“I had a need to tell him how I felt. I wanted him to feel some of my pain.”

Amanda Carrasco, restorative justice advocate and author of "Becoming the Brave One: My Journey to Justice," shares her story of choosing to have a restorative justice meeting with the man who killed her closest friend, Susan, who had taken Amanda in as a teen and become like a sister to her.

In this powerful conversation with host Julie Rose, Amanda explains what restorative justice really is, why it’s not “soft on crime,” and how the process helped her release fear and reclaim her voice.

Learn more about Amanda’s work and new memoir - https://amandacarrasco.com/

Check out the “Top of Mind” episode on the purpose of prisons and their role in the justice system - https://www.byuradio.org/1267d7ae-9f9b-48f8-b005-b7814846ccb6/top-of-mind-with-julie-rose-what-is-the-purpose-of-prison

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Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/09/sitting-down-with-my-best-friends.html

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:42 Meet Amanda Carrasco: Restorative Justice Advocate

00:57 Understanding Restorative Justice

01:46 Amanda's Personal Story: A Journey Through Pain

05:06 The Restorative Justice Meeting: Preparation and Experience

08:12 The Impact of the Meeting: Fear, Healing, and Forgiveness

12:47 Rethinking Justice: Beyond Punishment

15:40 A Vision for Restorative Justice

17:44 Reflecting on Justice and Healing

18:09 Outro and Podcast Recommendation