Freedom Writers Podcast

On this episode, Erin talks with renowned author, poet, and playwright, Gary Soto. With wisdom and wit, Gary recounts the academic struggles of his youth, his discovery of great poets and authors, and how he ultimately found his own life calling as an author with over 40 published works. Together they explore the writing process and delve into the themes, images, and metaphors in Gary’s work. This is an instructive and inspiring episode that will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference.

Show Notes:

Gary Soto: https://garysoto.com/

Invite a Freedom Writer to your organization: http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/request-speaker

Support the production of the Freedom Writers Podcast by donating here:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/donate

On this episode, Erin talks with acclaimed author and educator Rosalind Wiseman. Rosalind explains the importance of involving teenagers in the analysis of their social lives, explores the over-simplification of teens’ complex problems, and illuminates how we can create cultures of dignity within our classrooms and communities. Rosalind’s insights into the social systems of teenagers are relevant to parents and educators alike, and will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference wherever you are serving.

Show Notes:

Learn more about Rosalind Wiseman: https://culturesofdignity.com/about-rosalind/

Books by Rosalind Wiseman: https://tinyurl.com/RWFWP

Cultures of Dignity: https://www.culturesofdignity.com/

Support the production of the Freedom Writers Podcast by donating here:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/donate

Erin shares her conversation with Mohamed Sidibay, a former child soldier from Sierra Leone who is now a peace activist and advocate for human rights. Mohamed tells the story of his abduction by the Revolutionary United Front and the four and a half brutal years he spent in captivity. He also explains how he ultimately overcame the hardships of his past, immigrated to America, and now provides legal counsel to women and children on the U.S./Mexico border. Mohamed’s story is an enduring example of transforming the pain of your past into the purpose of your present.

Show Notes:

Learn more about Mohamed Sidibay: https://myhero.com/Mohamed_Sidibay_2014

The My Hero Project: https://myhero.com/About

Facts About Child Soldiers in Sierra Leone: https://borgenproject.org/10-facts-about-child-soldiers-in-sierra-leone/

Support the production of the Freedom Writers Podcast by donating here:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/donate

Erin talks with news anchor and renowned reporter Connie Chung about the role of journalism in affecting societal change and how to seek truth in all aspects of our lives. Connie discusses the challenges she faced throughout her career, why curiosity is the key to good journalism, and how journalism should be used to shine a light on truth. Erin and Connie also reflect on the life-changing experiences they shared when Connie covered the Freedom Writers’ story on ABC’s PrimeTime Live in 1998.

Show Notes:

PrimeTime Live DVD Link: https://amzn.to/2ob8Pgd

Buy the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Freedom Writers Diary: https://amzn.to/2oZLv5q

Support the production of the Freedom Writers Podcast by donating here:

This episode celebrates the television launch of our long-awaited documentary, “Freedom Writers: Stories from the Heart.” You’ll hear from the dynamic director and producer, Don Hahn, and a panel of four Freedom Writers who are featured in the film -- Sue Ellen Alpizar, Mauricio Tony Becerra, Latilla Cain, and Narada Comans. By telling their stories in the documentary, the Freedom Writers are putting faces to what were once anonymous diary entries in a book or characters in a movie. In doing so, they uncover important truths about the power of storytelling, and an audience’s ability to connect with the authentic ethos that the Freedom Writers have come to embody.

Book a documentary screening and a Q&A with Erin Gruwell and the Freedom Writers:

Email our Outreach Team at [email protected]

Support the production of the Freedom Writers Podcast by donating here:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/donate

Discover the Freedom Writers’ impact in the twenty years since the original publication of The Freedom Writers Diary. What is the Freedom Writers’ legacy? How are they passing the torch to the next generation? And what can we do to carry it forward for the next twenty years, and beyond? Find out on the final episode of Freedom Writer 20/20.

LINKS:

Buy your copy of the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Freedom Writers Diary:

https://tinyurl.com/y5p8w4ut

Enter the Freedom Writers Diary Giveaway: bit.ly/freedomwritersgiveaway

Learn more about Waldorf University’s Master of Education program:

www.waldorf.edu/FreedomWriters

Support the production of the Freedom Writers Podcast by donating here:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/donate

Explore how hearts can mend, how healing can take place after years of trauma, and how Erin and the Freedom Writers created a safe space for wounded healers to write their truths and share their stories with the world. How do the Freedom Writers support each other through sensitive, painful experiences? And how can their examples of unconditional love bring more light to our lives? Find out on Freedom Writer 20/20: Wounded Healers.

LINKS:

Buy your copy of the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Freedom Writers Diary:

https://tinyurl.com/y5p8w4ut

Enter the Freedom Writers Diary Giveaway: bit.ly/freedomwritersgiveaway

Learn more about Waldorf University’s Master of Education program:

www.waldorf.edu/FreedomWriters

Support the production of the Freedom Writers Podcast by donating here:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/donate

Hotlines:

Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1-800-273-8255

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network)

800.656.HOPE (4673)

Erin and the Freedom Writers provide an exclusive sneak peek of their new stories in the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Freedom Writers Diary. They illuminate the most iconic Freedom Writer moments and reveal how they are still growing and healing. How have the Freedom Writers evolved since Room 203? How do they connect the dots between the original book and their new stories? And what can we learn from their growth? Find out on the latest installment of Freedom Writer 20/20.

LINKS:

Buy your copy of the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Freedom Writers Diary:

https://tinyurl.com/y5p8w4ut

Enter the Freedom Writers Diary Giveaway: http://bit.ly/freedomwritersgiveaway

Learn more about Waldorf University’s Master of Education program:

www.waldorf.edu/FreedomWriters

Support the production of the Freedom Writers Podcast by donating here:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/donate

On this episode, get an inside look into the collaborative writing process for twenty new stories in the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Freedom Writers Diary. How did Ms. G and the Freedom Writers organize their ideas, decide on topics and authors, and move the puzzle pieces around to find the bigger picture? Can they recreate the magic of Room 203 after twenty years? Find out on the newest installment of Freedom Writer 20/20.

LINKS:

Buy your copy of the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Freedom Writers Diary:

https://tinyurl.com/y5p8w4ut

Learn more about Waldorf University’s Master of Education program:

www.waldorf.edu/FreedomWriters

Support the production of the Freedom Writers Podcast by donating here:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/donate

In this five-part podcast mini-series, listeners get a front row seat to the writing process for twenty new stories in the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Freedom Writers Diary. You'll hear from Erin Gruwell, the Freedom Writers, and even some of the Freedom Writers’ children, following up on the stories from Wilson High School and shining a light on the Freedom Writers legacy for a new generation.

On Episode 1, travel back in time to Room 203 at Wilson High School, where Ms. G first united her students through writing. Through intimate interviews and captivating stories, Erin and the Freedom Writers recount how they became a family and turned their collection of stories into a best-selling book.

Now, twenty years after The Freedom Writers Diary was first published, Ms. G and the Freedom Writers are gathering again to write the 20th Anniversary Edition of the book. Where are Ms. G and the Freedom Writers today? And why does the world still need their stories? Find out on Freedom Writer 20/20.

LINKS:

Buy your copy of the 20th Anniversary Edition of The Freedom Writers Diary:

https://tinyurl.com/y5p8w4ut

Learn more about Waldorf University’s Master of Education program:

www.waldorf.edu/FreedomWriters

Support the production of the Freedom Writers Podcast by donating here:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/donate