All About Change

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

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

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

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

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