Freedom Writers Podcast

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

This episode explores how violence affects children, and the plight of refugees around the globe. First, Original Freedom Writer Bunni Sek explains what it was like being raised by survivors of the Cambodian genocide. Then Erin shares her conversation with Ger Duany, an actor and activist, and known to many as one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan. When Ger was only 7 years old, his family fled his village in South Sudan and walked for three months to a refugee camp in Ethiopia. Ger recounts in compelling detail the steps of his journey and the challenges he and his family faced. He also paints a vivid picture of what life as a refugee is like -- as a child, an adolescent, and now, as an adult.

Links and Resources:

Questions, stories, reviews? Contact us:

Connect with Ger Duany

Website: https://www.gerduany.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ger_duany

Info about Lost Boys of Sudan

https://www.rescue.org/article/lost-boys-sudan

Info about Cambodian Genocide

https://www.history.com/topics/pol-pot

Buy Signed Copies of Freedom Writers Books

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/shop

The movie Freedom Writers is filled with memorable characters based on the students of Room 203. For many viewers, the standout character is Eva Benitez, the Latina student whose loyalty is put to the test when called to testify in a murder trial. In today's episode, Erin Gruwell brings you her conversation with the woman behind the amazing portrayal of that character, the talented actress-turned-activist, April Hernandez-Castillo. Erin and April discuss the making of Freedom Writers, and dive even deeper about empowering women and helping people to heal from wounds of depression and abuse. April then takes us into her personal story about escaping teen dating violence, using her voice to find healing and purpose, and working diligently to serve others with similar struggles.

Links and Resources:

Questions, stories, reviews? Contact us:

Your Voice, Your Choice website: http://www.voiceischoice.com/#about

April Hernandez's CoolSpeak Profile: https://www.coolspeak.net/motivational-speakers/april-hernandez-castillo/

April Hernadez's Instagram account: https://www.instagram.com/aprillhernandez/

Time's Up: https://www.timesupnow.com/

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 http://www.thehotline.org/

National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-8255 https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/

National Teen Dating Abuse Hotline: 1-886-331-9474 / http://www.loveisrespect.org/

Buy Signed Copies of Freedom Writers Books

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/shop

This episode embraces a spirit of acceptance and pride by listening to stories from members of the LGBTQ community. Freedom Writer Teacher Tara Bordeaux talks about overcoming tremendous obstacles and hateful opposition in her journey to becoming the 2018 Texas Teacher of the Year. Then Erin Gruwell shares her conversation with advocate and activist Matthew Boger. After being thrown out of his home at the age of thirteen because of his sexuality, Matthew was savagely beaten by a gang of neo-Nazis and left for dead. Twenty-five years later, Matthew came face-to-face with one of his assailants and ventured down a remarkable path of forgiveness and friendship.

Links and Resources:

Questions, stories, reviews? Contact us:

More on Tara Bordeaux:

2018 Texas Teacher of the Year Announcement: https://atxne.ws/2zljGcN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diYWNTKWr7o

More on Matthew Boger:

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

"Facing Fear" website: http://www.facingfearmovie.com/index.html

Support for LGBTQ Youth:

Trevor Project: https://bit.ly/2u2gC04

Human Rights Campaign: https://www.hrc.org/

Matthew Shepard Foundation: https://www.matthewshepard.org/

Museum of Tolerance website: https://bit.ly/1od4nIB

Texas Teacher of the Year program information: https://www.tasanet.org/domain/59

Become a Freedom Writer Teacher! Attend a Freedom Writer Teacher Institute:

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

Buy Signed Copies of Freedom Writers Books

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/shop

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

Erin Gruwell speaks with two extraordinary educators, Dr. Nomsa Galeta and Dr. St. Claire Adriaan, whose remarkable stories span continents and bridge barriers. Both of these individuals are Freedom Writer Teachers that hail from the beautiful country of South Africa. They talk about growing up under the Apartheid regime, the legacy of Nelson Mandela in fighting for freedom, and the power of education to deliver the promise of democracy.

Links and Resources:

Questions, stories, reviews? Contact us:

More on the Horrors of Apartheid:

https://www.history.com/topics/apartheid

http://www.sahistory.org.za/article/history-apartheid-south-africa

More on Nelson Mandela:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqoYmx_L-Xs

https://www.nelsonmandela.org/

Become a Freedom Writer Teacher! Attend a Freedom Writer Teacher Institute:

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

Buy Signed Copies of Freedom Writers Books

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/shop

Recorded live at the Los Angeles Theater, this episode features Erin Gruwell's conversation with Eva Schloss, Holocaust survivor and step-sister of Anne Frank. Eva talks about her friendship with Anne when they were young girls, the terror of living in hiding during the Nazi regime, and the tragedy of being captured and sent to Auschwitz. After Eva was liberated with her mother, their story took a surprising twist when they were reunited with Otto Frank, Anne Frank's father. What followed is a tender story of healing and hope.

Links and Resources:

Buy Eva Schloss's Book, "Eva's Story" https://amzn.to/2JnecRq

Eva Returns to Rescue Her Brother's Paintings: https://bit.ly/2iVZ25a

"Living In the Shadow of Anne Frank" https://bit.ly/2sMFYOT

http://www.annefrank.org/en/

Holocaust Education

www.history.com/topics/world-war-ii/the-holocaust

www.museumoftolerance.com

www.holocaust.org.uk

Learn more about the Freedom Writers Foundation:

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org

Buy Signed Copies of Freedom Writers Books

www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/shop