This episode explores the ins and outs of storytelling, from discovering stories in your own life to fostering a creative space for ideas and artistic expression. Erin interviews movie producer and artist, Don Hahn, who takes us behind the scenes of the iconic animated Disney movies that he produced and shares his philosophies on story, character, and why storytelling is an essential part of being human. Whether you consider yourself a creative person or not, this captivating conversation will inspire you to think outside the box and approach your work, school, family, and leadership in more creative ways.

Links and Resources

Freedom Writers Podcast Feedback Survey: https://goo.gl/forms/6SwrZyrWDz0RUOWs2

Don Hahn's website: www.donhahn.com

Early Cave Drawings: https://goo.gl/7cWU6k

Questions, stories, reviews? Contact us: [email protected]

Buy Copies of Freedom Writers Books

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/shop

Erin shares her interview with Father Greg Boyle, acclaimed author, speaker, and founder of Homeboy Industries. Their candid conversation sheds a light on common misconceptions about gang intervention and rehabilitation. Father Boyle's insights and stories will challenge your perceptions about what it means to serve those in the margins and help you understand the trauma that often precedes gang membership. It'll also assist you in dismantling messages of shame so that we can celebrate, not separate, those on their journey to healing.

Links and Resources

Take a few minutes to fill out the Freedom Writers Podcast Feedback Survey: https://goo.gl/forms/6SwrZyrWDz0RUOWs2

More about Father Boyle:

Bio: https://www.homeboyindustries.org/fatherg/

Books: https://amzn.to/2JmrGgn

Homeboy Industries:

https://www.homeboyindustries.org/why-we-do-it/

https://www.homeboyindustries.org/life-at-homeboy/history/

Questions, stories, reviews? Contact us: [email protected]

Buy Copies of Freedom Writers Books

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/shop

On this episode, we honor the legacy of "Schindler’s List" and the substantive work of the USC Shoah Foundation. Erin had the privilege of interviewing Holocaust survivor Elisabeth Mann; Marvin Levy, Steven Spielberg's award-winning publicist; and Dr. Stephen Smith, Executive Director of the USC Shoah Foundation. These three extraordinary guests help us explore Holocaust representation through testimony, education, and the media. And most importantly, they discuss the significance of preserving survivor stories for future generations.

Links and Resources

Order your Limited Edition Freedom Writers Journal today! Offer ends December 5: https://goo.gl/yoqYeL

More about "Schindler's List"

Watch the 25th Anniversary Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxphAlJID9U

Watch Schindler's List: https://amzn.to/2YDduF0

What Steven Spielberg hopes young people learn from "Schindler's" re-release: https://goo.gl/yy8p8H

Article about Castlemont High School students: https://goo.gl/Fktui9

Learn about The USC Shoah Foundation:

About: https://sfi.usc.edu/about

I-Witness: https://sfi.usc.edu/iwitness

Dimensions in Testimony: https://goo.gl/RL65iU

More on Marvin Levy:

Tom Hanks Honors Marvin Levy at Governor's Awards: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqdVkKDmaOM

Hollywood Reporter about Marvin's Honorary Oscar: https://goo.gl/7Reozc

Marvin's Life and Career: https://goo.gl/tMaVuA

More on Dr. Stephen Smith:

Bio: https://goo.gl/xQpknN

Erin had the privilege of interviewing renowned educator and activist Dr. Pedro Noguera. After serving as a public school teacher for many years, Dr. Noguera served as a professor of education at Berkeley, Harvard, and NYU before taking his current position as Distinguished Professor of Education at UCLA. Dr. Noguera has written numerous books about equity in education and is frequently called upon to speak on the state of public schools. He is particularly interested in addressing the issues of the racial achievement gap and the school-to-prison pipeline. Erin and Dr. Noguera discuss the challenges educators face in 21st century classrooms and Dr. Noguera offers invaluable insight into creating more equitable education for all.

Links and Resources

Buy a copy of "The Freedom Writers Diary" for a youth in juvenile hall:

https://secure.givelively.org/donate/freedom-writers-foundation

Dr. Pedro Noguera

http://www.pedronoguera.com/

Dr. Noguera on Twitter:

@PedroANoguera https://twitter.com/PedroANoguera

Dr. Noguera's Books:

The Trouble With Black Boys and Other Reflections on Race, Equity, and the Future of Public Education: https://amzn.to/2LJ8FGO

Unfinished Business: Closing the Racial Achievement Gap in Our Schools, co-author Jean Yonamura Wing: https://amzn.to/2LGMd0M

Excellence Through Equity: Five Principles of Courageous Leadership to Guide Achievement for Every Student, co-author Alan M. Blankstein: https://amzn.to/2LLzWrV

Article about the School-to-Prison-Pipeline

https://goo.gl/cLc6kj

This episode examines the blight of bigotry and how it manifests in our communities. Recorded at the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles, Erin interviews extremist-turned-activist Tim Zaal. For years, Tim was deeply involved in the white supremacist movement, even going so far as to commit acts of violence against his perceived "enemy." It wasn’t until years later that Tim recognized the toxicity of his mindset and made the decision to leave that lifestyle. Tim traces his transformation from racism to activism, demonstrating in word and deed that it is never too late to change.

Links and Resources

Life After Hate: https://www.lifeafterhate.org/exitusa/

Tim Zaal on Charlottesville for Politico: https://goo.gl/g86GUX

Tim Zaal and Matthew Boger on NPR: https://n.pr/2MWSDWW

Tim Zaal and Matthew Boger for TIME Magazine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfQwXm4c8GI

Watch "Facing Fear" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Xxh3QM

Erin Gruwell discusses the tragedy of sexual abuse with four courageous survivors. Current events in the United States have made this subject particularly prominent. In October 2017, survivors of sexual abuse came forward and started sharing their stories with the #MeToo movement. Most recently, the appointment of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court despite allegations of sexual assault has heightened our sense of urgency to speak up. We invite you to join us in protecting survivors and preventing sexual abuse in the future.

Links and Resources

National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673

RAINN (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network): https://www.rainn.org/

Christine Blasey Ford Opening Testimony: https://goo.gl/zBVHYS

This episode digs deep into the role of positive energy in teaching and leadership. Cesar Millan, the renowned "Dog Whisperer," shares his story with Erin (and her dog, Beau!) about coming to America, working hard to develop his talents, and seeing his dreams come to fruition. He also teaches us important principles about dog and human psychology, and about his “four energies of happiness": calm, confidence, love, and joy. We hope that this discussion puts a smile on your face and ignites passion in your pack.

Links and Resources:

Cesar Millan

Cesar's Website: https://www.cesarsway.com/

Books by Cesar Millan: https://amzn.to/2LKBh28

Take Cesar's Courses: https://www.trainingcesarsway.com/

Cesar on Instagram: @cesarsway

Cesar Millan Twitter: @cesarmillan

Buy Signed Copies of Freedom Writers Books

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/shop

Questions, stories, reviews? Contact us:

This episode covers the difficult subjects of mental illness and suicide, and the importance of awareness and prevention. First, Freedom Writer Teacher Mikael Aringer tells his story of hope and healing after a loved one attempted suicide. Then Erin Gruwell shares her conversation with legendary music producer, Bob Ezrin. Bob has produced some of the most iconic albums of the last forty years and now uses his platform to help those in need. His dedication to suicide awareness and prevention is particularly personal because his son, David, took his own life in 2008 after a long battle with mental illness. Erin and Bob discuss warning signs, how to cope with tragic loss, and ways we can remove stigma surrounding mental illness and suicide. They also extend loving support to anyone who may be struggling.

Links and Resources:

Suicide Prevention Hotline

1-800-273-8255 (Immediate contact with crisis workers who can offer support and direct you to local mental health care providers)

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

www.sprc.org

Warning Signs

Article from National Institute on Mental Health: https://bit.ly/1t4A7LY

Coping with Loss

Harvard Medical Group: https://bit.ly/1BdVyAe

Mental Health

www.mentalhealth.gov

www.activemind.org/index.php

nami.org

Bob Ezrin

Credits: https://bit.ly/2pf7BOi

Non-profit: musicrising.com

Logic's Song 1-800-273-8255

Music Video: https://bit.ly/2xhus08

Logic's Grammy Performance: https://bit.ly/2OwDo8x

Bob's Gift for Students Who Are Struggling:

For a free copy of the Freedom Writers Diary, write Erin Gruwell at [email protected]

Questions, stories, reviews? Contact us:

Buy Signed Copies of Freedom Writers Books

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/shop

Erin Gruwell shares a special live recording of a panel discussion about genocide. Co-moderated by Erin and historian Andrew Carroll, the panel features direct testimony of the Holocaust and the genocides in Bosnia, Cambodia, Rwanda, and South Sudan. Genocide awareness is a subject that has played a role in the Freedom Writers' education since the very beginning. By learning about war in far-off countries, Ms. G's students were able to make sense of the violence in their own neighborhoods. Relating to stories from other young people who had experienced hardships helped the Freedom Writers find their own voices and share their stories with the world.

In this episode, Erin Gruwell takes you along the publishing journey of The Freedom Writers Diary. Through her conversations with Carol Schild Levy, the Freedom Writers' book agent, and Janet Hill Talbert, the editor of The Freedom Writers Diary, Erin gives you a glimpse behind the curtain at how her students' journal entries evolved into a book, and then a movie, and now -- a movement.

Links and Resources:

Questions, stories, reviews? Contact us:

Buy Signed Copies of Freedom Writers Books

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/shop

"In Defense of the 'Freedom Writers'": https://bit.ly/2OPecJT

Penguin Random House Publishing House:

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/

More On The Power of Journaling

"Journaling for Mental Health": https://bit.ly/2yt79j8

"Popular Autobiographies": https://bit.ly/2nPT0Ih

"Literature's Emotional Lessons": https://bit.ly/2omumP3