The Waiting Room with Nadine Graves

Check out this episode with Alyssa Tamboura, an advocate for children impacted by the criminal justice system and founder of Walls to Bridges Project, which aired initially in Season 1. Alyssa shares about her organization and the book project created this past summer for system-impacted kids to maintain communication with their loved ones since in-person visits have been suspended due to COVID-19...

Hey Visitors! After a nine-month hiatus, Nadine is back! In this episode, Nadine gives you a brief update on some of the things she's been focusing on in her "year of no." As mentioned in the show: Look out for new episodes on the first Wednesday of every month. In the last episode, Nadine mentioned she'd be moderating a conversation for the Minnesota Justice Research Center's Re-Imagining Confere...

In this solo episode, Nadine shares some of the things she has been up to in the last few months as well as two upcoming conferences she'd love for you to attend.   Featured in this episode:  We Are All Criminals Support  The Great North Innocence Project   Support  National Association of Public Defense Racial Justice Photos from the conference Book recommendations  The Rage of Innocence - How Am...

Molly Bailey, therapist and founder of Minnesota Trauma Recovery Institute joins Nadine in the Waiting Room for an in-depth conversation about how trauma impacts human behavior and her passion for helping families impacted by the criminal legal system find healing. Molly is waiting for our legal system to catch up on the science of trauma, so it can be more reflective of how we now know how humans...

Hey Vistors!  In this episode, Nadine checks in briefly to highlight Juneteenth, Open Nexus Community Partners Open Road Fund, the Department of Justices report on the Minneapolis Police Department, and ends with the amazing news of being named one of the 2023 Bush Fellows! See the links below for more details on everything shared in this episode!  Juneteenth The Open Road Fund was created to serv...

Hey Visitors! In this episode, Nadine gives a brief H.O.T (humble, open, and transparent) update on where she's been the last 2 months and also shares insight on what she's been reflecting on as she approaches her 40th birthday! Send her some birthday love on IG at  TWR_Podcast CashApp: $NadineGraves Venmo: @Nadine-Graves

  Shenika Chambers, Policy Program Manager at Violence Free Minnesota , joins Nadine in the Waiting Room and shares insight on the legislative process from her time as a Legislative Assistant with the Minnesota House of Representatives.  Here is an additional resource outlining how a bill becomes law. Who Represents Me? Also, here you can find Violence Free Minnesota's 2023 Legislative agenda, whi...

In this solo episode, Nadine gives a brief update on previous bills mentioned on TWR. She also shares some upcoming events as well as opportunities to share with either  MNJRC any experiences you've had with cash bail and/or with the Human Rights Initiative at the University of Minnesota any impact police violence and surveillance has had on you or your loved ones.  Upcoming events:  Legal Rights...

Antonio Williams, Founder of T.O.N.E U.P joins Nadine in the Waiting Room for an in-depth conversation about the importance of healing and liberation. From prison to the "free world," Antonio embodies the power of community organizing against injustices. He is a canvasser, writer, community builder, father, and activist, and we are all much better because of his commitment to uplifting people. Ple...

Marcel Hofker, Founder of Strive Staffing joins Nadine in the Waiting Room role where he shares how he overcame his addiction and now is in the service of others as he provides second chances for those seeking employment. Check out more about Marcel here: " Minneapolis Man Connects With Hockey, Overcomes Addiction, Gives Others A Second Chance " Also mentioned in this episode:  Challenge Incarcera...

Happy New Year! We at TWR apologize for the unexpected break. Nadine is back with a new season, rested, and hopeful for what the new year will bring.  Tracy Jackson Director of Talent at Repowered formerly Tech Dump joins Nadine in the Waiting Room role where she shares how she overcame the shame of her conviction through the second chance received through Tech Dump, which ultimately led to what s...

In this solo episode, Nadine shares how therapy is helping process past traumas and reshares S2E2 in support of Domestic Violence Awareness month.  Mentioned in this episode: The Body Keeps the Score Hello Hubby S2E201: Have you been in a toxic relationship?  Donate : We Are All Criminals  Domestic Abuse Power and Control Wheel Domestic Abus / Harassment Resource Sheet  Hennepin County Lawyer Shar...

In this solo episode, Nadine shares her gratitude for the recent awards she received recognizing her efforts to reform the criminal legal system. She also highlights the importance of the Hennepin County attorney race and asks people to research the candidates and make an informed decision from a place of innovation and creativity instead of repeating the same policies that perpetuate harm.  Menti...

Nadine's long-time friend, Kristi of Love Speaks, joins Nadine in the Waiting Room to share a remarkable story about how and why she started her prison ministry, which focuses on restoration, freedom, and healing.  Kristi can be contacted via email at l ovespeaks416@gmail.com .  Scriptures shared in this episode:  "There is no fear in love [dread does not exist]. But perfect (complete, full-grown)...

Damon Drake of We Resolve MN joins Nadine in the Waiting Room to share about how his organization is utilizing the Participatory Defense model to empower the community as either they or a loved one navigates through the criminal legal process.  We Resolved can be contacted through the link above or by calling: 651-505-3288. Also, please consider supporting this important organization by donating o...

Nadine is joined by Civil Rights Attorney, Zorislav Leyderman , and they have a blunt conversation about the things most of us already knew about the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Police Department in response to the Minnesota Department of Human Rights Findings .  Mentioned in this episode:  Link for Public Comment regarding consent decree.  Article on the Hardel Sherrell Act , which wa...

Father and Art from the Inside , artist Ricardo Dominguez shares how his early exposure to art provided an outlet that helped him reflect and reset while incarcerated. His art forces anyone who sees it to see something beautiful, something more than his past. This art is now opening doors to the life he's been waiting for.  Check out and purchase Ricardo's artwork here .  Also mentioned in this ep...

In this episode, Nadine gives tribute to a sister, Leslie Redmond who is a powerhouse for justice as well as other influential women in her life. She also highlights National Public Defender Day and the confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson .  Leslie Redmond is the founder of Don't Complain Active , a movement that encourages all of us to get involved in social justice. She can be...

In this episode, Nadine gives a brief update on what's new with her professionally as the new Deputy Director of Community Legal Services at the Legal Rights Center .  Nadine also provides a brief review of the must-read memoir, Unbound : My Story of Liberation and the Birth of the Me Too Movement by Tarana Burke . 

In this episode, Mirella Ceja-Orozco, Co-Executive Director of the Minnesota Freedom Fund. She shares how her upbringing led her to a career dedicated to being a fierce advocate for immigrants' rights. She also shares historical and current trends in immigration law. Lastly, she describes how the US Immigration System and Criminal Legal System are embedded in one another.   As mentioned in this ep...

October is Domestic Violence Awareness month. Heidi DeFord, Hennepin County Attorney, joins TWR to share her story about being in an abusive relationship with the hopes of helping others to heal. Heidi shares that she approaches her work with a holistic view with each person's humanity at the forefront.  Referenced in this episode:  Hennepin County Lawyer Shares Personal Domestic Abuse Story Domes...

Welcome to the one-year anniversary of TWR! Thank you for all the support and for sharing TWR with your friends and family. I am also extremely grateful for all my guests who have joined me in the Waiting Room to share some of their selves with us. Your transparency, vulnerability, and dedication to eradicate the systems as we know it has been infectious and inspiring. In this episode, Jason Sole...

Happy Juneteenth and Father's Day! In this episode, Seanie Shepherd shares how having her dad sent to prison shortly after she graduated from high school impacted her and her 9 siblings. Our conversation highlights the importance of fathers and what a pivotal role they play in their children's lives despite whatever crimes they may have committed. Seanie is a wife, mother, daughter, and the Vice P...

I invite you to check out an interview on TPT where several community leaders and I share our thoughts on: "Trial & Tribulation: Where Do We Go From Here?" one year after the death of George Floyd.  https://www.tptoriginals.org/trial-tribulation-where-do-we-go-from-here/ I also invite you to check out an interview I did through Club Book , where I interviewed Ian Manuel, author of the highly antic...

In this episode Nadine, believing she has been called " for such a time as this ," tells the whole truth about the injustices she has seen involving the police as a public defender and in her personal life. This episode serves as a call to action to question the system of policing in America, be a part of the solution for change, and support organizations who are boots on the ground doing the work...