Restorative Works

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Jennifer Baker to the Restorative Works! Podcast . Jennifer joins us and delves into the concept of narrative change, exploring how storytelling—through media, art, and learning—can drive long-term social change. Jennifer highlights her work with the Narrative Initiative , a nonprofit that amplifies community-driven stories, ensuring those impacted have the agen...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Jenna Eckna, LCSW to the Restorative Works! Podcast . Jenna is Vice President of Social Services at Green Chimneys , a unique agency dedicated to supporting youth and families through nature-based programs, animal-assisted interventions, and restorative practices. Jenna reflects on how these innovative approaches empower young people to navigate challenges, buil...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Jadine Chou to the Restorative Works! Podcast . Jadine joins us to discuss the importance of relationships in defining safety in schools. From morning greetings by security staff to hallway interactions with teachers, she explains how simple, consistent actions build trust and make students feel valued. Through proactive measures like these, Chicago Public Schoo...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Emily Murphy to the Restorative Works! Podcast . Join us as Emily shares the story of the Restorative Practice Student Board, a leadership group of middle school students who mediate conflicts, review school policies, and make impactful decisions—like rewriting the school's dress code to reflect student voice and fairness. Listen as Emily details how empowering...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Janette Graham to the Restorative Works! Podcast .   Join us as Janette discusses her powerful journey advocating for justice-involved individuals. Drawing from personal experiences, including her son's incarceration at a young age, Janette shares how her organization, No Struggle, No Success (NSNS) , has become a full-service reentry organization, providing cru...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Anusha Nadkarni to the Restorative Works! Podcast . Anusha is a passionate student leader and CEO. She joins us and shares her journey from discovering restorative practices as a high school student to launching the first student-led restorative outreach program in her region. She describes the power of restorative practices in education and how it challenges pu...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Shana Haines, Ph. D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast .  Join us as Dr. Haines shares her expertise on the urgent need for meaningful connections in education with a focus on historically marginalized students and families, especially in a post-COVID landscape where isolation and technology-driven interactions are on the rise. Dr. Haines discusses the implemen...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Kendall Hughes, D. Min. and Captain Jeff Stilwell to the Restorative Works! Podcast .  Join us as Kendall shares his reflections on his two decades as a chaplain in federal prisons, where he facilitated transformative dialogues between incarcerated individuals and the victims of violent crimes. He shares how this experience inspired the creation of programs that...

Claire de Mézerville López and cohost, IIRP Lecturer A. Miguel Tello , welcome Jennifer Coreas to the Restorative Works! Podcast.  Jennifer discusses her work at ConTextos , a literacy nonprofit in El Salvador and Chicago. This organization works across schools, prisons, and communities to foster critical thinking, connection, and shared purpose. Jennifer's unique approach combines curriculum deve...

In this special episode of Restorative Works! , host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Kethlin Lorincz and is joined by co-host Maia Chochua, vice chair of the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) , to celebrate Restorative Justice Week. This episode is part of a special series, "Restorative Justice in Local Communities Around the World," created in partnership with the EFRJ. Kethlin sh...

In this special episode of Restorative Works! , host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Paolo Baffero, Ph. D., and is joined by co-host, Laura Hein, policy officer at the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) , to celebrate Restorative Justice Week. This episode is part of a special series, "Restorative Justice in Local Communities Around the World," created in partnership with the EFRJ....

In this special episode of Restorative Works! , host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Nirson Medeiros da Silva Neto, Ph. D., and is joined by co-host, Brunilda Pali, Chair of the board at the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) , to celebrate Restorative Justice Week. This episode is part of a special series, "Restorative Justice in Local Communities Around the World," created in part...

In this special episode of Restorative Works! , host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Leah Koumentaki, Ph. D., and is joined by co-host Federico Reggio, Ph. D., from the  European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) , to celebrate Restorative Justice Week. This episode is part of a special series, "Restorative Justice in Local Communities Around the World," created in partnership with the EFRJ...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Zeph Chang to the Restorative Works! Podcast .  Claire is joined by co-host, IIRP Director of Organizational Development Koury Cook . Join us as Zeph shares how debate can open minds, teaching students to understand multiple perspectives through "switch side debating," and how these experiences build emotional intelligence. He also reveals how restorative practi...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Eneida Padró, Ph. D., and Kate Shapero to the Restorative Works! Podcast.  Claire is joined by co-host, IIRP Instructor and Implementation Coach Nikki Chamblee, Ph. D. In this series of episodes, we explore what it means to "walk through tensions" - how we exist, find, and build community and forge a path forward through times of extreme polarization. Together,...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Borbala Fellegi, Ph. D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast . In this series of episodes, we explore what it means to "walk through tensions" - how we exist, find, and build community and forge a path forward through times of extreme polarization. Dr. Fellegi joins us to explore the intricate dynamics of polarization in today's world. With decades of experience i...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes J. Cody Nielsen, Ph. D. to the Restorative Works! Podcast . Claire is joined again by co-host, Associate Director for the Collaborative Center for Restorative Practices in Higher Education Kaleigh Mrowka, Ph. D. In this series of episodes, we explore what it means to "walk through tensions" - how we exist, find, and build community and forge a path forward throu...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Shelley Jones-Holt, Ed. D. to the Restorative Works! Podcast . Claire is joined again by co-host, IIRP Vice President for Partnerships Keith Hickman . In this series of episodes, we explore what it means to "walk through tensions" - how we exist, find, and build community and forge a path forward through times of extreme polarization. Dr. Shelley joins us to sha...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Alaya Vautier to the Restorative Works! Podcast.  Join us as Alaya reflects on the importance of taking time in mediation processes, the power of genuine listening, and the challenges and rewards of working with youth through restorative justice. From her early days in mediation to her current role designing and leading impactful programs, Alaya offers deep insi...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Raymond E. Kramer, J.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Claire is joined by co-host, I IRP Vice President for Partnerships Keith Hickman . Judge Kramer joins us and provides a compelling narrative of how restorative justice, mediation, and peacekeeping circles have shifted the paradigm in administrative law, emphasizing the importance of human connection and...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Gabriel Velez, Ph. D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast.  Dr. Velez joins us to explore the intricate ways adolescents perceive violence, peace, and justice, shedding light on the critical need for adult reflection and humility in restorative work. They discuss how the societal emphasis on punitive measures influences young minds and the significance of creatin...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Razwana Begum Bt Abdul Rahim to the Restorative Works ! Podcast.  Razwana joins us and shares her unique insights into the importance of healing, accountability, and ethical leadership within the realms of public safety and community support. Listen as she describes how her extensive experience working with vulnerable children and probationers has shaped her app...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Gayle Desmeules to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Gayle joins us and shares her insights into how restorative practices rooted in Indigenous ways of knowing are transforming communities and workplaces in Canada. She highlights the significance of acknowledging traditional lands and celebrates National Indigenous History Month by reflecting on the resilience and...

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Jose Molina to the Restorative Works! Podcast .  Jose joins us and shares his journey from volunteering with the Peace Corps in Costa Rica to implementing restorative practices in corporate America. He provides firsthand accounts of building bridges within communities, creating inclusive environments, and empowering voices through restorative practices. From usi...

Claire de Mézerville López and co-host, IIRP instructor and implementation coach, Kiyaana Cox-Jones , welcome Lauryn Whitney to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Lauryn dives deep into the transformative power of storytelling, explaining how personal narratives can drive collective healing and societal change. She explains what it means to live with audacity and to tell your story with authenticity....