Sudan Is Speaking. Will the World Listen? | Janet McElligott

Janet McElligott explains Sudan's humanitarian crisis, the atrocities reported in El Fasher and why Sudanese survivors are still fighting to be heard. Her promise is simple: "I will speak until the world listens." For more than four decades, Janet has worked across international politics, counterterrorism, conflict resolution and hostage negotiations. In this conversation with Katrina Carlson and Jefferson Denim, she brings Sudan's war into human focus through accounts of displacement, hunger, sexual violence, courage and survival entrusted to her by Sudanese people. Producer and filmmaker Ken Carlson also recounts how his documentary The Heart of Nuba reached Sudan's former president and, according to the account Ken and Janet received, influenced a ceasefire in the Nuba Mountains. Janet shares how an emotional Facebook Live unexpectedly reached millions, why she created Sudan War Crimes and what she learned from survivors of El Fasher. The conversation also reveals the dignity and generosity that persist beyond the headlines. Janet describes local volunteers feeding displaced families, explains why she wears pearls, silk and brocade into dangerous places, and challenges each of us to choose one need and make it 1% better. IN THIS EPISODE: • How The Heart of Nuba became part of an unexpected ceasefire story • Why Janet says Sudanese people do not lack voices, but the world has failed to listen • What survivors of El Fasher entrusted Janet to carry forward • How Sudan War Crimes is working to preserve stories and evidence • Why beauty and dignity matter in places shaped by war • How one practical act can turn compassion into meaningful action 00:00 Sudan Is Speaking 02:06 The Heart of Nuba 13:08 Why the World Did Not Listen 22:38 Survivors of El Fasher 32:23 Courage Amid Crisis 43:45 Pearls, Purpose and Action LEARN MORE AND TAKE ACTION: Sudan War Crimes: https://www.sudanwarcrimes.com/ Vote for Janet in Next Runway Star through August 28, 2026, at 10:00 p.m. EDT: https://nextrunwaystar.com/2026/janet-mcelligott Follow Janet on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JanetLMcElligott CONTENT ADVISORY: This episode discusses war, mass killing, sexual violence and violence against children. Some battlefield accounts and casualty estimates reflect Janet's sources and perspective at the time of recording and have not been independently verified by Crazy Amazing Humans. Listener discretion is advised. Crazy Amazing Humans is hosted by Katrina Carlson and Jefferson Denim and produced by Ken Carlson. Music by Katrina Carlson. CONNECT WITH CRAZY AMAZING HUMANS: Website: https://katrinacarlson.com/the-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crazyamazinghumans/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crazyamazinghumans/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crazy-amazing-humans/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CrazyAmazingHumans Contact: [email protected] If this episode encourages you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs hope and belonging right now. Don't forget to make sure you're following us at Instagram and also subscribe to our newsletter so that you'll know about this episode as well as the many crazy amazing humans featured in all of our episodes. Thanks for being part of the Crazy Amazing Humans community. We appreciate you!