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Less than 1% of climate media coverage talks about solutions. Jacob Simon is working to change that. Jacob trained as a pairs figure skater and spent five years on Team USA chasing the Olympics, until a dislocated shoulder ended his career overnight. Out of that loss he found a new path. A college newsletter of positive climate headlines grew into a full-time career, and today he spends half of every day hunting for what’s going right in the world and sharing it with millions. Anne Therese and Jacob talk about why doom and gloom freezes us instead of moving us, and how negativity bias and the algorithm keep bad news on top. They get into solarpunk, the vision of “growing a beautiful new world in the cracks of the old one.” Jacob shares the “everyday heroes” behind his new series Hope Makers, some of the 16,000 new species discovered every year, and how skating taught him that change comes in inches. It’s a conversation about agency, fulfillment and imagining the future we actually want, because we can’t build what we can’t picture first. Find Jacob at @JacobSimonSays on all platforms and YouTube, and sign up for his newsletter at thehopemakers.org. --- Hey Change is a space for the conversations shaping a better future — where climate, culture, systems, and human potential meet. Hosted by Anne Therese Gennari Website: annetheresegennari.com Instagram: @heychangepodcast Instagram: @annetheresegennari YouTube: @AnneThereseGennariHeyChange Proudly produced by Good Mess Media Website: goodmessmedia.com Instagram: @goodmessmedia Music: Jackson Whalan Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Climate Week in New York brought Dax Dasilva back to Hey Change, fresh off the release of Yanuni, the documentary following Indigenous leader Juma Xipaia's frontline fight for the Amazon, which has already drawn millions of views on YouTube. Dax and I talk about why the film is resonating, what it means to truly listen in a world built on distraction, and how a few minutes of urban nature can reset a whole day. He also shares what it was like to spend the last two years of Jane Goodall's life alongside her, the simple joy she carried through heavy work, and why she made everyone she met feel seen. From there, the conversation turns to hope in action: the Phoenix Species Project, the effort to recover 100 of the world's most threatened species, and why Dax believes grassroots, Indigenous-led conservation is where real change happens. Follow Dax: @DaxDasilva @AgeofUnion -- About Hey Change: Hey Change is a space for the conversations shaping a better future — where climate, culture, systems, and human potential meet. Hosted by Anne Therese Gennari Website: annetheresegennari.com Instagram: @heychangepodcast Instagram: @annetheresegennari YouTube: @AnneThereseGennariHeyChange Proudly produced by Good Mess Media Website: goodmessmedia.com Instagram: @goodmessmedia Music: Jackson Whalan Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Every culture is sustained by the stories it repeats. Every institution is reinforced by the stories it rewards.” Our guest today has spent two decades at the front lines of that realization — tracking how narrative doesn't just reflect our world, but actively constructs our power, our policy, and our future. Melissa Jun Rowley is an award-winning journalist, activist, and a true veteran of the intersection where social innovation meets tech. From the red carpets of the Grammys to the high-stakes floors of the New York Stock Exchange—and even the zero-gravity chambers of NASA—she has reported for CNN, the BBC, The Guardian, and many more. She’s taken the global stage at Davos and the UN, and received numerous awards and accolades for her incredible work bridging the gap between digital tools and human rights. Today, we talk about the true power stories hold and how we allow them to, not just inform, but empower us. We also get into her new book, Beyond the Mic Drop: How Our Stories Shift Culture, Power, and Policy, which is a beautiful roadmap for claiming our own narratives in an age of information overload. She’s also a friend and a vital voice in the climate space—Melissa, it is such an honor to have you here. Welcome to Hey Change. -- About Hey Change: Hey Change is a space for the conversations shaping a better future — where climate, culture, systems, and human potential meet. Hosted by Anne Therese Gennari Website: annetheresegennari.com Instagram: @heychangepodcast Instagram: @annetheresegennari YouTube: @AnneThereseGennariHeyChange Proudly produced by Good Mess Media Website: goodmessmedia.com Instagram: @goodmessmedia Music: Jackson Whalan Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we're sharing one of our favorite interviews from 2025! Anne Therese's conversation with neuroscientist Norman Farb is a great summer reset to help us tap into our inner wisdoms, reawaken our senses, and become enablers of positive change. Enjoy! What if our obsession with certainty is actually making us more stressed? And most importantly, less open to real change?  In this episode, I sit down with psychologist and researcher Norman Farb to explore how our brains prioritize the familiar, often at the cost of creativity, well-being, and resilience. We talk about the myth of multitasking, the power of mind wandering, and why slowing down might be the fastest path to clarity. Together, we dive into what it means to be truly receptive—to ourselves, to others, and to the world we hope to change. From "retruthing" our perceptions to cultivating presence in a noisy world, Norman offers both science-backed insight and practical tools for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply curious about how to move forward with more joy and intention.  This one’s for anyone who wants to rethink how we relate to stress, uncertainty, and the stories we tell ourselves about what’s possible. If you care about making positive change in the world, click play and make sure to listen to the end! Get Norman Farb's book, Better In Every Sense: https://betterineverysense.com/ -- About Hey Change: Hey Change is a space for the conversations shaping a better future — where climate, culture, systems, and human potential meet. Hosted by Anne Therese Gennari Website: annetheresegennari.com Instagram: @heychangepodcast Instagram: @annetheresegennari YouTube: @AnneThereseGennariHeyChange Proudly produced by Good Mess Media Website: goodmessmedia.com Instagram: @goodmessmedia Music: Jackson Whalan Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if we started to show up with new narratives? Ones that are rooted in nurturing and hope, instead of apathy and fear? Could our impact grow, and if so, how? Sophia Li is an award-winning journalist and Earthshot Prize correspondent who is quite literally rewriting the script of our future. From navigating the highest levels of fashion at Vogue to the front lines of the climate crisis as a UN Human Rights Champion, Sophia is a powerhouse to be reckoned with.  In this conversation, we explore the intersection of heritage, climate justice, and her newest role: motherhood.  We talk about the transition from 'footprints' to 'handprints,' the radical power of surrender, and why she believes our greatest climate solutions are actually inevitable. Please welcome my friend and fellow optimist, Sophia Li. To follow Sophia Instagram: @sophfei -- About Hey Change: Hey Change is a space for the conversations shaping a better future — where climate, culture, systems, and human potential meet. Hosted by Anne Therese Gennari Website: annetheresegennari.com Instagram: @heychangepodcast Instagram: @annetheresegennari YouTube: @AnneThereseGennariHeyChange Proudly produced by Good Mess Media Website: goodmessmedia.com Instagram: @goodmessmedia Music: Jackson Whalan Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The courage to pause at the peak with Mara Hoffman & Dana Davis! What does it take to walk away from momentum at its peak? In fashion, the relentless pressure to produce more—more collections, more shows, more growth—is treated as gospel. This episode challenges that assumption at its core. In 2024, Mara Hoffman—who spent over two decades building her namesake label from hand-dyeing pieces in a New York apartment to becoming a global leader in conscious design—made a quietly radical announcement: a pause for an in-breath. This conversation explores the powerhouse friendship spanning over 16 years, their bond, the partnership, what the decision really meant when taking the in-breathe, and why it might be the most forward-thinking move in fashion today. Mara Hoffman: New photography: MaraHoffmanStudio.com Instagram: @marahoffman Dana Davis: Instagram: @danadition -- About Hey Change Hey Change is a space for the conversations shaping a better future — where climate, culture, systems, and human potential meet. Hosted by Anne Therese Gennari Website: annetheresegennari.com Instagram: @heychangepodcast Instagram: @annetheresegennari YouTube: @AnneThereseGennari Hey Change Proudly produced by Good Mess Media Website: goodmessmedia.com Instagram: @goodmessmedia Music by Jackson Whalan Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if AI could actually help save the planet? We're flipping the script on the doom-and-gloom AI narrative! In this episode, Anne Therese sits down with Sinead Bovell — strategic futurist, Vogue's "AI Educator for Non-Nerds," and one of the most trusted voices in tech today — fresh off an appearance on Oprah to talk about hope in an AI world. From the energy paradox to the rise of Small Language Models, we dig into the real facts and data behind AI's environmental footprint — and why the story is more nuanced than the headlines suggest. We cover water use, carbon-free energy, AI-powered grid optimization, and the material discoveries that could change everything from fashion to construction. But here's the throughline: AI is a tool. And how we show up for it right now will set the tone for decades to come. Because the future isn't something that happens to us — it's a choice we make today. Listen now wherever you get your podcasts. Contact Sinead: Host: @igqwithsineadbovell Founder @wayetalks Instagram: @sineadbovell Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/ ⁨@Sineadbovell⁩  -- About Hey Change: Hey Change is a space for the conversations shaping a better future — where climate, culture, systems, and human potential meet. Hosted by Anne Therese Gennari Website: annetheresegennari.com Instagram: @heychangepodcast Instagram: @annetheresegennari YouTube: @AnneThereseGennariHeyChange Proudly produced by Good Mess Media Website: goodmessmedia.com Instagram: @goodmessmedia Music: Jackson Whalan Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to restore our relationship with the Earth — not just protect it, but belong to it again? In this episode, Anne sits down with Dax Dasilva, entrepreneur, environmentalist, and author of Echoes from Eden, for a powerful conversation about restoration, belonging, and what it takes to build a livable future. Drawing from his journeys through the Amazon, the Congo, and Haiti, Dax shares what he’s learned on the frontlines of conservation — and why restoring ecosystems is deeply tied to restoring human dignity, peace, and possibility. Together, Anne and Dax explore the tension between technology and nature, the power of community-led solutions, and why even the smallest acts of care can ripple forward for generations. This is a conversation about hope — not the passive kind, but the kind rooted in action, responsibility, and remembering that we are part of nature, not separate from it. In this episode:— What inspired Dax to write Echoes from Eden — Lessons from restoration projects in the Amazon, Congo, and Haiti — Why conservation and human survival are inseparable — The importance of ownership and community in creating change — Technology, regeneration, and the future we’re building — How small actions shape the world to come — Why hope is still worth choosing All proceeds from Echoes from Eden support the Jane Goodall Institute. Listen in, and ask yourself: What does it look like to belong to the Earth again? -- About Hey Change Hey Change is a space for the conversations shaping a better future — where climate, culture, systems, and human potential meet. Hosted by Anne Therese Gennari. Listen, rate, subscribe, comment and SHARE Website: annetheresegennari.com Instagram: @heychangepodcast Instagram: @annetheresegennari YouTube: @AnneThereseGennariHeyChange Proudly produced by Good Mess Media Website: goodmessmedia.com Instagram: @goodmessmedia Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why is it that nature and climate change have become such difficult topics to talk about, especially with people with different political viewpoints than us? Why is climate change so politicized, and how can we come back to the fact that we all, truly, deep inside, care about the same things?  That is the guiding mission behind Nature Is Nonpartisan, a new nonprofit working to restore conservation as a unifying, bipartisan American value. In this episode, I sit down with Amelia Joy, Executive Director of NINP, to unpack why environmentalism has become so politically charged, why fewer people identify as “environmentalists” today, and how we can bring nature back to the center of public life — not as a partisan wedge, but as common ground. As we’re heading into the holiday season, I couldn’t think of a more important topic to dive into. As Katharine Hayhoe, a former guest on our show, shares over and over again, the most important thing we can do for climate change is talk about it. But how do we talk about it? How do we find the courage to bring up these topics, and how do we make sure the conversation actually leads us to someplace good? If you’re hoping to put nature and our shared future on the table this year, without risking completely wrecking the family party, I hope Amelia and I can provide some pointers. Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, Anne Therese brings back two of the most impactful conversations from the Hey Change archives — featuring Mike Veny, mental health speaker and advocate, and Jack Adam Webber, author of Climate Cure. As the days get darker and we naturally turn inward, this episode invites listeners to explore the often-overlooked emotional dimension of climate work. Anne reflects on how feelings like anger, grief, anxiety, and fear are not obstacles but essential tools for our personal and collective healing. With Mike Veny, we learn how anger can be a superpower — a source of clarity, leadership, and decisive action when approached with curiosity instead of shame. With Jack Adam Webber, we dive deeper into embodied grief and emotional grounding, discovering how feeling our feelings is an act of resistance, reconnection, and regeneration. This episode is a reminder that climate optimism is not blind positivity — it’s a courageous willingness to feel deeply and act from a place of wholeness, compassion, and inner alignment. Mentioned in the episode The Climate Optimist Cohort: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/cohort The Climate Optimist Leadership Retreat: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/retreat-el-salvador Episode 93 with Jack Adam Weber: https://www.heychangepodcast.com/episodes/93-how-to-heal-ourselves-to-heal-our-planet Episode 94 with Mike Veny: https://www.heychangepodcast.com/episodes/94-anger-for-good Jack's book: Climate Cure: https://jackadamweber.com/climate-cure/ Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really mean to practice optimism in the face of the climate crisis? In this episode, I break down my signature Climate Optimist Venn Diagram — a simple yet powerful framework built on three essential pillars: inner development, taking action, and community. You’ll learn how optimism isn’t an attitude you simply choose — it’s something you grow through daily practice. I'll share how emotional resilience, meaningful action, and collective care work together to nurture true hope, empower lasting change, and even trigger the body’s “feel-good” hormones that keep us motivated. Whether you’re an educator, changemaker, business leader, or someone searching for renewed energy in your climate journey, this episode will inspire you to show up with purpose and joy. Ready to become a climate optimist? Here's how you get started! Resources mentioned: Download The Climate Optimist Venn DiagramLearn more about the Inner Development Goals (IDGs)Explore the Climate Optimist Retreat in El SalvadorConnect for speaking or workshops at theclimateoptimist.com/speaker Book chapter mentioned in The Climate Optimist Handbook: 41 - 43Book by Jack Adam Weber: Climate CureEpisode 104: The 3 Narrative ShiftsEpisode 96 with Charlie Sellars from MicrosoftWebsite: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s episode is such a special one. I’m joined by James Godfrey-Faussett, a restoration ecologist and founder of the Healing Earth Project, who has spent over two decades bringing degraded land back to life — from city forests to desert landscapes. James shares what he’s learned from observing nature: that restoration doesn’t have to be complicated, that the Earth already knows how to heal if we give her the chance, and that slowing down might actually be the most powerful climate action we can take. He explains why observation is the first step to healing, how microbiology and fungi are the hidden engines of restoration, and why simplicity and community may be our greatest tools in the age of technology. This episode is a beautiful reminder that optimism isn’t naive — it’s rooted in what nature shows us every day: resilience, patience, and the possibility of renewal. So find a quiet spot, take a deep breath, and join us for this conversation on healing the Earth. And it starts, quite fittingly, by listening. Follow + Connect with James on LinkedIn: James Godfrey-Faussett Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I’m bringing back one of my all-time favorite episodes from the archives of Hey Change. This conversation is between my former co-host Robin and me, along with Katharine Hayhoe, an atmospheric scientist, communicator, and one of the most inspiring voices in the climate space. Even though we recorded this a few years ago, the wisdom and hope Katharine shares feel just as relevant — maybe even more so today. We dive into how to talk about climate change with people in our lives, why fear and guilt don’t work, and how we can instead use optimism, love, and connection to bring people on board. I wanted to reshare this because it’s one of those timeless conversations that reminds us that our voices matter, that hope is something we create through action, and that we already have so much in common when it comes to wanting a better future. But who is Katherine? If you don’t already know her, you’re in for such a treat. Katherine is an atmospheric scientist, the Chief Scientist at The Nature Conservancy, and the author of Saving Us, one of my favorite books on climate change. Katharine has given a TED Talk that’s been viewed by millions, she’s been named one of TIME’s 100 most influential people, and she’s truly one of the most powerful voices helping us connect climate science to our everyday lives. Follow: LinkedIn: Katherine Hayhoe Instagram: @KatherineHayhoe Substack Newsletter: Talking Climate TED Talk: The most important thing you can do to fight climate change: talk about it Book: Saving Us - A Climate Scientist's Case for Hope and Healing in a Divided World Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do we navigate climate anxiety in the classroom? This episode is a special one, and one that feels close to my heart since I struggled with climate anxiety for such a big part of my youth. Pr.. Angus, a geography teacher in the UK, reached out a while back and asked if we could please have a chat, since he kept getting questions from his students about climate change, and especially how to navigate climate anxiety, I obviously said yes and I also asked if it was okay that we recorded the conversation so that it could benefit more people, and so this is that conversation. If you’re an educator, parent, or just someone who cares about the next generation, I hope this episode will serve as a guiding light, not because it holds all the answers, but because it’s what I needed to hear all those years navigating my own fears. The biggest takeaway is that we must dare to have these conversations, and I hope this episode will leave you with both encouragement and practical ways to offer support to our children as they grow up in a changing world. I created a free guide to help you navigate climate conversations in the classroom or at home. You download it on the episode page here Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is it OK to laugh about serious issues? If so, what role does humor play in our important work for climate justice? Let’s talk about it! Today I’m joined by Tom Toro — a celebrated cartoonist whose work has appeared over 200 times in The New Yorker and who is best known for the now-iconic climate cartoon that says, ‘Yes, the planet got destroyed, but for a beautiful moment in time we created a lot of value for shareholders.’ You may have seen it.\ Known for balancing sharp observational humor with a playful, even compassionate edge, Toro also serves as chair of the Northwest Chapter of the National Cartoonist Society, and his cartoons have been a regular feature of The New Yorker since 2010. In this conversation, Tom and I talk about the power of humor to help us process hard truths, how art can spark change, and why joy and creativity are essential tools for facing the climate crisis and other societal issues. If you’ve ever wondered how a single image can capture an entire movement — this episode is for you. Tom on Instagram: @tbtoroToms’ website: https://tomtoro.com/PRE-ORDER TOM’S BOOK: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/And-to-Think-We-Started-as-a-Book-Club/Tom-Toro/9798881604066 Website: www.heychangepodcast.com Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/ Music produced by Jackson Whalan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.