Advertise on podcast: Crime Survivors Speak

For more than three decades, Chaplain Clementina Chéry has worked to transform how communities respond to homicide, grief, and violence. After her 15-year-old son, Louis D. Brown, was killed in 1993, she founded the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute to ensure that families receive the care, information, and support they need in the immediate aftermath of violence and throughout the long journey that follows.   In this episode, Chaplain Chéry joins Aswad Thomas to reflect on Louis's vision for peace, what survivors have taught her about healing, and why accountability and humanity must coexist. She also shares her vision for a National Center of Healing, Teaching and Learning and explains why remembering people whose lives were taken must go hand in hand with supporting the families and communities who remain.

In this episode of Crime Survivors Speak, host Aswad Thomas sits down with trauma-informed life coach, author, and advocate Priscilla María Gutiérrez to explore the lifelong impact of generational trauma—and what it means to become a cycle breaker. Drawing from her own experiences as a first-generation Latina survivor, Priscilla speaks candidly about inherited trauma, substance use, mental health, sexual violence, and the pressure to achieve while silently struggling.   Together, they discuss how traditional mental health and public safety systems often fail survivors—particularly people of color and immigrant communities—and why healing spaces must become more culturally responsive and inclusive. Priscilla also reflects on wilderness therapy, the stigma surrounding diagnoses like borderline personality disorder, and the importance of finding language, community, and self-trust in the healing process.

In this episode of Crime Survivors Speak, host Aswad Thomas speaks with Marlee Liss—survivor, restorative justice advocate, somatic educator, and founder of Survivors 4 Justice Reform. After becoming the first sexual assault survivor in North America to have her case resolved through a court-mandated restorative justice process, Marlee has become a leading voice in reimagining how we respond to harm. Together, they explore the limitations of traditional legal systems, the importance of survivor agency, and what meaningful accountability can look like beyond punishment. Marlee shares how her experience reshaped her understanding of justice and why expanding survivor choice is essential to healing. This conversation invites listeners to consider an approach rooted in dignity, repair, and the possibility of transformation.

In this episode of Crime Survivors Speak, host Aswad Thomas sits down with Sommer Alexander, Texas Chapter Coordinator for TimeDone and a Reentry Peer Support Specialist with the Texas Harm Reduction Alliance. Drawing from her own lived experience with victimization, incarceration, and reentry, Sommer shares how gaps in support for survivors can too often become pathways into criminalization—what is known as the victimization to prison pipeline. Sommer reflects on surviving a violent stabbing, navigating homelessness, and witnessing how survivors with records are routinely denied care, compensation, and recognition. She discusses how these failures played out for her partner and for countless Texans—more than nine million people—living with old records that block access to housing, employment, and safety. From record-expungement events to community education and chapter-building, Sommer offers a grounded look at how system-impacted people are organizing to reclaim their futures. Together, Sommer and Aswad explore what real community safety looks like beyond incarceration, why most harm happens between people who know each other, and how trauma care, mediation, and economic stability can prevent violence before it happens.

In this episode of the Crime Survivors Speak podcast, host Aswad Thomas sits down with Juan Pablo Chavez, Organizing Director at Crime Survivors Speak and a longtime community organizer whose work bridges faith, culture, and survivor-led advocacy.   Juan Pablo shares how surviving violence shaped his calling to justice work—and why so many survivors, particularly in Latino and immigrant communities, face layers of trauma, fear, and exclusion when seeking safety or support. Drawing on more than two decades of organizing at the neighborhood, state, and national levels, he reflects on what it means for survivors to become architects of healing, capable of transforming pain into collective power.   The conversation explores the role of faith in justice work, the importance of Trauma Recovery Centers, and why building relationships with lawmakers is essential to creating real public safety rooted in dignity, healing, and accountability. This episode is a powerful reminder that when survivors speak—and organize—change truly happens.

In this episode of Crime Survivors Speak, Aswad Thomas sits down with restorative justice leader Ghani Songster, who spent 30 years in prison after being sentenced to life without parole as a teenager and has since become one of the nation’s most visionary voices on healing and accountability. Ghani reflects on why hope is not a luxury but a necessity, and how restorative justice creates what our current system cannot: honest dialogue, shared humanity, and pathways to real reconciliation. He describes the transformation that becomes possible when survivors, responsible parties, and communities are finally brought together to heal—not separated by a courtroom. Ghani also shares powerful stories from the circle processes he facilitates, including moments when people on both sides of harm experience mutual understanding for the first time. This conversation invites listeners to imagine a justice system rooted in connection, dignity, and the belief that transformation is possible for all of us.

In this episode of Crime Survivors Speak, Aswad Thomas sits down with California-based advocate Enako Jefferson, a survivor, mentor, and co-CEO of the Jireh Shalom Foundation. Enako’s story is one of deep faith, loss, and transformation—a journey that has shaped her life’s mission to bring healing to both survivors of violence and those who have caused harm. Drawing from her personal experience and decades of advocacy, Enako speaks about the importance of parole reform, trauma-informed justice, and the need to see accountability and compassion as interconnected. She reflects on how community, empathy, and faith can help repair harm and restore lives, reminding us that healing is never a solo act—it’s something we build together.

In this episode of Crime Survivors Speak, survivor advocate and community leader Elle Travis joins Aswad Thomas for a powerful conversation about survival, systemic failure, and the urgent need for change. A survivor of sexual violence, Elle shares how her own experience—compounded by the Detroit rape kit backlog and harmful biases within the justice system—led her to found Hands on Healing Detroit, a grassroots organization that supports survivors and uplifts community healing. Together, Elle and Aswad explore how Black women are often denied their status as victims, how trauma and victimization are deeply interconnected, and why true justice must include both accountability and care. Elle offers a message of resilience, reminding survivors that they are not alone—and that healing is not only possible, but powerful.

Survivors have a unique perspective that can drive meaningful change in policy. In this episode of Crime Survivors Speak, host Aswad Thomas speaks with Dion Green, a survivor of the Dayton mass shooting that claimed his father's life. Dion shares his journey from trauma to advocacy, discussing the importance of survivor resources, community healing, and the establishment of the Fudge Foundation in his father's memory. The conversation highlights the challenges faced by survivors in the aftermath of trauma, the need for support systems, and the impact of gun violence on communities. In this conversation, Dion Green shares his experiences as a survivor of gun violence and his commitment to supporting communities impacted by trauma. He emphasizes the importance of building trust within these communities, advocating for accountability in the gun industry, and the intersections of economic justice and incarceration. Dion also discusses his journey into politics as a means of making change and the significance of maintaining personal wellbeing while engaging in activism.

In this powerful episode, Callie Greer, a longtime grassroots organizer and community navigator for Alabama Appleseed, shares how her personal loss led her to fight for the right to heal—a vision of justice that prioritizes healing, accountability, and investment in community safety.   Callie recounts advocating for a more compassionate sentence for the young man who took her son’s life, recognizing that true justice offers a path for both survivors and those who have caused harm to heal. She also reflects on her experience at the March on Washington, where she found strength in a movement of survivors fighting for real safety.   Aswad Thomas closes the episode with an exciting announcement: CSSJ will be launching a new chapter in Alabama in 2025. This expansion will help support survivor-led organizations like Alabama Appleseed, ensuring more communities have access to the resources, advocacy, and policy reforms needed to create lasting change.   Join us for this deeply moving conversation about resilience, justice, and the power of survivors leading the way.

In this episode, we sit down with Rafiah Muhammad-McCormick to discuss the need for restorative forms of justice that center healing for survivors. Rafiah shares how the tragic loss of her son inspired her to create Rodney’s Village, a nonprofit dedicated to preventing violence and supporting teenage parents. While reflecting on the power of storytelling as advocacy, Aswad and Rafiah recount a powerful moment they shared at this year’s March on Washington and explore how moments of solidarity fuel the fight for survivor-centered policies. Listen in to hear the moment Aswad announces an exciting milestone: CSSJ will be opening a new chapter in Rafiah’s home state of Tennessee to provide survivors with the support, services, and trainings to advocate for meaningful change. Join us for an inspiring conversation about resilience, community, and reimagining justice.

In this episode, Ingrid Archie, the Organizing Director for TimeDone, shares her journey from a childhood shaped by the War on Drugs in LA to becoming a fierce advocate for formerly incarcerated women. As a mother and domestic violence survivor, Ingrid endured years of trauma that led to her cycling in and out of prisons and losing custody of her children. But thanks to Ingrid’s tireless advocacy, Prop 47 offered her a path out of prison, allowing her to reunite with her family and dedicate herself to helping others break free from the stigma of old records at CSSJ and A New Way of Life. Ingrid's story highlights the burden of post-conviction poverty, the victimization-to-prison pipeline, and the transformative impact of second chances.  With Prop 36 on California’s ballot this year, this episode offers critical insight into the danger of prioritizing punishment over a care-first approach to justice. Please share with anyone who wants to learn about the consequences of regressive punitive policies and how to support the 70,000 people in the US currently living under 40,000 post-conviction legal restrictions.

In this episode, Anthony DiMartino dives into his journey into criminal justice reform, highlighting the transformative power of survivor stories to drive policy change. He reveals the secrets to building strong relationships with legislators through shared values, active listening, and showing up consistently. By centering the voices of those most impacted, Anthony shares effective strategies for achieving long-term policy change that empowers survivors. He tackles the challenges of navigating misinformation and fear mongering, particularly around Proposition 47, and showcases its positive impact on community reinvestment and trauma recovery centers. With key lessons from successful advocacy, Anthony emphasizes the importance of valuing every individual and maintaining a long-term perspective. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on leveraging personal experiences for impactful civic engagement and legislative success.

In this episode, we get to talk to Danny Montes, the Organizing Director for Crime Survivors for Safety and Justice about the power of political advocacy and relationship-building with legislators. Danny shares his personal journey, explaining how pivotal moments in his life led him to champion public safety and reforming the criminal justice system. He lifts up the Heal the Vote campaign, which mobilizes crime survivors to participate in civic engagement and voting, and reflects on his experience as an Obama leader, highlighting its influence on his leadership style. This episode is a powerful reminder of how local leadership and community-driven initiatives can contribute to lasting change.

In this special episode of the Crime Survivors Speak Podcast, we take a moment to turn the microphone towards our own producer, Annie Nichol, whose personal journey is rooted in the very foundation of survivor advocacy and storytelling. As a survivor of a high-profile crime that reshaped the national conversation on justice, Annie brings a unique perspective to the sensationalism often found in media narratives around crime and victims. Reflecting on the personal tragedy of losing her sister, Polly Klaas, Annie shares the complex journey of navigating a highly publicized case and the subsequent legislative changes that led to the widespread implementation of Three Strikes laws. She speaks candidly about the pain of witnessing her sister's story being used to propagate systems of harm and describes her deep commitment to advocating for a justice system driven by healing rather than retribution. This conversation emphasizes the importance of compassionate storytelling that amplifies survivors' leadership and power, proposing a vision of advocacy wherein survivors can collectively harness their creativity as a powerful tool for implementing change and building community.