Refugee Stories: In Their Own Voices - podcast cover

Refugee Stories: In Their Own Voices

Southern Methodist University and Human Rights Mediawww.hrtsmedia.com
In seven compelling episodes, this podcast covers the most pressing and misunderstood aspects of the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, including how security vetting actually works, the economic impact of refugees, the history of U.S. immigration and ongoing pattern of fear and vilification of newcomers, faith perspectives, veteran perspectives, and the current status and future of the global migration crisis that has rivaled the historical migrant flows of WWII and continues to rise today. More importantly, this podcast introduces you to refugees who have resettled in Texas, and who share their harrowing stories of escape from death. We hope you will allow us to take you deep into refugee resettlement and the lives of refugees so you can experience the best of humanity and become a part of something like nothing else you've ever experienced - and have probably never imagined. Support for this podcast is provided by the Embrey Human Rights Program at Southern Methodist University. This podcast is also a production of Human Rights Media LLC in Dallas, TX. For media inquiries, please contact tjelke@smu.edu. New episodes were released monthly from October 2017 through May 2018. Many thanks to the dedicated staff who worked tirelessly to help produce this series and make it possible. And for each refugee and expert guest, thank you for your honesty and vulnerability to bring your stories and reliable data to the public. CREDITS: Tiffany Jelke, Producer & Host • SMU Community Outreach Fellow • Michelle Lara, Production Assisant Allison Plake, Audio Production Intern Kade Peacock, Sound Technician Stephanie Hartzell, Transcription Dr. Bradley Klein, Associate Director of SMU's Embrey Human Rights Program is the mentor on this project.
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Episodes

Episode 7 "Faith Forward: Stronger Together" + Bonus Content: An Imam, A Pastor, and a Dream

What does faith demand of us? What can we gain from meeting those demands? What has gone so wrong and how can faith help us find a solution in the conflicting narrative about refugees, Muslims, and immigrants in general? Meet Faith Forward Dallas, an interfaith coalition in Dallas, Texas providing a model to the world of how we can practice our faith and be stronger together. Guests on this episode: Rabbi Nancy Kasten, Imam Omar Suleiman, Rev. Michael Waters, Linda Abramson Evans, Rev. Andy Stok...

May 03, 201847 min

Episode 6 "The Free and The Brave" • TOPIC: Refugee Youth and Veterans For American Ideals

This month, we will find the common ground between an Iranian refugee youth activist, a soprano former student and Conrad Charging Choir member, and a U.S. Marine who now advocates for refugees. How, you may ask? Listen now to find out! On this episode, you'll meet Rooha Haghar, a junior at Conrad High School in Dallas who is also an Iranian Bahá'í activist sharing her story and raising awareness of the fate of other Iranian minorities. You'll also meet her classmate Zasha Garcia, a soprano in C...

Mar 08, 201836 min

Episode 5 "The Writing on the Wall" • TOPIC: The Global Migration Crisis and Its Consequences

This is the story of Bothina Matar, a Syrian refugee who witnessed the horrific government's response to children and teenagers writing a message to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on the wall of a school in Daraa. That response sparked the crisis Syria is still experiencing today. We will also learn about the Global Migration Crisis, the largest displacement of people since World War II, from Ciarán Donnelly, head of International Programs at International Rescue Committee worldwide. We will ...

Feb 19, 201830 min

Episode 4 "Waiting to Die" • TOPIC: U.S. History of Immigration & Reception of Newcomers

On this episode, meet Nisar Ahmad Momand. Nisar spent most of his life as a refugee, first in Pakistan, then as an enemy of the Taliban who worked for the U.S. Army in Afghanistan, risking his life and becoming the target of Taliban attacks three times! He now lives in Houston, TX with his family and works with a resettlement agency helping newly arriving refugees. He was named a hero by Univision last summer when he and a group of 20 helped move people and belongings during Hurricane Harvey. Dr...

Jan 12, 201827 min

Episode 3 "A Whole Country" • TOPIC: Economic Impact of Refugees w/ Paul Solman

In this powerful episode, follow Dr. Hadidja Nyiransekuye on a journey into the heart of the 1994 Rwandan genocide that will make you question the very thing that makes us human. Paul Solman of PBS NewsHour describes how refugees revitalized the town of Utica, NY, and Dr. Jennifer Hunt of Rutgers University explains the cost benefit analysis of refugees in the U.S. *Warning: Graphic content that may not be suitable for all listeners.* Please enjoy this episode of In Their Own Voices. ___________...

Dec 04, 201741 min

Full Interview on Security Vetting and NatSec with Nicholas Heras of CNAS

FULL INTERVIEW WITH NICHOLAS HERAS OF CNAS (Subject matter expert for Episode 2 "Guilty Until Proven Innocent". This is the full WebEx audio interview with Nicholas Heras of Center for a New American Security in Washington D.C. Nicholas discusses the key differences between U.S. and Euro migration and refugee flows and details the security vetting process for refugees coming to the U.S. He also explains the multilayered components that affect national security but are not covered as much in the ...

Nov 04, 20171 hr 7 min

Episode 2 "Guilty Until Proven Innocent" • TOPIC: Security Vetting of Refugees w/ Nicholas Heras

Follow the refugee journey of Sarah Al-Kayali as she and her family flee sectarian militia threats and bombings in Baghdad Iraq before coming to the U.S. Then, national security expert Nicholas Heras of Center for a New American Security discusses the security vetting of refugees. The full version of his interview can be heard here: http://smu.edu/humanrights/ Please enjoy this episode of In Their Own Voices. ________________________________________________ SPONSORSHIP: Funding for this podcast ...

Oct 31, 201751 min

Episode 1 "It Only Takes One" • TOPIC: Just meet one refugee, then decide

In this, our premiere episode of an 8 part monthly podcast series, we meet Ghazwan Abdullah, his wife Huda, and their 11-year-old daughter Hiba who are Iraqi refugees resettled in Dallas, Texas. Along the way we'll also discover meaningful connections from peacebuilder Jason Clarke and hear expert commentary on asylum seekers from Bill Holston. Join us for the first episode of In Their Own Voices. Please enjoy the premiere episode of In Their Own Voices. SPONSORSHIP: Funding for this podcast is ...

Sep 27, 201735 min
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