Simon Bowen Interviews Lauren Flanagan: Building Climate Resilience When Failure Isn't an Option

In this episode of The Wisdom Of… Show with host Simon Bowen, Lauren Flanagan shares her journey from a SaaS pioneer to climate innovator, and how her company Sesame Solar is redefining emergency response with renewable Mobile Nanogrids.

The conversation highlights how Sesame Solar units—powered by solar and backed by green hydrogen—can be deployed by one person in just 15 minutes to deliver clean, reliable, off-grid power during disasters. Flanagan explains the philosophy of solving urgent, tangible problems first, using first-principles thinking, and scaling only after proving success in test cases.

She reflects on lessons learned from working with Steve Jobs (importance of design and complete problem-solving), her investment philosophy (“people, planet, profits”), and the challenges and advantages of being first to market. Flanagan also shares personal insights from near-death experiences that shaped her worldview, and her concerns about global intolerance as one of the biggest issues humanity faces.

Main Summary 

Lauren Flanagan’s story underscores that true innovation begins with solving urgent, tangible problems with simple, sustainable solutions—and scaling only after you’ve proven impact in the toughest test cases. Business, when done right, is not just about profit—it’s about people, planet, and creating resilience for a more equitable future.

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Key Takeaways

1. Urgent Problem-Solving First
   
   
   • Sesame Solar started by addressing the recurring issue of fossil fuel generators in disasters, offering a cleaner and equally rapid alternative.
   • First deployments in Dominica after Hurricane Maria proved the concept’s viability before scaling globally.
     
     
2. Self-Sustaining Mobile Nanogrids
   
   
   • Systems can run indefinitely when sized correctly.
   • Example: a U.S. Army deployment that ran 24/7 for eight months without outages.
     
     
3. Innovation Principles
   
   
   • Apply first principles thinking: identify essential needs and build better alternatives.
   • Prioritize simplicity, mobility, modularity, and durability.
   • Start with urgent needs or niche test cases before scaling globally.
     
     
4. Hydrogen as Backup
   
   
   • A breakthrough moment was using hydrogen as a safe, solid, low-pressure backup instead of fossil fuels—creating a closed renewable loop.
     
     
5. Design Matters
   
   
   • Inspired by Steve Jobs, Flanagan emphasizes designing complete solutions that “just work,” combining utility with thoughtful user experience.
     
     
6. Being First to Market
   
   
   • Advantages: market recognition and early adopters.
   • Challenges: competitors can copy and outspend you.
   • Solution: continuous innovation and multiple layers of value (manufacturing, integration, software).
     
     
7. Entrepreneurial Advice
   
   
   • Solve real, meaningful problems.
   • Start small with testable cases before scaling.
   • Focus on the “who and when” of execution as much as the “what and why.”
     
     
8. Personal Wisdom
   
   
   • Near-death experiences shaped her belief in purpose and resilience.
   • Her broader concern: the global rise of intolerance and division, which she views as humanity’s most pressing challenge.
     
     

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