Hey Change - Finding Happiness In New Realities

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

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, a

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

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.

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 a

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 t

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.

Anne Therese talks with Sally Fouts, Global Lead for The Climate Pledge at Amazon, about how businesses can accelerate climate action together. They discuss the origins of the pledge, why collaboration is crucial, the risk of “greenhushing,” and how progress — not perfection — drives change. Plus, Sally shares the story of Climate Pledge Arena and how it’s reimagining what sustainable experiences can look like.Ad slot: Order Your Climate Optimist T-Shirt TODAY and invite for game-changing conversations everywhere you go. See photos and place your order here: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/store/p/climate-optimist-t-shirtNote: this order window closes at midnight, September 28th, 2025Follow Sally Fouts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-fouts-zwartjes-b527693/Christiana and Tom’s book: The Future We ChooseGlobal Optimism Podcast: Outrage & OptimismThe Climate Pledge: https://www.theclimatepledge.com/The Climate Pledge Arena: https://climatepledgearena.com/Anne Therese’s Book: The Climate Optimist Handb

What if the stories we tell about climate change are keeping us stuck in fear — instead of moving us into action? In this solo episode, I dive into three narrative shifts that can help us move from overwhelm to opportunity, from minimizing ourselves to maximizing our impact, and from trying to "save the world" to building something better. Whether you're a seasoned changemaker or just waking up to this moment, this one’s for you.Key Takeaways:Fear-based narratives stall action. Most climate messaging today triggers overwhelm, paralysis, and retreat rather than inspired action. We need a new approach.Narrative Shift #1: Responsibility → Opportunity. It's not your burden to save the world — but it is your opportunity to help build what's next using your unique gifts.Narrative Shift #2: Minimize Footprint → Maximize Impact. Instead of focusing only on cutting back, ask: How can I show up fully? How can I matter?Narrative Shift #3: Fix the Old → Build the New. Let the broken systems fall. Our energy is better spe

Do you ever feel the need to go really deep with someone and throw at them life’s biggest, most thought-provoking questions? That’s how I felt when preparing my interview with Darin Olien. And let me tell you - I didn’t hold back!In this episode, we talk about the root cause of so much of today’s chaos and how the path to healing starts by coming back to ourselves. We explore why joy is a radical form of resistance, how forgiveness frees us, and why your inner truth might just be your most powerful tool for change. I’m super excited about this conversation because I have a feeling it will unlock so much. More than anything, this talk is healing, so wherever you are listening to this, do yourself a favor and create the spiritual space to truly receive what you’re about to hear.Who is Darin?You might know him from the Netflix series Down to Earth with Zac Efron, where he, as a co-host and executive producer, traveled the world from Iceland to Australia, spotlighting sustainable living, indigenous knowledge, and

In this episode, I sit down with the creators of Positive Polar, a love-passion-science project inviting you to directly participating in restoring our oceans. The mission? Biochemically mimic whales to restore marine ecosystems, sequester carbon, and turn tourism into a force for regeneration.Jenn Bonilla, the President of Positive Pola, brings a PhD from Princeton, Stanford training, and deep expertise in commercializing biotech for environmental impact. Hugo Hinrichsen, its CEO and Founder, is an ex-navy officer and polar helicopter pilot whose ancestors were whalers — and restoring the oceans isn’t just work for him, it’s personal. Speaking with the two of them was so invigorating. Their love for whales and all ocean habitat, their willpower to spearhead new possibilities and match science with passion, and their eagerness to get this story out there so that we can start moving forward with climate optimism today, not tomorrow, was truly infectious. This, dear listener, is climate optimism in action.

What if the most powerful tool we have in facing climate collapse… is refusing to give up? In this episode, I talk with Alan Weisman, journalist and bestselling author of The World Without Us, about his new book Hope Dies Last. We explore stories of stubborn climate optimism from around the world, breakthroughs in energy and food, and why the future is still worth fighting for—even when the odds seem impossible.This isn’t about toxic positivity—it’s real, grounded optimism. And it just might change how you think about hope. Because while hope may not last forever, today is not that day. There is still so much beauty to protect, and being human on this Earth is a gift we still have the chance to reclaim.Get the book, Hope Dies Last: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/624630/hope-dies-last-by-alan-weisman/Website: www.heychangepodcast.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/Hosted by The Climate Optimist: https://www.theclim

What if the solution to single-use waste wasn’t more effort, but better design? In today’s episode, I sit down with Mac Sellars from r.World, an award-winning company transforming concerts and sports venues by making the sustainable choice the easiest one. It’s a story of climate optimism, systems change, and the power of rethinking not just what we do, but how we do it.Together, we get into some often-overlooked but important truths about single-use waste, how the system needs radical rethinking — not just incremental improvements — and the spiritual practices that are woven into all of it. If you’re someone who wants to implement more sustainable practices in your workplace or community, or even your home, get ready to be challenged and inspired in all the best ways. Website: https://rworldreuse.com/Subscribe to The Climate Optimist on Substack: https://theclimateoptimist.substack.com/Website: www.heychangepodcast.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/Host: https:/

A new climate change denial is spreading, and yes, we need to talk about it. So in this episode, I sit down with journalist Samantha Harrington to unpack how climate misinformation is evolving. It’s no longer about denying climate change. Instead, it claims that the solutions don’t work, that clean energy is dangerous, or that the entire climate movement is a form of government control. We break down how this narrative is gaining ground, why outrage is such a powerful tool for spreading misinformation, and how a lack of response — even from left-leaning media — is part of the problem. But this isn’t just a warning. It’s also a call to action... Get ready to be empowered!Other things mentioned:The original article that sparked this conversation: Eight of the top 10 online shows are spreading climate misinformation The 89 Percent ProjectPetro MasculinityAbout Our GuestSamantha Harrington, director of audience experience for Yale Climate Connections, is a journalist, graphic designer, and UX desig

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 ma

What does it look like to embrace optimism when forces around you want you to feel overwhelmed, defeated, and in despair? What is climate optimism, and how do we not mistake it for toxic positivity? And what does a healthy relationship to climate grief actually look like?In this bonus episode that was originally shared on Climify Podcast, Eric Benson and I have a deeply human and heart-forward conversation about navigating climate grief, spiritual transformation, and the power of slowing down — especially in our climate actions!I share my journey from climate anxiety and angry activism to grounded, regenerative optimism, and we explore why emotional resilience, imagination, and inner development are essential tools for climate action. We also talk about how to shift from minimizing our footprint to maximizing our unique impact, and the joy that comes with doing climate action your way.Listen to rediscover climate action as an act of hope, healing, and inner transformation —this is climate optimism, how I see

In this conversation, Anne Therese Gennari and guest Charlie Sellars explore the journey of sustainability, emphasizing that every job can contribute to climate action. They discuss the importance of maximizing opportunities in sustainability rather than focusing solely on minimizing negative impacts. The dialogue highlights the need for narrative shifts in climate action and the significance of engaging diverse perspectives. Additionally, they explore the balance between individual responsibility and corporate accountability in sustainability efforts. The discussion also touches on the political landscape's impact on climate initiatives and the potential for optimism in the face of challenges. Finally, they envision a future where sustainable practices are the norm and emphasize the need for collective action to achieve this vision.Two climate optimists coming together - this is a conversation you don't want to miss!About our guest:Charlie Sellars is the director of sustainability at Microsoft and, most

What are eco-emotions and how are they affecting our everyday lives? What role do they play in our ability to – and desire to – make a difference? And how do we overcome these mental barriers that are keeping us paralyzed and stuck in place?Seeking answers to these questions could be one of the most important topics of our times. Not just for the individual, but also for the world, as it’s a critical step in igniting the curiosity and courage needed to co-create a climate-just future.Tune into this important conversation with three Fierce and Passionate Climate Authors that was recorded during this year's Climate Week in NYC. Tori Tsui, author of It’s Not Just You, Britt Wray, author of Gen Dread, and Anne Therese Gennari, author of The Climate Optimist Handbook shared the latest research on eco-emotions, tools for healing, and how to grow emotional resilience for the days to come.The panel was moderated by environmental educator and creator of the digital media platform QueerBrownVegan, Isaias Hernandez. Get

What does it mean to use your anger for good? Today's guest Mike Veny hasn't just learned to deal with his anger, he actively challenges it to better his work and do good in the world! As a mental health expert, advocate, and professional speaker, Mike tours the country helping companies and their employees revive the gifts of mental wellness. We brought him on the Hey Change Podcast to talk about how anger can serve as a powerful (and healthy) tool in our work for climate and social justice.In this episode:Passion vs giftsHow to lead a meaningful lifeBreaking stigma and creating new normsHow to embody your anger and let it empower youHow to think about our work in climate change to stay inspired and motivatedFollow Mike:Website: https://www.mikeveny.com/Instagram: @mikevenyTwitter: @mikevenyMentioned in the episode:Book: Hug Your HatersClimate Optimist Newsletter: https://theclimateoptimist.substack.com/CONNECT + FOLLOW:Podcast Instagram: @heychange_podcastHosts: @annetheresegennari + @ro

Can climate grief and anger be catalysts for transformational healing? Is there such a thing as healthy denial? And how can we learn to work with our emotions in a way where our hearts break open and use that to serve ourselves, others, and the world? Those are only a few of the things we get into in our beautiful conversation with Jack!In this episode:How to pay attention to our fear, anger, and anxiety to let it empower youThe mental health work required to be a climate optimistHealthy guilt and healthy denialHow to grow from shameWhy resilience is an act of resistanceMentioned in the episode:Online climate community): www.collectvexaction.comWeekly support calls - contact: https://livingresilience.net/safecircle/Don't Look Up Action Network: https://dontlookup.count-us-in.com/Jack Adam Weber is an award-winning author for environmental and social justice, a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medical herbalist, celebrated poet, certified yoga and Qi Gong instructor, climate activist, mental health advocate,