Shows
Generation Change with Leo FinelliIsabela ValenciaIn the final episode of 2025, Isabela Valencia joins Generation Change to talk with Leo about her world travels, her experiences at COP29 and New York City Climate Week, and the need for stronger and more effective climate conversations. Follow Isabela on Instagram: @isabela_valencia
2025-12-0123 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliKiara M. Tanta-QuidgeonGeneration Change with Leo Finelli celebrates 5 years on the air (!) and begins Season 6 with an interview with Kiara M. Tanta-Quidgeon. Kiara is an enrolled member of the Mohegan Tribe, a public health researcher, and a youth advocate committed to centering Indigenous voices in the pursuit of health equity and cultural preservation. Leo chats with Kiara about her passion for public health and healing, the Indigenous Student Union that she started at Quinnipiac University, and her most recent writing projects. Follow Kiara on Instagram: @kiaramtantaquidgeonFollow the Sunrise Healing Community on Instagram: @sunrisehealingcommunitySupport...
2025-11-0131 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliAddisyn MayerSeason 5 of Generation Change concludes with an interview with Addisyn Mayer, a middle school student in honors classes with an outstanding record of civic engagement and leadership. Leo and Addisyn talk about where Addisyn's passion for politics began, the inspiring leaders whom she's met along her journey, and her 1,300+ hours of community service. Leo's next children's book, THE NUTCRACKER'S WORLD, will be released on October 14! Follow @genchangewithlf on Instagram for updates.Check out Leo's first book, SEVEN SLICES OF LIFE, available now: https://www.amazon.com/Seven-Slices-Life-Leo-Finelli/dp/B0D2MHRWSW/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1UUXG56...
2025-10-0116 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliJayveon TuckerJayveon Tucker, an accomplished advocate from Roanoke, VA, joins Leo on Generation Change to talk about his volunteering experience, his student government campaigns in high school and college, and what's motivating him in our current political moment.Follow Jayveon on Instagram: @jayveonforva
2025-09-0123 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliSydney ShearFilmmaker and NYU grad Sydney Shear stops by Generation Change to chat with Leo about her participation in the Emmy-nominated documentary series "Social Studies," her own short films "Autumn Leaves" and "The Fine Line," and the impact that she hopes to make as a writer and director. Follow Sydney on Instagram: @sydneyshearFollow Sydney's film, "Autumn Leaves," on Instagram: @autumnleavesfilmWatch "Social Studies" on Hulu: https://www.hulu.com/series/social-studies-15eb2330-d2d6-49a0-a38b-11bc25c10130
2025-08-0118 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliMikah Rector-BrooksMikah 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
2025-07-0121 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliJulia Luz BetancourtJulia 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: @julialuzbetancourtJennalynn 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
2025-06-0124 min
Rosary Army Catholic PodcastWhy We're Hopeful About Pope Leo XIVWhite smoke sure rose faster than anyone expected (at least faster than we did)! In this episode, we share where we were when Pope Leo XIV was elected, what it felt like in that moment, and our first impressions of the new Holy Father. We talk about: • Greg's emotional reaction to the white smoke • Jennifer's experience watching the announcement from school • Why it took so long for Pope Leo to appear • His early remarks, precision in speech, and mention of St. Augustine • What it might mean for the Rosary, the New Evangel...
2025-05-1428 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliIsaac NuttallYouth 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-2c7...
2025-05-0126 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliKatey ParhamActivist 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
2025-04-0115 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliJoey PisaniLeo 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
2025-03-0125 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliZoe TourayLeo 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
2025-02-0114 min
Il Maggio Organistico Presenta .........Il Maggio Organistico presenta Mario Sollazzo, clavicembalo, organo e direzionea cura di Maria Teresa Ferrante PROGRAMMA Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736) da “Li prodigi della Divina Grazia nella conversione e morte di San Guglielmo Duca d’Aquitania” 1. Introduzione 2. Andante 2. Aria “Abbassa l’orgoglio” 3. Aria “Si vedisse” 4. Aria “Manca la guida al piè” Leonardo Leo (1684-1744) da “Sant’Elena al Calvario” 1. Introduzione 2. Aria “Amor speranza e fede” 3. Aria “Sacri orrori” Francesco Durante (1684-1755) Concerto per archi e basso continuo in mi mino...
2025-01-251h 00Generation Change with Leo FinelliPenelope OliverIn 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
2025-01-0115 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliSidney SternLeo 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.
2024-12-0122 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliAvi DhyaniOn 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.
2024-11-0118 min
Down the PitAnthony Williams: The Michael Jordan of Music Education
In this episode, Sami Merdinian and Ian Loew have a great conversation with music educator in Florida Anthony Williams who is known to be the Michael Jordan of Music Education down in Florida. As retirement approaches, he shares his passion and life mission of making the world a better place through music and the importance for accessibility no matter the background. An uplifting episode that makes us wonder the importance of mentors in our lives and how essential music is for everyone's early education.
Thanks for listening and please Subscribe, Rate and Review the Pod...
2024-10-041h 04Generation Change with Leo FinelliGROUP DISCUSSION: The 2024 Election and the Gen Z VotePrevious 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
2024-10-0120 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliThe Founders of EnVi CrochetLeo 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/
2024-09-0115 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliJames CrockerJames 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/
2024-08-0228 min
Autism StoriesAutism Stories: Leo FinelliLeo joins this episode to discuss his podcast about Generation Z, comparing himself to others, and his creative process. To learn more about Leo and the Generation Change podcast visit https://www.instagram.com/genchangewithlf/ .
If you could subscribe on your favorite listening platform we would really appreciate that. If you are looking for extraordinary support support to live self-sufficient and purpose-driven lives through customized coaching then visit https://www.autismpersonalcoach.com. If you would be interested in being interviewed on Autism Stories or would like to be a sponsor send an email to doug.blecher@autismpersonalcoach.com.
2024-07-1929 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliEmily PengLeo 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/
2024-07-0120 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliKristyn EllenLeo 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
2024-06-0115 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliCharlie JeffersLeo 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/
2024-05-0112 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliElijah LeeOn 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/
2024-04-0125 min
Channel KRTJack's Big Music Show - Bug Love with Leo FinelliThis week we're joined by fellow podcaster Leo Finelli (Generation Change with Leo Finelli) to discuss the 2005 Noggin show "Jack's Big Music Show" and their episode about facing your fear of insects! How many allusions will we make towards a certain Spongebob episode? Listen and find out! --- Edited by Jacob Miller and Tyler Green Show logo by Marissa Thorburn: https://twitter.com/KermitWaz0wski Theme by AndyHG and Tyler Green
2024-03-0649 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliKeanu Arpels-JosiahLeo 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
2024-03-0120 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliAva PallottaLeo 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
2024-02-0123 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliBayly HoehneLeo 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
2024-01-0115 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliMarianna PecoraLeo 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
2023-12-0123 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliElijah PeltonWe 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...
2023-11-0118 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliJennalynn Fung 馮지혜Leo 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.
2023-10-0129 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliAnna JohnsonOn 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.
2023-09-0122 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliShoshanna HemleyLeo 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...
2023-08-0123 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliZoey LunaIn 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 ca...
2023-07-0123 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliSara Kate BaudhuinWe’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 create...
2023-06-0231 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliMolly ReedMolly 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
2023-05-0223 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliLogan RubensteinToday 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.ru...
2023-04-0127 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliBenjamin KapitBenjamin 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...
2023-03-0222 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliAlexandra HuynhAlexandra 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.
2023-02-0116 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliShayna RutmanShayna 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.
2023-01-0115 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliRija Nazir"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...
2022-12-0113 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliIsabel Mavrides-CalderónSeason 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 c...
2022-11-0112 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliNikita AgrawalOn 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...
2022-10-0114 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliJohnathan HarrisOn 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 th...
2022-09-0116 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliLexi PhilipsOn 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 Grap...
2022-08-0115 min
Generation Change with Leo FinelliXander MartinOn 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.
2022-07-0213 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliIsaac HertensteinOn 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
2022-06-0214 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliSophia HuynhOn 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 JS...
2022-05-0223 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliBrianna ChandlerOn 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
2022-04-0220 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliMolly SmithOn 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 a...
2022-03-0220 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliMina Fedor and Maxwell WongMina 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...
2022-02-0219 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliBianca JortnerOn 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
📖 Bianca's book - Dreaming of Hiraeth
2022-01-0117 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliClaire JantzenClaire 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 pr...
2021-12-0120 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliDesmond NapolesDesmond 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...
2021-11-0116 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliNandita KumarNandita 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...
2021-10-0125 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliKrissy Oliver-MaysKrissy 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
2021-09-0122 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliKezia RiceKezia 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
2021-08-0116 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliThanasi DilosThis 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/
2021-07-0123 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliIsabel HopeOn 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/
2021-06-0116 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliJasmine LuniaOn 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
🌐and the moon speaks again blog
Instagram - @cosmic_athena AND @jasminelwriting
2021-05-0120 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliShiden TekleLeo 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
2021-04-0120 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliChessy ProutOn 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
🌐 I Have the Right To website (ihavetherightto.org)
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ihavetherightto/
Instagram - https://www.ins...
2021-03-0122 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliMichael PlattOn this episode, Leo talks with Michael Platt, a food justice advocate, baker, and social entrepreneur. He has a non-profit food access initiative called PLLATE (Power, Love, Learning and, Access, to Everyone). Please check out and support Michael's work.
Michaels Desserts (and PLLATE) - https://www.michaelsdesserts.com/
Instagram | Twitter | Facebook
See him on Operation Awesome - BYUtv (March 2021)
2021-02-0118 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliCole MiddletonOn the first episode of 2021, Leo talks with Cole Middleton, a social and racial justice advocate and activist. Please check out Cole and the organizations he supports.
Cole Middleton
Twitter | Instagram
Be the Bridge website
National Center for Civil and Human Rights website
2021-01-0117 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliKayleigh Webb-SanchezOn this episode, Leo talks with young gun violence prevention activist Kayleigh Webb-Sanchez. Please check out and support Kayleigh's work.
Kayleigh Webb-Sanchez
Twitter | Instagram | March for Our Lives "Generation Lockdown" PSA | You Know the Drill (PBS Short Film Festival 2020)
2020-12-0114 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliElla FieldsOn this inaugural episode of the podcast, Leo talks with teen filmmaker, photographer, and artist Ella Fields. Please check out and support Ella's work.
Ella Fields
Website | YouTube | Instagram
2020-11-0118 minGeneration Change with Leo FinelliTrailer: Generation Change with Leo FinelliGeneration Change with Leo Finelli will be launching soon! Across our country, Generation Z is standing up for justice and amplifying concerns about our future. This podcast will highlight Gen Z activists and creatives about their work for change.
Leo Finelli (he/him/his) is an amateur screenwriter and songwriter who explores and speaks on social justice topics through his art, on his podcast Generation Change with Leo Finelli, and through other endeavors. Leo has autism and a unique and deep appreciation for the importance and power of human connection.
generationchange@leofinelli.com
https://twitter.com/genchangewithLF
https://www.instagram.c...
2020-10-3101 min