The Golden Hour is a community of people who care about the future and the present.
It’s my newsletter about coping with the polycrisis— finding calm, hope and joy in the moment as we deal, and help our loved ones deal, with the very tough stuff happening in the world and expected in the future. It’s for people interested in climate justice, democracy, mental health, social movements, education, technology, media, youth and children.
This is a space for truthful, courageous conversation.
People love posts like these. As one reader said, I “Unpack the sense [of our strange moment] with clarity and heart.”
I left my career in traditional journalism to call things like I see them. I wanted to speak from the heart, not just the head.
I believe wholeheartedly that our lives can become more purposeful and more joyful, not despite all that’s happening, not by blocking it out, but because of it. We can strengthen our coping mechanisms, including by connecting to our sense of purpose. I’ve done it.
I also believe there will be more powerful collective action the more we overcome the forces of silence, denial and paralysis and remember what we love enough to fight for.
About Anya
I am a journalist and author with a solid track record of being prescient about changes in technology, institutions, and society in general. I’m a popular keynote speaker; you can book me with Keppler Speakers.
I’ve been covering tech & climate change, social movements, mental health, education and parenting for almost two decades. I started at 25 with the book Generation Debt about young people’s economic struggles. I’ve published four more books, most recently The Stolen Year: How Covid Changed Children’s Lives, And Where We Go Now. I spent 8 years covering education for NPR, where I launched Life Kit: Parenting, a successful podcast series about difficult conversations, and got to co-star with Cookie Monster in a video, which was a career and life highlight.
I quit my job at NPR in 2022 to focus on coping with the polycrisis. I now work with the Climate Mental Health Network, creating resources and offering workshops on climate emotions. I also produced the podcast We Are The Great Turning, with Jess Serrante and the legendary Joanna Macy. My next book, Falling In Love With The World Again: Finding Your Way When Everything Feels Broken, will be published by Bloomsbury.
I live in Brooklyn with my husband and two children and I’m extremely serious about having fun—joy is part of my spiritual practice. I go out dancing, including to “conscious dance” like Five Rhythms. I make fun costumes for Burning Man and Mardi Gras.
I also garden, cook, go jogging and other extremely normal mom stuff.
Why subscribe?
Here’s what readers say:
Ann Friedman: “actionable and hopeful” “help[s] me stay on top of the news lately but not frozen with depression or endlessly scrolling”
Pooja Lakshmin MD “Anya is my most trusted source on climate, mental health, parenting and culture. She not only brings the latest data and evidence, but also compassionately shares action-oriented solutions for those of us who are grappling with the most pressing existential questions of our times. "
“Compelling tools and insights to raise thriving children in this sometimes scary, fast-changing world “
“I supported your work because I need guidance on how to do The Work. I do not want to be lost in despair or overcome by fury. Instead I want to turn grief and anger into action so that we all have a joyful future to look towards. Looking forward to continuing to read and DO. Thanks, Anya.”
“I’ve looked to Anya Kamenetz‘s smart reporting and expertise for years. She effortlessly unpacks deeply complicated topics, presenting diverse viewpoints and optimistic solutions for how to deal, and how to help our children deal, with the very tough stuff happening in the world and expected in the future.
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