Podcasts about refugees

Nearly two and a half years into Sudan’s war, millions remain displaced. Yet some refugees are making the difficult choice to return home, despite the ongoing conflict. UNHCR’s Mamadou Dian Balde explains why Sudanese families are going back, the challenges awaiting them, and the urgent support they need from the international community. In this episode: Mamadou Dian Balde (@mamadou_dbalde), UNHCR’s Regional Director for East and Horn of Africa, and Great Lakes Episode credits: This episode was produced by Tracie Hunte, Sonia Bhagat, and Julia Muldavin, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kissa Zehra, Farhan Saleh Rafid, and our host, Malika Bilal. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Sarí el-Khalili. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhemm. Alexandra Locke is The Take’s executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera’s head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on X, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube

Academic and author Dr Maya Goodfellow discusses how UK politicians have adopted far-right language on asylum and immigration. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/infocus

Today I'm excited to have board-certified internist and complex chronic disease expert, Dr. Tania Dempsey back on the podcast to discuss parasites. Hidden parasites are more common than you think and may even be related to conditions such as SIBO, IBS, Histamine intolerance and poor immune system health. We'll cover the types of parasites, best testing options, a treatment protocol and how to prevent parasites. You don't want to miss this!  Start healing with us! Learn more about our virtual clinic:  https://drruscio.com/virtual-clinic/   Follow Dr. Tania Dempsey https://drtaniadempsey.com/about/ https://drtaniadempsey.com/podcast/ https://www.instagram.com/drtaniadempseymd/ https://www.youtube.com/@DrTaniaDempsey https://www.facebook.com/taniadempseymd/  

Ukraine and Gaza are the two hot button spots of today's times, and they both pit America and some European leaders against each other. Will these cross-purposes lead America into war with Europe? An almost incomprehensible idea to contemplate, and that's why your host, Carole Lieberman, M.D., The Terrorist Therapist®, discusses it on today's podcast. The evidence of this is clear, with European leaders inviting themselves to the White House to “support” Zelensky in his meeting with President Trump. Similarly, some European leaders have already announced their intent to recognize ‘Palestine' as a state, contrary to America's position on this. First, we look at the war in Ukraine and how it emboldens terrorists and makes the threat of terrorism worse, from allowing them to learn from the drones and other weapons to teaching them combat skills they can bring home or to countries they want to attack, and more.  Next, we look at how the tsunami of Radical Islamist migrants has overtaken Europe, destroying its culture and economic stability, despite the original expectations that opening their doors to these migrants would be a good thing. It's a stark warning to America. Finally, we look at the shocking developments in the surreptitious arrival of so-called Palestinian ‘refugees' landing at airports throughout America, brought in by charities affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood, and what will be done about it. 

The journey from refugee to recording artist, and ultimately to philanthropist, is one marked by resilience and a profound commitment to significance. In this episode, I engage in a compelling conversation with Christian Ray Flores, a high-performance coach and international pop star whose dynamic life exemplifies the power of reinvention. Born in Chile and shaped by a childhood of displacement, Christian has transformed his challenges into a platform for global impact, leveraging his diverse experiences to inspire others. We delve into the mindset that fosters resilience, the pivotal habits that cultivate extraordinary lives, and the essential truth that true success is intertwined with meaningful contribution. Christian's insights illuminate the path to leading a life that is not merely successful, but deeply significant, inviting us all to reflect on the legacy we aspire to create.Takeaways: Christian Ray Flores exemplifies the transformative journey from refugee to impactful global leader, showcasing resilience and reinvention. The significant influence of early life experiences on leadership philosophy can shape one's approach to success and significance. True success is intrinsically linked to the pursuit of significance and contribution to the greater good, not merely personal achievement. Building a unique personal narrative allows individuals to stand out rather than conform to societal expectations and norms. The interplay between personal branding and high-performance coaching is essential for achieving sustained excellence across various life dimensions. Engaging with and understanding diverse human experiences fosters empathy and connection, essential for impactful leadership and service.Find everything "One More Thing" here: https://taplink.cc/beforeyougopodcast This podcast uses the following third-party services for analysis: Podcorn - https://podcorn.com/privacy

In this 53 minute episode, I sit with Christian Ray Flores to explore his extraordinary journey from a childhood marked by fear and displacement to becoming a purpose-driven entrepreneur and coach.We dive deep into embracing uncertainty, overcoming fear, the power of faith, building resilience, and the pursuit of one's unique purpose. To connect with Christian Ray Flores: https://www.christianrayflores.com♾ In a fast-paced world like the one we live in, time is one of our most important assets. For a few minutes every episode, I, Tannaz Hosseinpour, will be discussing topics that aim to enhance the quality of your life, by helping you feel empowered to take inspired action on your personal growth journey.Connect with me for daily insights:FacebookInstagramTikTok More resources available on www.minutesongrowth.comThis podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.

In The Changing Earth: Twisted Fate (Episode 16), the Lone Survivor battles through a shattered world as FEMA camps tighten their grip and betrayals cut deep, a spark of rebellion ignites. Will the Savior of the Refugees rise to defy a corrupt system, or will fate twist her path to ruin? Perfect for fans of The Last of Us and Station Eleven, this audio drama delivers raw emotion and heart-pounding action. Listen now and join the fight.#audiodrama  #ChangingEarth #SurvivalStoryBased on The Changing Earth Series Novels, available at Amazon.com. Get your signed copies at ChangingEarthSeries.com.Get your  Changing Earth Gear at ChangingEarthSeries.comBecome a subscriber and help the Changing Earth world go around!Don't forget to leave a review or like and Subscribe

In 1975, at the age of two years old, Captain France Hoang and his family fled the violence surrounding their home in Vietnam. Years later, he decided to serve his adopted country by attending West Point—against the wishes of his parents—but that decision has led to two impactful commissions as a Special Forces officer, a hugely successful law career and now a life as an entrepreneur and practitioner of Artificial Intelligence in the realm of education. Hosts LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey sit down with CPT Hoang to discuss lessons learned in the White House, how his life came full circle with his work saving Afghan refugees, and what's harder to pass: Ranger School, or the bar exam? Guest: Captain France Hoang, U.S. Army Veteran and BoodleBox Co-Founder and CEO Film Credit: American Refugee, directed by Rebecca Murga (2018), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maFi7OMfg7A. Clips used in the episode are courtesy of the film's writer, Jack Kennedy. Has a member of the Army positively changed your life? Now is your chance to thank them publicly with a shoutout via our Hooah Hotline and have it possibly appear on an upcoming episode of AUSA's Army Matters podcast! AUSA's Army Matters podcast can also be heard on Wreaths Across America Radio on Monday at 8 pm Eastern. You can find Wreaths Across America Radio on the iHeart Radio app, the Audacy app, and the TuneIn app. Search the word Wreath.  Donate: If you are interested in supporting AUSA's educational programs, such as this podcast, please visit www.ausa.org/donate. Feedback: How are we doing? Email us at podcast@ausa.org. Disclaimer: AUSA's Army Matters podcast primary purpose is to entertain. The podcast does not constitute advice or services. While guests are invited to listen, listeners please note that you are not being provided professional advice from the podcast or the guests. The views and opinions of our guests do not necessarily reflect the views of AUSA.  

The Refugee's Restaurant #RTTBROS #Nightlight Scripture: "And even to your old age I am he; and even to hoar hairs will I carry you" (Isaiah 46:4).Colonel SandersTheme:It's never too late for God's plan At age 62, Harland Sanders was broke and living on Social Security checks of $105 a month. His gas station restaurant had failed when the interstate bypassed his town. But instead of accepting defeat, he loaded his car with his secret chicken recipe and drove across the country, sleeping in the back seat, getting rejected by over 1,000 restaurants. Finally, a restaurant in Salt Lake City said yes to his "finger-lickin' good" chicken. Kentucky Fried Chicken was born when most people would have been settling into retirement.You know, I've pastored a lot of folks who felt like life had passed them by. They'd look at me with those tired eyes and say, "Pastor, I think I missed my chance. I think God's plan for me got derailed somewhere along the way." I used to think that way myself at times, wondering if my best days were behind me, if I'd somehow fumbled away God's purposes for my life. But here's what I've come to understand about our heavenly Father, and Colonel Sanders helps us see it clear as day. God doesn't punch a time clock. His plans for you don't expire when you hit a certain birthday. That 62-year-old man sleeping in his car wasn't a has-been, he was a about-to-be. All those years of failure and setback weren't wasted time, they were preparation timeApplication: God's plans for your life don't have an expiration date. Sometimes the best chapters are written when we think the book is almost over. If you're feeling like you've missed your moment, like it's too late for God to use you in any significant way, I want you to remember Colonel Sanders driving those back roads with nothing but a recipe and a dream. Your greatest contribution to this world might still be ahead of you. Don't let the calendar convince you that God's calendar has run out. He's still got plans, and He's still got time. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

How Tom Petty perfected "Refugee," and Taylor Swift made an announcement. Is this anything? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode contains discussions of homophobia, and mental health. If this raises any issues for you help is available 24 hours/7 days via Lifeline on 13 11 14 or at www.lifeline.org.au and via 1800Respect by calling 1800 737 732 or at www.1800respect.org.au. This is part 2 of Abbie's two-part chat with former producer of It's A Lot, and all-round amazing human – Lem Zakharia. They chat about Lem starting from scratch when she moved to Australia, becoming a parent, her mum's mental health, and her relationship with the term refugee. LINKS Listen to Twice Displaced on Spotify. Listen to Twice Displaced on Apple Podcasts. Follow Lem on IG @lemzakharia Check out @itsalotpod on IG at https://bit.ly/itsalot-instagram . Review the podcast on Apple Podcasts https://bit.ly/ial-review Follow LiSTNR Entertainment on IG @listnrentertainment Follow LiSTNR Entertainment on TikTok @listnrentertainment Get instructions on how to access transcripts on Apple podcasts https://bit.ly/3VQbKXY CREDITS Host: Abbie Chatfield @abbiechatfield Guest: Lem Zakharia @lemzakhariaExecutive Producer and Editor: Amy Kimball @amy.kimballDigital and Social and Video Producer: Oscar Gordon @oscargordon Social and Video Producer: Justin Hill @jus_hillIt's A Lot Social Media Manager: Julia ToomeyManaging Producer: Sam Cavanagh Find more great podcasts like this at www.listnr.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tom Cooney is a visiting Erskine Fellow to the University of Canterbury and I was lucky enough to sit with him in person and hear about his life story and the work he does today helping marginalised groups (those with disabilities, refugees, former prisoners, asylum seekers etc) access entrepreneurship education.   But we start with his childhood, influences, parents, what he studied and how he came to be involved in this area - the format of seeds podcast is to really understand a life story not just a superficial "what is your job" question.  If you want to hear more there are hundreds of conversations now at www.theseeds.nz Tom provided the following links to things we discussed: Tom Cooney's website www.tomcooney.ie   Self-employment for persons with disabilities https://www.tudublin.ie/explore/news/aib-and-tu-dublin-self-employment-for-persons-with-disabilities-programme-2025.html Centre for Entrepreneurial Behaviour Inclusion and Innovation (CEBII) https://researchprofiles.tudublin.ie/en/organisations/centre-for-entrepreneurial-behaviour-inclusion-and-innovation-ceb/persons/  More info on the podcast is at www.theseeds.nz 

Delta Air Lines officials say they will not use personal data in AI pricing after facing criticism from U.S. Senators. Plus we explore how federal cuts under the Trump administration could impact organizations helping refugees settled in Atlanta, aiding low income residents in need of healthcare and maintaining the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. And we look at Georgia's impact in the Voting Rights Act which was passed 60 years ago this week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Seven years ago, in September 2018, the Government approached a company called Brimwood Ltd asking for help to secure extra accommodation in hotels and B & Bs for asylum seekers.While the number of international protection applicants arriving in Ireland was significantly lower at that time when compared with today – nearly 6,000 in 2018 compared with almost 33,000 in 2025 – the State's direct provision system had reached full capacity and needed temporary additional beds.Brimwood Ltd, which is now unlimited and so does not have to publish financial accounts where it might show the profits it makes, is run by Séamus ‘Banty' McEnaney and his two daughters Sarah and Laura. It is just one of a number of companies owned by the wider McEnaney family which provide accommodation for asylum seekers and homeless people.Before 2018, McEnaney's name was synonymous with Monaghan GAA, but these days, the businessman is more likely to be associated with the State's asylum system.How did McEnaney build up his property empire and how much have his family's companies earned through the provision of emergency accommodation?And who is to blame for the lucrative contracts being paid to secure this accommodation – private operators or the Government?Today, on In The News, how one family earned millions from housing refugees and homeless people.Irish Times reporters Colm Keena and Sorcha Pollak discuss their investigation into the McEnaney family's earnings and how the State has become so reliant on private operators to house refugees and the homeless.Presented by Aideen Finnegan. Produced by Suzanne Brennan, Andrew McNair and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Aaron McIntire covers three major stories. First, a shooting at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where U.S. Army Sergeant Quornelius Radford, 28, allegedly shot five fellow soldiers in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area. Second, President Trump announced Apple's multi-hundred-billion dollar investment to manufacture all iPhone and Apple Watch screens in Kentucky, bringing jobs back to the U.S. Third, Brazilian feminist Isabela Cêpa became the first recognized refugee from wokeism, granted asylum in Europe after facing 25 years in prison for misgendering a transgender politician. Additional segments address Trump's dismissal of Epstein file rumors, Rubio's Ukraine peace talks update, Stephen Miller's fight against financial deplatforming, and Minnesota's new abortion law.    Fort Stewart shooting, Quornelius Radford, Apple investment, wokeism refugee, Isabela Cêpa, Donald Trump, Marco Rubio, Ukraine conflict, Stephen Miller, debanking, Kamala Harris, Tampon Tim, abortion law, AI licensing, college football, NFL fandom

Comedian and school teacher Pej Ahmadi makes his debut on the podcast. Randy kicks off by asking Pej about Iran, so Pej gives a little history lesson on Persia. They talk about the current situation in the Middle East and how everyone has an opinion, even if they know absolutely nothing about the region. Pej talks about his family fleeing Iran and being a refugee in the US. The boys get into a discussion about racism and bigotry and how other countries have to deal with it as part of their culture more than most Americans think. Randy asks Pej what it's like being an elementary school teacher. They shift back to discuss the 1979 Iranian revolution. Pej starts a conversation about money and politics and how financial interests are what really controls American politics. Randy asks about how he got his start in comedy and being a musician. The guys touch on the Israel-Iran conflict before closing with the news for the week - 50% of women in relationships have a back-up partner plan in mind, a chef was fired for telling a social media influencer she isn't famous enough to get a free meal, and a new study suggests women are usually right in relationship arguments.    00:00  Intro 01:00  Iran and Persians in California 05:00  Being a Refugee in America 19:00  Racism Abroad 24:00  Teaching and Education in America 31:00  Childhood and Growing Up Today 40:00  Money and Politics 48:00  Starting in Comedy 1:00:00  The Weekly News   Outro: “Funk Doctor” by Gee Dubs   Social Media: Instagram: @randyvalerio @readysetblowpodcast Twitter: @randytvalerio @readysetblowpodcast TikTok: @randyvaleriocomedy @readysetblowpod YouTube:   @randyvaleriocomedy   @readysetblowpodcast     #comedypodcast #comedy #podcast #news #advice #standup #standupcomedy #comedian #jokes #politics #relationships #dating #marriage #kids #family #parenting #iran #persia #iranian #persian #middleeast #israel #history #education #children #student #teacher #school #parents #war #conflict #money #racism #immigration #immigrants #refugees #childhood #teacher #teaching #growingup #parenting

For several years in the UK, successive governments have tried and failed to stop people crossing the English Channel in small boats.  

Ethan welcomes Buddhist Geeks Co-Founder, teacher, and Palestinian-American Dharma teacher Vince Fakhoury Horn. They discuss the rise of "podcast dharma" in the early 21st century, Vince's path to teaching meditation, Vince's experience of his Palestinian heritage, why it's hard to get Dharma teachers to speak out about the genocide in Gaza, The Buddhist practice of Mohsen Mahdawi, and the complex legacy of Chogyam Trungpa and Tibetan refugees in relation to the Palestinian experience.  Vince Fakhoury Horn is part of a new generation bringing dharma, meditation, & mindfulness to life in the 21st century. A computer engineering dropout turned full-time meditator, Vince spent his 20s co-founding the ground-breaking project, Buddhist Geeks, while simultaneously doing a full year, in total, of silent retreat practice. Vince began teaching in 2010 and has since been authorized in both the Pragmatic Dharma lineage of Kenneth Folk, and by Trudy Goodman (InsightLA) & Jack Kornfield of (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) in the Insight Meditation tradition. Since then he has spent thousands of hours supporting individuals, groups, & organizations in incorporating meditation practice into their lives. Please support the podcast via Substack and subscribe for free or with small monthly contributions. Paid subscribers will receive occasional extras like guided meditations, extra podcast episodes and more! The Thursday Meditation Group starts up again on July 10th, and a special guided meditation on Open Awareness in Everyday Life was released this week. Another bonus podcast discussed a mindful take on the Revolutionary Astrology of Summer 2025 with Juliana McCarthy and Ethan Nichtern. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Spotify,Ethan's Website, etc). Ethan's most recent book, Confidence: Holding Your Seat Through Life's Eight Worldly Winds was just awarded a gold medal in the 2025 Nautilus Book Awards. You can visit Ethan's website to order a signed copy. Please allow two weeks from the time of your order for your copy to arrive. Don't forget to sign up for the August 23 “Windhorse Meditation” Online Retreat at this link and the upcoming 5 day retreat at the lovely Garrison Institute at this link ! Check out all the cool offerings at our podcast sponsor Dharma Moon, including theBody of Meditation Teacher Training program beginning July 10th, 2025. Free video courses co-taught by Ethan and others, such as The Three Marks of Existence, are also available for download.

Semaco "Zak" Moradi joined Eoin for the latest instalment of Settle In to talk about his transition to Ireland, how his love of sport came from playing football in refugee camps as a child and the difficulties faced by refugees. He'll also talk about how hurling and the GAA was pivotal to his transition into Ireland. Settle In on Off The Ball is brought to you by Guinness 0.0

Semaco "Zak" Moradi joined Eoin for the latest instalment of Settle In to talk about his transition to Ireland, how his love of sport came from playing football in refugee camps as a child and the difficulties faced by refugees. He'll also talk about how hurling and the GAA was pivotal to his transition into Ireland. Settle In on Off The Ball is brought to you by Guinness 0.0

Canadian journalist Nora Loreto reads the latest headlines for Tuesday, August 5, 2025.TRNN has partnered with Loreto to syndicate and share her daily news digest with our audience. Tune in every morning to the TRNN podcast feed to hear the latest important news stories from Canada and worldwide.Find more headlines from Nora at Sandy & Nora Talk Politics podcast feed.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!

In this episode of the Tough Girl Podcast, we're joined by Dr. Sarah Ruggins—a high-achieving investment professional, academic powerhouse, and now a record-breaking ultra-endurance cyclist. From her early days as a national-level track athlete in Canada to surviving complex PTSD and rebuilding her life, Sarah's journey is one of transformation, resilience, and radical self-belief. In 2023, Sarah competed in the Transcontinental Bike Race, and in 2025, she took on her most audacious challenge yet: cycling from John O'Groats to Land's End and back again—2,715 km in just 5 days, 11 hours, and 14 minutes, setting a new outright record. This conversation dives deep into the planning, training, and mindset behind the ride—from strength work and 3:30 AM mornings to battling hallucinations, sleep deprivation, and pain barriers. Sarah shares her three-part mantra—Focus, Discipline, Gratitude—and unpacks how elite performance is built in the margins: with structure, strategy, and sacrifice. Whether you're chasing a personal goal or looking for motivation to push your own limits, this is an episode that will fuel your fire.  New episodes of the Tough Girl Podcast drop every Tuesday at 7 AM (UK time)! Make sure to subscribe so you never miss the inspiring journeys and incredible stories of tough women pushing boundaries.  Do you want to support the Tough Girl Mission to increase the amount of female role models in the media in the world of adventure and physical challenges? Support via Patreon! Join me in making a difference by signing up here: www.patreon.com/toughgirlpodcast.  Your support makes a difference.  Thank you x Show notes Who is Dr Sarah Ruggins Working as an investment professional for the past 10 years  Growing up in Canada  Being part of a very active family Doing a lot of running and focusing on track and field  Working with the best coaches Holding national records in middle distances  Preparing for junior olympics at 14/15 Wanting to represent her country at the highest level Her teenage years Needing a routine surgery on her feet Developing a disease of her nervous system  The impact on her life Developing complex PTSD  Getting back to a ‘normal life' Starting to focus more on academics  Getting 4 degrees in 4 different subjects Competing in the trans continental bike race in 2023 Wanting to understand what her limits were John O'Groats to Lands End and back again Being supported by a crew Working with Rob Lee from RLP Coaching  What training looked like from Sept/October 2024 to May 2025 What a typical week looked like Working with a strength coach to compliment what she was doing on the bike Increasing the volume of training on both the bike and in the gym Squats increasing from 45kg to - 4 sets of 5 reps at 110kg While working a full time job in finance  Having her whole life scheduled from 3.30am - 10pm  Figuring out life admin Setting big goals in your life - you need to be prepared to make sacrifices in pursuit of those goals  Planning, schedules and logistics  Coming back to the WHY was integral  Building the team and pulling everyone together Reaching out to sponsors Wanting to make a history making ride Probability, chance and luck Going to maximise our probabilities of success  Being on the start line being 100% confident Being forced to be brave and tough - but coming from a place of power Wanting to demonstrate to herself her own resilience and wanting to inspire others Starting the challenge and wanting to ride to her capabilities Working in blocks of 4 hours and focusing on the power.  Managing her process and focusing on what's on the road ahead Riding 4 hours and then off the bike for 10 mins - the ‘Pitt stops' What goes on in those 10 mins  Eating and nutrition and eating constantly while on the bike How her body responded to the challenge  3 phases while doing endurance work:  phase 1, the first 36 hours - feeling great, phase 2 hitting a pain wall which you need to push through, phase 3 -  where you feel like you can go forever, your body has accepted this is just what you do now Going though the pain wall and pain gate  The mind body connection and what was happening mentally Developing a 3 part mantra: focus, discipline and gratitude  The biggest challenge while on the bike  Not being able to tolerate solid foods on day 3 Moving to liquid food - Supported by Huel  Dealing with the sleep deprivation - confusion and falling asleep while on her bike Crashing into a nettle bush and going into hyperglycemic shock  Using blue light to wake her up Being ahead of the record by about 7 hours and 175km - stick to the process Reaching the end  The feelings of relief  Keeping your emotions locked in for 5 days  Being able to relax! 2715 km in 5 days 11 hours 14 minutes. NEW OUTRIGHT RECORD HOLDER Her limits…. Taking the learning and applying it to new projects Recovery after the challenge Getting back on the bike and back in the gym Raising funds for 2 charities  The Bike Project  Bikes for Refugees  How you can connect with Sarah Working on a feature documentary about the challenge - due in early 2026 Final words of advice from Sarah Understand what is most important to you, and curate an objective around that  Demonstrate aggressive patience in pursuit of your goals  Focus on the small wins everyday.   Social Media Instagram @sarah_ruggins   

Today, we bring you an old favorite, from 2017: Many immigrants come to the Bay Area as refugees. And those who resettle here have to secure jobs quickly in order to make their rent. That can be difficult with a limited resume and references. To help bridge this gap, a coffee company in Berkeley is providing job training and employment to refugees and asylees, one cup at a time. 

This edition of The Lutheran Witness podcast was recorded almost a year ago in Berlin-Steglitz, Germany. In this episode, we speak with Sandra, an American living in Germany and working with the members of Trinity Lutheran Church, Berlin-Steglitz, Germany. She discusses her life between Germany and the USA, and the great privilege and opportunity she has to help care for refugees in Germany.   For the full story, visit engage.lcms.org/persian-project-winter-2025. To learn more about the Independent Evangelical — Lutheran Church (SELK), visit lcms.org/partner-church-bodies/independent-evangelical-lutheran-church. Photo credit: LCMS Communications/Erik M. Lunsford  For more information on The Lutheran Witness or to subscribe to the magazine, please visit witness.lcms.org. Sound effect obtained from zapsplat.com.

Last time we spoke about the battle along the Wusong Creek. The situation was dire for the Chinese defenders, who faced overwhelming odds. Among them was Ogishima, a Japanese soldier who experienced the brutal reality of war firsthand. Amidst the chaos, battles erupted along the Wusong Creek, where both sides suffered heavy casualties. Chinese forces, despite being greatly outnumbered in terms of tactical superiority, demonstrated extraordinary resilience, fighting bravely even when retreat was necessary. As the battle raged on, tactics evolved; Chinese troops fortified defenses and implemented guerrilla warfare strategies. The soldiers transformed the landscape into a fortification, turning abandoned buildings into strongholds. October brought a fresh wave of violence. The Japanese pressed their attack, unleashing superior firepower that gradually saw them conquer Dachang.    #161 The Battle of Shanghai #6: the 800 heroes who defended the Sihang Warehouse Welcome to the Fall and Rise of China Podcast, I am your dutiful host Craig Watson. But, before we start I want to also remind you this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Perhaps you want to learn more about the history of Asia? Kings and Generals have an assortment of episodes on history of asia and much more  so go give them a look over on Youtube. So please subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry for some more history related content, over on my channel, the Pacific War Channel where I cover the history of China and Japan from the 19th century until the end of the Pacific War. Before the fall of Dachang, despite the threat of court-martial for anyone abandoning their posts, a general withdrawal of all Chinese forces in the Jiangwan salient was already in progress. As early as the night between October 24 and 25, the divisions within the salient had been ordered to move their baggage trains and support services back southwest across Suzhou Creek, utilizing the Zhongshan Bridge and Jessfield Railway Bridge. As the fighting intensified north of Zhabei in the subsequent days, the flow of soldiers, vehicles, and pack animals continued. By the night between October 26 and 27, the Chinese completely vacated metropolitan Shanghai north of Suzhou Creek. A foreign journalist wrot “The enormous Chinese army simply melted away and at dawn the Japanese found themselves facing empty positions. The two armies were no longer in contact.” During their retreat from Zhabei, the Chinese systematically set fire to thousands of shops and homes, implementing a scorched earth policy. At 7:00 am on October 27, eight narrow columns of smoke cut across the horizon from one end of Zhabei to the other. Two hours later, these columns had transformed into “huge black pillars stretching towards the azure sky.” By afternoon, a massive wall of smoke stretched four miles long, rising thousands of feet into the air. In the words of a German advisor, it was a fire “of unimaginable extent” that raged out of control for several days, repeatedly threatening to spill into the International Settlement. Refugees who had left Zhabei weeks or months earlier, hoping to return now that the fighting seemed to be over, were devastated to see their homes consumed by an immense sea of flames. The Japanese Army, or more specifically the doctrine guiding it in the field, failed in two significant ways by allowing some of China's best divisions to escape the trap they had set for them. First, on the evening of October 26, after taking Dachang, the Japanese columns could have advanced across Zhabei right to the edge of the International Settlement. Instead, they followed orders and ceased their advance at the line they had reached at sunset. German advisor Borchardt wrote “The only explanation for this is the lack of independent thinking among junior Japanese commanders and their fear of deviating even slightly from a meticulously detailed attack plan.  Since the Japanese focused on rallying and reorganizing their forces after the fall of Dachang, they missed an opportunity for a victory so decisive that the Chinese would have been forced to give up their continued resistance in Shanghai.” If the Japanese made their first mistake by leaving a door open for the enemy to escape, they committed a second error by failing to notice that the enemy was using that door. Although Japanese reconnaissance planes monitored the two main bridges utilized by the Chinese to retreat and even deployed parachute flares to detect movements at night, they inexplicably failed to observe the Chinese withdrawal. The retreat was executed precisely as planned, with every piece of artillery withdrawn. This allowed the Chinese to occupy prepared positions south of Suzhou Creek and around Nanxiang, enabling them to continue the fight another day. Despite their missteps, the Japanese initially celebrated their conquest of Zhabei as a victory, placing thousands of small Rising Sun flags throughout the district's ruins. Amid this sea of white and red, the only relatively intact structure, the Four Banks' Warehouse, starkly reminded them that the Chinese still maintained a foothold north of Suzhou Creek. Rumors began to circulate that the soldiers inside had vowed to fight to the death. The Japanese came to realize that their triumph in Zhabei would be perceived as flawed and would even resemble a defeat as long as the warehouse remained in Chinese hands. It was back on October 26, Chiang Kai-shek ordered all forces in Shanghai to withdraw to the western rural region. To facilitate a safe retreat, a rearguard was necessary, as is standard in military withdrawals. Chiang issued orders to General Gu Zhutong, the acting commander of the 3rd Military Region, to leave the 88th Division behind, not only to buy time for the retreating forces but also to stage a final grand stand in front of the Shanghai International Settlement. This was a last-ditch effort to gain international support, as the nine Great Powers were set to convene on November 6. However, General Gu Zhutong was personally attached to the 88th Division, and thus reluctant to abandon them. It's worth noting that he was acting commander in this position because his next post was to lead the 88th Division. Therefore, he telegrammed the divisional commander at the time, General Sun Yuanliang, who also opposed the plan to leave the 88th Division behind. While neither Gu Zhutong nor Sun Yuanliang were willing to disobey orders from the Generalissimo, Sun proposed a solution: They could leave a portion of the troops behind, just not the entire 88th Division. In his words, “How many people we sacrifice would not make a difference; it would achieve the same purpose.” Sun suggested leaving behind a single regiment from the 88th Division to defend one or two heavily fortified positions. Gu Zhutong agreed to this plan, and at that time, the 88th Divisional Headquarters was located at the Sihang Warehouse. The Sihang Warehouse is a six-story concrete building situated in the Zhabei district, just north of Suzhou Creek, at the northwestern edge of the New Lese Bridge. The warehouse was constructed collaboratively by four banks, hence the name "Sihang," which translates to "four banks." Directly across Suzhou Creek lies the Shanghai International Settlement, a neutral territory where Western foreigners resided. The fighting would occur literally just across the creek, forcing Western observers to witness the heroic last stand that China would make in Shanghai up close. For those who might not be aware, there is an outstanding film titled “The Eight Hundred.” I even reviewed the movie on my channel, the Pacific War Channel, on YouTube. The film excellently captures the remarkable situation, depicting an extravagant city on one side of a river, filled with entertainment, casinos, bars, and restaurants. The international community enjoys their vibrant lives, full of colors and lights, while on the other side lies a literal warzone. The Sihang Warehouse stands there, bullet-ridden, as the Japanese continuously attempt to storm it against the Chinese defenders. It's a compelling film worth checking out, feel free to take a look at my review as well! Returning to the story, Sun Yuanliang reconsidered and believed that leaving an entire regiment was excessive. Instead, he opted to leave behind an over-strength battalion. The 1st Battalion of the 524th Regiment was chosen for this task. A young colonel, Xie Jinyuan, who was also new to the 88th Division, volunteered to lead the battalion. No one who had met Xie Jinyuan could doubt that he was the ideal choice to lead the battalion that would stay behind, holed up inside the Sihang Warehouse in a corner of Zhabei, demonstrating to both the domestic and international audience that China remained resolute in its resistance against Japanese aggression. The 32-year-old graduate of the elite Central Military Academy, who had been stationed in Shanghai with the 88th Division since hostilities began in August, was a soldier to the core. He stood as straight as a bayonet, and according to a foreign correspondent who met him, even while wearing a mask, he was unmistakably a military man. In the correspondent's words, he represented “modern China stripped for action.” Upon receiving his assignment on the night of October 26, Xie Jinyuan went directly to the warehouse and was pleased with what he found. It resembled a virtual fortress. Each of its walls was pockmarked with numerous rifle slots, ensuring that attacking infantry would face a barrage of fire from the building's well-defended positions. It was evident that once the Japanese arrived, they would surround the structure on three sides; however, a link remained to the International Settlement to the south across Lese Bridge. British forward positions were as close as 40 feet away, and with careful maneuvering and a bit of luck, it was likely that the injured could be evacuated under the cover of darkness. From a tactical standpoint, it was an ideal location.   Still, improvements were possible, and Xie ordered the soldiers already present to work through the night to enhance their defenses. They had an ample supply of large bags filled with wheat and corn at their disposal, which served as excellent substitutes for sandbags. Xie Jinyuan's first challenge was to rally the soldiers of the 524th Regiment's 1st Battalion to occupy the warehouse positions. This was a complex task, given the short notice, as the companies and platoons were scattered throughout Zhabei, and some had unknowingly begun moving west with the rest of the Chinese Army, unaware of the orders their battalion had received. Throughout the night, Xie and his second-in-command, Yang Ruifu, dispatched orderlies through the blazing streets in search of their men amidst the throng of retreating soldiers. Eventually, their efforts bore fruit. By 9:00 a.m. on October 27, the last remaining soldiers of the battalion arrived at the warehouse. By then, Xie Jinyuan's force consisted of just over 400 officers and soldiers. This was a minuscule number compared to the might of the Japanese military, and they were immediately put to the test. Xie was unfamiliar with the men under his command, effectively being thrown into the deep end, so to speak. The location chosen for their stand was, of course, the Sihang Warehouse. The 1st Battalion originally comprised eight hundred men, but casualties incurred during the Battle of Shanghai had reduced their numbers to just 452 soldiers before the defense of the Sihang Warehouse began. Each soldier was armed with either a Hanyang 88 or Chiang Kai-shek rifle, an 8mm Mauser, grenades, a German M1935 Stahlhelm, a gas mask, and they also had some Czech ZB vz.26 light machine guns, along with four Type 24 Maxim guns. They would face off against the forces of the 3rd IJA Division, commanded by General Iwane Matsui, as well as the 10th Battalion, 8th, and 9th Companies of the Shanghai Special Naval Landing Force under Captain Okochi Denshichi. The Japanese forces were further bolstered by approximately 260 sailors from the Yokosuka 2nd Independent SNLF Company and another 200 sailors from the Kure 1st SNLF 2nd Company. Additionally, the 8th and 9th Companies of the Shanghai SNLF, originally attached to the 4th Artillery Battalion, would provide support with howitzers and mountain guns. In total, around 980 infantrymen from the reinforced 10th Battalion of the Shanghai SNLF, along with another 200 artillerymen from the 8th and 9th Companies, were involved in the Japanese assault on the Sihang Warehouse. Xie Jinyuan consolidated his battalion's defenses inside the Sihang Warehouse, believing it would provide his men the highest chance of holding out for as long as possible. He correctly assessed that the Imperial Japanese Army would be unable to use their heaviest artillery, aerial bombardment, gas attacks, or naval guns for fear of accidentally striking the International Settlement. It's important to remember that this was 1937, and the Empire of Japan was not willing to risk open warfare with Western nations until 1941. What the Japanese did have access to were armored vehicles, such as the Type 94 tankettes. The Japanese infantry were equipped with various weapons, including the Arisaka Type 38 rifle, Type 11 and Type 96 light machine guns, the Nambu Type 14 pistol, Type 92 heavy machine gun, Type 97 grenade, Type 89 grenade discharger, and the Type 93 flamethrower. On October 27, various companies of the battalion reached the Sihang Warehouse after a fighting withdrawal. By this point, they numbered 414 men, who essentially volunteered for a suicide mission and were later acknowledged by Chiang Kai-shek for their “exemplary soldierly conduct.” The 1st Battalion was commanded by Army Major Yang Ruifu, and their forces included the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Companies, as well as a Machine Gun Company, totaling 452 men once the remaining soldiers arrived. Due to two months of intense fighting in Shanghai, many of the German-trained elite troops had been killed or wounded, leaving the majority of the reinforcements at the Sihang Warehouse to be garrison troops from the surrounding provinces. Many of these soldiers came from the 5th Regiment of the Hubei Province Garrison, which meant that many were also inexperienced recruits. On October 27, news began to circulate throughout Shanghai that Chinese forces were still resisting the Japanese in the Zhabei district at the Sihang Warehouse. At 4 a.m., a Girl Guide named Yang Huimin approached a British guard at a post at the Chinese end of the New Lese Bridge, where she noticed a British soldier tossing a pack of cigarettes into the warehouse. Yang asked the soldier what he was doing, and he informed her that there was a battalion of Chinese soldiers inside. She then wrote a message and requested that the soldier place it inside a cigarette box and toss it over. Soon, the Chinese tossed back the cigarette box with a message indicating they needed food, ammunition, and lubricant for their weapons. Yang then left the bridge and began pleading for help at the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce, but no one believed her story. Xie Jinyuan deployed the 1st Company, led by Captain Tao Xingchun, on the right side of the warehouse along Tibet Road. The 3rd Company, led by Shi Meihao, was stationed on the left across from the Bank of Communications building, while the 2nd Company, commanded by Deng Ying, held the other sides. Two heavy Type 24 Maxim machine guns were mounted on the roof of the Sihang Warehouse, with additional machine guns distributed among each company. A forward platoon from each company was sent out to provide early warning of any enemy attack. Furthermore, Xie ordered his combat engineers to place remote-detonated charges in front of the warehouse. His units were strategically dispersed with rifles and machine guns throughout the warehouse and on the rooftop. They reinforced the building with bags of sand, corn, and beans, and razed surrounding structures to create a deadly killing field. At 7:30 am an advance outpost reported seeing Japanese marines near the North Train Station, and 45 minutes later, it confirmed that the enemy's flag was flying over that building. The Chinese soldiers were ordered to engage the advancing IJA 3rd division, and over the next two hours, they executed a fighting retreat back toward the warehouse. A brief pause ensued, during which the Chinese defenders prepared themselves, with some taking up positions on the various floors of the warehouse and others crouching behind an outer wall surrounding the building. At 1:00 pm a Japanese column approached the warehouse, confidently marching down the middle of the road behind a large Rising Sun banner. It appeared more like a victory parade than a tactical maneuver. Once they were in range, the Chinese officers ordered their men to fire. Five Japanese soldiers fell, causing the rest of the column to scramble for cover. Within an hour, the Japanese had amassed enough troops to attempt a storming assault on the warehouse. A sizable force surrounded the building, unleashing so much firepower that the Chinese were forced to abandon the outer wall and retreat to the warehouse itself. Although the defenses remained solid, the crisis was far from over, and the attackers appeared to have gained dangerous momentum The first bloodshed occurred when ten IJA soldiers were killed while attempting to secure fortifications around the warehouse that had been rigged with explosives. At 2 p.m., a National Revolutionary Army  platoon led by Yin Qiucheng exchanged fire with approximately fifty IJA troops. By 3 pm, an IJA company consisting of around 194 men launched an attack on the warehouse from the west. During this engagement, the 3rd Company commander, Shi Meihao, was shot in the face but continued to lead the defense until he was shot again in the leg. Meanwhile, about seventy IJA soldiers took cover in a blind spot just southwest of the warehouse. In response, the NRA climbed to the rooftop and threw grenades at the IJA, killing seven and wounding twenty. The initial assault by the IJA was a failure, prompting them to set fire to the northwestern section of the warehouse, where fuel and lumber were stored. By 5 pm., firefighter efforts had extinguished the blaze, as the IJA were preoccupied with looting the Zhabei area. At this point, Yang Ruifu, the second-in-command, commanded a dozen soldiers to rush to the roof and lob hand grenades at the Japanese forces below. This counterattack halted the Japanese advance. As the Japanese withdrew, they left behind seven dead. Much of the fighting was closely watched by excited Chinese on the other side of the 60-yard Suzhou Creek. Each time news spread of another Japanese soldier being killed, a triumphant cheer erupted from the crowd. At 9 pm, battalion commander Yang Ruifu assessed that there would likely be no further IJA attacks that day and ordered the NRA to repair their fortifications and eat their meals. However, no one slept that night. The NRA suffered two deaths and four wounded, while the IJA reported seventeen dead and twenty wounded. Foreign correspondents witnessed the battle from the safety of Suzhou Creek, enjoying a front-row seat to the harsh reality of urban combat. One reporter observed a small group of Japanese soldiers cautiously approaching the warehouse, navigating through the broken masonry and twisted metal. Crawling from cover to cover, it took them 50 minutes to traverse just 50 yards. The Chinese defenders, watching from concealed vantage points, had been monitoring their movements all along. Once the Japanese party was close enough, the defenders unleashed a barrage of hand grenades. After the dust settled, they used their rifles to finish off anyone still able to move. Several Japanese attempting to rescue their wounded comrades were also killed. It was a war without mercy. Even after darkness fell over the warehouse, there was no time for sleep. The soldiers worked tirelessly to repair damages and reinforce their positions.  The next morning, Xie Jinyuan contacted the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce for assistance, having received their phone number from Yang Huimin. At 7 am on October 28, Japanese bombers began to circle the warehouse but refrained from dropping any bombs for fear of hitting the International Settlement. Surrounding the rooftops of nearby buildings was a sea of Rising Sun flags, serving to intimidate the NRA and signal that they were encircled. By 8 am, Xie delivered a pep talk to the defenders and noticed an IJA squad advancing along the Suzhou Creek. According to Yang Ruifu's memoirs, Xie picked up a rifle and shot one of the IJA soldiers from over a kilometer away, halting the squad's advance. At 3 pm, it began to rain as the IJA launched a major attack on the west side of the warehouse, taking control of the Bank of Communications building. From there, they deployed machine guns and cannons to bombard the north face of the warehouse. However, the cannons were unable to significantly damage the six-foot-thick walls, and the Japanese troops in the bank building were easily suppressed by the defenders on the warehouse roof, who enjoyed a superior vantage point. After two hours of fighting, the Japanese gave up on the attack but managed to cut electricity and water to the warehouse. Yang Ruifu ordered strict rationing, with each company placing its water reserves under guard and collecting urine in large barrels for firefighting purposes if necessary. Witnessing the fierce Chinese resistance, the Shanghai Chamber of Commerce was invigorated, and news of the stand quickly spread via radio. Crowds of 30,000 people gathered along the southern bank of the Suzhou Creek, cheering the defenders on. In response, ten truckloads of aid were donated by Shanghai citizens, making their way over the bridge to the warehouse throughout the night. The defenders received food, fruit, clothing, utensils, and letters of support from the citizens. A few journalists attempted to visit, but due to the commanding officers being busy, they only managed to meet with Lei Xiong, the Machine Gun Company commander. Xie Jinyuan also utilized the same trucks to transport ten wounded men into the International Settlement. During these truck transit actions, three NRA soldiers were killed by Japanese sharpshooters. Yang Huimin courageously ran to the warehouse to personally deliver the Republic of China flag to Xie Jinyuan. Upon receiving the flag, Xie was asked by a reporter about his plans, to which he simply replied, “Defend to the death.” Yang Huimin then requested a list of the soldiers' names to announce to the entire country. However, Xie was reluctant to provide this information, fearing it would reveal his actual numbers and prompt the Japanese to storm the warehouse. Instead, he wrote down 800 names from the original 524th Regiment's roster. Thus, the legend of the “800 Heroes” was born. The next morning, the Republic of China flag was hoisted on a thirteen-foot pole atop the Sihang Warehouse. Since Yang Huimin had only delivered the flag without a pole, the defenders constructed a makeshift pole using two bamboo culms tied together, holding a flag-raising ceremony. Crowds gathered in the International Settlement, reaching up to thirty thousand in number, shouting “Zhōnghuá Mínguó wànsu!” (Long live the Republic of China). Japanese aircraft attempted to destroy the flag with strafing fire but were unsuccessful and were forced to retreat due to anti-aircraft fire. At noon, the IJA launched their largest offensive to date, attacking the warehouse from all directions with Type 94 tankettes and cannons. The 3rd NRA Company was pushed out of their defensive lines to the base of the warehouse and then further into the warehouse itself. The IJA's cannon fire chipped away at the warehouse structure, creating new firing ports on the windowless west wall. The Japanese attempted to scale the walls to the second floor using ladders. Xie Jinyuan was positioned near a window when two IJA soldiers managed to climb into the second floor beside him. He choked the first soldier to death and shot the other while kicking over the ladder they had used. The situation became dire as a platoon of IJA soldiers began placing explosives to breach the west wall. As the battle raged on, the IJA platoon continued planting explosives at the base of the west wall in an effort to breach it. When the Chinese defenders noticed what they were doing, 21-year-old Private Chen Shusheng, armed with a grenade vest, jumped from a second-story window onto the IJA platoon that was planting the explosives. His suicide attack killed himself and twenty Japanese soldiers below. The fighting continued until darkness fell, with waves of IJA soldiers storming the warehouse using armored vehicles. Ultimately, the IJA had to abandon their assault and began digging a tunnel towards the warehouse with an excavator. In response, posters emerged in the International Settlement, showcasing the movement of the IJA to the NRA. At 7 am, on October 30, the IJA recommenced their attacks, this time employing heavy artillery, firing approximately one shell per second throughout the day. The NRA responded by reinforcing the warehouse with additional sandbags. As night approached, the IJA utilized floodlights to illuminate the warehouse, allowing their artillery fire to continue unabated. Despite the overwhelming firepower, the defenders still managed to destroy some of the IJA's armored vehicles. The International Settlement exerted pressure on the IJA to cease the artillery fire, as it was dangerously close to their area. They informed the IJA that they would attempt to persuade the NRA to end their defense. A petition was sent to Chiang Kai-shek to stop the fighting for humanitarian reasons. By this point, the defense of the Sihang Warehouse had accomplished all its objectives. The NRA forces in Shanghai had successfully redeployed to more favorable positions in the rural west. Moreover, the defense of the warehouse had garnered significant attention from the Western world. Consequently, Chiang Kai-shek authorized a retreat. Chiang Kai-shek ordered the battalion to retreat into the foreign concession and to rejoin the 88th Division, which was now fighting in western Shanghai. A meeting was arranged with British General Telfer-Smollet and Yan Hu of the Shanghai Auxiliary Police to facilitate the retreat. The 524th Regiment would retreat to the International Settlement by crossing the New Lese Bridge. The 3rd IJA Division commander, Matsui Iwane, was notified of this plan and agreed, promising to allow the defenders to retreat unharmed, although he would ultimately not fulfill this promise. At midnight on November 1, Xie Jinyuan led the retreat of 376 men out of the warehouse and across the New Lese Bridge into the International Settlement. Ten NRA soldiers had been killed, and twenty-seven were too wounded to move; those soldiers volunteered to stay behind and man the machine guns on the rooftop to provide cover for the retreat. During the crossing, ten additional NRA soldiers were wounded by IJA sharpshooter fire. By 2 a.m. on November 1, the retreat was complete, marking the end of the defense of the Sihang Warehouse. After the battle, Xie Jinyuan reported that more than 100 Japanese troops had been killed by the defenders. General Sun Yuanliang stated, “Enemy corpses in the vicinity of Sihang Warehouse totaled approximately two hundred.” Xie Jimin claimed, “More than 200 enemy troops were killed and countless others were wounded. Two enemy tanks were also destroyed, and two more were damaged. The number of enemies was based on the daily counts obtained by observation posts.” The NRA suffered ten deaths and thirty-seven wounded, while the IJA incurred an estimated two hundred killed, along with several others wounded. However, a Japanese report indicated that after the SNLF 10th Battalion stormed the Sihang Warehouse, they found only 80 Chinese corpses. As of 2022, historians now estimate that 377 Chinese soldiers managed to retreat, suggesting that the actual death toll for the Chinese was likely around 33. The Battle of Shanghai was arguably unwinnable for the Chinese from the outset. It was only a matter of time before the Japanese would gain the upper hand due to their material and technological advantages. As the fighting dragged on, with the Japanese capturing stronghold after stronghold in the countryside surrounding the city, the immense toll exacted on the defenders led a growing number of Chinese generals to question the wisdom of clinging to a city that was ultimately destined to fall. They pushed for a more comprehensive withdrawal rather than the tactical retreat from Zhabei and Jiangwan that had already taken place. Otherwise, thousands more soldiers would die in vain. Moreover, there were serious concerns about morale taking a devastating hit, which could compromise China's ability to continue the fight. This was becoming a pressing issue. Chinese troops, who had initially entered the battle with an upbeat and patriotic spirit, gradually lost their fervor as casualties mounted in a seemingly hopeless battle. Once a division was reduced to one-third of its original strength, it was sent to the rear for reorganization and replenishment before being returned to the frontline. Most soldiers perceived the odds of survival as heavily stacked against them. Despite regular visits to the front, Chiang Kai-shek remained largely unaware of these grim realities. Officers who understood the true conditions in the trenches were also familiar with the supreme commander's stubborn nature and his determination to defend Shanghai to the bitter end. Given the circumstances, they felt it unwise to reveal the full truth to him. This charade could not continue indefinitely. In some units, the situation was deteriorating so rapidly that it became increasingly likely soldiers would simply abandon their positions. With mutiny looming as a possibility, senior commanders sought to persuade Chiang Kai-shek that a complete withdrawal of all Chinese troops from the Shanghai area to a fortified line stretching from Suzhou to Jiaxing, a city about 35 miles to the south, was the only viable option. In early November, General Bai Chongxi informed Chiang that the officers at the front could no longer control their men and that a pullback would serve as a face-saving measure, forestalling potential rebellion within the ranks. However, nothing they said seemed to impress Chiang Kai-shek. General Li Zongren, another officer who had previously attempted to advocate for a retreat, realized that arguing with the man at the top was futile. “War plans were decided by him personally, and no one else was allowed to say anything,” Li noted in his memoirs. Despite this, there were moments when Chiang appeared tantalizingly close to being swayed by the views of his lieutenants. As early as the first days of October, he seemed to favor a withdrawal from the front, only to reverse his decision later. A similar situation arose late in the month when Chiang called a meeting with his frontline commanders in a train carriage at Songjiang Railway Station, southwest of Shanghai. Before his arrival, the generals discussed the battle and concluded they could do little against the enemy's superior firepower. Upon Chiang's arrival, Zhang Fakui, the commander of the troops in Pudong, suggested moving ten divisions to prepared positions further in the rear, where defense would be easier than in Shanghai. The majority agreed with this proposal. At this point, Madame Chiang Kai-shek made her entrance, dressed in an expensive fur coat and fresh from a visit to the Shanghai front. “If we can hold Shanghai for ten more days,” she declared, “China will win international sympathy.” She was vague about the specifics but seemed to be referring to the upcoming Brussels conference. This declaration galvanized Chiang. “Shanghai must be held at all costs,” he asserted with firm conviction, as if that had been his sentiment all along. I would like to take this time to remind you all that this podcast is only made possible through the efforts of Kings and Generals over at Youtube. Please go subscribe to Kings and Generals over at Youtube and to continue helping us produce this content please check out www.patreon.com/kingsandgenerals. If you are still hungry after that, give my personal channel a look over at The Pacific War Channel at Youtube, it would mean a lot to me. As Chinese troops retreated across Suzhou Creek, a small battalion under Colonel Xie Jinyuan held their ground, transforming the warehouse into a fortress. Despite fierce attacks, including artillery and tank assaults, they showcased unparalleled bravery. Reinforced by messages of support from locals, spirits soared. Amidst mounting casualties, they persisted until a strategic retreat was ordered. As dawn broke on November 1, Xie led the remaining troops to safety, leaving behind a legacy of valor that inspired future generations. Thus, the "800 Heroes" legend was born.

Show Notes: Gregory Mose, an English major, currently lives in Aix-en-Provence where he is the director of international relations and professor of International Law at a small American University program called the American College of the Mediterranean.  When he graduated, his parents wanted him to go to Law School, but Greg wanted to travel. He was offered a teaching fellow position at Athens College in Greece, and he fell in love with the place and the experience. He returned to the US and law school at Duke where he met his wife.   Working for United Nations Greg's interest in international public international law led him to work for the UN during Yugoslavia's war crimes tribunal research project. He secured a two-year contract with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in Conakry, Guinea, which was a paranoid, isolated place. He worked with refugees there for two years, traveling through Mali, Timbuktu, Dakar, Freetown, Abidjan, and upcountry Guinea. During this time, he helped resettle some people to the United States. Greg's experience in Conakry was both powerful and passionate. He helped resettle some people to the United States who wouldn't be able to be resettled today. However, he returned home underweight and suffering from malaria and PTSD. A Career Changes: Director of International Relations - Stay-at-home Dad Greg joined his fiance in London. After a period of recovery, Greg secured a job in corporate law at an international firm in London. He worked on IPOs and was hired as a young US lawyer in securities practices. After three years, he moved to a London-based firm, Freshfields, Brookhouse, Deringer.  Greg and his wife had their son in 2002 and decided to raise their son themselves rather than handing him over to a nanny. He decided to leave his job to write a novel and raise their son while his wife worked at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. They considered downsizing and moving to the English countryside or getting more remote to facilitate a change in lifestyle. However, after spending time in the South West of France, they decided to do something radical and bought a medieval farmhouse and land in the South West of France, near a village called Montcabrier.  Village Life in Wine Country Greg describes their experience living in a wine region called the Lot, near the Dordogne, in the southwest. The village had about 30 full-time residents, but most people  lived in farmhouses outside the village. The village had a two-room schoolhouse, a bakery, and a mayor's office. Greg and his family rented out renovated three holiday cottages in summers to families with small children. They built a playground, swimming pool, and a beautiful field on their property. Greg also shares his experiences with their neighbors. He also learned how to use a chainsaw and finished his novel, Stunt Road. However, as their son grew older, they decided they needed a bigger centre with more activities and schools. They moved to Aix-en-Provence. Working in Education Greg didn't know what he was going to do there, but they enrolled their son in the International School where he was hired to teach a critical thinking course called Theory of Knowledge at the International Baccalaureate program. He became a high school teacher for 10 years and realized his love for teaching, and eventually wanted to teach at university. He decided to pursue a PhD program at French universities, which were affordable. The tuition for a PhD was about $500 a year.  Greg mentions the benefits of social programs in France. He eventually became a full-time professor at the American College in Aix and runs a master's program in international relations. Integration with French Culture Greg's life is different from what people think it is like living in Southern France. He finds it challenging to integrate into the country. In the rural areas, French culture is radically different, with people being warm but also private. Weekends are spent with family, and they do not easily invite people into their homes. However, he finds warmth in the greetings and the respect shown to others. This reinforces a tradition of treating each other as equals and respect. He also talks about how his students from abroad adjust to French culture.  Back to London and Recovery Greg thinks back to 1998 when he  arrived in North London with his fiance and was unemployed. He had been working at UNHCR, which provided decent pay. However, he was always physically cold and underweight due to his previous experiences with malaria and the constant heat in the tropical climate. He was exhausted from the work and the influx of refugees during the renewed violence in Freetown. One of his bouts of malaria occurred while doing a refugee census in the forest region. He spent three days in a room full of bugs and had limited access to food. He talks about how he broke down and found it was cathartic for him. He talks about a particularly difficult time, and how he teaches a course on armed conflict, linking it to genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and refugees. Large glass He often shares anecdotes from his time there, but admits that sometimes he struggles to get through them. Influential Harvard Professors and Courses Greg mentions his first year English course with Helen Vendler. He recalls a kind act of kindness from her. He also mentions professor Burriss Young, who was the Associate Dean of freshmen at the time and lived in Mass Hall. Burriss was an archeologist, and he invited students to tea in his apartment filled with archeological artifacts. This made his first year at Harvard a magical experience. Greg, coming from LA, idealized Harvard. He had a wonderful time in Cabot House, and Greg believes that these experiences will be a lasting memory for him.  Timestamps: 04:44: Early Career and UN Experience 09:31: Transition to Corporate Law and Family Life  22:55: Return to Education and Teaching Career  30:10: Life in Southern France and Cultural Adjustments  40:37: Personal Reflections and Professional Growth  45:02: Memorable Experiences and Influences from Harvard    Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregorymose/ Stunt Road, by Gregory Mose: https://amzn.to/46Orq4X The American College of the Mediterranean: https://www.acmfrance.org/ Greg's Blog: https://quercychronicles.wordpress.com/ Featured Non-profit: The featured non-profit of this week's episode is recommended by Keith Quinn who reports: “Hi. This is Keith Quinn, class of 1992 the featured non-profit of this episode of The 92 Report is water.org. Water.org. Is a global NGO working to bring water and sanitation to the world. The water crisis is a global crisis where 2.2 billion people lack access to safe water, and 3.5 billion people lack access to a safe toilet. I've served on the board of water.org for over 15 years, doing rewarding work, along with two other class of 1992 alums, my fellow board member, Larry Tans, and water.org co-founder, Matt Damon, and I'm proud to say that to date, water.org has changed 76 million lives with water and sanitation. You can learn more about their work@water.org and now here's Will Bachman with this week's episode.”   To learn more about their work, visit: water.org.   

"Education was the highest value in our family. It was not even a question—it was the core." In this episode of The Biotech Startups Podcast, Samir Khleif—Founder and CEO of Georgiamune—shares how his upbringing as a Middle Eastern refugee, in a family where education was everything, laid the foundation for his pioneering work in oncology and immunotherapy. Khleif recounts how formative experiences with his physicist father and the Boy Scouts instilled discipline, fairness, and a sense of adventure, shaping his leadership approach and fueling his journey from humble beginnings and early entry into medical school to spearheading innovative treatments that reprogram immune responses against cancer and autoimmune disease.

Derek Champagne interviews Quang X. Pham. Quang is a biotech executive, war veteran, author, speaker, and community leader with a remarkable journey shaped by resilience, service, and entrepreneurship. He made history as the first Vietnamese American to earn naval aviator wings in the Marine Corps and lead an initial public offering (IPO) on Nasdaq.His inspiring American underdog journey, told in first person, is unlike any other. Born in Saigon, South Vietnam, Quang and his family fled as refugees when he was 10, while his father, a Republic of Vietnam Air Force pilot,remained and was imprisoned for more than a decade. After earning a degree from UCLA, Quang served seven years on active duty, flying CH-46 helicopters in the Persian Gulf War, Somalia, and the Reserves. Following his military career, Quang transitioned into business, founding multiple pharmaceutical companies. In 2000, he launched MyDrugRep.com (which became LathianSystems), an innovative online platform for physician marketing engagements, which was later acquired. In 2015, he founded Espero Pharmaceuticals and Jacksonville Pharmaceuticals. His leadership and entrepreneurial success earned him the Florida EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2018. Today Quang serves as Chairman and CEO, Cadrenal Therapeutics (Nasdaq: CVKD).Quang is also the author of the award-winning father-son memoir, A Sense of Duty: Our Journe y from Vietnam (Penguin Random House), and his new book, Underdog Nation: Zero In on Effort and Results for Success (Forbes Books).Committed to giving back, Quang has served on the boards of private companies, veterancharities and educational organizations. He lives in Florida with his family, continuing tolead and inspire.Order Quang's new book here: https://quangxpham.com/books/Business Leadership Series Intro and Outro music provided by Just Off Turner: https://music.apple.com/za/album/the-long-walk-back/268386576

For Shop Talk, Coach Bill tells the story of An Army of Normal Refugees who changed America... at least in one aspect. Support the show: https://www.normalfolks.us/premiumSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hear the story of a local woman, “Maria,” who fled war-torn Syria for the United States more than 10 years ago. While her request for asylum languished in the courts for the last seven years, she carried on the work of creating a new life, forming a community, and working as an immigration advocate. Just this week, she found out that her request for asylum has been denied. She now finds herself in a state of limbo, unable to return to her own country out of fear of persecution, uncertain of a future here. In the final installment of our weeklong series looking into what it's like to be an immigrant without permanent status in the U.S., we focus on the experiences of asylum seekers and refugees. We speak with “Maria” from Syria; Maya Oyarbide-Sanchez, Refugee One Wellness Director; Heena Musabji, Legal Director at CAIR-Chicago; and Maketh Mabior, a former refugee from Sudan and lay leader of the South Sudanese congregation at St Paul's Church. All of today's guests work on representing, resettling, and supporting refugees and other displaced people under a cloud of uncertainty created by the current administration. For a full archive of Reset interviews, head over to wbez.org/reset.

What if the key to building a multi-million dollar business had nothing to do with chasing profits and everything to do with genuine relationships? In this episode, Kevin Thompson sits down with entrepreneur, author, and mentor Joel Gandara, who shares his incredible journey from escaping communist Cuba to building and selling a seven-figure apparel empire, all by focusing on people first. Joel's story is about grit, hustle, and the unstoppable power of human connection. Born in Havana, Cuba, Joel and his family emigrated to the United States during the massive 1980 Mariel Boatlift. Growing up poor in California fueled a relentless drive to succeed. From selling trading cards and candy to buying goods at garage sales and selling them at flea markets, Joel was always looking for his big break. That moment came when he discovered Jockey underwear samples at a garage sale, a discovery that years later turned into a multi-million dollar apparel business. By the age of 38, Joel had semi-retired, stepping back from the long work weeks to enjoy life with his wife and kids while coaching others to create their own success. In this episode, he shares how powerful relationships shaped every step of his journey.   [00:00 - 02:45] Introduction: Kevin Sets the Stage • Kevin introduces the Million Dollar Relationships podcast. • He talks about the power of relationships and mentions Tribe for Leaders. • Joel Gandara is welcomed to the show. [02:46 - 04:45] Who Joel Is Today • Joel shares what he does now: running men's and women's personal growth programs, writing a book, and leading 31-day challenges. • Talks about how the programs are changing lives, from improving marriages to helping grandparents raise grandkids better. [04:46 - 08:15] The Cuba Story: From Labor Camps to Miami • Joel recounts being born in Cuba under communism, where his father spent 13 years in a forced labor camp. • Shares the terrifying 12-hour Mariel boat trip to the US, including four hours in dangerous storms, before settling in California. [08:16 - 11:10] Early Hustles: Cards, Chocolates, Flea Markets • As a kid, Joel sells Garbage Pail Kids cards, turning pennies into dollars. • In high school, he sells chocolates and starts doing garage sales. • He finds Jockey underwear samples at a garage sale, buys them for $1 each, and flips them for $6 at flea markets. [11:11 - 13:20] Building Brands and Facing Betrayal • Learned about eBay in 1999, started importing and distributing international brands. • A supplier breaks trust by going direct to Joel's clients, pushing him to start his own brand. • His first brand hit over $1 million in retail sales in about 13 months. [13:21 - 15:50] How Wilfredo in Colombia Changed Everything • Joel shares reading The Secret and then meeting Wilfredo, who owned a factory in Colombia. • Invests $80,000 in his first order — which turns out to be Wilfredo's first production run too. • This relationship builds the foundation for Joel's multi-brand empire. [15:51 - 21:00] Buying 14 Businesses Thanks to Handwritten Notes • Because of Wilfredo, Joel grows into multiple brands and shifts from wholesale to owning ecommerce sites. • Buys a small ecommerce business that leads to 14 acquisitions, almost all through relationships. • He shares how handwritten cards, personal follow-ups, and genuine care made competitors want to sell to him. [21:01 - 33:04] The Power of Relationship Capital • Joel and Kevin dive deeper into how relationships were the key to every major opportunity. • Discuss how small gestures like handwritten notes create lasting impressions. • Kevin relates it to his own experience sending handwritten notes and overnight checks, which led to referrals and stronger partnerships. Key Quotes “Most bad things in my life were just precursors to something great that would come.” — Joel Gandara “Relationships are everything. I've never had a negative reaction from checking in, caring, and sending handwritten notes.” — Joel Gandara “We were poor, but my parents taught me to live simply and save. Those habits helped me build everything.” — Joel Gandara Connect with Joel Gandara Book & 31-Day Challenge: 31dailychallenges.comWebsite: JoelGandara.comLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/joelgandara Facebook: facebook.com/joel.gandara.3 Instagram: @joelgandara   Thanks for tuning in! If you liked my show, please LEAVE A 5-STAR REVIEW, like, and subscribe! Find me on: Apple Podcasts Spotify iHeart Radio Stitcher

First, why El Cajon Police will no longer respond to all mental-health crisis calls. Plus, Imperial Valley's oldest LGTQ+ center is in turmoil. Then, some changes are being made to San Diego grocery store's coupon system, making it more user-friendly and inclusive to seniors.

For the written (w/ pics) version of this podcast, visit my substack: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/collateral-damage-the-children-of Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Lastly, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us! Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series? To remind us all to pray for persecuted pastors and believers (such as Pastor Wang Yi) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“as bound with them”), by sharing from his own published writings in China, as well as anecdotes from other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand. Also, here’s my own humble attempt at expositing Hebrews 13:3: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains Today we are going to talk about praying for the children of persecuted pastors/believers… Praying for Christian Children in China https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2025/07/fuzhou-how-to-pray/ Next, I want to read some excerpts from an interview I found of Michael Wurmbrand, the now 80+ year old son of Richard Wurmbrand and founder of the Richard Wurmbrand Foundation. BTW, Michael does NOT recommend the ministry of Voice of the Martyrs, which he helped to found many decades ago. He was fired from the ministry more than ten years ago, when he demanded a more broad inquiry into the travels and contacts of former VOM director, Tom White, who committed suicide in VOM’s Bartlesville, OK, warehouse in 2012, after allegations surfaced of him molesting a ten year old girl. (Read his “Open Letter” about VOM here: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html) Michael Wurmbrand also runs another ministry, Help For Refugees, focused primarily on his native Romania, and has made all of his father’s books (and formerly unpublished writings) available for free since VOM continues to use his parents’ likeness and writings without his permission. I personally support Wurmbrand’s Help for Refugees monthly and love getting their newsletter with previously unpublished reflections by Richard Wurmbrand included each month. Now, without further ado, let’s work through much of the following interview, which covers key events in Michael Wurmbrand’s very difficult childhood in communist Romania… Michael (aka, Mihai) Talks About His Childhood Suffering https://www.richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/michael-wurmbrand-interview.pdf Follow China Compass Follow or subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use. You can also send any questions or comments on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

Hello,Today, we have on Jeremy Konyndyk, the president of Refugees international and a longtime humanitarian and emergency operator. He has served in senior appointments in two U.S. administrations. He was the director of USAID's Office of US Foreign Disaster Assistance in the Obama administration and also worked in the Biden administration. Jeremy has been sounding the alarm about the famine in Gaza for a number of months, and has done a series of really helpful explainer threads on Twitter that have gone viral. We've invited him on the show today to help us understand the starvation crisis that is now in full swing.Tyler and I both learned a ton in this episode about how famines happen, the infrastructure for aid, and the political obstructions in the way. In the end, we both came away somehow feeling both appropriately horrified but also not as nihilistic as we did before we talked to Jeremy. A really important episode of the show. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodbye.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of Global Take, we sit down with Lual Mayer, CEO and Founder of Junub Games , to explore how gaming can serve as a powerful tool for storytelling, empathy, and peacebuilding across global conflict zones.

For the written (w/ pics) version of this podcast, visit my substack: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/collateral-damage-the-children-of Follow and/or message me on Twitter/X (@chinaadventures) where I post (among other things) daily reminders to pray for China.You can also email me @ bfwesten at gmail dot com. Lastly, to learn more about our ministry endeavors or get one of my missionary biographies, visit PrayGiveGo.us! Why did I begin this weekly Prison Pulpit series? To remind us all to pray for persecuted pastors and believers (such as Pastor Wang Yi) as Hebrews 13:3 teaches us to do (“as bound with them”), by sharing from his own published writings in China, as well as anecdotes from other persecuted ministers who have gone before, such as Richard Wurmbrand. Also, here’s my own humble attempt at expositing Hebrews 13:3: https://chinacall.substack.com/p/remember-my-chains Today we are going to talk about praying for the children of persecuted pastors/believers… Praying for Christian Children in China https://chinapartnership.org/blog/2025/07/fuzhou-how-to-pray/ Next, I want to read some excerpts from an interview I found of Michael Wurmbrand, the now 80+ year old son of Richard Wurmbrand and founder of the Richard Wurmbrand Foundation. BTW, Michael does NOT recommend the ministry of Voice of the Martyrs, which he helped to found many decades ago. He was fired from the ministry more than ten years ago, when he demanded a more broad inquiry into the travels and contacts of former VOM director, Tom White, who committed suicide in VOM’s Bartlesville, OK, warehouse in 2012, after allegations surfaced of him molesting a ten year old girl. (Read his “Open Letter” about VOM here: https://www.billionbibles.com/michael-wurmbrand-vom.html) Michael Wurmbrand also runs another ministry, Help For Refugees, focused primarily on his native Romania, and has made all of his father’s books (and formerly unpublished writings) available for free since VOM continues to use his parents’ likeness and writings without his permission. I personally support Wurmbrand’s Help for Refugees monthly and love getting their newsletter with previously unpublished reflections by Richard Wurmbrand included each month. Now, without further ado, let’s work through much of the following interview, which covers key events in Michael Wurmbrand’s very difficult childhood in communist Romania… Michael (aka, Mihai) Talks About His Childhood Suffering https://www.richardwurmbrandfoundation.com/pdfs/michael-wurmbrand-interview.pdf Follow China Compass Follow or subscribe to China Compass on whichever platform you use. You can also send any questions or comments on X: @chinaadventures or via email (bfwesten at gmail dot com). Hebrews 13:3!

Afghan refugees in California face an uncertain future under the Trump Administration. Also, abandoned boats along the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta. Finally, a sunset bat flyout paddle along the Cosumnes River.

Eden Tesfazghi left war-torn Eritrea 40 years ago in search of safety and landed in the Midwest. A culture shock for sure, her adjustment started after walking through the desert for three weeks and eventually arriving via plane in North Dakota.

Simon Shahin spoke with SBS Assyrian about his journey to joining the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He shared that his motivation stemmed from a desire to serve and give back to Australia — a country that welcomed him and his family after they fled the war and devastation in Syria. Arriving with his Assyrian family a decade ago, Mr. Shahin faced many challenges, including trauma, a language barrier, and adjusting to a new homeland. Despite these obstacles, he persevered, studied diligently, earned a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, and ultimately fulfilled his goal of joining the RAAF.

Canadian journalist Nora Loreto reads the latest headlines for Monday, July 28, 2025.TRNN has partnered with Loreto to syndicate and share her daily news digest with our audience. Tune in every morning to the TRNN podcast feed to hear the latest important news stories from Canada and worldwide.Find more headlines from Nora at Sandy & Nora Talk Politics podcast feed.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!

She was saved by the same Spanish surgeon who saved my wife.Support the show

A group of refugees who say they've been living in limbo in Australia for 13 years have taken their fight for permanent residency to federal parliament in Canberra.They're part of a group of more than 8,000 people who had their refugee protection claims rejected under a now-abolished visa system.

For some, soccer is just a sport, but for these refugees and asylum seekers it is much more than that. The Refugee Soccer Cup is an initiative that started five years ago, and its goal is to help newcomers to Canada find a way to connect. The Current's producer Niza Nondo takes us to the field to hear their stories from this year's Refugee Soccer Cup.

Dive deep into the riveting life of Christian Ray Flores. From his beginnings as a refugee to becoming an international pop star, brand builder, and philanthropist, Christian's story is nothing short of inspirational. Discover how he transitioned from the entertainment stage to the world of entrepreneurship and coaching, guiding purpose-driven leaders to multiply their impact. Christian also shares insights from his eclectic book 'The Little Book of Big Reasons to Love America' and provides advice on managing success, overcoming challenges, and living a high-performance life. Don't miss the rapid-fire segment for some quick, fun insights into Christian's life!Website: https://www.christianrayflores.com/Shop GSD Affiliates:

In this powerful episode of The Nerdy Photographer Podcast, we sit down with documentary filmmaker Ilie Mitaru to discuss his deeply moving film First Frames. The documentary follows the journey of photographer and refugee Serbest Salih who travels to refugee camps to teach children the basics of photography—giving them not just a creative outlet, but a voice. For children facing the trauma of displacement, disrupted education, and overwhelming anxiety, the camera becomes more than a tool—it becomes a lifeline. Ilie shares the inspiration behind the film and what drew him to this story. The idea that something as simple as a camera could provide emotional relief and empowerment was a concept he found both beautiful and necessary. As the film unfolds, it becomes clear that photography offers these children a way to process their experiences, to document their world on their own terms, and to feel seen in a life where invisibility often feels like the norm. We discuss the careful balance required to tell these stories truthfully and respectfully, and how the project reinforced Ilie's belief in the transformative power of storytelling. The children's photos are not just snapshots—they are declarations of identity, resilience, and hope. This episode is a poignant reminder of photography's ability to do more than capture beautiful images. It can heal. It can educate. It can empower. Whether you're a professional photographer or someone who simply loves the art form, First Frames is a story that will stay with you long after the credits roll. Tune in to hear how one filmmaker is documenting the intersection of creativity, compassion, and global impact—one frame at a time. Watch the Film Here - https://nerdyphotographer.com/podcast/147-first-frames-giving-refugee-children-artistic-voice/ Contribute to Serbest's photo organization - https://www.fotohane.org/ Episode Promos This episode contains promos for the following: On1 Photo Software - https://nerdyphotographer.com/recommends/on1/ Backblaze Data Backup - https://www.backblaze.com/cloud-backup/personal#afc32p Siteground Web Hosting - https://www.siteground.com/go/nerdy Narrative AI Culling, Editing, and Publishing - https://narrative.so/select?affiliate=casey2746 Support The Nerdy Photographer Want to help The Nerdy Photographer Podcast? Here are a few simple (and mostly free) ways you can do that: Subscribe to the podcast! Tell your friends about the podcast Sign up for the newsletter - https://nerdyphotographer.com/newsletter Subscribe to our YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@CaseyFatchett Buy a print from the print shop - https://art.caseyfphoto.com Follow on Instagram - https://instagram.com/thenerdyphoto Follow on Threads - https://threads.net/@thenerdyphoto Follow on BlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/thenerdyphoto.bsky.social Follow in Tiktok - https://tiktok.com/@thenerdyphoto Get some Nerdy Photographer merchandise - https://www.teepublic.com/stores/nerdy-photographer If you're feeling extra generous, check out our support page - https://nerdyphotographer.com/support-nerdy-photographer/ About My Guest Ilie Mitaru is an Emmy-nominated producer and director whose work centers on regular people in extraordinary circumstances. American cowboys brought to rural Russia to help restart the country's beef industry; renegade farmers building their own wildfire defense rigs; a lone auto mechanic traversing miles of desert borderland with jugs of water to save his fellow migrants, Ilie's stories create empathy and a connection to what at first might appear foreign, but ultimately proves universal. Ilie's films and photography have been featured in The New York Times, National Geographic, The Guardian, among others. A first generation Romanian-American whose parents received political asylum during the Cold War, Ilie is drawn to stories that push against easy assumptions of otherness and strive for a more complex understanding of the individuals and communities centered in his work. His work can be found at www.iliemitaru.com About The Podcast The Nerdy Photographer Podcast is written and produced by Casey Fatchett. Casey is a professional photographer in the New York City / Northern New Jersey with more than 20 years of experience. He just wants to help people and make them laugh. You can view Casey's wedding work at https://fatchett.com or his non-wedding work at https://caseyfatchettphotography.com    If you have any questions or comments about this episode or any other episodes, OR if you would like to ask a photography related question or have ideas for a topic for a future episode, please reach out to us at https://nerdyphotographer.com/contact      

“As a writer, I do believe that art and literature in and of themselves are important. I'm going to keep on writing novels, and one of the most important reasons why is because, as you mentioned, language is crucial. Part of the way that states and authoritarian regimes exercise their power is not just through physical violence and intimidation, but through a maltreatment of language itself. Trump is a perfect example of this. Everything that comes out of his mouth in terms of language is horrifying for anybody with any sensitivity to language. The excesses of his language in terms of insults and hyperbolic praise for his fans are perfect examples of how language is used by an authoritarian and by the state to obfuscate reality and intimidate people. That language is ugly from my perspective, and there is something about being committed to literature and to art that awakens us to the importance of beauty.I think about what John Keats, the poet, said: beauty is truth, truth beauty. You can't separate these kinds of things. If you're committed to the beauty of language, you're also committed to the idea that language has a relationship to truth. You can see that authoritarians don't have a relationship to truth. They have a relationship to the abuse of truth and to lying, not only in content but in the form of their language as well. There is a crucial role for writers here in our relationship to language because language is one of the most crucial ways that authoritarianism extends its power. What I've discovered as a writer is that fear is a good indicator that there is a truth. To speak the truth in a society is oftentimes an act that requires some courage.”Viet Thanh Nguyen has spent much of his life exploring the stories we tell—and the stories we erase—about war, migration, and memory. His 2015 debut novel The Sympathizer, about a communist double agent in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, won the Pulitzer Prize and a long list of other major literary awards. In 2024, The Sympathizer was adapted into a critically acclaimed HBO series directed by Park Chan-wook.He followed it with The Committed, and his latest work, To Save and to Destroy: Writing as an Other, a meditation on writing, power, and the politics of representation.Nguyen is also the author of Nothing Ever Dies, a finalist for the National Book Award in nonfiction, and the short story collection The Refugees. He's edited collections like The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugee Lives, and most recently the Library of America volume for Maxine Hong Kingston, who was once his teacher.He was born in Vietnam, came to the U.S. as a refugee, and is now a professor at the University of Southern California. He's received Guggenheim and MacArthur fellowships, honorary doctorates, and has been named a Chevalier by the French Ministry of Culture. Today, we'll talk about his books, America's forever wars, and how the act of writing—across fiction, memoir, and scholarship—can become both a form of resistance and a way of making sense of being, as he puts it in his memoir “A Man of Two Faces.”Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

“As a writer, I do believe that art and literature in and of themselves are important. I'm going to keep on writing novels, and one of the most important reasons why is because, as you mentioned, language is crucial. Part of the way that states and authoritarian regimes exercise their power is not just through physical violence and intimidation, but through a maltreatment of language itself. Trump is a perfect example of this. Everything that comes out of his mouth in terms of language is horrifying for anybody with any sensitivity to language. The excesses of his language in terms of insults and hyperbolic praise for his fans are perfect examples of how language is used by an authoritarian and by the state to obfuscate reality and intimidate people. That language is ugly from my perspective, and there is something about being committed to literature and to art that awakens us to the importance of beauty.I think about what John Keats, the poet, said: beauty is truth, truth beauty. You can't separate these kinds of things. If you're committed to the beauty of language, you're also committed to the idea that language has a relationship to truth. You can see that authoritarians don't have a relationship to truth. They have a relationship to the abuse of truth and to lying, not only in content but in the form of their language as well. There is a crucial role for writers here in our relationship to language because language is one of the most crucial ways that authoritarianism extends its power. What I've discovered as a writer is that fear is a good indicator that there is a truth. To speak the truth in a society is oftentimes an act that requires some courage.”Viet Thanh Nguyen has spent much of his life exploring the stories we tell—and the stories we erase—about war, migration, and memory. His 2015 debut novel The Sympathizer, about a communist double agent in the aftermath of the Vietnam War, won the Pulitzer Prize and a long list of other major literary awards. In 2024, The Sympathizer was adapted into a critically acclaimed HBO series directed by Park Chan-wook.He followed it with The Committed, and his latest work, To Save and to Destroy: Writing as an Other, a meditation on writing, power, and the politics of representation.Nguyen is also the author of Nothing Ever Dies, a finalist for the National Book Award in nonfiction, and the short story collection The Refugees. He's edited collections like The Displaced: Refugee Writers on Refugee Lives, and most recently the Library of America volume for Maxine Hong Kingston, who was once his teacher.He was born in Vietnam, came to the U.S. as a refugee, and is now a professor at the University of Southern California. He's received Guggenheim and MacArthur fellowships, honorary doctorates, and has been named a Chevalier by the French Ministry of Culture. Today, we'll talk about his books, America's forever wars, and how the act of writing—across fiction, memoir, and scholarship—can become both a form of resistance and a way of making sense of being, as he puts it in his memoir “A Man of Two Faces.”Episode Websitewww.creativeprocess.info/podInstagram:@creativeprocesspodcast

Bri Stensrud is an author, human dignity advocate, and the Director of Women of Welcome. Her passion is to equip the Church to engage more consistently and tangibly in holistic human dignity issues. Throughout her previous work in the pro-life movement, she continually heard questions from those concerned about immigrants and refugees. Understanding that her advocacy for pre-born children and orphans overlapped with so many issues vulnerable migrants faced around the globe, she started a journey to detangle from politically partisan, dehumanizing narratives, and seek out a holistic biblical perspective to uplift and advocate for immigrants and refugees. She holds a Masters of Biblical & Theological Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, serves on the Board of Directors for The National Association of Evangelicals,  and has authored two books: Start with Welcome: The Journey toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conversation, and a children's book: The Biggest Best Light: Shining God's Light into the World Around You.   Here is the summary for the BBB Act. 

Shortly after being sworn into office, President Donald Trump indefinitely suspended refugee admissions to the United States. After months of legal challenges, only a small group of refugees has been allowed into the country. White House correspondent Laura Barrón-López has reports on one family’s journey. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders