Episódios
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The Power of Storytelling is a special collaboration episode between Minorities in Publishing and the Restorative Works! Podcast. Through the power of storytelling, we aim to engage powerful leaders and activists in conversations around keeping hope in dire times; giving back power to communities; radical empathy; arts as means to tell real life stories, and the effects of genuine engagement in community resilience.
Listen to learn from critical storytellers and educators including Jennifer Coreas, Reginald Dwayne Betts, and Tiffany Yu, who have been foundational in bringing awareness to societal issues and community movements through storytelling and literacy.
Jennifer Baker is an author, editor, writing instructor, and creator of the Minorities in Publishing podcast. She’s been a recipient of NYSCA/NYFA and Queens Council on the Arts grants, a 2024 Axinn Writing Award, and was named the Publishers Weekly Star Watch SuperStar in 2019. She edited the short story anthology Everyday People: The Color of Life (2018) and is the author of Forgive Me Not (2023) a 2023 Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, an NYPL 2023 Best Book for Teens, and 2023 Best of the Best by the BCALA.
Jennifer Coreas is the coordinator and cofounder of the program Literacy for Reconciliation for ConTextos in El Salvador and Chicago. Her work extends from curriculum development and teaching to advocacy, training, and facilitation of dialogue. She has led the work and the vision for ConTextos’s work in prisons and communities, accompanied authors in their journeys of self-discovery, and brought their stories to hundreds of teachers, psychologists, and social workers in professional development spaces. She has been recognized with numerous fellowships and scholarships including the Rocky Gooch Memorial Scholarship and the Esperanza Fellowship. She holds degrees from El Salvador in English as a second language and applied linguistics, and she received a master’s degree in English from Middlebury College in 2018.
Reginald Dwayne Betts is a poet and lawyer. A 2021 MacArthur Fellow, he is the Executive Director of Freedom Reads, a not-for-profit organization that is radically transforming the access to literature in prisons through the installation of Freedom Libraries in prisons across this country. Betts has authored several books including the poetry collections Bastards of the Reagan Era and Felon.
Tiffany Yu is the CEO & Founder of Diversability, an award-winning social enterprise to elevate disability pride, the Founder of the Awesome Foundation Disability Chapter, and the author of The Anti-Ableist Manifesto: Smashing Stereotypes, Forging Change, and Building a Disability-Inclusive World. Her TED Talk, How to Help Employees with Disabilities Thrive, has over one million views. She serves on the NIH National Advisory Board on Medical Rehabilitation Research and was a Co-Chair of the World Economic Forum Sustainable Development Impact Summit. At the age of 9, Tiffany became disabled as a result of a car accident that also took the life of her father.
Tune in to hear these influential voices speak on the power of transforming stories into actionable change in the worlds of criminal justice, disability awareness, and publishing. -
Returning guests, Dr. Lindsey Pointer and Deron Bell, two inspiring voices at the intersection of education, creativity, and healing, are featured presenters for the upcoming 2025 IIRP World Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee—Artful Integration: Exploring the Art and Science of Restorative Practices.
Lindsey, Assistant Professor at Vermont Law and Graduate School and Principal Investigator at the National Center on Restorative Justice, brings deep insight into how storytelling, literature, and visual arts expand public understanding of restorative justice. She discusses her passion for introducing restorative concepts through fiction—especially children's books—and the critical role of emotion and imagination in transformative learning.
Deron, a restorative practitioner and visionary behind the MyMusicEd app, dives into his hands-on work integrating arts and circle practices across K–12 and higher education. From kindergarten-to-college mentorship pipelines to healing circles on campus, Deron shares powerful stories and data-driven results from schools and communities embracing relationally derived arts. His work is deeply rooted in equity, cultural connection, and consistent implementation.
Together Lindsey and Deron explore how art—whether visual, literary, or musical—activates restorative practices in classrooms, counseling centers, and community spaces. They emphasize the importance of inclusivity, different learning styles, and the role of affective experiences in building empathy and understanding.
This episode offers a sneak peek at the 2025 IIRP World Conference themes: social systems, relationships, and personal well-being. Whether you're an educator, practitioner, or advocate, you’ll leave this conversation with fresh ideas and practical tools for integrating art and evidence into your restorative work.
Tune in to get inspired to reimagine how creativity can transform justice, relationships, and community healing. -
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Claire de Mézerville López welcomes back Kendall Hughes, D.Min., to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Dr. Hughes shares moving stories—from a group of teens who made amends after a traumatic act of vandalism, to incarcerated men working through shame and accountability in a high-security penitentiary. These stories highlight the power of restoring dignity and finding healing through meaningful change.
Reflecting on his rich learning journey, Dr. Hughes draws from Indigenous teachings, global traditions, and interfaith wisdom. His commitment to continued education and cultural responsiveness showcases why lifelong learning is essential for restorative facilitators. Whether it’s through role-playing in training sessions or learning from Ojibwe, Navajo, Somali, and Liberian communities, Hughes emphasizes the importance of humility and curiosity in this work.
Dr. Hughes has extensive experience starting and leading restorative programs in the Federal Bureau of Prisons and for the state of Minnesota Office of Restorative Practices. He began his career in a nonprofit, learning from leaders in lower income communities as they built affordable housing, places of worship, and schools. He spent two decades as a chaplain in federal prisons. Working with incarcerated men, he developed an18-month residential program offering skill building, encouraging relationships, and opportunities for transformative dialogues with survivors of violent crimes and men who had caused deep harm. In 2019, Dr. Hughes co-founded Three Rivers Restorative Justice, focusing on pre-charge restorative conferences and training facilitators. He has served on the Third Judicial District's Committee on Equity and Justice as well as the Dodge and Olmsted County Corrections Taskforce. While earning his Doctorate of Ministry, he wrote a thesis on how chaplains in the Bureau of Prisons can reduce recidivism.
Tune in to learn more from Dr. Hughes and to explore how dignity-centered approaches create space for social and personal transformation. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Emanuela Biffi from the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Join us as Emanuela shares how the EFRJ is fostering a vibrant global restorative justice community through international events, training programs, and innovative initiatives like the REstART Art Festival.
EFRJ's events go beyond traditional conferences to create spaces for meaningful dialogue, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and artistic expression. From biannual conferences and thematic seminars to workshops and public art events, Emanuela discusses the intentionality behind gathering restorative practitioners, scholars, policymakers, and artists to strengthen the global movement.
Emanuela is the program coordinator at the EFRJ, an international network organization that brings together about 300 members dedicated to research, policy, and practice of restorative justice in the criminal justice system and beyond. She joined the EFRJ team in September 2013, working as a project officer in different EU-funded projects on access to restorative justice, justice and security in intercultural settings, restorative justice training, child victims, and arts. Among other responsibilities at the EFRJ, she organizes its main international events (conferences, seminars, webinars, and art festival), coordinates proposals for EU-funded and other projects, and guides the overall management of working groups and committees within the EFRJ membership. Originally from Italy, Emanuela studied Liberal Arts at the University College Maastricht (The Netherlands) and University of Gaborone (Botswana) with a focus on social psychology and criminal law and the Master program in Criminology at KU Leuven (Belgium).
Tune in to hear how restorative justice continues to evolve, respond to societal challenges, and bring communities together. Learn more about their Call for Proposals and submit your proposal by June 1, 2025!
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Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Michael Washington, Ph.D., and Doug Judge, Ph.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Dr. Washington and Dr. Judge share their insights on how leaders can step into complex, high-stakes environments and commit to change using relational-based approaches.
Dr. Washington, an expert in leadership development and operational excellence, shares his journey of shifting organizational culture from a command-and-control mindset to a collaborative, human-centered approach. He reflects on his work in supply chain management and how leveraging diverse perspectives transformed team engagement and efficiency.
Dr. Judge, a seasoned educator and social worker, takes us through his eye-opening experiences in the juvenile justice system and public education. He recounts moments that propelled him to advocate for systemic change—particularly addressing disproportionality in discipline and centering prevention over punishment. His stories highlight the power of restorative practices in fostering equity and disrupting exclusionary systems.
Together, they explore the intersection of leadership, social and emotional learning, and restorative practices frameworks in transforming both corporate and educational landscapes. Whether in a boardroom or a classroom, their insights reveal how intentional, relationship-driven approaches create sustainable change.
Dr. Washington has more than 30 years of experience across various business sectors, including oil and gas, consumer products, nonprofits, education, and food services. He has served as an adjunct professor at both Loyola University of Chicago in the Quinlan School of Business and Union Institute and University. Michael has extensive experience in large-scale implementation, change management, and a strong belief in human-centered and conscious-driven decision-making.
Dr. Judge has more than 25 years of experience in education, administration, large-scale implementation in schools, social work, and youth services. His career has focused on addressing systemic inequities in influential public institutions. He served as a special education teacher in a variety of public and institutional school settings, and as a school administrator at a large public alternative high school in Seattle, focused on providing restorative and healing-centered wraparound supports. As the Director of Social and Emotional Learning for Highline Public Schools, Doug led the districtwide implementation of restorative practices, positive behavior supports, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
Tune in to learn more about reimagining leadership through a relational lens and how Dr. Washington’s and Dr. Judge’s graduate certificate courses for the Graduate Certificate in Change Implementation in Organizations and Social Systems can support your work. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Fernanda Fonseca Rosenblatt, D.Phil., to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Join us as Dr. Rosenblatt discusses the critical shortcomings of the conventional criminal justice system in addressing gendered violence and explores how restorative justice offers a survivor-centered alternative. Survivors often face secondary victimization, navigating a system that can be dismissive, retraumatizing, or focused solely on punitive measures. Dr. Rosenblatt highlights research from around the world demonstrating how restorative practices—when done properly—can empower survivors, offer meaningful accountability, and provide justice that prioritizes safety and agency. She also dispels common myths about restorative justice, including misconceptions about mandatory face-to-face encounters.
Dr. Fernanda Fonseca Rosenblatt is an Associate Professor at the IIRP. She also serves as the book review editor for the International Journal of Restorative Justice. She is also a member of the Research Committee of the European Forum for Restorative Justice. Dr. Rosenblatt has contributed to United Nations initiatives on multiple occasions, including serving as an expert reviewer for the latest edition of the United Nations Handbook on Restorative Programmes and as a Portuguese-speaking expert for the translation of the Restorative Justice Module of the Education for Justice project by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Fernanda earned her doctoral degree in Criminology from the University of Oxford in 2014 and a master's in Criminology from the Catholic University of Leuven in 2005.
Tune in to learn more about Dr. Rosenblatt’s research and perspective, and check out her Presidential Paper Gendered violence and restorative justice: giving survivors voice and choice. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Mark R. Warren to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Join us as Mark shares insights from his latest book, Willful Defiance, shedding light on how exclusionary discipline policies, such as suspensions and expulsions for minor infractions, have been instrumental in pushing children from the classroom to the criminal justice system. As the conversation unfolds, Mark delves into the broader implications of these policies, connecting the school-to-prison pipeline with the rise of mass incarceration and systemic racial control.
Through inspiring stories of resistance, Mark focuses on the role of parents and community organizers—particularly from Black and Latinx communities—who have been leading the charge against these policies. From grassroots campaigns to transform disciplinary practices to the adoption of restorative justice and practices, Mark emphasizes how community-driven efforts are creating alternative pathways for students to stay engaged in learning and avoid the prison system.
Mark is a professor of public policy and public affairs at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He is a sociologist and community-engaged scholar who studies and works with community, parent, and youth organizing groups seeking to promote racial equity, educational justice, and community liberation. Mark is the author of six books, most recently Willful Defiance: The Movement to Dismantle the School-to-Prison Pipeline. Mark has co-founded several networks promoting activist scholarship, community organizing, and education justice, including the People’s Think Tank on Educational Justice, the Urban Research-Based Action Network, and the Special Interest Group on Community and Youth Organizing in the American Educational Research Association.
Tune in to learn more about the profound impact of systemic racism in schools, the urgent need for policy change, and the power of restorative practices to foster healing and community connection. For more information on Mark Warren’s work, visit www.Mark-Warren.org. -
Welcome to Season 3! Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Frida Rundell Ph.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Join us as Dr. Rundell unpacks the intersection of storytelling, trauma, and restorative practices, offering a deeply personal and professional perspective on fostering healing. Drawing from her childhood experiences in South Africa, Dr. Rundell shares how the philosophy of ubuntu—"I am because you are,"—has influenced her life's work. She emphasizes the power of compassionate witnessing, highlighting how being truly heard and seen can be transformative for individuals, particularly those navigating trauma and adversity.
Discussing practical strategies for integrating restorative practices into educational and counseling settings, Dr. Rundell reinforces how storytelling and active listening can bridge gaps between individuals and communities. She also touches on the significance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence for practitioners working with vulnerable populations.
Dr. Rundell is a founding IIRP faculty member and professor. A committed teacher and practitioner, she brings extensive experience of Narrative and Solution-Focused Therapies to the understanding of restorative practices. Dr. Rundell supports her students in mastering competencies related to life-space crisis intervention, adversity, and trauma. She works directly with youth and families in her private practice as a counselor and consultant, and mentors and presents workshops for teachers, counselors, and parents. Her current work involves using somatic experiences to help traumatized children and families heal.
Frida has more than 55 years of experience working with children and families facing a range of adversity and learning difficulties. She initiated and developed an undergraduate program for child-and-youth care professionals at Durban University of Technology in South Africa. She earned her master’s in educational psychology from the University of Natal, South Africa, and her Ph.D. in Community Psychology from the University of Zululand, South Africa. She is a licensed professional counselor in the USA. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Nicole Garcia Diaz and Robert Gordon to this special episode of the Restorative Works! Podcast, recorded live during the IIRP Collaborative Center for Restorative Practices in Higher Education’s virtual forum on December 5-6, 2024!
Robert and Nicole share their personal journeys with restorative practices, highlighting how they’ve integrated restorative justice and community-building principles into their respective campuses. From fostering inclusive, intersectional spaces at Hampshire College to reshaping student conduct processes at the University of Maryland, both guests emphasize the importance of embracing values rooted in restorative practices as a holistic approach to community engagement and institutional change.
Throughout the discussion, the guests reflect on the recent sessions at the forum that resonated most with their work. Nicole focuses on the importance of honoring restorative practices’ indigenous roots and the ethical responsibility practitioners have in upholding its traditions. Meanwhile, Robert underscores the necessity of community-building across cultural lines and the role of restorative principles in transforming campus cultures. Both emphasize that restorative practices are not just tools or methodologies but a way of being that shapes how we interact and move through the world.
Nicole Garcia Diaz is the restorative justice specialist and manager for Rights and Responsibilities at the University of Maryland, College Park where she has led the integration of restorative practices and restorative justice within the university. Passionate about intentional philosophical alignment and practicing restorative justice with respect to its indigenous roots, Nicole has focused on slowly shifting the University’s culture in the direction of these values. Nicole also serves on the University’s Hate Bias Response Team, facilitates the Latina/x/es in Higher Education Affinity Group, is a yoga instructor, and volunteers with the Smithsonian Museum of the American Latino. Originally from Miami, Florida, Nicole graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Miami, a Master of Education in Student Affairs from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice Facilitation and Leadership from the University of San Diego.
Robert Gordon is a restorative practitioner and implementor at Hampshire College. He has worked with several offices and departments throughout the college to deepen institutional awareness and utilization of a restorative practices-based mindset. Particularly, his work with campus identity centers has brought together staff and students of different social identities using intersectional forms of community building. In terms of restorative practices, Robert has received professional development from the IIRP, as well as the American Association of Colleges and Universities Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation framework.
Tune in to hear about the challenges and rewards of implementing restorative justice in colleges and universities and learn how these practices can pave the way for more inclusive, supportive, and collaborative academic environments. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Gemma Varona, Ph.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Dr. Varona joins us and discusses her decades of experience researching the evolving boundaries of restorative justice, challenging the traditional limits imposed by legal frameworks. She shares her journey from academia to hands-on work with survivors of terrorism, sexual abuse, and large-scale corporate and environmental harm. She explains why punitive measures often fail to address the root causes of harm and how restorative justice offers an individualized, relational approach that centers victims' needs while fostering true accountability.
Listen as Dr. Varona delves into the role of dialogue in breaking cycles of violence, the importance of institutional courage, and the urgent need for a shift in global justice systems. As countries move toward more punitive approaches, this conversation serves as a powerful reminder that restorative justice is both an act of resistance and a path to transformation.
Dr. Varona is a professor of Victimology and Criminal Policy at the University of the Basque Country and a senior researcher at the Basque Institute of Criminology (Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain). In 1998 she was honored with the Junior Scholar Competition Award of the International Society of Criminology for her research on restorative justice. From 2014-17 she worked as co-director of the Master in Victimology at that University. She served as a member of the executive committee of the World Society of Victimology and now holds the position of president. She has authored books on migration and human rights, restorative justice, juries and the construction of juridical truth, women’s local safety audits, victims of terrorism, victims of sexual abuse, and evaluation of public policies.
Tune in to learn more about Dr. Varona’s work and perspective on the importance of restorative justice across contexts. Hear more from Dr. Varona at the 2025 World Conference! -
Join Claire de Mézerville López as we celebrate 100 episodes of Restorative Works! Listen along as we journey through some of the many inspiring moments where we have listened to people from across the globe describing their work of restoring dignity and building relationships and community. From the classroom, to the workplace, to city streets around the world, we reflect on the wisdom of our many guests and look toward the future with hope and inspiration.
Thank you for your support over these past 100 episodes; here’s to looking forward to the next 100!
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Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Adam Haller to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Adam joins us and shares his story, from a career in carpentry to leading efforts at one of Pittsburg’s largest homeless shelters, Community Human Services Wood Street Commons. He discusses how his team works to foster dignity and authentic relationships in a system often burdened by bureaucracy. He highlights the importance of listening to residents' needs, empowering them to build community, and addressing systemic barriers with empathy and action. From creating welcoming spaces to supporting both staff and residents in maintaining emotional and mental health, Adam emphasizes the transformative power of genuine connections.
Adam’s insights shed light on the intersection of restorative practices and housing-first principles, demonstrating how small acts of humanity—like a warm conversation or consistent support—can drive meaningful change.
Adam is the program manager at CHS Wood Street Commons in Pittsburgh, PA. The shelter provides services for people experiencing a housing crisis with a unique revolving 32-bed program for men and women. Residents receive service coordination, free meals, transportation assistance, mental health awareness, and harm reduction advocacy.
Tune in to learn more about Wood Street Commons and Adam’s unique perspective on restorative practices, community building, and harm reduction. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Ivelisse Cotto to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Ivelisse joins us to discuss the challenges teachers face when implementing restorative practices, especially when many have never been taught to tap into their own emotions or build crucial relationships with students. She discusses the importance of offering teachers the same space and support to develop these skills, just as students are given the opportunity to learn and grow through restorative circles.
She highlights the growing issue of teacher burnout and initiative fatigue, stressing the need for more consistent and meaningful professional development in restorative practices. Ivelisse shares her perspective on integrating restorative practices into everyday classroom content, where teachers build connections with students while still focusing on the curriculum.
Ivelisse is a dedicated educator who has spent the past 14 years working to make a difference in the Chicago Public School system. Starting her career as a high school Spanish and ESL teacher, she later transitioned to the role of Bilingual Program Coordinator before becoming a Dean of Discipline and transitioning to a middle school. Ivelisse earned her bachelor's in Secondary Education/Spanish with an endorsement in ESL and, in 2024, she earned her Master of Science in Restorative Practices from the IIRP Graduate School.
Tune in to hear more from Ivelisse and gain practical insights on making restorative practices a lasting and effective part of your school environment. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Jennifer Baker to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Jennifer joins us and delves into the concept of narrative change, exploring how storytelling—through media, art, and learning—can drive long-term social change. Jennifer highlights her work with the Narrative Initiative, a nonprofit that amplifies community-driven stories, ensuring those impacted have the agency to share their truths. She invites us to explore the power of artivism, a fusion of art and activism, and how it serves as a tool to engage with our difficult realities and prompt deeper self and social reflection. Jennifer touches on the intersectionality of justice movements, the importance of patience in the pursuit of solutions, and the emotional process of telling personal stories.
Jennifer is an author, editor, writing instructor, and creator of the Minorities in Publishing podcast. She’s been a recipient of NYSCA/NYFA (New York State Council on the Arts and New York Foundation for the Arts) and Queens Council on the Arts grants, a 2024 Axinn Writing Award, and was named the Publishers Weekly Star Watch Super Star in 2019. She edited the short story anthology Everyday People: The Color of Life (2018) and is the author of Forgive Me Not (2023) a 2023 Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, an NYPL 2023 Best Book for Teens, and 2023 Best of the Best by the BCALA.
Tune in to hear more of Jennifer’s valuable insights into guiding individuals through the complexities of self-expression, healing, and building community connections through art and narrative. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Jenna Eckna, LCSW to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Jenna is Vice President of Social Services at Green Chimneys, a unique agency dedicated to supporting youth and families through nature-based programs, animal-assisted interventions, and restorative practices. Jenna reflects on how these innovative approaches empower young people to navigate challenges, build emotional resilience, and foster meaningful connections.
Jenna describes the power of restorative practices circle processes, storytelling, and dialogue in creating shared experiences between staff and students. She highlights how these practices redefine traditional dynamics, ensuring that youth feel heard, valued, and equipped to take ownership of their community relationships.
Jenna began her role as clinical social worker supporting youth in the Green Chimneys’ residential program, located in Brewster, New York, in 2010; ultimately working towards her current role as Vice President of Social Services for the agency. She has spearheaded many initiatives at Green Chimneys including, assisting the agency with implementing a relational mindset and approach to working with one another. Previously, she worked as a teacher’s assistant for a special needs school program in Maryland, then moved on to become a foster care case worker in New York City. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology in 2002 then went on to receive her master's degree in social work in 2010.
Tune in to learn more about how tailoring restorative processes to individual needs builds trust and promotes healing, demonstrating that one size does not fit all in this work. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Jadine Chou to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Jadine joins us to discuss the importance of relationships in defining safety in schools. From morning greetings by security staff to hallway interactions with teachers, she explains how simple, consistent actions build trust and make students feel valued. Through proactive measures like these, Chicago Public Schools has significantly reduced incidents of misconduct and disciplinary actions.
Jadine describes how restorative practices have shaped safety and discipline methods, including the use of peace rooms and structured conversations to resolve conflicts and restore harm. She emphasizes the importance of proper training for facilitators and the need for a culture shift from punitive approaches to solutions based in restorative practices. Claire and Jadine also discuss the critical role of self-regulation for adults working with students. Jadine shares compelling stories of students and staff navigating tense situations and underscores the importance of calm and empathy in fostering safe, supportive environments.
As Chief of Safety and Security with Chicago Public Schools, Jadine oversees the safety operations for more than 380,000 students in more than 640 schools and is responsible for supporting school administrators in their efforts to provide a safe and welcoming learning environment for all students and staff. Under Jadine’s leadership, the CPS Office of Safety and Security helps district schools plan and implement proactive practices to encourage calmer school climates and positive student behaviors. These efforts ultimately result in significantly fewer incidents of misconduct, out-of-school suspensions, expulsions, and police notifications.
Prior to joining CPS, Jadine worked for the Chicago Housing Authority, where she was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the agency’s operations, including safety and security, for over 18,000 traditional public housing units across the city. Jadine holds a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Northwestern University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Tune in to discover how Chicago Public Schools is leading the way in rethinking school safety. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Emily Murphy to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Join us as Emily shares the story of the Restorative Practice Student Board, a leadership group of middle school students who mediate conflicts, review school policies, and make impactful decisions—like rewriting the school's dress code to reflect student voice and fairness. Listen as Emily details how empowering students in these roles fosters accountability, builds trust, and transforms school culture. From mediating peer conflicts to presenting policy changes to the school board, these students are at the forefront of creating meaningful change in their school.
Discover how this approach leads to stronger relationships and greater staff buy-in.
Emily is the school director at Pagosa Peak Open School, a K-8 district charter school in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. She has 17 years of experience in education, and a passion for engaging students in learning that challenges and supports them in all areas of their development. She previously taught at Awakening Seed School in Phoenix and worked as an instructor at Colorado State University in the Human Development and Family Studies program at the Early Childhood Center Lab School. She has presented on and been published around one of her passions: project-based learning. You can find her work on Edutopia and PBL Works, as well as through the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance "Innovations."
Tune in to learn about the challenges and rewards of elevating student agency in building a culture of restorative practices. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Janette Graham to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Join us as Janette discusses her powerful journey advocating for justice-involved individuals. Drawing from personal experiences, including her son’s incarceration at a young age, Janette shares how her organization, No Struggle, No Success (NSNS), has become a full-service reentry organization, providing crucial support for both youth and adults in Maryland.
Janette reveals the organization's focus on creating a holistic, restorative approach to reentry, from preparing individuals for their return to society, to offering wraparound services like vocational training, mental health support, and community reintegration. She highlights the critical role that restorative justice plays in rebuilding relationships, emphasizing the need for accountability and healing on both sides of the justice system—offenders and victims alike.
Janette is the president and founder of No Struggle, No Success. Under her stewardship, NSNS has profoundly impacted over 720 individuals in Maryland, notably curbing recidivism rates and fostering a safer, more integrated community. Expanding her role further, Janette actively participates in various community engagement and advocacy initiatives. Her efforts aim at promoting holistic wellness, equitable justice, and successful societal reintegration for individuals transitioning back into society. Through her involvement in committees and collaborations, she seeks to address systemic challenges and support vulnerable populations.
Tune in to hear Janette’s insights on transforming lives through trauma-informed care, her experiences navigating systemic challenges, and how NSNS is helping to change the narrative for justice-involved individuals in Maryland and beyond. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Anusha Nadkarni to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Anusha is a passionate student leader and CEO. She joins us and shares her journey from discovering restorative practices as a high school student to launching the first student-led restorative outreach program in her region. She describes the power of restorative practices in education and how it challenges punitive systems and creates anti-racist classrooms that empower marginalized students. Anusha talks about the challenges of facing victimization, how proactive restorative approaches can build healthy student communities, and why consistent practice is key to fostering meaningful connections.
Anusha studies Public Policy with minors in Education and South Asian Studies at Stanford University. She is passionate about anti-oppressive community practices and community-building for equitable futures. This passion led her to become a restorative practitioner and trainer, implementing the first student-led restorative outreach program at her high school in Illinois. She is the CEO of Diversify Our Narrative, a student-led nonprofit whose mission is to empower students as changemakers for an antiracist future through culturally responsive curriculum and policy reform. After graduating, Anusha hopes to be an educator and later work in civil rights law related to education. Originally from Central Illinois, Anusha loves to hike, read, and explore the West Coast with her friends in her free time.
Tune in to learn more about the intersections of social justice, education reform, and community healing with an emerging young leader dedicated to reshaping the future. -
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Shana Haines, Ph.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast.
Join us as Dr. Haines shares her expertise on the urgent need for meaningful connections in education with a focus on historically marginalized students and families, especially in a post-COVID landscape where isolation and technology-driven interactions are on the rise. Dr. Haines discusses the implementation of restorative practices, particularly tier-one restorative practices circles, as tools for fostering authentic relationships among students. She emphasizes how these practices can combat the increasing disconnect in classrooms, encouraging students to engage with each other on a deeper level.
Dr. Haines explores the significant challenges educators face today, including the burnout of teaching professionals and the detrimental impact of efficiency-driven approaches. She highlights the importance of intentional relationship-building and community engagement through service learning, where students actively participate in addressing local needs while forming genuine connections with community partners.
Dr. Haines research focuses on improving meaningful family, school and community collaborations to increase well-being and belonging especially for historically marginalized students and families. She has done this work in the US and abroad as a Fulbright scholar at the Universidad de Dos Ángeles. She is also a co-PI on Project RESILIENCY, an OSEP-funded leadership grant funding scholars pursuing a Ph.D. in social, emotional, and behavioral health and inclusive education. She recently co-authored two books, Humanizing Methodologies in Education Research and Families and Professionals: Trusting Partnerships in General and Special Education. Her record of a scholarship includes 45 published articles in peer reviewed journals, such as the School Community Journal, Exceptional Children, Teaching and Teacher Education, and Preventing School Failure and Qualitative Inquiry.
Tune into gain valuable insights into Dr. Haines’ vision for an educational future that lays the foundations for thriving educational environments. - Mostrar mais
