Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Fernanda Fonseca Rosenblatt, D.Phil., to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Dr. Rosenblatt discusses the critical shortcomings of the conventional criminal justice system in addressing gendered violence and explores how restorative justice offers a survivor-centered alternative. Survivors often face secondary victimization, navigating a system that can be dismissive, retraumatizing, or focused solely on punitive measures. Dr. Rosenblatt highlights research from around the world demonstrating how restorative practices—when done properly—can empower survivors, offer meaningful accountability, and provide justice that prioritizes safety and agency. She also dispels common myths about restorative justice, including misconceptions about mandatory face-to-face encounters. Dr. Fernanda Fonseca Rosenblatt is an Associate Professor at the IIRP. She also serves as the book review editor for the International Journal of Restorative Justice. She is also a member of the Research Committee of the European Forum for Restorative Justice. Dr. Rosenblatt has contributed to United Nations initiatives on multiple occasions, including serving as an expert reviewer for the latest edition of the United Nations Handbook on Restorative Programmes and as a Portuguese-speaking expert for the translation of the Restorative Justice Module of the Education for Justice project by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). Fernanda earned her doctoral degree in Criminology from the University of Oxford in 2014 and a master's in Criminology from the Catholic University of Leuven in 2005. Tune in to learn more about Dr. Rosenblatt’s research and perspective, and check out her Presidential Paper Gendered violence and restorative justice: giving survivors voice and choice.

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Mark R. Warren to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Mark shares insights from his latest book, Willful Defiance, shedding light on how exclusionary discipline policies, such as suspensions and expulsions for minor infractions, have been instrumental in pushing children from the classroom to the criminal justice system. As the conversation unfolds, Mark delves into the broader implications of these policies, connecting the school-to-prison pipeline with the rise of mass incarceration and systemic racial control. Through inspiring stories of resistance, Mark focuses on the role of parents and community organizers—particularly from Black and Latinx communities—who have been leading the charge against these policies. From grassroots campaigns to transform disciplinary practices to the adoption of restorative justice and practices, Mark emphasizes how community-driven efforts are creating alternative pathways for students to stay engaged in learning and avoid the prison system. Mark is a professor of public policy and public affairs at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He is a sociologist and community-engaged scholar who studies and works with community, parent, and youth organizing groups seeking to promote racial equity, educational justice, and community liberation. Mark is the author of six books, most recently Willful Defiance: The Movement to Dismantle the School-to-Prison Pipeline. Mark has co-founded several networks promoting activist scholarship, community organizing, and education justice, including the People’s Think Tank on Educational Justice, the Urban Research-Based Action Network, and the Special Interest Group on Community and Youth Organizing in the American Educational Research Association.  Tune in to learn more about the profound impact of systemic racism in schools, the urgent need for policy change, and the power of restorative practices to foster healing and community connection. For more information on Mark Warren’s work, visit www.Mark-Warren.org.

Welcome to Season 3! Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Frida Rundell Ph.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast.  Join us as Dr. Rundell unpacks the intersection of storytelling, trauma, and restorative practices, offering a deeply personal and professional perspective on fostering healing. Drawing from her childhood experiences in South Africa, Dr. Rundell shares how the philosophy of ubuntu—"I am because you are,"—has influenced her life's work. She emphasizes the power of compassionate witnessing, highlighting how being truly heard and seen can be transformative for individuals, particularly those navigating trauma and adversity.  Discussing practical strategies for integrating restorative practices into educational and counseling settings, Dr. Rundell reinforces how storytelling and active listening can bridge gaps between individuals and communities. She also touches on the significance of self-awareness and emotional intelligence for practitioners working with vulnerable populations. Dr. Rundell is a founding IIRP faculty member and professor. A committed teacher and practitioner, she brings extensive experience of Narrative and Solution-Focused Therapies to the understanding of restorative practices. Dr. Rundell supports her students in mastering competencies related to life-space crisis intervention, adversity, and trauma. She works directly with youth and families in her private practice as a counselor and consultant, and mentors and presents workshops for teachers, counselors, and parents. Her current work involves using somatic experiences to help traumatized children and families heal.   Frida has more than 55 years of experience working with children and families facing a range of adversity and learning difficulties. She initiated and developed an undergraduate program for child-and-youth care professionals at Durban University of Technology in South Africa. She earned her master’s in educational psychology from the University of Natal, South Africa, and her Ph.D. in Community Psychology from the University of Zululand, South Africa. She is a licensed professional counselor in the USA. 

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Nicole Garcia Diaz and Robert Gordon to this special episode of the Restorative Works! Podcast, recorded live during the IIRP Collaborative Center for Restorative Practices in Higher Education’s virtual forum on December 5-6, 2024! Robert and Nicole share their personal journeys with restorative practices, highlighting how they’ve integrated restorative justice and community-building principles into their respective campuses. From fostering inclusive, intersectional spaces at Hampshire College to reshaping student conduct processes at the University of Maryland, both guests emphasize the importance of embracing values rooted in restorative practices as a holistic approach to community engagement and institutional change. Throughout the discussion, the guests reflect on the recent sessions at the forum that resonated most with their work. Nicole focuses on the importance of honoring restorative practices’ indigenous roots and the ethical responsibility practitioners have in upholding its traditions. Meanwhile, Robert underscores the necessity of community-building across cultural lines and the role of restorative principles in transforming campus cultures. Both emphasize that restorative practices are not just tools or methodologies but a way of being that shapes how we interact and move through the world. Nicole Garcia Diaz is the restorative justice specialist and manager for Rights and Responsibilities at the University of Maryland, College Park where she has led the integration of restorative practices and restorative justice within the university. Passionate about intentional philosophical alignment and practicing restorative justice with respect to its indigenous roots, Nicole has focused on slowly shifting the University’s culture in the direction of these values. Nicole also serves on the University’s Hate Bias Response Team, facilitates the Latina/x/es in Higher Education Affinity Group, is a yoga instructor, and volunteers with the Smithsonian Museum of the American Latino. Originally from Miami, Florida, Nicole graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Miami, a Master of Education in Student Affairs from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Graduate Certificate in Restorative Justice Facilitation and Leadership from the University of San Diego. Robert Gordon is a restorative practitioner and implementor at Hampshire College. He has worked with several offices and departments throughout the college to deepen institutional awareness and utilization of a restorative practices-based mindset. Particularly, his work with campus identity centers has brought together staff and students of different social identities using intersectional forms of community building. In terms of restorative practices, Robert has received professional development from the IIRP, as well as the American Association of Colleges and Universities Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation framework. Tune in to hear about the challenges and rewards of implementing restorative justice in colleges and universities and learn how these practices can pave the way for more inclusive, supportive, and collaborative academic environments.

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Gemma Varona, Ph.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Dr. Varona joins us and discusses her decades of experience researching the evolving boundaries of restorative justice, challenging the traditional limits imposed by legal frameworks. She shares her journey from academia to hands-on work with survivors of terrorism, sexual abuse, and large-scale corporate and environmental harm. She explains why punitive measures often fail to address the root causes of harm and how restorative justice offers an individualized, relational approach that centers victims' needs while fostering true accountability. Listen as Dr. Varona delves into the role of dialogue in breaking cycles of violence, the importance of institutional courage, and the urgent need for a shift in global justice systems. As countries move toward more punitive approaches, this conversation serves as a powerful reminder that restorative justice is both an act of resistance and a path to transformation. Dr. Varona is a professor of Victimology and Criminal Policy at the University of the Basque Country and a senior researcher at the Basque Institute of Criminology (Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain). In 1998 she was honored with the Junior Scholar Competition Award of the International Society of Criminology for her research on restorative justice. From 2014-17 she worked as co-director of the Master in Victimology at that University. She served as a member of the executive committee of the World Society of Victimology and now holds the position of president. She has authored books on migration and human rights, restorative justice, juries and the construction of juridical truth, women’s local safety audits, victims of terrorism, victims of sexual abuse, and evaluation of public policies.   Tune in to learn more about Dr. Varona’s work and perspective on the importance of restorative justice across contexts. Hear more from Dr. Varona at the 2025 World Conference!

Join Claire de Mézerville López as we celebrate 100 episodes of Restorative Works! Listen along as we journey through some of the many inspiring moments where we have listened to people from across the globe describing their work of restoring dignity and building relationships and community. From the classroom, to the workplace, to city streets around the world, we reflect on the wisdom of our many guests and look toward the future with hope and inspiration.  

Thank you for your support over these past 100 episodes; here’s to looking forward to the next 100!  

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Adam Haller to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Adam joins us and shares his story, from a career in carpentry to leading efforts at one of Pittsburg’s largest homeless shelters, Community Human Services Wood Street Commons.  He discusses how his team works to foster dignity and authentic relationships in a system often burdened by bureaucracy. He highlights the importance of listening to residents' needs, empowering them to build community, and addressing systemic barriers with empathy and action. From creating welcoming spaces to supporting both staff and residents in maintaining emotional and mental health, Adam emphasizes the transformative power of genuine connections. Adam’s insights shed light on the intersection of restorative practices and housing-first principles, demonstrating how small acts of humanity—like a warm conversation or consistent support—can drive meaningful change.  Adam is the program manager at CHS Wood Street Commons in Pittsburgh, PA. The shelter provides services for people experiencing a housing crisis with a unique revolving 32-bed program for men and women. Residents receive service coordination, free meals, transportation assistance, mental health awareness, and harm reduction advocacy. Tune in to learn more about Wood Street Commons and Adam’s unique perspective on restorative practices, community building, and harm reduction.

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Ivelisse Cotto to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Ivelisse joins us to discuss the challenges teachers face when implementing restorative practices, especially when many have never been taught to tap into their own emotions or build crucial relationships with students. She discusses the importance of offering teachers the same space and support to develop these skills, just as students are given the opportunity to learn and grow through restorative circles. She highlights the growing issue of teacher burnout and initiative fatigue, stressing the need for more consistent and meaningful professional development in restorative practices. Ivelisse shares her perspective on integrating restorative practices into everyday classroom content, where teachers build connections with students while still focusing on the curriculum.  Ivelisse is a dedicated educator who has spent the past 14 years working to make a difference in the Chicago Public School system. Starting her career as a high school Spanish and ESL teacher, she later transitioned to the role of Bilingual Program Coordinator before becoming a Dean of Discipline and transitioning to a middle school. Ivelisse earned her bachelor's in Secondary Education/Spanish with an endorsement in ESL and, in 2024, she earned her Master of Science in Restorative Practices from the IIRP Graduate School. Tune in to hear more from Ivelisse and gain practical insights on making restorative practices a lasting and effective part of your school environment.

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Jennifer Baker to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Jennifer joins us and delves into the concept of narrative change, exploring how storytelling—through media, art, and learning—can drive long-term social change. Jennifer highlights her work with the Narrative Initiative, a nonprofit that amplifies community-driven stories, ensuring those impacted have the agency to share their truths. She invites us to explore the power of artivism, a fusion of art and activism, and how it serves as a tool to engage with our difficult realities and prompt deeper self and social reflection. Jennifer touches on the intersectionality of justice movements, the importance of patience in the pursuit of solutions, and the emotional process of telling personal stories. Jennifer is an author, editor, writing instructor, and creator of the Minorities in Publishing podcast. She’s been a recipient of NYSCA/NYFA (New York State Council on the Arts and New York Foundation for the Arts) and Queens Council on the Arts grants, a 2024 Axinn Writing Award, and was named the Publishers Weekly Star Watch Super Star in 2019. She edited the short story anthology Everyday People: The Color of Life (2018) and is the author of Forgive Me Not (2023) a 2023 Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, an NYPL 2023 Best Book for Teens, and 2023 Best of the Best by the BCALA. Tune in to hear more of Jennifer’s valuable insights into guiding individuals through the complexities of self-expression, healing, and building community connections through art and narrative.

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Jenna Eckna, LCSW to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Jenna is Vice President of Social Services at Green Chimneys, a unique agency dedicated to supporting youth and families through nature-based programs, animal-assisted interventions, and restorative practices. Jenna reflects on how these innovative approaches empower young people to navigate challenges, build emotional resilience, and foster meaningful connections. Jenna describes the power of restorative practices circle processes, storytelling, and dialogue in creating shared experiences between staff and students. She highlights how these practices redefine traditional dynamics, ensuring that youth feel heard, valued, and equipped to take ownership of their community relationships. Jenna began her role as clinical social worker supporting youth in the Green Chimneys’ residential program, located in Brewster, New York, in 2010; ultimately working towards her current role as Vice President of Social Services for the agency.  She has spearheaded many initiatives at Green Chimneys including, assisting the agency with implementing a relational mindset and approach to working with one another. Previously, she worked as a teacher’s assistant for a special needs school program in Maryland, then moved on to become a foster care case worker in New York City. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology in 2002 then went on to receive her master's degree in social work in 2010.  Tune in to learn more about how tailoring restorative processes to individual needs builds trust and promotes healing, demonstrating that one size does not fit all in this work.