Upwardly Dependent

21. Reimagining the U.S. Justice System Informed By Survivors of Childhood Trauma with Cyntoia Brown Long

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Since her release in 2019, Cyntoia Brown Long has been able to travel the U.S. speaking about her experience within the criminal justice system where she was tried as an adult and placed in a womens’ prison at the age of 16. Her story started long before her arrest, however, and long before she found herself fearing for her life in the home of a man who offered to pay her for sex. 


Cyntoia shares about her journey out of early childhood foster care and into a loving adoptive family–a journey that was still weighed down by crises of identity and belonging. Her story is one of resilience and faith, and shows  how the prison system in the United States should evolve in order to consider the trauma histories of children in the courts.

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Episode Highlights

  • Introduction to Cyntoia (1:49)
  • Behavioral presentations of children in the classroom (8:40)
  • Cyntoia’s story and relationship with the criminal justice system (15:53)
  • Clemency & redemption (26:17)
  • Advocacy and interactions with the criminal justice system (30:51)
  • What’s at stake if things don’t change? (36:34)
  • Where should people of faith spend their time and energy? (41:40)
  • What’s giving Cyntoia hope? (49:00)

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    For more information, details, and episode transcriptions, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠upwardlydependent.com/shownotes⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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    Links

    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Kindred Exchange⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - Become a monthly donor to support this show and our mission
    • ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Think Orphan ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- Learn more and listen to the podcast
    • ⁠Emmaus House⁠ - Learn more about their work with orphaned youth in Haiti
    • ⁠Free Cyntioa Book⁠ - Get an autographed copy of Cyntioa’s book
    • ⁠Murder to Mercy: The Cyntoia Brown Story⁠ - Watch the Netflix documentary 
    • ⁠Soap & Water Organics⁠ - Shop Cyntoia’s handmade organic soaps
    • ⁠The JFAM Foundation⁠ - Learn more about their work to broaden understanding and awareness of issues concerning marginalized populations by creating a platform for affected individuals to serve as thought leaders.

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