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Anchor Change with Katie HarbathYour inside guide to technology and democracyrooted in a decade leading global election work at Facebook and now helping leaders navigate the choices shaping our future. Author: Katie Harbath
Welcome to Anchor Change, where we help you panic responsibly in a chaotic world. Im Katie Harbatha Midwesterner living in DC whos spent two decades navigating impossible tradeoffs at the intersection of tech, politics, and democracy. Each week, Ill break down the headlines, talk with people forging bold paths, and explore how we can face disruption with clarity and courage. This isnt about hot takesits about finding steady ground when everything feels uncertain. In a world of complexity, you dont have to navigate it alone. anchorchange.substack.com Language: en Genres: News, Politics, Tech News Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it Trailer: |
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Mapping Power: Navigating Tech and Systems Change
Monday, 22 December, 2025
In this episode, Katie talks with Charley Johnson about his leap into independent work through his newsletter, Untangled, and what it takes to build a life and career outside traditional structures. Charley breaks down how power actually moves through technology, why many leaders still misread the systems they operate within, and how imagination—not just strategy—shapes better futures. He shares the blind spots he sees most often in tech and policy, the role community plays in sustaining meaningful change, and how AI fits into the broader landscape of systems transformation. Charley closes with an honest reflection on success—what he’s letting go of, what he’s moving toward, and why metrics alone will never tell the full story.Learn more about Charley’s upcoming workshops: 1) Mapping Your System: How to Navigate Power, People & Change in Uncertain Times and 2) Beyond the Principles: How to Make Responsible AI Real, A 3-Part Intensive for Tech & Society Leaders.Takeaways* Independent work can be both disorienting and deeply energizing.* Power in tech often operates invisibly, yet shapes outcomes everywhere.* Building community is essential for meaningful, sustainable change.* Many leaders misinterpret data as neutral rather than value-laden.* Technology must be aligned with a clear, intentional vision of the future.* Cynicism limits possibility; curiosity expands it.* AI is a tool—not an answer to systemic problems.* True success is grounded in fulfillment and relationships, not just scale.* Understanding systems is essential to influencing them.* Imagination is a critical—yet underrated—skill in tech and policy.Chapters* 00:00 Mapping Power and Technology* 22:45 The Journey of Independence* 27:39 Navigating Content Creation* 33:02 Defining Success and AI Perspectives* 38:30 Building Businesses with Purpose* 39:00 Looking Ahead: Technology and Future PlanningAnchor 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
