This episode concludes the special two-part series on the Kinder Doll Animation Project. Hosted by Dr. Mehak Burza, this conversation highlights the faculty's role as creators, thinkers and visionaries behind Kinder Doll Animation Project- UT Dallas' first-ever stop-motion puppet animation. The faculty share their perspectives on shaping a project that merges disciplines—animation, sculpture, music, screenwriting, and history—into a unique storytelling experience. They further reflect on the creative process, the challenges of bringing the Kindertransport story to life, and the powerful intersection of art, history, and education.

This episode is the first in a special two-part series on the Kinder Doll Animation Project- a groundbreaking collaboration between UT Dallas students and faculty that tells the story of the Kindertransport through stop-motion animation.

In this episode, Dr. Mehak Burza sits down with Dr. Christine Veras, director of both the Experimental Lab and the Kinder Doll animation project, along with the talented student team who helped bring it to life. As the university’s first-ever stop-motion puppet animation, the project merges art, history, and storytelling in extraordinary ways. Dr. Veras and the student team share insights into the creative journey of transforming memory and history into motion.

In this episode Dr. Nils Roemer and Dr. Mehak Burza sit down with filmmaker Anthony D’Ambrosio, director of the film Triumph of the Heart. Set to release on 12 September, this extraordinary film tell the true story of St. Maximilian Kolbe, the Polish Catholic priest who made the ultimate sacrifice at Auschwitz when he volunteered to die in place of another prisoner.

The conversation dives into the creative journey behind the movie: what inspired D’Ambrosio to tell this story, the artistic choices that shaped its narrative, and the challenges of bringing a vision of resilience, courage, and memory to the big screen.

In this episode, Dr. Nils Roemer and Angie Simmons delve into the harrowing experiences of a Jewish family in Poland during the Nazi invasion. Using powerful testimony footage, they explore stories of resilience, survival, and the lasting impact of history. Tune in for a compelling conversation that brings these personal narratives to life.

In this episode, Dr. Mehak Burza speaks with Dr. Jerzy Wójcik, a distinguished scholar and guide born in Oświęcim (Auschwitz), Poland. A graduate of Jagiellonian University with a PhD in political science, Dr. Wójcik has dedicated his career to Holocaust education through his work with institutions such as the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum and the Jagiellonian University Center for Holocaust Studies. Dr. Wójcik shares his journey from growing up in the shadow of Auschwitz to guiding both in-person and virtual tours of the site. The discussion explores how he tailors tours for diverse audiences, navigates the challenges of conveying historical accuracy, and confronts Holocaust denial. He also reflects on the significance of virtual tours, which he began in 2020, and what he hopes participants take away from this deeply impactful experience.

Join us in this episode as Dr. Hanno Berger and Angie Simmons discuss the Hulu original series "We Were the Lucky Ones", based on Georgia Hunter’s novel. They explore the authenticity of the adaptation, its emotional impact, and what it’s like to experience this powerful story on screen. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on history, storytelling, and the significance of bringing these narratives to life.

In this episode, Dr. Deborah Fripp, executive director of Teach the Shoah, joins Dr. Mehak Burza for a powerful conversation on the role of storytelling in Holocaust education. Together, they explore what it means to honor voices that are no longer with us, how to responsibly share survivors’ stories, and why storytelling continues to be one of the most moving tools for remembrance in a post-witness era. From the emotional toll of deep listening to strategies for guiding students beyond passive learning, Dr. Fripp reflects on how story becomes both a vessel for memory and a call to moral engagement.

What happens when memory meets machine? In this episode, Dr. Mehak Burza speaks with Dr. Todd Presner, Chair of UCLA's Department of European Languages and Transcultural Studies and author of "Ethics of the Algorithm: Digital Humanities and Holocaust Memory" (Princeton, 2024). Together they unpack the growing role of digital tools and artificial intelligence in shaping Holocaust remembrance. Moving beyond traditional memorials, this conversation dives into algorithmic ethics, data obfuscation, and ensuring that digital Holocaust projects remain transparent, respectful and human-centered.

This is a two-part series exploring the life and legacy of Rutka Laskier, through music, memory and family. Rutka, a 14 year old Jewish girl chronicled three months of her life in her diary in 1943. In Part I- Dr. Nils Roemer talks to Amy Langer and David Schwarz- the producers of "Rutka: A New Musical". They delve into the making of the musical- a moving adaptation of Rutka's diary that invites audiences to experience her teenage voice through song and performance. In Part II- Dr. Mehak Burza speaks with Prof. Zahava Scherz, Rutka's half sister, who learned of Rutka's existence decades after the Holocaust. Zahava's poignant reflections open a rare and deeply personal window into the legacy of a sister she never met and a life cut short during the Holocaust. As we commemorate the birthdays of both Anne Frank and Rutka Laskier, this episode is not a comparison but a convergence- a tribute to two young girls who documented their truth in the face of unimaginable darkness.

In this episode, Dr. Mehak Burza interviews Mr. Maziar Bahari—acclaimed journalist, filmmaker, and author of "Then They Came for Me", a New York Times best seller. Mr. Bahari discusses the Sardari Project, an initiative shedding light on Abdol Hossein Sardari, an Iranian diplomat who saved Jews during the Holocaust. Mr. Bahari explores his pioneering work with IranWire, a platform for citizen journalism, and the challenges of telling nuanced, untold stories from marginalized communities. He further reflects on the power of storytelling to shape memory, justice, and resilience in the face of censorship and repression.