The Global Lithium Podcast

Епизоде

• 
  Episode 244: The China Syndrome 14.09.2026 22мин

  A stream of consciousness solo episode where I talk about the recent drama concerning SMM's inventory number and change in their process. Did it make sense? Who does it serve? I also talk about comments from Ganfeng on the quality of inventory information and the fact that some of the GFEX warehouse inventory isn't usable.
• 
  Episode 243: The International Lithium Association 08.09.2026 1ч 13мин

  My guests are the co-founders of ILiA: Anand Sheth and Roland Chavasse. Topics:The membership mixNot just a producer organizationCommunicating the industry messageWhat is success for ILiA?ChallengesCommodity or specialty chemical?Communicating with regulatorsChemicals or mining?Lithium triviaChina: flexibility, growth and chaos
• 
  Episode 242: Standard Lithium 01.09.2026 56мин

  My guests are: David Park and Dr. Andy Robinson, the CEO and President/COO, respectively. Topics:The LG offtake agreementHow deals get doneThe market tailwindStandard's path to FIDThe DLE journeyAdvantages of Smackover brineTightening specificationsBi-carbonationThe buildSafetyCultureThe Smackover's LT potentialThe midstream
• 
  Episode 241: Dr Yuan Gao 27.08.2026 1ч 21мин

  Dr Yuan Gao is one of the most respected voices in the lithium-ion battery supply chain. A battery scientist with a number of cathode patents that has worked for a lithium producer, been the CEO of a major cathode maker, and is now on the board of directors of Lithium Americas and Pure Lithium, Dr Gao has a unique perspective on the history and future of the battery industry.Topics:The holy grailThe future of BESSWhat's next in cathodeDemand growth The evolution of lithium intensityRepurposing US gigafactoriesCATLSodium-ionRobin Zeng's teamSolid state batteriesInnovation in lithium metalMaking a difference Lessons from Lithium AmericasUS-China relationsLithium-ion surprisesRapid fire
• 
  Episode 240: "Lithium Summer" Update 09.08.2026 24мин

  In this solo episode, I discuss the state of the lithium market: the good, the bad and the ugly.Despite the market’s overreaction to misinformation from China about the impact of a mine reopening on the supply and demand balance and the threat of sodium ion, lithium’s long-term fundamentals have never looked better.Demand continues to go from strength to strength. Meanwhile, production shortfalls, project delays and efforts by African countries to retain more of the value created from their resources continue to put pressure on supply.Topics:ALB's bullish market commentarySQM displaces ALB as the #1 producerCATL: #1 in GWH & misinformationThe pulled US lithium tenderThe midstream/downstream future in OzUS critical metals "hype machine"Tesla's long ramp up in TexasBuy the book
• 
  Episode 239: Venkee Sharma 26.07.2026 1ч

  Venkee Sharma is the Executive Chairman of Aquatech, a global leader in water and critical metals technology.Topics:Aquatech’s “superpower”Seizing opportunities in lithiumThe TeamAquatech’s view of the marketDLEThe op-ex challengeBelievers in brineThe future of battery gradeFans of the SmackoverDifferent customers – different problemsSelling solutions not technologyA family cultureThe White Silver ProjectPearlRapid fire
• 
  Episode 238: David Park 01.07.2026 50мин

  David Park is the CEO of Standard Lithium. Topics:Leaving retirement for a lithium juniorCapital challengesPartnersCritical success factorsGetting to FIDOfftake agreementsDLE The TeamBipartisan projectsThe benefits of ArkansasThe Smackover vs. hard rockPrice"6 hours of angst"Shout outsRapid fire
• 
  Episode 237: Lithium Confidential (Interview with Chris Berry) 27.06.2026 57мин

  Chris Berry interviewed me about my new book "Lithium Confidential" at the the Fastmarkets Global Lithium event in Las Vegas. The interview was in front of a live audience. The book is available via both as a paperback and e-book via Amazon but can also be ordered from you local bookstore no matter where you live.
• 
  Episode 236: Jon Evans 06.06.2026 1ч

  Jon Evans is the CEO of Lithium Americas and a long-time industry veteran.Topics:How the industry has changed since 2008Why price stays higher for longer this cycleThe battery marketAfter the first Thacker Pass tonUS lithium demandNot Jon's first rodeoPartnersA lesson from Ted LassoWhat keeps Jon motivatedSulfuric acid LAC's position on the cost curveAmerica's midstream issueAfricaWhat success at Thacker Pass looks like
• 
  Episode 235: Thoughts on the Market 27.05.2026 20мин

  This is a solo episode where I talk about market commentary, hype from the US Government, where China is really dominant, the big banks return to lithium, price, and Lithium Confidential.
• 
  Episode 234: Brine Fundamentals 04.05.2026 1ч 1мин

  My guests are two voices from the brine world. Murray Brooker and Clint Van Marrewijk. Topics:Why do brine projects take so long?WA's hard rock advantagesWill brine development be faster in this cycleThe impact of big balance sheetsWhat makes a great brine project?Brine recovery ratesThe "promise" of DLENo DLE, no Smackover"Brine without borders"Modular brine productionThe brine talent poolRapid fire
• 
  Episode 233: Chris Reed 12.04.2026 59мин

  Chris Reed is the Managing Director of NeometalsTopics:Status of the lithium marketWhat China got rightPivoting from urban mining to brineLFPConversion in the WestAfrica DLEThe project in UtahSPAC of the century?Oh CanadaLithium history lessonsDemand in 2030CATL's lithium strategy?Supply in 2035Geopolitics
• 
  Episode 232: Tu Le 26.03.2026 1ч 10мин

  Tu Le is the founder of Sino Auto Insights, an innovation & management consulting firm.Topics:The Global EV pictureThe final frontier for China EVsThe US "China EV" strategyGM and FordThe status of FSD (full self-driving)The changing perception of Tesla in ChinaWhat's next for BYD and Tesla?When will CATL be producing batteries in the US?The "best of the rest" China EV companiesRapid fireThe growing angst in China over lithium supply
• 
  Episode 231: Dr. Tom Benson 11.03.2026 1ч 4мин

  Tom Benson (aka the "Doctor of Volcanoes") is the Vice President of Exploration at Lithium Argentina. Topics:Being creative in explorationThe major upgrade to the Cauchari - Olaroz resourceBigger than the Atacama?Tom's history at Thacker PassLithium Africa - Tom's latest focus The Africa lithium "recipe"Use of new technology & AI in exploration"Permitting Purgatory"Making Africa a lithium successComments on the Smackover & Salton SeaIt's "nice to be nice"Rapid fire
• 
  Episode 230: Lithium Update 05.03.2026 24мин

  This is a short solo episode.Topics: What lithium investors are askingThe converter in TexasA tale of two earnings callsMy visit to Thacker Pass
• 
  Episode 229: YJ Lee 21.02.2026 1ч

  YJ Lee is a Director and Fund Manager at Arcane Capital in Singapore. Find him on X @usuallyYJLeeTopics:The BackstoryYJ's path to lithiumThe learning processHis bullish forecasts EVs, E-trucks & BESSPicking winnersGanfeng & Tianqi turn bullishCATL's diminishing lithium market influenceIs another price spike coming?Thacker PassDLE & the SmackoverErametVulcanNemaskaCanadian potential?Rapid fire
• 
  Episode 228: Rene LeBlanc 23.01.2026 56мин

  Rene is a VP at Lithium Americas and one of the best technical minds in the industry. Topics:How the industry has changed in 20 yearsThe return of LFPFlowsheetsChina's overnight success after two decadesThe challenge for AmericaThe next cycleIs the low hanging fruit gone?What derailed high nickel cathodeTesla's Texas converter hypeBESSDLEThacker Pass update
• 
  Episode 227: The New Year in Lithium 06.01.2026 26мин

  This is a solo episode. In the past I wrote a time limited "stream of consciousness" New Year's post on LinkedIn. This year I decided to do a podcast with the same rules.
• 
  Episode 226: Daniel Jimenez (Year End Wrap) 19.12.2025 1ч 30мин

  Daniel Jimenez is the founder of iLi Markets and formerly worked for SQM. On X: @D_Jimenez_SchTopics:The rapid growth of BESSCATLChina's weakening grip on lithium Hidden costs in AfricaThe tightening marketWhere is the money made in LIBChile's lithium futureArgentinaRio Tinto's next movesWhen does DLE matter?Alternatives to CO3 & LiOHThe coming price spikeConversion capacity outside ChinaRapid fire
• 
  Episode 225: The Missing Midstream 06.12.2025 45мин

  This episode is a panel discussion that took place at the Arkansas Lithium Innovation Summit in October on the missing midstream. The panelists were:David Park, CEO of Standard LithiumDan Blondal, CEO of Nano OneHugh McDonald, Arkansas Secretary of CommerceBhageerath Vadhi, Geologist - Ford Motor CompanyTopics:What is the midstream?Why does it matter?The cathode bottleneckChina's current dominant positionMarginsNano One's LFP advantageWashington's perspective and roleEmphasizing energy storage over EVsGeopoliticsWhat does success look like?