
Show Notes
In this episode, you’ll hear the incredible story of refugee-turned-model/entrepreneur and humanitarian Mari Malek. Mari shares with us how she went from fleeing South Sudan as a child refugee to modeling and DJ'ing for top magazines and luxury brands in NYC. Mari has worked with clients like Lanvin, Vogue, and Harper’s Bazaar, acted in the feature film The Nile Hilton Incident, started a wellness coaching practice, and is the CVO for the charity she founded, Stand for Education.
We are honored and humbled to speak with Mari and this episode is dedicated to her amazing charity, which we’d love for you to support. Stand for Education is a global community of changemakers helping children, women and refugees in conflict-ridden areas access quality education, creative arts programs, and vocational training along with nutritious meals and medical support. By empowering children, women and refugees in South Sudan and beyond, Mari and Stand for Education are changing lives and uplifting communities. Go to standforeducation.com to learn more about the projects that you can stand up for.
“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” - Nelson Mandela
Book recommendation: The Richest Man in Babylon Mantra she lives by: “I am in alignment with all that helps me grow”
Learn more about Mari Malek: Website: http://www.marimalek.com/ Charity: https://www.standforeducation.com/ Instagram: @iammarimalek
CONNECT + FOLLOW: Podcast Instagram: @heychange_podcast
Anne Therese: Website: https://theclimateoptimist.com/ Instagram: @annetheresegennari
Robin: Website: https://parentsxplanet.com/ Instagram: @robinxshaw
Intro + outro music: No Copyright Music by Sapajou 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.
More from Hey Change Podcast
Less than 1% of climate media coverage talks about solutions. Jacob Simon is working to change that.
Climate Week in New York brought Dax Dasilva back to Hey Change, fresh off the release of Yanuni, the documentary following Indigenous leader Juma Xipaia's frontline fight for the Amazon, which has already drawn millions of views on YouTube.
“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.
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 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?