All About Change
Jay Ruderman
How do we build an inclusive world? Hear intimate and in-depth conversations with changemakers on disability rights, youth mental health advocacy, prison reform, grassroots activism, and more. First-hand stories about activism, change, and courage from people who are changing the world: from how a teen mom became the Planned Parenthood CEO, to NBA player Kevin Love on mental health in professional sports, to Beetlejuice actress Geena Davis on Hollywood’s role in women’s rights. All About Change is hosted by Jay Ruderman, whose life’s work is seeking social justice and inclusion for people with disabilities worldwide. Join Jay as he in...
Tyler Merritt - Before You Call the Cops, Storytelling and Empathy Driven Social Justice
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
Joe Bates - Indigenous Resistance Against Big Oil
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, th
Yuriy Boyechko - Hope for Ukraine in 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 ha
Vicki Sokolik - Fighting for Unhoused Youth
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 a
Lee Asher - How Rescuing Dogs Rescue Us
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, resilienc
Peter Egan - International Animal Activism
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 suppor
Mia Silverman - Allergy Activism: Navigating Life and Speaking Out
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
Montana Tucker - From Auschwitz to Advocacy
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-surv
Dr. Michelle Oakley - Treating Wildlife in the Wild
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 wil
Amanda Jones - Standing Up Against Book Bans
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 p
Princess Noor Pahlavi - Advocating for a Democratic Iran
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
Bugha - Navigating Fame, Fortnite, and Family
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 service
Octavia Spencer - A Catalyst for Change in Hollywood
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 s
Sophie Trudeau - Breaking Generational Cycles of Trauma
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
Torrey DeVitto - Speaking Out with Love for Women and Reproductive Rights
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 ad
Erin Brockovich - Fighting for Safe Water
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
Bill Courtney - Undefeated Football Coach's Guide to Building a Better Community
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
Lee Asher - How Rescuing Dogs Rescues Us
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
Jason Collins - First Out: Being Openly Gay in a Major Team Sport
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. F
Ronald E. Richter - Fighting for Children at Risk
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 syste
Shane Burcaw - Proud to be Disabled
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 sa
Brett Gelman - Hollywood Speaking out Against Antisemitism
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 c
Ed Begley Jr - How to Keep Your Planet and Pocketbook Healthy
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 alcoholis
Jane Velez-Mitchell - Sober and Vegan for the Planet
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 Ruder
Troy Kotsur - Advocating for Onscreen Authenticity
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
The Black Mambas: Women Saving Rhinos and Elephants from Extinction
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 p
Bobby Farrelly - Directing for a more Inclusive Hollywood
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, an
Michael Maren - The Road to Hell and the Pitfalls of Food Aid
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 ai
Julianna Margulies - The Vital Importance of Holocaust Education
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
Nas Daily and Bringing His Life From Good to Great
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 l
Fran Drescher - Kicking Cancer to the Curb
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. Please fill out the
Chrissy Beckles - Giving New Life to Stray Dogs in Puerto Rico
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
Chelsea Miller - Freedom March NYC and Building an Intersectional Grassroots Movement
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
J.R. Martinez - A Veteran’s Advocacy Journey from a Military Burn Unit to the Dance Floor
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 adv
Le Roy Torres - Veterans Speak Out on the Dangers of Burn Pits
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
Linor Attias - An Israeli First Responder on the Front Lines of Massacre in Israel
Listen to this special episode of All About Change as Linor gives an intimate look at the aftermath of Hamas' attack on Israel.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jas Boothe - Standing Up For Female Veterans
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
Katie Barnes - Sports and Debates About Gender Identity
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 bo
Emily Penn - Microplastics, Ocean Pollution, And Female Health
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 r
Jean Wiener - Revitalizing Haiti’s Coastlines
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 eff
Lek Chailert - Rescuing Asian Elephants
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
Genesis Butler - Amplifying Youth Activism
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 Yo
Noa Tishby - On Antisemitism
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 onlin
Evon Benson-Idahosa - Modern Day Slavery
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 he
Dr. Benjamin Gilmer - The Tale of Two Gilmers
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. F
Kris Henning - The Over-Policing of Brown and Black Youth
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 defen
Olivier Bernier - My Son Deserves to Be Included
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
Meggie Palmer - Closing the Gender Pay Gap
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
Deborah Lipstat - Confronting Antisemitism
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
Meg Appelgate - The Troubled Teen Industry
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 be
Lise Deguirre - Trauma and Resilience
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
Jason Docton - Gaming to Save lives
**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. No
Katy Sullivan - Breaking Barriers
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
Eleanor Reissa - My Life is Revenge for The Holocaust
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 mo
Becky Margiotta - Housing 100,000 Houseless
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
Niambe McIntosh - Head of Peter Tosh Legacy & Brand on Cannabis Legalization and Justice System Reform
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 Aw
Geena Davis - Dying of Politeness
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
Ben Freeman: Gay, Jewish, & Proud
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
Special Episode: Iranian Hijab Protests with Guest Hadi Ghaemi
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
Zack Gottsagen - Conquering Hollywood
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 du
Gloria Feldt - Feminist Icon
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 -
Kevin Hines - Surviving & Thriving
**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 th
Anastasia Vlasova – Gen Z Mental Health Advocate
**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 a
Jason Kander – Veteran and Public Figure
**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
Erica Rose - Co-creator & Co-director of The Lesbian Bar
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, su
Eric Marcus - Founder and Host of Making Gay History
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
Saving Britney Spears - Tess Barker and Babs Gray, Co-hosts of the Britney's Gram and Toxic Podcasts
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 pod
Tiahna Pantovich - Military Veteran, Therapist, and Activist
**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
Niambe McIntosh - Head of Peter Tosh Legacy & Brand on Cannabis Legalization and Justice System Reform
“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 fiv
Maria Garcia - Host of Anything for Selena on the Life & Legacy of Selena Quintanilla
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
All About Change - trailer (announcement!)
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Losing a Child to America’s Gun Violence – Nicole Hockley
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, 201
Sophie Riegel, Author of Don’t Tell Me to Relax!
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 advocat
Dr. Vladyslava Kachkovska of Sumy, Ukraine
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 ou
Kevin Love – Professional Basketball Star, Mental Health Advocate, & Founder of the Kevin Love Fund
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 m
Sergiy Gamaliy - Governor of Khmelnytskyi Oblast, Ukraine
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.&nb
Dara Horn – Author of 'People Love Dead Jews'
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, D
ERIC GARCIA - Journalist & Author of We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation
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 misconcep
Ron Suskind – Influencer at the Top of His Game: Oscar-nominated Don’t Look Up Producer & Pulitzer Prize-Winner
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.
Hollywood Isn’t Just for the Boys
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
Breaking Down Barriers for Disabled Actors
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 wr
Ending the Rape Kit Backlog
**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
Advocating for the Wrongfully Convicted
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
Is Antisemitism Part of American Politics?
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&nbs
Confronting Antisemitism Series: Part I
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 Antisemitis
Fat Activism and the Fight for Social Justice
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.&nbs
Creating a More Diverse Hollywood
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
Fran is Just FINE
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 tra
Saving America’s Lesbian Bars
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 ab
Remembering 9/11: 20 Years Later
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
The Golden Gate Bridge Suicide Attempt Survivor
***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 a
Swiping Away Hunger
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 co
The Tragic Toll of Cyberbullying
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.See omnystudio.com/listener fo
Striking Out Global Warming
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 B
Protecting America’s Children from Gun Violence
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Tackling White Supremacy in Court"
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy i
Stop the Bullying: Author and Gen. Z Activist Brandon Farbstein
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 KrollSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Power of Feminism: Acclaimed Director Julie Taymor on Gloria Steinem
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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Sports Gives Our Life a New Meaning" - Moran Samuel
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 centerSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
"Never In Anger" - Ruth Bader Ginsburg, with Director Julie Cohen
'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=ZGfGsWR0mwMSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Sassy Show Stealer: Sammi Haney ('Esperanza', Netflix's Raising Dion)
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 NetflixSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Civil Rights Leader John Lewis and the Power Of Non-Violence with Brenda Jones
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!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Justice is Blind: Richard Bernstein, Michigan Supreme Court Justice
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Congressman Jim Langevin: "Disability Has The Power To Unite Us"
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Bear-Crawling up Mt. Kilimanjaro: Extreme Athlete Kyle Maynard
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Diversity in Television, with Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i
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.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 4, Episode 3: Holiday Special Featuring Acclaimed Filmmakers Peter and Bobby Farrelly Part 2
Listen to the second part of the All Inclusive with Jay Ruderman holiday special featuring Peter and Bobby Farrelly! Tune in to hear more about what authentic representation in the entertainment industry means to them! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 4, Episode 2: Holiday Special Featuring Acclaimed Filmmakers Peter and Bobby Farrelly Part 1
Check out the two-part holiday special of All Inclusive with Jay Ruderman featuring award-winning film directors and producers, Peter and Bobby Farrelly! Join Jay, Peter, and Bobby as they discuss inclusion in the entertainment industry and why authentic representation of people with disabilities is so important! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 4, Episode 1: Boston City Councilwoman and Rising Political Star Michelle Wu
On this special episode of All Inclusive with Jay Ruderman, Jay is joined by Boston City Councilwoman and rising political star, Michelle Wu! Listen as Michelle speaks about her experiences, and the stigmas she faced, as the first Asian-American woman to sit on the Boston City Council and the first woman of color to chair the council.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 14: Author and Political Scientist, Norman Ornstein on Covid-19, Mental Health and the November Election
On the Season 3 Finale Jay speaks with Norman Ornstein, American author and Political Scientist. Norman has spent the better part of his life working as a Washington insider and in recent years has observed the Republican-Democrat party divide deepen at an alarming rate. Join Jay and Norman as they discuss the impact of Covid-19 on American politics and what that means for the coming November election. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 13: Beauty Vlogger Shalom Blac on Her Rise to Internet Stardom
On this episode of All Inclusive, Jay speaks with special guest, Beauty Vlogger Shalom Blac! At the age of nine, Shalom became a burn victim leaving her face permanently scarred. Today she has nearly 1.5 million subscribers on her Youtube channel and is well known in the beauty industry all throughout the world. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 12: Travel Blogger Cory Lee on Traveling the World with Muscular Atrophy
On this episode of All Inclusive Jay speaks with travel blogger Cory Lee. Cory was diagnosed with muscular atrophy at a young age, but that never affected his passion for travel. He now runs the blog Curb Free with Cory Lee which has been featured on CBS, New Mobility magazine and received the 2019 Society of Travel Writers Award. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 11: Twenty-Three Time Paralympic Medalist, Jessica Long
On this episode of All Inclusive, Jay has special guest, twenty-three time Paralympic Medalist, Jessica Long! Join Jay and Jessica as they discuss how quarantine is impacting her training, the cheating scandal in the Paralympics, her training with Olympians, and why she dedicated her life to swimming. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 10: President of Harvard, Lawrence Bacow
On the new episode, Jay has special guest, Lawrence Bacow, the President of Harvard University! Join Jay and Lawrence as they talk about COVID 19, mental health, and how Harvard is handling issues surrounding racial injustice!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 9: President of the Ford Foundation Darren Walker Talks Black Lives Matter Movement and Social Activism
On the new episode of All Inclusive Jay speaks with special guest, Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic organizations in the world. Jay and Darren discuss the lack of minority representation in corporate America, the Black Lives Matter movement and the importance of social activism in today’s world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 8: ADA 30th Anniversary Special with Leading Disability Rights Activist Judy Heumann
In honor of the 30th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, join Jay and his guest Judy Heumann for a special episode of All Inclusive. Judy is one of Time Magazine's 100 Women of the Century and a leading disability rights activist. Join Jay and Judy as they discuss her beginnings in activism that led up to the passage of the landmark civil rights legislation for people with disabilities in the United States.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 7: President of Massachusetts General Hospital Dr. Peter Slavin on Covid-19 and When We Can Expect a Vaccine
On the new episode of All Inclusive, Jay has special guest, Dr. Peter Slavin, President of Massachusetts General Hospital. Jay and Peter discuss the potential for a vaccine for Covid19 on the horizon and the impact of the pandemic on society and the medical community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 6: Judy Woodruff Talks Journalism and Inclusion
On this episode of All Inclusive, Broadcast Journalist Judy Woodruff from PBS Newshour joins Jay to discuss her remarkable career in journalism, journalism during Covid-19, and her work in inclusion. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 5: Emmy Award Winning TV Host Zuri Hall talks Inclusion in Hollywood and the Journalism Industry
On this episode of All Inclusive Jay talks to Emmy Award winning TV Host from Access Hollywood and Ninja Warrior, Zuri Hall. Jay and Zuri discuss inclusion in the entertainment industry, what it’s like to work in journalism, and the future of the industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 4: How Will The Business World Bounce Back After the COVID-19 Pandemic with Richard Marriott
Host Hotels & Resorts Chairman Richard Marriott joins Jay to discuss how businesses will come back after the COVID-19 pandemic, the Richard E. and Nancy P. Marriott Foundation and the Bridges program, and his career path and how he got to where he is today. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 3: Emmy-nominated actress Cheryl Hines from 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Talks Acting, Inclusion and...Poker
Emmy-nominated actress Cheryl Hines joins Jay to talk about her acting career, working with Larry David, 'Curb Your Enthusiasm,' inclusion, and her poker face.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 2: A Conversation with Boston Red Sox Executive Director Bekah Salwasser
Jay and Bekah discuss the Boston Red Sox Foundation, her career path from high school to college to professional soccer, and how she ended up at the Red Sox Foundation, the IMPACT Awards and everything in between. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 3, Episode 1: Fair Resource Allocation During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Case for People with Disabilities and Equality of Consideration
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world unlike anything else since the Spanish Flu over 100 years ago. Healthcare professionals have been put in a very difficult situation, and have to make very difficult decisions on which patients receive treatment and equipment and which patients do not. Jay talks with Dominic Sisti, PhD, MBE. Dr. Sisti is an assistant professor and director of the Scattergood Program for Applied Ethics of Behavioral Health Care in the Department of Medical Ethics & Heal
Season 2, Episode 10: Will New York City Become the Most Accessible City in the World?
Do you think New York City can be the most accessible city in the world? That’s Victor Calise’s goal. He’s the Commissioner for the New York City Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities, and Jay spoke with him about how his disability catapulted him into his professional journey. They discussed what accessibility on a broad scale means, and how his office is tackling big-picture accessibility issues in the city such as disability employment, accessible transportation and accessible technolog
Season 2, Episode 9: Special Interview with World-Famous Doctor and Social Media Sensation Dr. Mike
Jay meets Doctor Mikhail Varshavski, a.k.a. “Dr. Mike”, at MIT where he takes part in a unique program focusing on social justice in the digital age. Dr. Mike discusses the evolution of his social media presence and shares how he uses entertainment as a way to teach people about medicine on social media.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 2, Episode 8: Special Interview with Social Media Sensation, Chris Ulmer
Jay meets SBSK founder Chris Ulmer at MIT, where he takes part in a unique program focusing on social justice in the digital age. Ulmer shares his inspiring path towards millions of subscribers and shares with Jay the unexpected tools we can all use to advance our causes through social media.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 2, Episode 7: Diversity and Inclusion in Major League Baseball
From pioneer for inclusion as a major league athlete to champion for diversity in a leadership position at MLB. Baseball legend Billy Bean is joining Jay for an intimate and candid conversation. Together, they discuss diversity and disability inclusion in baseball, the steps leading to the historic change from DL to IL, and reveal the new MLB mental health approach.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 2, Episode 6: Disability in Theatre and Entertainment
The first-ever national disability theatre is spreading across the country and its co-founder, actor with autism Mickey Rowe is joining Jay for a one-on-one with exciting newsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 2, Episode 5: Diversity & Inclusion in Medicine
While the push for diversity in the medical profession is bigger than ever before, disability is not included. Jay is joined by Dr. Cheri Blauwet, a renowned physician and a wheelchair user, to discuss the major barriers confronting people with disabilities who pursue careers in medicine.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 2, Episode 4: Fighting for Authentic Representation in Hollywood
While 20% of our society has a disability, less than 5% of actors on screen are disabled. Jay is joined by actor, comedian, and activist for the disability rights movement, Danny Woodburn and together they shed a light on the multiple challenges of actors with disabilities in the entertainment industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 2, Episode 3: The Crisis in the Ivy League School
There is an epidemic of mental illness on college campuses across the country. Joined by Ruderman Family Foundation program officer, Dr. Miriam Heyman, Jay reveals the alarming facts every student should keep in mind.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 2, Episode 2: The Silent Murders in America
Hundreds of people with disabilities are killed by their caregivers every year and yet, we are rarely exposed to those tragic stories in the media. Jay is joined by David Perry, a senior academic advisor to the Department of History at the University of Minnesota and disability-rights reporter, to discuss the facts and the concerning lack of media exposure on this issue.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 2, Episode 1: Mental Health and Suicide of First Responders
On this episode of All Inclusive, Jay is Joined by Dr. Miriam Heyman, Ruderman Foundation senior program officer and author of the nationally discussed Ruderman White Paper on mental health and suicide of first responders. Together they reveal the findings behind this growing crisis.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 1, Episode 6: Andy Imparato: How Can the Disability Community Become More Impactful?
1 in 5 people in the U.S. has a disability, a large community that can lead change and shatter the culture of ableism. In this episode of ALL INCLUSIVE, Jay is joined by Andy Imparato, executive director of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, to untangle the conflicts preventing the disability community from moving forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 1, Episode 5: Interview with Deaf Singer Mandy Harvey
Award winning singer songwriter and ukulele player, Mandy Harvey is joining Jay in a special one-on-one interview to discuss her successful journey as a deaf musician. In 2011, Mandy won VSA’s Top Young Soloist Award. As a successful performer touring thought the U.S. in 2017, she became a household name after winning the 4th place on America’s Got Talent. In addition, Harvey is an Ambassador of the nonprofit organization No Barriers where she inspires and assists others to break through their p
Season 1, Episode 4: Paralympic Athletes’ Fight for Equal Medal Payout
Until a few weeks ago, Paralympic Athletes earned only 1/5th the amount of money for winning a medal, compared to their Team USA counterparts. On this episode, Jay uncovers the story behind this historic fight for equality and justice. Jay is joined by Paralympian Jenny Sichel and Link20 Advocacy Coordinator, Meir Zimmerman, who provide an exclusive insight into the successful efforts of Paralympian athletes to be valued as equal.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 1, Episode 3: Can Playing Football Lead Your Child to Develop a Disability?
In this fascinating episode of ALL INCLUSIVE, Jay interviews Dr. Michael Alosco of the Boston University CTE Center. Together they will uncover the real and alarming facts surrounding this hotly debated topic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 1, Episode 2: How can Self-Driving Cars Transform the Lives of People with Disabilities?
Self-Driving cars are not just the future, it's a game-changer for people with disabilities. On episode 2 of All Inclusive, Jay is joined by experts Dr. Miriam Heyman, Senior Program Officer at The Ruderman Family Foundation, and Amitai Bin-Nun, VP of Autonomous Vehicles at SAFE, to discuss the impact Autonomous Vehicles can have on more than 6 million Americans with disabilities.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Season 1, Episode 1: Disability Rights vs The Environment - Why the Ban on Straws is so Controversial
Welcome to the first episode of All Inclusive, a podcast by Jay Ruderman on inclusion, innovation, and social justice. In this episode, Jay is joined by environmental and disability rights expert Robyn Powell to explore why the ban on straws is so controversial.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.