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

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

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro 

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

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

(06:28) The invigorating nature of helping others

(07:55) Meeting shifting needs during a war

(12:44) Coordinating with other aid groups 

(17:50) Minimizing overhead 

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

(24:25) Supporting Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad 

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

(28:38) Goodbye and Outro

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

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

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro 

(01:10) Vicki’s origin story

(02:40) What is “unhoused youth?”

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

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

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

(14:55) Vicki’s new book

(16:48) How Vicki builds trust

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

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

(27:53) Starting Right, Now alumni

(29:10) Goodbye

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

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

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

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro 

(00:51) The connection between dogs and humans

(03:30) The impact of Lee’s childhood

(08:01) Resilience

(15:38) Lee’s unconventional career path

(20:19) The animal adoption RV

(25:22) Lee moves to social media

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

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

(34:12) How to get involved

(35:52) Goodbye

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

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

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Peter Egan

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

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

(06:15) Bile extraction from Moon Bears

(11:31) Peter says Zoos need to go

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

(22:23) Peter’s path to being a vegan

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

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

(37:40) How can people get involved

(40:07) Conclusion and Credits

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

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

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Mia Silverman

(00:41) Mia Discovers Her Severe Allergies

(03:32) Understanding and Testing for Allergies

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

(06:48) Experiencing Bullying Due to Allergies

(09:25) Mia Goes Viral

(13:03) Navigating Daily Life with Allergies

(19:09) Traveling with Severe Allergies

(23:09) Social Media Advocacy

(27:43) Future Goals and Advocacy Efforts

(31:11) Conclusion and Credits

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Stay in touch:

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

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

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Montana Tucker

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

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

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

(11:33) Dealing with backlash and hate

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

(15:32) Visiting the Nova Festival site 

(18:02) How Montana starts conversations with others

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

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

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

(30:06) Conclusion and Credits

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

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

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Dr. Michelle Oakley

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

(03:05) Encouragement and Role Models

(05:25) Pursuing a Career in Veterinary Medicine

(07:43) Challenges and Adventures in Wildlife Care

(11:52) Family Involvement in Veterinary Work

(15:43) Dr. Oakley’s Leap into TV

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

(20:18) Using Innovative Treatments in Veterinary Medicine

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

(25:25) Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife

(28:10) Sustainable Living in Remote Areas

(30:22) Supporting Wildlife Organizations

(32:17) Leveraging Her TV Show for Good

(35:03) Conclusion and Credits

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Stay in touch:

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

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

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Amanda Jones

(00:20) The Role of Libraries in Communities

(01:45) Misconceptions About Curating Library Content

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

(10:27) Facing Backlash for Speaking Out

(13:14) Ongoing Legal Battles

(16:28) Mental Health and Support Systems

(20:32) National Perspective on Book Bans

(21:41) The Importance of Representation in Literature

(24:19) Political Influence on Libraries

(27:29) Non-Profit Initiatives for Libraries

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

(32:14) Conclusion and Credits

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

Stay in touch:

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

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

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Intro to Princess Noor Pahlavi

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

(06:54) The Current Islamic Regime in Iran

(10:33) Life for Iranians Under the Regime

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

(22:40) Advocacy for Iranian Women Abroad

(25:04) Noor’s Work at Acumen

(27:52) Leveraging Her Platform for Change

(29:04) Conclusion and Credits

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

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

Episode Chapters

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

(01:19) Bugha’s Early Gaming Days

(03:55) Bugha Discovers Fortnite

(07:54) Winning the Fortnite World Cup

(10:49) The Challenges of Fame

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

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

(34:14) Philanthropy: Using Fame for Good

(37:11) Conclusion and Credits

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

Stay in touch:

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

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

Episode Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

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

(06:44) Breaking into Hollywood

(14:00) Challenges and Triumphs in Hollywood

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

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

(30:18) Becoming a Producer

(35:10) Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts

(38:27) Conclusion and Credits

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

Stay in touch:

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