This Thursday dive into the latest episode of iChange Justice podcast with our host Joy Gilfilen featuring Doug Gustafson, Chairman of HomesNOW, a Whatcom County 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to ending homelessness. This isn't just about housing; it's about empowerment. 🏡

Doug shares how Homes Now's innovative, tenant-run model is transforming lives right here in Whatcom County. You'll hear about success stories like the North Haven Tiny Home Community, where residents are not only housed but also actively involved in building and managing their own shelters. This unique approach provides housing and equips individuals with valuable construction and life skills, fostering true self-sufficiency. 💪

"We're not just providing a place to live; we're empowering people to be part of the solution to their own housing situation," says Doug. "This model proves that when government, community, and those experiencing homelessness work together, everyone wins."

The episode also highlights how HomesNow has driven significant changes in local policy, transforming arbitrary housing limits into sustainable, community-driven solutions through collaborative efforts and a pragmatic mindset.

Discover the challenges overcome, the lessons learned, and the replicable strategies that make HomesNow a beacon of hope and a blueprint for other communities. Tune in to understand how empathy, practical problem-solving, and collaboration can lead to transformative social change.

In a world grappling with escalating societal challenges, the iChange Justice podcast pulls back the curtains on the intricate dance between local realities and national implications within the criminal justice system. Hosts Joy Gilfilen and Karen Ball invite listeners to journey into Whatcom County, Washington—a seemingly small corner of the Pacific Northwest that, as they meticulously reveal, serves as a powerful microcosm for the struggles and solutions facing communities across the entire nation.

From the unique pressures of border security to the pervasive influence of the prison industrial complex, Gilfilen, with decades of on-the-ground experience, paints a vivid picture of the "Snaggletooth Dragon" of conflicts and paradoxes that erode public safety and economic well-being. Ball, a seasoned veteran in criminal justice and social change, expertly guides the conversation, prompting Gilfilen to distill complex global issues into tangible local impacts.

But this episode is not merely a lament; it's a call to action rooted in hope. As they delve into the origins and application of the "Joy Triangle Model," Gilfilen and Ball underscore the profound power of local engagement, authentic leadership, and the conscious pivot from fear-based thinking to regenerative action. They remind us that true change, like law enforcement itself, begins at the local level, where neighbors once helped neighbors and communities cultivated profound care. Through their impassioned dialogue, listeners are left with a renewed sense of possibility: that by understanding and addressing the nuances of a place like Whatcom County, we can indeed change justice, not just for one community, but for all.

In a significant step for the iChange Justice Podcast, Joy Gilfilen announces Karen Ball as a new co-host. This partnership aims to broaden the conversation on social, criminal, and economic justice, using their combined expertise to navigate complex issues and foster civic dialogue.

Karen Ball, with master's degrees in criminal justice and extensive experience in restorative justice, conflict resolution, and community organizing (including domestic violence prevention and nuclear weapons abolition), will bring a critical lens to the show. Both Joy and Karen reveal a surprising shared realization that challenges conventional understanding: the justice system, often perceived as a guardian of fairness, is deeply intertwined with an economic problem. They affectionately term the cost-intensive and complex "Prison Industrial Complex" the "Snaggle Tooth Dragon."

Their diverse backgrounds – Joy as a "wild and crazy cowgirl" with a knack for problem-solving from farming communities and Karen as an educator rooted in criminal justice and 4-H – provide unique perspectives. They both note that their 4-H experiences instilled a strong work ethic and community focus, albeit from different parts of the country.

A core "myth" they aim to bust is the notion of a uniform American justice system. Karen, drawing from her varied experiences, emphasizes that each state's legal system is distinct, and the concept of "We the people has, at this point in history, never meant all of the people." This profound statement highlights historical exclusions based on gender, race, and land ownership, revealing a fundamental "us and them" dynamic embedded in the nation's founding.

The podcast will continue to dissect and understand the complex layers of justice, challenging assumptions and providing a platform for nuanced conversations about creating healthier, more equitable communities.

This week, host Joy Gilfilen welcomes special guest Karen Ball for a compelling conversation about taking Intentional Change Action. Specifically, how to effectively confront "empire thinking" and its profound destructive impact on our societies.

They dive deep into the historical roots of domination systems, tracing their evolution from feudalism to monopolistic capitalism, and discuss how these ingrained patterns restrict our collective imagination and hinder true "flourishment" for all.

Karen shares insights from recent webinars on systemic power imbalances, including the disproportionate influence of billionaires and strategies for challenging such concentrations of power.

Joy brings in personal experiences, including a fascinating basketball coaching story, to illustrate how competitive mindsets can permeate and shape our systems, often at the expense of collaboration and holistic well-being. This episode is a vital discussion about shifting from a "divide and conquer" mentality to one that fosters shared growth and authentic human potential.

Joy and Karen challenge listeners to consider how we can collectively expand our imagination to build systems that reflect the flourishing patterns found in nature. Tune in to discover: The connection between historical economic systems; current societal challenges; and how "monopolistic capitalism" ripples out to impact various aspects of our lives; and ultimately the subtle ways "domination habits" manifest in everyday structures.

This is a call to action for expanding our collective imagination beyond "this is just the way it is." Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion!

#188-iChange Justice Podcast with Irene Morgan-Investing in Humanity vs. Prisons and Punishment

Exposing the shocking truths of how wrongful arrests and clogged court processes ripple out to build more failure; and how we can reduce costs by applying different tools!

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Irene Morgan, a true trailblazer, wise elder, and savvy businesswoman! 🌟 At 84, Irene is the founder of the Restorative Community Coalition, established in 2006, and she's living proof that age is just a number when it comes to making a profound impact. 🚀

A truly vibrant and working activist for peace and justice, Irene is crystal clear: throwing more money to expanding prisons and funding privatized corporations isn't a solution. It’s escalating the sinkhole for community dollars. 💸 Irene also delves into the harsh realities faced by those who have been arrested and the cascading impact, especially if they are charged with crimes they weren't involved in, or encountering flawed systems.

Irene firmly believes our money is exponentially better spent on recovery and building community resilience. Her vision is bold and clear: to reeducate people of all ages on how to contribute to a living, vital society. This includes building centers for rehabilitation, reconstruction, restoring lives, reclaiming freedom, and investing in our ❤️families and local communities. 🏡

⚖️Available on Spotify and wherever you get your podcasts.

We're excited to announce an encore airing of our conversation with Irene Morgan, the remarkable 84-year-old founder of the Restorative CommUnity Coalition, originally broadcast on June 2nd! Since 2006, Irene has been a true pioneer and a beacon of wisdom in our community.

A great-grandmother and savvy businesswoman, Irene's story is as rich as the history she's lived. In this rerun, she'll share how her family moved from California during World War II to establish a farm on the Northwest Border of the U.S. From running a slaughter-on-the-farm business, she transitioned to counseling, then delved into the non-profit world, passionately studying criminal justice, poverty, and free enterprise. Ultimately, she launched a coaching business dedicated to rebuilding our jail, prison, and public health and safety systems.

Irene's foundation was built on farm business, family values, and community peacemaking. Alongside her elder siblings, she learned to champion hard work, fairness, peace, justice, honor, and freedom – all while navigating the complexities of farming, forestry, fishing, indigenous rights, and the profound issues of slavery and immigration during a tumultuous era.

A vibrant and active advocate for peace and justice, Irene firmly believes that spending money on bigger prisons, punishment, and privatizing corporations is a "vast sinkhole" for community dollars. Instead, she argues, our funds are far better invested in recovery and community resilience work. Her vision is clear: to re-educate people on how to contribute to a thriving society. Her approach includes rehabilitation, reconstruction, restoring lives, reclaiming freedom, and investing in our families and local communities.

They offer alternative pathways like mediation, restorative circles, and community service, helping individuals address root causes and take responsibility for their actions.

The Coalition provides vital support to individuals re-entering society after incarceration, assisting with housing, employment, and access to essential services.

Irene and the RCC tirelessly advocate for policy reforms that prioritize restorative justice principles and address the systemic inequities that fuel mass incarceration.

Don't miss this encore episode with Irene Morgan and learn more about the incredible work of the Restorative CommUnity Coalition!

The Restorative CommUnity Coalition works tirelessly to:Divert Individuals from the Traditional Justice SystemSupport Re-entry and RehabilitationAdvocate for Systemic Change

We're excited to bring you an encore presentation of iChange Justice Podcast, Episode #133: "Disconnection from the Natural Cycles of Life."

Join your host, Joy Gilfilen, and Karen Ball as they delve into the nature of life in the indigenous world with their special guest, Eveimai Lotori. Eveimai, who is multi-cultural and conducts sacred ceremonies across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, offers a unique perspective on this profound topic.

In this powerful discussion, we explore what happened when traditional rites of passage for young people, once deeply tied to the natural cycles of life, transformed into events primarily focused on showcasing young women as potential wives. We also examine how young men were similarly dishonored, and how this shift has since morphed into today's large "coming out" parties, profoundly affecting societal behaviors and creating unexpected ripple effects throughout our communities.

Don't miss this insightful encore episode! Tune in locally in Bellingham this Thursday at noon or stream it anytime on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

Don't miss this insightful encore episode! Available locally, on Spotify and everywhere you get your podcasts.

Tune in today to the iChange Justice Podcast #185 (Season 4) for an encore of a pivotal Season 3 episode featuring Eric Flores from the Freedom Project. Eric's insights are more relevant than ever as he now serves as our Director of the Restorative Community Coalition (RCC)! We're looking forward to his upcoming interview in this new role. #iChangeJustice #FreedomProject #RCC #CriminalJusticeReform #SecondChances #Season4 #Encore