For nearly half her life and all of her professional career, Elizabeth Vartkessian has worked with some of the most reviled criminals in the criminal justice system. A trained mitigation expert, it’s her job to tease out and tell the stories of their lives, including their often dark and trauma-laden childhoods. It’s work steeped in brutality, both in the details of her clients’ crimes and their own troubled narratives. Vartkessian’s new book is a chronicle of her work and a testament to the power of story in shaping how justice is meted out. We discuss her advocacy at a time of expanding capital penalties and Florida’s accelerated pace of executions.

Guests:

• Elizabeth Vartkessian, death penalty mitigation specialist, author, The Deserving: What the Lives of the Condemned Reveal About American Justice
• Teri Sopp, assistant public defender, death penalty qualified defense attorney

Here Tomorrow

A new podcast series highlights the mental health challenges facing first responders, veterans and active-duty military members. As a retired police sergeant and former SWAT team supervisor, host Brannon Hicks has more than passing familiarity with first responder trauma. As a suicide survivor shaped by the deaths of his son and fellow officers, Hicks has made it his mission to combat the stigma through storytelling. Clearing the MindField launches this week and features conversations with law enforcement officials and combat veterans who speak candidly about their trauma and recovery.

Guest: Brannon Hicks, podcast host, military and first responder program manager for Here Tomorrow

Preparing for the worst

From severe weather workshops to hands-on safety demonstrations, Jax Ready Fest is an annual free community event centered on preparing Jacksonville residents for a range of potential disasters. Held for the first time in 2024, the event seeks to empower families and individuals with knowledge and resources for staying safe. This year’s event includes more than 40 partnering agencies and offers interactive experiences ranging from emergency 911 calls to water safety training. We ask the emergency preparedness division’s deputy chief about the value of advance planning, especially as hurricane season approaches.

Guest: James Schaudel, deputy chief of emergency preparedness, city of Jacksonville