Free To Believe

Spotlight North Korea: Wrap Up

CSW-USA — Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:00:00 +0000

We wrap up our series on North Korea for now with some questions around how each of themes we've covered impacts North Koreans and what we can do to raise awareness.

We'll be on a break for the month of December, coming back with a new series in the new year.

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USEFUL LINKS

The Lazarus Heist Podcast- https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09dx4p1

Find out more at csw.org.uk/NorthKorea

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

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During advent every donation given to our Christmas appeal will be match funded up to £48,200!

Spotlight North Korea: How do we engage with North Korea? (Jonathan Corrado)

CSW-USA — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 06:30:00 +0000

How can the international community engage with North Korea when there are so few options available to us?

This week we are joined by Jonathan Corrado Director of Policy for The Korea Society. He produces programming and conducts research on a range of security, diplomacy, and socioeconomic issues impacting the U.S.-Korea Alliance, the Korean Peninsula, and Northeast Asia.

He recently published an article titled 'Kim Jong Un is winning the war for young North Koreans’ hearts and minds' which you can read it here https://www.nknews.org/2024/09/kim-jong-un-is-winning-the-war-for-young-north-koreans-hearts-and-minds/

More of Jonathan's work can be found at https://www.koreasociety.org/

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USEFUL LINKS

Find out more at csw.org.uk/NorthKorea

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

An update on Sudan with Mohaned El Nour

CSW-USA — Wed, 05 Nov 2025 14:59:57 +0000

This week we're joined for a short conversation with Sudanese Human Rights Lawyer Mohaned El Nour who joins us once again to give us a an update on what is happening in Sudan as global media attention increases after the fall of El Fasher.

Thank you for listening.

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Find out more at csw.org.uk/Sudan

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

What is happening in Nigeria?

CSW-USA — Wed, 22 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

There has been increased global attention on the situation for Christians in Nigeria in recent weeks so Sam sat down with Dr Khataza Gondwe and Reverend Yunusa Nmadu to talk about what is happening and how to stay informed.

Reverend Yunusa Nmadu is founder and CEO of CSW Nigeria. He is a convert from Islam, a pastor and church leader who seeks redemptive and creative solutions to religious injustices prevalent in his country, while assisting survivors and championing reconciliation.

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Find out more at csw.org.uk/Nigeria

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These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

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Spotlight North Korea: The diverging paths of the two Koreas (Professor Hee Eun Lee)

CSW-USA — Wed, 15 Oct 2025 06:00:00 +0000

Professor Hee Eun Lee is Dean and Professor of Law at Handong International Law School in South Korea. An expert in public international law, he is a frequent commentator on major legal issues from Korea and abroad, appearing regularly in news media.

In this episode, he spoke to our North Korea advocate David Simpson, outlining the contrast and history of development between north and South Korea after partition in 1945.

BOOK RECOMMENDATION - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62834771-korea

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USEFUL LINKS

Find out more at csw.org.uk/NorthKorea

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

Spotlight North Korea: Living and escaping North Korea under Kim Jong-Il (Lee Jun)

CSW-USA — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 06:30:00 +0000

In the next episode on our series on North Korea, we hear from Lee Jun, another North Korean escapee who managed to get out of North Korea in more recent years.

He escaped North Korea with his mother and after walking through China managed to get to Vietnam with the help of South Korean Missionaries. He currently works as a tour guide, offering the only tour to the DMZ in English offered by a North Korean.

CSW team members went on one of his tours of the DMZ in 2024 and were deeply moved by his powerful story. We hope you will be too.

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USEFUL LINKS

Find out more at csw.org.uk/NorthKorea

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

Spotlight North Korea: Living and escaping North Korea under Kim Jong-Il (Lee Jun)

Spotlight North Korea: Returning to North Korea, escaping again (Timothy Cho part 2)

CSW-USA — Wed, 01 Oct 2025 06:30:00 +0000

This week's episode continues Timothy Cho's story picking up after his repatriation to North Korea following his first escape into China. Here, he details how he reached Shanghai before being being deported to the Philippines. From there he continued his difficult journey, eventually settling in the UK.

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USEFUL LINKS

Find out more at csw.org.uk/NorthKorea

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

Spotlight North Korea: Growing up during North Korea’s ‘Arduous March’ (Timothy Cho part 1)

CSW-USA — Wed, 24 Sep 2025 06:30:00 +0000

North Korea, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is a closed, isolated and repressive country. The violations of human rights perpetrated there, including the right to freedom of religion or belief, are among the worst in the world.

Timothy Cho is a North Korean human rights activist and two-time defector. He has been imprisoned four times in North Korea and China.

Cho’s parents fled North Korea during a period of famine known as the “Arduous March”, leaving him to become a homeless member of the “hostile class”, constituted of families of regime defectors.

In this two part episode, join Samuel Jackson-Reed and David Simpson as Timothy details his childhood and his first attempt at escaping from North Korea.

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USEFUL LINKS

Find out more at csw.org.uk/NorthKorea

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

Spotlight Sudan: Women and minorities ft. Dr Khataza Gondwe- Part 2

CSW-USA — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 06:30:00 +0000

PART TWO

Sudanese women have been a significant part of African and Arab feminist movements since 1956. Their struggle for the protection of the rights of women, speaking out against the violence of Sudan’s wars and political resistance has always led to push back by the state in various iterations.

Darren and Kiri are joined by Dr Khataza Gondwe and Sarah, to discuss the experience of women in Sudan.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS

We'll be hosting a question and response episode in the future, so if you have questions about whats happening in Sudan, send it to us on social media. Message us at:

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/cswuk
Instagram- csw_uk

USEFUL LINKS

Find out more at csw.org.uk/Sudan

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

Spotlight Sudan: Women and minorities ft. Dr Khataza Gondwe- Part 1

CSW-USA — Wed, 10 Sep 2025 06:30:00 +0000

Darren and Kiri are joined by Dr Khataza Gondwe and Sarah, to discuss the experience of women in Sudan.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS

We'll be hosting a question and response episode in the future, so if you have questions about whats happening in Sudan, send it to us on social media. Message us at:

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/cswuk
Instagram- csw_uk

USEFUL LINKS

Find out more at csw.org.uk/Sudan

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

Spotlight Sudan: The reality for Christians in Sudan ft. Rafat Samir Mussad Obid- Part 2

CSW-USA — Wed, 03 Sep 2025 06:30:00 +0000

Part two of our conversation with Rafat Samir Mussad Obid.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS

We'll be hosting a question and response episode in the future, so if you have questions about whats happening in Sudan, send it to us on social media. Message us at:

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/cswuk
Instagram- csw_uk

USEFUL LINKS

Find out more at csw.org.uk/Sudan

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

Spotlight Sudan: The reality for Christians in Sudan ft. Rafat Samir Mussad Obid- Part 1

CSW-USA — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:30:00 +0000

How are religious minorities affected by the crisis in Sudan? This conversation with Rafat Samir Mussad Obid looks at the issue through a personal and human lens.

Rafat Samir Mussad Obid is the elected Chairman of the Sudanese Evangelical Community council (Presbyterian Church Council), and he also the general secretary for the Sudan Evangelical Alliance which represents the whole denomination. Since the war started in April 2023 he was forced to take the difficult journey out of Sudan, he is currently in Egypt where he continues his work to support Sudanese refugees in the country.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS

We'll be hosting a question and response episode in the future, so if you have questions about whats happening in Sudan, send it to us on social media. Message us at:

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/cswuk
Instagram- csw_uk

USEFUL LINKS

Find out more at csw.org.uk/Sudan

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

Spotlight Sudan: The Forgotten War- Part 2

CSW-USA — Wed, 20 Aug 2025 06:30:00 +0000

Join Darren and Kiri for the second part of their conversation with advocates on Sudan Mohaned El Nour and Sarah as the continue to discuss the Sudan crisis and the impact on civilians.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS

We'll be hosting a question and response episode in the future, so if you have questions about whats happening in Sudan, send it to us on social media. Message us at:

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/cswuk
Instagram- csw_uk

USEFUL LINKS

Find out more at csw.org.uk/Sudan

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

Spotlight Sudan: The Forgotten War- Part 1

CSW-USA — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 06:30:00 +0000

What is happening in Sudan? As the current crisis continues to rage, the first episode in our new Spotlight series begins by asking this very question and providing you with an overview.

Join Darren and Kiri as they interview Mohaned El Nour and Sarah, both Sudan experts, in this first of two parts.

SEND US YOUR QUESTIONS

We'll be hosting a question and response episode in the future, so if you have questions about whats happening in Sudan, send it to us on social media. Message us at:

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/cswuk
Instagram- csw_uk

USEFUL LINKS

Find out more at csw.org.uk/Sudan

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

Episode 12: Courage in Colombia pt.2

CSW-USA — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 09:40:13 +0000

Learn how CSW is impacting areas of Colombia affected by armed conflict and intense religious discrimination of indigenous groups and those living in rural areas.

Find out more at csw.org.uk/colombia

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

Episode 11: Courage in Colombia pt.1

CSW-USA — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 09:19:04 +0000

Learn how CSW is impacting areas of Colombia affected by armed conflict and intense religious discrimination of indigenous groups and those living in rural areas.

Find out more at csw.org.uk/colombia

Download our prayer diary csw.org.uk/prayer

These episodes are made possible by the generous donations made by our supporters. If you'd like to join our movement and help us keep this podcast going, you can do so by going to:

csw.org.uk/give

Episode 10: Changing Mindsets in Mexico

CSW-USA — Fri, 29 Nov 2024 13:35:24 +0000

Join CSW's Mexico director Pablo Vargas as he shares about the unique FoRB challenges in Mexico and how the training he provides is making a difference in the rural indigenous communities there.

Find out more at cswusa.org/mexico

Download our daily prayer diary:www.cswusa.org/pray

Episode 9: Top-down and bottom-up change in Pakistan

CSW-USA — Tue, 19 Nov 2024 11:21:00 +0000

Join Cecil Chaudhry as he discusses the challenges religious minorities face in Pakistan and how CSW's advocacy is affecting change on a top down (governmental) level as well as from the bottom up (individual and community).

Episode 8: The struggle for freedom of religion or belief in India

CSW-USA — Wed, 09 Oct 2024 14:56:10 +0000

Join us for a conversation with CSW's Asia team leader on the unique FoRB challenges in India which stretch back to its creation as a nation in 1947.

Below is a list of recommended reading for anyone who wants to learn more:

Episode 7: CSW's Lead Advocate for Vietnam, Laos & North Korea

CSW-USA — Thu, 30 May 2024 08:48:32 +0000

Join Darren and CSW's Lead Advocate for Vietnam, Laos and North Korea as they discuss the issues related to freedom of religion or belief in those countries.

Episode 6: Reverend Yunusa Nmadu & Dr Khataza Gondwe

CSW-USA — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 13:35:11 +0000

A previous guest, Khataza has advocated for freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for over 20 years. As Joint Head of Advocacy at CSW UK and Team Leader for Africa and the Middle East at CSW, she briefs officials in the US, UK, EU and Africa, and has written articles on FoRB-related thematic and country issues for UK newspapers, and more recently, for the Berkley Forum.

Khataza is currently a member of the Africa Advisory Council of the African Vision Working Group of the International Religious Freedom or Belief, and is on the International Religious Freedom and Belief Alliance IRFBA Council of Experts.

Episode 5: Benedict Rogers

CSW-USA — Thu, 07 Sep 2023 09:22:00 +0000

Ben is a human rights activist and writer. He’s the senior analyst for Asia at CSW. He’s been involved with CSW since 1994. He’s also the co-founder and chief executive of Hong Kong Watch. His latest book is called The China Nexus which deals with the human rights crisis across China.

Ben resides in London, where we’re connecting today via Zoom.

Episode 4: Khataza Gondwe

CSW-USA — Wed, 06 Sep 2023 09:27:00 +0000

Khataza has advocated for freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) for over 20 years. As Joint Head of Advocacy at CSW UK and Team Leader for Africa and the Middle East at CSW, she briefs officials in the US, UK, EU and Africa, and has written articles on FoRB-related thematic and country issues for UK newspapers, and more recently, for the Berkley Forum.

Episode 3: Anna Lee Stangl

CSW-USA — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:32:23 +0000

Anna Lee Stangl is Joint Head of Advocacy at CSW. Anna Lee has been at CSW since she was appointed as European Union Liaison Officer in 1999. She spent 11 years in Brussels coordinating CSW’s advocacy on international religious freedom with the EU and also developed CSW’s research and advocacy in Latin America establishing our work in Cuba, Colombia, Mexico and most recently, Nicaragua.

In 2012 she moved back to the US and is now based in Washington DC. Around five years ago she was appointed Joint Head of the Advocacy department and she also continues to lead the Americas Team, in addition to monitoring and coordinating our US government focused advocacy.

Episode 2: Scot Bower

CSW-USA — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:18:07 +0000

Scot is CEO of CSW. He is married to Misty, they have two kids and one grandchild. He runs stupidly long distances (badly), is passionate about prayer and justice and seeing where those two collide.

Episode 1: Mervyn Thomas

CSW-USA — Tue, 05 Sep 2023 09:10:34 +0000

For the past forty three years, Mervyn has traveled widely to countries where Christians and other religious minorities suffer persecution because of their faith.

He is an internationally known, inspirational speaker, speaking out on behalf of persecuted minorities.

Mervyn chairs the UK (Freedom of Religion OR Belief) FoRB Forum and works closely with the UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for FoRB. He is also a member of the Panel of Experts advising the International Religion or Belief Alliance, an inter-governmental group of over 40 countries.

Mervyn is an ordained Assemblies of God Minister.

He lives in the UK, on the Surrey border and is married to Wendy. They have two children, and one grandchild.