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 interviews iconic guests who have gone through adversity and harnessed their experiences to better the world. This show ultimately offers the message of hope that we need to keep going. All About Change is a production of the Ruderman Family Foundation. Listen and subscribe to All About Change wherever you get podcasts. https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

  1. Jeffrey Marsh: The Joyful Activism of Self-Love and Gender Identity

    12/22/2025

    Jeffrey Marsh: The Joyful Activism of Self-Love and Gender Identity

    For nearly two decades Jeffrey Marsh has been a representative and advocate for LGBTQ people of all stripes. Whether on Vine, Tik Tok or Instagram, Jeffrey has built success on simple videos helping straight and LGBTQ people attain a lasting sense of peace and self-compassion.  Jeffrey is the first non-binary person  to sign a book deal with any “Big 5” publisher worldwide, and they have since written two books, “How to Be You: Stop Trying to Be Someone Else and Start Living Your Life” and “Take Your Own Advice: Learn to Trust Your Inner Voice and Start Helping Yourself.” Jay and Jeffrey explore the anxiety in wanting to do right by other people, the different valences of Jeffrey’s advice to the LGBTQ community and much more. Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Episode Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:12 The physical feeling of anxiety 4:50 How should parents think about Jeffrey’s estrangement from their family 7:30 How has LGBTQ activism changed during Jeffrey’s career in activism 8:45 The hateful practice of demonizing other people 16:12 Internal vs external activism 19:29 The power in living a joyful life 23:31 Self-help when your trouble is caused by other people 24:59 Outro and goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at https://www.walmart.com/ip/Find-Your-Fight-Make-Your-Voice-Heard-for-the-Causes-That-Matter-Most-Hardcover-9781963827071/10817862336

    29 min
  2. Alex Ryvchin: The resilience of Australian Jewry

    12/08/2025

    Alex Ryvchin: The resilience of Australian Jewry

    Alex Ryvchin is co-Chief Executive Officer of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, the author of internationally acclaimed books of history and politics, and a best-selling children’s author. Over the past twelve years he has been a fierce advocate for the Australian Jewish community and Israel. His advocacy and writing has seen him recognised as Australian of the Year for 2024 by The Australian newspaper, as one of 25 global Jewish visionaries by The Jerusalem Post and ranked 38th in the Daily Telegraph’s  Power 100 for 2024. He is the recipient of the 2025 B’nai B’rith Human Rights Award, and I’m so excited to have him on the show today.   Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Episode Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:09 What are the unique needs of the Australian Jewish community? 3:57 How have Australia’s holocaust survivors been managing? 6:10 Recent attacks on Jewish Australians 9:57 Jewish Australia’s greatest allies 17:10 Jewish Australia’s biggest achievements 19:18 Alex’s career as a young leader 23:32 Alex’s family of refuseniks 25:12 Hope for the future of Australian Jewry 26:51 Outro and Goodbye For video episodes, watch on⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation⁠⁠⁠ Stay in touch: X:⁠⁠⁠ @JayRuderman⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠ @RudermanFdn⁠⁠⁠ LinkedIn:⁠⁠⁠ Jay Ruderman⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠⁠⁠ All About Change Podcast⁠⁠⁠ |⁠⁠⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠⁠⁠ To learn more about the podcast, visit⁠⁠⁠ https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠ Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    30 min
  3. Jonah Platt: 'Being Jewish' in Hollywood and Ending the "Bad Jew" Myth

    11/24/2025

    Jonah Platt: 'Being Jewish' in Hollywood and Ending the "Bad Jew" Myth

    "Bad Jews." It’s a label thrown around all too often, deepening divides and alienating those seeking connection. For actor, advocate, and podcaster Jonah Platt, it’s time to retire the term and focus on what actually strengthens the Jewish community: radical inclusivity. In this episode, the host of the award-winning Being Jewish with Jonah Platt podcast joins Jay to discuss his journey from the stage to becoming a leading voice for Jewish pride. They dive into the complex history of Jews in Hollywood—exploring why authentic representation remains a struggle—and why "coloring outside the lines" is the best way to build modern Jewish institutions. Plus, Jonah breaks down his "Mosaic Shabbat" initiative and shares details on his upcoming film, The Mensch. Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Episode Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:33 Being Jewish with Jonah Platt’s successful first season 3:04 Are Jews in Hollywood comfortable being outwardly Jewish? 11:35 The value of accurate Jewish culture in TV and film 17:04 Why are Jews calling other Jews “Bad Jews” 21:38 Balancing making new Jewish projects and investing in classic Jewish institutions 25:18 Jonah’s next project, The Mensch 28:52 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/⁠⁠ Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    31 min
  4. AJ Edelman: The National Mission of an Olympic Athlete

    11/10/2025

    AJ Edelman: The National Mission of an Olympic Athlete

    There is a notion that observant Jews don’t have a chance to be professional athletes. The notion that Shabbat is an impediment and a sheer lack of role models make it hard for young athletes to find their way to elite sport. AJ Edelman is one of the trailblazing athletes working to change those conditions. Without any of the supports offered by the classic winter-olympic pipeline, he taught himself the dangerous art of skeleton from watching YouTube videos and went on to compete for Israel in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. Since then, he has built out the Israeli bobsledding program, recruiting athletes and sponsors, and pushing his team to reach the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. Jay and AJ discuss the challenging logistics of building an Olympic program from scratch, and the unique set of restrictions and responsibilities AJ feels as a chosen representative of the State of Israel. Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Episode Chapters 0:00 Intro 2:35 How AJ became a sled athlete and chose Skeleton and Bobsled 9:14 Has AJ always wanted to be an advocate for the Jewish people? 12:04 AJ loves to inspire the next generation 14:50 Activism as a national athlete 18:35 How do other athletes relate to AJ’s activism? 22:52 How do fans relate to AJ’s activism? 24:53 Campaigns to bar Israel from international athletic competition 29:27 What would making the 2026 Olympics mean to AJ and Israel 32:49 Outro and goodbye For video episodes, watch on⁠ ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation⁠ Stay in touch: X:⁠ @JayRuderman⁠ |⁠ @RudermanFdn⁠ LinkedIn:⁠ Jay Ruderman⁠ |⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠ Instagram:⁠ All About Change Podcast⁠ |⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠ To learn more about the podcast, visit⁠ https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/⁠ Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    36 min
  5. Abraham Hamra: A Syrian Jew Challenging Stereotypes

    10/27/2025

    Abraham Hamra: A Syrian Jew Challenging Stereotypes

    Abraham Hamra knows the historic plight of the Jewish diaspora better than most. At six years old he was separated from much of his family, unsure if he’d ever see his grandparents again.  He was among the last Jews left in Syria, and just a year after announcing Jews could leave Syria for the US, the Assad regime reversed course, and said the remaining Jews were stuck. Abraham and his family were trapped. Eventually, the policy was reversed and Abraham was able to reconnect with his family in the US, and eventually with the rest of his extended family living in Israel. Now, alongside a successful career as a lawyer, Abraham advocates for Israel on social media and on the streets of New York. He speaks widely about not letting Jews get bullied anymore, and he lives what he preaches. It’s time to hear some motivation from one of the strongest — and loudest — Jewish voices in America. Abraham and Jay talk about how, in America, Abraham has grasped and now wields Jewish strength, how he teaches other Jews to do the same. Abraham shares about the support he has received from his professional colleagues, and the shocking lawsuit he has had to file to protect his reputation. Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Episode Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:19 How do Abraham’s colleagues feel about hist social media presence and activism? 3:31 Coming at anti-semitism from a Jewish-Arab POV 6:42 Abraham’s lawsuit against Al-Jazeera 13:47 Beit Debate 17:58 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/ Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    21 min
  6. Lizzy Savetsky: Doubling Down on Israel

    10/13/2025

    Lizzy Savetsky: Doubling Down on Israel

    [Episode Recorded on September 11, 2025] Lizzy Savetsky is an influencer who has been a staple of pro-Israel social media since October 7th, 2023.  Prior to October 7th, Lizzy had advocated for Israel alongside other causes, including supporting Jewish women who experienced miscarriages and sobriety, but after October 7th,  she turned her focus entirely to Israel advocacy. At first this change in content cost Lizzy tens of thousands of followers and management, only for her following to balloon with her strong commitment to her values. Lizzy has experienced many costs and unseen benefits from sticking to her values and advocating for Israel. She and Jay discuss those changes in her life through the lens of “finding your no” in activism, a topic Jay writes about in his book Find Your Fight. Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation. For video episodes, watch on⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Episode Chapters 0:00 Intro 02:04 Lizzy has always seen herself as an activist 03:58 Lizzy has had to drastically change her life because of her Israel activism 07:59 How Lizzy found her no 12:10 Joining World Zionist Congress 15:41 What does Lizzy think her impact is? 19:06 Outro and goodbye⁠⁠ Stay in touch: X:⁠⁠ @JayRuderman⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ @RudermanFdn⁠⁠ LinkedIn:⁠⁠ Jay Ruderman⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠⁠ All About Change Podcast⁠⁠ |⁠⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠⁠ To learn more about the podcast, visit⁠⁠ https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/⁠⁠ Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    22 min
  7. Emma's Torch’s Kerry Brodie: Cooking Up a New Life for Refugees

    09/29/2025

    Emma's Torch’s Kerry Brodie: Cooking Up a New Life for Refugees

    Kerry Brodie is the founder and Executive Director of Emma’s Torch, a non-profit social enterprise that provides refugees with culinary training and employability, equity and empowerment training. Kerry came up with the idea for  Emma’s Torch while volunteering at a DC homeless shelter and made the connection between refugees looking for employment, and reports of understaffing in restaurants.  Since its founding in 2016, Emma’s Torch has locations in New York City and recently opened in Washington D.C. and students of the culinary program have gone on to work all over in the restaurant industry.  Kerry and Jay talk about America’s history as a nation of refugees and how the organization is managing the current backlash that refugees in America and other countries are facing. Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation. For video episodes, watch on⁠ ⁠⁠www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation⁠ Stay in touch: X:⁠ @JayRuderman⁠ |⁠ @RudermanFdn⁠ LinkedIn:⁠ Jay Ruderman⁠ |⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠ Instagram:⁠ All About Change Podcast⁠ |⁠ Ruderman Family Foundation⁠ To learn more about the podcast, visit⁠ https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/⁠ Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    31 min
  8. Kalina Silverman: Creating Human Connection in a Disconnected World Through Big Talk

    09/15/2025

    Kalina Silverman: Creating Human Connection in a Disconnected World Through Big Talk

    Kalina Silverman is a documentary journalist, entrepreneur, speaker, and creator of Big Talk — an award-winning viral media project that highlights meaningful conversations to foster empathy and human connection. Over the years, people worldwide have shared how Big Talk transformed their lives—from reconnecting with estranged family members and finding love to opening up at work, overcoming depression, finding hope after experiencing loss, and discovering their true purpose. Inspired by this impact, Big Talk evolved into a global initiative to help people connect more openly and meaningfully. Part of The Ruderman family foundation’s mission statement is “we work to end the stigma surrounding mental health and promote emotional well-being for all” and Kalina is an ally in that project, working on her own towards that same end. Jay and Kalina talk about how we must connect with each other to make sure we can support each other in hard times, and much much more. Today's episode was produced by Tani Levitt and Mijon Zulu. To check out more episodes or to learn more about the show, you can visit our website Allaboutchangepodcast.com. If you like our show, spread the word, tell a friend or family member, or leave us a review on your favorite podcasting app. We really appreciate it. All About Change is produced by the Ruderman Family Foundation. Episode Chapters 0:00 Intro 1:15 The state of loneliness in 2025 2:41 Big Talk — a grassroots global movement 5:40 Talking to people about difficult subjects 12:09 Stopping the rush of life to talk to people 14:58 Kalina’s new book and recognizing your own impact 21:27 Leaving journalism to make Big Talk 24:57 Losing federal funding  27:12 Goodbye For video episodes, watch on www.youtube.com/@therudermanfamilyfoundation Stay in touch: X: @JayRuderman | @RudermanFdn LinkedIn: Jay Ruderman | Ruderman Family Foundation Instagram: All About Change Podcast | Ruderman Family Foundation To learn more about the podcast, visit https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/ Jay’s brand new book, Find Your Fight, in which Jay teaches the next generation of activists and advocates how to step up and bring about lasting change. You can find Find Your Fight wherever you buy your books, and you can learn more about it at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.jayruderman.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

    32 min
4.6
out of 5
258 Ratings

About

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 interviews iconic guests who have gone through adversity and harnessed their experiences to better the world. This show ultimately offers the message of hope that we need to keep going. All About Change is a production of the Ruderman Family Foundation. Listen and subscribe to All About Change wherever you get podcasts. https://allaboutchangepodcast.com/

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