The Locked up Living Podcast: Surviving and thriving in prisons and other challenging environments

In this detailed conversation, Ari Yampolsky discusses his rewarding work as a lawyer specializing in whistleblower cases in the USA. He finds great fulfillment in hearing clients' stories, gathering evidence, and presenting compelling cases to the government to initiate investigations. Yampolsky emphasizes the importance of self-care, noting that he balances the emotional weight of his work by engaging in exercise, spending time in nature, and being with his family. The dialogue also touches on the complexities of whistleblower regulations in the U.S. compared to the U.K., with Yampolsky highlighting the narrow yet powerful nature of U.S. laws. He explains that whistleblowers can significantly enhance regulatory efficiency by providing insider knowledge that helps target misconduct. However, he acknowledges the adversarial nature of legal processes and the potential for whistleblowers to face retaliation, which can lead to feelings of anger and hurt. Yampolsky plays a crucial role in guiding whistleblowers through the legal landscape, assessing the strength of their information against legal frameworks, and preparing their cases for regulators. He also discusses the challenges whistleblowers face, including the fear of repercussions and the emotional toll of coming forward. Ultimately, Yampolsky's work is centered on advocating for those who expose wrongdoing while navigating the intricate dynamics of law and human experience.

Ari Yampolsky is a lawyer in the United States of America. He is a partner at Whistleblower Partners. He's represented Whistleblowers under every major whistleblower reward law for a decade. In his False Claims Act practice, Ari has successfully represented claimants in lawsuits related to healthcare fraud, procurement fraud and customs fraud. These include groundbreaking state false claims act lawsuits in which Ari represented a whistleblower and dozens of government entities against four wireless carriers. And this resulted in a $138 million dollar settlement and a 40 % share for his whistleblower client. Ari also represents whistleblowers with claims under every reward program run by a federal agency. Ari has helped secure millions of dollars in awards for financial fraud whistleblowers under the SEC's program. Recently he and his colleagues obtained a $24 .3 million reward for a former Hyundai Safety Engineer at the first ever whistleblower award made by the Federal Auto Safety Regulator.

https://whistleblower.law/ari-yampolsky

https://whistleblower.law/

In this detailed conversation, Ari Yampolsky discusses his rewarding work as a lawyer specializing in whistleblower cases in the USA. He finds great fulfillment in hearing clients' stories, gathering evidence, and presenting compelling cases to the government to initiate investigations. Yampolsky emphasizes the importance of self-care, noting that he balances the emotional weight of his work by engaging in exercise, spending time in nature, and being with his family. The dialogue also touches on the complexities of whistleblower regulations in the U.S. compared to the U.K., with Yampolsky highlighting the narrow yet powerful nature of U.S. laws. He explains that whistleblowers can significantly enhance regulatory efficiency by providing insider knowledge that helps target misconduct. However, he acknowledges the adversarial nature of legal processes and the potential for whistleblowers to face retaliation, which can lead to feelings of anger and hurt. Yampolsky plays a crucial role in guiding whistleblowers through the legal landscape, assessing the strength of their information against legal frameworks, and preparing their cases for regulators. He also discusses the challenges whistleblowers face, including the fear of repercussions and the emotional toll of coming forward. Ultimately, Yampolsky's work is centered on advocating for those who expose wrongdoing while navigating the intricate dynamics of law and human experience.

Ari Yampolsky is a lawyer in the United States of America. He is a partner at Whistleblower Partners. He's represented Whistleblowers under every major whistleblower reward law for a decade. In his False Claims Act practice, Ari has successfully represented claimants in lawsuits related to healthcare fraud, procurement fraud and customs fraud. These include groundbreaking state false claims act lawsuits in which Ari represented a whistleblower and dozens of government entities against four wireless carriers. And this resulted in a $138 million dollar settlement and a 40 % share for his whistleblower client. Ari also represents whistleblowers with claims under every reward program run by a federal agency. Ari has helped secure millions of dollars in awards for financial fraud whistleblowers under the SEC's program. Recently he and his colleagues obtained a $24 .3 million reward for a former Hyundai Safety Engineer at the first ever whistleblower award made by the Federal Auto Safety Regulator.

https://whistleblower.law/ari-yampolsky

https://whistleblower.law/

Cath is an author, clinician with children and adults, supervisor, researcher, educator, speaker and mum with a background in the Armed Forces Engineering and Optronics, IT, Gaming and Psychology alongside Functional Health and her other passion of Neuroscience. She is a polymath and pattern recognition nerd.

New book out October 2024

https://www.routledge.com/Managing-Your-Gaming-and-Social-Media-Habits-From-Science-to-Solutions/Knibbs/p/book/9781032607597?srsltid=AfmBOorerHCkQT7xJXx1IatOE8aWTU2c6-Q3fxfu9QSuEfocbaBKW2pa

Summary

Catherine Knibbs, a psychotherapist and expert in cyber trauma, discusses her journey into psychotherapy and her expertise in online harm. She shares how her upbringing in a military family and exposure to stories from Wakefield Prison influenced her interest in understanding why people engage in harmful behaviors. Catherine explains how her background in engineering and computing led her to become knowledgeable about cyber trauma and online harm. She highlights the prevalence of cyber criminals and the alarming rates of sextortion and grooming of children online. Catherine also discusses the impact of technology on attachment patterns in children and the need for education and awareness to protect children online. The conversation explores the impact of technology on mental health, particularly in relation to boredom, attention, and online harms. It discusses the need for digital literacy and responsible parenting, rather than a complete ban on smartphones. The conversation also highlights the lack of support for professionals working in the field of online harm. The guest emphasizes the importance of self-care and personal well-being in dealing with the challenges of technology.

Website; https://www.childrenandtech.co.uk/

Takeaways

• Catherine's upbringing in a military family and exposure to stories from Wakefield Prison sparked her interest in understanding harmful behaviors.

Cath is an author, clinician with children and adults, supervisor, researcher, educator, speaker and mum with a background in the Armed Forces Engineering and Optronics, IT, Gaming and Psychology alongside Functional Health and her other passion of Neuroscience. She is a polymath and pattern recognition nerd.

New book October 2024; https://www.routledge.com/Managing-Your-Gaming-and-Social-Media-Habits-From-Science-to-Solutions/Knibbs/p/book/9781032607597?srsltid=AfmBOorerHCkQT7xJXx1IatOE8aWTU2c6-Q3fxfu9QSuEfocbaBKW2pa

Summary

Catherine Knibbs, a psychotherapist and expert in cyber trauma, discusses her journey into psychotherapy and her expertise in online harm. She shares how her upbringing in a military family and exposure to stories from Wakefield Prison influenced her interest in understanding why people engage in harmful behaviors. Catherine explains how her background in engineering and computing led her to become knowledgeable about cyber trauma and online harm. She highlights the prevalence of cyber criminals and the alarming rates of sextortion and grooming of children online. Catherine also discusses the impact of technology on attachment patterns in children and the need for education and awareness to protect children online. The conversation explores the impact of technology on mental health, particularly in relation to boredom, attention, and online harms. It discusses the need for digital literacy and responsible parenting, rather than a complete ban on smartphones. The conversation also highlights the lack of support for professionals working in the field of online harm. The guest emphasizes the importance of self-care and personal well-being in dealing with the challenges of technology.

Website; https://www.childrenandtech.co.uk/

Takeaways

• Catherine's upbringing in a military family and exposure to stories from Wakefield Prison sparked her interest in understanding harmful behaviors.

Summary

In this conversation, Alex South, a former prison officer with nearly a decade of experience, shares her journey through the prison system, discussing the challenges, culture, and dynamics of working in prisons. She reflects on her training, the impact of staffing shortages, and the mental health challenges faced by both staff and inmates. She also speaks of the deep bonds of trust which develop with colleagues and, in the right circumstances, with some convicted people. Alex also highlights the changes in prison culture over the years and the importance of advocating for better conditions and support for prison officers. Her insights are drawn from personal experiences and her memoir, 'Behind these Doors', which aims to shed light on the realities of prison life and the potential for change.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behind-these-Doors-Strength-Suffering/dp/1399707558

Takeaways

• Alex South worked as a prison officer for almost 10 years.

Summary

In this conversation, Alex South, a former prison officer with nearly a decade of experience, shares her journey through the prison system, discussing the challenges, culture, and dynamics of working in prisons. She reflects on her training, the impact of staffing shortages, and the mental health challenges faced by both staff and inmates. She also speaks of the deep bonds of trust which develop with colleagues and, in the right circumstances, with some convicted people. Alex also highlights the changes in prison culture over the years and the importance of advocating for better conditions and support for prison officers. Her insights are drawn from personal experiences and her memoir, 'Behind these Doors', which aims to shed light on the realities of prison life and the potential for change.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Behind-these-Doors-Strength-Suffering/dp/1399707558

Takeaways

• Alex South worked as a prison officer for almost 10 years.

David Hencke, is an award winning investigative journalist known for his hard-hitting pieces that champion truth and expose the bad practices of organizations, industries, and governments. In this engaging discussion, David shares his fascinating experiences and insights into the world of journalism, shedding light on the impact of social media and the challenges faced by the profession.

From the very beginning, David's journey into journalism was unconventional. He discovered his passion for reporting while studying at Warwick University, where he became the editor of a student newspaper. This early exposure to the power of journalism and its ability to challenge authority set the stage for his future endeavors.

Throughout his 50+ year career, David has consistently bumped up against authority, unearthing hidden truths and holding those in power accountable. He recounts instances where he faced backlash for his investigative work, such as when he exposed a history professor's contradictory behavior or when he reported on a political candidate's controversial speech. These experiences not only shaped his determination to uncover the truth but also highlighted the deviousness of the organizations he dealt with.

Read his Blog https://davidhencke.com/

David Hencke, is a multi award winning investigative journalist known for his hard-hitting pieces that champion truth and expose the bad practices of organizations, industries, and governments. In this engaging discussion, David shares his fascinating experiences and insights into the world of journalism, shedding light on the impact of social media and the challenges faced by the profession.

From the very beginning, David's journey into journalism was unconventional. He discovered his passion for reporting while studying at Warwick University, where he became the editor of a student newspaper. This early exposure to the power of journalism and its ability to challenge authority set the stage for his future endeavors.

Throughout his 50+ year career, David has consistently bumped up against authority, unearthing hidden truths and holding those in power accountable. He recounts instances where he faced backlash for his investigative work, such as when he exposed a history professor's contradictory behavior or when he reported on a political candidate's controversial speech. These experiences not only shaped his determination to uncover the truth but also highlighted the deviousness of the organizations he dealt with.

Read his Blog https://davidhencke.com/

Taslim Tharani was born in the UK as was her older sister. Her parents were both born in Tanzania to parents whose background was in India. Taslim shares her experiences of being in a thrice migrant family Taslim talks about attending boarding school and the impact it had on her identity and emotional well-being. She discusses the decision to attend boarding school, the influence of racism, the emotional challenges, and the sense of homelessness. The conversation delves into the emotional impact of the boarding school experience and the struggle to regulate emotions in a boarding school environment. Taslim shares her experiences of boarding school, the impact on her sense of home, identity, and relationships, and the journey of healing and self-discovery. She reflects on the influence of her experiences on her career as an organizational psychologist.

Taslim Tharani was born in the UK as was her older sister. Her parents were both born in Tanzania to parents whose background was in India. Taslim shares her experiences of being in a thrice migrant family. She talks about attending boarding school and the impact it had on her identity and emotional well-being. She discusses the decision to attend boarding school, the influence of racism, the emotional challenges, and the sense of homelessness. The conversation delves into the emotional impact of the boarding school experience and the struggle to regulate emotions in a boarding school environment. Taslim shares her experiences of boarding school, the impact on her sense of home, identity, and relationships, and the journey of healing and self-discovery. She reflects on the influence of her experiences on her career as an organizational psychologist.