• Jon Michaels' Forum

  • By: MWC
  • Podcast

Jon Michaels' Forum

By: MWC
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  • Summary

  • A community issues and answering program that focuses on the city and people of the Sioux Empire.
    2025 Midwest Communications Inc.
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Political Science
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Episodes
  • The Nine...Leaving A Hutterite Home

    The Nine...Leaving A Hutterite Home
    Jan 19 2025
    Recorded 2000 From Wikipedia: The Nine are a group of nine Christians who authored two books about their experiences as Hutterites and how and why they chose to leave the Hutterite religion.[1][2] The authors were between the ages of 17 and 25 when they left the communal Hutterite society.[2] Glenda, Jason, and Titus left a colony in North Dakota. Cindy, Rodney, Junia, Karen, Darlene, and Sheryl left a colony in Manitoba, Canada.[3] Five years after leaving their respective Hutterite colonies, they wrote the first book, Hutterites: Our Story To Freedom. They self-published their book through Risen Son Publishing in 2013. In 2014 they published their second book, Since We Told the Truth: Our Life Can Never Be the Same.[3] Books[edit] Hutterites: Our Story to Freedom is written in testimony form and style, featuring a chapter by each of The Nine.[4] They write their own personal accounts and their view of the religion and culture of the Hutterites. While every chapter is unique to the individual author, there is a consistent pattern of their dissatisfaction with the Hutterite religion. The Nine explain current Hutterite customs and beliefs and declare that Hutterite beliefs directly contradict Christian, biblical teachings. They offer personal testimonies as evidence to expose the Hutterite system as controlling and oppressive to its members. The Nine bring to light corrupt practices of heavy-handed control by leadership, nepotism, sexism, deceptive religious teaching, and a lack of personal and formal education.[5] Reception[edit] The book Hutterites generated widespread controversy.[3][6] While many readers welcomed and praised the rare opportunity to hear what life is like inside a Hutterite colony, the books also produced angry protests, mostly from Hutterites.[3] Many Hutterites saw the books as sensationalizing Hutterite life for profit and claimed the book was lopsided in its perspective.[6] In an interview in 2014, one of the nine was quoted: "We love the Hutterite people, we see how things are being done wrong on the colony, how it is oppressive. We didn't write this out of bitterness or anger or unforgiveness." They have responded to the criticism by stating their stories are accurate and irrefutable.[6] The Nine point out that many other former Hutterites agree with their conclusions. They also explain their motivation for writing the two books as an avenue to help others.[3] The second book Since We Told the Truth explains many of the controversies surrounding the first book to silence the criticism. They wrote that their reasons for exposing the abuses were to influence change in the colonies and is motivated by a love for truth and justice. However, some of the accusations against The Nine continue to occasionally arise.[7] Influence[edit] The two books offer an uncommon and candid glimpse into Hutterite life from a firsthand perspective.[8] Until the release of Hutterites, firsthand accounts of the Hutterite lifestyle had been largely limited to those written by current Hutterite members, or by ones who had left the colony at an early age.[9] According to The Nine, this had previously resulted in an idyllic and deceptive picture of Hutterite life being presented to society.[3] With the release of the two books the entire perception of Hutterite life is being challenged.[7] The Nine continue to spread their message through book events, presentations, interviews on television, radio, and print, speaking at various churches, and producing Christian teaching videos available online.[10][11] Further reading[edit] The Nine. Hutterites: Our Story to Freedom (2013) ISBN 978-0-9895184-0-6— Since We Told The Truth: Life Can Never Be the Same (2014) ISBN 978-0-9895184-2-0 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    29 mins
  • The News of 2024 into 2025 with News Director Tom Rooney

    The News of 2024 into 2025 with News Director Tom Rooney
    Jan 13 2025

    Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels talks with long time television news reporter, Tom Rooney, about his career from Mitchell to Sioux Falls and now the KELO News Talk group. His views of the news of 2024 into 2025.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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    30 mins
  • Human Trafficking in Sioux Falls - Call To Freedom - Marissa's House

    Human Trafficking in Sioux Falls - Call To Freedom - Marissa's House
    Jan 5 2025
    Public Affairs Director Jon Michaels (since 1977) talks with Becky Rasmussen, CEO and President for Call To Freedom, and McKenzie Huska, Director of Outreach Services and Marissa's House. from their website: Alpine Cares Concert Fundraiser – Johnny Holmes – The District Rock Out and Raise Awareness This National Human Trafficking Awareness Month This January, join us for an unforgettable night of music and impact with Alpine Cares and the Johnny Holm Band! This special event brings the community together for a shared purpose: supporting local nonprofits, including Call to Freedom, Mission Haiti, The Community Outreach, and the Avera NICU expansion. It’s more than a concert—it’s a celebration of compassion and a commitment to making a difference. In honor of National Human Trafficking Awareness Month, this event is also a powerful opportunity to spotlight the work being done to combat human trafficking in our community. Call to Freedom is dedicated to supporting survivors and educating the public about this pervasive issue. Events like this allow us to further our mission and ensure that those affected by trafficking receive the care and resources they need to rebuild their lives. Taking place on a night filled with music from the iconic Johnny Holm Band, this event is not only a chance to have fun but also a moment to reflect on the impact of collective action. By attending, you contribute to the fight against human trafficking and help raise awareness during a month dedicated to shedding light on this important cause. Tickets must be purchased in advance, so don’t miss your chance to be part of this incredible evening. Secure your spot today by visiting this link. Please note that tickets will not be available at the event. With proceeds going to Alpine Cares, this concert ensures that every dollar makes a meaningful impact in our community. Whether you come for the music, the mission, or both, you’ll leave knowing you’ve made a difference. Join us as we come together to rock out and support those working tirelessly to end human trafficking and uplift vulnerable populations. For more information, contact Alpine Cares at 605.610.5503. Home Events Special Events National Human Trafficking Prevention Day #WEARBLUEDAY and #END IT National Human Trafficking Prevention Day #WEARBLUEDAY and #END IT Join us on January 11th in recognition of National Human Trafficking Prevention Day by wearing blue and drawing a Blue X on your hand to show your support. Snap a picture and post it with #wearblueday and #endit to call attention to the crime of human trafficking. Blue Campaign’s largest initiative is #WearBlueDay to raise awareness of human trafficking, we invite the public to take photos of themselves, friends, family, and colleagues wearing blue clothing and a Blue X (END IT) and share them on social media with the hashtags #WearBlueDay #EndIt Arc Of Dreams In Blue As Part Of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month Arc Of Dreams In Blue As Part Of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month and Call to Freedom is partnering with the Department of Homeland Security’s Blue Campaign to shine a light on this critical issue. This nationwide initiative educates the public, law enforcement, and industry partners on how to recognize and respond to human trafficking. As part of this effort, Call to Freedom invites the community to participate in raising awareness and supporting survivors. This year, the theme will feature wearing blue and marking you hand with a blue “X” to symbolize the fight against human trafficking. The blue “X” replaces the traditional red and signifies unity in combating human trafficking. On National Human Trafficking Prevention Day on January 11th, we encourage everyone to wear blue, share their support on social media, and tag Call to Freedom to amplify the message. Let’s make a collective stand to show survivors they are not alone. From January 10th through the 16th, the Arc of Dreams, a monumental sculpture in Sioux Falls, will be illuminated in blue as a tribute to the ongoing fight against human trafficking. This iconic sculpture, nearly the length of a football field and towering 80 feet above the Big Sioux River, symbolizes the leaps of faith dreamers take to achieve their goals. The lighting of the Arc of Dreams will serve as a powerful reminder of the courage and resilience of survivors and our shared responsibility to build a future free from trafficking. Mark your calendars for January and join Call to Freedom in spreading awareness. Whether you wear blue, mark you hand with an “X” or visit the illuminated Arc of Dreams, your involvement makes a difference. Together, we can take bold steps to combat human trafficking and create a safer, more supportive world for everyone. THE PROBLEM Human trafficking is the illegal trade of human beings for the purposes of forced labor or sex ...
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    30 mins

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