All About Change

Tyler Merritt - Before You Call the Cops, Storytelling and Empathy Driven Social Justice Feb 18, 2025

Tyler Merritt is a Nashville-based actor, comedian, vocalist, and creator of The Tyler Merritt Project. He believes empathy is a powerful tool to fight injustice and encourages people to step out of the anonymity of social media and engage in face-to-face conversations. Using his creativity, Tyler Merritt challenges racism and promotes empathy.

In 2018, Tyler's viral video "Before You Call The Cops" (released by The Tyler Merritt Project) was viewed by over 18 million people worldwide and voted one of the Top 20 videos of the year by NowThisPolitics. In 2020, “Before You Call the Cops” recirculated and has since been viewed by over 60 million people and has appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, MSNBC Live, and Access Hollywood.

Jay and Tyler discuss the idea of activism through storytelling, the way cancer impacted Tyler’s activist journey, and much more.

Learn more about the Tyler Merritt Project here.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(02:05) Tyler’s new book, “This Changes Everything”

(08:50) How does religion influence Tyler’s activism?

(12:14) Tyler’s “Strong Black Man Mode”

(14:37) Navigating criticism

(18:01) Growing into activism

(21:05 ) Pathways to leadership for future generations

(24:26) The state of communication in America

(26:02) What should we focus on now?

(28:13 ) Goodbye and outro

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Joe Bates - Indigenous Resistance Against Big Oil Feb 03, 2025

Joe Bates is a member of the Bad River Band, a Native American Tribe residing along Lake Superior in Wisconsin. He and his community have been embroiled in a long-standing legal and public relations battle against Enbridge, a Canadian energy company, to protect their ancestral lands. This struggle has been documented in "Bad River," a documentary film released in early 2024, which showcases Bates and his fellow activists within the band.

Joe joins Jay to share his personal journey of activism, the profound influence of past generations of tribal and environmental activists on his own path, and the ongoing fight against Enbridge, which affects the future of water protection in America.

To learn more about the Bad River Band, click here.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) - Intro

(01:19) - Joe’s activist history

(04:31) - The connection between the Bad River Band and their land

(10:06) - How did Enbridge come to have pipes under native land against the Bad River Band’s wishes?

(14:00) - The threat’s Enbridge’s Line 5 poses to the environment

(18:10) - “You can’t put a price tag on what we have. What we have is priceless.”

(19:23) - Joe and Jay discuss the documentary “Bad River”

(22:58) - Thank you and goodbye

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Yuriy Boyechko - Hope for Ukraine in 2025 Jan 21, 2025

In 2016, Yuriy Boyechko founded Hope for Ukraine to raise awareness for voices not heard in Ukraine, especially children affected by HIV and AIDS. Providing medical care for children with disabilities as well as food and clothing for families that live in extreme poverty.

After Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Yuriy’s work surged in importance. Today he joins Jay Ruderman to talk about how the work of providing food and material support to those who remain in Ukraine has become harder as public interest in Ukraine has waned in the face of other international affairs. They also discuss the hard work of minimizing overhead costs at a nonprofit and Yuriy’s deep appreciation for the people still living in Ukraine.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(01:50) Why does Yuriy think it's so important that the organizations that are working in Ukraine have a direct connection to the country?

(04:07) Ukrainian children living with HIV/AIDS

(06:28) The invigorating nature of helping others

(07:55) Meeting shifting needs during a war

(12:44) Coordinating with other aid groups

(17:50) Minimizing overhead

(21:05) How does Yuriy sustain the momentum three years after the Russian invasion?

(24:25) Supporting Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

(27:05) Where do you want to see Hope Ukraine in the next five to 10 years?

(28:38) Goodbye and Outro

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Vicki Sokolik - Fighting for Unhoused Youth Jan 06, 2025

Vicki Sokolik refuses to be an Ostrich. Her son brought to her attention the crisis of unhoused youth — youth unhoused, not living with a parent/guardian, and not in foster care — in America, and she has been fighting to support this vulnerable population every since. Most active in Tampa Bay, Florida, Vicki is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit Starting Right, Now, which removes barriers for unaccompanied homeless youth to cultivate long-term well-being and self-sufficiency. She is also the author of the new book, “If You See Them: Young, Unhoused, and Alone in America.”

Vicki Sokolik joined host Jay Ruderman to discuss the many ways unhoused youth fall through the cracks in our society, how her organization helps them, and also how to build trust with people who could use your help.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(01:10) Vicki’s origin story

(02:40) What is “unhoused youth?”

(06:40) What should a person do if they worry they see an unhoused youth?

(08:19) How have conversations around unhoused youth changed in Vicki’s 20 years working with them?

(11:02) How do people get the word out and help unhoused youth?

(14:55) Vicki’s new book

(16:48) How Vicki builds trust

(20:10) What do students receive at Starting Right, Now?

(22:58) How does Vicki balance advocacy and direct support?

(27:53) Starting Right, Now alumni

(29:10) Goodbye

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Lee Asher - How Rescuing Dogs Rescue Us Dec 23, 2024

All About Change is on break for the holidays. For now, we are re-airing one of our favorite episodes, Jay’s conversation with fellow dog lover, Lee Asher.

Lee Asher is known for his positive presence. Visit the Asher House page and you'll be met with countless videos of Lee greeting animals getting a second chance at his Oregon sanctuary. But Lee's struggles with mental health don't often get the same spotlight.

Lee joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about the importance of pet adoption, resilience, and what it took to go from a 9 to 5 to running a 240-acre animal sanctuary. The two also discuss Lee's long road with depression, and what changes he'd like to see in the animal rescue community.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(00:51) The connection between dogs and humans

(03:30) The impact of Lee’s childhood

(08:01) Resilience

(15:38) Lee’s unconventional career path

(20:19) The animal adoption RV

(25:22) Lee moves to social media

(30:45) Moving from an RV to a sanctuary

(32:08) Lee’s natural instincts around the animals he adopts

(34:12) How to get involved

(35:52) Goodbye

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Peter Egan - International Animal Activism Dec 09, 2024

Like many activists, Peter Egan found his cause by chance. When a labrador named Custard collapsed outside the Downton Abbey actor’s house, his wife jumped into action, taking the animal to a vet, and eventually the family adopted the dog. For Egan, this moment opened his eyes to the crisis of surplus pets in the UK, and it served as his initiation into advocating for animal rights.

Peter Egan joined host Jay Ruderman to discuss the great number of organizations and animal rights causes he supports, from Saving Suffering Strays, to Animals Asia, to Animal Equality UK. They discuss a campaign to protect stray animals in Turkey that Peter is involved with, the ways that animals care for their well being, and the many ways Peter’s personal relationships with animals shape and international activism shape each other.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Peter Egan

(01:07) Peter’s fight to protect stray animals in Turkey

(02:54) How to become involved with international causes

(06:15) Bile extraction from Moon Bears

(11:31) Peter says Zoos need to go

(15:04) What’s the connection between all of Peter’s activism?

(22:23) Peter’s path to being a vegan

(29:21) How being a vegan has changed Peter’s life

(33:48) How animals give us comfort while we grieve

(37:40) How can people get involved

(40:07) Conclusion and Credits

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Mia Silverman - Allergy Activism: Navigating Life and Speaking Out Nov 25, 2024

As a toddler, Mia Silverman had a near-fatal encounter with an allergen. That emergency revealed to her parents not only that she was allergic to dozens and dozens of different everyday foods and additives, but that many of those allergies were life-threatening. Later, as a teen, Mia made a TikTok listing her myriad of allergies. What she didn’t anticipate, however, was that her TikTok would go viral and give her a platform through which to advocate for awareness for others just like her.

Mia Silverman joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about her journey from allergy sufferer to allergy awareness advocate. Mia discusses her experiences from childhood, including life-threatening allergic reactions, bullying, and the lack of awareness and support for those living with food allergies. Jay and Mia also speak about the practical aspects of her life, including dining out, traveling, and her efforts to bring systemic changes to improve support, care, and empathy for those living with severe allergies.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Mia Silverman

(00:41) Mia Discovers Her Severe Allergies

(03:32) Understanding and Testing for Allergies

(04:37) Mia’s List of Severe Allergies

(06:48) Experiencing Bullying Due to Allergies

(09:25) Mia Goes Viral

(13:03) Navigating Daily Life with Allergies

(19:09) Traveling with Severe Allergies

(23:09) Social Media Advocacy

(27:43) Future Goals and Advocacy Efforts

(31:11) Conclusion and Credits

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Montana Tucker - From Auschwitz to Advocacy Nov 11, 2024

Montana Tucker built a massive platform on social media using her talents in art, music, and dance. She even shared her personal journey of exploring her family’s history with the Holocaust. But after October 7th, she knew she had to use her platform to combat antisemitism and make a difference.

Montana Tucker joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about her experiences raising awareness about antisemitism and supporting Israel. Montana speaks about her deep-rooted connection to her Holocaust-surviving grandparents, and her emotional experience of visiting Auschwitz with her mother. Jay and Montana also discuss how she has used her platform for advocacy despite facing backlash and hate, her passionate advocacy for Israel and against antisemitism, and her unwavering hope for peace in the Middle East.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Montana Tucker

(00:51) Montana’s personal connection to the Holocaust

(07:47) The importance of the state of Israel

(09:29) Montana speaking out about October 7th

(11:33) Dealing with backlash and hate

(13:46) What Montana thinks people get wrong about October 7th

(15:32) Visiting the Nova Festival site

(18:02) How Montana starts conversations with others

(21:47) Montana’s experience at the UCLA encampments

(27:32) Montana’s advice on getting involved and speaking up

(28:56) Montana’s dream of peace in the Middle East

(30:06) Conclusion and Credits

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Dr. Michelle Oakley - Treating Wildlife in the Wild Oct 28, 2024

Dr. Michelle Oakley decided that as a veterinarian, she wanted to treat all species in her practice. And as if that were not enough of a challenge, she built her career treating wildlife in some of the most remote areas of North America.

Dr. Michelle Oakley joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about her career as a veterinarian specializing in treating all species of wildlife in Alaska and the Yukon. Dr. Oakley speaks about turning her lifelong love for animals into a career where she works with wildlife in remote areas, as documented on her show, Dr. Oakley, Yukon Vet. Jay and Dr. Oakley also discuss her daughters’ involvement with her veterinary work, Dr. Oakley’s sustainable lifestyle in the remote wilderness, and the impact of climate change on wildlife and wildlife conservation.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Dr. Michelle Oakley

(00:32) Dr. Oakley’s Childhood Inspirations

(03:05) Encouragement and Role Models

(05:25) Pursuing a Career in Veterinary Medicine

(07:43) Challenges and Adventures in Wildlife Care

(11:52) Family Involvement in Veterinary Work

(15:43) Dr. Oakley’s Leap into TV

(17:56) A Day in the Life of a Remote Wilderness Vet

(20:18) Using Innovative Treatments in Veterinary Medicine

(24:25) How Dr. Oakley Maintains Her Mental Health

(25:25) Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife

(28:10) Sustainable Living in Remote Areas

(30:22) Supporting Wildlife Organizations

(32:17) Leveraging Her TV Show for Good

(35:03) Conclusion and Credits

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Amanda Jones - Standing Up Against Book Bans Oct 15, 2024

Amanda Jones never set out to be an activist. As an award-winning librarian and educator in her small Louisiana hometown, she had sought to shape the minds of and inspire the love of reading in her students. But when the book bans sweeping our nation came to her front door, she realized the importance of using her position and privilege to speak out for free speech.

Amanda Jones joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about the growing issue of book bans across the United States. Amanda discusses her personal journey from being a school librarian to becoming an advocate against censorship, and about the hateful backlash she faced as a result of speaking out. Jay and Amanda also speak about the political forces fueling book bans, the importance of representation in literature, and how she used her experience to author a powerful memoir and start a non-profit aiming to empower communities to build and sustain their own libraries.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Amanda Jones

(00:20) The Role of Libraries in Communities

(01:45) Misconceptions About Curating Library Content

(03:00) Amanda’s Background and Activism Journey

(10:27) Facing Backlash for Speaking Out

(13:14) Ongoing Legal Battles

(16:28) Mental Health and Support Systems

(20:32) National Perspective on Book Bans

(21:41) The Importance of Representation in Literature

(24:19) Political Influence on Libraries

(27:29) Non-Profit Initiatives for Libraries

(29:49) Advice for Standing Up Against Book Bans

(32:14) Conclusion and Credits

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Princess Noor Pahlavi - Advocating for a Democratic Iran Sep 30, 2024

Princess Noor Pahlavi was born into the Iranian royal family as the eldest child of the Crown Prince. She heard the call to civic duty from an early age, inspired by the legacy of her grandfather, the last Shah of Iran, along with her grandmother, The Empress of Iran. But she was not content to sit on the sidelines, and decided to use her place of privilege to be a voice for progressive change for the people of Iran.

Princess Noor joined host Jay Ruderman to speak about her distinctive path in continuing the legacy of her family through advocacy for a democratic Iran. Princess Noor talks about the struggles and resilience of the women of Iran, as well as her advocacy for gender equality and better access to healthcare for women. Jay and Princess Noor also speak about her efforts to support Iranians living under the Islamic Republic, along with her work with organizations that empower and support oppressed women.

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

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Bugha - Navigating Fame, Fortnite, and Family Sep 16, 2024

Kyle, also known by his gamer tag Bugha, started playing Fortnite as a young teen. He soon realized that he possessed exceptional skills and began competing. In 2019, at the age of 16, he entered the Fortnite World Cup and defeated 99 other players. However, the pure joy of that fame was short-lived when trolls hacked his phone, and Bugha had to learn to deal with online hate. He was also a victim of "swatting," a dangerous prank where someone falsely reports a serious crime to emergency services, causing a SWAT team to be dispatched to the victim's location.

Kyle and his father, Glenn, joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about the challenges and triumphs of being a young professional gamer. Kyle opens up about the pressure of online harassment, as well as the importance of managing his mental health in the face of trolls. Glenn shares how his and his family’s unwavering support and guidance have been integral to Kyle's journey. Jay, Bugha, and Glenn also get into how they navigate the complexities of fame, as well as Kyle’s philanthropic efforts to help lower the barrier for entry to video gaming.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Kyle (Bugha) and Glenn

(01:19) Bugha’s Early Gaming Days

(03:55) Bugha Discovers Fortnite

(07:54) Winning the Fortnite World Cup

(10:49) The Challenges of Fame

(19:47) Mental Health: Coping with Trolling and Swatting

(26:52) Daily Routine, Burnout, and Future Ambitions

(34:14) Philanthropy: Using Fame for Good

(37:11) Conclusion and Credits

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Octavia Spencer - A Catalyst for Change in Hollywood Sep 03, 2024

Octavia Spencer is an Academy Award and Golden Globe award-winning actor and film producer, but her story has many different turns. Octavia thought studying law would be her path to change the world. But when a movie started production in her hometown of Montgomery, Alabama, her persistence landed her an internship that set her on a path to a successful career in Hollywood.

Octavia joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about her inspiration to become an actor and producer, as well as the challenges she has faced as a Black woman in the entertainment industry. Octavia also shares her passion for giving back through her involvement with City Year Los Angeles, an organization that focuses on using the power of education to lift historically underrepresented groups out of poverty. Jay and Octavia also get into why, in spite of success as an actor, she evolved into an actor and producer and is driven by her desire to create authentic narratives and provide opportunities for Black and underrepresented groups in Hollywood.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(03:25) Octavia's Early Life and Career

(06:44) Breaking into Hollywood

(14:00) Challenges and Triumphs in Hollywood

(18:32) ‘The Help’ and Other Iconic Roles

(28:13) Passion for Education: City Year and Giving Back

(30:18) Becoming a Producer

(35:10) Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts

(38:27) Conclusion and Credits

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Sophie Trudeau - Breaking Generational Cycles of Trauma Aug 19, 2024

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.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Sophie Trudeau

(01:49) Understanding Early Childhood Development and Trauma

(04:33) Sophie’s Personal Journey and Spirituality

(05:45) The Challenges of Modern Parenting

(09:07) Dealing with Hate and Bullying

(09:37) Mental Health in Politics

(14:27) Sophie Breaks the Silence on Her Struggle with Bulimia

(27:16) Breaking Generational Cycles of Trauma

(29:34) The Importance of Transparency and Connection

(31:31) Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Torrey DeVitto - Speaking Out with Love for Women and Reproductive Rights Aug 05, 2024

Torrey DeVitto grew up in an entertainment family, and as an adult, she has gone on to star in a number of shows, including Pretty Little Liars, The Vampire Diaries, and Chicago Med. Her many roles and personal experiences with two very different abortions helped empower and inspire her to speak up for hospice, women, and reproductive rights.

Torrey joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about learning to handle her anxiety during her early career, as well as channeling her innate fearlessness into advocating for the many causes she champions. In a very intimate conversation, Jay and Torrey delved into her outspoken stance on reproductive rights and the importance of grounding activism in love and authenticity.

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Erin Brockovich - Fighting for Safe Water Jul 22, 2024

Erin Brockovich became a household name when her crusade against the polluting power company PG&E in a small California town was dramatized in the Oscar-winning movie Erin Brockovich, starring Julia Roberts. But her mission to empower communities to fight for environmental justice didn't end there.

Erin joined host Jay Ruderman to share her journey from a Kansas childhood marked by dyslexia to becoming a pivotal figure in environmental advocacy. Jay and Erin talk about the immense influence of her parents and a crucial school teacher in fostering her dogged persistence, the necessity of community action and local involvement, and her ongoing efforts to address environmental crises in America.

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Bill Courtney - Undefeated Football Coach's Guide to Building a Better Community Jul 08, 2024

Bill Courtney first became widely known as the volunteer coach who transformed an underprivileged high school football team into champions in the Oscar-winning documentary “Undefeated.” But going from a traumatic childhood to becoming an inspiring community leader was a hard-fought victory.

Bill joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about how overcoming a difficult upbringing led to his success in business, his community, and on the field. They discuss how Bill’s challenging journey that led him to becoming a beloved coach instilled in him empathy, integrity, and resilience, and how change can be affected by “an army of normal folks” leveraging their skills, passions, and opportunities.

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Lee Asher - How Rescuing Dogs Rescues Us Jun 24, 2024

Lee Asher is known for his positive presence. Visit the Asher House page and you'll be met with countless videos of Lee greeting animals getting a second chance at his Oregon sanctuary. But Lee's struggles with mental health don't often get the same spotlight.

Lee joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about the importance of pet adoption, resilience, and what it took to go from a 9 to 5 to running a 240-acre animal sanctuary. The two also discuss Lee's long road with depression, and what changes he'd like to see in the animal rescue community

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Jason Collins - First Out: Being Openly Gay in a Major Team Sport Jun 10, 2024

In 2013, Jason Collins made history. On top of his storied basketball career, he was the first male player of any major American team sport to come out as gay. Jason was well-known for his leadership on and off the court. That reputation stands strong even after he retired from the league. Today, Jason is a steadfast advocate for the LGBTQ community.

Jason sat down with host Jay Ruderman to talk about coming to terms with his sexuality, his coming out journey, and the roles allies can play.

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

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Ronald E. Richter - Fighting for Children at Risk May 28, 2024

Ronald E. Richter is the CEO and Executive Director of JCCA, an organization that provides child welfare and mental health services to the most vulnerable of New York’s children and families. Throughout his career, Ron has been a steadfast advocate for the children of New York, whether as a judge in the Family Court system or as Commissioner of New York City’s Administration for Children’s Services.

Ron joined host Jay Ruderman to discuss some of the misconceptions around the foster care system, how his own childhood informs his work, and what changes are needed to improve our systems for child welfare.

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Shane Burcaw - Proud to be Disabled May 13, 2024

Shane Burcaw grew up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Moravian College with an English degree. His bestselling memoir was shortlisted for the ALA Excellence in Nonfiction Award. He also writes as a freelancer for The Morning Call. His blog, Laughing At My Nightmare, talks about the humor of living with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and has over half a million followers. Along with his wife, Hannah, the duo started their popular YouTube channel, Squirmy and Grubs, in 2018.

Shane sat down with host Jay Ruderman to talk about his experience growing up as a person with a disability, his advocacy work through his YouTube channel and non-profit, and how he challenges people’s assumptions about what someone living with a disability can do.

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Brett Gelman - Hollywood Speaking out Against Antisemitism May 01, 2024

Brett Gelman is best and more recently known for his work on shows like Fleabag and Stranger things, but the actor has been around for years. Throughout his career he’s also been a vocal advocate against antisemitism and Jewish inclusion in Hollywood. Following the October 7 attacks, Brett stepped up his activism and has been a steadfast supporter of the Israeli victims of the massacre, making visits to hospitals in the days following, sharing their stories on social media, and recentering the conversation.

Brett joined host Jay Ruderman for a conversation about his Jewish upbringing, being a public figure who speaks out, his latest book, to his desire to see more Jewish inclusion in Hollywood.

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Ed Begley Jr - How to Keep Your Planet and Pocketbook Healthy Apr 15, 2024

Ed Begley Jr. has been a known name in Hollywood since the 1960s, with recent credits in Young Sheldon, Better Call Saul, and the movie Amsterdam. He’s had a stellar career onscreen, but his commitment to living an environmentally friendly life is just as impressive. Ed’s love of biking, public transit, and electric cars comes up every award season, and his family home is LEED certified.

Ed sat down with host Jay Ruderman for a conversation spanning Ed’s career, overcoming his alcoholism, and what’s next in his environmental activism.

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Jane Velez-Mitchell - Sober and Vegan for the Planet Apr 01, 2024

Jane Velez-Mitchell is best-known for her work in broadcast television, but her career - and life - has been a master class in making a change and sticking to it. After confronting her alcoholism as an early career journalist, Jane began living more authentically than she ever had before. She came out as a lesbian, became a vegan, and founded a free streaming platform dedicated to education around the impact diet can have on health - both the body’s, and the planet’s.

Jane joined host Jay Ruderman for a conversation that spanned the wide breadth of her career, and the personal choices she made along the way.

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Troy Kotsur - Advocating for Onscreen Authenticity Mar 18, 2024

Academy-Award winning actor Troy Kotsur has been featured in blockbuster films, Broadway shows, and hit TV shows throughout his career. He’s also been a tireless advocate for the Deaf community, both in front of and behind the cameras.

Troy sat down with host Jay Ruderman to discuss the importance of authenticity in portrayal of Deaf and disabled characters, and the vital importance of learning ASL at a young age. Special thanks to interpreter Justin Maurer for his help with this episode.

Also be sure to check out Troy’s Documentary Film, To My Father, which depicts his journey to winning an Oscar and his father’s inspiring influence on him, despite a tragic accident.

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

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The Black Mambas: Women Saving Rhinos and Elephants from Extinction Mar 04, 2024

Both species of rhinoceros in Africa are endangered, in large part due to the value of rhino horn on the black market. In the western part of South Africa’s Greater Kruger National Park, a group is working to keep these animals safe in spite of the bounties on their horns. The Black Mambas are a woman-only group of rangers that patrol the wildlife reserve to protect against poaching.

Tsakane Nxumalo, a ranger with the Black Mambas, joins host Jay Ruderman to talk about their rigorous training process, the role of education in conservation work, and what role her gender plays in her work.

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Bobby Farrelly - Directing for a more Inclusive Hollywood Feb 19, 2024

Bobby Farrelly’s movies are well-known for their comedy - Dumb and Dumber, There’s Something About Mary, and, most recently, Champions. They’re also well-known for something else - featuring actors with disabilities in prominent roles. For Bobby, this isn’t activism. It’s making sure the world he creates on-screen looks like the one he lives off-screen.

Bobby joined host Jay Ruderman to talk about what casting has looked like over the course of his career, what it was like to shoot Champions, and where he hopes to see Hollywood in the future.

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

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Michael Maren - The Road to Hell and the Pitfalls of Food Aid Feb 05, 2024

In his career, Michael Maren has been a relief worker, war correspondent, and film director. Michael’s book, The Road to Hell, took a hard look at NGOs operating in a development context, and how good intentions aren’t enough to affect positive change.

On this episode of All About Change, Michael joins host Jay Ruderman to discuss his time working in development in countries in east Africa, and how it informed his stance on international aid. The two get into the problems with humanitarian aid and food relief programs, highlighting how they often support the status quo and fail to address the root causes of poverty.

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Julianna Margulies - The Vital Importance of Holocaust Education Jan 22, 2024

With antisemitism on the rise, the need for Holocaust education has never been more important. That’s where Emmy award-winner Julianna Margulies comes in. In 2022, Julianna helped to found the Holocaust Educator School Partnership, an initiative to help train undergraduate and graduate students in how to teach about the Holocaust in the classroom.

In this episode, Julianna Margulies sits down with host Jay Ruderman to discuss the misconceptions and challenges facing the Jewish community today, and what allyship means to her.

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Nas Daily and Bringing His Life From Good to Great Jan 07, 2024

Nas Daily has been an internet sensation since its inception. But the man behind it all is a bit less well known. Nuseir Yassin left a well-paying job at Venmo to travel the world, and do 1,000 videos in 1,000 days about the places and people he encountered. Since then, he’s built a company founded on community, positivity, and storytelling.

Nuseir sat down with host Jay Ruderman to talk about growing up in Israel, how he keeps his company community-minded, and how he’s building a culture that lasts.

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Fran Drescher - Kicking Cancer to the Curb Dec 27, 2023

In this episode from the All About Change vault, Jay Ruderman sits down with iconic actor and activist Fran Drescher. Fran tells Jay the story of getting The Nanny off the ground, and what it took to make sure that Fran Fein made it to air as a Jewish woman.
In the years since The Nanny, Fran has battled uterine cancer, and founded the Cancer Schmancer Movement to encourage women to advocate for themselves in the doctor’s office. Fran and Jay talk about all of this, and more.

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Chrissy Beckles - Giving New Life to Stray Dogs in Puerto Rico Dec 11, 2023

The correlation between boxing and rescuing stray dogs isn’t one that’s clear at first glance. But for Chrissy Beckles, founder of the Sato Project, the connection is one she makes each and every day.

Since 2011, the Sato Project has rescued more than 8,000 dogs in Puerto Rico. With nearly half a million stray dogs roaming the island, there’s no one knockout solution. Chrissy sat down with host Jay Ruderman to talk about the long journey, from gaining feral dogs’ trust, to finding funding, to weathering a category 5 hurricane.

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Chelsea Miller - Freedom March NYC and Building an Intersectional Grassroots Movement Nov 27, 2023

Chelsea Miller may be young, but she’s already had a lifetime full of activism. Perhaps more impressive than the work itself is the intentionality, care, and thoughtfulness she brings to it all.

Listen to the latest episode of All About Change as Chelsea delves into her childhood in Brooklyn’s “Little Caribbean,” interning at the Obama White House, and founding Freedom March NYC in response to George Floyd’s murder.

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J.R. Martinez - A Veteran’s Advocacy Journey from a Military Burn Unit to the Dance Floor Nov 13, 2023

Some people may see J.R. Martinez's burn scars and think that he is defined by that single day in his life. But J.R.'s journey towards vulnerability and resilience began long before his time in the military and the twists and turns it’s taken since nearly defy imagination.

Listen to the latest episode of All About Change as J.R. describes his trajectory to Jay. He’s gone from recovering in a military burn unit to becoming a motivational speaker, actor, winner of Dancing with the Stars, and advocate for veterans and other charitable causes.

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Le Roy Torres - Veterans Speak Out on the Dangers of Burn Pits Oct 30, 2023

In the early years of the Iraq War, thousands of Americans enlisted to fight for their country, fully aware of the dangers of that decision. Or so they thought. But one insidious threat had long-lasting impacts on the health of American troops: burn pits. Meant to provide an efficient way for soldiers to get rid of their waste, burn pits instead pumped tons of toxins into the air that found their way into the lungs of nearby service members. Service members like Beau Biden, President Biden’s son, and Le Roy Torres. Le Roy remembers the smell, and the almost immediate respiratory infections and headaches that followed. Now, more than 15 years later, he’s still dealing with the fallout.

Le Roy joins Jay to discuss his trajectory from deployment until now, and the work he’s doing to ensure that veterans aren’t left to deal with mounting disabilities and health costs alone.

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Linor Attias - An Israeli First Responder on the Front Lines of Massacre in Israel Oct 17, 2023

Listen to this special episode of All About Change as Linor gives an intimate look at the aftermath of Hamas' attack on Israel.

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Jas Boothe - Standing Up For Female Veterans Oct 02, 2023

It is said military veterans account for 1% of the American population, and certainly, women have been a part of that number, stepping up to the challenge of defending their country for generations. But when their service ends, they often find themselves without meaningful support, unable to attain the most basic levels of assistance offered to their male counterparts.

Jas Boothe was in a similar situation. A single mother living in Louisiana, she was hit hard by two events: The diagnosis of an aggressive cancer, and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Homeless and jobless, she was turned away when she sought help. Jas speaks to Jay about how she turned her struggle into a beacon of hope for female veterans in need.

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Katie Barnes - Sports and Debates About Gender Identity Sep 18, 2023

Life isn’t fair. Perhaps that is why we love sports. In sports, the aspiration at least, is to even the playing field. But that endeavor in and of itself, poses many challenges. What does the inclusion of transgender athletes mean for sports? For ESPN’s Katie Barnes, a journalist who covers the intersection of gender and athletics, the answers here are never simple.

Katie joins Jay to discuss the gender politics of sports at all levels of performance, as they break down in their new book, Fair Play: How Sports Shapes The Gender Debates. This conversation distills the complex and often-sensitive questions around transgender competitors, many of whom are kids who simply want to enjoy the sport they love.

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Emily Penn - Microplastics, Ocean Pollution, And Female Health Sep 05, 2023

Always having a love for the sea, Emily Penn took a journey from Shanghai to Melbourne, Australia that would change her life, as she saw first-hand the extent of pollution in the world’s oceans.

Since then, she has organized the largest ever community-led waste cleanup operation, completed a trip around the world solely using biofuel, and created various avenues for people—from ordinary citizens to filmmakers—to discover and document the damage microplastics have done to our oceans. Emily also runs eXXpedition, a series of sailing voyages where crew members—all women—focus on researching the connection between pollution and female health.

Emily joins Jay to share her insights into ocean advocacy, what lessons we can learn from the past, and how governments, companies, and communities can reimagine the way we create and consume products.

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Jean Wiener - Revitalizing Haiti’s Coastlines Aug 21, 2023

While certain areas of Haiti remain picturesque, it’s hard to find a place within the beleaguered island nation untouched by the trifecta of violence, pollution, and corruption.

Serving as executive director of the Fondation pour la Protection de la Biodiversité Marine, or FoProBiM, Jean Wiener is considered by many to be Haiti’s foremost environmentalist, and the expert in all matters concerning the Haitian coast.

But Activism is not something that happens in a vacuum. Jean’s decades-long efforts to clean, restore, and preserve the fragile ecosystem, is a constant balancing act between the country’s environmental issues and the basic survival needs of its impoverished population. How do you convince a fisherman struggling to put food on his family’s table that it's within his own best interest to engage in sustainable practices?

This important conversation between Jay and Jean deals head on with some of those challenges - challenges that are both unique to Haiti but hold relevance for any kind of activism and advocacy.

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Lek Chailert - Rescuing Asian Elephants Aug 07, 2023

Saengduean “Lek” Chailert was born and raised in Thailand, a place where Asian elephants are commonplace. After her secondary education, Lek started working in tourism, where she saw elephants endure horrific treatment—in circuses, riding parks, and other attractions most visitors to the country think of as benign.

It was then that Lek started rescuing elephants, many of them injured and elderly, and relocating them to what is now Elephant Nature Park. The sanctuary is now home to more than 100 Asian elephants rescued from captivity, and Lek has been recognized all over the world for her tireless work.

Lek talks to Jay about the rampant exploitation of these animals within Thailand’s tourism industry, and how social media has helped in bringing animal abuse to the world’s attention.

Photo Credit: Save Elephant Foundation

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Genesis Butler - Amplifying Youth Activism Jul 24, 2023

Genesis Butler is an environmental and animal rights activist. Inspired by her great uncle, civil rights leader Cesar Chavez, Genesis became one of the youngest people to ever give a TEDx talk, as she shared her perspective on the environmental impacts of animal agriculture.

Genesis went vegan at the age of 6, and has earned numerous awards and accolades for her activism. She founded Genesis For Animals, a non-profit supporting animal sanctuaries, and she is currently leading the organization Youth Climate Save, the first youth-led environmental organization that focuses on the effects of animal agriculture on climate change.

Genesis sits down with Jay to talk about how she became involved in animal activism, and how she shares that passion with her family, her community, and the world.

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Noa Tishby - On Antisemitism Jul 10, 2023

Noa Tishby is an actress, author, producer, and activist.

Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Noa Tishby was born to a Zionist family that was involved in the establishment of Israel. Raised in a secular family in Israel she wasn’t really exposed to Anti-semitism, but that changed as she got older.

But when you moved to America she encountered a lot of misinformation about Israel and anti-semitism. Inspired, Tishby decided to take action. She became an advocate and founded the first Israel-focused online advocacy and rapid response organization, Act For Israel, becoming a powerful voice for Israel and the Middle East.

After years of advocating for Israel, both publicly and privately. She decided to put her understanding and experience to pen in her first book: Israel: a Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth.

In this conversation with Jay, she talks about how dangerous misinformation and bias produce antisemitism and how both Jewish and non-Jewish people can fight antisemitism.

Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/noa-tishby

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Evon Benson-Idahosa - Modern Day Slavery Jun 26, 2023

Evon Benson-Idahosa is a Nigerian native, a leading expert, a thought leader on the subject of modern-day slavery in sub-Saharan Africa, and a founder of the Pathfinders Justice Initiative (PJI).

Raised by parents who were called to serve their faith, Evon became a successful English barrister, American lawyer, and partner in a New York defense law firm. Despite her success, one day she woke up wondering, "What have I done with my life?" Her passion and compassion were calling out to her. That Monday, she left her job to become a full-time advocate.

Moved by the plight of Nigerian women all over the world, Evon decided to address gender-based violence and the sexual exploitation of women. She founded Pathfinders Justice Initiative (PJI), a leading international impact organization dedicated to the prevention of sex slavery, sexual violence, the liberation of enslaved women and girls, and the eradication of its root causes.

PJI has worked with governments, law enforcement, and communities to rescue and rehabilitate victims of human trafficking. They have also worked to raise awareness of the issue and to change the laws that enable human trafficking. Evon's work has had a profound impact on the lives of countless women and girls.

In this conversation with Jay, her journey to becoming an activist against modern-day slavery, and the power of one person to make a difference.

Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/evon-benson-idahosa

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Dr. Benjamin Gilmer - The Tale of Two Gilmers Jun 12, 2023

Dr. Benjamin Gilmer is a family physician, professor, and advocate who focuses on bringing attention to the social injustice of mass incarceration, scarcity of mental health care, and global and rural health disparities.

A former neurobiologist turned rural family doctor, Benjamin Gilmer is a family physician, professor, and advocate who focuses on bringing attention to the social injustice of mass incarceration, scarcity of mental health care, and global and rural health disparities.

Fresh out of medical residency, Dr. Benjamin Gilmer joined a rural clinic only to find that its previous doctor, Dr. Vince Gilmer, murdered his own father. The deeper Benjamin looked into Vince’s case the more he became convinced something was amiss and Vince’s mental and physical health. Benjamin started to research Vince’s cases and even worked with Sara Koenig of “Serial” to get to the bottom of the mystery, which inspired This American Life’s “Dr. Gilmer and Mr. Hyde.” Through the show, they discovered the myriad of conditions that led Vincent toward these terrible circumstances. Moved, touched, and inspired, Benjamin went on to continue fighting for Vincent’s clemency until Dr. Vincent Gilmer’s release.

His recent book, The Other Dr. Gilmer, and an upcoming feature film project continue Benjamin’s mission to highlight and transform the atrocity of mass incarceration of people with mental illness

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

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Kris Henning - The Over-Policing of Brown and Black Youth May 29, 2023

Kristin Henning is a Professor of Law at Georgetown University and the Director of the Juvenile Justice Clinic. She has been representing children accused of crimes for over 25 years.

Kristin Henning has been representing children accused of crime for more than 25 years, and in all that time she only represented 4 white kids. The many thousands of kids she represented have all been Black and Latinx. She spent her life trying to ensure that children whose families did not have the means to defend them against a criminal justice system steeped in bias had someone to speak up for them.

In her book, The Rage of Innocence, Kris weaves together powerful narratives and persuasive data. She explores the criminalization of normal adolescence and makes a compelling case that racial disparities in the juvenile and criminal legal systems are rooted in America’s unfounded, and sometimes intentionally manufactured, fears of youth of color.

In this conversation with Jay, she weaves together powerful narratives and persuasive data to expose the criminalization of normal adolescent behavior and discriminatory incarceration of American youth of color.

Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/kris-henning

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Olivier Bernier - My Son Deserves to Be Included May 15, 2023

Olivier Bernier is an award-winning director and documentary filmmaker who lives and breathes to tell stories that explore the human condition.

When Olivier and his wife Hilda’s son was born with down syndrome they were entirely unprepared. Inspired, Olivier Bernier decided to document his family experience so he applied and won grant money to make a film about inclusive education. However, his family’s experiences with Emilio’s journey took the film in a slightly different direction. Forget Me Not became a documentary film that shares a family’s fight to have their son with Down syndrome included in the country’s most segregated school system in the country, the New York City public school system.

Forget Me Not offers a rare look at what a truly inclusive education can look like and how it can lead to a more inclusive society so that everyone has the opportunity to achieve their full potential. The production crew also included several young people with disabilities, as seen in the closing credits of the film.

In this conversation with Jay, he talks about his journey as a father advocating for his child’s inclusive education in one of the most segregated school districts in the US - New York City. Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/olivier-bernier

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Meggie Palmer - Closing the Gender Pay Gap May 01, 2023

Meggie Palmer is a confidence creator and globally renowned speaker, facilitator, executive coach as well as the founder and CEO of PepTalkHer.

While still finding success as an award-winning journalist, Meggie was surprised to realize that she was facing pay discrimination. This opened her eyes to pay inequality and inspired her to take action not just for herself but for all women around the world.

She left journalism to embark on a path of activism. She started her own organization - PepTalkHer - with the mission of closing the gender pay gap. ‘PepTalkHerr App’ is described as ‘fitbit for your career’, helping professionals track success and navigate their pathway to promotion. Meggie now runs a community of 60,000 professional women focused on elevating performance and supercharging their career success.

In conversation with Jay, they discuss the importance of proactive and positive storytelling and how her life put her on a mission to close the gender pay gap.

Please find a transcription of this episode:

https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/meggie-palmer

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Deborah Lipstat - Confronting Antisemitism Apr 17, 2023

Deborah Lipstadt is an Award-Winning Author & a Professor of Modern Jewish and Holocaust Studies at Emory University.

Originally part I of a special series on confronting antisemitism, please join us as we revisit this timely episode of On All-Inclusive with Jay Ruderman. And, we’ll be back in two weeks with a brand new episode.

For decades, Deborah Lipstadt has been a leading figure in writing about and combating antisemitism. She is most well-known for defeating Holocaust denier David Irving when he sued her for defamation. However, Deborah’s accomplishments span far beyond the trial that made her infamous. She is currently the Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University and recently received a nomination by President Biden as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism.

In conversation with Jay, they discuss the history of antisemitism, why there has been an uprise in hate recently, and what we can do to combat it.

Please find a transcription of this episode:

https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/deborah-lipstat

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Meg Appelgate - The Troubled Teen Industry Apr 03, 2023

Meg is the CEO of Unsilenced, a grassroots organization dedicated to speaking out against institutionalized child abuse in the troubled teen and youth mental health industry.

After being sexually assaulted and expelled from school for drinking at 15, Meg's parents spoke to an educational consultant and forcibly sent her to a children's facility and boarding school. For the next 17 years, Meg dedicated herself to non-profit work before eventually coming to the realization that she had been abused and brainwashed throughout her time in the troubled teen industry. Having already done extensive work in the non-profit sector, Meg eventually founded Unsilenced and has been working since then to transform the troubled teen industry.

In conversation with Jay, they discuss her experiences, why parents and children fall victim to this industry, and how Unsilenced is forcing transparency into an industry where, not only is it not encouraged, but it literally doesn't exist.

Please find a transcription of this episode:

https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/meg-appelgate

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Lise Deguirre - Trauma and Resilience Mar 20, 2023

Dr. Lise Deguire is a psychologist, burn survivor, speaker, and author.

At the age of 4, Lise was severely burned in an accidental yet careless fire caused by her mother. Lise spent years in the hospital recovering, undergoing multiple reconstructive surgeries, experiencing bullying, and navigating the world in a house run by parents who she describes as outrageously flawed, gifted, and iconoclastic.

In spite of her beginnings and losing 4 family members to suicide, Lise continually found resilience, becoming a psychologist, mother of two daughters, and disfigurement advocate. In the multiple-award-winning memoir Flashback Girl: Lessons on Resilience from a Burn Survivor, Lise tells her story of survival and shares life lessons that will help us also find the silver linings and resilience we need to come back from the brink.

In conversation with Jay, they discuss her experiences and why she’s on a mission to help people find pathways toward resilience and create a paradigm shift around disfigurement.

Please find a transcription of this episode:

https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/lise-deguire

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Jason Docton - Gaming to Save lives Mar 06, 2023

**TRIGGER WARNING. This episode contains conversations about suicide and other mental health issues. If you are triggered or would like to talk to a confidential advocate, please dial the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you want to learn more about mental health and find possible resources, please visit this Ruderman Family Foundation link.

Jason Docton is the CEO and founder of Rise Above The Disorder (RAD) a nonprofit promoting mental health in the gaming world and beyond.

Not realizing he was experiencing agoraphobia, Jason dropped out of med school and became increasingly isolated besides being an avid player of World of Warcraft. On the brink of suicide, he decided to do one last final act - save someone else's life first. Jason began crowd-fundraising for mental healthcare via his gaming guild, Anxiety Gaming.

Since then, Jason and his organization, which is now Rise Above The Disorder have helped over 40,000 people from across 135 countries receive free mental health care.

In conversation with Jay, they discuss his incredible personal journey into activism and how creating RAD taught him that mental healthcare is a basic human right.

Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/jason-docton

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Katy Sullivan - Breaking Barriers Feb 21, 2023

Katy Sullivan is an award-winning actress, producer, writer, athlete, bilateral above-the-knee amputee and is the first actress who is an amputee to ever star on Broadway.

Raised by parents who encouraged her to try everything and decided to become an actress. After she got her first pair of running prosthetics at 25, she discovered a love of running and became a four-time US Champion. She was among the first bilateral above-the-knee amputees to compete in the Paralympics in ambulatory track when she ran in the London 2012 Paralympic Games. However, she never lost sight of her dream to become an actor. Among her many acting accolades, Katy has recently made history again. she developed and starred as Annie in the hit show “The Cost of Living” - turning her into the first female amputee to star on Broadway.

In conversation with Jay, they discuss inclusivity and diversity in theatre, TV, and film and Katy talks about how living with a disability gave her a higher level of adaptation and how her family helped to teach her to believe that “can’t is just four letter word.”

Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/katy-sullivan

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Eleanor Reissa - My Life is Revenge for The Holocaust Feb 06, 2023

Eleanor Reissa is a Broadway/television actress, director, prize-winning playwright, author, and host of the Yale University/Fortunoff Video Archive podcast: Those Who Were There: Voices from the Holocaust.

A Brooklyn-born native and daughter of what she now calls Holocaust fighters, Eleanor embraced her Jewish identity and channeled that into her artistic expression. When her mother died at 64 in 1986, her father having died 10 years earlier, she discovered 56 letters written to her mother from her father in the years after the war and between his move to America.

Unable to read them, she kept them for many years until she decided to have them translated. What she discovered changed her whole perception of her family’s life and began a journey to uncover her parents' past, which she turned into her memoir, THE LETTERS PROJECT: A Daughter’s Journey.

In conversation with Jay, she talks about her life growing up in Brooklyn, the many discoveries that she made while researching her family, and how studying the anti-semitism of the past can help counteract the growing antisemitism and identity-based intolerance that we're facing today.

Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/eleanor-reissa/

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Becky Margiotta - Housing 100,000 Houseless Jan 23, 2023

Becky Margiotta is an author, change-maker, leader, veteran, and host of the Unleashing Social Change Podcast. Becky is also the co-founder and owner of The Billions Institute which has trained thousands of leaders from every corner of the globe and from every sector of social change in designing and leading large-scale change.

The 100,000 Homes Campaign for Community Solutions, where Becky served as director, mobilized 186 cities to permanently house more than 100,000 people who had previously been living on their streets in just under four years. Most recently, Becky authored Impact with Integrity: Repairing the World Without Breaking Yourself, a call to action for change makers that provides a step-by-step framework for doing the inner work that is necessary for advancing social change.

In this conversation with Jay, she talks about life in the military under Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, recounts her incredible career in social activism, and explains why if you want to change the world, the most important work you should be doing is on yourself.

Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/becky-margiotta/

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Niambe McIntosh - Head of Peter Tosh Legacy & Brand on Cannabis Legalization and Justice System Reform Jan 16, 2023

As we take time to reflect on the work of Martin Luther King, Jr, we would like to share an encore of this important episode that discusses inequalities in the American justice system and social justice movements that are responding to it.

“What is it we need to do as a society to lift up our most vulnerable population?” asks Niambe McIntosh, daughter of Peter Tosh and fierce advocate for prison reform, cannabis legalization, and justice everywhere.

Peter Tosh is the legendary Grammy Award-winning reggae musician and, along with Bob Marley, founding member of The Wailers. Known for the passionate political and social messaging in his songs, Tosh was tragically killed during a home invasion in 1987 when Niambe was only five-years-old.

Today, Niambe is head of the Peter Tosh Legacy & Brand and founder of the Peter Tosh Foundation, where she carries on her father’s message and memory. In 2017, her brother Jawara was incarcerated for cannabis possession in New Jersey. After a brutal attack in prison led to Jawara’s death, Niambe threw herself into the world of prison reform.

Listen to the latest episode of All About Change as Niambe discusses preserving the legacy and work of her father, her passion for prison reform, and the necessity of legalizing cannabis nationwide.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

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Geena Davis - Dying of Politeness Jan 03, 2023

Geena Davis is an actor, archer, advocate, and all-around badass! She made her feature film debut starring opposite Dustin Hoffman in Tootsie. She went on to star in many films including The Fly, Beetlejuice, The Long Kiss Goodnight, Stuart Little, A League of Their Own, and The Accidental Tourist for which she won her first Academy Award. She was again nominated for an Academy Award and Golden Globe for her performance in Thelma & Louise.

Geena is also the Founder and Chair of the non-profit Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, which engages film and television creators to dramatically increase the percentage of female characters and reduce gender stereotyping in media made for children 11 and under. In 2019, Geena was honored with a second Oscar, this time the Academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, in recognition of the work Geena has done over the decades to achieve gender parity on screen in film and television. She is now recognized for her tireless advocacy of women and girls nearly as much as for her acting accomplishments.

In this conversation with Jay, Geena discusses her activism in Hollywood, as well as her latest book, Dying of Politeness: A Memoir, where she chronicles her "journey to badassery" and makes a powerful case for why Hollywood has a crucial role to play in promoting women's rights around the globe.

Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/geena-davis/

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Ben Freeman: Gay, Jewish, & Proud Dec 05, 2022

Ben M. Freeman is an author, internationally renowned educator, and is among the founders of the modern Jewish Pride movement, for which he created the Jewish Pride manifesto, Jewish Pride: Rebuilding a People. Ben’s second book Reclaiming Our Story: The Pursuit of Jewish Pride looks at internalized Jew-hate and ways to overcome it. Throughout his work, Ben seeks to educate and empower Jewish people to reject the shame of antisemitism imposed on Jews by the non-Jewish world.

In this conversation with Jay, Ben discusses his youth in Glasgow, Scotland as formative in building that Jewish Pride. He also addresses the role of Zionism in Jewish Pride, as well as the historical context and misinformation around anti-Zionism as it relates to antisemitism. As a member of the LGBTQ+ community, Ben relates his experiences coming out as gay to his developing and continuing Jewish Pride.

Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/benfreeman/

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Special Episode: Iranian Hijab Protests with Guest Hadi Ghaemi Nov 21, 2022

Join us for the latest episode of All About Change as Hadi Ghaemi, Executive Director of the independent Center for Human Rights in Iran, discusses the reaction of Iranians within Iran and around the world to the death of Mahsa Amini. Women and students are leading this protest movement that doesn’t seem to be slowing down. How does it fit into the recent history of protest in Iran, what is different about this wave of protests that Ghaemi calls an “evolution,” and what does it mean for Iranians who live there and in the diaspora?

Hadi Ghaemi is an internationally recognized expert on Iran and human rights. In 2008, he founded the Center for Human Rights in Iran (CHRI), a leading organization documenting human rights violations in Iran and building international coalitions to support human rights. Born in Iran, Ghaemi came to the United States in 1983 as a student, and later became a professor of physics at CUNY as an expert in nanophysics. His other past work focused international attention on the plight of migrant workers in Dubai, as well as the repression of civil society in Iran.

Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/hadi-ghaemi/ ‎

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Zack Gottsagen - Conquering Hollywood Nov 07, 2022

Zack Gottsagen is an American actor who made his debut in the film The Peanut Butter Falcon. He is the first person with Down Syndrome to be a presenter at the Academy Awards. Zack was discovered at a summer camp for people with and without disabilities and has appeared in several projects since Peanut Butter Falcon, including God Save the Queens. He is continuing to pursue a career in acting.

Join us for the latest episode of All About Change as Zack discusses his experiences on set during the production of Peanut Butter Falcon, working with big Hollywood stars like Dakota Johnson & Shia LaBeouf, growing up with a disability, dealing with bullies, and more. Zack is proving day after day that when given opportunities, people with disabilities can and should tell their own stories in the film industry.

Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/zack-gottsagen-conquering-hollywood/

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Gloria Feldt - Feminist Icon Oct 24, 2022

Gloria Feldt, the CEO of Planned Parenthood from 1996-2005, is a bestselling author and life-long feminist activist. Raised by Jewish immigrants in rural Texas, Gloria became a teen mom at 16 and had three children by the time she was 20. After the birth of her third child, she decided to pursue her dream of getting a college degree. The pursuit of education ended up completely altering her life path.

Join us for the latest episode of All About Change as Gloria discusses her career - empowering women of all ages and how we can continue to rally forces even as the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade threatens to unravel years of progress.

Please find a transcription of this episode: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/gloria-feldt-feminist-icon/.

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Kevin Hines - Surviving & Thriving Oct 03, 2022

**TRIGGER WARNING. This episode contains conversations about attempted suicide. If you are triggered or would like to talk to a confidential advocate, please dial the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you want to learn more about mental health and find possible resources, please visit this Ruderman Family Foundation link.

On September 24, 2000, 19-year-old Kevin Hines attempted to take his own life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Miraculously, he survived the 220 ft jump thanks to a series of contributing factors. Today, Kevin is an award-winning mental health activist, a best-selling author, and a documentarian with an inspirational motto of “#BeHereTomorrow and every day after that”.

Join us for a special episode marking the upcoming World Mental Health Day as Kevin shares his remarkable story of hope, healing, and recovery.

Please find a transcription of this episode here: https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/podcast-episode/kevin-hines-surviving-thriving/.

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Anastasia Vlasova – Gen Z Mental Health Advocate Sep 12, 2022

**TRIGGER WARNING. This episode contains conversations about suicide, eating disorders, and other mental health issues. If you are triggered or would like to talk to a confidential advocate, please dial the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you want to learn more about mental health and find possible resources, please visit this Ruderman Family Foundation link.

Anastasia Vlasova was a rising tennis star and social media influencer when she started to develop an eating disorder. As an immigrant from Russia, Anastasia experienced a lot of stigma surrounding mental health from her family. After receiving some misguided advice from a school counselor, Anastasia realized how many adults don’t know how to talk to kids about mental health. She started sharing her experiences with anxiety and her eating disorder, and after being chosen as the keynote speaker at Our Minds Matter’s Annual Ball, Anastasia realized the power of storytelling. Since then, she has teamed up with This is My Brave, a nonprofit that uses performances to combat the stigma against mental health to help others share their stories. Today, Anastasia is an NYU student and host of the podcast Our Turn to Talk. She is also the subject of a documentary of the same name from Principal Pictures, being released this fall.

Listen to the latest episode of All About Change, as Anastasia discusses the pitfalls of social media, how parents can better support their kids, and stories of young people who are changing the mental health conversation.

You can learn more about Our Turn to Talk the podcast and documentary here.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

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Jason Kander – Veteran and Public Figure Aug 29, 2022

**TRIGGER WARNING. This episode contains conversations about suicide, PTSD, and other mental health issues. If you are triggered or would like to talk to a confidential advocate, please dial the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. If you want to learn more about mental health and find possible resources, please visit this Ruderman Family Foundation link.

In 2008, Jason Kander was an honorably discharged Army Captain and a Democratic rising star. That year, he was elected to the Missouri state legislature and in 2012 as Missouri Secretary of State, making him the first American millennial elected to statewide office. Though he narrowly lost a Senate race against incumbent Roy Blunt, he then publicly acknowledged that he was considering a 2020 presidential campaign with the blessing of President Obama. From the outside, Jason seemed to have it all together. However, on the inside, it was a very different story, as Jason was suffering from undiagnosed PTSD.

Join us for the latest episode of All About Change, as Jason discusses his powerful memoir Invisible Storm: A Soldier's Memoir of Politics and PTSD, the importance of therapy, and his work with the Veterans Community Project.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

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Erica Rose - Co-creator & Co-director of The Lesbian Bar Aug 15, 2022

In the late 1980s, there were an estimated 200 lesbian bars across the United States. Now, there are only 21 remaining. These bars, often the only safe spaces for lesbians and other members of the LGBTQ community, are disappearing at an alarming rate. Erica Rose, along with fellow Director Elina Street, immediately jumped into action and created The Lesbian Bar Project. What resulted was a viral fundraiser, with hundreds of thousands of dollars raised, and a documentary to celebrate, support, and preserve the remaining lesbian bars in the United States. This October, The Lesbian Bar Project docuseries for Roku will also be released.

Listen to the latest episode of All About Change as Erica discusses why LGBTQ spaces are so important and her mission to save the last remaining bars.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

Photo credit: Jackie Abbott

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Eric Marcus - Founder and Host of Making Gay History Aug 01, 2022

In the late 1980s, Eric Marcus decided to leave his job at CBS and take a leap of faith to pursue a project that required creating an oral history of the gay and lesbian civil rights movement. The result would become first one, then two editions of the book Making Gay History. Today, Eric is a celebrated author, journalist, and podcast host. He is the founder and host of the Making Gay History and Those Who Were There podcasts. Revisiting his oral history archives, Eric’s work is celebrated as a profound deep dive into all corners of LGBTQ history.

Listen to the latest episode of All About Change as Eric discusses his favorite known and long-forgotten champions of the LGBTQ civil rights movement, and the importance of keeping LGBTQ history in the public discourse following recent Supreme Court rulings.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

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Saving Britney Spears - Tess Barker and Babs Gray, Co-hosts of the Britney's Gram and Toxic Podcasts Jul 18, 2022

When Tess Barker and Babs Gray started comedically dissecting Britney Spears’ quirky social media on their podcast Britney’s Gram, they had no idea it would morph into something far greater. As the two dove into Britney’s online presence, they started to wonder how willing of a participant she was in her own life? Then they received a disturbing voicemail revealing that Britney had been placed in a mental health facility against her will. Tess and Babs courageously sounded the alarm on their podcast and social media. The response was massive and immediate, and overnight, and the #FreeBritney movement was born. Together with Britney’s loyal fans, Tess and Babs shined a much-needed light on the truth behind Britney's conservatorship, ultimately helping the singer regain control over her own life.

Listen to the latest episode of All About Change as Tess and Babs dive into how a comedy podcast led to #FreeBritney activism, more details surrounding how Britney was kept in a conservatorship for so long, and conservatorship abuse in general.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

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Tiahna Pantovich - Military Veteran, Therapist, and Activist Jul 05, 2022

**TRIGGER WARNING. This episode contains conversations about sexual violence, sexual assault, and abuse. If you are triggered or would like to talk to a confidential advocate, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.4673***

Tiahna Pantovich joined the US Army after her senior year in high school to become an Arabic Cryptologic Linguist. But, after being sexually assaulted off base, she experienced a systematic failure of the army managing cases like hers. While still in the army, Tiahna would become an advocate for sexual assault survivors and work closely with the Pentagon's Inspector General to investigate the conditions at Goodfellow Air Force Base in San Angelo, TX, and Fort Hood Army Base in Killeen, TX. Tiahna eventually left the army and went back to school, where she would support minority student veterans as chapter President of Student Veterans of America at Howard University.

Join us for a special episode of All About Change marking Independence Day, as Tiahna shares how her personal story led her to become a therapist and social worker, advocacy for veterans, and how her time in the army inspired service.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

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Niambe McIntosh - Head of Peter Tosh Legacy & Brand on Cannabis Legalization and Justice System Reform Jun 20, 2022

“What is it we need to do as a society to lift up our most vulnerable population?” asks Niambe McIntosh, daughter of Peter Tosh and fierce advocate for prison reform, cannabis legalization, and justice everywhere.

Peter Tosh is the legendary Grammy Award-winning reggae musician and, along with Bob Marley, founding member of The Wailers. Known for the passionate political and social messaging in his songs, Tosh was tragically killed during a home invasion in 1987 when Niambe was only five-years-old.

Today, Niambe is head of the Peter Tosh Legacy & Brand and founder of the Peter Tosh Foundation, where she carries on her father’s message and memory. In 2017, her brother Jawara was incarcerated for cannabis possession in New Jersey. After a brutal attack in prison led to Jawara’s death, Niambe threw herself into the world of prison reform.

Listen to the latest episode of All About Change as Niambe discusses preserving the legacy and work of her father, her passion for prison reform, and the necessity of legalizing cannabis nationwide.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

To learn more about the Peter Tosh Foundation, click here.

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Maria Garcia - Host of Anything for Selena on the Life & Legacy of Selena Quintanilla Jun 07, 2022

On March 31st, 1995, on the cusp of national stardom, Tejano superstar Selena Quintanilla was tragically shot and killed at the age of 23.

26 years later, Journalist Maria Garcia decided to track Selena’s short but impactful journey. Her result was a thought-provoking podcast series called Anything for Selena. Named Apple Podcasts' Show of the Year of 2021, Anything for Selena follows Selena through her life as she challenged existing notions of race and body image, eventually becoming one of the ultimate vessels for change in the Latino and Mexican-American community in the United States.

Join us for our first-ever All About Change episode, as Maria examines the woman behind the cultural icon and why Selena’s star burns brighter than ever before.

You can find all episodes of Anything for Selena here. To listen to Selena’s music, our producer Jackie Schwartz put together a Spotify playlist of her favorite songs here.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

To learn all about Beyond 6 Seconds and the extraordinary stories of Carolyn Kiel's neurodivergent guests, click this link.

Photo credit: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

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All About Change - trailer (announcement!) Jun 03, 2022

Exciting news! All Inclusive will now be called All About Change as our show takes on a new name, new branding, new sound and new mission. Spread the word and help us inspire others to create change.

You can find the transcript here.

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Losing a Child to America’s Gun Violence – Nicole Hockley May 23, 2022

Trigger warning: This episode contains conversation about gun violence, child loss, and suicide. If you or anyone else you know is dealing with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255. And always remember: if you see something, say something. To find your state's Department of Homeland Security reporting number, visit https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something/how-to-report-suspicious-activity.
On December 14, 2012, Nicole Hockley dropped her 6-year-old son Dylan off at school, thinking their day would be like any other. Then a shooter entered Sandy Hook Elementary School and opened fire, murdering 26 children and staff members--including Dylan. Following this unimaginable tragedy, Nicole established Sandy Hook Promise, an organization dedicated to preventing school shootings.

Join us for Nicole’s story of grief, resilience, and courage and how she transformed tragedy into hope.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

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Sophie Riegel, Author of Don’t Tell Me to Relax! May 09, 2022

The first time Sophie Riegel had a panic attack, it felt like the walls were closing in on her. After reaching out for help and discovering her middle school and pediatrician were ill-equipped to talk about mental health, Sophie knew she had to find her own path. In high school, Sophie published Don't Tell Me to Relax!, a powerful memoir about her journey with OCD and general anxiety disorder. Now a junior at Duke University, Sophie is the author of two books and a mental health advocate.
Join us for a special episode marking Mental Health Awareness Month, as Sophie and Jay openly discuss her personal mental health story, how we can better support young people, and how we can continue to break the stigma.

If you want to learn more about mental health and find possible resources, please visit this Ruderman Family Foundation link.

You can find more information on Sophie’s published books here.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

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Dr. Vladyslava Kachkovska of Sumy, Ukraine Apr 25, 2022

On February 24th, Dr. Vladyslava Kachkovska’s life was turned upside down. After enduring a harrowing two weeks as Russian troops bombarded Sumy, she managed to escape with her two-year-old daughter and mother—but her husband stayed back to fight. Dr. Vladyslava is a rheumatologist, bioethicist, and associate professor of internal medicine at Sumy State University.

Listen to the latest episode of All Inclusive as Dr. Vladyslava shares what it was like being a doctor as the war broke out, her journey crossing the border to Poland, and what life is like now as a refugee.

If you’re looking to support people affected by the war in Ukraine, click here.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

All Inclusive is a production of The Ruderman Family Foundation. This show is produced by Yochai Maital, Jackie Schwartz, Mijon Zulu, and Matt Litman.

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Kevin Love – Professional Basketball Star, Mental Health Advocate, & Founder of the Kevin Love Fund Apr 11, 2022

Kevin Love is an NBA player for the Cleveland Cavaliers. A five-time All-Star, he was an integral part of the 2016 Cavaliers team that won the NBA championship against the favored Golden State Warriors. But you may have heard of Kevin from his 2018 Players’ Tribune essay titled “Everyone is Going Through Something”, which detailed a very public panic attack he had in the middle of a game. In the aftermath of that moment, Kevin became a leading figure in the conversation about mental health among athletes.

Listen to the latest episode of All Inclusive as Jay and Kevin get candid about mental health and discuss how his panic attack changed his life - leading to him establish the Kevin Love Fund - and how he stays mentally fit while inspiring others to do the same.

To learn more about the Kevin Love Fund, click here.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

Photo credit: Derek Kettela

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Sergiy Gamaliy - Governor of Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Ukraine Mar 23, 2022

Overnight, Sergiy Gamaliy went from governing a sleepy agricultural region in Ukraine, to hosting more than 300,000 refugees streaming in from the east and orchestrating dangerous rescue missions to cities under siege. He did this all while trying to keep the schools running and the tractors harvesting. The Khmelnytskyi Oblast region which Gamaliy governs has become a distribution hub for humanitarian aid that is vital to other parts of Ukraine facing the worst conditions.

Listen to a special episode of All Inclusive as Jay and Governor Gamaliy discuss activism on the ground in Ukraine and stories of courage and hope in this fight for freedom.

If you’re looking to support people affected by the war in Ukraine, click here.

Please find a transcription of this episode here.

Photo credit: Louisa Gouliamaki

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Dara Horn – Author of 'People Love Dead Jews' Mar 14, 2022

Award-winning Author Dara Horn’s new book People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Past has a provocative title. And make no mistake, it’s designed that way. She wants you to feel uncomfortable as she explores the world’s fascination with dead Jews. From examples of more subtle antisemitism to machete attacks in Jewish homes and shootings in synagogues, Dara challenges her readers to confront the reasons why we have such little respect for living Jews. Along with her latest work, Dara is also the author of five novels and won a Reform Judaism Fiction Prize and two National Jewish Book Awards.

Listen to the latest episode of All Inclusive as Dara discusses the appeal of Anne Frank’s lasting legacy, why a Jewish city was deserted in China, the limitations of Holocaust education to curb hatred of Jews, and more.

Transcription of episode located here: https://allinclusivepodcast.com/podcasts/dara-horn-author…e-love-dead-jews/

For a link to the Diarna Project, click here: https://diarna.org/.

Photo of Dara Horn: Credit to Michael B. Priest

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ERIC GARCIA - Journalist & Author of We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation Feb 28, 2022

Eric Garcia is a Washington, D.C.-based journalist focused on politics and policy. Eric is also autistic, and this past August wrote his first book called We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation. After becoming frustrated by the media’s narrow portrayal of autism, he traveled across the country to speak with autistic people about their experiences and debunk different myths that exist about it.

Listen to the latest episode of All Inclusive as Eric and Jay discuss misconceptions about autism, what policies autistic people need, and what autism in America actually looks like through the eyes of those he interviewed.

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Ron Suskind – Influencer at the Top of His Game: Oscar-nominated Don’t Look Up Producer & Pulitzer Prize-Winner Feb 14, 2022

Ron Suskind is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author, journalist, and filmmaker, who most recently co-produced the Oscar-nominated film Don’t Look Up, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Timothée Chalamet, Tyler Perry, Cate Blanchett, and more. His book Life Animated, which explores his son Owen's autism and how he learned to communicate through Disney movies, was also the subject of an Emmy Award-winning and Oscar-nominated documentary of the same name. As a veteran journalist, he has written extensively about presidential administrations and is dedicated to uncovering America’s social, historical, and political injustices.

Listen to the latest episode of All Inclusive as Ron discusses the making of Don’t Look Up, how he predicted the insurrection, and the powerful story of how he and his son learned to communicate with each other through Disney characters.

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Hollywood Isn’t Just for the Boys Jan 31, 2022

Geena Davis is an Academy Award-winning actor and advocate, best known for her trailblazing roles in Thelma & Louise, A League of Their Own, and Commander in Chief, in which she plays the first female President of the United States. Today, Geena has taken on a different type of role in Hollywood. In 2004, she founded the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, a research-based organization that has worked collaboratively with the entertainment industry to dramatically increase the presence of women and other underrepresented groups on screen.

Listen to the latest episode of All Inclusive as Geena and Jay discuss her groundbreaking career, fighting for gender equality in Hollywood, ageism, mental health, and more.

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Breaking Down Barriers for Disabled Actors Jan 18, 2022

RJ Mitte shot to fame at the age of 13 when he landed the role of Bryan Cranston’s son, Walt Jr., on the hit show Breaking Bad. Like his character, RJ also has cerebral palsy, which he was diagnosed with at the age of 3. Since Breaking Bad ended in 2013, RJ has carved out a unique path for himself in Hollywood. He’s modeled for the Gap, presented at the 2016 Rio Paralympics, and most recently starred in the feature film Triumph, about a disabled high school senior who strives to be a wrestler.

Listen as RJ openly discusses his own experiences as an actor with cerebral palsy, the impact Walt Jr. had on society, and fighting for more disability inclusion in Hollywood.

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Ending the Rape Kit Backlog Jan 04, 2022

**TRIGGER WARNING. This episode contains conversations about sexual violence, sexual assault, and abuse. If you are triggered or would like to talk to a confidential advocate, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.4673***

Ilse Knecht is the director of policy and advocacy at the Joyful Heart Foundation. The organization was created in 2004 by Mariska Hargitay, best known for playing Olivia Benson on Law & Order: SVU, after receiving thousands of emails from survivors sharing their stories of abuse. Ilse leads the Foundation’s End the Backlog initiative, which is at the forefront of identifying hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits across the country.

Listen to Jay and Ilse discuss Mariska’s inspiration to create Joyful Heart, why hundreds of thousands of rape kits sit on shelves, and their mission to get justice for victims of sexual assault.

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Advocating for the Wrongfully Convicted Dec 13, 2021

Tony Goldwyn is so much more than the fake president he played for 7 seasons on ABC’s Scandal. (Or the guy who backstabbed Patrick Swayze in the 1990 blockbuster Ghost.) The actor, producer, and Peabody-Award-winning director is also a passionate activist, who dedicates much of his personal time to philanthropic work. After directing the 2010 film Conviction, a true story about a man wrongfully convicted of murder, he became an Ambassador of the Innocence Project and now sits on their Board of Trustees.

Listen as Tony discusses his work with the Innocence Project, how to find your activism, the roles that made him famous, authentic representation in Hollywood, and more!

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Is Antisemitism Part of American Politics? Nov 29, 2021

For Jewish communities around the world, there is no name more synonymous with the fight against antisemitism than Abe Foxman. Born in Poland in 1940, Abe survived the Holocaust when his parents entrusted him to their Catholic nanny. He would go on to spend three decades as the National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), speaking out against antisemitism and bringing it to the forefront of American minds. Throughout his career, Abe has written four books and made the ADL a household name through his relationships with prominent figures like President George W. Bush, Pope John Paul II, President Obama, and many more.

Please join us for Part II of a special series on antisemitism. Listen as Jay and Abe discuss his personal Holocaust story, his unparalleled career, and his take on antisemitism in America today.

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Confronting Antisemitism Series: Part I Nov 15, 2021

For decades, Deborah Lipstadt has been a leading figure in writing about and combating antisemitism. She is most well-known for defeating Holocaust denier David Irving when he sued her for defamation. However, Deborah’s accomplishments span far beyond the trial that made her infamous. She is currently the Dorot Professor of Modern Jewish History and Holocaust Studies at Emory University and recently received a nomination by President Biden as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism.

Please join us for Part I of a special series on Confronting Antisemitism. Listen to as Jay and Deborah discuss the history of antisemitism, why there has been an uprise in hate recently, and what we can do to combat it.

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Fat Activism and the Fight for Social Justice Nov 01, 2021

You might know Sean Taylor from the first season of the highly addictive Netflix reality show “The Circle”, in which contestants rate each other based on their profiles and interactions on a fake social media network. When Sean came on the show mid-season, she catfished her fellow contestants into thinking she was a straight-sized woman. After revealing her true self, Sean quickly became a body-positive icon for people everywhere.

Listen to hear Sean break down fat activism and discuss how she inspires her almost 200k followers to radically love and accept themselves.

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Creating a More Diverse Hollywood Oct 18, 2021

Christine Simmons’ entire career has been guided by the idea that we can create a more inclusive, diverse, and kind culture in every industry. As the first-ever Black and female Chief Operating Officer of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences (AKA the Oscars), she and her team lead the organization’s new standards for diversity in front of and behind the camera. Before joining the Academy, she was EVP of Magic Johnson Enterprises and then went on to serve as President and COO of the WNBA LA Sparks for 5 seasons.

Throughout Christine’s impressive career, she’s never forgotten that she’s an activist first and foremost. Listen to hear Christine discuss how she failed up, her love of women’s basketball, and how she’s helping to change the landscape of Hollywood.

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Fran is Just FINE Oct 04, 2021

Fran Drescher is not just a famous actress most well-known for her role as Fran Fine on the 90s hit sitcom The Nanny. She is also a 21-year uterine cancer survivor. In 2002, she published her New York Times best-selling memoir Cancer Schmancer, which chronicled her journey through multiple misdiagnoses and survival. Five years later, she founded the Cancer Schmancer Movement, an organization that promotes early detection of women’s cancers and aims to transform the nation’s healthcare system through policy change.

Listen to hear Jay and Fran discuss her long history of activism, her passion for women’s health issues, and why The Nanny’s recent resurgence proves the show was ahead of its time.

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Saving America’s Lesbian Bars Sep 13, 2021

In the late 1980s, there were an estimated 200 lesbian bars across the U.S. Today, there are around 21 remaining. After learning that the rapidly disappearing bars were suffering even more during the pandemic, Award-Winning Filmmaker Erica Rose felt compelled to help her community out. She co-created The Lesbian Bar Project, which resulted in a viral fundraiser and a documentary to “celebrate, support, and preserve” the remaining lesbian bars in the U.S.

Listen to learn more about why lesbian spaces are so important and her mission to save the last remaining bars.

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Remembering 9/11: 20 Years Later Aug 30, 2021

On September 11, 2001, Jay Winuk lost his younger brother Glenn J. Winuk, an attorney, volunteer firefighter, and EMT, when he was killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center. Inspired by Glenn’s act of heroism, Jay co-founded MyGoodDeed, a nonprofit organization that successfully advocated for 9/11 to be designated as a “National Day of Service and Remembrance.”

Please join us for a special episode of All Inclusive as Jay discusses the 20th anniversary of 9/11, his brother’s legacy, and his passion for volunteering and national service.

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The Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Attempt Survivor Aug 16, 2021

***Trigger warning: The content in this episode deals with suicide. If you or anyone else you know is dealing with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.***
On September 24, 2000, 19-year old Kevin Hines attempted to take his own life by jumping off the Golden Gate Bridge. Miraculously, he survived the 220 ft jump thanks to a series of contributing factors, which included a sea lion keeping him afloat. Today, Kevin is an award-winning mental health activist, best-selling author, and documentarian. Listen to learn more about Kevin’s story of hope, healing, and recovery.

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Swiping Away Hunger Aug 02, 2021

1 in 3 college students face food insecurity nationally. In 2010, while an undergrad at UCLA, Rachel Sumekh noticed her fellow students were going hungry. She immediately sprung into action and founded Swipe Out Hunger, an organization that allows university students to donate their unused meal points to their peers and community members who are struggling with hunger. Today, they’re on more than 130 college campuses.

Listen to learn more about Rachel’s mission to eradicate hunger on college campuses one swipe at a time.

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The Tragic Toll of Cyberbullying Jul 19, 2021

Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that has become amplified over the last decade with the growth of digital technology. After Jane Clementi’s son, Tyler, ended his life due to a cruel cyberbullying incident, Jane and her husband established the Tyler Clementi Foundation to prevent bullying online and offline through education and inclusion. Listen to learn more about Jane's mission to protect vulnerable populations from the consequences of bullying.

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Striking Out Global Warming Jul 06, 2021

Brent Suter is best known as “The Raptor”, a successful baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. When he isn’t pitching or doing celebrity impressions for his teammates, Brent has his hands full trying to make baseball a more environmentally sustainable sport. Driven by his concern for a deteriorating climate, he founded Sidelining Carbon, which helps professional sports teams offset their carbon footprint. Listen to this latest episode of All-Inclusive to learn more about Brent’s passion for environmental activism.

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Protecting America’s Children from Gun Violence Jun 21, 2021

On December 14th, 2012, Adam Lanza entered Sandy Hook’s elementary school and shot and killed 26 children and staff members. This devastating event led Nicole Hockley, whose son died in the shooting, to establish the Sandy Hook Promise: an organization dedicated to preventing the next school shooting.

Photo Credit: Ian Brown.

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"Tackling White Supremacy in Court" Jun 07, 2021

In August of 2017 in Charlottesville, Virginia, the “Unite the Right” rally took place, bringing together large groups of white supremacists - from neo-nazis to Klansman. A group called Integrity First for America was born to make justice and fight white supremacy at court.
Amy Spitalnick, Executive Director of Integrity First, and famed attorney Roberta Kaplan are here to tell us how they are financialy crippling the racist movements in court.

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Stop the Bullying: Author and Gen. Z Activist Brandon Farbstein May 24, 2021

Brandon Farbstein was born with a very rare form of dwarfism, and as a high-school student was a victim of vicious bullying. Today, at 21, Brandon is an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker, author, and Generation Z activist.

Photo Credit: Andrew Kroll

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The Power of Feminism: Acclaimed Director Julie Taymor on Gloria Steinem May 10, 2021

Gloria Steinem was a key figure in the feminist movement from the 1960s to the present. Acclaimed director Julie Taymor, director of "The Glorias" - a movie about Gloria's life - talks about working with the iconic feminist herself and the major issues tackled by the feminist movement in our society.

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"Sports Gives Our Life a New Meaning" - Moran Samuel Apr 26, 2021

In 2006, Moran Samuel went to bed as a gifted, young, able-bodied athlete - and woke up paralyzed from the chest down. Ten years later, she was holding a bronze medal in the 2016 Rio Paralympics. Jay and Moran discuss her sudden spinal stroke, merging the Olympics and Paralympic Games, and equal opportunities to people with disabilities. Listen now!

Photo Credit: Detlev syeb, in courtesy of the Daniel Rowing center

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"Never In Anger" - Ruth Bader Ginsburg, with Director Julie Cohen Apr 13, 2021

'RBG', Julie Cohen & Betsy West's 2018 documentary about Justice Ginsburg, was the first documentary about a sitting Supreme Court Justice. Jay & Julie explore RBG's personal approach to legal activism, and her rise to Internet stardom.

Music Credits: "Ginsburg's Hobby Lobby Dissent," Jonathan Mann: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGfGsWR0mwM

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Sassy Show Stealer: Sammi Haney ('Esperanza', Netflix's Raising Dion) Mar 30, 2021

When Netflix was looking for a funny nine-year-old wheelchair user - there were those who said that no such thing exists. Sammi Haney, a bright and sassy kid who was born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta Type III (or "Brittle Bone Disease") proved them wrong. Listen now!

Episode image photo credit: Frank Ockenfels for Netflix

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Civil Rights Leader John Lewis and the Power Of Non-Violence with Brenda Jones Mar 15, 2021

For 15 years, Brenda Jones worked with late Congressman and Civil Rights icon John Lewis. Brenda talks with Jay about Lewis's legacy of non-violent activism and its effectiveness. Listen now!

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Justice is Blind: Richard Bernstein, Michigan Supreme Court Justice Mar 01, 2021

Richard Bernstein is the first blind Supreme Court Justice in Michigan. In his conversation with Jay, Richard talks about his pro-bono legal work towards improving the lives of people with disabilities, the 24 marathons he ran - and the surprising and destructive effect the COVID pandemic had on his life.

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Congressman Jim Langevin: "Disability Has The Power To Unite Us" Feb 15, 2021

In 1980, a tragic gun accident forever changed Jim Langevin's life, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. Forty years later, as the first quadriplegic to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives, Jim uses the uniting power of disability to bridge over the deep divides between Democrats & Republicans in Congress.

Enjoying the podcast? Please rate and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts - We appreciate your support.

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Bear-Crawling up Mt. Kilimanjaro: Extreme Athlete Kyle Maynard Feb 01, 2021

Born with all four of his limbs ending at the joints, Kyle Maynard nevertheless decided to become an athlete - and an extreme athlete at that. Kyle tells Jay his amazing personal story and the pitfalls and peaks along the way.

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Diversity in Television, with Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i Jan 18, 2021

Tiffany Smith-Anoa'i almost failed out of college - but she bounced back to become Executive Vice President at CBS, where she's working to include more minorities and people with disabilities in new productions.

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