Pre-Zero Sports Talk
Welcome to Pre-Zero Sports Talk, where sports, leadership, community, and progress intersect. Hosted by Sid Bensalah, a seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the sports industry, this podcast isn’t about preaching or claiming to have all the answers. Instead, it’s a platform for honest, thought-provoking conversations exploring how to create positive, actionable change in and through sports.
Born from a passion for progress, Pre-Zero Sports Talk explores the pressing topics shaping our world today—leadership, innovation, community impact, performance and well-being, regenerative agriculture, governance, and more. Each episode goes beyond the surface, engaging with trailblazers, changemakers, and thought leaders to uncover solutions and inspire new perspectives.
This is a space for real conversations with real people about real issues—conversations that challenge norms, break barriers, and spark action. Whether you're a sports enthusiast, industry leader, or someone seeking to make a difference, there’s a seat at the table for you.
Subscribe now to join a movement that informs, entertains, and empowers. Together, let’s redefine the role of sports in building a cleaner, safer, and more connected world—one episode at a time.
Pre-Zero Sports Talk
Climate, Truth & Story: A Conversation with Thomas Schueneman
In Episode 55, host Sid Bensalah sits down with Thomas Schueneman, an environmental journalist, climate advocate, and Global Warming Is Real founder. Through an honest, reflective, and hopeful conversation, Thomas unpacks the role of storytelling in climate advocacy, shares personal moments that shaped his journey, and offers perspective on today’s most pressing sustainability debates.
From growing up camping with his father, to attending COP21 and witnessing the historic Paris Agreement, Thomas brings decades of lived experience into this dynamic discussion on what’s at stake—and what’s still possible.
You'll hear about:
- The emotional roots of environmental advocacy
- The power and purpose of stories in driving climate action
- How to navigate climate skepticism while staying rooted in science
- Real talk on EVs, policy gaps, and corporate greenwashing
- The hope Thomas finds in youth-led activism and small personal actions
Whether you’re an advocate, skeptic, or just curious about climate solutions, this episode offers a grounded, human-centered conversation on one of the most critical issues of our time.
Timestamps
00:00 – Intro
01:09 – Thomas’s early inspirations & personal journey
03:20 – From music to journalism: career turning points
04:28 – Learning hard lessons: Letting go of convincing everyone
05:00 – Why storytelling matters more than facts alone
06:18 – COP21 & permafrost: Stories that left a mark
08:57 – Facing climate skepticism with compassion
12:07 – The cost & complexity of climate solutions
16:40 – EVs, rare earths & green energy debates
23:25 – Understanding the complexity of climate change
24:21 – Corporate responsibility & greenwashing
27:35 – "The Story of Packaging" documentary
28:44 – Book preview: Finding Home in the Anthropocene
31:52 – Why reconnecting with nature is essential
34:49 – Youth-led activism & hope for the future
36:51 – Storytelling as a tool for systemic change
39:16 – Lightning round
44:30 – Final thoughts & a quote to carry forward
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