Hope in Darkness: The Josh Holt Story

We take a closer look at El Helicoide itself and how it serves as a metaphor for the chaos in Venezuela. The first of several health crises to strike Josh Holt leaves him struggling, helpless and alone. A fellow inmate offers more context and perspective.    On social: @HopeDarknessPod Facebook, Twitter, Instagram  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Back home in the US, Josh's mom, Laurie Holt, is busily making her voice heard from West Jordan to Washington, D.C. A smuggled cell phone becomes Josh's lifeline to his family.    On social: @HopeDarknessPod Facebook, Twitter, Instagram  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josh and Thamy Holt continue to learn how to navigate life in a corrupt dictatorship – from which guards to bribe and how, to how to get along with their fellow inmates. New connections with cellmates provide new opportunities.     On social: @HopeDarknessPod Facebook, Twitter, Instagram  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Holts work to get Thamy's daughters to the US. Josh and Thamy finally start getting regular "visits" from the outside world – but also become frustrated to their breaking point over their lost human rights.   On social: @HopeDarknessPod Facebook, Twitter, Instagram  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After realizing his life and safety may well be in danger, Josh Holt negotiates a transfer "up the hallway" to a cell among the political prisoners. Health and prison conditions combine to sink Josh into his lowest point as a hostage of the Venezuelan government.    On social: @HopeDarknessPod Facebook, Twitter, Instagram  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We go in-depth on all the work behind the scenes to secure Josh and Thamy Holt's freedom – including never-before-heard details about the strange interplay of faith, legal, political and human rights activists.    On social: @HopeDarknessPod Facebook, Twitter, Instagram  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A riot erupts inside El Helicoide as tensions mount in Venezuela. Barricaded in his cell, Josh Holt sends a series of fearful videos begging for help from the United States. We go in-depth for the first time on exactly what set it off – and how it resolved.  On social: @HopeDarknessPod Facebook, Twitter, Instagram  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Holts arrive on US soil. Josh and Thamy meet the president and make the rounds on morning television. Adjusting to life on the outside requires more faith and hope than expected.  On social: @HopeDarknessPod Facebook, Twitter, Instagram  See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hey, Hope In Darkness host Becky Bruce writing here. KSL Podcasts is launching a new show called Stranger Becomes Neighbor - Afghan Arrivals. It’s a great series and I hope you’ll give it a listen. The story begins two years ago, when the U.S. scrambled to evacuate refugees from the Kabul airport as the Taliban took over Afghanistan. Around 80,000 Afghans soon arrived in America at a time when the resettlement agencies were critically low on resources. For the last two years, my colleague, journalist and host Andrea Smardon has followed some of these refugees, as well as the everyday Americans who have found themselves helping our newest neighbors. Stranger Becomes Neighbor tells stories of rebuilding and resilience. It's available now. Search for and follow the show on Apple podcasts or anywhere you listen so you don’t miss an episode.     KSL Podcasts, the creators of COLD, Hope In Darkness and The Letter, present: Stranger Becomes NeighborSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.