Freedom Writers Podcast

Erin Gruwell shares a special announcement about the upcoming 20th Anniversary Edition of The Freedom Writers Diary, available September 3rd. She also shares exclusive sneak-peeks of the Freedom Writers’ twenty new diary entries and unveils a preview of our special podcast mini-series, Freedom Writer 20/20. Don’t miss this exciting news about all of our upcoming Freedom Writer content!

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

tinyurl.com/y5p8w4ut

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

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

Sign up for exclusive emails about Freedom Writer 20/20:

https://forms.gle/Pxckj4UNGKPfQwYA8

Our guest today is Dr. Carl Cohn, a nationally celebrated educator and Erin Gruwell's former Superintendent in the Long Beach Unified School District. They discuss Dr. Cohn’s inspiring life of service, the power of listening in leadership, and how to create systemic change. With wisdom and tenderness, Dr. Cohn provides practical and inspirational advice for you, no matter where you are currently serving. You don’t have to be a teacher to learn from his invaluable leadership lessons.

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

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

Carl Cohn on Twitter: @carlcohn

Dr. Cohn, Erin Gruwell and Freedom Writer Sue Ellen Alpizar speak on stage with Chapman University President Daniele Struppa: https://blogs.chapman.edu/education/2019/03/07/stories-from-the-heart/

Erin interviews best-selling author and activist Liz Murray, whose story is depicted in her visceral memoir Breaking Night and the emmy-nominated Lifetime movie, Homeless to Harvard. With sincere love and candor, Liz recounts what it was like being raised by two loving but severely drug-addicted parents, and reflects on the vital role of mentors in shaping her sense of possibility and self-worth. She credits the generosity and goodness of others for helping her to look beyond her current limitations and become the influential leader she is today.

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

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

Liz Murray: https://www.wsb.com/speakers/liz-murray

The Arthur Project: https://thearthurproject.org/

Buy Liz's book, "Breaking Night": https://amzn.to/2lyd7Ns

Watch the Lifetime Movie, "Homeless to Harvard": https://amzn.to/2lydmIm

Erin Gruwell speaks with Isha Sesay, an award-winning journalist, and author of the new book, Beneath the Tamarind Tree. In this discussion about sisterhood and survival, Isha recounts the Boko Haram kidnapping of Nigerian schoolgirls in 2014. Together, Isha and Erin explore faith, forgiveness, overcoming, and how to help girls and women everywhere understand their power.

Show Notes:

Buy Isha's new book, Beneath the Tamarind Tree: https://amzn.to/2l9onzy

Video about the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ExQfMDsgvJQ

Stories from Survivors: https://tinyurl.com/y6hxxzgw

Isha Sesay and W.E. Can Lead: https://we-canlead.org/

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

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

This episode features Wes Moore, a bestselling author, activist, decorated Army combat veteran, and the first CEO of the Robin Hood, an innovative non-profit dedicated to fighting poverty in New York City. Wes's bestselling book, The Other Wes Moore is a moving memoir about two young men from the same rough streets of Baltimore, but whose lives took very different turns. On the podcast, Wes and Erin discuss the trajectories we take in our lives and how our decisions determine our ultimate destiny. No matter our position or circumstance, may each of us strive to be useful; may we lead with love and hope; and may we all live in faith instead of fear.

Show Notes

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

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

Wes Moore: https://www.robinhood.org/wes-moore/

Books by Wes Moore: https://amzn.to/2G3yspc

Learn More about Robin Hood: https://www.robinhood.org/

For general inquiries about Freedom Writer Teachers, email us at:

[email protected]

To apply for the Freedom Writer Teacher Institute:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/images/pdf/fwi-application.pdf

This episode features Jan Erik Dubbelman, a beloved Freedom Writer Teacher and the Director of Education and International Outreach at The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. From his unique perspective as a preserver of history, Jan Erik offers insight into Anne Frank's story and legacy, including Otto Frank's preparation to take his family into hiding and a detailed description of what life was like in the Secret Annex during the War. He also chronicles the heroic efforts of Miep Gies, the simple secretary who risked her life to support the Franks for the two years they were in hiding. You'll also hear from another remarkable Freedom Writer Teacher, Lisa Liss, whose valiant 11-year campaign collected 1.5 million bandages from teachers and students all over the world to honor the number of children killed in the Holocaust. We hope their inspiring stories empower you to spread hope, compassion, and acceptance within your classrooms and communities.

Show Notes

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

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

Anne Frank House: www.annefrank.org/en

Tour the Secret Annex: https://www.annefrank.org/en/anne-frank/secret-annex/

Information on Museum Visits: https://www.annefrank.org/en/museum/

Lisa Liss and the Bandage Project: https://tinyurl.com/y3swnop2

Inspired by the Paperclip Project: http://www.oneclipatatime.org/paper-clips-project/

For general inquiries about Freedom Writer Teachers, email us at:

[email protected]

To apply for the Freedom Writer Teacher Institute:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/images/pdf/fwi-application.pdf

This episode features Antwone Fisher, a screenwriter and children's rights advocate, along with Rick Miller, a professor of practice, researcher and founder of the organization Kids At Hope. Antwone tells his story of growing up in the foster care system, and together with Rick provides personal and practical steps about how you can teach, model, and embody hope for the young people you serve.

Show Notes

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

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

Antwone Fisher

https://antwonefisher.net/

IMDb: https://tinyurl.com/y4gvm5n4

Watch "Antwone Fisher" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LOX60q

Finding Fish: https://amzn.to/2XxnqP7

Watch Antwone Testify to the Senate about the state of child welfare: https://tinyurl.com/y4qn7uxf

Rick Miller & Kids At Hope

http://kidsathope.org/

TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIpDKHw1O_c

Erin speaks with Dr. Daniel Ellsberg, an ardent anti-war activist and whistleblower who is best known for releasing the Pentagon Papers in 1971. Dan and Erin discuss the importance of seeking truth, holding our governments accountable, and how to preserve democracy in the present day. As Dan offers us nothing less than a masterclass in political analysis and civic duty, we invite you to consider how you can speak out against injustice at any level and keep our elected officials accountable for their actions.

Show Notes

Daniel Ellsberg: http://www.ellsberg.net/

Books by Daniel Ellsberg: https://amzn.to/2YGw5zZ

Pentagon Papers: https://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/pentagon-papers

New Yorker article, "On the Warpath" by Dexter Filkins: https://tinyurl.com/y2wogd3n

Economist article, "Collision Course - The Brewing Conflict Between America and Iran:" https://tinyurl.com/y3kg7ba6

Erin speaks with educator and producer Melissa Berton, alongside two of her students, Maggie Brown and Mason Maxam. After learning about menstrual inequity in the developing world, Melissa and her class created an organization called The Pad Project and made a documentary about women in India overcoming the cultural stigma surrounding menstruation. Their documentary "Period. End of Sentence." went on to win Best Short Documentary at the 2019 Academy Awards, and has since sparked a global conversation about women’s rights and menstrual equity. As Melissa declared in her acceptance speech at the Oscars — a period should end a sentence, not a girl’s education.

Show Notes

The Pad Project: www.thepadproject.org

Trailer for the film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdlKervJ0-Y

Oscar Acceptance Speech: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wap5W4v_B_g

Press -

Newsweek: https://tinyurl.com/yx9pbthm

New Yorker: https://tinyurl.com/yykj7gzw

LA Times: https://tinyurl.com/yyuwcc5l

"Period. End of Sentence." is now available to stream on Netflix: https://www.netflix.com/title/81074663

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

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

Today's episode features thought-provoking discussions on how to better understand young people and their stories. You'll hear exclusive content recorded of Erin Gruwell at one of our Freedom Writer Teacher Institutes, and learn how to peel back the layers on even the toughest kids so they can reach their full potential. When she was teaching in Room 203, people told Erin that it wasn't worth it; that she shouldn't even try; that her kids were "unteachable." But at the end of a four-year journey, all 150 of her students walked across the stage and received their diploma. All 150 Freedom Writers graduated because of what they discovered within themselves. This episodes helps unpack that process of discovery, and equips you to start empowering the young people you serve with greater effectiveness and empathy.

Show Notes

Apply for the Freedom Writer Teacher Institute:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/images/pdf/fwi-application.pdf

Sponsor a teacher to attend the Institute by donating at:

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

For general inquiries about the Institutes, email us at:

[email protected]

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

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