Beyond Punishment: Restorative Justice and the Path to Community Healing
Ready for a deep dive into justice? It's our 199th episode, and Whatcom County's own Joy Gilfilen is joined by Irene Morgan, the founder of the Restorative Community Coalition. Together, they're taking a hard look at the justice system as we know it, and they're not holding back.
Irene shares her incredible journey, starting with her childhood and her early observations of how the "welfare system" impacted people. She later saw those same patterns repeat in the court and justice system, leading her to a stark conclusion: the system isn't broken. It's working exactly as it was designed to—to generate massive amounts of money and capture people within its grasp.
This powerful conversation unpacks the hidden truths of probable cause, the tragedy of high bail that forces people to plead guilty to crimes they didn't commit, and the devastating cycle of debt and trauma that families endure. Irene reveals that this system (traded on the New York Stock Exchange) doesn't prioritize victims but instead enriches itself. Joy and Irene discuss the true cost of incarceration, from soaring legal fees and fines to the loss of jobs, housing, and even family connections.
But this episode isn't just about identifying problems; it's about pioneering solutions. Irene explains the profound healing power of restorative justice, a process that brings together victims and perpetrators to find a path to restitution, healing, and even forgiveness. They also talk about a range of other solutions, including the coalition's work in court navigation, case management, and the vision for the Restore Life Center, a project that could help people before they ever enter the jail system.
The conversation touches on the inspiring progress of the tiny home community in Whatcom County, a grassroots effort that is helping people escape homelessness and rebuild their lives. As Irene says, we don't have to keep doing things the same way. We can choose a healthier, more humane path that focuses on healing rather than punishment. This is a must-listen episode for anyone who wants to understand the real justice system and what we can do to change it for the better.

In a compelling conversation, Joy Gilfilen welcomes Atul Deshmane, a dedicated public servant and Whatcom County resident, to the iChange Justice podcast. Deshmane, with his extensive background in clean energy and technology, offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing our communities. He begins by drawing a crucial distinction between a politician and a public servant, arguing that the latter's true purpose is to serve the public interest, not personal gain.

The discussion pivots to the concept of "intention over innovation," with Deshmane explaining that while he once believed technology alone could make the world better, he now understands that it is human intention that gives innovation purpose. This mindset is vital for addressing complex issues, from the use of artificial intelligence to how we manage our natural resources.

The episode hones in on three key issues for Whatcom County in 2025: water, energy, and digital civics. Deshmane highlights the existential threat to the Nooksack River, sharing a study that shows a high probability of it running dry within 50 years. He advocates for a proactive, collaborative approach to water management that includes regenerative agriculture, increased soil carbon, and innovative storage solutions like dams built for river protection, not just energy production. The conversation also explores the need for new energy sources like geothermal power and the importance of digital civics to empower citizens.

This episode is a powerful call to action, urging listeners to move beyond negative distractions and focus on collaborative, intention-driven solutions to build a more resilient and just future.

This week on the iChange Justice podcast, we're joined by John Fitzpatrick, a certified peer counselor with a unique perspective. John's journey began with a decades-long struggle with the justice system, starting at age six. But after a long history of incarceration, he’s found a new path, dedicating his life to helping others as a street outreach worker.

John’s work in Longview, Washington, goes beyond simply offering a bed for the night. He's a living example of the "wraparound services" model, a holistic approach to helping people in need. He explains that true change comes from addressing the whole person—offering mental health and substance abuse counseling, employment assistance, and housing support, all guided by someone with lived experience like himself.

The conversation gets real about the challenges on the streets today, including the disconnect between political promises like "housing first" and the reality of limited funding and services. John also sheds light on the evolving relationship between law enforcement and the community. He works directly with police behavioral health units, bridging the gap and ensuring that people in crisis get the help they need rather than just a trip to jail.

Ultimately, John's story is a powerful reminder that change is a choice, but it's a difficult one. He challenges us all to get involved, even in a small way, by simply listening to people's stories and treating them with compassion. His message is a call to action for communities to support those who are trying to help themselves, creating a network of support that can truly change lives.

Hosg, Joy Gilfilen, features a compelling conversation with criminal justice educator Karen Ball and Peacemaker Kurt Krueger. The discussion explores the transformative power of intentional change, bridging the gap between internal peace and external social activism. The panel delves into how personal belief systems and emotional integrity can create "quantum leaps" in individual performance and, by extension, societal transformation.

Karen Ball introduces the concept of "sacred activism," which marries inner spiritual work with the outward action of social change. She challenges the notion of "Pax Americana," a peace maintained through force, and advocates for a peace that is an embodied, active verb rather than a passive noun. Kurt Krueger shares his life's work as an educator and peacemaker, detailing how he cultivated an environment of kindness and teamwork in schools and how he later applied this to high-performance contexts. He emphasizes that a "state of being"—not just a state of mind—can lead to extraordinary results. The conversation also touches on the science behind belief and its impact on DNA, as pioneered by Dr. Bruce Lipton, and the importance of addressing both the "nature" of our internal selves and the "nurture" of our social systems.

Eric Flores: A New Era of Justice - Restorative CommUnity Coalition.

A New Era of Justice: Eric Flores on Re-entry, Restoration, and Whatcom County's Future

In a new episode of the iChange Justice podcast, host Joy Gilfilen introduces Eric Flores, the new president of the Restorative Community Coalition. Eric brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional insight to his new role.

As a Care Coordinator with the Freedom Project, Eric works as a peer mentor, guiding individuals currently or formerly incarcerated back into the community. His own experience with incarceration gives him profound empathy for the challenges of re-entry, and he helps clients develop detailed support plans to overcome barriers and achieve their goals. He notes that the attention to detail from his previous job as an inspector surprisingly transfers to his current role, allowing him to hold people accountable with genuine interest.

The Freedom Project provides crucial support for re-entry, including rental assistance, food, and clothing. Eric emphasizes that having a private space is the "cornerstone" of stability. However, he highlights a key challenge in Whatcom County: a lack of funding and a "gatekeeping" mentality among some non-profits that hinder collaboration. He believes greater cooperation is essential to serve the community effectively.

Eric also discusses the "Rip Van Winkle" effect of returning to a world transformed by technology and the struggle to adapt to digital life. The Freedom Project's digital literacy program helps bridge this gap. Through personal transformation and the encouragement of mentors, Eric has flipped a "criminal mindset" into a positive one, rebuilding his life and career to empower others.

Looking forward, Eric expresses hope for a future defined by empathy and understanding. He stresses the importance of community ties and working together to build a better era of public safety.

For more information, visit RestorativeCommunity.org and FreedomProjectW.org.

In this podcast we again welcome Kurt Krueger as we dive into the many faces of peace and how this applies to what's happening right now in 2025. We discuss the crucial links between the personal feeling of peace inside of us and how it affects what is happening in the space around us. Using real-world experiences, Kurt brings his wisdom to bear on today's challenges that we all are facing. He discusses how it works in real time physiologically, then in real situations, and how this ripples out to achieve a state change in the community. How do we "calm the waters" when people all around the world are confronting different types of trauma, tension, and stress?

Join Whatcom County's own Joy Gilfilen as she welcomes special guests Mel Hoover and Rose Eddington of Mel Rose Ministries.

This isn't just encouragement; it's wisdom, knowledge, hope, and a vision for navigating turbulent times. Mel and Rose, elders wise in years, share profound insights from their lives spanning eras from the Civil War to the present. They dive into how historical shifts, media, and cultural narratives have shaped our understanding of justice, community, and nationhood.

Prepare for a deep conversation that untangles the "snaggletooth" layers of chaos in our society, from the impact of early television to the complexities of Christian nationalism and the true meaning of "we the people." This episode challenges listeners to ground themselves, confront the forces of oppression, and consider how obscene wealth impacts our collective well-being and the planet.

Don't miss this crucial dialogue on learning from the past to shape a more just future for all generations.

Find iChange Justice every Thursday locally and everywhere you get your podcasts.

This Thursday dive into the latest episode of iChange Justice podcast with our host Joy Gilfilen featuring Doug Gustafson, Chairman of HomesNOW, a Whatcom County 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to ending homelessness. This isn't just about housing; it's about empowerment. 🏡

Doug shares how Homes Now's innovative, tenant-run model is transforming lives right here in Whatcom County. You'll hear about success stories like the North Haven Tiny Home Community, where residents are not only housed but also actively involved in building and managing their own shelters. This unique approach provides housing and equips individuals with valuable construction and life skills, fostering true self-sufficiency. 💪

"We're not just providing a place to live; we're empowering people to be part of the solution to their own housing situation," says Doug. "This model proves that when government, community, and those experiencing homelessness work together, everyone wins."

The episode also highlights how HomesNow has driven significant changes in local policy, transforming arbitrary housing limits into sustainable, community-driven solutions through collaborative efforts and a pragmatic mindset.

Discover the challenges overcome, the lessons learned, and the replicable strategies that make HomesNow a beacon of hope and a blueprint for other communities. Tune in to understand how empathy, practical problem-solving, and collaboration can lead to transformative social change.

In a world grappling with escalating societal challenges, the iChange Justice podcast pulls back the curtains on the intricate dance between local realities and national implications within the criminal justice system. Hosts Joy Gilfilen and Karen Ball invite listeners to journey into Whatcom County, Washington—a seemingly small corner of the Pacific Northwest that, as they meticulously reveal, serves as a powerful microcosm for the struggles and solutions facing communities across the entire nation.

From the unique pressures of border security to the pervasive influence of the prison industrial complex, Gilfilen, with decades of on-the-ground experience, paints a vivid picture of the "Snaggletooth Dragon" of conflicts and paradoxes that erode public safety and economic well-being. Ball, a seasoned veteran in criminal justice and social change, expertly guides the conversation, prompting Gilfilen to distill complex global issues into tangible local impacts.

But this episode is not merely a lament; it's a call to action rooted in hope. As they delve into the origins and application of the "Joy Triangle Model," Gilfilen and Ball underscore the profound power of local engagement, authentic leadership, and the conscious pivot from fear-based thinking to regenerative action. They remind us that true change, like law enforcement itself, begins at the local level, where neighbors once helped neighbors and communities cultivated profound care. Through their impassioned dialogue, listeners are left with a renewed sense of possibility: that by understanding and addressing the nuances of a place like Whatcom County, we can indeed change justice, not just for one community, but for all.

In a significant step for the iChange Justice Podcast, Joy Gilfilen announces Karen Ball as a new co-host. This partnership aims to broaden the conversation on social, criminal, and economic justice, using their combined expertise to navigate complex issues and foster civic dialogue.

Karen Ball, with master's degrees in criminal justice and extensive experience in restorative justice, conflict resolution, and community organizing (including domestic violence prevention and nuclear weapons abolition), will bring a critical lens to the show. Both Joy and Karen reveal a surprising shared realization that challenges conventional understanding: the justice system, often perceived as a guardian of fairness, is deeply intertwined with an economic problem. They affectionately term the cost-intensive and complex "Prison Industrial Complex" the "Snaggle Tooth Dragon."

Their diverse backgrounds – Joy as a "wild and crazy cowgirl" with a knack for problem-solving from farming communities and Karen as an educator rooted in criminal justice and 4-H – provide unique perspectives. They both note that their 4-H experiences instilled a strong work ethic and community focus, albeit from different parts of the country.

A core "myth" they aim to bust is the notion of a uniform American justice system. Karen, drawing from her varied experiences, emphasizes that each state's legal system is distinct, and the concept of "We the people has, at this point in history, never meant all of the people." This profound statement highlights historical exclusions based on gender, race, and land ownership, revealing a fundamental "us and them" dynamic embedded in the nation's founding.

The podcast will continue to dissect and understand the complex layers of justice, challenging assumptions and providing a platform for nuanced conversations about creating healthier, more equitable communities.