All About Change

Latest Episodes:

Revisiting Sophie Trudeau - Breaking Generational Cycles of Trauma May 11, 2026

Show notes

After years of sharing stories of relentless activists and world-shapers, All About Change is taking an intentional break. Even the most dedicated movements need a moment to recharge, and we’re doing exactly that.

We want to step back to reflect, regroup, and prepare for our next chapter. In the meantime, we didn't want to leave you without a meaningful story this month.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a cause that the Ruderman Family Foundation and I care about very deeply. To honor that, we are releasing this rerun of my conversation with Sophie Grégoire Trudeau.

Sophie Gregoire Trudeau has spent much of her adult life in the public eye as a broadcaster and political leader. And, as someone who has been public about her own struggles with mental health, Sophie believes that the key to restoring trust in our institutions lies in our leaders' reckoning with emotional awareness and their own traumas.

Sophie joined host Jay Ruderman to discuss the complexities of mental health and the power of vulnerability and connection, topics she also explores in her new book, ‘Closer Together.’ Sophie opens up about her struggle with bulimia, the importance of breaking generational cycles of trauma, and the significance of asking for help. Jay and Sophie get into how self-awareness, love, and presence are needed to effectively address the global mental health crisis.

Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at www.jayruderman.com.

Kenneth Cole: 2025 Morton E. Ruderman Award in Inclusion winner Apr 27, 2026

Show notes

Kenneth Cole, has been a fashion icon for decades, innovating a unique and lasting style for which he is known. But he comes to All About Change to talk about another of his great passions: mental health awareness. Kenneth won the 2025 Morton. E Ruderman Award in Inclusion, an award my foundation presents to an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the inclusion of people with disabilities.

The award recognized Kenneth’s transformative leadership in confronting mental health stigma and building a national movement for inclusion through storytelling, awareness, and action as the founder of the Mental Health Coalition.

We discuss the Mental Health Coalition’s origin story, the state of mental health in America, how to work in mental health when you are not a doctor or mental health expert and much more.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:28 The power of Mental Health Awareness Month

4:28 Kenneth’s activist origin story

9:04 The Mental Health Coalition is founded on connection and coordination

15:54 Good deads lead to more good deads

20:14 The business costs of not addressing mental health issues

24:33 Outro and Goodbye

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/
Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at https://www.walmart.com/ip/Find-Your-Fight-Make-Your-Voice-Heard-for-the-Causes-That-Matter-Most-Hardcover-9781963827071/10817862336⁠⁠

Eitan Bernath: Food Insecurity in America and Activism as a Celebrity Chef Apr 13, 2026

Show notes

Few things bring me joy and hope quite like young people who are already involved in making the world a better place. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with celebrity chef Eitan Bernath. The youngest individual ever to be named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Food and Drink, Eitan found success cooking on Tik Tok, and quickly moved to TV, where he has served as the Principal Culinary Contributor on the Drew Barrymore Show on CBS since 2020.

Eitan is barely of drinking age and he is already involved in a wide range of activist causes. He is involved in local animal rescue and food rescue in New York City, where he lives, Jewish representation, and he serves as a High Level Supporter of the United Nations World Food Programme.

Eitan wasted no time parlaying his success into a platform for activism, and I’m so excited to share his story with you. We talk about his work in food rescue, models for ending food insecurity, and the way he has leveraged his large platform as a social media star as part of his activism.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:31 How does Eitan get involved in new causes?

4:09 Food waste in America

7:25 Indian Sikh responses to hunger in their community

12:04 The fun in activism

15:06 Mentoring other influencers

17:06 How has Eitan’s Jewish identity changed with fame?

24:30 Eitan’s goals for the next 5-10 years

27:17 Outro and Goodbye

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Princess Noor Pahlavi - Advocating for a Democratic Iran Mar 30, 2026

Show notes

In light of the ongoing crisis and the profound resilience of the Iranian people, we are revisiting this timely conversation with Princess Noor Pahlavi.

Born into the Iranian royal family as the eldest child of the Crown Prince, Princess Noor heard the call to civic duty from an early age. Inspired by the legacy of her grandfather, the last Shah of Iran, and her grandmother, the Empress Farah Pahlavi, she has chosen a path defined not by title, but by action. Refusing to sit on the sidelines, she leverages her platform to amplify the voices of those fighting for a free and democratic future.

In this episode, Princess Noor joins host Jay Ruderman to discuss her mission to bridge her family’s history with modern activism. She provides a passionate look at the "dire" state of affairs for women under the current regime and explores the global resonance of the #WomanLifeFreedom movement.

From her advocacy for gender equality and healthcare access to her work with organizations like Acumen and the Persian American Women’s Conference, Princess Noor offers a vital perspective on what it means to stand in solidarity with a nation reclaiming its autonomy.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Princess Noor Pahlavi

(01:16) Stories of the Shah and The Empress of Iran

(06:54) The Current Islamic Regime in Iran

(10:33) Life for Iranians Under the Regime

(15:25) Women’s Rights and Health in Iran

(22:40) Advocacy for Iranian Women Abroad

(25:04) Noor’s Work at Acumen

(27:52) Leveraging Her Platform for Change

(29:04) Conclusion and Credits

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Ari’el Stachel: Reclaiming a Jewish Middle Eastern Identity and Challenging Stereotypes on Broadway Mar 16, 2026

Show notes

Sometimes the hardest type of activism is the activism that happens inside ourselves. It’s easier for us to give others support and grace when they need it than it is for us to look in the mirror and do the same for ourselves. For recent guests Jeffrey Marsh and Jackie Goldschneider, this internal activism became a platform from which they were able to support others, and today’s guest Ari’el Stachel is doing that same work.

Ari’el is an award winning actor of Ashkenazi and Yemenite Jewish descent, and he has long struggled with his mixed identity. But after realizing he could embrace his Middle Eastern identity in a professional capacity, his eyes were opened. Ari’el is now challenging his fear of himself in a brave one-man show called Other. In it, he tackles family history, his mental health challenges, and his profuse sweating, all of which are things that make him, him.

Ari’el and Jay discuss connections, the responsibility artists must carry for their communities, Ari’el’s comfort moving across artistic mediums, and much more.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:44 Ari’el’s conversations with the audience at his shows

7:25 Ari’el reflects on 25 years since 9/11 and shares takeaways for 2026

12:34 How does Ari’el change his art and his worldview as the world shifts around him?

16:30 Other’s reception in Israel

22:26 How does Ari’el’s anxiety interact with his love of the stage?

27:26 Putting yourself out there as a performer and activist

29:15 Outro and Goodbye

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.walmart.com/ip/Find-Your-Fight-Make-Your-Voice-Heard-for-the-Causes-That-Matter-Most-Hardcover-9781963827071/10817862336⁠⁠

Jackie Goldschneider: Recovering From Disordered Eating Mar 02, 2026

Show notes

Some of the biggest challenges we face follow us through generations. And when Jackie Goldschneider sat down to write her memoir, she found two of her activist causes dated back multiple generations in her family.

Jackie, a writer, lawyer and cast member on Real Housewives of New Jersey, dealt all her life with anorexia that nearly killed her. She traced this unhealthy relationship to food back to her ancestors who survived the holocaust, and she is only now, decades later, unraveling that trauma.

Jackie now raises awareness for eating disorder recovery and combats antisemitism using her public platform as a reality television star, author, and podcaster to share her personal story and advocacy.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:14 Jackie’s recent advocacy for Jewish identity and against antisemitism

3:00 The intersection between Jackie’s Jewish upbringing and her disordered eating

6:20 The origins of Jackie’s eating disorder

10:20 Jackie’s three rock bottoms

12:14 How did Jackie start changing her life

16:19 Managing recovery while starring on RHONJ

18:50 Jackie’s tricks to maintain her health

21:15 Jackie’s tips to people experiencing disordered eating

22:57 Jackie tries to end her family’s generational food trauma

24:56 How do other RHONJ cast members respond to Jackie’s activism?

26:51 Outro and Goodbye

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation
To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.walmart.com/ip/Find-Your-Fight-Make-Your-Voice-Heard-for-the-Causes-That-Matter-Most-Hardcover-9781963827071/10817862336⁠⁠

Angela Williams of United Way: Why American Giving is More Vital Than Ever Feb 16, 2026

Show notes

For some people, activism is an accident. They come into this work by way of a core issue, and either become experts on that matter, or they expand, becoming experts in activism. But for some, activism is an ethos. A lifelong calling to give and care for others. Angela Williams is one of those activists.

Angela is now the outgoing President and CEO of United Way Worldwide, one of America’s oldest and most visible charities, and this position is a culmination of a lifetime of service.She has served in government and led private efforts at the YMCA, Easterseals, and Sears Roebuck.

Angela and Jay discuss the state of American giving in 2026, the positive connection between spirituality and activism, and much more.

Episode Chapters

0:00 Intro

1:17 How Angela stays upbeat despite the world’s challenges

2:43 Angela’s diverse activist history shapes her work

9:04 The instinct to “just start” helping other people

11:47 Angela’s bird's eye view of American philanthropy in 2026

15:27 How the United Way’s volunteers react so quickly in moments of crisis

19:23 Angela’s book and her philosophy on flexible activism

24:58 Outro and Goodbye

For video episodes, watch on⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation⁠⁠

Stay in touch:

X:⁠⁠ @JayRuderman⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ @RudermanFdn⁠⁠

LinkedIn:⁠⁠ Jay Ruderman⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠⁠

Instagram:⁠⁠ All About Change Podcast⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠⁠

To learn more about the podcast, visit⁠⁠ https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/⁠⁠

Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.walmart.com/ip/Find-Your-Fight-Make-Your-Voice-Heard-for-the-Causes-That-Matter-Most-Hardcover-9781963827071/10817862336⁠⁠

Phillip Schermer: bringing mental health care to the masses Feb 02, 2026

Show notes

There are not enough therapists in America. And even when you can find one, it is hard to schedule an appointment. This is the case despite the fact that America also has a rising mental health crisis. More people are aware of their mental health needs, and more people are coming to need mental health support.

At the Ruderman Family Foundation, this is one of our tentpole issues, and we strive to facilitate changes in our communities that will provide better and healthier futures for those struggling with mental health.

That is why I’m so excited to be joined today by Phillip Schermer. Phillip is the founder of Project Healthy Minds, a non-profit startup building the world’s first digital mental health marketplace to democratize access to life-changing services, partnering with public figures to de-stigmatize mental health, and creating the first national standards for businesses to better support employee mental health.

Phillip and Jay discuss AI in the therapy space, the social and economic barriers standing between people and quality mental health care, and the stunning power of celebrity honesty around mental health struggles.

Episode Chapters

0:00Intro

1:27World Mental Health Day highlights and Project Healthy Minds origin story

6:35Project Healthy Minds vs Talkspace and Better Health

9:44What happens when people don’t get mental health resources?

13:54AI and mental health

18:52Ambient threats to mental health

22:52Top-down attacks on mental health from government

28:37Outro and Goodbye

For video episodes, watch on⁠ ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation⁠

Stay in touch:

X:⁠ @JayRuderman⁠ |⁠ @RudermanFdn⁠

LinkedIn:⁠ Jay Ruderman⁠ |⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠

Instagram:⁠ All About Change Podcast⁠ |⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠

To learn more about the podcast, visit⁠ https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/⁠

Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.walmart.com/ip/Find-Your-Fight-Make-Your-Voice-Heard-for-the-Causes-That-Matter-Most-Hardcover-9781963827071/10817862336⁠

Tom Vozzo: Ending Recidivism through the Homeboy Way Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

Tom Vozzo came to Homeboy Industries in a moment when they needed his skills. Around 2012, the organization was facing a financial crunch, and Tom stepped up from Homeboy volunteer to CEO steering the company to financial stability.

Working at Homeboy changed Tom as well. Writing in his book, ‘The Homeboy Way,’ Tom said that after years of working with the poor, forgotten, and demonized people of our society, he came to learn that he didn’t really know as much about life as he thought. Tom and the rest of the Homeboy team continue to support formerly gang-involved and previously incarcerated people, helping them redirect their lives and become contributing members of our community.

In doing so, they make a bold and critical statement: No life is disposable, no person is beneath society, no person cannot be better, and no person will not benefit from helping another person reach the potential of who they can be.

Episode Chapters

0:00Intro

2:31The role of healing in the Homeboy Way

3:57How people first choose to leave gang life

7:38How has Homeboy Industries changed Tom?

14:47Expanding the Homeboy influence across the globe

16:20Pushing back on stigma against formerly gang-involved folks

19:33Tom makes the case for why minimizing recidivism needs to be a bipartisan cause

22:32Activism in and out of the workplace

24:14Tom’s book: The Homeboy Way

28:38Outro and Goodbye

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠https://www.walmart.com/ip/Find-Your-Fight-Make-Your-Voice-Heard-for-the-Causes-That-Matter-Most-Hardcover-9781963827071/10817862336

Kaila Yu: Challenging Stereotypes and Defetishizing Asian Women Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Kaila Yu lived many lives before she decided to write a memoir. As an actress, musician, and import model, Kaila learned firsthand about all the ways it is challenging to be Asian American, particularly as a woman. But she didn’t write about that experience until seeing her fellow Asian Americans attacked and vilified in 2020.

Now a travel, food and culture writer, she has released a memoir titled Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty. In this book of essays, Kaila challenges the pressures Asian American women face to perform for the white male gaze and details some of the history surrounding that social pressure.

With Fetishized, Kaila is shining a bright light on a specific prejudice in our country and I am excited to amplify that light with our conversation today.

Episode Chapters

0:00Intro

1:31How has Kaila’s memoir been received in the Asian American community?

2:52A brief history of the fetishization of Asian women in America

11:43Who was the intended audience for Kaila’s memoir?

15:23Becoming an activist wasn’t part of Kaila’s plan

19:05We are in a golden age for healthy Asian representation in American culture

21:42The full scope of Kaila’s activism

25:48Outro and Goodbye

For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠https://www.walmart.com/ip/Find-Your-Fight-Make-Your-Voice-Heard-for-the-Causes-That-Matter-Most-Hardcover-9781963827071/10817862336

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected