Seeking Refuge

Episode Notes In today’s news episode, we discuss espionage charges dropped by a Greek appeals court against 24 human rights activists involved in rescuing people from migrant boats in the Mediterranean. Liked this episode? Let us know! (It really helps new people find our show) Connect With Us If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send us an email at seeking...

Episode Notes Welcome to our new season: The Whole Picture! Over the past seven seasons, the Seeking Refuge Podcast has focused on highlighting the stories of refugees, researchers, NGO workers and professors in order to inform our viewers about issues that surround displacement. We're so thankful for our past opportunities, but this season we've wanted to broaden the horizons of the conversations...

Episode Notes In today’s news episode, we discuss the Homes for Ukraine Initiative in the UK which has been flooded with sham sponsorship offers due to a lack of basic vetting checks, putting refugees at risk for exploitation. Liked this episode? Let us know! (It really helps new people find our show) Connect With Us If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send...

Today, Diana and Rohit speak with Subina, a medical student and the Clinic Coordinator of the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) Asylum Clinic. They discuss the importance of forensic evidence in asylum cases, challenges the clinic faces, and the role of the group Physicians for Human Rights (PHR). For more information about the Asylum Clinic or to get in contact with them, visit their we...

In today's episode Jackie, our host, speaks with Sarah Lewis, the Outreach Coordinator for Lutheran Services Carolinas. They discuss the role of Lutheran Services Carolinas, the impact of religion, the recent outpouring of support from the Carolinian community, and how to get involved. For more information about Lutheran Services Carolinas, visit their website lscarolinas.net . To contact Sarah Le...

Episode Notes Welcome to the fourth full episode of season 7, Roots: A Southern Narrative! In today's episode, Anusha, Emily, and Diana discuss their reactions to the documentary Border South. During this episode, they also address characteristics that connect the south and the unique position of the south with regards to migrants because of its geographic location. This documentary was previously...

Episode Notes Welcome to the third full episode of season 7, Roots: A Southern Narrative! In today's episode, Claire, our host speaks with Matt Vilardebo, a candidate for the House of Representatives representing District 26 about his experiences witnessing refugee camps while in the middle east as well as his opinions on advocacy within the South. This episode has been specially put together to h...

Episode Notes In today’s news episode, we discuss the devastating floods in Pakistan, focusing on their impacts on health, food, and the healthcare system. We additionally focus on the cause of such flooding: climate change. Liked this episode? Let us know! (It really helps new people find our show) Connect With Us If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send u...

Episode Notes In today’s news episode, we discuss the shipment of Venezuelan immigrants from Florida to Martha’s Vineyard by Republican Governor DeSantis, prompting the community to coordinate efforts to aid the migrants. We examine how similar tactics have been used by Republican officials to call attention to what they believe to be failed border policies of the Biden administration and the lega...

Episode Notes Welcome to the second episode of our season 7, Roots: A Southern Narrative! In today's episode, Saanvi, our host, introduces our third Clarkston-related episode! This episode specifically deals with ethnic food stores in Clarkston, GA; the Seeking Refuge team drove down in April and were able to interview some business owners to get their perspectives and stories. Hope you enjoy! Lik...

Episode Notes Welcome to a new News episode of Seeking Refuge! Today, we are talking about the existing Vietnamese Refugee communities that developed in Louisiana, specifically New Orleans, starting in 1975. We also talk about the creation of a self sufficient economy and how these communities have developed educationally, spiritually, and economically throughout the years. The damage done by hurr...

Welcome to the first episode of our new season Roots: A Southern Narrative! In today's episode, Esha, our host will be speaking to Dr. Will McCorkle, a friend of the podcast and a professor in the Educational Foundations and Social Studies department at CofC, about New American education in the state of South Carolina! While this episode discusses some of the flaws and realities of New American ed...

Episode Notes Welcome to a new season of Seeking Refuge! In this trailer, Jackie discusses our motivations for this season: addressing stereotypes of how southern states receive refugees and sharing the stories of refugees and the activist groups that have welcomed them. Liked this episode? Let us know! Subscribe and leave us a review below! (It really helps new people find our show) Connect With...

Welcome to a new episode of Seeking Refuge! Today, join us as three of our team members, Anusha Ghosh, Esha Hegde, and Emily Jensen, discuss racism and colorism within refugeeism. This discussion explores interpersonal and institutional violence as it relates to individuals seeking refuge around the world, paying particular attention to these issues as they relate to the recent events in Ukraine....

Today we are talking about the evolving state of Afghanistan. We talk about the deteriorating conditions for people still inside the country, including repression of rights, lack of funding for schools, and other humanitarian problems. We also talk about the challenges Afghan evacuees are facing in the United States. Due to the strain on resettlement agencies and the current housing shortage, Afgh...

Episode Notes Welcome to a new episode of Seeking Refuge! Today, we're joined by Dr. John Doering White, an esteemed member of the University of South Carolina's Department of Social Work on his collaborations with the Undocumented Migration Project. Aidan, today's host delves into Dr. Doering-White's work on Border South, a documentary focusing on the stories of Mexican migrants, and Hostile Terr...

Today we are interviewing Somali American author Abdi Nor Iftin! Abdi is author of the book Call Me American , and you may have heard him on This American Life ("Abdi and the Golden Ticket") or on NPR or the BBC. Abdi Iftin was a refugee who won the US Diversity Visa lottery program while living as a refugee in Kenya and moved to the United States. Fascinated with the US since watching American mo...

Today we are bringing an explainer of the refugee crisis in Ukraine as Russia continues to invade the country. Russia began its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, and a million people have fled the country as of this writing. Who are they, and where are they going? The crisis in Ukraine is a rapidly evolving conflict. We will try to bring you clear, updated information as the situation shif...

Today we are reviewing the new Disney film Encanto through the lens of how it discusses refugee issues. If you've seen the movie, you know that the family Madrigal received their magic gifts after Abuela, the family matriarch, was displaced with her husband. We're talking about Abuela and Pedro as refugees, intergenerational trauma, the Madrigals as blessings not burdens, and our thoughts on the m...

In this episode, we talk to Jordan Forsythe about her work in the immigration courts in Charlotte. Forsythe walks us through the processes of asylum courts, touching on the differences between asylum seekers and refugees. Liked this episode? Let us know! Subscribe and leave us a review below! CONNECT WITH US If you or someone you know would like to share their personal refugee story, send us an em...

Are you smarter than a college student (about the refugee crisis)? We talked to students at the University of South Carolina about some of the basics of the refugee landscape today: from UNHCR regulations to Columbia's refugee population to where they see refugee-related news. Listen along and learn something new along with us. Or maybe you already know more than we did! Let us know either way. UN...

In our final episode of 2021, we talk to Nathaniel Dennison about his work with migrants across the Americas and his non-profit foundation Through My Eyes. Nathaniel talks about his experiences traveling with asylum seekers and forced migrants on caravans and most recently across the Darién Gap in Panama. He talks about why people are forced to make these dangerous journeys and the importance of c...

Welcome to our Health Care Episode! Today, we'll be discussing how the separation millions of refugee children experience growing up can impact them in the future. Dr. Mary Ellen Warren is a Psychiatrist specializing in early childhood and infant mental health as well as a Professor! This semester, one of our hosts, Esha, has gotten the privilege to take one of her courses centering around develop...

Today we continue talking with the staff at the Anne Frank Center in Columbia, SC. Dr. Doyle Stevick is the executive director of the AFC and a professor in the Education department at the University of South Carolina. We talk the creation and development of the center, the systemic forces that forced the Franks into hiding, and how Anne's legacy applies in the present day. The Anne Frank Center a...

Today we talk with Diana Serhal, a graduate assistant for the Anne Frank Center (AFC) at the University of South Carolina. Diana worked at the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and moved to Columbia, SC, to develop the AFC here. We discuss Anne's life, the Franks' journey as refugees, and the power of an individual story to communicate important history. The Anne Frank Center at UofSC is the first and...