Why would Emmy-award-winning sportscaster Michele Tafoya walk away from her successful TV career? In this Stories of Us video, Michele shares about her remarkable achievements in sports journalism, the struggle to start her family, and never apologizing for her values.

Hour 1

Stories of Us

Michele Tafoya: My Freedom to Speak Meant More than My Job

Jaco Booyens grew up in a family committed to protesting racial division under apartheid in South Africa. After the exploitation and trafficking of his young sister, he woke up to the reality of human trafficking and became an abolitionist. As the founder and CEO of the nonprofit SHAREtogether, Jaco fights sex trafficking and child exploitation around the world.

Jaco Booyens: The Fight to Stop Sex Trafficking

Singer, producer, and former member of the Pussycat Dolls Kaya Jones walked away from fame and fortune to stay true to herself. After coming out as a conservative, no one in Hollywood would hire her. But when she started singing for God, she not only won her first Grammy, but also found what the entertainment industry could never give her, and everything changed.

Kaya Jones: Speaking My Mind Cost Me a Lot. It Was Worth It.

Writer, director, and producer David Zucker—best-known for the comedy classic “Airplane!” and the horror parody “Scary Movie” franchise—always wanted to make people laugh. But now, comedy is being destroyed by people with no sense of humor. Zucker offers advice and shares his hope that the pendulum will swing back to filmmakers doing comedy without fear.

David Zucker: Why Can’t Hollywood Take a Joke Anymore?

NBA player and bestselling author Jonathan Isaac never caved under pressure to kneel for the National Anthem. Growing up in the Bronx, NY, his parents taught him tenacity and integrity, yet an abrupt move at a young age started his struggle with anxiety. His life was transformed when he finally put God first, which gave him the strength to publicly stand for what he believes, even though it went against BLM and the NBA culture.

Jonathan Isaac: Why I Refused to Kneel for the National Anthem

“Wokeism in the entertainment industry has made its way to Nashville.” Freedom and creating art go hand-in-hand, and wokeism is destroying both. Country singer-songwriter John Rich shares his moving story of how he got his start in music, dealing with failure, and never bending a knee to the woke mob. He also talks about patriotism, being a dad, and the American values his family instilled in him from an early age that led to his success.

John Rich: How Wokeness Killed Country Music

A traumatic experience at a young age ignited a mission in Tim Ballard—to protect children from the dangerous world around them. He was trained by the Department of Homeland Security and now runs Operation Underground Railroad, one of the largest anti-trafficking organizations in the world. Tim combats child exploitation head-on, but as a father of nine, he encourages all parents to understand what makes a predator and how to protect their children.

Tim Ballard: Fighting Sex Trafficking. America's Children Are At Risk.

When athletes started kneeling for the national anthem, it went against everything NBA photographer Chris Elise knew to be true about America. Billionaire athletes promoting victimhood will hold young people back from achieving their goals, not the police or systemic racism. Chris’s story reminds us that anyone from anywhere, regardless of race or background, can make it in America.  

Chris Elise: I'm A Pro Sports Photographer. Wokeism Is Ruining Sports

Investor, entrepreneur, and biotech CEO Vivek Ramaswamy has lived the full arc of the American dream. As a first-generation American, he learned that hardship is not the same thing as victimhood. To be an authentic leader, Vivek realized he could have more of an impact addressing the cultural cancer of wokeism in corporate America rather than working to find a cure for biological cancer. Now he speaks up fearlessly, hoping to give other people the courage to do the same. 

Vivek Ramaswamy: I Left Corporate America. Now I'm Fighting Its Woke Takeover

“I know that the truth is on my side.”  Ilan Sinelnikov was the first in his family to be born in a free country—the first to grow up with freedom of speech and freedom of religion. Those liberties didn’t exist in the Soviet Union, where his family was persecuted for being Jewish. Ilan attended college in the United States, where he aspired to hold a student leadership position. Because of his outspoken support of Israel, he was smeared, silenced, and blocked from that role. Ilan fought back and now encourages all Americans to speak up, tell the truth, and protect our country’s founding freedoms. Ilan Sinelnikov is an Israeli American who serves as the President and Founder of Students Supporting Israel. SSI is an international campus movement with the mission of supporting students who spread the truth about Israel. For more information, visit 

Ilan Sinelnikov: What the Soviet Union Taught Me about Freedom

“I took control of my life because I realized that nobody was going to come and save me.” Given the hardships he endured, Anthony Zuniga could have easily blamed others or chosen the wrong path. Instead, he drew strength from his Mexican-American grandparents who taught him the values of hard work and providing for your family. Returning to his faith, he made drastic life changes and created opportunities for himself. Proof that you’re not defined by your parents or the neighborhood you grew up in, Anthony charted his own course. “You’re born looking like your parents. You die looking like your decisions.” 


Anthony Zuniga: Why I Stopped Thinking like a Victim

Why are immigrants often so grateful for America? Dr. Sheila Nazarian, a Jewish Iranian refugee fleeing oppression, arrived in the United States speaking no English. Against all odds, she achieved major success in spite of starting over in a new country. Sheila never felt like anyone or anything was standing in her way of pursuing the American dream. 

Sheila Nazarian: I Am Proof the American Dream Is Alive

Growing up in Newport Beach, California, Olivia Jaber looked forward to college as an opportunity to stretch beyond her ideological comfort zone. She chose to attend UC Berkeley, once the epicenter of the Free Speech movement, but found Cal to be an intolerant left-wing echo chamber with no interest in diversity of thought. Emerging from the “conservative closet” after graduation, Olivia founded a publication reflecting her values called 

Olivia Jaber: How I Survived Berkeley

Garrett Powell was raised with strong traditional values in Birmingham, Alabama. Appearing on the dating show The Bachelorette, Garrett made national headlines when his common sense, conservative beliefs were deemed “problematic.” This backlash ultimately strengthened his beliefs and he encourages others to stand up for what they believe in.

Garrett Powell: From Bachelorette Contestant to Target of the Woke Mob

Zuby Udezue was born in England, raised in Saudi Arabia, and educated at Oxford. As a multi-talented creative entrepreneur, Zuby built an international following. Always seeking the truth, he experienced a turning point in his life and now uses his influence to challenge others to think critically and speak up for what is right.

Zuby: The Art of the Truth Bomb

Marissa Streit, a Los Angeles native who later served in Israel’s IDF intelligence force, began her career in America as an educator. She quickly learned firsthand how our education system promoted low academic standards while actively undermining American values. Deciding to be part of the solution, she now dedicates her life to educating millions as the CEO of PragerU. She invites you to join her in the fight.

Marissa Streit: Why I Dedicate My Life to Saving America

Born in North Korea, Yeonmi Park shares her harrowing journey to escape the hunger, thought control, and violence she experienced living under authoritarian regimes. Grateful to have found acceptance and justice in the United States, she cautions Americans to see the early warning signs—here in America—of the communist nightmares she fled in North Korea and China.

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