The Criminologist

Episode Summary: In a justice system often obsessed with risk scores and compliance checklists, what happens when we stop and ask a deeper question: How have you survived?

In this powerful episode, Joseph Arvidson sits down with Dr. Charlie Barnao, sociologist, ethnographer, and professor at the University of Palermo, to explore the hidden strength behind the stories of justice-involved individuals.

Dr. Barnao spent 15 years living in a halfway house—not observing from the outside, but embedded in the day-to-day realities of those navigating the margins. His work on the Sociology of Survival offers a critical lens for probation, parole, and correctional professionals who want to truly understand resilience, identity, and change.

Together, they dive into:

• What survival looks like in environments of exclusion and stigma

• How resilience and identity are built—and rebuilt—through supervision

• Why qualitative insights (real stories) matter as much as data points

• How the wrong labels can blur the professional lens—and harm outcomes

• Direct ties to the TIDES Supervision Model pillars of Resiliency, Identity, and Social Support

This episode challenges listeners to see beyond behavior—to recognize survival as strength, and to partner with that strength to create real, lasting change.

Whether you're a probation officer, trainer, policymaker, or simply passionate about justice transformation—this conversation will reframe how you think about your work.

Guest Bio: Dr. Charlie Barnao is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Palermo (Italy), a scholar in cultural and communicative processes, and an ethnographer dedicated to exploring social marginality, survival, and resilience. His immersive research brings critical insights into how individuals adapt to exclusion and how systems can better support real transformation.

Key Topics Covered:

• Understanding the "Sociology of Survival"

• Lessons for probation and correctional practice

• Why language matters: Labeling Theory and client identity

• Building resilience and belonging through supervision

• Embedding hope and belief into justice work

• Connections to the TIDES Supervision Model pillars

Connect with Joseph Arvidson: 🌐 The Criminologist Website 📺 Subscribe on YouTube 📧 [email protected]

If you found value in this episode: ✅ Please leave a rating and review ✅ Share it with a colleague, student, or friend in the justice space ✅ Post a favorite quote from the episode and tag The Criminologist on LinkedIn or Instagram!

Because always remember, folks: There's no them. There's only us.

#Desistance #TIDES #SociologyOfSurvival #TheCriminologist #ProbationInnovation #JusticeTransformation #Podcast

Episode Summary: As our world becomes more digital, the work of probation and parole professionals becomes more complex. In this episode, Joseph Arvidson welcomes Professor K. Jaishankar, the globally recognized founder of Cyber Criminology, to explore what justice supervision looks like in an era of cybercrime, digital victimization, and technological surveillance.

Professor Jaishankar, Principal Director of the International Institute of Justice & Police Sciences (India), offers powerful insights into his groundbreaking Space Transition Theory, the psychology of cyber-offending, and how justice systems worldwide can better adapt to the challenges—and possibilities—of the digital age.

Together, they explore the intersections of:

• Cybercrime and community supervision

• Victim protection in a virtual world

• The role of Therapeutic, Theological, and Political Victimology in behavior change

• The surprising relevance of Microbial Criminology in probation and public health

• Global practices that can inform U.S.-based supervision strategies

• Balancing technology with human connection in a justice system built on relationships

Whether you're a front-line officer, trainer, or policy maker, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about the clients you serve—and the future of justice itself.

Guest Bio: Professor K. Jaishankar is a world-renowned criminologist and founder of several sub-disciplines, including Cyber Criminology, Cyber Victimology, Therapeutic Criminology, and Microbial Criminology. Based in India, he is a prolific scholar, international speaker, and advocate for modernizing justice systems in response to technological and societal change.

🔗 Visit Professor Jaishankar's website 🔗 Connect with him on LinkedIn

Key Topics Covered:

• The psychology of online crime and digital supervision

• What Space Transition Theory teaches us about behavior in cyberspace

• Intervention strategies for cyber-offenders

• The use of restorative and spiritual frameworks in rehabilitation

• Systemic injustice and client mistrust through the lens of Political Victimology

• Implications of global justice innovation for U.S. probation systems

• Training gaps and future competencies in cyber-related supervision

Connect with Joseph Arvidson: 🌐 thecriminologistpodcast.com 📺 YouTube: The Criminologist 📧 [email protected] 🔗 LinkedIn | Instagram

If you found value in this episode, please rate and review the show, and share it with colleagues committed to building a more human, effective justice system.

#CyberCriminology #Desistance #ProbationInnovation #TheCriminologist #Jaishankar #CommunityCorrections #DigitalJustice #Podcast

Episode Description (Libsyn Format):

What does the gut have to do with criminal behavior, cognitive flexibility, or the ability to navigate supervision successfully?

In this compelling episode of The Criminologist Podcast, host Joseph Arvidson welcomes back Dr. Jerrod Brown—expert in neurocriminology, behavioral health, and forensic psychology—for a deep dive into the emerging science of the gut-brain connection and its powerful implications for justice-involved individuals.

Together, we explore how gut health, inflammation, and microbiota imbalances can influence cognition, mood regulation, and decision-making—core elements of resilience and responsivity. This conversation challenges us to reconsider what we think we know about client behavior and invites us to approach supervision, programming, and intervention through a more holistic lens.

Topics discussed include:

✔️ Resilience as both a biological and relational process ✔️ The impact of social isolation on desistance and self-regulation ✔️ How nutrition, sleep, and health literacy shape client outcomes ✔️ What probation officers and justice professionals can do to support whole-person change ✔️ The real-world applications of trauma-informed, neuro-informed, and evidence-based practice

Whether you're a probation officer, therapist, correctional educator, policy-maker, or justice system reformer, this episode offers practical insights to elevate your work and deepen your understanding of the people you serve.

🎧 Tune in now to explore how what's happening below the surface—biologically, socially, and psychologically—can shape the path to change above the surface.

What does true transformation look like—from the inside out?

In this compelling episode of The Criminologist, host Joseph Arvidson sits down with Arman Vestad—a former justice-involved individual turned award-winning keynote speaker, trainer, and advocate for change. Arman's life story is one of remarkable resilience, identity transformation, and the social connections that made desistance not just possible—but sustainable.

From his lived experience in the criminal justice system to his international Tour de Wave project—where he runs across cities, smiling and connecting with strangers—Arman's message is clear: we all have the power to create change through empathy, engagement, and everyday dialogue.

🎙️ In this episode, you'll learn:

• The pivotal moment that shifted Arman's life from crime to purpose

• How identity reconstruction plays a vital role in desistance

• Why financial stability is a critical but overlooked piece in successful reintegration

• How resilience and social support networks shape long-term transformation

• What practitioners and policymakers can do to break stigma and support reentry

• A look into Arman's Run and Smile events and upcoming Tour de Wave 2025

This conversation aligns closely with the TIDES Supervision Model, emphasizing the critical role of identity, resilience, and social support in fostering meaningful, evidence-based rehabilitation.

🔗 Connect with Arman and learn more about his work: 👉 https://armanv.no

🌐 Learn more about the TIDES Supervision Model: 👉 https://TheTIDESllc.com

If this episode resonates with you, please share it, leave a five-star review, and join the conversation on LinkedIn or wherever you connect with change-makers.

🎙️ From Incarceration to Inspiration: The Why Not Mindset with Rustin Pangburn

Description: What does it take to break free from the past and build a future full of purpose? In this powerful episode of The Criminologist podcast, we sit down with Rustin Pangburn—motivational speaker, justice reform advocate, and founder of WhyNotMindset.net. Rustin's journey from serving a 60-month sentence to becoming an over-the-road truck driver and an advocate for second chances is nothing short of inspiring.

Together, we explore: ✅ The challenges of reentry and the first steps to reintegration ✅ How Rustin reshaped his identity and defied the odds ✅ The importance of social support and employment in the desistance process ✅ Overcoming setbacks and maintaining resilience in the face of adversity ✅ The flaws in the justice system and what needs to change for true reform ✅ Rustin's vision for Why Not? and how he's helping others reclaim their lives

🔹 If you or someone you know is navigating reentry, this episode is a must-listen. Rustin's story proves that transformation is possible, and that success starts with a single question: Why Not?

🌍 Join the Movement! Visit WhyNotMindset.net to learn more about Rustin's mission, book him as a speaker, or connect with a community dedicated to second chances.

🎧 Listen, Subscribe & Share! Subscribe to The Criminologist podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or your favorite platform. If this episode resonates with you, leave a review and help us spread this message of change!🚀

This week on The Criminologist podcast, we welcome the brilliant and boundary-pushing Lucy Bentley—a former probation officer turned podcast producer who's redefining how we talk about justice, rehabilitation, and lived experience.

Lucy's career spans frontline work in probation, prison services, and recovery programs, where she championed strengths-based, trauma-informed approaches for individuals navigating the criminal justice system. Now, she's bringing those same insights—and a touch of humor—to the microphone.

In this episode, we explore: ✅ Lessons from the field – What Lucy's podcasting self would tell her former probation officer self ✅ Lived experience in media – The fine line between amplification and exploitation ✅ Neurodiversity and justice reform – The one change Lucy would implement overnight ✅ Ancient myths & modern justice – Why probation might just be the modern-day Odyssey And, of course, we dive into Lucy's newest project—The History Mongers—her upcoming podcast where history meets comedy, and storytelling gets just a little bit chaotic. If you love quirky history, mythology, and unexpected connections to the world we live in today, this is a show you won't want to miss!

🔗 Follow Lucy Bentley & The (upcoming) History Mongers podcast: 📌 Lucy on Linked In

Contact Lucy via email

📢 Support the Show! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe, rate, and review The Criminologist on your favorite podcast platform. Share it with a friend, a colleague, or anyone who believes in the power of storytelling to create change.

📩 Connect with Us: 🔹 Website: theparagongroupllc.com 🔹 Email: [email protected] 🔹 Facebook & Instagram: @thecriminologistpodcast 🔹 Twitter: @Crimmediagroup (C-R-I-M media group) 🔹 LinkedIn: Joseph Arvidson | The Criminologist Podcast | The Paragon Group 🎥 YouTube: Subscribe to The Criminologist for exclusive content

💡 Want to bring evidence-based practices and desistance training to your agency? Reach out for customized training, presentations, and consulting opportunities!

🎧 Tune in, get inspired, and remember… There's no them, there's only us.

In this very special episode of The Criminologist Podcast, we bring you a transformative tale inspired by Charles Dickens' timeless classic, A Christmas Carol. Through the story of Ebenezer Rouge, a man entrenched in harm and isolation, we explore the powerful journey of desistance from crime-revealing how change is not only possible...but essential.

Guided by the Ghost of Desistance Past, Present, and Yet to Come, Ebenezer confronts the ripple effects of his actions, the potential for identity transformation, and the importance of belonging and generativity in building new a life. Along the way, we will uncover the deeper truths behind desistance theory and the practical application of the TIDES Supervision Model-a trauma informed framework designed to support real and lasting change.

What You'll Discover in this Episode:

• The three stages of desistance-behavioral change, identity transformation, and belonging...and how they intersect with Ebenezer's journey.
• How the principles of TIDES (Trauma-Informed Desistance) can empower probation officers and practitioners to facilitate meaningful client transformation.
• Practical insights into fostering hope, resilience, and accountability in the criminal justice system.

Ready to take the next step!? Visit The Tides website to learn more about the TIDES Supervision Model, our training opportunities, and how we are helping practitioners worldwide create meaningful impact!

Don't miss this thought-provoking Christmas episode that bridges timeless storytelling with cutting-edge desistance practices. Listen now, and join the conversation on HOPE, CHANGE, and the SPIRIT of giving back!

In this episode of The Criminologist Podcast, we welcome back Veronica Cunningham, Executive Director of the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA). With over nine years of transformative leadership, Veronica shares her vision for APPA as it celebrates 50 years of advancing community corrections.

We dive into the exciting initiatives planned for APPA's 50th Anniversary, including year-long celebrations and the landmark Summer Training Institute in New York City! Veronica also provides a sneak peek into the upcoming Winter Training Institute in Las Vegas, offering highlights of keynotes, workshops, and opportunities for professional growth.

Our conversation explores APPA's push toward unified standards in probation practices, the vital work of the International Relations Committee, and the growing importance of global partnerships. Veronica highlights the inspiring Justice 2.0 initiative led by Sarah Lewis in the UK and teases the potential for collaboration between APPA and this transformative movement.

From technology's role in reshaping community corrections to the future of evidence-based practices, Veronica shares her insights into what lies ahead for probation and parole professionals worldwide.

Whether you are an APPA member or passionate about the future of community corrections, this episode is packed with valuable insights and inspiration.

LINKS:

Learn more about APPA's Winter Training Institute

APPA's Home Page

Learn about the "Justice 2.0" movement!

The TIDES Supervision Model

Welcome to a special American Probation and Parole Association episode of The Criminologist Podcast, brought to you by their International Relations Committee! In this installment, we reconnect with celebrated author and educator Paul MacNamara, who brings his unique perspectives to the podcast once again. Known for his captivating storytelling and unflinching insights, Paul delves into the themes of his latest book, Inside Juvie: A Teachers story, a powerful exploration of life inside Australia's juvenile detention system.

Drawing on his years as a teacher in correctional centers, Paul takes us behind the scenes of a world rarely seen. Through stories of resilience, trauma, and transformation, he offers an invaluable lens into the challenges faced by incarcerated youth and the educators striving to teach them. This episode continues the international conversation about justice, rehabilitation, and the universal role of education as a catalyst for change.

Paul's journey began with his debut book, The Criminal Class: A Memoir of a Prison Teacher, where he explored the raw realities of adult correctional facilities with a blend of humor and humanity. Now, with Inside Juvie, he focuses on the distinct complexities of working within the juvenile justice system, highlighting moments of connection and hope amidst systemic challenges.

In this special episode, we discuss:

• The transition from adult corrections to juvenile detention teaching.
• Lessons from Paul's journey and stories from Inside Juvie.
• The role of education in addressing inter-generational trauma and fostering transformation.
• Practical insights for practitioners, educators, and policy makers in the justice system.

As part of our APPA International Relations Committee Series, this episode underscores the importance of global perspectives in undertaking and addressing shared challenges in justice and corrections.

Learn more:

• Purchase "Inside Juvie, A Teachers Story"
• Discover, "The Criminal Class: Memoir of a Prison Teacher"
• Explore, The TIDES Supervision model!!!
• Visit, The Paragon Group website!

Stay connected with The Criminologist for more groundbreaking conversations. Follow us on Linked In, Instagram, and Facebook, and shared your thoughts on this episode. Together, let's continue to challenge perspectives, foster connections, and drive meaningful change!

Welcome to Episode 221 of The Criminologist podcast! In this powerful episode, we reconnect with two incredible voices in the criminal justice reform space-Edd Flanagan and John Reed. Together, they share their transformative journey's, ground breaking work, and their ongoing mission to inspire hope and change within the criminal justice system.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE

• Edd Flanagan's Story: After 20 years of imprisonment and 35 years of addiction, Edd is now 13 years into his recovery. Through his Choices and Chances program, he uses his artistic talents and lived experience to help others embark on their own journeys of rehabilitation and desistance.
• John Reed's Mission: As the founder of TutisOnline CIC, John leverages creativity-music, poetry, storytelling, and more- to improve mental well being and inspire reflection and change among those in the justice system.
• Creative Tools for Change: Discover how they use art, storytelling, and small-group engagements to foster connection and social capital.
• Expanding Reach: Learn about their vision for scaling their impact across the UK and beyond!

Links and Resources:

• Explore Edd Flanagan's YouTube channel: Dive deeper into Edd's creative work and advocacy at Ed Flanagan and Co
• Visit John Reed's Website: John Reed. The Story Teller Fellah

Connect with The Criminologist Podcast:

Websites: The Paragon Group

The TIDES Supervision Model

Email the podcast: Email the podcast

Email us as to TIDES model: TIDES email