Refugee Stories: In Their Own Voices

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 Stoker, Sedrick N'twali SPONSORSHIP: Funding for this podcast is provided by Southern Methodist University's Embrey Human Rights Program via their Community Outreach Fellowship. Their website is: http://smu.edu/humanrights/ MEDIA INQUIRIES: For media inquiries, please contact tiffany@hrtsmedia.com. HOST: This podcast is hosted by Human Rights Media at: www.hrtsmedia.com and can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, and TuneIn as well as on most podcast aggregators. New episodes are released monthly through May 2018. Many thanks to the dedicated staff who work 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 Assistant Allison Plake, Audio Production Intern Kade Peacock, Sound Technician Dr. Bradley Klein, Associate Director of SMU's Embrey Human Rights Program is the mentor on this project.

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 Conrad Charging Choir and graduate of the multicultural school where over 30 languages are spoken. Finally, you'll meet US Marine Veteran Joe Jenkins who advocates for refugees through the Human Rights First initiative, Veterans for American Ideals. All three guests epitomize the freedom and bravery of Americans. SPONSORSHIP: Funding for this podcast is provided by Southern Methodist University's Embrey Human Rights Program via their Community Outreach Fellowship. Their website is: http://smu.edu/humanrights/ MEDIA INQUIRIES: For media inquiries, please contact tiffany@hrtsmedia.com. HOST: This podcast is hosted by Human Rights Media at: www.hrtsmedia.com and can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, and TuneIn as well as on most podcast aggregators. New episodes are released monthly through May 2018. Many thanks to the dedicated staff who work 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 Dr. Bradley Klein, Associate Director of SMU's Embrey Human Rights Program is the mentor on this project.

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 hear what's causing the crisis, its consequences for all of us, and what will and won't help to solve it. Please enjoy this episode of In Their Own Voices. SPONSORSHIP: Funding for this podcast is provided by Southern Methodist University's Embrey Human Rights Program via their Community Outreach Fellowship. Their website is: http://smu.edu/humanrights/ MEDIA INQUIRIES: For media inquiries, please contact tiffany@hrtsmedia.com. HOST: This podcast is hosted by Human Rights Media at: www.hrtsmedia.com and can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, and TuneIn as well as on most podcast aggregators. New episodes are released monthly through May 2018. Many thanks to the dedicated staff who work 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 Dr. Bradley Klein, Associate Director of SMU's Embrey Human Rights Program is the mentor on this project.

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. Susan F. Martin talks to us about the history of immigration in the U.S., and explains her colonial model of immigration that is repeated over and over through today and illustrates what we can learn from this history. Dr. Martin is Emeritus Professor of International Migration and Director of the Institute for the Study of International Migration in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. Previously she served as the Executive Director of the U.S. Commission on Immigration Reform, established by legislation to advise Congress and the President on U.S. immigration and refugee policy, and the Director of Research and Programs at the Refugee Policy Group. Please enjoy this episode of In Their Own Voices. SPONSORSHIP: Funding for this podcast is provided by Southern Methodist University's Embrey Human Rights Program via their Community Outreach Fellowship. Their website is: http://smu.edu/humanrights/ MEDIA INQUIRIES: For media inquiries, please contact tiffany@hrtsmedia.com. HOST: This podcast is hosted by Human Rights Media at: www.hrtsmedia.com and can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, and TuneIn as well as on most podcast aggregators. Audio production enhancements for this episode were performed by René Coronado at Dallas Audio Post. Their website is: http://dallasaudiopost.com/ New episodes are released monthly through May 2018. Many thanks to the dedicated staff who work 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 René Coronado, Dallas Audio Post (Provided technical sound enhancement) Dr. Bradley Klein, Associate Director of SMU's Embrey Human Rights Program is the mentor on this project.

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. ________________________________________________ SPONSORSHIP: Funding for this podcast is provided by Southern Methodist University's Embrey Human Rights Program via their Community Outreach Fellowship. Their website is: http://smu.edu/humanrights/ MEDIA INQUIRIES: For media inquiries, please contact tiffany@hrtsmedia.com. HOST: This podcast is hosted by Human Rights Media at: www.hrtsmedia.com and can be found on iTunes, Stitcher, and TuneIn as well as on most podcast aggregators. New episodes are released monthly through May 2018. Many thanks to the dedicated staff who work 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 Dr. Bradley Klein, Associate Director of SMU's Embrey Human Rights Program is the mentor on this project.