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This episode is specifically for the white folks who listen to this podcast, and especially white women, because Hillary has written a powerful invitation to her own community to step into deep, ongoing reparative work.

We talk about what it means to be in right relationship, with the land, with ancestors, with communities of color, and how her journey of waking up to the truths of colonization, white supremacy, and historical harm has transformed her life. Hillary shares personal stories, dreams, tears, and the practices that helped her move from guilt to grounded action.

This isn’t a guilt trip, it’s a call to courage. If you’re ready (or even just curious) about what it means to be a better relative in these times, this one’s for you.

Tap in. Reflect. And take action.

Black, Indigenous, and people of color, you’re of course welcome to listen, but feel free to skip this one if your energy’s needed elsewhere.

Grab Hillary’s book + check out resources at goodrelative.com

Guide to Making a Personal Reparations Plan

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In this episode, I’m joined by the newest Amplify RJ intern, Kylie Chen to check in about how we're navigating the heaviness of ICE raids happening in my city, to the overwhelm of polycrisis, to the exhaustion of being a young parent trying to balance it all, and how we both wrestle with showing up for justice in ways that are sustainable.

We talk about building community where you are, the nonlinear journey of figuring out your role, the tension between needing to survive and wanting to do liberation work full-time, and the imperfect path I’ve taken trying to balance all of that myself.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, disconnected, unsure of your place, or wondered how the hell to keep going, I hope this conversation lets you know, you’re not alone.

Also, real talk if you appreciate this work and want it to continue, join our community, take a course, or bring me in to work with your school or organization. That’s how I feed my family and keep this work going.

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What can a Star Wars show teach us about organizing, resistance, and healing? In this episode of the Amplify RJ Podcast, I sit down with strategist, therapist, and writer Gabes Torres to talk about Andor—yes, that Star Wars show—and what it reveals about real-life revolution.

We dive into how Andor de-romanticizes rebellion and reflects the complex realities of movement work: the banality of evil, conflict in organizing, disposability culture, and the painful but necessary tension between rest and resistance. Gabes shares insights from their piece on the show, their organizing and healing work in the Global South, and the ways marine mammals and myth can inform our strategy.

Whether or not you’ve seen the show, this conversation is about so much more than the galaxy far, far away—it’s about our world and how we build toward collective liberation with nuance, integrity, and care.

0:00 – Intro: What is Andor + Character Breakdown
5:20 – Meet Gabes Torres: Healer, Strategist, Rebel
9:42 – How Andor De-Romanticizes Revolution
14:20 – Disney, Propaganda & Revolutionary Storytelling
19:35 – The Banality of Evil in a Boardroom
25:00 – Real-World Parallels: Propaganda, Gaza, Gorman & Genocide
26:45 – Parenting, Powerlessness & Purpose
29:21 – Consciousness Building as Resistance
32:20 – Gabes on Luthen, Clea & Strategy in Movement
36:42 – Bix, Trauma & Knowing When to Step Back
40:28 – Organizing Through Burnout & Wavering Commitment
44:30 – Humananizing vs. Ruthless Sacrifice
47:40 – Disposability Culture in Movements
49:10 – Disagreeing Is Not a Failure of Solidarity
52:00 – Addressing Conflict & Building in Organizing
56:20 – Is there Shared Vision for Our Resistance?
1:00:23 – Activist Ecosystems, Movement Mentorship from Marine Mammals
1:07:30 – Upside Down Triangle: Rethinking Power
1:08:50 – Support Gabes & Psychosocial Care for Organizers

Connect with Gabes:

https://gabestorres.com/

https://www.instagram.com/gabestorres/

Read her article:

https://gabestorres.substack.com/p/andor

Support mental health care for organizers in the Global South

https://gabestorres.com/support/

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Last week, I spent 24 hours supporting teachers in running restorative justice classroom circles, and the impact was powerful. In this episode, I’m sharing what I witnessed—the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the small but meaningful shifts that happen when teachers commit to building relationships, not just managing behavior.

🔹 How teachers are integrating circles into their classrooms
🔹 The impact on student relationships, behavior & learning
🔹 Why rituals for “softness” matter in schools
🔹 Lessons on patience, trust & shifting school culture

Whether you’re an educator, school leader, or RJ practitioner, this episode will give you practical insights on how to make restorative practices sustainable in classrooms.

🔗 Resources & Next Steps:
✨ Join the free Amplify RJ community & access the other courses & membership resources: https://community.amplifyrj.com/communities/groups/arjcommunity/home?invite=67dc711150ec55e8a8a03a1b
✨ Download my Classroom Connection Prompts (Pay What You Can!): https://amplifyrj.com/questions-for-connected-classrooms
✨ Want training for your school? Let’s talk! Email: info@amplifyrj.com

📌 If this episode resonates, leave a review & "amplify" by sharing with someone who'd benefit!

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Tap in for an important conversation about the election, community care, and building a more just and equitable world, no matter who wins, through a restorative justice lens.

Voting ends in about 24 in most spaces so its not too late, especially if you're considering casting a protest vote.

Vote Harris in a swing state to defeat Trump.

Cast a protest vote in a safe state to put Dems on notice.

Go to swapyourvote.org to pledge and stay connected!

Visit swapyourvote.org for more info.

But there are parts of this conversation that apply to the rest of this week, and your political life moving forward.

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This episode pays tribute to the late Ted Lewis, a remarkable figure in restorative justice, whose life and work provide profound insights into this balance.

We explore how his bicultural upbringing and Mennonite roots led him into mediation and facilitation. We also reflect on Ted's legacy, balancing systemic change while addressing relational harm on the micro-level. We also explore the "Listening to the Movement" project as Ted brought together many of the RJ thought leaders to examine how RJ has evolved from a programmatic approach to a broader social paradigm.

Support for Ted's family through their GoFundMe to continue honor his impact and legacy.

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Eric Butler passed away this summer. We're re-airing this conversation in his honor. He was internationally recognized for his impactful work as a restorative justice practitioner, activist, and educator in Oakland and beyond. He went on to found the “Talking Peace” model of Restorative Justice, a set of practices and philosophy aimed at building relationships through shared values.

Support his family at their gofundme
Check out the documentary Circles featuring his work

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(Today) 10/31/24 You'll here the very first episode of This RJ Life with Cheryl Graves my mentor, elder, OG! She had a stroke this summer and it's important for me to make sure that those who didn't get to hear from, learn from her directly get the opportunity to.

Our conversation covers her start in the work, her famous "Aaron" story, and so much more.

You can Support Cheryl's Healing on their gofundme.

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