Tune in to Joy Gilfilen's interview to learn more about the hidden costs of incarceration. Did you know that visiting loved ones in prison can break the bank? Michelle M. shares her eye-opening research on how the system profits off families and taxpayers.

Every Thursday at 1:00 PM P.T.

In this episode Joy Gilfilen, host of iChange Justice podcast, asks Irene Morgan to talk about why, as an 80-year old grandmother, she is still standing up for “Right Action for All”. What got her learning about Peacemaking, reconciliation and non-violent communication, counseling and Restorative Justice? What drove her to learn about whole family trauma recovery, abuse addiction and healing work? Join us to learn how – for she’s built a bridge to help those facing huge barriers to reentering society.

What happened that she has become a spiritual healer and civic activist and started questioning how the business operations of the prison industrial complex works? As a prior co-owner operator of a meatpacking slaughter business with her husband and children she started with questions, then in the 70’s,80’s and 90’s she began volunteering at the local non-profit Northwest Youth services, the Homeless Coalition, Crisis Services, served on the Community Accountability Board before working at Sean Humphrey House. Eventually she saw the gap and found her voice as the founder of the Restorative CommUnity Coalition to work resolving jail and prison issues.

“I have always been a champion for the underdog…then one evening I met Don Kirchner, author of “A Matter of Time”. He’d been incarcerated and faced up to 25 years in Federal prison, when he started working with inmates, to help them heal and as a result the prosecutor dropped the additional charges.

His book opened my eyes. He’s become a champion advocating for all people involved in the jail, justice and reentry business. It inspired me to start the RCC with14 members, including several from the Dept. of Corrections in 2006. We’ve now worked with thousands of inmates, friends, families, interns, judges, and employees of law enforcement, court employees and service providers. “I have great hope for our future!” - Irene Morgan

In this episode of the iChange Justice podcast, host Joy Gilfilen explores the hidden world of financial markets and their connection to our justice system. She interviews a Wall Street bond trader to uncover how arrests are transformed into financial assets that are traded on the stock market.

This episode sheds light on the complex and often invisible ways that money influences our justice system. Gilfilen highlights the lack of transparency in the process, where people working within the system often don't understand the bigger picture.

The podcast follows the journey of a case, from a 911 call to a bond posted for bail, ultimately becoming part of a financial package traded on Wall Street. This raises important questions about the impact this system has on our communities and how it can become obscure and disconnected from the people it affects.

✅Every Thursday at Noon on KOYS-LPFM 94.1 Bellingham and everywhere you get your podcasts.

Joy Gilfilen interviews Kurt Krueger, the leader of Peacemaking Circles, then hosts a civics discussion with colleagues about the hidden power that comes with non-violent strength, certainty and action.

We talk about how violence begets violence, and how proactive non-violence produces extraordinary power. The story that non-violence is weakness is a false narrative perpetuated by institutional habits and belief systems that are intended to undermine true strength.

This revealing conversation emphasises how the complex issues of dominative and violent authority can be unravelled so that we can do peace inside the business of justice.

Every Thursday at Noon on KOYS-LPFM 94.1 Bellingham and everywhere you get your podcasts.

Join host Joy Gilfilen as she talks with Thomas C., a man who has experienced the justice system firsthand. Thomas shares his story of growing up in a difficult environment and having his first encounter with law enforcement at a young age.

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As a current inmate, Thomas offers a unique perspective on the high costs of incarceration and the challenges within the system. He discusses concerns that the system prioritizes keeping people incarcerated rather than focusing on rehabilitation, education, and supporting inmates' return to their families and communities as productive members of society.

Despite the challenges he faces, Thomas remains dedicated to making a positive impact. He works within the system to help other inmates overcome obstacles and become helpful community members upon release.

This episode is a powerful look at the human cost of incarceration and the need for a more rehabilitative approach to justice.

Every Thursday at Noon on KOYS-LPFM 94.1 Bellingham and everywhere you get your podcasts.

Joy Gilfilen, host of iChange Justice podcast talks with Lee Rusch, Director of the Westside Heroin and Opioid Task Force about the issues facing families who are dealing with Fentanyl, Homelessness, Narcon and why it matters.

Lee has been working in social services for almost 40 years on the streets of Chicago, so his knowledge is broad, strong, and based on lived-experience of helping families in crisis. He is clear that educating families is essential in this world.

Lee talks about the historical trends in policing and policy-making have contributed to the problems we have today; then how simply becoming aware of the patterns can affect change in your community! He talks easily about common sense things that can save lives!

Civic Cafe style about the Pacific Rim Regenerative Initiative

#137-iChange Justice Podcast-Host Joy Gilfilen interviews LauraSa Pele Lafoia Ava Tesimale about her work from Hawaii, America Samoa and the Polynesian Islands. Once she retired from her career as a corporate executive, she began working on issues of justice, deep poverty, war, nuclear and global disasters.

This podcast series has made us at the Restorative CommUnity Coalition become more aware about the earth damage, dehumanization and unsustainability in the Pacific Ocean; the deep emotional and environmental impacts of WWII, and the side effects of war; that compound our social, civic, legal, and economic injustices.
It takes digging to see the collaborative impact, and to feel the interconnectedness. We discover how the actions in one bioregion then ripple out and impact our water and food supply across and around the Pacific Ocean.

LauraSa talks about how the 9/11 event changed her life and how she got involved in Peace Sunday events, OneGlobalFamily.org, the Unity and Diversity World Council, and UpRising Together.

As a Sacred Activist herself, she shows how indigenous peoples are now working with Grandmothers and elder leaders from around the world from the middle east, to Africa, South and Central America, up the Coast of California, Oregon, Washington and across Canada.

Coming to you Thursday at Noon on KOYS-LPFM 94.1 Bellingham and everywhere you get your podcasts.

Podcast host Joy Gilfilen interviews Dr Sarah Larsen, a medical doctor turned spiritual healer. We talk about justice as she experienced it - 1st growing up in Pakistan within a culture of prearranged marriage at the age of 14. Her family learned about America from the movies and emigrated. Her story is about culture, structure, behaviors and how systems of domination permeate our beliefs...and why this matters to our future.