Freedom Writers Podcast

Today's episode features Darrell Scott, an ardent activist whose daughter Rachel was the first victim of the Columbine Massacre in 1999. Darrell talks about coping with immense loss, the powerful movement that was sparked by Rachel's diaries, and how educators and parents can create a culture of connection in their schools and communities. In light of the recent suicides of Parkland students and one victim's parent from the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, we know this is a particularly sensitive conversation -- one that we hope invites all of us to consider what we can do to increase compassion and eradicate violence of any kind.

Show Notes

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

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

"Events Set for 20th Anniversary of Columbine Shooting"

https://dpo.st/2uCNNH9

Darrell Scott in TIME Magazine:

http://time.com/longform/school-shooting-parents/

Rachel's Challenge Website:

https://rachelschallenge.org/

This episode features Erin's conversations with two survivors of the Rwandan genocide, Edith Umugiraneza and Issa Jean Marie Vianney. These courageous souls describe what it was like for them as teenagers to witness the mass execution of their friends and families. They recount in vivid detail how they ran for their lives, and reflect on the role of storytelling as they learned to heal in the aftermath. On the eve of the 25th memorial of the Rwandan genocide, we hope that these stories about the past awaken you to the urgency of eradicating racism and discrimination in the present. May we educate and act to end intolerance of any kind and create a more caring and compassionate society.

Show Notes

Support the Freedom Writers Podcast by leaving us a review on your podcast app and sharing the show with a friend!

Learn more about the Freedom Writer Teacher Institute:

http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/programs/teachers

Apply for a 2019 Teacher Institute:

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

More about the Rwandan Genocide:

https://www.history.com/topics/africa/rwandan-genocide

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13431486

Learn about The USC Shoah Foundation:

https://sfi.usc.edu/about

Today's show features Jack Horner, a world famous paleontologist and renowned voice on dyslexia. As someone with dyslexia himself, Jack helps us understand how the dyslexic brain works and what teachers can do to empower their dyslexic students. He takes us step by step through his personal journey, from his earliest dinosaur digs to the highest halls of academia, revealing how he has overcome adversity and found success despite his challenges.

Show Notes

Book a Freedom Writer for a Video Chat!

Email [email protected] to talk to our team today.

More on Jack Horner

https://www.chapman.edu/our-faculty/jack-horner

Jack's Books

https://amzn.to/30pTIxj

Freedom Writers Foundation

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org

Want to share an inspiring story with us? We respond to every email! [email protected]

Support the Freedom Writers Podcast by leaving us a review on your podcast app and sharing the show with a friend!

Today's show features Erin's stirring conversation with the iconic activist and grassroots organizer Dolores Huerta. Dolores discusses how to organize and maintain a movement, improve the lives of others, and educate the next generation of activists. Just as Dolores encouraged farm workers to fight for change in their communities, we on the Freedom Writers Podcast wish to empower you to fight for change in the classroom.

Show Notes

Dolores Huerta Foundation

www.doloreshuerta.org

PBS Documentary "Dolores" on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2G1QTe5

Freedom Writers Foundation

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org

Want to share an inspiring story with us? We respond to every email! [email protected]

Support the Freedom Writers Podcast by leaving us a review on your podcast app and sharing the show with a friend!

Today's show features students and teachers from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. These courageous survivors share their unique experiences from the shooting on February 14 2018, and reveal their greatest challenges while healing in the aftermath. Most importantly, they honor the lives that were lost in the tragedy and strive to humanize the issue in a way that can bridge divides, eradicate hate, and help us all lead with love.

Show Notes

"Shine", by Sawyer Garrity and Andrea Peña. Official Music Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-6s8obkaGY

Freedom Writers Foundation

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org

Want to share an inspiring story with us? We respond to every email! [email protected]

Support the Freedom Writers Podcast by leaving us a review on your podcast app and sharing the show with a friend!

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