Freedom Writers Podcast

On this week’s episode, Erin Gruwell interviews Congresswomen Nanette Diaz Barragán who currently represents California’s 44th congressional district. They discuss Congresswoman Barragán’s empowering journey to the United States House of Representative as a first generation American and Congresswoman Barragán’s trips to the US-Mexico border. As the Chair of the House’s subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation and Operations, Congresswoman Barragán is working to enact meaningful change in the US’s immigration policies, and remains an ardent supporter of immigrants’ rights. We hope that this episode will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference.

During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, hotelier Paul Rusesabagina harbored over 1,200 refugees at the Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali, the capitol of Rwanda. After the genocide, Paul Rusesabagina wrote about this experience in his book, An Ordinary Man. His story was later adapted into the 2004 film, Hotel Rwanda, starring Academy Award nominated actor Don Cheadle. Following a failed assassination attempt in 1996, Paul Rusesabagina left Rwanda, but has remained a vocal critic of Rwandan president Paul Kagame. In August of 2020, Paul Rusesabagina was kidnapped by the Kagame’s government and taken back to Rwanda. He remains illegally detained there - unable to communicate freely with his family. In our first episode of 2021, Erin Gruwell speaks with Paul Rusesabagina's family about his heroic story, the international community's response to the kidnapping and how you can join the fight to #FreeRusesabagina.

In the midst of widespread protests and civil unrest following the tragic murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota, at the hands of four now-charged police officers, Freedom Writers felt compelled to rally together for a "town hall" style live broadcast we're calling "Healing from Hurting." Having come together once before in the aftermath of the LA Riots sparked by the Rodney King verdict in 1992, Freedom Writers again join together to share their unique perspective, hopes, and fears as history seems to be repeating itself.

To watch the original broadcast please visit: https://bit.ly/2NC80GJ

In the wake of widespread protests and civil unrest following the tragic murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis Minnesota at the hands of four now-charged police officers, Freedom Writers felt compelled to rally together for a "town hall" style live broadcast we're calling "Healing from Hurting." Having come together in the aftermath of the LA Riots that precipitated from the Rodney King verdict in 1992, Freedom Writers join together to share their unique perspective, hopes, and fears as history seems to be repeating itself.

In this new episode of our Freedom Writers Podcast COVID-19 mini-series, listeners will be inspired by House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer. During the COVID-19 crisis, Congressman Hoyer and his colleagues on Capitol Hill are working hard to protect everyone from this terrible disease. Congressman Hoyer takes us back to his early life to explain his path to becoming an influential public policymaker. He shares how he turned his pain into purpose after the death of his wife, a fellow teacher named Judy, by creating Judith P. Hoyer Early Childhood Centers to serve low-income communities across Maryland. As this pandemic persists, we hope that Steny's stories of virtue will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference.

In this new episode of our Freedom Writers Podcast COVID-19 mini-series, listeners will be uplifted by the amazing stories covered by reporter, Steve Hartman. During the COVID-19 crisis, Steve and his family are producing "Kindness 101," an educational series where Steve transforms from a reporter into a teacher. Using segments from Steve's career at CBS News, "Kindness 101" aims to teach children stuck at home during the pandemic important values such as courage, optimism, and altruism. Erin and Steve also discuss the "On the Road" segments that Steve produces for the CBS Evening News and how Steve finds heartfelt stories to lighten a usually dark newscast. As this pandemic persists, we hope that Steve's glass-half-full approach to the world will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference.

In this new episode of our Freedom Writers Podcast COVID-19 mini-series, listeners will get a behind the scenes look into the journalism world from Gary Tuchman, a 30 year CNN veteran reporter. Gary recounts some of his most impactful memories from his time at CNN, and shares some stories from the field as he continues to cover the ongoing COVID-19 public health crisis. Whether it be at Ground Zero on September 11, 2001, a battlefield in Afghanistan and Iraq, or an erupting volcano in Iceland, Gary has been at the center of breaking news for nearly four decades. In the era of misinformation, Gary's moral and ethical approach to learning will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference.

In this new Freedom Writers Podcast mini-series, listeners will get first hand accounts from the professionals addressing the Coronavirus / COVID-19 crisis. In this episode, registered nurse (and original Freedom Writer) Calvin Vanderhoff shares his horrifying experiences from the front lines of the battle against this deadly disease. These stories are gritty and horrifying, but will give you greater insight into the gravity of the current public health emergency. After Calvin, you'll hear from another original Freedom Writer, Norma Bravo, who came to this country as an undocumented immigrant, but earned her citizenship and is currently preparing to take her MCAT, attend medical school, and become a doctor. Her perspective as a medical student and mother reminds us that despite the darkness, there is still a light at the end of the tunnel.

LINKS:

Learn more about COVID-19 on the CDC's website: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

Support the production of the Freedom Writers Podcast by donating here: http://www.freedomwritersfoundation.org/index.php/donate

On today's episode, Erin speaks with actor, director, producer and activist Danny DeVito. Danny discusses the roles that have defined his career and the projects that have allowed him to shape lives. Danny's story is a testament to the importance of charity, generosity and compassion, and we hope this conversation leaves you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference.

On this episode, Erin speaks with educator and activist Nare Garibyan about the horrific Armenian genocide, and the lasting impact of the genocide 105 years later. Nare discusses how the Armenian diaspora work to support genocide education and recognition, and why many countries still do not acknowledge the Armenian genocide. This is a highly complex and controversial topic, but regardless of your political leanings, we hope you are able to hear the pain and anguish in Nare’s story and stand beside her in the fight for peace and recognition for the Armenian genocide.