iChange Justice Season 5

Host Joy Gilfilen welcomes Larry Ballesteros —a Native American leader and symbol of deep resilience (tribal name: Bear from the Earth). Larry reveals his journey from incarceration to innovation, detailing how he co-created the grassroots Transitioning Offenders Program (TOP) after realizing the system was designed to fail those being released (leaving prison with only a $40 check). Larry and fel...

From the healing ceremonies at Wounded Knee to her work with the Grandmothers Society, Grandmother Ejna Jean Fleury shares a living teaching on consciousness, remembrance, and the return of the Divine Feminine. Host Joy Gilfilen welcomes Grandmother Ejna Jean Fleury — Miniconjou, Oglala, Hunkpapa, and Ihanktonwan of the Great Sioux Nation; First Peace Ambassador of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe; and...

#209 – iChange Justice Podcast – From Chaos to Coherence: Dr. Christine Habercorn on Community, Economics & the Future of Justice Host- Joy Gilfilen and Karen Ball welcome Dr. Christine Habercorn, an elder stateswoman of civic leadership and long-time consultant with the Restorative CommUunity Coalition. With more than 50 years of political and community experience, Dr. Habercorn brings a rare...

Joy Gilfilen speaks about the evolution of the iChange Justice Podcast — how a lifetime of unexpected experiences shaped her understanding of law, leadership, and community transformation. For nearly five years, Joy has hosted the iChange Justice Podcast as a thought-leadership platform exploring how restorative justice, regenerative economics, and community empowerment intersect to build a more h...

#207 – iChange Justice Podcast Ethics, Sustainability and Regeneration with Milt Markowitz This episode offers a refreshing, thoughtful, human-focused perspective on the future of life on Earth — one that begins not with technology, tools, or tactics, but with the ethical soil from which all lasting solutions must grow. Whether you’re working in community building, environmental advocacy, justice...

206-iChange Justice Podcast – Ripples of Healing: How Service Transforms Communities with James White Hosted by Joy Gilfilen with co-host Karen Ball What does it mean to live a life centered on service — not as a title, a role, or a retirement project, but as a daily practice that transforms the world around us? In this powerful new conversation, host Joy Gilfilen and co-host Karen Ball sit down w...

Host Joy Gilfilen welcomes back Ilona Krohn, an economist whose research traces the hidden emotional and structural roots of our economic and social systems. Together they explore how the global obsession with profit and control has shaped local taxation, governance, and public safety — and how these deeply embedded behaviors are driving cycles of trauma, competition, and inequality in our communi...

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 resilienc...

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 indiv...

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 lis...

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 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 s...

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 jo...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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 dis...

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,...

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 abou...

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, se...

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...

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...

#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 i...

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 shar...