In this inspiring episode, hosts Joy Gilfilen and Karen Ball welcome educator and peace advocate Kurt Krueger to discuss the transformative work of Peacemaker Circles. From stress-relief practices to global collaboration, Kurt shares how cultivating inner calm can ripple outward into families, communities, and societies.
Listeners will learn simple tools for reducing stress and building resilience, hear stories of peace initiatives in refugee camps and communities worldwide, and discover the Peacemaker’s Challenge—a project empowering youth to create change at home and in schools.
This is more than a conversation; it’s a call to action. Join us as we explore how inner peace, compassion, and systemic change can create a more just and joyful world.
In this inspiring conversation, host Joy Gilfilen and co-host Karen Ball turns the spotlight toward the people behind the scenes of the iChange Justice Podcast to ask: Why do we podcast, how does it work, and what makes it impactful?
Guests Jeannie Gilbert (Owner of Koys-LPFM), Ava Sakowski (Co-producer, iChange Justice Podcast), and Irene Morgan (Founder, Restorative Community Coalition) take listeners behind the curtain into the art and craft of podcasting as a tool for connection, education, and activism. From microphones and editing to distribution and promotion, this episode is a hands-on guide for community builders and changemakers who want to amplify their voices.
The team shares candid lessons:
How podcasting became a lifeline during COVID when in-person conversations stopped.
Why audio quality and post-production matter for credibility.
The difference between streaming platforms and podcast platforms—and why it matters for outreach.
The essential teamwork required: hosts, editors, distributors, and promoters.
How podcasts can evolve from local roots into national and even international spaces for justice.
Why planning “story arcs” across multiple episodes keeps audiences engaged and deepens impact.
Elder activist Irene Morgan adds heartfelt reflections on what it feels like to be a guest navigating new technology, reminding us that podcasting isn’t just about technical skill—it’s about accessibility and human connection.
The conversation ends with a call to action: podcasting isn’t just media—it’s activism in action. It’s a platform for sharing truth, exposing injustice, and creating a sense of connection that moves people to act.
Listen now to learn how grassroots voices become global change.
Was it 25 or 30 years ago when Whatcom County and counties across the U.S. still had a strong network of prevention and recovery programs?
Back then, a small army of outreach workers, counselors, and interventionists worked daily to keep people out of jail and on the path to healing. There were treatment centers, youth programs, crisis shelters, and community services that not only supported individuals but created an entire culture of care.
That infrastructure is gone. The jobs in the helping culture have been replaced by our current after arrest culture compared to the small army of helpers that existed in the 70s, 80s, and into the mid 90s it began to change. The centers closed, and the safety nets disappeared. What remains is a justice system designed around punishment. Today, when someone stumbles whether from addiction, poverty, or a bad decisionthey face stacked charges, impossible bail, and lifelong consequences. Instead of treatment, they get trauma. Instead of recovery, they get a record.
We’ve witnessed the results: generations of families torn apart, homelessness exploding, and taxpayers funding more jails instead of more solutions. The loss is not just in dollars, but in human potential.
That’s why the iChange Justice Podcast, hosted by Joy Gilfilen, keeps asking the hard questions: “What is justice, anyway?” She is joined often by Irene Morgan, founder of the Restorative Community Coalition, who has spent decades advocating for community-based solutions, and by one of our producers, Ava Sakowski, who helps bring these stories to life. Together, they shine a light on what has been lost and what can be rebuilt.
We know justice can mean something different—restoration, healing, and giving people the tools to grow. The proof is there. With just $1,500, one pilot program helped a woman pay rent, repair her car, and get back on her feet. That small investment changed her trajectory completely.
The truth is, communities thrive when we invest in people, not prisons. What we need is not more punishment, but a revival of prevention, treatment, and human-centered care.
The "iChange Justice" podcast is joined by a very special guest and longtime supporter of its mission, Mel Hoover. As an advisor, Hoover provides his unique perspective, helping to navigate the significant transitions and complex issues facing Whatcom County.
The conversation with Mel begins with a personal journey, as he shares how he and his wife, both ministers and change agents, came to settle in the Pacific Northwest to be closer to their family. Mel, originally from the East Coast, reflects on his first visit to the area in the 1980s and the striking contrast between its sleepy, small-town facade and the deep, complex realities that were not immediately visible. He brings to light the area's history as a "sundown town," a fact that was unknown to even many longtime residents, including the host. This powerful revelation sets the stage for a discussion on how historical realities, often hidden, continue to shape the present.
Mel's own life story is a mosaic of different cultures, religions, and races. He shares his incredible journey of being born in a segregated Columbus, Ohio, in 1944, into a family with Cherokee, Seminole, French, and Irish heritage. This early experience in a multicultural family, living in an "apartheid nation," gave him a unique perspective on the true nature of America—a perspective he was forced to reconcile with the idealized stories he was told. He recounts how his family, though highly educated, still faced discrimination, and how he learned to see the world not as a single narrative, but as a complex and multiplex reality.
As the year moves into 2025, the conversation shifts to the urgent issues at the forefront of Whatcom County, from water adjudication and border complexities to global challenges and the "whiteout of truth" caused by misinformation. Mel explains that to tackle these issues, one must first build authentic relationships and find common ground. He argues that the culture has diminished the value of truth, and that it is necessary to return to smaller, trusted circles to find a way back to honest conversation and shared purpose. Mel's wisdom reminds listeners that even with all the complexities faced, the possibility of what could be is worth fighting for.
Joy Gilfilen concludes the conversation by highlighting the very real and present threats people face, including the increase in natural disasters like tornadoes, firestorms, and floods, and how these events impact the food supply. However, she pivots from the negative to a message of hope and action. The episode is a call to come together and find solutions. Gilfilen emphasizes the importance of saving the waters, reminding everyone that because all are made of water, they are also saving themselves. This final thought serves as a powerful reminder of our interconnectedness and shared responsibility to protect the planet and each other.
In a special milestone episode, Joy Gilfilen hosts a powerful conversation on restorative justice with Irene Morgan, founder of the Restorative Community Coalition. This episode, delves into how the justice system has shifted from a successful, community-based approach to a punitive, punishment-focused model. Morgan, who has decades of experience in this field, shares her journey and the lessons she has learned along the way.
The discussion begins with Irene's early experience in the 1990s on a Community Accountability Board (CAB) in Whatcom County. This diversion program for first and second-time teen offenders had a remarkable 98% success rate, allowing young people to avoid a juvenile record by making restitution and completing community service. Despite its success, the program was quietly dismantled, and local officials later claimed that restorative justice wasn't possible, particularly for felony cases.
Irene's personal story illustrates the human cost of the current system. She recounts the tragic death of her grandson in a car accident and the two years of emotional trauma and uncertainty her family endured. The justice system, in this case, provided no information about the driver responsible. When they finally met him, they discovered he was a grieving man filled with remorse and contemplating suicide. By engaging with him directly, the family was able to find healing, illustrating that forgiveness and understanding can be more powerful than a prison sentence.
The podcast emphasizes that a punishment-focused system feeds a "mass industrial complex" and a social caste system, disproportionately affecting the poor. Morgan and Gilfilen argue that the first 72 hours after an arrest are crucial for providing help, not punishment, and that a lack of continuous services from the justice system makes it nearly impossible for people to get back on their feet.
The episode concludes with a vision for a better way forward. Morgan proposes the creation of a "Restore a Life Center"—a place that would provide housing, employment, education, and trauma healing to those who have been through the system. This model focuses on repairing harm and helping people become productive members of society, a stark contrast to the current system's emphasis on incarceration.
Beyond Punishment: Restorative Justice and the Path to Community Healing
Ready for a deep dive into justice? It's our 199th episode, and Whatcom County's own Joy Gilfilen is joined by Irene Morgan, the founder of the Restorative Community Coalition. Together, they're taking a hard look at the justice system as we know it, and they're not holding back.
Irene shares her incredible journey, starting with her childhood and her early observations of how the "welfare system" impacted people. She later saw those same patterns repeat in the court and justice system, leading her to a stark conclusion: the system isn't broken. It's working exactly as it was designed to—to generate massive amounts of money and capture people within its grasp.
This powerful conversation unpacks the hidden truths of probable cause, the tragedy of high bail that forces people to plead guilty to crimes they didn't commit, and the devastating cycle of debt and trauma that families endure. Irene reveals that this system (traded on the New York Stock Exchange) doesn't prioritize victims but instead enriches itself. Joy and Irene discuss the true cost of incarceration, from soaring legal fees and fines to the loss of jobs, housing, and even family connections.
But this episode isn't just about identifying problems; it's about pioneering solutions. Irene explains the profound healing power of restorative justice, a process that brings together victims and perpetrators to find a path to restitution, healing, and even forgiveness. They also talk about a range of other solutions, including the coalition's work in court navigation, case management, and the vision for the Restore Life Center, a project that could help people before they ever enter the jail system.
The conversation touches on the inspiring progress of the tiny home community in Whatcom County, a grassroots effort that is helping people escape homelessness and rebuild their lives. As Irene says, we don't have to keep doing things the same way. We can choose a healthier, more humane path that focuses on healing rather than punishment. This is a must-listen episode for anyone who wants to understand the real justice system and what we can do to change it for the better.
In a compelling conversation, Joy Gilfilen welcomes Atul Deshmane, a dedicated public servant and Whatcom County resident, to the iChange Justice podcast. Deshmane, with his extensive background in clean energy and technology, offers a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing our communities. He begins by drawing a crucial distinction between a politician and a public servant, arguing that the latter's true purpose is to serve the public interest, not personal gain.
The discussion pivots to the concept of "intention over innovation," with Deshmane explaining that while he once believed technology alone could make the world better, he now understands that it is human intention that gives innovation purpose. This mindset is vital for addressing complex issues, from the use of artificial intelligence to how we manage our natural resources.
The episode hones in on three key issues for Whatcom County in 2025: water, energy, and digital civics. Deshmane highlights the existential threat to the Nooksack River, sharing a study that shows a high probability of it running dry within 50 years. He advocates for a proactive, collaborative approach to water management that includes regenerative agriculture, increased soil carbon, and innovative storage solutions like dams built for river protection, not just energy production. The conversation also explores the need for new energy sources like geothermal power and the importance of digital civics to empower citizens.
This episode is a powerful call to action, urging listeners to move beyond negative distractions and focus on collaborative, intention-driven solutions to build a more resilient and just future.
This week on the iChange Justice podcast, we're joined by John Fitzpatrick, a certified peer counselor with a unique perspective. John's journey began with a decades-long struggle with the justice system, starting at age six. But after a long history of incarceration, he’s found a new path, dedicating his life to helping others as a street outreach worker.
John’s work in Longview, Washington, goes beyond simply offering a bed for the night. He's a living example of the "wraparound services" model, a holistic approach to helping people in need. He explains that true change comes from addressing the whole person—offering mental health and substance abuse counseling, employment assistance, and housing support, all guided by someone with lived experience like himself.
The conversation gets real about the challenges on the streets today, including the disconnect between political promises like "housing first" and the reality of limited funding and services. John also sheds light on the evolving relationship between law enforcement and the community. He works directly with police behavioral health units, bridging the gap and ensuring that people in crisis get the help they need rather than just a trip to jail.
Ultimately, John's story is a powerful reminder that change is a choice, but it's a difficult one. He challenges us all to get involved, even in a small way, by simply listening to people's stories and treating them with compassion. His message is a call to action for communities to support those who are trying to help themselves, creating a network of support that can truly change lives.
Hosg, Joy Gilfilen, features a compelling conversation with criminal justice educator Karen Ball and Peacemaker Kurt Krueger. The discussion explores the transformative power of intentional change, bridging the gap between internal peace and external social activism. The panel delves into how personal belief systems and emotional integrity can create "quantum leaps" in individual performance and, by extension, societal transformation.
Karen Ball introduces the concept of "sacred activism," which marries inner spiritual work with the outward action of social change. She challenges the notion of "Pax Americana," a peace maintained through force, and advocates for a peace that is an embodied, active verb rather than a passive noun. Kurt Krueger shares his life's work as an educator and peacemaker, detailing how he cultivated an environment of kindness and teamwork in schools and how he later applied this to high-performance contexts. He emphasizes that a "state of being"—not just a state of mind—can lead to extraordinary results. The conversation also touches on the science behind belief and its impact on DNA, as pioneered by Dr. Bruce Lipton, and the importance of addressing both the "nature" of our internal selves and the "nurture" of our social systems.
Eric Flores: A New Era of Justice - Restorative CommUnity Coalition.
A New Era of Justice: Eric Flores on Re-entry, Restoration, and Whatcom County's Future
In a new episode of the iChange Justice podcast, host Joy Gilfilen introduces Eric Flores, the new president of the Restorative Community Coalition. Eric brings a unique blend of personal experience and professional insight to his new role.
As a Care Coordinator with the Freedom Project, Eric works as a peer mentor, guiding individuals currently or formerly incarcerated back into the community. His own experience with incarceration gives him profound empathy for the challenges of re-entry, and he helps clients develop detailed support plans to overcome barriers and achieve their goals. He notes that the attention to detail from his previous job as an inspector surprisingly transfers to his current role, allowing him to hold people accountable with genuine interest.
The Freedom Project provides crucial support for re-entry, including rental assistance, food, and clothing. Eric emphasizes that having a private space is the "cornerstone" of stability. However, he highlights a key challenge in Whatcom County: a lack of funding and a "gatekeeping" mentality among some non-profits that hinder collaboration. He believes greater cooperation is essential to serve the community effectively.
Eric also discusses the "Rip Van Winkle" effect of returning to a world transformed by technology and the struggle to adapt to digital life. The Freedom Project's digital literacy program helps bridge this gap. Through personal transformation and the encouragement of mentors, Eric has flipped a "criminal mindset" into a positive one, rebuilding his life and career to empower others.
Looking forward, Eric expresses hope for a future defined by empathy and understanding. He stresses the importance of community ties and working together to build a better era of public safety.
For more information, visit RestorativeCommunity.org and FreedomProjectW.org.
In this podcast we again welcome Kurt Krueger as we dive into the many faces of peace and how this applies to what's happening right now in 2025. We discuss the crucial links between the personal feeling of peace inside of us and how it affects what is happening in the space around us. Using real-world experiences, Kurt brings his wisdom to bear on today's challenges that we all are facing. He discusses how it works in real time physiologically, then in real situations, and how this ripples out to achieve a state change in the community. How do we "calm the waters" when people all around the world are confronting different types of trauma, tension, and stress?
Join Whatcom County's own Joy Gilfilen as she welcomes special guests Mel Hoover and Rose Eddington of Mel Rose Ministries.
This isn't just encouragement; it's wisdom, knowledge, hope, and a vision for navigating turbulent times. Mel and Rose, elders wise in years, share profound insights from their lives spanning eras from the Civil War to the present. They dive into how historical shifts, media, and cultural narratives have shaped our understanding of justice, community, and nationhood.
Prepare for a deep conversation that untangles the "snaggletooth" layers of chaos in our society, from the impact of early television to the complexities of Christian nationalism and the true meaning of "we the people." This episode challenges listeners to ground themselves, confront the forces of oppression, and consider how obscene wealth impacts our collective well-being and the planet.
Don't miss this crucial dialogue on learning from the past to shape a more just future for all generations.
Find iChange Justice every Thursday locally and everywhere you get your podcasts.
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
