Opening Doors

In this episode of Opening Doors, host Rachel Dalinka sits down with Cat Greenleaf, creator and host of NBC's Talk Stoop and now host of the Soberness Podcast, to talk about sobriety, second chances, and the work she is building through Restorative Housing Organization. Cat shares what it was like to realize alcohol would become a problem for her even before she ever drank, how she found her way t...

In this episode of  Opening Doors , host  Rachel Dalinka  sits down with  Atif Bostic, President & CEO of Uplift Solutions , an organization training and placing formerly incarcerated men and women into jobs across the Philadelphia area. Atif shares how Uplift evolved from tackling food deserts to becoming a workforce development engine with pathways like CDL, HVAC, and transitional "same-day work...

In the Season 2 premiere of the Opening Doors Podcast, host Rachel Dalinka speaks with Matthew Garcia, who has spent 27 years incarcerated for felony murder-despite having fled the scene before the actual crime occurred. Through intimate conversations with both Matthew and his wife, Carisia Magobet, we explore the unjust realities of Pennsylvania's sentencing laws and the human toll of life withou...

In this episode, Rachel Dalinka moderates a powerful conversation between three formerly incarcerated individuals: Suave Gonzalez, Jeffrey Abramowitz, and Kimpedro Rodriguez. All transformed their lives and are now working to support others. The guests share their experiences with the challenges of re-entry, the importance of education and support systems, and the need for societal change in how r...

Join the Opening Doors LIVE Audience on Tuesday, March 25th, 6:30-8pm, Lower Merion HS, Ardmore PA. Rachel Dalinka hosts Suave Gonzalez, Jeff Abromowitz, and KimPedro Rodriguez for a discussion on Incarceration and Redemption.  Register: Main Line School Night . In this powerful episode of Opening Doors Podcast, Rachel Dalinka speaks with Shakaboona Marshall about his journey of thirty years of in...

Join the Opening Doors LIVE Audience on Tuesday, March 25th, 6:30-8pm, Lower Merion HS, Ardmore PA. Rachel Dalinka hosts Suave Gonzalez, Jeff Abromowitz, and KimPedro Rodriguez for a discussion on Incarceration and Redemption.  Register: Main Line School Night . In this deeply moving episode of Opening Doors Podcast, Rachel Dalinka sits down with Megan Cohen, founder and executive director of the...

Join the Opening Doors LIVE Audience on Tuesday, March 25th, 6:30-8pm, Lower Merion HS, Ardmore PA. Rachel Dalinka hosts Suave Gonzalez, Jeff Abromowitz, and KimPedro Rodriguez for a discussion on Incarceration and Redemption.  Register: Main Line School Night . In this powerful episode of Opening Doors Podcast, host Rachel Delinka sits down with author, deacon, and motivational speaker DANI, who...

In this deeply moving live episode of the Opening Doors Podcast , my guest Suave Gonzalez shares his journey of resilience, transformation, and advocacy. Arrested at the age of 17 and wrongfully convicted, Suave faced a life sentence in Pennsylvania's prison system. Over the next three decades, he endured the harsh realities of incarceration but emerged with a powerful story of self-reinvention an...

In this compelling episode of Opening Doors Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Christi Smith, an esteemed expert in criminal justice policy and trauma-informed care. Dr. Smith shares insights from her extensive experience as a parole officer, academic, and advocate for systemic reform. Together, we explore the challenges of over-criminalization, the benefits of trauma-informed practices, and innovative...

In this episode of Opening Doors, we explore transformative approaches to rehabilitating individuals within the prison system through entrepreneurial programs. Joe Gagnon shares his journey from a career in tech and entrepreneurship to volunteering with Defy Ventures, an organization that offers incarcerated individuals entrepreneurial training. With a deep passion for uplifting others, he discuss...

In this inspiring episode of Opening Doors, host Rachel Dalinka sits down with Judge Rea Boylan of Bucks County to discuss the transformative impact of Recovery and Wellness Courts. Judge Boylan shares her experiences since initiating these innovative alternatives to incarceration, which focus on treatment and community reintegration for individuals struggling with addiction and mental health chal...

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Opening Doors, Rachel speaks with Jeffrey Abramowitz, CEO of the Petey Greene Program and a champion for education and reentry services for incarcerated individuals. Jeff shares his incredible journey, from a former trial lawyer facing incarceration to a dedicated advocate for justice and learning. He reflects on the transformative power of choices, forgi...

Join me for my Podcast Launch event on 12/7 from 3-6 PM at REC Philly (9th & Market) featuring a live podcast interview, live jazz/blues music by Tonya Lynette, plus food & drinks!  Register here! In this powerful episode of the Opening Doors Podcast, we sit down with Will Every, a resilient entrepreneur and inspirational figure who transformed his life after years of hardship. Will shares his jou...

Join me for my Podcast Launch event on 12/7 from 3-6 PM at REC Philly (9th & Market) featuring a live podcast interview, live jazz/blues music by Tonya Lynette, plus food & drinks! Register here! Episode Summary In this milestone episode of Opening Doors Podcast, host Rachel Dalinka reflects on the journey so far and the profound impact the podcast has had on its listeners. Rachel shares heartfelt...

In this powerful episode of Opening Doors, Star Granger shares her deeply personal journey from being incarcerated at 17 for first-degree murder to her release in 2018 after serving 35 years. Star reflects on the realities of life in prison, her fight for survival and personal growth, and the challenges faced by women in the criminal justice system. She also discusses her involvement with reentry...

In this episode of Opening Doors Podcast, host Rachel Dalinka sits down with Dr. Omar Reda, a board-certified psychiatrist, Author, and Harvard-trained trauma expert based at UCHealth in Fort Collins, Colorado. Dr. Omar Reda shares his profound insights on trauma, how it shapes lives, and why it's essential to adopt a compassionate, trauma-informed approach to healing. They discuss his journey fro...

In this powerful episode of the Opening Doors Podcast, host Rachel Dalinka connects with Tammy Harris, founder of the Jahmil Harris Foundation. Tammy shares her deeply personal story of loss and the journey that led her to create the foundation in memory of her son, Jahmil. Through this organization, she provides support to communities affected by gun violence and helps young people with opportuni...

In this compelling episode of the Opening Doors Podcast , host Rachel Dalinka sits down with Jonathan Lewis, the Executive Director of Life Abundant Prison Ministries, to explore his remarkable journey from incarceration to becoming a leader in prison ministry. Jonathan opens up about his early years, the challenges he faced while navigating the criminal justice system, and the profound transforma...

In this episode of the Opening Doors Podcast, host Rachel Dalinka sits down with Wayne "Jamaal" Garrett, a community engagement and reentry coordinator for Uplift Solutions and president of the Uplift Alumni Association. Wayne shares his compelling journey from incarceration to becoming a leader in workforce development for justice-impacted individuals. He discusses the systemic challenges faced b...

In this powerful inaugural episode of the  Opening Doors Podcast , host Rachel Dalinka opens up about her deeply personal journey through trauma, addiction, and healing. Rachel shares her story of growing up with a father who was a brilliant attorney but also struggled with cocaine addiction, leading to a tumultuous childhood marked by chaos, loss, and shame. Through candid reflections, Rachel dis...

Welcome to the "Opening Doors" podcast, where healing and redemption take center stage. Hosted by Rachel Dalinka, this podcast draws from her personal experiences with her father's battle against addiction and incarceration, and her extensive 25-year career in education and facilitation. "Opening Doors" is a safe space for open dialogues on overcoming life's traumas, reframing experiences, and fin...