Best Pitfall Gary Podcasts (2025)

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Jonah Platt: 'Being Jewish' in Hollywood and Ending the "Bad Jew" Myth 31:28

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7d ago31:28

31:28

"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 p…

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AJ Edelman: The National Mission of an Olympic Athlete 35:36

14d ago35:36

35:36

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 th…

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Trick or Terror: The Halloween Candy Scare of the 1980s 22:19

1M ago22:19

22:19

🎃Trick or Terror: The Halloween Candy Scare of the 1980s🍬 Halloween night, 1980s, the streets were full of ghosts, goblins, clowns and one unshakable fear: poisoned candy. If you were a kid in the '70s and ’80s you remember it, your parents inspecting every piece of candy bar and throwing out the homemade treats. Did apples contain hidden razor bla…

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Abraham Hamra: A Syrian Jew Challenging Stereotypes 20:53

1M ago20:53

20:53

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 remai…

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Lizzy Savetsky: Doubling Down on Israel 22:05

2M ago22:05

22:05

[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 entir…

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000 - Introduction to Gen X Archives 6:05

2M ago6:05

6:05

Welcome to Gen X Archives, the podcast for Generation X history, news and Pop Culture. Thanks for listening to the intro episode. The best way to stay informed is by heading over to GenXArchives.com you’ll find links to subscribe to the podcast, our social media channels and you can sign up for the newsletter. Contact: podcast@genxarc…

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Emma's Torch’s Kerry Brodie: Cooking Up a New Life for Refugees 31:12

2M ago31:12

31:12

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,…

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Kalina Silverman: Creating Human Connection in a Disconnected World Through Big Talk 31:36

3M ago31:36

31:36

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 fin…

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Tracy-Ann Oberman: Unabashedly Fighting Antisemitism and Reclaiming "The Merchant of Venice" 27:14

3M ago27:14

27:14

Tracy-Ann Oberman is a British actress. She gained prominence for her role as Chrissie Watts in the long-running British soap opera "EastEnders." Oberman has appeared in numerous television shows, including "Doctor Who," "Friday Night Dinner," and "Toast of London." Tracy-Ann is passionate about Jewish rights and uses her platform to speak about th…

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Mercy Kafotokoza: How Nurses are Revolutionizing Community Health in Rural Africa 28:43

4M ago28:43

28:43

Mercy Kafotokoza is a Malawian nurse, midwife and public health professional with a Master’s in Public Health. She is also a mother of three and a passionate advocate for equity, compassion and the power of proximity. As a young girl, Mercy experienced the heartbreak of losing her uncle to a preventable condition. She is now the founder of Wandikwe…

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Gene Baur: Confronting the Morality of Factory Farming 28:16

4M ago28:16

28:16

Gene Baur is the founder of Farm Sanctuary, a place of rescue, refuge, and adoption for hundreds of farm animals each year. Farm Sanctuary shelters enable visitors to connect with farm animals as emotional, intelligent individuals. Gene has also led campaigns to change laws about animal treatment and taken undercover photographs of farms, stockyard…

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Lani Anpo: The Erasure of Native American & Jewish Identity, and the Indijewnous Response 27:25

4M ago27:25

27:25

Today, IndiJewnous activist Lani Anpo joins Jay on the show. Lani is an influential advocate for global Indigenous and Jewish communities. A multi tribal Native American Jew, Lani passionately champions the rights and stories of marginalized groups with a focus on protecting Indigenous sovereignty, promoting self-determination, and preserving histo…

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Chama Mechtaly — Using Art to Deradicalize the Middle East 35:30

5M ago35:30

35:30

Chama Mechtaly is the Founder of The Emma Lazarus Institute for Liberty and Tolerance, an action tank bridging media and policy gaps between the Middle-East and the Democratic West. She is a policy advisor, public speaker, artist, entrepreneur and activist working in service of conflict transformation, deradicalization and regional integration in M…

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Tiffany Yu — Smashing Stereotypes and Building a Disability-Inclusive World 30:23

5M ago30:23

30:23

Tiffany Yu is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning social enterprise to elevate disability pride; the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, a monthly micro-grant that has awarded $92.5k to 93 disability projects in 11 countries; and the author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and B…

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Princess Noor Pahlavi - Advocating for a Democratic Iran 32:09

6M ago32:09

32:09

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 …

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The Goodwill You Don't Know with CEO Steve Preston 29:53

6M ago29:53

29:53

Steve Preston is the CEO of Goodwill Industries. Though Goodwill is known for big stores where people can donate clothes and buy them secondhand, those stores are just the first level of what Goodwill Industries are about. Those stores fund an international organization that provides job training, employment placement services and other community-b…

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Gary Sinise: Doing More for Our veterans with the Gary Sinise Foundation 27:29

6M ago27:29

27:29

Gary Sinise is an award winning actor, on the stage, TV and big screen. He is best known for playing Lieutenant Dan in Forrest Gump. Inspired by this role and his family members, Gary is now the head of the Gary Sinise Foundation, which offers support for service members who need help with mental wellness, trauma, physical recovery, and loss. He Al…

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Ashlyn So: Combating AAPI/Asian- Hate Through Peaceful Protest & Fashion 26:54

7M ago26:54

26:54

Ashlyn So is a remarkable rising star in the design world, already showcasing collections at New York and Paris Fashion Weeks by age 16. She powerfully combines her striking fashion with dedicated activism, driven by the belief that fashion provides both identity and a voice. This conviction fuels her work speaking out against bullying and AAPI/Asi…

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Eli Beer & United Hatzalah: Saving Lives in 90 seconds or Less 30:20

7M ago30:20

30:20

Eli Beer is a pioneer, social entrepreneur, President and Founder of United Hatzalah of Israel. In thirty years, the organization has grown to more than 6,500 volunteers who unite together to provide immediate, life-saving care to anyone in need - regardless of race or religion. This community EMS force network treats over 730,000 incidents per yea…

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Professional football player Jonathan Jones: Mentorship and Making an Impact in Your Community 22:49

8M ago22:49

22:49

Jonathan Jones is an NFL cornerback for the Washington Commanders who rose from the undrafted ranks to become two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, a businessman, philanthropist, and licensed pilot. In 2019, Jonathan founded the Jonathan Jones Next Step Foundation in 2019, a platform dedicated to empowering youth through educa…

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Jay Ruderman - How to Find Your Fight & Drive Social Change 32:17

8M ago32:17

32:17

Jay is more than just the host of All About Change podcast. He is a lawyer and international activist, who has focused his life’s work on seeking social justice by advocating for the rights of people with disabilities worldwide. On the special episode of All About Change, Mijon Zulu, the managing producer of the "All About Change" podcast, is takin…

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Alexis Tutunnique of United Ukrainian Ballet - Ukrainian Cultural Resistance 26:52

9M ago26:52

26:52

Alexis Tutunnique is a ballet dancer, a graduate of the Kyiv National Ballet School, a member of the United Ukrainian Ballet Company, and the subject of the recent documentary Front Row. In Front Row, Alexis befriends and invites Sascha, a former Ukrainian soldier who lost his legs in a bombing, to join the dance troupe for a performance in LA. Jay…

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Chris Nowinski - Protecting Athletes from Head Injuries & Preventing CTE 27:28

9M ago27:28

27:28

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 neur…

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Tyler Merritt - Before You Call the Cops, Storytelling and Empathy Driven Social Justice 30:59

10M ago30:59

30:59

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 …

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Joe Bates - Indigenous Resistance Against Big Oil 26:31

10M ago26:31

26:31

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 f…

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Yuriy Boyechko - Hope for Ukraine in 2025 31:13

10M ago31:13

31:13

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…

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Vicki Sokolik - Fighting for Unhoused Youth 32:35

11M ago32:35

32:35

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 …

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Lee Asher - How Rescuing Dogs Rescue Us 38:57

11M ago38:57

38:57

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'…

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Peter Egan - International Animal Activism 36:03

12M ago36:03

36:03

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…

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Mia Silverman - Allergy Activism: Navigating Life and Speaking Out 34:32

1y ago34:32

34:32

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 an…

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Montana Tucker - From Auschwitz to Advocacy 32:51

1y ago32:51

32:51

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…

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Dr. Michelle Oakley - Treating Wildlife in the Wild 38:17

1y ago38:17

38:17

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…

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Amanda Jones - Standing Up Against Book Bans 35:27

1y ago35:27

35:27

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 ou…

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Princess Noor Pahlavi - Advocating for a Democratic Iran 32:41

1y ago32:41

32:41

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 …

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Bugha - Navigating Fame, Fortnite, and Family 41:05

1y ago41:05

41:05

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 le…

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Octavia Spencer - A Catalyst for Change in Hollywood 42:16

1y ago42:16

42:16

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 succe…

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Sophie Trudeau - Breaking Generational Cycles of Trauma 35:15

1+ y ago35:15

35:15

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 joi…

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Torrey DeVitto - Speaking Out with Love for Women and Reproductive Rights 33:40

1+ y ago33:40

33:40

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. Torre…

1
Erin Brockovich - Fighting for Safe Water 41:39

1+ y ago41:39

41:39

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…

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Bill Courtney - Undefeated Football Coach's Guide to Building a Better Community 42:50

1+ y ago42:50

42:50

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…

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Lee Asher - How Rescuing Dogs Rescues Us 41:57

1+ y ago41:57

41:57

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, an…

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Jason Collins - First Out: Being Openly Gay in a Major Team Sport 43:33

1+ y ago43:33

43:33

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 communit…

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Ronald E. Richter - Fighting for Children at Risk 41:04

1+ y ago41:04

41:04

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…

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Shane Burcaw - Proud to be Disabled 36:28

1+ y ago36:28

36:28

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) an…

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Brett Gelman - Hollywood Speaking out Against Antisemitism 36:52

1+ y ago36:52

36:52

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 …

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Ed Begley Jr - How to Keep Your Planet and Pocketbook Healthy 33:52

1+ y ago33:52

33:52

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…

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Jane Velez-Mitchell - Sober and Vegan for the Planet 43:58

1+ y ago43:58

43:58

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 fre…

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Troy Kotsur - Advocating for Onscreen Authenticity 46:36

1+ y ago46:36

46:36

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 c…

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The Black Mambas: Women Saving Rhinos and Elephants from Extinction 38:06

1+ y ago38:06

38:06

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 …

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Bobby Farrelly - Directing for a more Inclusive Hollywood 32:33

2y ago32:33

32:33

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-sc…