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.

Follow + Connect with James on LinkedIn: James Godfrey-Faussett

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.

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.