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

Leo interviews Zoe Touray, a survivor of the 2021 Oxford High School shooting and an advocate for other survivors, about healing in the aftermath, meeting other survivors of gun violence, and going to college at North Carolina A&T, a historic HBCU school.

Follow Zoe on Instagram: @zoe_touray

Zoe's website: survivorsembrace.org

In our first episode of the new year, Penelope Oliver, an 18-year-old multihyphenate of advocacy and creativity from Sacramento, CA, chats with Leo about her nonprofit, All Access Arts, her love for writing poetry, her interview with California First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom, and so much more!

Follow Penelope on Instagram: @penelopethepowerfulpoet

Leo interviews Sidney Stern, an organizer and assistant with Grassroots Democrats HQ and a sophomore at American University. Sidney shares how she got started, what she likes about going to school in DC, and how Grassroots Democrats HQ makes sure that no volunteer is left behind.

NOTE: This episode was recorded before Election Day.