Author, Educator, and Founder Featured on Changemaker Podcast

Melanie Paticoff Grossman interviewed by Jodi Grinwald. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) June 03, 2025 - Long Island, NY- Melanie Paticoff Grossman joined Host, Jodi Grinwald as a featured guest on the Today Is the Day Changemakers podcast, sharing her insights and experiences.

In this episode, Melanie discusses various topics including her passion for supporting children with hearing loss, the power of personal stories and representation, the surprising role ADHD plays in professional life, and why she believes “finding your people” is key to unlocking true freedom and joy.

This is more than a story about hearing loss—it’s a story about purpose, resilience, and what happens when one person decides to turn personal experience into collective impact.

Grossman recognized a need in the market for children's books that represent children with hearing aids and cochlear implants and began publishing Sophie's Tales picture books and Hearing Our Way magazine to fill that gap. Melanie spoke on how meaningful positive responses to her work have been, “[When] I... get an email here or there that says -- I love this magazine, I've been using this [in my classroom], I love this article -- that really helps bring it to life for me to see my impact."

Grossman shares that she's heard from teens who read Hearing Our Way every night, collecting dozens of copies over the years. Parents often purchase Sophie's Tales book and stuffed animal sets to help prepare their children for cochlear implant surgery. "They send me pictures of [their child] in the hospital gown being wheeled into the OR with the "Sophie" dog in their hands... That is one of the things that will always stick with me, that [Sophie's Tales] has brought so much comfort.”

This year marked a milestone for Hearing Our Way: 10 years of publication. To celebrate this achievement, as well as preserve and honor the 40+ magazines of years past, Grossman published a premium 100-page hardcover resource for children, families, and professionals: The BIG Book of Hearing Our Way. The project, which includes inspiring stories, educational content, and interactive tools, took her two years to complete. "You reach a point when you wonder, will anyone ever read it? But you just have to believe in it and hang onto it when it gets tough and doubt creeps in. Once you have [the book] in your hands, it's all worth it."

Additionally, Melanie offers guidance to individuals looking to start their own projects aimed at inspiring and advocating for others, “If you have something you think could fill a gap, a much-needed gap in the market, go for it. Once you have that idea and you really flesh it out, and it's a good idea, nobody else can do it like you can. It’s important to share.” Grossman leaves audiences with her message of overcoming obstacles, "Whether it's ADHD, whether it's hearing loss, any challenge really, you can always overcome it, and you will be better for it."

To listen to the episode in its entirety, please click here: http://bit.ly/3Z1laCm

ABOUT MELANIE PATICOFF GROSSMAN:
Melanie Paticoff Grossman is the creator of Sophie's Tales, LLC, the educational publishing company behind Sophie's Tales picture books for children with hearing loss and Hearing Our Way magazine for kids and teens with hearing loss. Grossman received her masters in deaf education from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Her most recent product, The BIG Book of Hearing Our Way, is a first-of-its-kind keepsake resource compilation designed to support children with hearing loss, families, and professionals. The entire of Sophie's Tales and Hearing Our Way resources, including the adorable plush Sophie dog with cochlear implants, can be found at www.HearingOurWay.com.

ABOUT JODI GRINWALD & TODAY IS THE DAY CHANGEMAKERS PODCAST:
Through connecting with and highlighting changemakers, self-starters, and those who are disrupting the status quo, Jodi Grinwald’s ‘Today is the Day Changemakers’ channel will provide content that will connect listeners to real stories, from real people who are making a real difference in their corner of the world. These intimate interviews with inspiring and relatable guests will act as an opportunity for you to peer inside the minds of the latest gamechangers and creators. Changemakers believe in the greater good. They identify a specific issue or challenge and give themselves permission to do what is needed. Learn more about their tenacity, determination, motivation, and their innate ability to move past the challenges even when it is not easy. Every Wednesday a new interview will be released. Remember....Today is the day! You cannot go back to yesterday and you do not yet own tomorrow! Please follow on social media ( @ ) todayisthedayliveit or email jodi ( @ ) todayisthedayliveit dot com.

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