Why Are We Like This? Stories of Transformation is a deeply personal journey for George Hightower and Rowan Murphy. Along with the stories shared by members of the Heartstopper community, they offer their own personal and candid stories describing how they discovered Heartstopper, the profound impact it has had on their lives, and the sense of purpose that inspired them to help tell these stories with the honesty, compassion, and care they deserve.
They felt they could not ask contributors to share their most meaningful experiences without being willing to do the same themselves. By embracing that same openness and vulnerability, they sought to create a space of trust, authenticity, and connection.
This book is their labor of love—a tribute to the transformational power of Heartstopper and to the countless lives it has touched, enriched, and uplifted.
George holds a bachelor's degree in Psychology from St. John’s University and New York University, and a master's degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Santa Monica. His graduate studies focused on personal development and transpersonal psychology, with particular emphasis on the psychological, social, and existential dimensions of human growth.
Drawing on both his academic training and longstanding commitment to helping others, George is dedicated to supporting individuals in realizing their full potential, with a special focus on serving members of the LGBTQ+ community.
His counseling and clinical experience includes work on a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)-funded AIDS research project at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. This experience deepened his interest in the intersections of psychological health, identity development, trauma, and social experience.
George's ongoing intellectual inquiry explores the universal aspects of human experience that shape identity, relationships, and behavior. At the heart of this work is a search for the common threads that unite our experiences and help answer the enduring question posed in Heartstopper: Why are we like this?
Rowan is a 54-year-old transgender gay man residing in Ireland. He is passionate about empowering and guiding others through personal challenges, with particular focus on identity issues. Rowan grew up in Germany, studied English Literature and French Linguistics at University of Heidelberg, and recently rediscovered a love for writing.
Based on his own metamorphic experience, he felt compelled to investigate the alchemy of Heartstopper and understand the transformative spark that motivated him and other fans to find more joy, fulfillment, and connection in their lives.
By sharing these stories, he hopes to inspire more people to overcome fear, pursue happiness, and live authentically.
This is the official website for Why Are We Like This? Stories of Transformation, the must-read book about how Heartstopper transformed fans' lives, features 50 true personal stories from fans. This book is an invaluable companion for fans seeking to explore the emotions evoked by Heartstopper and Heartstopper Forever. Heartstopper® is a registered trademark of Netflix Studios, LLC. This book is neither authorised nor approved by Netflix Studios LLC or Alice Oseman. Copyright © 2026 All Rights Reserved. Why Are We Like This? Stories of Transformation.