Anchor Change with Katie Harbath

In this episode of Anchor Change, I interview Sarah Stamper, Chief Research Officer at Murmuration, about the organization’s work in community-focused research and insights. We discuss the importance of civic engagement, the role of third spaces in communities, and the unique perspectives of Gen Z on civic life and work. Our conversation also touches on the challenges of the current information ecosystem and the need for sustainable community power building.Key Takeaways* Murmuration organizes a network of organizations focused on community work.* The Civic Pulse initiative listens to 500 Americans daily to gather insights.* Gen Z shows unique patterns in civic engagement and work perspectives.* Third spaces are essential for community well-being and civic life.* Digital belonging differs significantly from in-person community connections.* Gen Z values honesty and authenticity in leaders and influencers.* The information ecosystem is fractured, affecting trust and relationships.* Shared experiences like sports and culture can bridge generational gaps.* Sustainable community power building is crucial for long-term engagement.* Meeting people where they are is key to rebuilding trust in democracy.Links* Insights by Murmuration Substack* Murmuration WebsiteAnchor Change with Katie Harbath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe

What happens when a single poem changes everything—and also, not quite in the way you’d expect?This week, I sit down with poet and author Jennae Cecelia, whose piece “Meeting My Younger Self for Coffee” went viral earlier this year. We talk about what it’s like to watch your words take on a life of their own online, the surprising reality of going viral, and why Jennae still believes in self-publishing as a launchpad.We also dive into her new traditionally published book Deep in My Feels, the power of custom poems, and what it really takes to build a creative career that sustains you. This conversation is a beautiful reminder that the best work often unfolds over time—and that success is rarely as linear as it looks from the outside.Topics We Cover:* Jennae’s journey from Tumblr to TikTok* The poem that went viral—and how she really felt about it* Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing* The business of custom poems* Why going viral doesn’t guarantee sales* Playing the long game in a creative career📚 Deep in My Feels is out now wherever books are sold.🎟️ Join us live at Old Town Books in Alexandria, VA on August 17 for an in-person conversation! Get your ticket at oldtownbooks.com.You can find Jennae at jennaececelia.com as well as on Instagram and TikTok.Anchor Change with Katie Harbath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe

How do you build a life that unfolds like a story worth telling?This week, I sit down with the inimitable Kate Hill—writer, cook, mentor, and founder of the creative retreat Camont in Southwest France. Kate has lived many lives: as an art curator, barge navigator, cookbook author, and now as a Substack writer sharing deeply personal reflections on food, place, and creative practice.In this episode, we talk about:* The thread of storytelling through every chapter of Kate’s career—from puppeteering to cookbooks* How she knows when it’s time to pivot and the inner signals that guide her* What makes a place feel magical—and how she intentionally designed Camont to nurture quiet creativity* The ritual (and snobbery) of the French farmers market and why it’s more than just food* Why she chose to serialize her memoir on Substack and how she thinks about paid vs. free content* Advice for people in midlife and beyond who are yearning to take a leap but don’t know howThis one’s for anyone wondering if it’s too late to start something new. (Spoiler: it’s not.)📰 Read a bit about Kate and her summer pie recipe in the New York Times earlier this month.🇫🇷 Here’s my recap of the two week’s I spent at Camont: My French Writing Adventure🌿 Learn more about Kate’s work and retreats at https://relaisdecamont.com/📝 Read her writing: Anchor Change with Katie Harbath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe

Trust and safety is often misunderstood—seen as reactive, political, or merely procedural. But for those doing the work, it’s something much deeper: a profession built on care, resilience, and community.Charlotte Willner, Executive Director of the Trust and Safety Professional Association (TSPA), joins Katie to share how she got into the field, what it was like writing the first rules of the internet at Facebook, and why building professional support networks is critical to the field’s future.This episode goes beyond tech policy headlines to explore:* The early days of trust and safety before it had a name* Career pivots, burnout, and when it’s time to leave* How AI is changing the work—not replacing it* Why community is essential for people doing invisible labor* The deeper gender and cultural dynamics in caregiving roles like trust and safetyWhether you’re in the field or just trying to understand it better, this episode sheds light on the people and values holding up the internet behind the scenes.Anchor Change with Katie Harbath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe

Steve Grove has had a front-row seat to the evolution of the internet, from his early days at YouTube shaping the political division to navigating crisis in state government, and now—reinventing local journalism as publisher of the Star Tribune.In this episode, I talk with Steve to talk about the through lines in his career, what led him to leave Silicon Valley for his home state of Minnesota, and why going local may be the most overlooked solution to our national dysfunction. We unpack the early optimism of platforms in politics, the challenges of shifting between tech, government, and media, and what it really takes to rebuild trust—community by community.Whether you're considering a big life pivot or trying to find purpose in a broken system, Steve’s story is a reminder that reinvention isn’t a detour—it’s the path.🔑 Key Topics:* The early days of YouTube politics and platform optimism* Leaving Big Tech for state government—and what he learned* The culture shock (and opportunity) of working in government* Rebuilding trust through local journalism* The underestimated power of community and place-based identity* Advice for anyone considering a career pivot* Why reinvention is a superpower📌 Mentioned:* Steve’s new book: How I Found Myself in the Midwest: A Memoir of Reinvention* The Minnesota Star Tribune: www.startribune.com* Steve’s website and book tour: www.stevegrove.com💬 Favorite Quote:“When you go local, you don’t have time for polarization—you’re too busy solving problems.” —Steve Grove📣 Subscribe + ShareLove this episode? Don’t forget to rate and review Anchor Change and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. And if it resonated with you, share it with someone else navigating their own reinvention.Anchor Change with Katie Harbath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe

This week’s episode is for anyone who’s ever felt overwhelmed by the pace of AI—or unsure of what power they really hold to shape the future.Rumman Chowdhury is a trailblazer in the responsible AI space—she’s worked in big tech, launched her own nonprofit, advised the Biden administration, and now runs Humane Intelligence. What makes her stand out isn’t just her résumé—it’s her refusal to settle for cynicism.She calls herself an AI optimist. And not in a naive way. She knows the risks, she’s lived them—but she still believes that we have agency. That our choices—what tools we use, what questions we ask, what we say no to—actually matter. And that optimism, in this moment, is a radical act.We talk about how to embrace failure, how to test and red-team the technologies shaping our world, and why the right to repair isn't just about tractors—it’s about power, access, and dignity in the digital age.Anchor Change with Katie Harbath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe

When Suzy Dean left teaching, she wasn’t just making a career pivot—she was reclaiming her peace. In this episode, I talk to Suzy—also known as @woowoobestie_suzy—about the path from high school English teacher to intuitive entrepreneur and creator of her own unique digital brand.We talk about what it means to show up online with honesty, how to take care of your nervous system while building a business, and why your next big move might be less about hustle and more about alignment.Whether you’re growing a brand, raising a family, or just trying to find a minute to rest—this conversation is full of grounded wisdom, belly laughs, and unexpected reminders to make life more magical.Topics we cover:* Walking away from a job that no longer fits* How Suzy manifested her “bridge job”* Turning essential oils and woowoo magic into a thriving business* Creating boundaries and rituals in public-facing work* Rest, rhythm, and running an online shop with soul👀 Check out Suzy’s work at yourwoowoobestie.com📸 Follow her on Instagram: @woowoobestie_suzy This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe

I’m excited to announce that the podcast returns Thursday, May 29, with a fresh season of conversations designed to help you navigate life's complexities—and panic responsibly. As part of streamlining my brand, the podcast has officially transitioned from Impossible Tradeoffs to Anchor Change. This season, you'll hear stories of courageous pivots, meaningful transformations, and actionable insights from thought leaders including: * Christina Wallace, author of The Portfolio Life* Nick Thompson, CEO of The Atlantic* Rumman Chowdhury of Humane Intelligence* Hamish McKenzie from SubstackAnd many more!This podcast is going to be available in video and audio formats! Please subscribe and follow on YouTube and your favorite podcast provider to ensure you don't miss a single episode!Anchor Change with Katie Harbath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe