Best humanrights Podcasts (2025)

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AJC’s CEO Ted Deutch: Messages That Moved Me After the D.C. Tragedy 15:38

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5d ago15:38

15:38

In this episode about the week following the antisemitic murders of Israeli embassy employees Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, AJC CEO Ted Deutch shares how leaders and allies around the globe, as well as hostage families, despite their own state of grief, have reached out to offer comfort and condolences, and what we all must do to shape a new …

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A Conversation with Alyse Nelson & Mary Robinson | International Biodiversity Day 2025 30:17

12d ago30:17

30:17

In honor of International Day for Biological Diversity, this episode features a powerful conversation between Vital Voices President & CEO Alyse Nelson and Mary Robinson — Ireland’s first female President, former UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and lifelong advocate for climate justice, gender equality, and ethical leadership. Mary reflects …

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Modern-Day Miriams: Jewish Women Shaping Global Diplomacy 39:58

19d ago39:58

39:58

“This has been my favorite session of the three days. Thank you,” said one attendee following a powerful live conversation at AJC Global Forum 2025. This exclusive episode of AJC’s People of the Pod, presented by AJC’s Women’s Global Leadership Network, features a candid discussion on the critical impact of Jewish women leaders in global diplomacy …

1
A United Front: U.S. Colleges and AJC Commit to Fighting Campus Antisemitism 28:52

26d ago28:52

28:52

This week, groups representing more than 1,600 colleges and universities pledged reforms to fight campus antisemitism—a major breakthrough in the effort to end anti-Jewish hatred and create campuses where Jewish students feel safe. In collaboration with American Jewish Committee (AJC), the groups urged the Trump administration to continue making th…

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Vital Voices Live: A Conversation with Karlie Kloss and Osi Imeokparia 49:38

27d ago49:38

49:38

In this special episode of the Vital Voices Live Podcast, supermodel, entrepreneur and philanthropist Karlie Kloss joins Kode With Klossy CEO Osi Imeokparia to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Kode With Klossy—a decade of empowering young women and gender-expansive youth in tech. Together, they reflect on the early days of the initiative, how ment…

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Vital Voices Live: A Conversation with Dina Powell McCormick with Guest Host Betsy Fischer Martin 49:07

1M ago49:07

49:07

In this episode of Vital Voices Live, Dina Powell McCormick — former Deputy National Security Advisor and Vice Chair at BDT & MSD Partners — joins us to talk about her new book, Who Believed in You?, co-authored with Senator David McCormick. Drawing from her personal journey and insights from leaders like Satya Nadella, Tory Burch, and Condoleezza …

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Why TikTok is the Place to Talk about Antisemitism: With Holocaust Survivor Tova Friedman 58:15

1M ago58:15

58:15

Tova Friedman was just six years old when she walked out of Auschwitz. Now, 80 years later, Tova is devoted to speaking about her experiences as a child survivor of the Holocaust and being vocal about the threat of antisemitism. She knows how easily a society can transition from burning books to burning people, and she is determined to ensure that …

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What Is Pope Francis' Legacy With the Jewish Community? 24:23

1M ago24:23

24:23

Rabbi Noam Marans, AJC’s Director of Interreligious Affairs, reflects on Pope Francis’ legacy—from his deep ties with Argentina’s Jewish community to his historic visit to Israel and strong stance against antisemitism. He also addresses recent tensions over the Pope’s comments on the Israel-Hamas War and highlights the ongoing collaboration between…

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“People were disappeared, just like the smoke.” Omar Gómez Trejo on seeking truth and justice in the 2014 Ayotzinapa case in Iguala, Mexico 27:30

2M ago27:30

27:30

Free to Think speaks with Omar Gómez Trejo, a lawyer and human rights advocate from Mexico. Omar gained prominence as the special prosecutor leading the investigation into the disappearance of 43 student teachers from the Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers’ College in the city of Iguala, Mexico. From 2019-2022, Omar’s team secured indictments for over 100 f…

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Inside the New U.S.-Iran Nuclear Talks: What’s at Stake? 24:09

2M ago24:09

24:09

As new negotiations begin to tackle Iran’s nuclear program, missile development, and support for terror proxies, tensions are escalating. Jason Isaacson, AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer, joins us to unpack the legacy of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) and withdrawal in 2018, and Iran’s dangerous stockpiling of uranium, getting the…

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S3E10 - Blaisin' Access Weekly 10 Julie Farrar and the Healthcare Disaster 36:37

2M ago36:37

36:37

People with disabilities are dealing with all sorts of government healthcare disasters. I spoke with long-time friend and Disability Rights activist Julie Farrar about everything going on. What stood out to you? Share your thoughts on Facebook @blaisinshows! Make sure to rate, review, and subscribe! Go check out my brand new website at blaisinshows…

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Vital Voices Live: A Conversation with Sara Blakely with Guest Host Norah O'Donnell 49:51

2M ago49:51

49:51

Welcome to the Vital Voices Live Podcast, a podcast dedicated to celebrating the game-changers, the rule-breakers, and the fearless women shaping our world! In front of a live studio audience in the Vital Voices Headquarters in Washington DC, this episode is guest hosted by Norah O'Donnell in conversation with Sara Blakely, an entrepreneur, innovat…

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This Often Forgotten 1929 Massacre is Key to Understanding the Current Israel-Palestinian Conflict 33:51

2M ago33:51

33:51

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, calling it Operation Al Aqsa. For journalist Yardena Schwartz, the massacre was a chilling echo of the 1929 Hebron Massacre—the brutal slaughter of nearly 70 Jews, incited by propaganda that Jews sought to seize the Al Aqsa Mosque. At the time, she was deep into wr…

1
Global Drug Policy: “Countries are being freed up to actually speak their minds” 58:19

2M ago58:19

58:19

For the second year in a row, what had been an uneventful, consensus-driven United Nations meeting on drug policy saw unexpected drama and signs of real change. At the 68th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in Vienna in March 2025, governments approved the formation of an independent expert commission to recommend changes to the …

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A Conversation with Alyse Nelson & Nika Kovač | International Women’s Day 2025 20:03

2M ago20:03

20:03

A conversation in honor of International Women's Day between Vital Voices CEO and co-Founder Alyse Nelson and Nika Kovač, the founding director of the 8th of March Research Institute, a movement-building organization that uses storytelling and advocacy to confront gender and economic inequalities across Slovenia.…

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Mujeres contra la corrupción y el autoritarismo: aprendiendo de El Salvador 26:30

2M ago26:30

26:30

**This podcast is in Spanish. Stay tuned for an English summary! Este Mes de la Mujer, en WOLA lanzamos una serie especial de nuestro podcast para amplificar voces feministas que luchan por los derechos humanos en América Latina. En nuestro último episodio, conversamos con Ruth López, directora del programa de anticorrupción en Cristosal, sobre su …

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S3E293 - Blaisin' Access 293 Show Updates 10:39

2M ago10:39

10:39

# Blaise shares part one of some show news and gets authentic about work and life. What stood out to you? Share your thoughts on Facebook @blaisinshows. Make sure you rate, review, subscribe, and share the show! Read transcript

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Higher Education in Turmoil: Balancing Academic Freedom and the Fight Against Antisemitism 34:07

2M ago34:07

34:07

Following the Trump administration's decision to revoke $400 million in federal funding over Columbia University's failure to protect Jewish students, the university announced sweeping policy changes. Meanwhile, the U.S. moved to deport former Columbia student and pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, accusing him of concealing his ties to UNRWA…

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S3E292 - Blaisin' Access 292 Managing Political Uncertainty 11:55

2M ago11:55

11:55

Let's face it -- the past few weeks have been quite the mental health tornado caused by politicians on both sides. Today's show focuses on how to manage all of this uncertainty with Anice Planar from the Therapy Explained YouTube channel. What stood out to you? Share on Facebook @blaisinshows. Make sure you rate, review, subscribe, and share! Want …

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The Alien Enemies Act 34:35

2M ago34:35

34:35

On March 15, 2025 President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 for only the fourth time in U.S. history. The target, this time, is citizens of Venezuela. His administration sent hundreds out of the country on the merest suspicion of ties to a criminal organization, the Tren de Aragua. In this explainer episode recorded on March 21, …

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Will Ireland Finally Stop Paying Lip Service When it Comes to Combating Antisemitism? 21:34

3M ago21:34

21:34

In late 2024, Israel closed its embassy in Dublin, accusing the Irish government of extreme anti-Israel policies, antisemitic rhetoric, and double standards. Meanwhile, the small Jewish community in Ireland, numbering nearly 3,000, has faced antisemitism in the streets. AJC’s Director of International Jewish Affairs, Rabbi Andrew Baker, joins us to…

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"Feminist Community Journalism Builds Hope": How Women Communicators in Guatemala and Colombia Are Defending Human Rights** 6:46

3M ago6:46

6:46

This Women's Month, WOLA launched a special podcast series to amplify feminist voices fighting for human rights in Latin America. Our second episode was our first-ever Spanish-language episode. Our president, Carolina Jiménez Sandoval, spoke with Quimy de León (Guatemala) and Sofía López Mera (Colombia), two feminist communicators and human rights …

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S3E291 - Blaisin' Access 291 Jensen Caraballo Tribute 23:03

3M ago23:03

23:03

Jensen caraballo was a fierce Disability Rights advocate. Saddly Jensen passed away late last week. For this week's What's Up Wednesday we pay tribute by replaying a 2021 panel discussion when the Fair Pay for Home Care campaign was a reality here in New York. What stood out to you? Share your thoughts on Facebook @blaisinshows. Make sure to rate, …

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“El periodismo comunitario feminista es esperanzador”: Cómo comunicadoras en Guatemala y Colombia están defendiendo los derechos humanos 29:39

3M ago29:39

29:39

**This podcast is in Spanish. Stay tuned for an English summary! Este Mes de la Mujer, en WOLA lanzamos una serie especial de nuestro podcast para amplificar voces feministas que luchan por los derechos humanos en América Latina. En nuestro segundo episodio, hablamos sobre comunicación, defensa de derechos humanos y feminismo. En nuestro primer epi…

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Held Hostage in Gaza: A Mother’s Fight for Freedom and Justice 36:38

3M ago36:38

36:38

“He told me: ‘We are the same. We are the same.’ Meaning, me and the terrorists who penetrated the kibbutz are the same. They received the mission to murder and to burn, and I received the mission to hold you as bargaining chips for the release of the Palestinian prisoners. And this was a very cruel sentence, because while we were in captivity . . …

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S3E9 - Blaisin' Access Weekly 9 College Radio Shows 30:21

3M ago30:21

30:21

Blaise dusts off some of his favorite interviews from his college days at The College of Saint Rose. Given all the chaos happening in the world why not have a couple of light hearted chats about wheelchair sports and writing. In March 2014 Blaise spoke with Joe Slaninka -- a person with Spina Bifida who is a multi-sport wheelchair athlete. Then we …

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S3E290 - Blaisin' Access 290 Ending Subminimum Wage Press Conference 13:20

3M ago13:20

13:20

For some people with disabilities, getting paid less than minimum wage is a reality. Check out today's episode where I covered a press conference here in New York advancing legislation ending this antiquated and discriminatory practice. What do you think? Let me know on Facebook @blaisinshows! Make sure you rate, review, subscribe, and share the sh…

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S3E289 - Blaisin' Access 289 CP Trivia with Cara Liebowitz 23:11

3M ago23:11

23:11

March is Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month. I talk with fellow Disability Rights advocate Cara Liebowitz about life, advocacy, and of course CP. What was your favorite part of our chat? Let me know on Facebook @blaisinshows. Make sure you rate, review, subscribe, and share the show! https://www.wondertree.co/celebrities-with-cerebral-palsy/ https://ca…

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"Before being a scientist, I'm a human being:" Dr. Encieh Erfani on exile and solidarity among Iranian academics abroad 33:15

3M ago33:15

33:15

As the first in her family to attend university, Dr. Encieh Erfani was drawn to the stars. Her interest led her to physics and cosmology, examining the origin of the universe – a rare subject in Iran at the time. Dr. Erfani was traveling outside of Iran in September 2022 when the “Women, Life, Freedom” movement began, sparked by the death in custod…

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S3E288 - Blaisin' Access 288 Springing Ahead and Mental Health 5:49

3M ago5:49

5:49

Does springing ahead improve your mental health? We get some answers from Dr. Payal Kohli of 9Health. What stood out to you? Share with Blaise on Facebook @blaisinshows! Make sure to rate, review, subscribe, and share! Check out the full conversation here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc1zg-XueBY Support Blaisin' Access Podcast by contributing t…

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Meet the MIT Scientists Fighting Academic Boycotts of Israel 30:27

3M ago30:27

30:27

The American Studies Association has boycotted Israeli academic institutions since 2013. The Association for the Advancement of Anthropology has refrained from formal collaborations with Israeli academic institutions. And just this past summer, the American Association of University Professors opened the door to academic boycotts against Israel. En…

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“We need to aim to build feminism for democracy”: WOLA’s President reflects on International Women’s Day and the importance of gender justice in human rights 29:45

3M ago29:45

29:45

To kick off our series for International Women’s Month, we sat down with WOLA President Carolina Jiménez Sandoval to discuss gender justice in the Americas. In this episode of the WOLA Weekly Podcast, Carolina reflects on her decades of experience as a human rights advocate and the crucial role of feminist movements in defending democracy. As Presi…

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Tariffs Won’t Stop Fentanyl: Upending U.S.-Mexico relations for a failed drug-war model 1:05:39

3M ago1:05:39

1:05:39

In an expected but still stunning escalation, the Trump administration has imposed 25 percent tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada, citing cross-border flows of fentanyl as justification. The move has sent shockwaves through U.S.-Mexico and North American relations, rattling markets and generating a general outcry. In this episode, Stephanie Bre…

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S3E287 - Blaisin' Access 287 Wade Blank and Medicaid Cuts 12:26

3M ago12:26

12:26

It's a Throwback Thursday and Flash Friday double header! The first part of the show we hear from advocate John Holland talking about Wade Blank, who founded ADAPT. The second half of the show is Flash Friday. What do you think? Let Blaise know on Facebook @blaisinshows. Make sure you rate, review, subscribe, and share! Support Blaisin' Access Podc…

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U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Gaza Reconstruction, Israeli Security, and the Future of Middle East Diplomacy 21:11

3M ago21:11

21:11

AJC Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer Jason Isaacson sits down with U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, for a live discussion in Washington, D.C., to introduce AJC’s Center for a New Middle East. They cover plans for rebuilding Gaza, the future of Israeli-Arab relations, and the evolving geopolitical landscape, including …

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S3E8 - Blaisin' Access Weekly 8 Anita Cameron and Barbara Jordan 36:29

3M ago36:29

36:29

To wrap up Black History Month we hear from two black women with disabilities. Leading off the show is Anita Cameron who spoke at the 2018 Disability Intersectionality Summit. The second half of the show is part of then Congressional Rep. Barbara Jordan's 1976 Democratic Convention speech. What stood out to you? Share on facebook @blaisinshows! Mak…

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Why Germany’s Antisemitic Far-Right Party is Thriving Instead of Disappearing 21:05

3M ago21:05

21:05

“In Germany after 1945 . . . it was always sort of an unwritten rule or law that the more radical these [right wing populist] parties become, the less votes they get, and at some point they just disappear. And what is troubling with the AfD is that the more radical they become, the more votes they get.” Following Germany’s recent election results, …

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“They Didn’t Take Our Strength”: The border under Trump, viewed from Nogales 1:02:20

3M ago1:02:20

1:02:20

In the five weeks since Donald Trump’s inauguration, the landscape for migrants and asylum seekers at the U.S.-Mexico border has shifted dramatically. The new administration is pursuing an aggressive crackdown on asylum seekers, closing legal pathways and ramping up deportations. Migrants who had secured appointments through the CBP One app under t…

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Spat On and Silenced: 2 Jewish Students on Fighting Campus Hate 18:11

3M ago18:11

18:11

Imagine being spat on as you walk across your college campus simply because you’re Jewish or being asked whether you’re a “good Jew” or a “bad Jew.” As part of AJC’s State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report, AJC and Hillel International partnered to document the experiences of Jewish students on campus over the past year. The findings are deepl…

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“It never crossed my mind to stop…” Omar Mohammed on using scholarship for the public good 39:41

4M ago39:41

39:41

Omar Mohammed first gained international prominence in 2014 as the anonymous blogger “Mosul Eye”, risking his life to document daily existence in the occupied city of Mosul, Iraq. His blog was considered one of the few reliable, real-time sources of information on life under the Islamic State (aka ISIS or Daesh in Arabic), and proved to be a critic…

1
University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker: When Antisemitism Hits Home 29:46

4M ago29:46

29:46

What would you do if jars of urine were thrown through the windows of your house in the middle of the night? How would you feel if antisemitic messages were spray painted on your cars? How would you respond if you were targeted simply because you’re Jewish? In the first installment of a 2-part series, meet a face behind the alarming findings of AJC…

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Unpacking Trump’s Gaza Plan 20:21

4M ago20:21

20:21

During a White House press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. President Donald Trump made a stunning proposal: that the United States take control of Gaza. His remark sparked intense global debate. This week, we break down the implications with Jason Isaacson, AJC’s Chief Policy and Political Affairs Officer. Jason exam…

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Empathy Is Who We Are: Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove on Being Jewish Today 21:52

4M ago21:52

21:52

“To be a Jew is to know that because of who we are, because of our historical experience, we care for the other. This is really one of the great tensions of our moment. Of how to be eyes wide open to Israel's need for self-defense, and at the same time recognize the real suffering that's going on in Gaza and to know that we need to find a way to ho…

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Authoritarianism, Resistance, and Repression: What's Next for Venezuela? 51:20

4M ago51:20

51:20

The director of WOLA’s Venezuela Program, Laura Dib, joins the podcast to discuss the political, human rights, and diplomatic reality following Nicolás Maduro’s January 10 inauguration. Maduro’s new term begins amid severe tensions, as he plainly lost July 28, 2024 presidential elections and has employed waves of repression, including rounding up a…

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The Oldest Holocaust Survivor Siblings: A Tale of Family, Survival, and Hope 19:28

4M ago19:28

19:28

When the USC Shoah Foundation named three sisters and their brother from Sanok, Poland the oldest surviving siblings of the Holocaust, Canadian Jewish filmmaker Allan Novak, the son of one of those shvesters (sisters in Yiddish), realized it was time to use the footage he'd been collecting for years to tell their story. The result? Crossing the Riv…

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Israeli Hostages Freed: Inside the Emotional Reunions, High-Stakes Negotiations, and What’s Next 19:00

4M ago19:00

19:00

After 471 harrowing days in Gaza, Israeli hostages Emily Damari, Romi Gonen, and Doron Steinbrecher are finally reunited with their families. Julie Fishman Rayman, AJC’s Managing Director of Policy and Political Affairs, discusses the emotional impact of these reunions, the high-stakes prisoner exchange deal, and the collaboration between the outgo…

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Finding solidarity “beyond the border” in Southeast Asia – Khoo Ying Hooi on how building regional coalitions can help protect scholars & academic freedom 30:48

4M ago30:48

30:48

Free to Think speaks with Dr. Khoo Ying Hooi, an Associate Professor at the University of Malaya and 2022-23 Mellon/SAR Academic Freedom Fellow, on academic freedom and coalition building in Southeast Asia. Ying Hooi discusses her research and shares how building an academic freedom coalition across Southeast Asia – a region that spans 11 countries…

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Bring Them Home: Understanding the Israel-Hamas Hostage Deal and Its Impact 18:39

5M ago18:39

18:39

After 467 days of anguish, Israel and Hamas have reached a pivotal agreement to begin releasing hostages. AJC Jerusalem Director Lt. Col. (res.) Avital Leibovich breaks down the deal's details, the phased approach to releases, and the emotional toll on families and the nation. Hear about the complexities of the negotiations, the potential political…

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From Promise to Pressure: Bernardo Arevalo’s First Year in Power 48:09

5M ago48:09

48:09

In this podcast episode WOLA’s Central America Director, Ana María Méndez Dardón, reflects on Bernardo Arevalo’s first year in office, as January 14, 2025 marks one year since the inauguration that followed his unexpected election. As we discussed with Ana María in a podcast episode shortly after his inauguration, Bernardo Arevalo and his Semilla p…

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Pack One Bag: Stanley Tucci and David Modigliani Uncover His Jewish Family’s Escape from Fascism and Antisemitism in 1930s Italy 24:50

5M ago24:50

24:50

As Stanley Tucci reflects, "Given the circumstances in today’s world, the parallels between then and now are impossible to ignore. It’s an incredible story, but it’s also happening today, to millions of people . . . It's a story about people in a certain place and time, and what happened to them, and what happened to them has happened before, and h…

Humanrights Podcasts