch, listen, and join the conversation—because what matters most is how we shape the future of water, together.
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
11 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
5 ratings
Contact What Matters Water TV and Podcast
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
