Our 3-year programming anniversary is celebrated with four guests - Ava Sakowski, Colleen Dempster, Mel Hoover, and Irene Morgan talking with Joy Gilfilen, our host, about the range of topics, our learning curve, and some of the exciting things we've learned as we are uncovering how the business of justice really works behind the scenes of the media stories. Ava, originally a social services worker in the 70s, 80s, and 90s discusses the changes in the industry and how her family has been impacted. Irene talks about her learning about how the "system works for the system" and how she has helped hundreds of people recover and change their lives. Mel shares how the Restorative CommUnity Coalition has been digging into the roots of the social issues, and Colleen shares her fresh views and how we can use new technologies to bring solutions to the people in 2025, as we enter our 4th Season!

Humor in today's interview with Ulf Sandstrom, a founder of The Peaceful Heart Network was quite unexpected, as the topic was about First Aid Tools to resolve psychological trauma. In a dialog, host Joy Gilfilen asks Ulf how to help communities and civic leaders reset their mindsets, their behaviors and worldviews after the multiple stressors of elections in the US are rippling around the globe. We dig into the last five years as any community, including hers, has been facing economic, social and civic duress with compound civic domestic violence affecting us as humans. Ulf has lived experience working in 45 countries that have faced human violence, refugee crises, war and many layers of disasters to heal our hearts as we change how we see the experiences.

Atul Deshmane, a businessman, systems engineer, and re-elected official, talks with podcast Host Joy Gilfilen about the issue of digital communications, the speed of change, and how we are doing business around the world today. How has it changed over the past few years, and even just since the elections? Atul speaks to how his experience of talking with people in person, rather than just through electronic media, has changed the nature and quality of his understanding of relationships and human value. He brings together issues related to broadband, digital media, and conserving energy to intersect with how technology has altered how people engage with the world. We discuss how people can feel separated, disconnected, and isolated from why things matter. Conversely, why it matters that we can make a huge difference locally to intentionally change our destiny in the future!

Interviewing Eric Flores, with the Freedom Project in Seattle, WA, presents a new view of how people can change their lives with help, time, and a change in circumstances. Host Joy Gilfilen talks with him about his experience growing up as a teen, living inside the juvenile correctional system, and living in an environment where gangs, drugs, and shootings were common. It was just part of his life and a learned behavior from his surroundings. Eric didn’t know another life or way of being until he came to a different state, had different mentors and opportunities, and found a different way of understanding the world. Seeing his children for the first time from inside a prison cell changed him forever. He saw how his decisions were affecting their lives, and he made a commitment to change. Today, Eric has become a mentor and part of the counselor and coaching team to help people reenter the world outside the walls. He has been learning and teaching others how to build bridges to a better life when people are anticipating their release.

Guest Beth Brownfield speaks about the process of her remarkable life over 80 years and how she was shaped as a young person to become the grandmother and civic activist that she is today. Host Joy Gilfilen has been learning from Beth about the Doctrine of Discoveries, the Reservation Schools and how this ties back to her ancestral heritage. Wisdom comes with the lived experience of learning the stories about how three of her Grandmothers were hanged during the Salem Witch Trials; the early military and slavery influences of her family impacted how she engaged in civics, education, business and more. Beth has been significant locally in supporting the Lummi Nation,🛶Canoe Journeys, the Totem Journeys, the recognition that the indigenous peoples are the 1st peoples of this continent and the early heritage wisdom of what we now call the United States of America - a corporation.

On October 25th, President Biden made a significant step towards healing our communities by formally apologizing for the U.S. government's role in the Indian boarding school era. In light of this historic moment, Joy realized that her interview with Patricia Anne Davis earlier this year was perfect to replay. Patricia, an honored Choctaw-Navajo elder, talks about The Betrayal and Origin Story. This powerful matriarch shares her life's work in understanding the prison industrial complex and her insights on justice, violence, and the lasting impact of colonization. She talks about the root causes of systemic failures, and her Five Steps for moving towards a more just future. Listen now on Spotify and other podcast platforms.

#155 iChange Justice Podcast Host: Joy Gilfilen Guest: Loree Boyd, Author and Documentary Filmmaker Join us for a powerful conversation with Loree Boyd as she shares the inspiring story of her mother, Silversong, an American Indian elder. Learn how Silversong's journey intertwines with the legacy of Irene Morgan, the founder of the Restorative CommUnity Coalition. We'll delve into the historical context, exploring the genocide of Native children in Canadian Reservation Schools and how it connects to the Doctrine of Discovery and the formation of the US Constitution. Our Key Topics: The importance of defining terms and understanding ancient and recent history The interconnectedness of events throughout time The significance of the Doctrine of Discovery in shaping our legal framework The value of reading complete books and listening to understand the "law of the land" discussions Don't miss this thought-provoking episode as we explore the profound impact of historical injustices and the ongoing quest for justice and reconciliation.

A Life Experience group conversation on "How to Intercept the Games of Manipulation" that often leave us victimized inside our own self-destructive belief systems, habits and behaviors. . In her groundbreaking work, Joy Gilfilen, former President of the Restorative Community Coalition, sheds light on unwitting, insidious ways in which habits of manipulation and denialism can be seen infiltrating our institutions, commercial and civic systems. It happens across the social, economic and civic spectrum - infecting fear into our media, courts, business, political, and public safety and emergency management systems. Drawing from recordings from 2016, this deep dive into our systems offers a chilling account of how individuals, 1st responders, and families are unknowingly trapped in a cycle of harmful habits and presumptions. Gilfilen introduces the concept of "Story-Traps," these harmful narratives that can lead to a vicious cycle of perpetual loss, recidivism and injustice. One of hidden problems is that often profits are made when our biases, or hidden blind spots are exploited unconsciously. Our beliefs erect blinders that occludes vision, which prevents us from seeing it. Even when our 6th sense, or our intuition is feeling uneasy, or we have a gut feeling that something's not right, we often dismiss these alarms, trusting instead the authority figure.

Join us for a powerful conversation with Liz Darrow, Participatory Democracy Program Coordinator for the non-profit Community to Community Liz Darrow and Host Joy Gilfilen. Liz brings a unique perspective to the discussion as a mother, non-profit leader and with lived experience as a candidate for public office. She has become a passionate advocate for taking care of our earth, for farmworkers , families and community empowerment. Learn about Liz's background and her work with Community to Community. Discover the challenges faced by farmworkers and the importance of advocating for their rights. Explore Liz's vision for a more equitable food system and the role of community involvement. Gain insights into the power of community organizing and the importance of creating inclusive spaces for decision-making.

In this episode, Joy Gilfilen interviews Darryl Riley, the co-founder of The Up From Slavery Initiative (UFSI). Riley shares his insights on the importance of healing marginalized communities and the work UFSI is doing to achieve this goal. UFSI is dedicated to providing support and resources to Black communities through inspiring enterprising actions. 💬UFSI has 3 core strategies: 1)Racial justice initiatives, 2)Financial literacy programs and 3) Wellness services. By addressing these critical areas, UFSI aims to empower individuals and create a more equitable society. Listen to the podcast to learn more about Darryl Riley's leadership work, and his example of resilience and success. He's moved from Inmate to Entrepreneur and is now a Kitsap County Business Owner, and co-founder of The Up From Slavery Initiative. By overcoming challenges and adversity with deep enterprising action Darryl now owns three businesses and holds the distinction of being the only Black franchise owner in Kitsap County.