All Stories Matter - Joel Folkert's Journey: From Marine Biology to Wind Turbines, and more

Updated 1 day ago

In this intriguing episode of "All Stories Matter", host Marvinetta sits down with Joel, a compelling guest with a unique journey. Joel shares his life story, from his upbringing in Hudsonville to his college years at Michigan State, where he grappled with faith and career choices. Initially drawn to marine biology, Joel's career took a turn as he discovered a passion for renewable energy. He discusses his transition into the wind turbine industry, the innovative technology used, and his new role with Sky Specs, a company focused on turbine maintenance using drones and rovers. Throughout the episode, Joel reflects on personal growth, the importance of questioning established beliefs, and the opportunities within the energy sector. Marvinetta and Joel's engaging conversation highlights the theme that all stories matter, encouraging viewers to explore their own paths and embrace change.

Chapters

Introduction of the Host (00:00:16)
Marvin Netta Whitley Penn introduces herself as the host of the podcast, emphasizing the importance of stories.

Marvin Netta Whitley Penn opens the podcast by greeting the audience and introducing herself as the host. She mentions the show's theme, 'All stories matter,' and her passion for listening to people's stories and asking probing questions.
The Purpose of the Podcast (00:00:37)
Marvin explains her motivation for starting the podcast, which is her love for listening to people's stories and asking deep, reflective questions.

Marvin shares her inspiration behind the podcast, which stems from her love for hearing people's stories. She enjoys asking questions that prompt deep thinking about personal experiences, emotions, and lessons learned.
Introducing the Guest, Joel Ert (00:01:07)
Marvin introduces the guest, Joel Ert, and they exchange greetings and pleasantries, setting the stage for the conversation.

Marvin introduces Joel Ert, her guest for the episode. They exchange greetings, and Marvin asks about Joel's holiday, leading to Joel mentioning his participation in a job training program.
Joel's Background and Career Journey (00:02:00)
Joel talks about his background, education, and career journey, including his degree in marine biology and his current job in preclinical research.

Joel discusses his educational background, having a degree in marine biology, and how it led him to his current job at Charles River Labs, which involves FDA drug development and preclinical research.
Joel's Childhood and Family (00:03:29)
Joel shares memories of growing up in Hudsonville, his family background, and his transition through different places for education and work.

Joel reminisces about his childhood in Hudsonville, his family life, and his educational journey from Grand Rapids to East Lansing for college. He mentions the influence of his upbringing on his career path.
Joel's Interest in Marine Biology (00:06:06)
Joel describes his interest in marine biology, influenced by his love for the sciences and the Great Lakes he grew up around.

Joel talks about how his interest in the sciences and his love for the water and Great Lakes led him to pursue marine biology. He reflects on his childhood interest in biology and how it shaped his career aspirations.
Recreational Memories at Lake Michigan (00:09:10)
Joel fondly recalls spending time at Lake Michigan, enjoying family gatherings, and engaging in activities like digging creek paths with his uncle.

Joel shares nostalgic memories of spending time at Lake Michigan, where his family had a cabin. He describes activities like walking down to the beach, digging new creek paths, and enjoying the serene environment.
Joel's Youthful Adventures and Friendships (00:12:12)
Joel talks about his friendships and childhood adventures, including humorous stories about early internet experiences.

Joel reminisces about the close-knit group of friends he had growing up and the adventures they shared. He recounts a humorous story about early internet videos and his attempts to hide them from his parents.
Religious Upbringing and Personal Reflections (00:15:17)
Joel reflects on his religious upbringing in a Dutch Reformed Church and how it shaped his early worldview before he found his own path.

Joel discusses his upbringing in a Dutch Reformed Church and how it influenced his early beliefs. He reflects on the challenges of reconciling his childhood teachings with his evolving personal beliefs.
College Experience and Worldview Changes (00:19:23)
Joel describes his college experience and the significant changes in his worldview, particularly regarding science and religion.

Joel talks about the transformative experience of college, where his worldview expanded and he began questioning his religious upbringing. He describes the internal conflict between his studies in biology and his childhood beliefs.
Discovery and Acceptance of New Perspectives (00:23:00)
Joel recounts his journey of self-discovery during a study abroad program in Uganda, leading to a shift in his beliefs and acceptance of new ideas.

In a pivotal moment during a study abroad program in Uganda, Joel experiences a shift in his beliefs. He embraces new perspectives on biology and evolution, realizing the importance of aligning his personal beliefs with his scientific understanding.
Acknowledging Inner Conflict (00:28:58)
Discussion about inner conflict and the struggle with personal dissonance, exploring how to bear the weight of facts and understanding.

The conversation delves into the internal struggles of carrying a metaphorical 'backpack of bricks,' representing the mental burden of living with conflicting beliefs and facts. The speaker shares how they managed to reconcile these conflicts.
The Commonality of Youth Struggles (00:30:01)
Exploration of the common challenges faced by young people dealing with trust issues and the difficulty in finding someone to talk to.

The speakers discuss the widespread issue among young individuals who are taught not to trust others, leading to isolation. They highlight the importance of finding support, even in environments where trust is discouraged.
Breaking Free From Systemic Constraints (00:31:01)
Discussion on how systemic beliefs can lead to a conflicted identity, comparing it to gang mentality and the importance of questioning norms.

The dialogue compares the systemic beliefs that trap people in fixed identities to gang mentality, where questioning is discouraged. They emphasize the importance of questioning and breaking free from these constraints to find one's true self.
Joel's Journey and New Beginnings (00:32:32)
Joel discusses his transition from a past identity to embracing new opportunities in the wind industry.

Joel shares his story of moving past his previous life constraints and how he found a new path. This journey includes his decision to pursue a career in the wind industry, highlighting the personal growth and new beginnings.
The Wind Industry Opportunity (00:35:00)
Joel talks about his decision to enter the wind industry, the opportunities it presents, and his education path.

Joel explains his transition into the wind industry, detailing his educational journey at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's wind turbine technician academy. He discusses the exciting opportunities and the decision-making process that led him there.
Travel and Career in Wind Technology (00:38:17)
Joel describes his new job in wind technology, including the travel aspect and work schedule.

Joel elaborates on his new role in the wind industry, which involves extensive travel across North America. He shares his excitement about the job's nature, which allows him to explore different places while engaging in meaningful work.
The Role and Future of Wind Turbines (00:41:00)
Discussion on the specifics of Joel's job as a blade inspector and the technology used in wind turbines.

Joel describes his job as a blade inspector for a company that uses advanced technology, like drones and rovers, to maintain wind turbines. He explains the importance of predictive maintenance in ensuring turbine efficiency and reliability.
Education and Career Pathways (00:45:00)
The importance of education and career exploration, highlighting alternative paths like community colleges.

The conversation focuses on the diverse educational paths available, such as community college programs, that provide practical training and career opportunities, emphasizing the value of finding the right educational fit for individual goals.
Energy Trends and Opportunities (00:50:00)
Joel discusses energy trends and the positive developments in the wind energy sector.

Joel shares insights into the current trends in the energy sector, particularly in wind energy. He highlights the growth in renewable energy and its economic viability, offering a positive outlook on the future of energy production.
Addressing Misconceptions about Wind Energy (00:54:00)
Clarifying misconceptions about wind turbines, including noise and environmental impact.

The speakers address common misconceptions about wind turbines, such as noise and vibration issues. They clarify that these problems were primarily associated with early designs and have been significantly improved in modern installations.
Patience and Process Discussion (00:59:19)
The host discusses the importance of patience and understanding in processes.

The host emphasizes the need for patience and understanding that everything is a process, implying that changes take time and effort.
The Bird and Turbine Problem (00:59:26)
A discussion on how turbines have improved to reduce bird deaths, comparing them to other human-caused bird fatalities.

The conversation shifts to the issue of turbines causing bird deaths. The guest explains that although turbines do kill some birds, their design has improved. The majority of bird deaths are actually caused by domestic cats, not turbines.
Closing Remarks and Gratitude (01:00:08)
The guest expresses gratitude for the opportunity to discuss important topics.

The guest, Joel, expresses his gratitude for being on the show and having the chance to delve deeply into various subjects with the host.
The Power of Stories (01:00:22)
A reflection on the importance of sharing and understanding stories to improve lives.

The host reflects on the significance of stories and how daring to explore them deeply can connect the dots to improve not only our own lives but also the lives of others.
Final Message to the Audience (01:00:46)
Encouragement for listeners to share their stories and learn from others.

The episode concludes with a message to the audience, encouraging them to share their stories, understand others' stories, and return for the next episode. Marvinetta Pan emphasizes that all stories matter.