
Show Notes
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.
Looking for more insights into the world of activism? Be sure to check out 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.
More from All About Change
After years of sharing stories of relentless activists and world-shapers, All About Change is taking an intentional break. Even the most dedicated movements need a moment to recharge, and we’re doing exactly that.
Kenneth Cole, has been a fashion icon for decades, innovating a unique and lasting style for which he is known. But he comes to All About Change to talk about another of his great passions: mental health awareness. Kenneth won the 2025 Morton. E Ruderman Award in Inclusion, an award my foundation presents to an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Few things bring me joy and hope quite like young people who are already involved in making the world a better place. Today, I have the pleasure of speaking with celebrity chef Eitan Bernath. The youngest individual ever to be named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in Food and Drink, Eitan found success cooking on Tik Tok, and quickly moved to TV, where he has served as the Principal Culinary Contributor on the Drew Barrymore Show on CBS since 2020.
In light of the ongoing crisis and the profound resilience of the Iranian people, we are revisiting this timely conversation with Princess Noor Pahlavi.
Sometimes the hardest type of activism is the activism that happens inside ourselves. It’s easier for us to give others support and grace when they need it than it is for us to look in the mirror and do the same for ourselves. For recent guests Jeffrey Marsh and Jackie Goldschneider, this internal activism became a platform from which they were able to support others, and today’s guest Ari’el Stachel is doing that same work.