Barbara (Bobby) Blanchard is a passionate advocate who transitioned from a law career to further the impactful work of Sister Elaine Roulet at The Children’s Center in the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in New York State. In this episode, Bobby shares her journey of creating and overseeing programs that helped incarcerated women maintain their bonds with their children, and learn to be Mothers despite their cement surroundings. Bobby was also prominently featured in the 2011 documentary Mothers of Bedford, directed by Jenifer McShane. While Bobby no longer works at Bedford Hills, her passion for the criminal justice system has not waned; she currently has a new mission in Vermont, focusing on restorative justice programs. This conversation with Bobby is a heartfelt exploration of transformation, compassion, and the importance of second chances for mothers and their children.

Heather Canuel, a powerful activist, entrepreneur, mother, and grandmother, is also known for being the last woman to give birth while shackled to a prison bed in Illinois, more than 20 years ago. In this episode, Heather shares her harrowing journey through the criminal justice system, the trauma of her experience while being pregnant, and her fight for reform and justice for incarcerated mothers. Heather’s experience and current life mission provide an inspiring discussion about survival, resilience, and the importance of creating change, both inside the wall and beyond.

It may have taken multiple years, but Lisa Hall will tell you that it was a worthy and honorable mission to create a film dedicated to addiction and incarceration. As an inspiring filmmaker and documentarian, Lisa dedicated herself to shedding a brighter light on a subject that impacts so many on a daily basis. In creating the film ’The Addict's Wake,' Lisa’s vision aimed to not only change the narrative surrounding addiction but also its effects on local communities, as well as the critical role of law enforcement in addressing the addiction crisis. ‘The Addict’s Wake’ is currently available to view on PBS and is also available for distribution within local communities and schools. Lisa can be reached at Glory Girl Productions.

Mark McBrine grew up on a farm and expected that to be his lifelong calling, but God had another plan. When his father became ill and his family needed help running the farms, Mark, at the age of 49, became a Correctional Officer with the Maine Department of Corrections. From there, it didn't take long for Mark to become the Food Service Manager at the Mountain View Correctional Facility. When then-Warden Randy Liberty was interested in reducing the waste inside the prison kitchens, Mark stepped up and created an Organic Fruit and Vegetable Production Program. This Farm to Table program within the Maine Department of Corrections forever changed how food can be grown, harvested, and consumed behind the wall! Mark's inspiring work in enhancing food quality and providing vocational training to incarcerated individuals across eight state prisons and is now a model for other prisons and jails across the United States. Mark and his team have helped many incarcerated individuals gain skills and knowledge in gardening, harvesting, cooking, and even baking 100% of the prison's own breads and desserts. The discovery of how innovative agricultural practices and a commitment to scratch cooking continue to change lives and foster responsibility. Much of this can be seen in the documentary Seeds of Change, Breaking Free from the Prison Food Machine. Don't miss this enlightening discussion that challenges perceptions and highlights the power of compassion and second chances, through food.

Whether you’re a sports fan or a parent in the stands, there is a distinct difference between the role of the Coach and the role of the Referees. Nowhere is it more apparent than watching the 2025 NFL pre-season games to get a true perspective on the differences. In this, part 2 of the conversation with Dr. Brian Lovins, President of Justice System Partners, Brian shares more about the transformative coaching model he and his other collaborators created back in 2018, how that initial model is now focused on four dimensions of coaching; the Approach, the Connection, the Playbook and the Success, and the importance of accountability, and the real life implications of this innovative model that is evolving and reshaping the experiences of those it was designed for.

In sports, there are Coaches and there are Referees, but what about in the criminal justice system? That was the question that Dr. Brian Lovins, currently President of Justice System Partners, asked himself during his tenure at the Harris County Correctional System as Assistant Director. During that time, Dr. Lovins was tasked with developing and implementing agency-wide change plans to drive increased successful completion rates of justice-impacted individuals on probation. It was during this time that an ‘ah-ha moment seized Dr. Lovins, and he, along with some collaborators, created the Coach vs. Referee model to emphasize the importance of connection and support for individuals navigating the justice system. These many years later, through research and hands-on experience with the Idaho Department of Corrections, Dr. Lovins and his team have been front and center with the Coach vs. Referee model to help reduce recidivism and foster success by offering a more compassionate and effective approach to justice.

Every name has a meaning. The name Gemma refers to ‘a bud ready to grow independently’. Appropriately, this name was chosen by the incarcerated women who originally founded The Gemma Project, a jail and prison reentry program to assist incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women with successful reintegration. While reentry should be mainstream for all incarcerated individuals who are returning to their communities, this important programming is still spotty across the United States, and isn’t always designed with consideration for each individual's needs. Cynthia Chase, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Gemma Project, has spent 25 years working within the criminal legal system as a dedicated leader and tireless advocate, including as Mayor of Santa Cruz, California. Cynthia highlights the importance of amplifying the voices of justice-involved women and uncovering the stories that challenge societal perceptions.

Jenifer McShane never planned on becoming an award-winning independent filmmaker, but life had other plans. From her early work on 'A Leap of Faith’, narrated by Liam Neeson, to her latest Netflix documentary, 'The Quilters', Jenifer shares her journey of storytelling that humanizes those behind both literal and figurative bars. But it is at the Missouri South Central Correctional Center, a Level 5 State Prison, where Jenifer explores the transformative power of art, the importance of empathy, and the stories that challenge our perceptions of justice and redemption, while bridging the gap between society and the incarcerated.