Advertise on podcast: Amplify RJ (Restorative Justice)

Send us Fan Mail Leslie Priscilla, creator of Latinx Parenting and author of Chancla (available everywhere on August 18, https://bookshop.org/a/12611/9780316567602), joins David for a conversation about parenting, power, intergenerational violence, and what it takes to build different relationships with children without pretending any parent can do this perfectly. The conversation explores how violence against children extends beyond hitting, why parents struggle to believe their own needs deserve attention, the relationship between capitalism and rest, faith and surrender after religious dogma, and what happens when the nervous system takes over during a parenting conflict. Leslie also explains why she is skeptical of the way “gentle parenting” has been packaged and separated from Indigenous ways of raising children. She and David connect those ideas to Restorative Justice, schools, homeschooling, the systems that make connected parenting harder, and what it means to raise children who are capable of questioning those systems. They also wrestle with a harder question: how can people invite others into a different way of relating without turning their own values into another set of rules used to judge people? At its core, this is a conversation about trying to give parents and children more grace while still taking seriously the responsibility to interrupt harmful patterns and create something different. Chapters 00:00 Meet Leslie Priscilla 00:57 What are we restoring by ending Chancla culture? 03:58 How Leslie’s childhood became her public work 09:37 Do we actually believe we deserve our needs met? 14:14 Rest, productivity, guilt & being a parent 21:57 Faith, surrender & tiny moments of liberation 27:52 What happens when parenting overwhelms your nervous system 34:28 Violence beyond hitting & the problem with “gentle parenting” 41:44 Indigenous practices, colonialism & Restorative Justice 44:40 Building alternatives when systems fail families 47:46 Schools, homeschooling & raising future ancestors 53:44 The less obvious forms of violence against children 57:49 How to challenge people without becoming prescriptive 1:04:49 Grace for parents who are still learning Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail Tashmica Torok joins David Ryan Barcega Castro-Harris to talk about joy as an organizing strategy, why we should plan for care over chaos, and her decades long efforts to end child sexual abuse. In this conversation, Tashmica shares how joy and community care have sustained her activism, what it takes to build hope in the midst of grief and injustice, and why treating children as full human beings is essential to preventing violence.  She reflects on stepping away from nonprofit leadership, the lessons she’s carrying forward through Aletheia Coaching & Consulting, and the many roles people can play in creating safer, more connected communities. Topics we cover: Joy as a survival skill and organizing strategyPlanning for care instead of chaosLessons from a decade leading The Firecracker FoundationSurvivor-led approaches to healing and preventionBuilding resilient, abolitionist communitiesLearn more: Follow Tashmica Torok →  https://tashmicatorok.com/ Hear our conversation Tuesday August 12 https://tjparenting.substack.com/ Follow Amplify RJ & David → http://amplifyrj.com/links Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail What happens when you speak out for justice and its costs you everything? In this raw and intimate conversation, Michelle MiJung Kim (author of The Wake Up and host of I Feel That Way Too) joins us to explore the aftermath of speaking up for Palestine in a world that often punishes courage. We explore: Losing clients and credibility after speaking up for PalestineGrieving the collapse of a once-successful career and public identityShame, silence, and the tension between self-love and social impactNavigating burnout, belonging, and friendship ruptures in justice spacesRebuilding worthiness outside of productivity and applauseWhether you’ve ever felt lost, unworthy, or unsure how to show up, you’re not alone. This conversation is for you. Listen to Michelle’s podcast: I Feel That Way Too –https://www.ifeelthatwaytoo.com/ Read The Wake Up: https://www.michellemijungkim.com/book Connect with Amplify RJ: https://amplifyrj.com/links Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail A new dad joked that parenting has been “pretty easy,” and the comedian clapped back—calling him a scumbag for leaving the mom at home. The internet celebrated it as a powerful “callout.” But was it really accountability? In this episode of Restorative Justice Breakdown, I sit down with Kori (the dad and owner of https://hiveclimbing.com/winnipeg/ in the viral clip) and Kerri (his wife, and a feminist reproductive health professional) to explore: What actually happened at the comedy show (beyond the clip)The pressures dads face to either perform or disappearThe real (invisible) labor of early parenting and recoveryWhy people projected rage onto Corey and called it “justice”How we confuse venting with accountability, and symbolism with real peopleKerri shares her experience as a new mom, what their parenting dynamic actually looks like, and how context, privilege, and nuance matter when we talk about partnership and caregiving. Kori opens up about how it felt to be publicly roasted and misrepresented online, despite being an engaged and supportive father. This isn’t about canceling the comedian. It’s about examining how we project our pain, turn strangers into symbols, and mistake viral content for justice. Connect with Amplify RJ: https://amplifyrj.com/links Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail Ruth Ifakemi Jeannoel returns to share the intimate journey behind her new book, Restorative Justice Practices: Circlekeeping for Community Healing. This conversation is rooted in grief, ancestry, and the deep practice of restorative justice as both strategy and spiritual path. We explore what it means to be a practitioner, a mother, an organizer, and a descendant—especially in times of personal and collective loss. This episode is for anyone navigating grief, building community, or holding space for transformation. About Ruth Ruth Ifakemi Jeannoel is a cultural organizer, circlekeeper, spiritual practitioner, and mother. She is the founder of Fanm Saj, where she uplifts healing justice and ancestral practices to build collective power in Black and brown communities. Her new book is an offering of tools, stories, and spiritual grounding for anyone practicing or curious about restorative justice and circlekeeping.  Grab the Book Restorative Justice Practices: Circlekeeping for Community Healing: https://www.ruthjeannoel.com/product-page/restorative-justice-practices-circle-keeping-for-community-healing Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail Can a youth basketball team be a site of healing, justice, and joy? In this episode, David is joined by youth sports expert, educator, and restorative justice practitioner Carolyn Sideco for a conversation about the role of youth sports in shaping identity, belonging, and community. As David begins coaching young kids, he asks: How can I prioritize equity and development over winning?How can I create a team culture rooted in kapwa and in lak’ech values?What do coaches and parents need to understand about their impact on kids?Carolyn brings her deep experience to share wisdom, strategy, and encouragement for parents, coaches, and anyone involved in youth sports. From Positive Coaching Alliance to redefining competition, this conversation is both practical and visionary. Whether you're a coach, sports parent, or someone who cares about raising just, connected young people, this episode is for you. Coaching Kapwa: https://www.coachingkapwa.com/ Positive Coaching Alliance: https://positivecoach.org/ Amplify RJ: https://amplifyrj.com/links Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail This conversation with Carolyn Sideco will be released in two parts this week.  In part 1, we catch up on life, identity, and community. Carolyn is a youth sports professional, grandmother, and founder of Coaching Kapwa, bringing a restorative, justice-driven lens to athletics. But beyond sports, we dive into her journey embracing elderhood, building Filipino community in New Orleans, and wrestling with identity as diasporic people. We talk about the long, often hidden history of Filipinos in Louisiana, what it means to balance personal needs with service to community, and how to stay grounded in our relationships during overwhelming times. Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail This episode is specifically for the white folks who listen to this podcast, and especially white women, because Hillary has written a powerful invitation to her own community to step into deep, ongoing reparative work. We talk about what it means to be in right relationship, with the land, with ancestors, with communities of color, and how her journey of waking up to the truths of colonization, white supremacy, and historical harm has transformed her life. Hillary shares personal stories, dreams, tears, and the practices that helped her move from guilt to grounded action. This isn’t a guilt trip, it’s a call to courage. If you’re ready (or even just curious) about what it means to be a better relative in these times, this one’s for you. Tap in. Reflect. And take action. Black, Indigenous, and people of color, you’re of course welcome to listen, but feel free to skip this one if your energy’s needed elsewhere. Grab Hillary’s book + check out resources at goodrelative.com Guide to Making a Personal Reparations Plan Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I’m joined by the newest Amplify RJ intern, Kylie Chen to check in about how we're navigating the heaviness of ICE raids happening in my city, to the overwhelm of polycrisis, to the exhaustion of being a young parent trying to balance it all, and how we both wrestle with showing up for justice in ways that are sustainable.  We talk about building community where you are, the nonlinear journey of figuring out your role, the tension between needing to survive and wanting to do liberation work full-time, and the imperfect path I’ve taken trying to balance all of that myself. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected, unsure of your place, or wondered how the hell to keep going, I hope this conversation lets you know, you’re not alone. Also, real talk if you appreciate this work and want it to continue, join our community, take a course, or bring me in to work with your school or organization. That’s how I feed my family and keep this work going. Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail What can a Star Wars show teach us about organizing, resistance, and healing? In this episode of the Amplify RJ Podcast, I sit down with strategist, therapist, and writer Gabes Torres to talk about Andor—yes, that Star Wars show—and what it reveals about real-life revolution. We dive into how Andor de-romanticizes rebellion and reflects the complex realities of movement work: the banality of evil, conflict in organizing, disposability culture, and the painful but necessary tension between rest and resistance. Gabes shares insights from their piece on the show, their organizing and healing work in the Global South, and the ways marine mammals and myth can inform our strategy. Whether or not you’ve seen the show, this conversation is about so much more than the galaxy far, far away—it’s about our world and how we build toward collective liberation with nuance, integrity, and care. 0:00 – Intro: What is Andor + Character Breakdown  5:20 – Meet Gabes Torres: Healer, Strategist, Rebel   9:42 – How Andor De-Romanticizes Revolution   14:20 – Disney, Propaganda & Revolutionary Storytelling   19:35 – The Banality of Evil in a Boardroom   25:00 – Real-World Parallels: Propaganda, Gaza, Gorman & Genocide   26:45 – Parenting, Powerlessness & Purpose   29:21 – Consciousness Building as Resistance   32:20 – Gabes on Luthen, Clea & Strategy in Movement   36:42 – Bix, Trauma & Knowing When to Step Back   40:28 – Organizing Through Burnout & Wavering Commitment   44:30 – Humananizing vs. Ruthless Sacrifice 47:40 – Disposability Culture in Movements   49:10 – Disagreeing Is Not a Failure of Solidarity   52:00 – Addressing Conflict & Building in Organizing   56:20 –  Is there Shared Vision for Our Resistance?   1:00:23 – Activist Ecosystems, Movement Mentorship from Marine Mammals   1:07:30 – Upside Down Triangle: Rethinking Power   1:08:50 – Support Gabes & Psychosocial Care for Organizers   Connect with Gabes: https://gabestorres.com/ https://www.instagram.com/gabestorres/ Read her article:  https://gabestorres.substack.com/p/andor Support mental health care for organizers in the Global South  https://gabestorres.com/support/ Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail Last week, I spent 24 hours supporting teachers in running restorative justice classroom circles, and the impact was powerful. In this episode, I’m sharing what I witnessed—the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the small but meaningful shifts that happen when teachers commit to building relationships, not just managing behavior. 🔹 How teachers are integrating circles into their classrooms 🔹 The impact on student relationships, behavior & learning 🔹 Why rituals for “softness” matter in schools 🔹 Lessons on patience, trust & shifting school culture Whether you’re an educator, school leader, or RJ practitioner, this episode will give you practical insights on how to make restorative practices sustainable in classrooms. 🔗 Resources & Next Steps: ✨ Join the free Amplify RJ community & access the other courses & membership resources: https://community.amplifyrj.com/communities/groups/arjcommunity/home?invite=67dc711150ec55e8a8a03a1b ✨ Download my Classroom Connection Prompts (Pay What You Can!): https://amplifyrj.com/questions-for-connected-classrooms ✨ Want training for your school? Let’s talk! Email: [email protected] 📌 If this episode resonates, leave a review & "amplify" by sharing with someone who'd benefit! Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail Tap in for an important conversation about the election, community care, and building a more just and equitable world, no matter who wins, through a restorative justice lens. Voting ends in about 24 in most spaces so its not too late, especially if you're considering casting a protest vote. Vote Harris in a swing state to defeat Trump. Cast a protest vote in a safe state to put Dems on notice. Go to swapyourvote.org to pledge and stay connected! Visit swapyourvote.org for more info. But there are parts of this conversation that apply to the rest of this week, and your political life moving forward. Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail This episode pays tribute to the late Ted Lewis, a remarkable figure in restorative justice, whose life and work provide profound insights into this balance. We explore how his bicultural upbringing and Mennonite roots led him into mediation and facilitation. We also reflect on Ted's legacy, balancing systemic change while addressing relational harm on the micro-level. We also explore the "Listening to the Movement" project as Ted brought together many of the RJ thought leaders to examine how RJ has evolved from a programmatic approach to a broader social paradigm. Support for Ted's family through their GoFundMe to continue honor his impact and legacy. Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail Eric Butler passed away this summer. We're re-airing this conversation in his honor. He was internationally recognized for his impactful work as a restorative justice practitioner, activist, and educator in Oakland and beyond. He went on to found the “Talking Peace” model of Restorative Justice, a set of practices and philosophy aimed at building relationships through shared values.  Support his family at their gofundme Check out the documentary Circles featuring his work Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review

Send us Fan Mail After a long break, I'm back! I'll be back next week with more info and new content, but for the next few days I'm sharing 3 episodes from the archives. (Today) 10/31/24 You'll here the very first episode of This RJ Life with Cheryl Graves my mentor, elder, OG! She had a stroke this summer and it's important for me to make sure that those who didn't get to hear from, learn from her directly get the opportunity to. You can Support Cheryl's Healing on their gofundme. Nov. 1-2 (Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos/All Saints Day), I'll be sharing conversations with two elders in the RJ community who made their transitions this summer. 11/1 Eric Butler and 11/2 Ted Lewis  Glad to be back in community with y'all in this way again! Connect with us! SUPPORT by sharing this podcast and leaving a rating or review