“Every culture is sustained by the stories it repeats. Every institution is reinforced by the stories it rewards.”

Our guest today has spent two decades at the front lines of that realization — tracking how narrative doesn't just reflect our world, but actively constructs our power, our policy, and our future.

Melissa Jun Rowley is an award-winning journalist, activist, and a true veteran of the intersection where social innovation meets tech. From the red carpets of the Grammys to the high-stakes floors of the New York Stock Exchange—and even the zero-gravity chambers of NASA—she has reported for CNN, the BBC, The Guardian, and many more. She’s taken the global stage at Davos and the UN, and received numerous awards and accolades for her incredible work bridging the gap between digital tools and human rights.

Today, we talk about the true power stories hold and how we allow them to, not just inform, but empower us. We also get into her new book, Beyond the Mic Drop: How Our Stories Shift Culture, Power, and Policy, which is a beautiful roadmap for claiming our own narratives in an age of information overload.

She’s also a friend and a vital voice in the climate space—Melissa, it is such an honor to have you here. Welcome to Hey Change.

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About Hey Change:

Hey Change is a space for the conversations shaping a better future — where climate, culture, systems, and human potential meet. Hosted by Anne Therese Gennari

Website: annetheresegennari.com

Instagram: @heychangepodcast

Instagram: @annetheresegennari

YouTube: @AnneThereseGennariHeyChange

Proudly produced by Good Mess Media

Website: goodmessmedia.com

Instagram: @goodmessmedia

Music: Jackson Whalan

Website: www.heychangepodcast.com

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg

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

Music produced by Jackson Whalan

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

This week, we're sharing one of our favorite interviews from 2025! Anne Therese's conversation with neuroscientist Norman Farb is a great summer reset to help us tap into our inner wisdoms, reawaken our senses, and become enablers of positive change. Enjoy!

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/

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About Hey Change:

Hey Change is a space for the conversations shaping a better future — where climate, culture, systems, and human potential meet. Hosted by Anne Therese Gennari

Website: annetheresegennari.com

Instagram: @heychangepodcast

Instagram: @annetheresegennari

YouTube: @AnneThereseGennariHeyChange

Proudly produced by Good Mess Media

Website: goodmessmedia.com

Instagram: @goodmessmedia

Music: Jackson Whalan

Website: www.heychangepodcast.com

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg

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

Music produced by Jackson Whalan

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

What if we started to show up with new narratives? Ones that are rooted in nurturing and hope, instead of apathy and fear? Could our impact grow, and if so, how?

Sophia Li is an award-winning journalist and Earthshot Prize correspondent who is quite literally rewriting the script of our future. From navigating the highest levels of fashion at Vogue to the front lines of the climate crisis as a UN Human Rights Champion, Sophia is a powerhouse to be reckoned with.

In this conversation, we explore the intersection of heritage, climate justice, and her newest role: motherhood.

We talk about the transition from 'footprints' to 'handprints,' the radical power of surrender, and why she believes our greatest climate solutions are actually inevitable. Please welcome my friend and fellow optimist, Sophia Li.

To follow Sophia

Instagram: @sophfei

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About Hey Change:

Hey Change is a space for the conversations shaping a better future — where climate, culture, systems, and human potential meet. Hosted by Anne Therese Gennari

Website: annetheresegennari.com

Instagram: @heychangepodcast

Instagram: @annetheresegennari

YouTube: @AnneThereseGennariHeyChange

Proudly produced by Good Mess Media

Website: goodmessmedia.com

Instagram: @goodmessmedia

Music: Jackson Whalan

Website: www.heychangepodcast.com

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP1VPMQbXP13C-r4re_HUg

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

Music produced by Jackson Whalan

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