Speaker Bio

Laura Ling captivates audiences with a candid look inside the life of an international journalist, including the importance of exposing critical issues, challenges faced in various parts of the globe, and what she learned about one of the world’s most reclusive countries.  Her story provides a unique view into North Korea and what happens when outsiders interact with this nation’s people face-to-face. She recounts her violent capture, one hundred and forty-day imprisonment, and fears that she might never see her family again, while also acknowledging the glimmers of compassion her captors directed toward her.

Ling discusses what sustained her throughout this terrifying isolation and the ways in which she fought to win back her freedom. She inspires others not only to find hope and strength within themselves, but she also shares the message that people need to find common humanity in an increasingly divisive world.