OWL Celebrates Learning

Thomas Totushek
  • 5.0 (2)
  • EDUCATION

OWL Celebrates Learning is dedicated to providing an outlet for student storytelling. This podcast will feature works from OWL, Saint Paul, and MN.

  1. 08/28/2023

    From Long Tieng to Minnesota: The Hmong Migration Story

    The podcast discusses the Hmong migration to Minnesota and focuses on Lee Pao Xiong's family's migration out of Laos and into the Twin Cities. The Hmong people faced forced migration in the past and eventually settled in Southeast Asia. The US recruited Hmong soldiers to help prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia, and Lee's family lived in Long Tieng, a CIA-operated airbase in Laos. After the war, Lee and his family were evacuated and ended up in a refugee camp in Thailand before moving to Indiana and eventually settling in Minnesota. Chain migration brought many Hmong people to Minnesota, where they found economic and educational opportunities in a welcoming community. Lee took advantage of these opportunities and is now the director of the Center for Hmong studies at a university.

    6 min

  2. 08/25/2023

    The Hmong People: From Forced Migration to Flourishing in America

    The podcast discusses the history of the Hmong people and their migration to the United States, particularly to Minnesota. The Hmong originated in southern China and were forced to migrate to places like Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. During the Vietnam War, the Hmong were allies with American soldiers and helped fight against the communists. However, after the US left South Vietnam, the Hmong were persecuted by the winning communist governments of Laos and Vietnam. Many Hmong fled to the US as refugees, and over the past 37 years, they have adapted and developed in their new home. Hmong Americans are now successful in education and the workforce, and many have started their own businesses. The podcast highlights the Hmong culture and the importance of understanding their history and contributions to American society.

    6 min

  3. 08/24/2023

    Children of War: The Impact of the Russian Invasion on Ukrainian Families

    The podcast discusses the impact of the Russian invasion on Ukraine, particularly on its children and families. The war has caused massive displacement and created a physical and mental health crisis for millions of Ukrainian children. Over 8 million Ukrainians have fled the country, and 1.8 million children are seeking asylum in neighboring countries. The conflict has impacted every aspect of children's lives, with many denied education and a safe environment. The mental health consequences are severe, with an estimated 1.5 million children at risk of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The podcast also features an interview with Ukrainian families and children, showing the hardships they're living through. The European neighboring countries to the East have been helpful in this refugee crisis, with Poland receiving the most refugees. The podcast ends with a call to support the Ukrainian people in their efforts to remain a sovereign nation, without which millions of children will continue to suffer needlessly.

    6 min

  4. 08/23/2023

    From Slavery to Survival: The Story of Favelas in Rio de Janeiro

    Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city in Brazil with 1.7 million residents, 23% of whom live in favelas (rudimentary improvised cities). Favelas were started in 1888 by slaves who were recently freed and denied most rights. These communities were created outside of government control, making them different from other areas. Anyone can find a place to live in favelas, regardless of their situation. Many people migrate to favelas from rural areas due to difficulty in rural life, including water fluctuation, drought, high land and housing prices, and lack of necessities. People see favelas as a better housing option due to their proximity to the city and its resources in combination with looser regulations found in the favelas. For many Brazilians looking for a more affordable life, the migration from rural to urban favelas has been the solution.

    5 min

  5. 08/22/2023

    The Syrian Refugee Crisis and the ISDP Program in Turkey: A Story of Hope Amidst Oppression

    This podcast discusses the Syrian refugee crisis, which began in 2011 due to civil war and government oppression. Many Syrians have fled to Turkey, where they have found refuge in refugee camps and some have been able to find employment and homes in the cities. The ISDP program has helped provide job skills and education for Syrian refugees in Turkey, with a focus on children. Despite the generosity of Turkey and the EU, many Syrians still face violence and oppression from their own government. The podcast also briefly touches on the situation in Myanmar where the people are victims of violence and oppression from the Burmese government.

    5 min

  6. 08/21/2023

    From Refugee Camp to Accountant: The Inspiring Journey of a Hmong Immigrant

    The podcast tells the story of Valentine Thao's mother, who was one of the many Hmong people who migrated to the US from Laos and Thailand during the Vietnam War. Thao's mother grew up in a refugee camp in Thailand, where she took care of her younger siblings and experienced financial hardship. Her father was a part of the CIA and only came to visit her family sometimes. Thao's family migrated to the US, where they had to face language and weather barriers. However, Thao's mother focused on her education and graduated from college, becoming an accountant and meeting Thao's father. Overall, the podcast highlights the struggles and hardships that immigrants face when migrating to a new country.

    6 min

  7. 08/18/2023

    The Great Migration: From the Delta to Chicago Blues and the Birth of Rock and Roll

    The podcast is about the Great Migration, one of the largest internal migrations in the US history, where African Americans moved from southern states to northern urban areas in search of better opportunities and living conditions. The push factors included economic struggles, segregation, and racism, while the pull factors were the booming economy and stories of prosperity up north. The Mississippi Delta is given as an example of a culturally rich place in the early 1900s, where black Americans were exploited by white landowners, leading to poverty and the birth of Delta Blues. Muddy Waters, one of the most influential blues musicians, was born and raised in rural Mississippi and migrated north to Chicago, where he and other bluesmen created Chicago Blues, which combined rural authenticity and struggle with electric instruments in an urban environment. The podcast highlights how the blues faded away but lived on in the spirit of rock and roll, heavily influenced by these blues players.

    7 min

  8. 08/17/2023

    The Ongoing Crisis in Ukraine: Forced Migration, Russian Invasion, and Refugee Support

    The podcast discusses the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, including Russia's invasion of the country and the resulting displacement of millions of Ukrainians. Many have fled to neighboring countries, but a surprising number have gone to Russia, despite the fact that it is the country responsible for the invasion. Some Ukrainians have willingly gone to Russia for jobs and other reasons, but most are victims of forced migration, threatened or tricked into going to Russia and then placed in filtration camps, where they are abused and interrogated. Some Russians are working to help Ukrainian refugees leave the country, providing resources and guidance along the way.

    5 min
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About

OWL Celebrates Learning is dedicated to providing an outlet for student storytelling. This podcast will feature works from OWL, Saint Paul, and MN.

Information

  • Creator
    Thomas Totushek
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 OWL Celebrates Learning
  • Show Website
    OWL Celebrates Learning