On this week's episode, Erin Gruwell is joined by Rwandan genocide survivor and activist, Dydine Umunyana-Anderson. Dydine shares her harrowing journey of survival during the Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, her path to healing, and her unwavering dedication to fostering understanding, empathy, and change. Dydine's story is remarkable, and we hope this episode will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference. To learn more about Dydine and her work, visit her website: h...
Apr 05, 2023•46 min
On this week's show, Erin Gruwell speaks with three incredible guests: acclaimed actor Alex Feldman, Ukrainian playwright Uliana Klimchuk, and Emmy-nominated writer and producer, Laura Cahill. They discuss the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, and how Young Playwrights Ukraine aims to give refugees fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine a voice through theater. These amazing artists and activists are inspiring a new generation of Ukrainians to stand up, speak up, and speak out, and we hope their story...
Mar 22, 2023•57 min
On this week's episode, we hear from four members of our Freedom Writer Family as they speak about their female heroes. First, Freedom Writer Norma Bravo-Lemler celebrates the mother of naturopathic medicine, Dr. Louisa Lust. Then, Freedom Writer Teacher Meghan Abruzzo reflects on mental health advocate and educator Nichole Sachs. Next, Freedom Writer Cynthia Ray-De La Vega honors the groundbreaking work of legal scholar and professor Dr. Kimberlé Crenshaw. Finally, Freedom Writer Teacher Dr. Da...
Mar 08, 2023•34 min
On this week's episode of the Freedom Writers Podcast, join Erin Gruwell and four members of our Freedom Writer Family as they share some inspiring stories of African-American heroism in celebration of Black History Month. Freedom Writer Narada Comans honors the late Congressman John Lewis, Freedom Writer Teacher Lex Morgan shares the story of Ruby Bridges, Freedom Writer Kimberlee Morrison celebrates Nobel Laureate Tony Morrison, and Freedom Writer Teacher Dr. Ronnie Gordon reflects on everyday...
Feb 22, 2023•34 min
In this week's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with Katya Yarotskaya, a passionate activist and advocate for Ukraine from Russia. They discuss Katya’s work bridging the digital divide for students affected by the war in Ukraine, how it feels to be a Russian during the current conflict, and the importance of supporting human rights no matter where you’re from. Get inspired and empowered to make a difference as they discuss the meaningful impact everyday people can have on the world!
Dec 14, 2022•52 min
On this week's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with Edie Mermelstein, an attorney and Holocaust educator. They discuss the recent and troubling rise in antisemitism on social media, Edie's family's incredible work with the Auschwitz Study Foundation, and the importance of keeping stories from the Holocaust alive. This episode is sadly more relevant than ever, but we hope it will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference. Learn More About the Auschwitz Study Foundation: https:...
Nov 30, 2022•51 min
On this week's episode, join Erin Gruwell as she speaks with Nyaz Burhan, a Kurdish student author from our new book, Dear Freedom Writer, and his amazing Freedom Writer Teacher, Michael Wegmann, who hails from Germany. They discuss Nyaz's harrowing journey as a Kurdish refugee, and how the power of education has helped him to heal, find his voice, and build a new life in Europe. This story is both heartbreaking and heroic, and we hope it will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make ...
Nov 16, 2022•45 min
On today's episode, Erin interviews Samuel DePace, a celebrated student author from the new book, Dear Freedom Writer. Samuel, or “Sam” as Erin affectionately refers to him is a trans man. Sam candidly discusses what it was like to grow up feeling out of place in his own body, and how he ultimately found the strength to live his truth. Sam's courage and authenticity are truly inspiring, and we hope this episode will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference. Purchase Dear ...
Nov 02, 2022•45 min
On this week's episode, Erin Gruwell is joined by two Ukrainians currently living in the United States. Our first guest, Lenny Shtyenberg, is one of the co-founders of UkraineNeedsYou.org - an impressive mental health care non-profit that provides services to those affected by the conflict. Lenny makes a passionate plea about what you can do to help support their efforts. Later, we are joined by a Ukrainian member of our Freedom Writer family, Laurence Bezinover, whose parents escaped the former...
Oct 19, 2022•49 min
On today's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with dramaturge, author, and the new dean of the Claire Trevor School of the Arts at UC Irvine, Dr. Tiffany Lopez. They discuss Dr. Lopez's journey from being a first generation college student to becoming a leading voice in the fight for diversity and inclusion in higher education and the arts. This episode is packed with inspiring insights, and we hope it will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference. Purchase Dr. Lopez's book, Gr...
Sep 28, 2022•51 min
On this week's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with Krish Sharma, a British student author from our new book, Dear Freedom Writer, and his fabulous Freedom Writer Teacher, Sam Norwood. They discuss Krish's struggles with bullying, how important trust is for victims of bullying, and how parents, teachers, and students alike can protect students from bullying. This episode is a powerful look at how to find strength in the face of adversity and we hope it will leave you feeling enlightened and empower...
Sep 13, 2022•42 min
On this week's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with Lucas Hammeken, a Greenlandic student author from the new book, Dear Freedom Writer, and his former headmaster, Torbjørn Ydegaard, a dedicated Freedom Writer Teacher who hails from Denmark. They discuss the linguistic challenges faced by students in Greenland, how Torbjørn and Lucas braved the COVID-19 pandemic in their rural village and the pride that Lucas feels as an author in Dear Freedom Writer. This episode is a fascinating look into how lan...
Aug 24, 2022•33 min
On this week's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with New Zealand’s Gisborne District Councillor, Meredith Akuhata-Brown, and her daughter, Casey - two proud, Maori members of our Freedom Writer Family. They discuss the history of the Maori people, the effects of New Zealand's colonization by the British, and the importance of knowing and accepting your cultural roots. This episode is an eye-opening look into the lingering effects of colonization, and how community activism and involvement can overco...
Aug 02, 2022•48 min
Today's episode is serious and somber as we share that our Freedom Writer Family has lost a beloved member. Alexi Rodriguez, whom we affectionately refer to as “Lexi," tragically took her life. As a student author in our new book, DEAR FREEDOM WRITER, Lexi penned her pain in the letter "Perpetual Patient.” The loss of Lexi compelled us to create a safe space to discuss suicide, to encourage those experiencing thoughts of suicide to seek help, and to increase factors that promote suicide preventi...
Jul 19, 2022•45 min
In this week's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with 11 year old Kyan, a student author from our newest book, Dear Freedom Writer, and his parents, Dale and Manuel. To help celebrate Pride month, they discuss the inspiration for Kyan’s Dear Freedom Writer story, the righteous indignation Kyan uses to fuel his activism and how they are both allies and advocates for LGBTQIA+ families across the world. This episode is incredibly insightful and we hope it will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered...
Jun 22, 2022•43 min
In this week’s episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with four of the amazing student authors of our new book, Dear Freedom Writer - Jadyn L from New York, Jayden B from Alabama, Kelly from California, and Yamon from Israel. They discuss what it feels like to be a Freedom Writer student author and how our student authors hope to spread the power of the pen. This episode is an eye-opening look into the minds of our amazing student authors, and we hope this episode will leave you feeling enlightened and em...
May 24, 2022•42 min
In this week’s episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with five fabulous Freedom Writer Teachers - Dr. Precious Symonette, Bill Feaver, Cathy Connelly, Paul Smith, and Tammy Purrington. They discuss the struggles faced by educators across the United States, the pride they feel seeing our students succeed, and the special moments that makes their noble profession worthwhile. We hope this episode will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference. Purchase Dear Freedom Writer: bit.ly/3wps...
May 10, 2022•51 min
In this week’s episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with Jill and Amnon Damti - world-renowned dancers, Israeli Ambassadors of Peace and Freedom Writer Teachers. They discuss Jill and Amnon’s innovative techniques for spreading peace through dance and how we can all advocate for the otherly-abled. We hope this episode will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference. Purchase Dear Freedom Writer: bit.ly/3wpsB8N Donate to Our Student Authors: tinyurl.com/DearFWFundraiser
Apr 26, 2022•35 min
On this week's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with three panels of students, parents, teachers and Freedom Writers who participated in our new book, Dear Freedom Writer. They discuss overcoming mental health emergencies, the struggles faced by first generation Americans and how to maintain a vision, even without sight. This episode is a sneak peek into the fifty stories of hardship and hope from Dear Freedom Writer, and we hope it will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a differen...
Apr 12, 2022•52 min
In this week's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with three student authors of the new book, Dear Freedom Writer - Zoey (whom we affectionately call “Zi”), Jeremiah, and Robert. She is also joined by their parents, Freedom Writer teachers, and school administrators for a lively discussion about the book writing process, the pride of seeing their students become published authors, and the lessons they hope Dear Freedom Writer gives readers. This episode is a lighthearted look into the minds of the ama...
Mar 29, 2022•43 min
In this week's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with Original Freedom Writers Ian, Shanita, Tye, Shanate, Maddie, Calvin, Cynthia, Latilla, Kanha and Chirece. We discuss what it feels like to pass the torch to the next generation and help shape the lives of children from around the world. This episode is a heartwarming look into our writing process for our new book, Dear Freedom Writer, and I hope it will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference. Purchase Dear Freedom Writer:...
Mar 22, 2022•44 min
In this week's episode, Erin Gruwell is joined by Georgie Smith, the founder of A Sense of Home and the 2016 top ten CNN Hero of the Year. They discuss the power of helping others and the importance of exercising the soul through giving. Georgie’s story is incredibly moving, and I hope this episode will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference. Check out A Sense of Home Online: https://www.asenseofhome.org/
Dec 21, 2021•51 min
On this episode, Erin Gruwell is joined by Tresor Rusesabagina, the son of humanitarian Paul Rusesabagina. Tresor updates us on his father Paul’s kidnapping in August 2020 by the Rwandan government and shares how we can help #FreeRusesabagina. Tresor’s bravery and determination are incredibly powerful, and we hope this episode will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference. Podcast with Rusesabagina Family: https://soundcloud.com/user-626834306/57-freerusesabagina Learn Mo...
Nov 09, 2021•45 min
On this episode, Erin Gruwell is joined by actor, activist, and singer/songwriter Kate Nash. They discuss how Kate uses art to connect with fans from all walks of life and how she learned to use her voice to fight for change. Kate’s stories and industry insights are incredibly powerful, and we hope this episode will leave you feeling enlightened and empowered to make a difference.
Oct 26, 2021•50 min
On this episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with Candace Houle, a member of the Cree Nation and a beloved Freedom Writer Teacher. They discuss Candace’s experiences growing up as a First Nation in Canada, the historical interactions between the indigenous culture and European settlers, and the recent revelations about the mistreatment of First Nations at residential schools.
Oct 13, 2021•54 min
In this week's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with Temple Grandin, animal behaviorist and autism advocate Temple Grandin. They discuss Temple's childhood growing up on the autism spectrum and how her unique perspective as a visual learner informed her views on how to improve the educational system, and advocate for the humane treatment of animals. Learn more about Temple Grandin: http://www.templegrandin.com/
Sep 28, 2021•37 min
In this week's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with Diana Chao, the founder of Letters to Strangers. Letters to Strangers is a global youth-run nonprofit which seeks to destigmatize mental illness and increase access to affordable, quality treatment for youth aged 13 to 24. They discuss Diana’s experiences as a first generation immigrant struggling with bipolar disorder, and how she turned her pain into purpose by encouraging others to write their truth. Learn more about Letters to Strangers: https...
Sep 14, 2021•1 hr 5 min
On this week's episode, join Erin Gruwell for a candid conversation about healing after tragedy with the impactful LGBTQIA+ advocate and activist, Judy Shepard. Judy is the mother of Matthew Shepard, an openly gay student who was savagely tortured, tied to a fence and left to die in Laramie, Wyoming in October of 1998. In the wake of his loss, Judy and her husband embarked on a campaign for change - one that took her from her humble hometown in Wyoming, to the highest office in the land, the Whi...
Aug 31, 2021•52 min
In this week’s podcast, Erin Gruwell speaks with writer and producer, Chris Levinson. In celebration of Father’s Day, they discuss Chris’ relationship with her father, acclaimed television writer, Richard Levinson. Richard created many popular TV shows such as “Columbo” and “Murder, She Wrote.” He wanted to share with Chris small snapshots of her life, their father/daughter relationship, and the changing world around them. He did this the only way he knew how - by writing.
Jun 15, 2021•58 min
In this week's episode, Erin Gruwell speaks with Scarlett Lewis, an ardent activist whose son, Jesse, was tragically killed during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012. Scarlett talks about turning her pain into purpose, and how Jesse’s message of “nurturing, healing, love” can change the world. Scarlett’s experiences on that dreadful day are heart-wrenching, but her mission to teach others the importance of choosing love is truly inspiring. Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement: https:/...
Jun 02, 2021•58 min
