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/

Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/

Hosted by The Climate Optimist: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/

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/

Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/

Hosted by The Climate Optimist: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/

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: @tbtoro
• Toms’ 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/

Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/

Hosted by The Climate Optimist: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/

Music produced by Jackson Whalan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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-shirt

Note: this order window closes at midnight, September 28th, 2025

• Follow Sally Fouts: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-fouts-zwartjes-b527693/
• Christiana and Tom’s book: The Future We Choose
• Global Optimism Podcast: Outrage & Optimism
• The Climate Pledge: https://www.theclimatepledge.com/
• The Climate Pledge Arena: https://climatepledgearena.com/
• Anne Therese’s Book: The Climate Optimist Handbook

Website: www.heychangepodcast.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/

Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/

Hosted by The Climate Optimist: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/

Music produced by Jackson Whalan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

1. Fear-based narratives stall action. Most climate messaging today triggers overwhelm, paralysis, and retreat rather than inspired action. We need a new approach.
2. 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.
3. 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?
4. Narrative Shift #3: Fix the Old → Build the New. Let the broken systems fall. Our energy is better spent building something beautiful, just, and regenerative in their place.
5. Inner leadership is essential. We must tend to our mindset, emotions, and sense of purpose — because this work is challenging, and we need to stay grounded and inspired.

Do you want to join The Climate Optimist Cohort? Learn more and apply here: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/cohort

Website: www.heychangepodcast.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/

Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/

Hosted by The Climate Optimist: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/

Music produced by Jackson Whalan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Let’s dive in.

Support Positive Polar: https://wefunder.com/positivepolar

Learn more: https://positivepolar.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/positivepolarx/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/positive-polar/

Hugo: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-hinrichsen/

Jenn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferbonilla/

Website: www.heychangepodcast.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/

Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/

Hosted by The Climate Optimist: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/

Music produced by Jackson Whalan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.com

Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heychange_podcast/

Host: https://www.instagram.com/annetheresegennari/

Hosted by The Climate Optimist: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/

Music produced by Jackson Whalan

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.