Generation Change with Leo Finelli

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_pisaniJoey'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 --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On the first episode of Season 5, Leo meets Avi Dhyani, a youth organizer, advocate, and the youngest Democratic National Convention delegate from Georgia in 2024. Through strategic outreach and digital advocacy, Avi is determined to ensure that every voice, regardless of background or ability, shapes our political future. The election is in 4 days! Go to iwillvote.com to find the hours and location of polling places in your state. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Previous Generation Change guests Elijah Pelton and Krissy Oliver-Mays return for a special group discussion with Leo about the issues that are important to them in the 2024 election and what's at stake on November 5. Follow Elijah on Instagram: @elijahpelton Follow Krissy on Instagram: @k.rystalynn Register to vote at: vote.org --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Leo interviews Yalini Gopalswamy, Sara Beg, and Anna Rajesh, the Gen Z founders of EnVi Crochet, about how they came together, what they do when they're not crocheting, and their mission to plant a new tree for every dollar they earn. Follow EnVi Crochet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/envi.crochet/ Visit their website: https://www.envicrochet.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

James Crocker, a 17-year-old activist and content creator from Granby, Connecticut, chats with Leo about his nonprofit Letters For Our Elders and his LGBTQ advocacy. Follow James on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jamescrockerrr/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Leo interviews Emily Peng, a 15-year-old student who serves as the founder and CEO of DyeversityInUs. Emily tells Leo about how she started her organization, what happened at her first event, and her plans to spread her message and reach more people. Follow DyeversityInUs on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dyeversity_inus/ Check out the official website: https://www.dyeversityinus.org/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Leo meets Kristyn Ellen, a nursing school student at Boston College and a friend of previous Generation Change guest Chessy Prout. Leo and Kristyn talk about Curious George, Taylor Swift, the power of empathy, and her work with I Have The Right To. Follow Kristyn on Instagram: @kristyn.ellen --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Leo talks with Charlie Jeffers, an 18 year old from the San Francisco Bay Area who founded Pass the Bricks, a non-profit organization that turns Lego bricks into new sets for kids. Leo and Charlie talk about designing Lego sets, taking Pass the Bricks international, and how anyone who's interested can get involved. Follow Pass the Bricks on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/passthebricks/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On this month's episode, Leo meets Elijah Lee, a 16-year-old student, community activist, and national advocate for children from Richmond, Virginia. Elijah tells about his work with the Virginia State Legislature, his appearances on the Kelly Clarkson Show, his friendship with one of our previous guests, and so much more! Follow Elijah on Instagram: @elijah_4justice_lee Check out Elijah's official website: https://incredibleelijah.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Leo meets Keanu Arpels-Josiah, one of the lead organizers behind last year's March to End Fossil Fuels in New York City. Keanu also serves on the Electoral and Legislative teams of Sunrise Movement NYC, and helps coordinate and organize around local policy and legislative campaigns as a policy lead for Fridays for Future. Leo talks with Keanu about striking outside City Hall, organizing the March to End Fossil Fuels, and going to COP28 in Dubai. Follow Keanu on Instagram: @keanu.8064 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Leo chats with Ava Pallotta, a student activist at Harvard College, co-chair of the Harvard Votes Challenge, and deputy political director for Voters of Tomorrow. Ava shares how she got started, how she organized student protests and other events at Harvard, and how she takes care of herself. Follow Ava on Instagram: @avapallotta --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Leo interviews Bayly Hoehne, a 16 year old Gen Z political strategist from Connecticut. Bayly and Leo chat about getting into politics early on, Bayly's leadership roles, and her enthusiasm for Taylor Swift. Follow Bayly on Instagram: @baylyhoehne --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Leo meets Marianna Pecora, a 20 year old youth activist and college sophomore from Southern California who's currently studying political communications at George Washington University in Washington, DC. Marianna and Leo talk about growing up near the US-Mexico border, why she chose GWU, and what she's been up to in our nation's capital. Follow Marianna on Instagram: @marianna.pecora --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

We begin Season 4 of the Generation Change with Leo Finelli Podcast with Leo and Elijah Pelton. Elijah got his start in the gun violence prevention movement after the Parkland shooting. At his high school, Elijah started chapters of Students Demand Action and March For Our Lives, which held multiple events including 2 school walkouts, and gave presentations to both the school board and the city council. Elijah now attends Johnson and Wales University, where he studies hospitality management. Elijah talks about growing up near Washington, DC, organizing school walkouts against gun violence, and volunteering as a chef with World Central Kitchen. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Leo meets Jennalynn Fung, a PharmD candidate, journalist, and photographer based in Queens, NY. Jennalynn has written and advocated for climate justice, Asian American culture, the LGBT+ community, and health, and has become known for their music journalism. As they enter the last couple years of pharmacy school, Jennalynn is interested in continuing their environmental advocacy work, with a focus on the sociocultural and environmental factors that impact public health and access to care. Follow Jennalynn on Instagram: @jennuinn. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On this episode Leo meets Anna Johnson, a special ed teacher and gun violence prevention advocate from Raleigh, NC. Leo and Anna talk about going to the same college (at different times), Anna's time on the Change the Ref tour, her favorite TV shows, and more. You can follow Anna on Instagram @annagreenj. Anna is also the social media manager for Newtown Action Alliance and Change the Ref. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Leo meets and talks with Shoshanna "Shoshie" Hemley, a rising junior and political science major at Williams College. She grew up mostly in Iowa, but she has lived in Manila, Singapore, and France, all of which were experiences that greatly impacted her passion for global justice. Outside of the classroom, Shoshie runs her college mock trial team, is on the board of her student-run theater group, has performed in multiple shows a semester, is part of an a capella group, is on her elected student government, and serves as a tour guide. She has always been passionate about social justice and she hopes to go to law school after graduating from Williams. Follow Shoshie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shoshie.hemley/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

In this episode, Leo takes you to Hollywood this month for an interview with Zoey Luna. Zoey is a girl with so much on her plate and a story to tell. She's a Latina transgender actress, advocate, and personality. She's made appearances in films and tv shows such as "Dear Evan Hansen", and "Pose", plus she had her first break at only 16 years old in Rosario Dawson's directorial debut "Boundless". Zoey cemented her position in this career by landing one of the four lead roles in Blumhouse & Sony's "The Craft Legacy". Zoey and I talked about her acting career, the challenges she's faced, and what she'd like to see in TV and movies. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

We're more than 2 1⁄2 years into the podcast, and the conversations keep coming! This month's guest is Sara Kate Baudhuin, also known as SK. She is currently a page at NBC-Universal in Los Angeles. She graduated from Duke University where she studied a self-created major program called Storytelling as a Tool for Social Change. SK is passionate about exploring the intersection between narrative and social justice and finding unique ways to blend the two together. We talked about her work in audio and video production, her time at Duke, and a very fascinating public art project that she created.

Molly Reed is a 22-year-old organizer. She has worked on progressive movements including gun violence prevention, student debt cancellation, and environmental Justice. She recently graduated from George Mason University near Washington DC with a degree in government and international politics where she completed an honors dissertation looking into the polarization of gun legislation in the US, and is currently in a gap year before law school. She has recently joined Dream For America as their Policy Director. Instagram: mollykreed --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Today on the show, Leo talks with Logan Rubenstein a first year Political Science student at the University of Central Florida who got involved in advocacy after the Parkland shooting in his community. Seeing first hand how important politics is, Logan was inspired to take action, joining March For Our Lives as a student leader, Logan has worked on multiple local progressive campaigns, from State Attorney races to Maxwell Frost's congressional campaign. Logan hopes to inspire more people to get involved in the political process and build youth power. Twitter: @loganrub_17 IG: @logan.rubenstein --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Benjamin Kapit is a writer, director, producer, songwriter, and award winning photographer, cinematographer, and composer. He has worked on projects of all kinds, from small indie films to videography for Caravan Palace on tour to photographing for an article in British Vogue. Benjamin founded his production company, Second World Entertainment, when he was 15, and his team is currently in post production for two short films, two seasons of their show Apocalypse 92.7 FM, and the second season of their show The Sunrise House. Benjamin is also currently working on his fourth indie-pop album under the stage name Dreamer's Club. He is on the autism spectrum, and believes it makes him a stronger artist. IG: @benjaminkapitofficial https://www.vogue.com/article/cop27-has-already-let-us-down In the article above, a little ways down, is a photo looking down at two people, taken by Ben! https://open.spotify.com/album/3uiKuSZkSqQKGCvNMiUcpv?si=X_b1WsQ4TYOnLkR7M8GBJQ https://open.spotify.com/album/1Ww46Rd83IOWa2JdVnwqow?si=AHXsBzmUQmOA4k3w-2IaTw The Spotify links above are the two most recent albums Ben has produced https://youtu.be/IKs0rqzSDPo https://youtu.be/mYPfk4DN1sg Links above are to trailers for Ben's current projects in post production https://app.frame.io/presentations/17dbadda-6095-4949-98f9-4082333bd386 --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Alexandra Huynh is a middle school student, a national art contest winner, and a book author. She was featured in the Art Comes Alive program by AIB TV. Her book From Tears to the Sea was the Best New Release by category on Amazon. See her artwork at https://ALEXwithStrawberries.com/ or visit the Westside Market in midtown Atlanta. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Shayna Rutman (she her hers) is a 20-year-old advocate from San Diego. she attends American University in Washington, D.C. and is studying abroad next semester in Wellington, New Zealand! Shayna is the founder of Purses for a Purpose, a non-profit organization that accepts donated purses, handbags, and backpacks and fills them with travel-size toiletries to deliver to homeless women in select cities across the nation. You can find out more about Shayna's nonprofit at pursesforapurposeinc.com, and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram @shaynajrutman. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

"Rija Nazir (she/her) is a Wichita State senior majoring in Political Science with a minor in Spanish. Nazir is a Community Organizer for Loud Light based in Wichita, KS. Rija aims to prioritize voter education among marginalized Wichitans, specifically young Black and Brown voters, as well as encourage accountability among elected officials in Kansas. Prior to the 2022 primary election, Nazir led the Vote Neigh campaign on behalf of the Kansas Youth Power Coalition to provide accessible election information on social media and incorporated a vibrant western theme into the pro-choice movement in Kansas. Following graduation in December of 2022, Rija plans to attend law school in the Fall of 2023 in hopes to pursue civil rights law through the public interest sector." @Loud_Light - Instagram @Loud_Light - Twitter loudlight.org --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Season 3 of Generation Change with Leo Finelli starts with Isabel Mavrides-Calderon! Isabel Mavrides-Calderon is a teen disabled, disability rights activist and organizer. Her work focuses on disability policy, and accessibility particularly within education. Isabel has organized and hosted grassroots conferences with the ACLU about disability policy issues such as the SSI restoration act, and campaigns against Supreme Court cases that threatened the ADA, and more. In addition, she was instrumental in the implementation of remote options for disabled NYC public school students. Isabel is currently publishing a research study on accessibility in education. She has worked as an accessibility consultant for various think tanks, Target, and the Australian National Climate Strike. Isabel cannot wait to continue serving her community! IG: @powerfullyisa TW:@powerfullyisa

On this episode we have the brilliant Nikita Agrawal. Nikita is a high school student at Whitney Young High School in Chicago, Illinois. She is president of FinPro World, a student-run 501(c)(3) non-profit organization she co-founded that is committed to educating middle and high school students on finance topics through computer programming. FinPro World gives students the opportunity to explore these areas with confidence in an encouraging environment while keeping it fun and interactive - all at no cost. Nikita is passionate about applying programming to solve real-life problems and is interested in the intersection between computer programming and finance. Website: https://www.finproworld.org/ Instagram: @finproworld --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On this episode, Leo talks with Johnathan Harris, author of the graphic novel Colorblind: a Story of Racism. Johnathan is a college student at Texas State University where he is currently majoring in K-6 Education and plans to continue his studies by earning a Master's of Arts in Counseling as well. He is the Vice President of the Xi Delta Chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity at TSU. (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity is a professional organization of college-educated men with similar ideas and like attainments. The fraternity's founders chose Manhood, Scholarship, Perseverance and Uplift as the cardinal principles that every prospective candidate must possess.) @officialoppf Instagram: @johnathann_h --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On this episode we have Lexi Philips. Lexi is a college student pursuing a degree in Psychological and Brain Sciences. She speaks to students at elementary and middle schools about her cyberbullying experience, chronicled in her graphic novel, “Click.” Lexi hopes that sharing her trials and triumphs over bullies inspires hope in others as well as the courage to do the same. She is currently president of the Armenian Student Association at the University of California, Santa Barbara and plans to continue on to graduate school to become a Physician Associate. Instagram: @lexi_philips Lexi's Graphic Novel "Click" - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42117799-click --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On this episode, Leo talks with Xander Martin, a teenage non-binary, theater obsessed queer rights activist. Xander's family started the Bowie Area Non-Binary & Transgender Gender Youth Alliance. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On this month's episode, Leo talks with Isaac Hertenstein, the founder of Students Teaching Finance, a youth-led organization with the mission of increasing youth financial literacy and combating economic inequality. Isaac is a passionate advocate for financial literacy education nationwide and empowers other high school students to teach financial literacy in their communities, sparking changes against inequity. You can learn more about Students Teaching Finance and form a chapter on its website, studentsteachingfinance.org, and by following on Instagram, @studentsteachingfinance --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On this episode, Leo talks with Sophia Huynh, currently a freshman from Columbia University. She loves to involve herself with Social Justice, educating, creating open spaces for discussion, fundraising, and planning events based upon race, class, gender, food insecurity, and many other topics. She is the Founder of Asian American Alliance and Co-leader of International club at the Paideia School, Sophia also served as a founding member of the DEI Committee and SDLI group (Student Diversity Leadership Initiative) which deals with the annual events of Race and Gender Day. In addition, Sophia worked on a podcast called JSAC STEMCast which is a non-profit organization aimed at helping youth become more interested in how STEM topics can be applied to our everyday lives. On a different note, Sophia also enjoys listening to music (specifically Kpop), eating hotpot, and meeting people of different backgrounds. Instagram: @thesophiahuynh The JSAC Podcast Instagram: @jsacpodcast Slam Poem --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On this episode Leo talks with Brianna Chandler. Brianna is a college student who organizes in St. Louis, Missouri. Her areas of focus include abolition, climate justice, and more holistically Black liberation. She is a member of the River City Climate Collective and WashU Students for Black and Palestinian Liberation. IG: @_bri_chandler_ Twitter: @_bri_chandler_ Brianna Photo courtesy of Whitney Curtis for the New York Times --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On this episode Leo talks with Molly Smith, a 20 year old filmmaker from Orlando, FL. Her short film I Don't Know has screened at over 20 film festivals nationwide, winning 7 top awards. Her next film, Dear America has received over 600k views online, won a National Student Emmy in the PSA category and the National Coalition Against Censorship's Youth Free Expression Film contest. Also an accomplished playwright, her dystopian political commentary play, God Bless America went on to win a Scholastic National Gold Medal and premiered on stage at the Be Original Theatre Festival in Orlando, FL, winning Molly the award for top playwright under age 24. Her writing was also recognized with a National Student Production Emmy in the writing craft category and a finalist nomination at NFFTY's Story Starts Here competition. In 2020, she completed her documentary film Feminism: The Fifth Wave that went on to win the Jury Award at Her International Film Festival and will be screening at The American Pavilion at Cannes Film Festival in 2021. Molly's goal is to use the medium of film and her passion as a writer to tell stories which spark conversations and change perspectives. In 2020, she was named a Cameron Impact Scholar for her work in social justice and impact filmmaking. She attends Yale University, studying film and writing. YT ▶: mollywoodfilms Instagram: @mollywood.films Website

Mina Fedor is the founder of AAPI Youth Rising. Mina is an 8th grader from Northern California. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, learning about all things neuro and spending time with her friends, family and many pets. Mina was recently named as a Top Five Time Kid of the Year for 2021. Maxwell Wong is a member of AAPI Youth Rising and a 9th-grade student from Northern California. Maxwell enjoys reading, debating, playing video games, and spending time with his family. About AAPI Youth Rising: AAPI Youth Rising is a youth-led non-profit organization whose mission is to take small actions to make positive change. In March 2021, AAPI Youth Rising organized a 1,200+ person AAPI Youth Rising Rally in Berkeley, CA to bring awareness to the increase in xenophobia against Asians in America. Afterwards, AAPI Youth Rising launched the ONE/180 pledge asking schools and teachers across the country to teach at least one day of Asian American and Pacific Islander history and culture during the school year. Since then, the group has launched social media campaigns, phone banking efforts and art activist events including the Our Diverse Voices youth art showcase in support of ethnic studies. AAPI Youth Rising has also been selected as American Girl's partner organization for the 2022 American Girl of the Year, the first Asian American Girl of the Year, Corinne Tam. “We as Youth have a chance to build our future, to raise our voices, and demand change…Today, my call to action is for each of you to take one lesson home. With that call to action, make your voices heard.” – Mina Fedor Instagram: @aapiyouthrising | @mina.fedor | @maxwellw_2025 #AAPIYouthRising

On this episode, Leo talks with Bianca Jortner, a 17 year old high school senior from Connecticut. She is the founder and president of Youth Promise, a non-profit providing under-served youth with free, virtual educational services such as tutoring and classes. Her passions include medicine, writing, reading, photography, and activism. Instagram @biancajortner | @youth.promise

Claire is a Los Angeles based artist, filmmaker and photographer. At 15, she joined Adolescent, a media company focused on the creation of original content by youth for youth. She developed and directed short form content, serialized content, and documentary work with a focus on youth empowerment and human equality. By 18, her client list included Hasbro, Nike, Target, Disney, American Girl, Netflix and Ad Council. In 2015, she was named one of SHOOT Magazine's New Directors to watch. Claire has recently focused her studies on a more interdisciplinary approach. She is currently working on projects which fuse installation, design, and video to create physical and digital spaces that challenge traditional narrative practices. Instagram: @clairameli

Desmond Napoles is a multi-awarded LGBTQ advocate, outspoken gay teen, genderfluid editorial and runway model, motivational public speaker, drag performer, designer, actor, singer, LGBT influencer, and published author. They are currently working on developing a private social network for LGBTQ+ youth. They have walked the runways at New York Fashion Week (NYFW) for several designers including Gypsy Sport, The Blonds x Disney Villains, Nicopanda's MAC Cosmetics collaboration with Macy's, Daniel Chimowitz, Dope Tavio, PimComedy, Adrian Alicea, Rebirth Garments, and MRHUA MRSHUA. Additional collaborations include Brussels Airlines, Canon USA, Chimera Lashes, Claire's Stores, Converse, Daftboy Fans, Drag Queen Merch, Fluide, GLAAD, GLSEN, Human Rights Campaign, Luar x The Love Ball, Lush Cosmetics, Manic Panic NYC, Marc Jacobs, Mattel, NYC Pride, and The Phluid Project. They live in New York City with their parents (Mom and Dad) and their family pets that include cats and parrots. Hobbies including coding, scripting, and playing video games, 3D graphics modeling, experimenting with makeup, costuming, creating content to share with their fans, visiting amusement parks, and hiking. Desmond's favorite subject in school is math. In the future, they would like to pursue a career as a roller coaster engineer or video game designer. https://www.instagram.com/desmondisamazing/ https://www.facebook.com/DesmondisAmazing/ https://twitter.com/desmond_amazing https://www.youtube.com/c/desmondisamazing https://www.tiktok.com/@desmond_amazing https://www.snapchat.com/add/desmond_amazing --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Nandita Kumar is a 17-year-old community organizer from Dallas. Passionate about public health and human rights, Nandita works towards sustainably advancing health equity through policy, education, and advocacy. Her interest in global public health stems from the staunch disparities in health outcomes in marginalized communities. She is currently working as a Diversity & Inclusion Captain for March for our Lives Texas, Executive Organizer for LISD Students for Educational Equity, and Club Leader for Hebron GirlUp. When she's not organizing in her community, you can find her reading, making art, or spending time with her family and friends! Nandita Kumar Instagram @nandita.kumar4 | @hebrongirlup | @mfoltx --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Krissy Oliver-Mays is a youth activist and advocate from Charlotte, North Carolina. Krissy was formally one of the co-coordinators of Extinction Rebellion Youth Charlotte alongside her best friend Ollie who she also founded a non-profit with that educates youth on how to create change within their communities. Krissy is currently a sophomore at American University where she is studying environmental science in the collective effort of working toward a more sustainable future. Krissy Oliver-Mays Instagram @k.rystalynn | @xr_youth Twitter @XRYouth --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

Kezia Rice On this episode, Leo talks with Kezia Rice, founder of imprint magazine, an online community which promotes sustainability and activism. Imprint publishes articles that encourage readers to make small eco changes in their own lives. Read Imprint magazine and follow Kezia. Kezia Rice Instagram @kezrice | @imprintmag_ Twitter @RiceKezia | @imprintmag_ Facebook imprintmagzine Imprint Mag - www.imprintmag.co.uk --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

This month, Leo talks with Thanasi Dilos, co-founder of Civics Unplugged, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) social enterprise whose mission is to empower the leaders of Generation Z to build the future of democracy. He is also one of National Geographic's Young Explorers, working to create platforms for youth-led work around the globe. Thanasi Dilos Instagram @thuhhnasi | @civicsunplugged | @natgeo Twitter @thuhhnasi | @civicsunplugged | @natgeo Civics Unplugged - https://www.civicsunplugged.org/ National Geographic Young Explorer - https://blog.education.nationalgeographic.org/tag/gengeo/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On this episode, Leo talks with Isabel Hope about autism, voting, mental health, and more. Isabel is a writer, musician, activist, and founder of Meddling Kids Movement (an international non-profit dedicated to amplifying the voices of youth activists around the world) Isabel Hope Twitter @isabamahope Instagram @isabama Meddling Kids Movement website - https://www.meddlingkidsmovement.com/ --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On this episode, Leo talks with Jasmine Lunia. Jasmine is a writer who works for social change and justice, with a particular interest in diversity and mental health. She writes on her blog and the moon speaks again and her work has also been published on iFeminist, the Lilac Blog, and Teen Ink. Jasmine also serves as the student rights director at Meddling Kids Movement. Jasmine Lunia

Leo talks with Shiden Tekle. Shiden is an anti-racism campaigner from South London and co-founder of Legally Black, which fights to dismantle the underrepresentation and misrepresentation of black people. He is also a part of a new campaign called The Halo Collective, which aims to fight harmful hair discrimination practices in schools and workplaces. Shiden Tekle Twitter - @shidenteklee Halo Collective - Instagram | Twitter Legally Black - Instagram | Twitter --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/generation-change/support

On this episode, Leo talks with Chessy Prout, an author, advocate, and high school sexual assault survivor. In 2018 she published her memoir I Have the Right To: A High School Survivor's Story of Sexual Assault, Justice, and Hope, and co-founded the national non-profit called I Have The Right To with the goal to support survivors of sexual violence all over the world. Chessy Prout Twitter - https://twitter.com/chessy_prout