iChange Justice

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 resilience, hear stories of peace initiatives ...

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 listeners behind the curtain into t...

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 individuals but created an entire culture...

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 the Pacific Northwest to be clos...

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 she has learned along the way.

The di...

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 journey, starting with her chil...

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, arguing that the latter's true pur...

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 beyond simply offering a bed for th...

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, by extension, societal transformati...

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 a Care Coordinator with the Freedom ...

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 discusses how it works in real time ph...

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, and cultural narratives have shaped...

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 about success stories like the North Hav...

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, serves as a powerful microcosm for th...

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 resolution, and community organizin...

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 ingrained patterns restrict our coll...

#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 is the founder of the Restorative Commu...

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 share how her family moved from California...

We're excited to bring you an encore presentation of iChange Justice Podcast, Episode #133: "Disconnection from the Natural Cycles of Life."

Join your host, Joy Gilfilen, and Karen Ball as they delve into the nature of life in the indigenous world with their special guest, Eveimai Lotori. Eveimai, who is multi-cultural and conducts sacred ceremonies across Canada, the U.S., and Mexico, offers a unique perspective on this profound to...