Chris Nowinski is a former football player at Harvard University and professional wrestler with WWE, World Wrestling Entertainment. 

After enduring a career-ending head injury, Chris has dedicated his professional life to serving patients and families affected by brain trauma, particularly Chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that develops after repeated head injuries.

Jay and Chris discuss the state of head injuries in American athletics, the difference between advocating for head safety at youth and professional levels, Chris’ newest research, and much more.

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro

(00:50) changes in the culture around concussions in the past two decades

(02:39) padded helmet technology

(03:55) concussion reporting in the NFL

(10:35) Chris’ career path and concussion history

(14:52) connecting with activists who haven’t themselves suffered a traumatic brain injury

(17:42) SHAAKE - a new sign to identify concussions

(20:53) Unions can help players advocate for safety policies

(23:10) final thoughts and goodbye

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

Stay in touch:

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LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

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

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

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

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

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

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

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

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

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

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

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

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

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

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

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

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

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

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

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

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

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

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

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

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

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

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

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

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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

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

Stay in touch:

X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn

LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation

Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.