Freedom Writers Podcast

Erin Gruwell discusses the tragedy of sexual abuse with four courageous survivors. Current events in the United States have made this subject particularly prominent. In October 2017, survivors of sexual abuse came forward and started sharing their stories with the #MeToo movement. Most recently, the appointment of Judge Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court despite allegations of sexual assault has...

This episode digs deep into the role of positive energy in teaching and leadership. Cesar Millan, the renowned "Dog Whisperer," shares his story with Erin (and her dog, Beau!) about coming to America, working hard to develop his talents, and seeing his dreams come to fruition. He also teaches us important principles about dog and human psychology, and about his “four energies of happiness": calm,...

This episode covers the difficult subjects of mental illness and suicide, and the importance of awareness and prevention. First, Freedom Writer Teacher Mikael Aringer tells his story of hope and healing after a loved one attempted suicide. Then Erin Gruwell shares her conversation with legendary music producer, Bob Ezrin. Bob has produced some of the most iconic albums of the last forty years and...

Erin Gruwell shares a special live recording of a panel discussion about genocide. Co-moderated by Erin and historian Andrew Carroll, the panel features direct testimony of the Holocaust and the genocides in Bosnia, Cambodia, Rwanda, and South Sudan. Genocide awareness is a subject that has played a role in the Freedom Writers' education since the very beginning. By learning about war in far-off c...

In this episode, Erin Gruwell takes you along the publishing journey of The Freedom Writers Diary. Through her conversations with Carol Schild Levy, the Freedom Writers' book agent, and Janet Hill Talbert, the editor of The Freedom Writers Diary, Erin gives you a glimpse behind the curtain at how her students' journal entries evolved into a book, and then a movie, and now -- a movement. Links and...

This episode explores how violence affects children, and the plight of refugees around the globe. First, Original Freedom Writer Bunni Sek explains what it was like being raised by survivors of the Cambodian genocide. Then Erin shares her conversation with Ger Duany, an actor and activist, and known to many as one of the "Lost Boys" of Sudan. When Ger was only 7 years old, his family fled his vill...

The movie Freedom Writers is filled with memorable characters based on the students of Room 203. For many viewers, the standout character is Eva Benitez, the Latina student whose loyalty is put to the test when called to testify in a murder trial. In today's episode, Erin Gruwell brings you her conversation with the woman behind the amazing portrayal of that character, the talented actress-turned-...

This episode embraces a spirit of acceptance and pride by listening to stories from members of the LGBTQ community. Freedom Writer Teacher Tara Bordeaux talks about overcoming tremendous obstacles and hateful opposition in her journey to becoming the 2018 Texas Teacher of the Year. Then Erin Gruwell shares her conversation with advocate and activist Matthew Boger. After being thrown out of his hom...

Erin Gruwell speaks with two extraordinary educators, Dr. Nomsa Galeta and Dr. St. Claire Adriaan, whose remarkable stories span continents and bridge barriers. Both of these individuals are Freedom Writer Teachers that hail from the beautiful country of South Africa. They talk about growing up under the Apartheid regime, the legacy of Nelson Mandela in fighting for freedom, and the power of educa...

Recorded live at the Los Angeles Theater, this episode features Erin Gruwell's conversation with Eva Schloss, Holocaust survivor and step-sister of Anne Frank. Eva talks about her friendship with Anne when they were young girls, the terror of living in hiding during the Nazi regime, and the tragedy of being captured and sent to Auschwitz. After Eva was liberated with her mother, their story took a...

Erin Gruwell shares her conversation with activist David Goodman, who tells the heartbreaking story of his brother's tragic murder in 1964 by members of the Ku Klux Klan, and the 44-day federal investigation that followed. David then talks about confronting the horror of racism in America's past, using one's voice to vote in our present, and the crucial role that the youth play in bettering our de...

This episode explores the "creative spark" that lies within each of us, and how to use creativity to heal after a loss. Our guest, author and producer Kathy Eldon, recounts her family's vibrant life of adventure, art, and activism, and how she helped nurture her children's creativity from a young age. She also talks about how she found solace in creativity after the tragic death of her son, Dan. L...

Freedom Writer Tanisha Knight talks about her family's humble beginnings, her collegiate basketball career, and how education inspired her to become a teacher. Then in our featured discussion, actor Tony Danza joins Erin on the show to take us from a boxing ring in Brooklyn to his big break on the classic sitcom "Taxi." He then takes us to the moment where he chose a different stage and became a 1...

This episode pulls back the curtain on the making of the feature film Freedom Writers, written and directed by Richard LaGravenese and starring Hilary Swank. First, original Freedom Writer Tanya Payne reflects on what it was like to see her experience, her words, represented onscreen in the movie. Then Erin shares her conversation with writer/director Richard LaGravenese, recorded in New York City...

Freedom Writer Teacher Henry Wright tells his story of walking to the bus stop on the morning he integrated his high school in South Carolina. Then Erin shares her stirring conversation with civil rights icon Dr. Terrence Roberts of the Little Rock Nine, who was among the first group of African-American teenagers to integrate a U.S. high school in 1957. Dr. Roberts recounts facing a vicious mob ou...

Erin's brother Chris Gruwell brings us back to Bosnia in the early 1990s, where he visited as an American soldier at the time of a brutal civil war (a conflict which was later classified as a genocide). Chris recalls the chaos and violence in Sarajevo, painfully punctuated by an overwhelming sense of helplessness to stop the slaughter, and then recounts his experience chaperoning the Freedom Write...

Shanate Jones, a Freedom Writer and Tech Sergeant of the U.S. Air Force, shares her story about serving in the military and how she used writing to cope during combat. Then Erin presents her riveting conversation with author, historian, and world traveler Andrew Carroll. Andy admits he hated history as a kid, but the turning point in his life occurred when his family's home was burned to the groun...

John Lewis, original 1960's Freedom Rider and now Congressman, tells his story about growing up as an African-American boy in the south and how he became a civil rights activist under the tutelage of Dr. Martin Luther King. He encourages us to stand up for justice and get into "the good kind of trouble" when necessary. Then Erin shares her humbling conversation with the courageous Jim Zwerg, a whi...

Freedom Writer Michael Bongiorno tells his story about falling into alcoholism as a teenager and how writing helped him overcome his addiction. Then Erin shares her inspiring conversation with former Congressman Patrick Kennedy. Patrick opens up about what it was like growing up in the Kennedy family and how he discovered his calling in politics; he shares personal experiences from his childhood,...

On the inaugural episode of the Freedom Writers Podcast, one of Ms. G's first students tells a story about a moment in class that changed his life forever. It all started with a drawing, an embarrassed classmate, and a question that surprised everyone: "What is the Holocaust?" Next, Erin shares a harrowing discussion she had with Holocaust survivor Renee Firestone and her daughter Klaire about wha...