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.com

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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.

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 Project
• Petro Masculinity

About Our Guest

Samantha Harrington, director of audience experience for Yale Climate Connections, is a journalist, graphic designer, and UX designer with a background in digital media, entrepreneurship, and online community management. Sam is based in Madison, Wisconsin, and is committed to journalism and web design that helps people live safer, healthier, and happier lives.

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 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/

This episode is sponsored by Mill. Click the link for $75 off your Mill purchase: mill.com/heychangepodcast

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 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 it!

For more conversations on climate optimism, check out season five of the Climify Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6bEYHonFIMnYEIsNb0MyDc?si=c8725e8b6a8341fe

Listen to the Guided Meditation: https://www.theclimateoptimist.com/guided-meditation

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 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!

Charlie Sellars is the director of sustainability at Microsoft and, most importantly, the author of the newly released book What We Can Do: A Climate Optimist's Guide to Sustainable Living. 

His book pulls from his experience at Microsoft to empower people on climate across their Personal, Professional, and Political lives. He helps us realize that all of us are more powerful against climate change than we think, and that while nobody can do everything, everybody can do something - and his book gives pragmatic, data-driven evidence to help direct us to where we can have the most impact across everything we do. 

Get the book here: https://bit.ly/3Zc5ZpV

Visit Charlie’s website: https://www.charliesellars.com/

This episode is sponsored by Mill. Click the link for $75 off your Mill purchase: mill.com/heychangepodcast

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 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 the books!

It's Not Just You:

https://bit.ly/its-not-just-you-buy

The Climate Optimist Handbook:

https://bit.ly/the-climate-optimist-handbook-buy

Generation Dread:

Paperback: bit.ly/gdus2023 (available for pre-order, out Oct 2023)

Hardcover: bit.ly/gdus2022 (available now)

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 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 gifts
• How to lead a meaningful life
• Breaking stigma and creating new norms
• How to embody your anger and let it empower you
• How to think about our work in climate change to stay inspired and motivated

Follow Mike:

Website: https://www.mikeveny.com/

Instagram: @mikeveny

Twitter: @mikeveny

Mentioned in the episode:

Book: Hug Your Haters

Climate Optimist Newsletter: https://theclimateoptimist.substack.com/

CONNECT + FOLLOW:

Podcast Instagram: @heychange_podcast

Hosts: @annetheresegennari + @robinxshaw

Podcast website: www.theclimateoptimist.com/hey-change-podcast

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.

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 you
• The mental health work required to be a climate optimist
• Healthy guilt and healthy denial
• How to grow from shame
• Why resilience is an act of resistance

Mentioned in the episode:

• Online climate community): www.collectvexaction.com
• Weekly 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, and permaculture farmer. His latest book, Climate Cure: Heal Yourself to Heal the Planet, goes into depth about the healing work we’re here to take on as individuals to grow emotional resilience and become forces to be reckoned with in this world. 

Website: https://jackadamweber.com/

Instagram: @jackadamweber

CONNECT + FOLLOW:

Podcast Instagram: @heychange_podcast

Hosts: @annetheresegennari + @robinxshaw

Podcast website: www.theclimateoptimist.com/hey-change-podcast

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 restore our spiritual relationship with nature and find ourselves as embedded participants within the web of life? More importantly -- what does that look like in practice?

In this fascinating conversation with Aaron, we talk Ecopsychology, how a culture of emergence within companies can help shift society in a positive direction, as well as how a community-driven approach might lead us into a climate optimistic world.

Aaron Gabriel Neyer is a Developer Relations Engineer at Google with a big passion for both living and technological systems. He's currently furthering his education with a Master's in Eco-Psychology at Naropa University.

Connect with Aaron: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wildsunlove/

CONNECT + FOLLOW:

Podcast Instagram: @heychange_podcast

Hosts: @annetheresegennari + @robinxshaw

Podcast website: www.theclimateoptimist.com/hey-change-podcast

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 could the future of fashion look like if we learned to recycle and repurpose all material already created? That is what we'll get into in this episode with two innovators in the field -- Renewcell and Circ. Considering only 1% of textiles get recycled into new clothing today, this is a field we should give a lot more attention and focus on!

About Renewcell:

Harald Cavalli-Bjorkman is the Chief Marketing Officer and Head of Investor Relations at Renewcell, a sustainable tech company from Sweden that patented a process to efficiently create pulp made from 100 percent recycled cotton clothing, called Circulose®

Learn more: www.renewcell.com

About Circ:

Luke Henning is the CFO of Circ, an American company pioneering the space of cotton and polyester recycling. Circ's big differentiator is that they're the only brand recycling and recovering both polyester and cotton from fabrics in any ratio.

Learn more: www.circ.earth

CONNECT + FOLLOW:

Podcast Instagram: @heychange_podcast

Hosts: @annetheresegennari + @robinxshaw

Podcast website: www.theclimateoptimist.com/hey-change-podcast

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.