The Waiting Room with Nadine Graves

In this episode, Ms. B. shares how she survived prison after receiving the devastating news of the death of her daughter, Sandy, a childhood friend of mine. She also shares about the struggles of re-entering the community with a criminal record. Lastly, she shares her dream of starting an organization, MySandy.org, in order to help the children of incarcerated parents. Here is the link for the MPR...

In this episode, Tennesha Wood, dating coach, matchmaker, podcast host, and my good friend, joins me to talk about the correlation between mass incarceration and other racially driven legal decisions that have contributed to the decline in Black marriage in America. We also talk about the importance of black families, how representation matters, and how the murder of George Floyd along with the in...

In this episode, Mary Moriarty, career Public Defender (PD) and chief of the Hennepin County PD's Office in Minneapolis, provides a much needed perspective into the work of a PD, countering the public perception of PDs being public pretenders. Additionally Mary offers insight as to role prosecutors and judges can play in holding officers accountable and criminal system reform. Mary also talks brie...

On this episode, Kevin Reese, Director of Criminal Justice at Voices for Racial Justice and Founder of Until We Are All Free shares just a glimpse of who he is and what he's passionate about. He describes what it was like grappling with the narrative that his incarceration was justified because he was considered a threat to public safety. He also talks about the Bridge , a grassroots partnership h...

In this episode Alyssa Tamboura, advocate for children impacted by the criminal justice system and founder of Walls to Bridges Project , shares about her organization as well as the book project that was 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.    Alyssa also shares a powerful poem...

In this episode Christina Sorenson, 2019 Sorors Justice Fellow at the Juvenile Law Center, shares how she has turned the pain from growing up in the foster care system into a passion for helping create space for youth caught up in the child welfare system. She acknowledges that her experience was traumatizing, yet it was contrary to what Black youth, especially Black girls experience.  References...

In this episode, Jorge Renaud, Regional Director of Policy and Advocacy at the organization Latino Justice, shares his powerful and thought-provoking story about grappling with the choices and circumstances that led him to serving 27 years in prison.  Since he's been out, Jorge is choosing to live a life dedicated to ending a system of locking people away in cages. He travels the nation, amplifyin...

On this episode Eliana describes what life has been like waiting for her dad to come home from federal prison, where he has been incarcerated for more than 20 years. 

In this introductory episode Nadine shares what led her to create the Waiting Room and what you can expect to hear on the podcast.  The hashtag for the podcast is #TWRpodcast You can find us on Instagram @TWR_Podcast

The Waiting Room with Nadine Graves provides a mic for the unheard. Exposing the invisible impact of the US Criminal Justice System through the stories of those waiting for justice, waiting for freedom, and the professionals helping those in the wait. This episode is an introduction to the podcast.  The hashtag for the podcast is #TWRpodcast You can find us on Instagram @TWR_Podcast To be a visito...