Generation Change with Leo Finelli

In the final episode of 2025, Isabela Valencia joins Generation Change to talk with Leo about her world travels, her experiences at COP29 and New York City Climate Week, and the need for stronger and more effective climate conversations.

Follow Isabela on Instagram: @isabela_valencia

Generation Change with Leo Finelli celebrates 5 years on the air (!) and begins Season 6 with an interview with Kiara M. Tanta-Quidgeon. Kiara is an enrolled member of the Mohegan Tribe, a public health researcher, and a youth advocate committed to centering Indigenous voices in the pursuit of health equity and cultural preservation. Leo chats with Kiara about her passion for public health and healing, the Indigenous Student Union that she started at Quinnipiac University, and her most recent writing projects.

Follow Kiara on Instagram: @kiaramtantaquidgeon

Follow the Sunrise Healing Community on Instagram: @sunrisehealingcommunity

Support Communities Impacted by Natural Disasters in Alaska:

Sunrise Healing Community fundraiser for the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund

Donate directly to the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund

Season 5 of Generation Change concludes with an interview with Addisyn Mayer, a middle school student in honors classes with an outstanding record of civic engagement and leadership. Leo and Addisyn talk about where Addisyn's passion for politics began, the inspiring leaders whom she's met along her journey, and her 1,300+ hours of community service.

Leo's next children's book, The Nutcracker's World, will be released on October 14! Follow @genchangewithlf on Instagram for updates.

Check out Leo's first book, Seven Slices of Life, available now: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Slices-Life-Leo-Finelli/dp/B0D2MHRWSW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UUXG56A8D9XO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rtUTQRPqsHTfIXDhZozKbk2tiwJK5pfiuobpiJgoY_Bp35zDlvYAVs92wrXanuNtCaWr4uTOa5N79nDR-PnSHQ.s8H1Ct-2c7mGG_Y6ZuMDqMhnJsYnxMgXiRsru4PHGBU&dib_tag=se&keywords=leo+finelli&qid=1714573109&sprefix=leo+fine%2Caps%2C620&sr=8-1

Jayveon Tucker, an accomplished advocate from Roanoke, VA, joins Leo on Generation Change to talk about his volunteering experience, his student government campaigns in high school and college, and what's motivating him in our current political moment.

Follow Jayveon on Instagram: @jayveonforva

Filmmaker and NYU grad Sydney Shear stops by Generation Change to chat with Leo about her participation in the Emmy-nominated documentary series "Social Studies," her own short films "Autumn Leaves" and "The Fine Line," and the impact that she hopes to make as a writer and director.

Follow Sydney on Instagram: @sydneyshear

Follow Sydney's film, "Autumn Leaves," on Instagram: @autumnleavesfilm

Watch "Social Studies" on Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/series/social-studies-15eb2330-d2d6-49a0-a38b-11bc25c10130

Mikah Rector-Brooks, a gun violence prevention activist, trans rights activist, and University of Michigan alum, joins the podcast to chat with Leo about why they joined March For Our Lives, the bills they helped pass in the Michigan State House, and the exciting next steps in their life journey.

Follow Mikah on Instagram: @mikahrectorb

Julia Luz Betancourt, an independent multimedia journalist, stops by Generation Change to chat about the books that she wrote and self-published as a teenager, her student advocacy at St. John's University, and why grassroots journalism is necessary in these difficult times.

Follow Julia on Instagram: @julialuzbetancourt

Jennalynn Fung's "bombshell" article (talked about in episode): https://medium.com/@jennuinn/trump-is-killing-public-health-we-can-save-it-if-we-act-now-ef484326170e

Youth organizer Isaac Nuttall joins Leo to talk about being diagnosed with autism, the many places in which he's lived, how he started a speech and debate club at his school, and what he thinks the Democrats need to do to win in 2026, 2028, and beyond.

Leo's first children's book, Seven Slices of Life, has been out for a whole year now! Check it out here: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Slices-Life-Leo-Finelli/dp/B0D2MHRWSW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UUXG56A8D9XO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.rtUTQRPqsHTfIXDhZozKbk2tiwJK5pfiuobpiJgoY_Bp35zDlvYAVs92wrXanuNtCaWr4uTOa5N79nDR-PnSHQ.s8H1Ct-2c7mGG_Y6ZuMDqMhnJsYnxMgXiRsru4PHGBU&dib_tag=se&keywords=leo+finelli&qid=1714573109&sprefix=leo+fine%2Caps%2C620&sr=8-1

Activist and digital strategist Katey Parham joins Leo to talk about attending Vanderbilt University, protesting for gun reform at the Tennessee State Capitol in Nashville, and working as a social media strategist for various Democratic politicians and campaigns.

Follow Katey on Instagram: @kateyforchange

Leo interviews Joey Pisani, a young activist and organizer from Massachusetts who's currently running for Student Government Association Senator at Suffolk University, about growing up in Western Mass, canvassing in different states during the 2024 election cycle, and marching forward in difficult political times.

Follow Joey on Instagram: @joey_pisani

Joey's student government campaign: @joeypisani_forthestudents