The American Dream . . . Fact or fiction? For those who come to the U.S. undocumented as children, the future can seem uncertain. We share the story of Daniel, a DACA recipient whose family fled drug cartels and NAFTA trade wars in search of a better life in Oregon. And we also sit down with Janet Arias-Martinez from the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute in Washington, D.C.  

Join J.R. and Kelsey as they discuss Dreaming in America. 

Stories
• In America I Trust: Daniel’s story, submitted anonymously through the national Facing Immigration Project. Performed by Edgar de Santiago.

Music Used in this Episode
• "Stage 1 Level 24" by Monplaisir. Released under CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication. From the Free Music Archive.

They say girls shouldn’t go to school. And by they, we mean Boko Haram. We share the story of Serena, a Nigerian student whose family fled the terror group and settled down in Flint, Michigan, during the water crisis. Now, she studies pre-med in Houston. Join J.R. and Kelsey as they explore new beginnings.

Stories
• They Say Girls Shouldn’t Go To School: Serena’s story as told to Rylee Fritsch from The Facing Project at Mott Community College in Flint, Michigan. Performed by Sasha Donati.

Music Used in this Episode
• "Dog Soldier Stand Down" by Aglow Hollow Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.

An Indiana man facing the end of his life reflects on the legacy he’ll leave behind, and an individual in Texas who lost the love of their life starts over in a new community in Indiana.

Join us as J.R. and Kelsey reflect on Season 1 and explore the adage: When one door closes, another always opens.

Stories
• Times to Make a Difference: Jay Zimmerman’s story as told to Kelsey Timmerman from “A Midsummer Night’s Narrative: Stories of Unity in Delaware County, Indiana. A Facing Project Storytelling Festival.” Performed by Larry Beck.
• A Shift in Perspective . . . And Ryan Reynolds: Dallas Sanford’s story as told to Jessika Griffin from “Facing LGBTQ+ Pride,” a Facing Project in Muncie, Indiana. Performed by David Welty.

Music Used in this Episode
• "sense of wonder" by fwimmygoat Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. From the Free Music Archive.
• "Being" by Ryan Anderson Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) licence. From the Free Music Archive.
• "New Dawn" by David Hilowitz Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) licence. From the Free Music Archive.

A Georgia woman who was sex trafficked as a teenager shares her story and inspires a kiosk to educate air travelers in the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, and a woman in Kansas who struggled to feed her children influences the development of an on-campus food pantry

Join us as J.R. and Kelsey discuss Facing Project stories that have created tangible change in communities.

Stories
• Daddy’s Little Girl: Casey’s story as told to Yewande Austin from “Facing Sex Trafficking: Atlanta’s Dirty Little Secret.” Performed by Yewande Austin.
• The Story of a Mother: An Anonymous Story as told to Autumn Snesrud from “Facing Hunger in Manhattan, Kansas,” a Facing Project organized by Kansas State University. Performed by Chandra Ford.

Music used in this episode
• "Soundboy" by 4bstr4ck3r Released under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive.

An Indiana man gives an honest response to what life is like living in the throes of addiction, and a woman in Wisconsin changes her life through recovery to be a role model for her kids.

Join us as J.R. and Kelsey discuss the impacts of addiction with a personal revelation for listeners.  

Stories
• Artificial Happiness: Devin Thorp’s Story as told to Samantha Mattlin from “Facing Addiction in East Central Indiana.” Performed by Carl Frost.
• Breaking Cycles: An anonymous story as told to Cara W. and Jessica T. from “Behind the Faces of Criminal Justice in Chippewa Valley, Wisconsin: A Facing Project.” Performed by Laura Williamson. 

Music used in this episode
• "The Decision" by Loyalty Freak Music Released under a CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication. From the Free Music Archive.
• "Sediment, Part 3: PIANO 3" by nordbeck Released under an Attribution 3.0 Unported (CC BY 3.0) License. From the Internet Archive.
• "Effemeah Weeps" by Uncan Released under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License.From the Free Music Archive.

A woman forced from her home as a child by nuclear testing in the Bikini Islands reflects on the aftermath of that fateful day, and an Indiana man whose life changed shortly after he tucked his kids in for the night finds peace through the darkest hours.

Join us as J.R. and Kelsey explore what happens when life changes in an instant.

Stories
• When the Bomb Went Off: Mary’s story as told to Anna Kelley from “Facing Diversity—Marshallese Stories, a Facing Project in Dubuque, Iowa.” Performed by Debby Girtman.
• The Worst and Best Days of My Life: Brad Daugherty’s story as told to Ruthie Shellabarger from “A Midsummer Night’s Narrative: Stories of Unity in Delaware County, Indiana. A Facing Project Storytelling Festival.” Performed by Bill Inman.

Music used in this episode
• "Il y a un bout de ciel bleu" by Monplaisir Released under CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication. From the Free Music Archive.
• "Fire Tree" by Axletree Released under Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive.

A mother in Indiana asks others to see her daughter with autism for who she is, and a man who comes out of the closet later in life stands up for himself—and ultimately others—in a small Ohio community.

Join us as J.R. and Kelsey discuss if ignorance is bliss or if awareness is the key to happiness.

Stories
• Ask: A mom asks people to see her daughter with autism for who she is. Dana William’s story as told to Clarissa Bowers from “Facing Autism in Muncie, Indiana.” Performed by Melinda Messineo.
• Stand Up: A man who comes out of the closet later in life stands up for himself . . . and ultimately . . . for others. Bob Carr’s story as told to Meaghan Summers from “Facing Intolerance at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio.” Performed by Larry Beck.

Music used in this episode
• "The Ants Built A City On His Chest" by Doctor Turtle. Licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive.

An Indiana man with autism gives a peek inside of his mind and explores a friendship that helped him discover nothing is too difficult to overcome, and a college student in North Carolina decides that self- love is more important than letting other people define her worth.

Join J.R. and Kelsey for a reflection on alone time and finding the space for self-acceptance.

Stories
• Chasing the Sunset: A man with autism and bi-polar disorder gives a peek inside of his mind and explores a friendship that helped him discover that no challenge in life is too difficult to overcome. Shannon Brown’s story as told to Jamie Reese from “Facing Disabilities in East Central Indiana.” Performed by Brian Meekin.
• Breaking a Mold that Shouldn’t Exist: A college student decides that self-love is more important than letting other people define her worth. Elizabeth’s story as told to Morgan McGrath from “Facing Perfection at Davidson College in Davidson, North Carolina.” Performed by Angie Rogers-Howell.

Music used in this episode
• "Warm" by Cambo. Licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive.
• "Finger Cut" by Vernon Lenoir. Licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) License. From the Free Music Archive.

A gay teen who was kicked out of his home and forced into sex trafficking writes a letter to his parents, and a teen survivor of dating violence shares early warning signs from her own experiences.

Join J.R. and Kelsey as the talk about how painful stories are often the ones that provide a sense of strength.

Stories
• Dear Mom & Dad: An Anonymous Story as told to Jeff Perri from Facing Sex Trafficking in Atlanta, Georgia. Performed by Drew Vidal.
• You’re Not Alone: Annie’s Story as told to Carli Scalf from Safety in Love in Muncie: A Facing Project. Performed by Kristie Inman.

Music used in this episode
• "Mr Brown is Outta Town" by Hammer of Hathor. Licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported (CC BY-NC 3.0) License. From the Free Music Archive.
• "Cloud Launching" by Little Glass Men. Licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) License. From the Free Music Archive.