Restorative Works

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Emily Murphy to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Emily shares the story of the Restorative Practice Student Board, a leadership group of middle school students who mediate conflicts, review school policies, and make impactful decisions—like rewriting the school's dress code to reflect student voice and fairness. Listen as Emily details how empowering students in these roles fosters accountability, builds trust, and transforms school culture. From mediating peer conflicts to presenting policy changes to the school board, these students are at the forefront of creating meaningful change in their school. Discover how this approach leads to stronger relationships and greater staff buy-in. Emily is the school director at Pagosa Peak Open School, a K-8 district charter school in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. She has 17 years of experience in education, and a passion for engaging students in learning that challenges and supports them in all areas of their development. She previously taught at Awakening Seed School in Phoenix and worked as an instructor at Colorado State University in the Human Development and Family Studies program at the Early Childhood Center Lab School. She has presented on and been published around one of her passions: project-based learning. You can find her work on Edutopia and PBL Works, as well as through the North American Reggio Emilia Alliance "Innovations." Tune in to learn about the challenges and rewards of elevating student agency in building a culture of restorative practices.

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Janette Graham to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Janette discusses her powerful journey advocating for justice-involved individuals. Drawing from personal experiences, including her son's incarceration at a young age, Janette shares how her organization, No Struggle, No Success (NSNS), has become a full-service reentry organization, providing crucial support for both youth and adults in Maryland. Janette reveals the organization's focus on creating a holistic, restorative approach to reentry, from preparing individuals for their return to society, to offering wraparound services like vocational training, mental health support, and community reintegration. She highlights the critical role that restorative justice plays in rebuilding relationships, emphasizing the need for accountability and healing on both sides of the justice system—offenders and victims alike. Janette is the president and founder of No Struggle, No Success. Under her stewardship, NSNS has profoundly impacted over 720 individuals in Maryland, notably curbing recidivism rates and fostering a safer, more integrated community. Expanding her role further, Janette actively participates in various community engagement and advocacy initiatives. Her efforts aim at promoting holistic wellness, equitable justice, and successful societal reintegration for individuals transitioning back into society. Through her involvement in committees and collaborations, she seeks to address systemic challenges and support vulnerable populations. Tune in to hear Janette's insights on transforming lives through trauma-informed care, her experiences navigating systemic challenges, and how NSNS is helping to change the narrative for justice-involved individuals in Maryland and beyond.

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Anusha Nadkarni to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Anusha is a passionate student leader and CEO. She joins us and shares her journey from discovering restorative practices as a high school student to launching the first student-led restorative outreach program in her region. She describes the power of restorative practices in education and how it challenges punitive systems and creates anti-racist classrooms that empower marginalized students. Anusha talks about the challenges of facing victimization, how proactive restorative approaches can build healthy student communities, and why consistent practice is key to fostering meaningful connections. Anusha studies Public Policy with minors in Education and South Asian Studies at Stanford University. She is passionate about anti-oppressive community practices and community-building for equitable futures. This passion led her to become a restorative practitioner and trainer, implementing the first student-led restorative outreach program at her high school in Illinois. She is the CEO of Diversify Our Narrative, a student-led nonprofit whose mission is to empower students as changemakers for an antiracist future through culturally responsive curriculum and policy reform. After graduating, Anusha hopes to be an educator and later work in civil rights law related to education. Originally from Central Illinois, Anusha loves to hike, read, and explore the West Coast with her friends in her free time. Tune in to learn more about the intersections of social justice, education reform, and community healing with an emerging young leader dedicated to reshaping the future.

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Shana Haines, Ph.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Dr. Haines shares her expertise on the urgent need for meaningful connections in education with a focus on historically marginalized students and families, especially in a post-COVID landscape where isolation and technology-driven interactions are on the rise. Dr. Haines discusses the implementation of restorative practices, particularly tier-one restorative practices circles, as tools for fostering authentic relationships among students. She emphasizes how these practices can combat the increasing disconnect in classrooms, encouraging students to engage with each other on a deeper level. Dr. Haines explores the significant challenges educators face today, including the burnout of teaching professionals and the detrimental impact of efficiency-driven approaches. She highlights the importance of intentional relationship-building and community engagement through service learning, where students actively participate in addressing local needs while forming genuine connections with community partners. Dr. Haines research focuses on improving meaningful family, school and community collaborations to increase well-being and belonging especially for historically marginalized students and families. She has done this work in the US and abroad as a Fulbright scholar at the Universidad de Dos Ángeles. She is also a co-PI on Project RESILIENCY, an OSEP-funded leadership grant funding scholars pursuing a Ph.D. in social, emotional, and behavioral health and inclusive education. She recently co-authored two books, Humanizing Methodologies in Education Research and Families and Professionals: Trusting Partnerships in General and Special Education. Her record of a scholarship includes 45 published articles in peer reviewed journals, such as the School Community Journal, Exceptional Children, Teaching and Teacher Education, and Preventing School Failure and Qualitative Inquiry. Tune into gain valuable insights into Dr. Haines' vision for an educational future that lays the foundations for thriving educational environments.

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Kendall Hughes, D. Min. and Captain Jeff Stilwell to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Kendall shares his reflections on his two decades as a chaplain in federal prisons, where he facilitated transformative dialogues between incarcerated individuals and the victims of violent crimes. He shares how this experience inspired the creation of programs that give both victims and offenders a platform to heal, with many former offenders now leading youth recovery and reentry programs. Captain Stilwell offers a unique perspective from his leadership role in law enforcement, highlighting his department's collaboration with Three Rivers Restorative Justice to divert youth from traditional prosecution, focusing instead on reconciliation and accountability through restorative justice conferences. The conversation also explores the recent Minnesota legislation establishing a statewide office of restorative practices, an initiative aimed at providing equitable access to restorative justice for all communities, particularly those that have been historically marginalized. Kendall is Director of the Minnesota Office of Restorative Practices. He began in the 80s as a nonprofit staff person walking alongside leaders from minoritized communities as they built affordable housing, places of worship, and schools. He spent two decades as a Chaplain in federal prisons. Together with resilient incarcerated men, Kendall developed an 18-month residential relationship and skill building program that offered transformative dialogues to survivors of violent crimes and men who had caused deep harm. Many of those men are now leaders in youth, recovery, and reentry programs; others are entrepreneurs and civil servants. In 2019, Kendall co-founded Three Rivers Restorative Justice in southeastern MN, focusing on both pre-charge restorative justice conferences and training facilitators. In 2023, the Minnesota legislature and Governor approved the establishment of a statewide Office of Restorative Practices and on August 21, 2024, Kendall became the first director of that office. Jeff is a seasoned law enforcement professional with over 30 years of dedicated service. Throughout his career, he has consistently showcased his commitment to community safety, effective crime prevention, and exceptional leadership. He advanced through the ranks from patrol officer to captain, earning recognition for his strategic vision, proactive community engagement, and collaborative approach to policing. For the past five years, he has led the Rochester Police Department's Community Services Division, which was established in February 2019 to enhance community connections in Rochester. His division encompasses the Community Action Team, School Resource Officers, Hospital Resource Officers, Community Service Officers, Animal Control, and Parking Control. In this capacity, he played a pivotal role in advancing the department's community engagement efforts. Jeff retired and now serves as a Board Member for Three Rivers Restorative Justice. Tune in now to hear Kendall's and Jeff's inspiring stories of restorative justice in action.

Claire de Mézerville López and cohost, IIRP Lecturer A. Miguel Tello, welcome Jennifer Coreas to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Jennifer discusses her work at ConTextos, a literacy nonprofit in El Salvador and Chicago. This organization works across schools, prisons, and communities to foster critical thinking, connection, and shared purpose. Jennifer's unique approach combines curriculum development with advocacy, training, and dialogue facilitation. She delves into the power of storytelling and creative writing in fostering empathy and understanding across diverse populations. She emphasizes how these narratives can bridge gaps, offer new perspectives, and facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration for incarcerated individuals. Jennifer is the coordinator and co-founder of the Literacy for Reconciliation program for ConTextos. Her work extends from curriculum development and teaching to advocacy, training, and dialogue facilitation. She has led the work and the vision for ConTextos' work in prisons and communities, accompanied authors in their journeys of self-discovery, and brought their stories to hundreds of teachers, psychologists, and social workers in professional development spaces. She has been recognized with numerous fellowships and scholarships including the Rocky Gooch Memorial Scholarship and the Esperanza Fellowship. She holds degrees from El Salvador in English as a second language and applied linguistics, and she received a master's degree in English from Middlebury College in 2018. Tune in to learn more about the role of storytelling in restorative justice and how it can help reshape narratives and empower communities.

In this special episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Kethlin Lorincz and is joined by co-host Maia Chochua, vice chair of the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ), to celebrate Restorative Justice Week. This episode is part of a special series, "Restorative Justice in Local Communities Around the World," created in partnership with the EFRJ. Kethlin shares her unique journey, starting as a victim-offender mediator at just 18, and how her work now focuses on resolving disputes in neighborhoods across Finland. Through real-life stories, she illustrates how restorative practices can repair relationships, rebuild trust, and foster peace—even in situations fraught with tension and fear. From victim-offender mediation to community and workplace conflict resolution, Kethlin highlights Finland's innovative approach to restorative justice. Her work reflects the power of restorative justice to create safer, more connected communities. This episode dives deep into the practical applications of restorative practices in community settings, underscoring the importance of dialogue, empowerment, and compassion in resolving conflicts. Kethlin Lorincz is a lawyer, mediator, trainer, and former peacekeeper. She has been a restorative practitioner since she was 18 years old when she became a victim-offender mediator at the municipality level. Studies in law school and interest in international conflicts took her to the Middle East and the Balkans where she worked in difficult conflict environments in the field of crisis management. Currently, Kethlin works at the Finnish Forum for Mediation NGO where she supervises the Community Mediation Centre as a director. The Centre specializes in mediating community disputes by addressing disturbances, tensions, and difficult situations in neighborhoods and living communities all over Finland. Furthermore, the Centre promotes dialogue, good relations, and general safety by training companies and networks to use restorative tools to diffuse disputes and confrontations in residential communities. Maia Chochua is a lawyer from the country of Georgia, serves as the vice chair of the EFRJ, and is a senior legal adviser in the EU-funded Project Advancing Reforms in the Justice Sector in Georgia. Maia holds the position of Rule of Law Adviser at the DAI Europe Business Unit of Governance and Social Development. With 26 years of experience in justice reform, Maia has held senior roles within USAID and European Union-funded projects supporting the development of justice sector improvement and governance in Georgia. Her expertise encompasses various critical areas such as judicial reform, liberalization of criminal justice policy, capacity building of criminal justice institutions, strengthening the bar and legal aid services, law enforcement and corrections systems, reforming the juvenile justice system, and promoting the application of restorative justice and restorative practices. Maia has been instrumental in developing and implementing the Juvenile Justice Code and restorative practices in Georgia. She is a fellow of the Salzburg Global Seminar on Youth Violence, Safety, and Justice and firmly believes that the widespread application of restorative justice and restorative practices is key to building safe societies. Tune in to hear about the EFRJ's efforts to make restorative justice accessible to everyone across Europe and beyond.

In this special episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Paolo Baffero, Ph.D., and is joined by co-host, Laura Hein, policy officer at the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ), to celebrate Restorative Justice Week. This episode is part of a special series, "Restorative Justice in Local Communities Around the World," created in partnership with the EFRJ. Join us as Dr. Baffero shares his insights from observing the Aymara people's justice practices in Bolivia, offering a unique lens into how indigenous communities prioritize communal well-being and equilibrium over retribution. He explains how the Aymara justice system addresses conflicts by focusing on reintegration and community balance, rather than individual blame and punishment. Dr. Baffero highlights the key differences between indigenous justice and Western restorative justice models, emphasizing the need to address deeper structural issues that underpin conflicts. Dr. Baffero reflects on the challenges and opportunities that arise when indigenous practices intersect with constitutional frameworks that often limit their autonomy. He advocates for a more inclusive justice system that respects indigenous cultures and worldviews, while also proposing that Western justice systems could learn from indigenous approaches to conflict resolution. Dr. Paolo Baffero is a criminology researcher at the University of South Wales. His work focuses on indigenous justice systems, contemporary colonial dynamics in legally pluralistic countries, and the advocacy of marginalized groups. He has collaborated with the Welsh Government, the Bolivian Ministry of Justice, and various UK and international organizations, working with marginalized populations. His recent publications and research underscore his dedication to advancing socio-criminological knowledge and promoting social justice. Laura Hein is policy officer at the EFRJ. She contributes to the development of the organization's policy strategy, implementation policy, and advocacy work at both European and international level. Laura is a doctoral candidate and teaching assistant at KU Leuven University - Leuven Institute for Criminology, Belgium, in the field of transitional justice and political crimes. Her doctoral research focuses on the role of diaspora in transitional justice processes, focusing on Argentina as a case study. Her main areas of research interests are the links between transitional justice and forced displacement, the role of memory and acknowledgement of exiles' experiences, and restorative justices approaches in transitional justice settings. Tune in to this episode to explore how indigenous justice practices can reshape our understanding of conflict resolution and restorative justice.

In this special episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Nirson Medeiros da Silva Neto, Ph.D., and is joined by co-host, Brunilda Pali, Chair of the board at the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ), to celebrate Restorative Justice Week. This episode is part of a special series, "Restorative Justice in Local Communities Around the World," created in partnership with the EFRJ. Join us as Dr. Neto shares a powerful story from the Quilombola community of Murumuru, where an innovative restorative justice approach helped resolve a conflict over the gathering of açaí berries. The conflict, which involved both Indigenous and Quilombola communities, was tied to unsustainable harvesting practices that threatened local ecosystems and livelihoods. Through dialogue and collaboration, the communities built an inter-ethnic agreement that preserved both the environment and the cultural and economic needs of those involved. Dr. Neto also discusses how these interventions are part of a broader "social environmental" approach to restorative justice, which considers the impact of environmental degradation on vulnerable communities. This is groundbreaking work in uniting multiple communities across various cultures to meet an agreement on environmental restorative justice. Dr. Neto is an associate professor at two federal universities in the Brazilian Amazon region. He is a faculty member of the College of Law, the Master's Program in Law and Development of the Amazon, and the Master's Program of Society Sciences. He was a research scholar at Governors State University in Chicago's Southland between 2021-2022. He completed a postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Social and Labor Psychology at the University of São Paulo from 2016-2018. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Sciences in Anthropology, and a master's degree in law, with an emphasis on human rights from the Federal University of Pará. He is a facilitator, instructor, and consultant in restorative justice. He has experience in the areas of law, anthropology, and social psychology, with emphasis on the following topics: restorative justice, conflict resolution, human rights, indigenous peoples, quilombolas and traditional communities, socio-environmental, ethnic-racial, and land conflicts in the Brazilian Amazon. Dr. Pali is assistant professor of Conflict Dynamics and Governance at the Department of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam and Chair of the EFRJ. She researches, teaches and publishes on gender and feminism, restorative, environmental and social justice, cultural and critical criminology, and arts and justice. Tune in to explore how restorative practices are transforming lives in the Amazon, and how interventions born from community needs can drive lasting social change.

In this special episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Leah Koumentaki, Ph.D., and is joined by co-host Federico Reggio, Ph. D., from the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ), to celebrate Restorative Justice Week. This episode is part of a special series, "Restorative Justice in Local Communities Around the World," created in partnership with the EFRJ. Join us as we explore Dr. Koumentaki's research and the unique and enduring restorative justice practice known as "Sasmos." Dr. Koumentaki delves into the heart of this vernacular restorative process, revealing how it continues to serve as a community-driven alternative to the Greek judicial system. Through the lens of Cretan cultural values like solidarity, respect, and belonging, Sasmos offers a powerful model for addressing harm and wrongdoing, while prioritizing reconciliation and the reintegration of individuals into their communities. Dr. Koumentaki's decolonial and critical approach to research challenges traditional Eurocentric frameworks and emphasizes the importance of ethnography in restorative justice practices. By weaving together tradition and innovation, Dr. Koumentaki's work offers valuable insights into how ancient justice systems can inform modern restorative practices. Dr. Koumentaki successfully completed her doctoral studies in Criminology at the University of Essex in 2022. She conducted the first comprehensive and systematic research on the Cretan Sasmos, which she concluded is a vernacular restorative justice process. Dr. Koumentaki's work highlights how Sasmos is closely related to the tradition of justice in Crete while, until today, is employed into highland communities of the island, predominately in lieu of the operation of the Greek judicial authorities. Prior to her doctoral studies, Dr. Koumentaki co-ordinated research projects on restorative justice and other topics related to criminology. During her doctoral research she was involved in teaching as an assistant lecturer in Criminology and Sociology, both at University of Essex and Royal Holloway University of London. She currently works as a lecturer in Criminology at University of Keele. Her research interests focus on social harm, criminality, punishment and justice from a decolonial, critical, and zymological strand of view. Dr. Reggio is an associate professor of philosophy of law and public ethics at the University of Padova. He serves as Senior Researcher at the University of Padua, Professor of Philosophy of Law, and Scientific Director of the Winter School Transforming 21st Century Conflicts. He chairs the Scientific Committee of the EFRJ and is the Scientific Director of the Mediares Journal. Tune in to learn more about Sasmos, the future of restorative justice, and the importance of preserving indigenous knowledge and traditions in our pursuit of fairness and equity.