Freedom Writers Podcast

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...

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...

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...

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 t...

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 lo...

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...

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. T...

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 mind...

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 y...

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 Fre...

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 Dea...

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 h...

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...

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 Onl...

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....

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.

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.

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.templegr...

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 i...

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...

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 c...

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...

In this week's episode, Erin Gruwell is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and acclaimed author, Anna Quindlen. They discuss Anna’s literary journey, her advice for aspiring authors, and her reflections on the craft.

On today's episode, Erin interviews original Freedom Writer, Kanya Hak Sims, and actress, Jackie Ngan. They discuss Jackie and Kanya’s devastating experiences with discrimination, how the coronavirus pandemic has underscored the effects of harmful Asian stereotypes, and what we all can do to stop Asian American Pacific Islander hate.

In this week's episode, Erin Gruwell is joined by Esther Wojcicki, a celebrated author and educator whose new project, Tract.app, is helping change the way students learn online. They discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic changed classrooms around the world and the ways in which educators can empower their students to thrive during due pressure or during a crisis.