All About Change • Jay Ruderman

In this episode of All About Change, Eli Beer discusses how he founded United Hatzalah, an emergency response organization that reduced ambulance response times in Jerusalem from 17 minutes to just 90 seconds. He explains the organization's innovative "ambu-cycle" system, which enables volunteers to respond to emergencies directly from their locations, and describes the extensive training program that prepares these volunteers.

Beer shares examples of lives saved through United Hatzalah's work, including stories that highlight how the organization brings together volunteers from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. The episode also covers United Hatzalah's expansion beyond Israel, detailing how their emergency response model has been adapted for use in countries including Haiti, Nepal, and Ukraine.

In this episode of All About Change, professional football player Jonathan Jones shares the inspirations behind his dedication to community service and mentorship. Having witnessed his family's selfless spirit from a young age, Jones carried those values forward through initiatives like his Next Step Foundation.

The episode delves into how mentors and role models motivated Jones throughout his life, fueling his drive to empower youth and advocate for women in STEM and sports. Jones also reflects on building a meaningful legacy beyond football, from broadening his skillset to pursuing impactful representation in spaces like aviation.

In this episode of the All About Change podcast, Jay Ruderman shares insights on becoming an effective activist. He draws from his own experiences advocating for disability representation to offer practical strategies on identifying meaningful causes, conducting thorough research, building supportive alliances, and leveraging emerging platforms like social media.

Ruderman emphasizes the importance of resilience, self-care, and taking small victories to sustain efforts for long-term change. By examining case studies of activists like Genesis Butler and Geena Davis, he underscores the power of commitment and creativity in driving social progress. This episode provides a roadmap for turning passion into impactful advocacy.

In this episode of the podcast All About Change, Alexis Tutunnique of the United Ukrainian Ballet sheds light on the cultural dimensions of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He explains how Russia has leveraged iconic ballet companies like the Bolshoi to promote its global image and distract from political aggression. At the same time, Tutunnique discusses the Ukrainian ballet community's efforts to raise awareness and funds through performances, resisting Russia's attempts to suppress Ukrainian culture.

The episode also explores the personal struggles faced by Ukrainian artists amid the conflict. Tutunnique reveals the internal tensions within his company, as dancers grapple with the choice of taking up arms or using their art to resist. He candidly shares his own feelings of survivor's guilt and the sacrifices made by those who have left Russia to take a stand against the war.

In this episode of All About Change, Chris Nowinski, a leading concussion researcher, shares insights into the evolving landscape of concussion awareness and management in sports. He discusses the cultural shift from glorifying unconscious athletes to prioritizing player safety, highlighting advancements like recognizing the "head shake" as a concussion symptom and implementing protocols for medical clearance after potential head injuries.

However, Nowinski also addresses persistent challenges, including underreporting of concussions by players and the limited effectiveness of padded helmets. Additionally, he explores the difficulties in diagnosing and understanding chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head injuries, and the ethical dilemmas faced by athletes considering their long-term health and career prospects.

In this episode of the All About Change podcast, Tyler Merritt shares his transformative journey from questioning his faith and struggling with harmful stereotypes to becoming a compassionate activist. Diagnosed with cancer, Merritt recounts how it shifted his perspective toward empathy and storytelling as a powerful tool for fostering understanding and driving social change.

Challenging expectations around race and identity, Merritt delves into the emotional toll of societal pressures and the importance of embracing diverse interests. The episode explores his unconventional approach to activism, emphasizing community-based compassion over divisive rhetoric to uplift marginalized voices and promote inclusivity.

The Bad River Band's ancestral homeland in Wisconsin is in peril due to an aging oil pipeline owned by Enbridge. In this episode of the "All About Change" podcast, Joe Bates details the tribe's deep ties to the land and their desperate fight to protect it.

He outlines the pipeline's trespassing construction and rapidly deteriorating condition that jeopardizes the reservation's ecosystem and Lake Superior's waters. As the legal battle unfolds, the band leverages activism, documentary films, and sovereignty claims in their wider struggle to safeguard their treaty rights and environment for future generations.

In this episode of the All About Change podcast, Ukrainian-American Yuri Boyechko discusses the operational model and strategy of Hope For Ukraine, a nonprofit organization delivering humanitarian aid to Ukrainian communities. He highlights the group's efficient system, which partnered with over 100 local groups to rapidly distribute necessities like food kits to underserved areas.

Boyechko also shares insights into the mounting humanitarian needs in Ukraine. He touches on Hope For Ukraine's efforts to address critical issues, such as providing medical equipment and educational programs for displaced children. While acknowledging the challenge of sustaining global support, he remains committed to raising awareness about the situation through regular updates.

In this episode of the All About Change podcast, Vicki Sokolik sheds light on the crisis of unaccompanied homeless youth - minors facing homelessness without a stable home or parental support. She explains the factors driving these youth to homelessness, such as abuse, neglect, addiction, and economic hardship. Sokolik details the challenges they face and describes how her nonprofit provides vital resources like housing, food, counseling, and career guidance.

The discussion underscores the importance of raising awareness about this vulnerable population and advocates for systemic changes. Sokolik highlights the need for national standards and policy reform to support unaccompanied homeless youth and help them access crucial services. With a focus on practical solutions, the episode emphasizes immediate action steps, such as contacting legislators and identifying youth in need.

In this episode of All About Change, Lee Asher shares his journey from a troubled childhood to founding an animal rescue sanctuary. Asher examines the unique human-dog bond and how dogs provide solace through life's challenges, drawing from his experiences finding comfort at animal shelters.

Asher discusses how his innovative adoption promotion campaigns on social media, like touring the country with adoptable dogs, aim to change societal perceptions about shelter animals. He also offers insights on responsible pet ownership, emphasizing a mindset focused on the animal's wellbeing over human desires.

In this episode of All About Change, animal welfare advocate Peter Egan discusses his efforts to combat cruelty toward animals worldwide. Egan shares his campaign against a proposed Turkish law that could lead to the euthanasia of millions of stray dogs. He also highlights Animals Asia's work to end bile farming of moon bears in China.

Egan also contrasts zoos, which prioritize human entertainment over animal well-being, with sanctuaries that provide respectful homes for rescued animals. He reflects on his journey from vegetarian to vegan, inspired by the documentary "Earthlings," and his advocacy approach of opening hearts and minds through warm conversations rather than shocking tactics.

On the podcast All About Change, the host explores Mia Silverman's life navigating severe food allergies. Having endured over 50 allergies since birth and subsequent social isolation, Mia shares her emotional and mental health struggles. She describes how going viral on TikTok became a turning point, enabling her to spread awareness, build community, and partner with brands embracing her advocacy.

Mia discusses challenges in managing her allergies, like meticulously researching dining options and preparing medications for travel. Driven by her experiences, she aims to become a food allergy psychologist - improving patient care, teaching coping strategies, and providing the mental health support she once lacked. Mia's journey demonstrates resilience in facing adversity with her allergies.

In this episode of All About Change, Montana Tucker recounts her personal connection to the Holocaust through her grandparents' harrowing survival stories and testimonies. She shares how visiting Auschwitz, where her grandmother was imprisoned, solidified her commitment to advocacy work inspired by her family's resilience.

Montana discusses her efforts to combat antisemitism and promote understanding, including using social media to challenge hate and educate her Gen Z audience about the Holocaust. She highlights the human impact of conflicts through survivor stories, emphasizing the power of resilience amid adversity.

On this episode of All About Change, wildlife veterinarian Dr. Michelle Oakley shares her lifelong passion for animals and the challenges she faces in treating wildlife remotely. Discussing specialized techniques like darting and helicopter operations, she details how she adapts to climate change's impacts on wildlife. Dr. Oakley also highlights the role of her family in fostering appreciation for nature and inspiring future conservationists.

The episode explores how her TV show enhances veterinary care through partnerships and amplifies her conservation message globally. By inspiring aspiring vets and raising awareness of environmental threats to animals, Dr. Oakley underscores the importance of preserving species and habitats.

Libraries provide invaluable educational resources and welcoming spaces for communities. In this episode, Amanda Jones discusses the vital role of librarians in connecting patrons with age-appropriate materials carefully selected through established policies. She explores how efforts to ban books, particularly those featuring LGBTQ+ themes and diverse authors, aim to silence marginalized voices.

Jones also shares her own experiences facing harassment for defending libraries against censorship. Despite threats, she founded organizations to combat book banning and wrote a memoir chronicling her anti-censorship advocacy. Her steadfast commitment underscores libraries' importance as inclusive hubs for learning and community-building.

In this episode of All About Change, Princess Noor Pahlavi shares her personal perspective on the Iranian monarchy, contrasting her grandfather's progressive vision with the oppressive conditions Iranians currently face under the Islamic Republic. Pahlavi discusses how women's rights have been severely curtailed, and how she leverages social media to amplify Iranian voices, especially those of women resisting the regime.

She expresses her desire for a democratic Iran with autonomy and dignity for women, supported by the global community. The episode also covers Pahlavi's philanthropy and efforts through organizations like Acumen to create an inclusive, fair world and sustainably improve impoverished communities.

In the latest episode of "All About Change," host Jay Ruderman sits down with Oscar-winning Deaf actor Troy Kotsur to discuss the impact of American Sign Language (ASL) and the importance of authentic representation in the entertainment industry. Kotsur shares his personal journey, from his early years of harnessing ASL to overcome language deprivation to his historic Academy Award triumph that has paved the way for more inclusive opportunities in film and television.

This episode not only delves into Kotsur's own challenges and successes but also sheds light on the broader struggles and achievements of the Deaf community. He highlights the fundamental contribution of schools for deaf children, the transformative potential of Deaf West Theatre's inclusive productions, and the evolution of the entertainment industry as it adapts non-traditional roles for Deaf actors. With candid insights and heartfelt advocacy, Kotsur's conversation with Ruderman is a deep dive into the ongoing quest for onscreen authenticity and the significance of such milestones for future representation.

Dive into a compelling narrative with "All About Change," as Tsakane Nxumalo and Jay Ruderman unpack the remarkable story of the Black Mambas, a trailblazing all-female anti-poaching unit guarding the wildlife of Greater Kruger National Park. Since their inception in 2013, these dedicated women have been on the frontline, not only to protect rhinos and elephants from the brink of extinction but also to shatter the prevalent gender biases in the field of conservation.

Their efforts extend beyond the physical patrols and into the hearts of local communities with the Bush Babies Environmental Education program, fundamentally shaping environmental awareness among young children. The Black Mambas’ innovative approach to conservation includes unarmed patrolling, empathy for poachers' circumstances, and initiatives like their food parcel program to address the socio-economic roots of poaching. Witness how this courageous group, driven by a vision of a world without poaching, meshes courage with compassion to pave the way for sustainable coexistence between humans and wildlife.

Explore the journey towards a more inclusive entertainment landscape with Bobby Farrelly and Jay Ruderman on the "All About Change" podcast. Bobby Farrelly, one half of the directing duo known for blending humor with inclusivity, delves into his pioneering efforts to diversify Hollywood casting. The episode covers Farrelly's motivation, tracing it back to the influence of his childhood friend Danny Murphy, and discusses the initial challenges he faced from studios uncertain about audience reactions. Learn how Farrelly’s dedication to authentic representation is changing the industry, one role at a time, and discover the steps being taken to ensure that actors with disabilities are no longer sidelined in film narratives.

In particular, Farrelly shares insights into the groundbreaking "Champions," a film with an all-disabled lead cast, offering behind-the-scenes details of the casting process and the positive audience response it garnered. As "Champions 2" beckons, with its cast returning for new adventures, Farrelly sheds light on the state of Hollywood's inclusion efforts. Despite advancements, he underscores the need for continuous improvement in authentic representation. This episode brings to the fore the importance of diversifying the cinematic world to reflect the rich tapestry of human experiences, as well as the nuances of what true inclusion in the media looks like. Join Farrelly and Ruderman as they unpack the realities and aspirations of a more inclusive Hollywood.

Dive into the complexities of international aid and the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists in conflict zones with the latest episode of "All About Change." Michael Maren, a seasoned Peace Corps veteran, alongside Jay Ruderman, unpacks the unforeseen repercussions of U.S. food aid programs on local agriculture and governance in this thought-provoking discussion. The conversation sheds light on how these well-meaning initiatives can inadvertently diminish local food security and empower corrupt power structures instead of supporting the communities they aim to help.

The discussion extends into the realm of journalism, where Maren shares his experiences and convictions about reporting in war-torn areas. He emphasizes the importance of objectivity and the responsibility of journalists to protect their local counterparts as they strive to present unbiased truth. The episode prompts listeners to consider the broader implications of international policies on food aid and the moral responsibilities of those who report on humanity's most challenging situations.

Dive into the latest episode of "All About Change," featuring Julianna Margulies and Jay Ruderman, as they explore the poignant and personal journey of an acclaimed actress who channels her family history into a powerful educational mission. Margulies, best known for her iconic role in "ER," has leveraged her past and her prominence for a cause close to her heart—Holocaust education and the fight against anti-Semitism.

Amidst reflections on her own upbringing and the challenges of reinvention that would later serve her acting career, Julianna discusses the profound impact her grandmother, a law graduate and a suffragette, had on her perspective and purpose. Beyond the glamour of the screen, Margulies has founded a significant program dedicated to teaching the Holocaust in schools. This initiative, starting with an intensive eight-day teacher training module, extends to immersive museum experiences and partnerships, aiming to instill in young students the wisdom to challenge prejudice and misinformation, regarding not just history but the world they inhabit.