Shows
OWL Celebrates LearningFrom Long Tieng to Minnesota: The Hmong Migration StoryThe podcast discusses the Hmong migration to Minnesota and focuses on Lee Pao Xiong's family's migration out of Laos and into the Twin Cities. The Hmong people faced forced migration in the past and eventually settled in Southeast Asia. The US recruited Hmong soldiers to help prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, and Lee's family lived in Long Tieng, a CIA-operated airbase in Laos. After the war, Lee and his family were evacuated and ended up in a refugee camp in Thailand before moving to Indiana and eventually settling in Minnesota. Chain migration brought many Hmong people...2023-08-2806 minOWL Celebrates LearningThe Hmong People: From Forced Migration to Flourishing in AmericaThe podcast discusses the history of the Hmong people and their migration to the United States, particularly to Minnesota. The Hmong originated in southern China and were forced to migrate to places like Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, the Hmong were allies with American soldiers and helped fight against the communists. However, after the US left South Vietnam, the Hmong were persecuted by the winning communist governments of Laos and Vietnam. Many Hmong fled to the US as refugees, and over the past 37 years, they have adapted and developed in their new home. Hmong Americans are...2023-08-2505 minOWL Celebrates LearningChildren of War: The Impact of the Russian Invasion on Ukrainian FamiliesThe podcast discusses the impact of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, particularly on its children and families. The war has caused massive displacement and created a physical and mental health crisis for millions of Ukrainian children. Over 8 million Ukrainians have fled the country, and 1.8 million children are seeking asylum in neighboring countries. The conflict has impacted every aspect of children's lives, with many denied education and a safe environment. The mental health consequences are severe, with an estimated 1.5 million children at risk of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The podcast also features an interview with Ukrainian families and children, showing...2023-08-2405 minOWL Celebrates LearningFrom Slavery to Survival: The Story of Favelas in Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro is the second largest city in Brazil with 1.7 million residents, 23% of whom live in favelas (rudimentary improvised cities). Favelas were started in 1888 by slaves who were recently freed and denied most rights. These communities were created outside of government control, making them different from other areas. Anyone can find a place to live in favelas, regardless of their situation. Many people migrate to favelas from rural areas due to difficulty in rural life, including water fluctuation, drought, high land and housing prices, and lack of necessities. People see favelas as a better housing option due to...2023-08-2305 minOWL Celebrates LearningThe Syrian Refugee Crisis and the ISDP Program in Turkey: A Story of Hope Amidst OppressionThis podcast discusses the Syrian refugee crisis, which began in 2011 due to civil war and government oppression. Many Syrians have fled to Turkey, where they have found refuge in refugee camps and some have been able to find employment and homes in the cities. The ISDP program has helped provide job skills and education for Syrian refugees in Turkey, with a focus on children. Despite the generosity of Turkey and the EU, many Syrians still face violence and oppression from their own government. The podcast also briefly touches on the situation in Myanmar where the people are victims of...2023-08-2205 minOWL Celebrates LearningFrom Refugee Camp to Accountant: The Inspiring Journey of a Hmong ImmigrantThe podcast tells the story of Valentine Thao's mother, who was one of the many Hmong people who migrated to the US from Laos and Thailand during the Vietnam War. Thao's mother grew up in a refugee camp in Thailand, where she took care of her younger siblings and experienced financial hardship. Her father was a part of the CIA and only came to visit her family sometimes. Thao's family migrated to the US, where they had to face language and weather barriers. However, Thao's mother focused on her education and graduated from college, becoming an accountant and meeting...2023-08-2106 minOWL Celebrates LearningThe Great Migration: From the Delta to Chicago Blues and the Birth of Rock and RollThe podcast is about the Great Migration, one of the largest internal migrations in the US history, where African Americans moved from southern states to northern urban areas in search of better opportunities and living conditions. The push factors included economic struggles, segregation, and racism, while the pull factors were the booming economy and stories of prosperity up north. The Mississippi Delta is given as an example of a culturally rich place in the early 1900s, where black Americans were exploited by white landowners, leading to poverty and the birth of Delta Blues. Muddy Waters, one of the most...2023-08-1806 minOWL Celebrates LearningThe Ongoing Crisis in Ukraine: Forced Migration, Russian Invasion, and Refugee SupportThe podcast discusses the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, including Russia's invasion of the country and the resulting displacement of millions of Ukrainians. Many have fled to neighboring countries, but a surprising number have gone to Russia, despite the fact that it is the country responsible for the invasion. Some Ukrainians have willingly gone to Russia for jobs and other reasons, but most are victims of forced migration, threatened or tricked into going to Russia and then placed in filtration camps, where they are abused and interrogated. Some Russians are working to help Ukrainian refugees leave the country, providing resources...2023-08-1704 minOWL Celebrates LearningFrom a Small Village to the World: The Migration Story of My AlmaThe podcast features the migration story of My Alma, who was born in a small village in Germany during World War II. She moved to Berlin for trade school where she met her husband, and later migrated to the US for a better life. She raised her family in Washington DC and later moved back to Berlin where they witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Her family continued to move back and forth between the US and Germany, and My Alma loved to travel. She made a final trip to Germany in late 2021 before passing away peacefully...2023-08-1608 minOWL Celebrates LearningThe Danish American Dream: One Family's Journey to the MidwestThe podcast discusses the history of Danish immigrants in the Midwest region of the United States, focusing on the experiences of the Gravesen family. Like many Scandinavian immigrants, Danes came to America due to economic hardships and religious reasons. The family settled in Connecticut before eventually moving to Minneapolis and then to a farm in Wisconsin. They adapted and persevered through various challenges, including the loss of a friend and family member's failing eyesight. Danish immigrants contributed to the workforce in various industries, such as dairy farming and pastry-making.2023-08-1505 minOWL Celebrates LearningFighting for Survival: Climate Change and Forced Migration in GuatemalaThe podcast discusses the impact of climate change on Guatemala, which has resulted in forced migration and chronic malnutrition, affecting almost 50% of children under the age of 5. The people of Guatemala have faced a drought, mudslides, heat waves, and back-to-back hurricanes, leaving their crops destroyed and them with no food to eat. Many, like Darwin Mendez, have attempted to migrate to the US in search of a job that would allow them to send money back to their families. However, the risks and debt associated with migration are high, and many immigrants are apprehended or deported. The podcast raises...2023-08-1404 minOWL Celebrates LearningFrom Syria to Switzerland: Navigating the Refugee Crisis and the Legacy of German-American ImmigrationThe podcast discusses the Syrian refugee crisis, which is the largest refugee crisis in the world. The civil war in Syria caused many Syrians to emigrate as poverty and unemployment rates rose, and the conflict led to a significant impact on children's lives, including a lack of education. The podcast also highlights the story of Nidal Batman, a Syrian refugee who fled to Lebanon and was eventually resettled in Switzerland, where he pursued his education in micro and medical technology. The podcast also discusses the historical context of German-American immigration and how anti-German sentiment led to German Americans being...2023-08-1109 minOWL Celebrates LearningResilience and Culture: The Hmong Refugee Experience in MinnesotaThis episode discusses the struggles faced by Hmong refugees who came to the United States, particularly to Minnesota, after being forced out of their own countries due to war and political persecution. Many Hmong refugees faced difficulties adapting to the Western way of life and had to learn how to speak English, adapt to Western medicine, and find ways to maintain their culture and traditions. Despite these challenges, the Hmong community in Minnesota has become a significant group, with successful farmers and even a Hmong politician. The Hmong people have shown resilience and the ability to adapt to new s...2023-08-1005 minOWL Celebrates LearningThe Great Migration and the Untold Psychological Effects: The Story of Dr. Robert Joseph Pershing FosterThe Great Migration was the internal migration of around 6 million black southerners to north and west America, from 1910 to 1970. This led to the spread of black culture throughout the United States, as well as economic opportunities for black Americans. One of these migrants, Robert Joseph Pershing Foster, was an ambitious surgeon who moved to Los Angeles in 1953 to escape the limitations of Jim Crow laws. He became successful and renowned, treating celebrities and living among other prominent black professionals. However, he also struggled with a mindset of always having to work harder and constantly prove himself due to the...2023-08-0905 minOWL Celebrates LearningFrom Deportation to Rebuilding: Malcolm's Immigration Story (A Second Chance)Malcolm Walton is a Nigerian who migrated to the UK in the late 90s/early 2000s and then to the US for college. He decided to stay in the US, where he met and fell in love with Amy. However, he was deported to London, causing distress for both of them. After a year of hard work, he received a second chance to go back to the US, and he was able to rebuild his life there. The story highlights push and pull factors that drive migration, and the challenges and twists people can face in their immigration journey.2023-06-1506 minOWL Celebrates LearningFrom Lithuania to Chicago: A Family's Journey of Escape and ImmigrationThis podcast is a personal account of a Lithuanian family's experience of fleeing from Russian occupation and seeking asylum in Germany during World War II. The family eventually immigrated to America, settling in Chicago where they were able to find a community of Lithuanian immigrants who helped them preserve their language and culture.2023-06-1205 minOWL Celebrates LearningFrom Sweden to Minnesota: The Story of Jim and Emma's Immigration JourneyThe podcast explores the story of two Swedish immigrants, Jim Hornbeck and Emma Kavasite, who ended up meeting in a small town in Minnesota, despite growing up only 130 miles apart from each other in Sweden. The episode delves into the reasons behind the Swedish migration to America and the challenges that the immigrants faced in adjusting to their new environment. The hosts also discuss the struggles that Jim and Emma faced as a couple, including financial difficulties and the loss of Jim. The story serves as a reminder that even a life-changing move and meeting one's life partner doesn't...2023-06-1205 minOWL Celebrates LearningDesperate Journeys: Understanding Central American Migration to the USThis podcast episode discusses the reasons why people from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras are migrating to the United States. These countries have high rates of violence and poverty, and people are being forced out of their homes due to these factors. Erina Mohaka, an activist and leader among the migrant caravans, discusses the problems that migrants face in getting into the US and offers solutions such as addressing the violence in Central America, lifting up these countries, and providing documents to allow for legal entry into Mexico and the US. The safety of children is a major concern...2023-06-0606 minOWL Celebrates LearningCaught in Limbo: The Ongoing Syrian Refugee Crisis and its Impact on MillionsThe podcast discusses the Syrian refugee crisis, which began with the civil war in 2011. Over 6 million Syrians are internally displaced and millions have fled to neighboring countries, with Turkey hosting the largest population of refugees. The living conditions for refugees in host countries are challenging, with restrictions on movement and limited access to work. Many refugees are returning to Syria due to economic reasons or to access healthcare, but are met with persecution and violence. The social services and infrastructure in Syria have been greatly affected, and over 13 million Syrians still need humanitarian aid. Without additional assistance, the situation...2023-06-0105 minOWL Celebrates LearningFrom Laos to Minnesota: A Hmong Family's Journey and the Impact on the Next GenerationMaria's story is about her Hmong immigrant parents who came to the US after fighting in the secret war in Laos. Her father had a traumatic brain injury and her mother had to take care of 10 children. They settled in California and then migrated to Minnesota where they assimilated into American culture while still holding onto their Hmong traditions. Maria, the youngest of 10, saw her siblings marry young and struggle with the cycle of abuse from their father's PTSD. She eventually decided not to raise her own children the same way and made peace with her father before he...2023-05-3005 minOWL Celebrates LearningFamily History: A Personal Account of the Great MigrationThe podcast discusses a personal great migration story, which refers to the movement of over 6 million African Americans from southern states to the north between 1910 and 1970. The story begins with the narrator's great grandfather, Willie Hunter, who left Arkansas with his brother due to racial tensions and headed to Chicago for job opportunities. The great migration led to the creation of a vibrant and successful African American community in Chicago, which influenced the city's cultural, political, and economic structure. The narrator's great grandfather's brother, Sonny, found a good job and had a family, but died from a terminal illness.2023-05-2503 minOWL Celebrates LearningCaught in the Crossfire: The Ongoing Conflict in Ethiopia and the Human TollThe podcast discusses the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia, which began with the postponement of elections due to COVID-19. The TPLF, a political party in the northern part of Ethiopia, held their own election, which the prime minister deemed illegal and responded by cutting funding to the region. This caused a surge in forced migration and led to the involvement of Eritrea, a neighboring country that Ethiopia had just ended a 20-year war with. The conflict has resulted in reports of human rights abuses, forced migration, and the destruction of heritage sites. Half a million people have died, and 5.6 million...2023-05-2305 minOWL Celebrates LearningThe Mass Displacement of People in Europe After World War Two: A Look at Migration, Repatriation, and the Aftermath of WarThe podcast discusses the mass displacement of people in Europe during World War Two, with 55 million people forced to leave their homes. Many Jewish concentration camp survivors were forcibly removed from their homes, leading to a mass migration after the war ended. Some people migrated voluntarily, while others were forcibly repatriated. Many European countries experienced economic booms, leading to strong pull factors for migrants. Germany, in particular, had a large number of refugees and migrants, with many Jewish people seeking permission to enter Palestine. Many people also chose to emigrate to other countries, such as Canada and Australia...2023-05-1906 minOWL Celebrates LearningFrom Sweden to Minnesota: The Story of Nels Anderson and the Swedish Migration to AmericaThe podcast discusses the migration of Swedes to the US between 1845 and 1930, with many settling in Minnesota due to cheap and fertile land and existing Swedish communities. Nels Anderson was a Swedish immigrant who came to the US for work, saving for about a year to buy tickets for himself and his wife. The trip was long and difficult, and they arrived at Ellis Island in New York before settling in Minnesota. Despite facing some challenges such as a language barrier, they assimilated fairly quickly and lived comfortably until Nels' death in 1939.2023-05-1905 minOWL Celebrates LearningFrom Wildfire to Climate Migration: The Stories of Santa Cruz's CCU Lighting Complex Fire SurvivorsThe podcast episode explores the climate migration caused by the CCU lighting complex fires in Santa Cruz, California during the summer of 2020. It features interviews with three climate migrants who were forced to leave their homes due to the fires and their experiences with relocating. The episode highlights the impact of climate change on California and the increasing number of climate emigrants leaving the state. The episode concludes by acknowledging the irreversible effects of climate change and the growing trend of climate migration.2023-05-1004 minOWL Celebrates LearningFrom Hmong Soldier to US Refugee and Syrian Civil War Survivor: Two Refugee Stories of Perseverance and ResilienceThe podcast tells the stories of two individuals who were forced to leave their countries due to civil wars and became refugees. The first person, Sangsu Yang, was a Hmong soldier who fought alongside the US in Laos and Vietnam. After Laos became communist, Yang became a refugee and eventually emigrated to the US. The second person, Zahra, is a Syrian refugee who fled to Lebanon due to the ongoing civil war in Syria. The podcast discusses the refugee crisis in Syria and the impact of civil war on the population. Both Yang and Zahra were part of chain...2023-05-1012 minOWL Celebrates LearningFrom Laos to Refugee Camps: A Hmong Family's Migration StoryThe podcast is hosted by Lou Xiong, who discusses his mother's migration journey from Laos to Thai refugee camps, along with 4400 Hmong people. Lou's mother talks about life before and after the war in Laos, and how they had to leave due to bad laws and communist people killing Hmong people. She also recounts their journey to Thailand, crossing the river, and eventually getting to the refugee camps. The conditions in the camps are described, including the free food and limited freedom of movement. Finally, Lou mentions that his family migrated to the US after spending a year in...2023-05-0907 minOWL Celebrates LearningVoices of the Great Migration: Personal Stories of Struggle and TriumphThis is the first podcast of the season which introduces the project for which the students were creating the podcasts. Then it features Jordan's podcast which discusses the Great Migration, a significant movement in American history when millions of African Americans migrated from the rural south to the urban northern West between the early 1900s and 1960s. The migration was driven by factors such as harsh segregation laws, lack of economic opportunities, and seeking refuge from violence and racism. The podcast features interviews with three individuals who have personal connections to the Great Migration, including a woman whose grandmother...2023-05-0705 minOWL Celebrates LearningEpisode 1 - Introduction to the ChannelIn this first episode, Tom Totushek @TheMathProphet, introduces the a podcast channel which aims to provide a platform for high-quality student-produced content to reach an authentic audience outside of school. The host explains the concept of an authentic audience and how it relates to learning. He also discusses the goal of creating a culture of quality in education and the plan to have seasons of student-produced content presented by student co-hosts with music created and owned by students. You can reach the Tom at OWLcelebrateslearning@gmail.com, interact with the channel on twitter @OWLCelebratesLearning, and visit the full collection...2023-05-0605 min