Reset Critical

Immigration judge and former DHS chief counsel Ashley Tabaddor joins Reset Critical

for a candid, deeply informed look at immigration in America—what’s actually legal,

what’s political theater, and what’s being done in our name. She explains how asylum

truly functions, why “undocumented” is not a crime at the border, and how COVID-era

policies like Title 42 skewed the numbers we think we understand. Drawing on

history—from the Chin...

In this episode of Reset Critical, host Niaz Kasravi is joined by Patrice Sulton, a criminal defense and civil rights lawyer, to discuss urgent issues in criminal justice and racial equity. With extensive experience in criminal justice advocacy and research, Niaz leads an in-depth exploration of reforms, setbacks, and the future of these critical areas. Patrice, founder of DC Justice Lab and the new Executive Director of the Center...

Join Niaz Kasravi on Reset Critical as she explores the complexities of artificial intelligence (AI) with Nadia Davari, an accomplished attorney specializing in the intersection of entertainment, media, and technology. They discuss the benefits and risks of AI, from its role in daily tasks to its potential to replace jobs and pose ethical challenges. The conversation covers legal concerns such as copyright issues, the use of person...

In this thought-provoking episode of Reset Critical, host Niaz Kasravi is joined by Dr. Melina Abdullah, professor and co-founder of Black Lives Matter Los Angeles and Black Lives Matter Grassroots, and Ise Lyfe, a social enterprise executive, professor, artist, and activist. The discussion delves deep into the state of racial justice advocacy, the impact of recent socio-political developments, and the ongoing challenges posed by s...

Iran, the Diaspora's Responsibility, and Reclaiming Civil Discourse

 What happens when conversations about a country you love become polarized, weaponized, and destructive?

In this solo episode of Reset Critical, host Niaz Kasravi steps away from debate and returns to key principles: compassion, dignity, responsibility, and democracy.

This is not commentary theater. This is a reset.

 Topics covered:

• The current crisis inside ...

In this compelling episode of Reset Critical, host Niaz Kasravi takes a deep dive into the harrowing world of wrongful convictions. Joining her is Walter Katz, the Director of Policy at the Innocence Project, for a conversation that deconstructs the flaws inherent in the U.S. criminal justice system. Katz shares vital insights into the history of the Innocence Project and their landmark work exonerating the wrongly convicted throug...

In this episode of Reset Critical, host Niaz sits down with U.S. House Representative Yassamin Ansari to discuss some of the most urgent political and moral issues facing the country. They talk about the current state of ICE, immigration raids, detention conditions, and the growing public backlash against aggressive enforcement policies. Congresswoman Ansari also shares her views on the fight for transparency regarding the Epstein ...

What happens to truth, solidarity, and our humanity when war, trauma, and ideology collide? In this episode of Reset Critical, Niaz is joined by Dr. Annahita Mahdavi West and Dr. Cornel West to discuss the war in Iran, the intense trauma of living under bombardment and repression, and how diaspora PTSD and divisions fuel anger, infighting, and political labels. They explore the idea of a just war, criticize Trump’s initiation of wa...

Can policy wins and “reforms” actually make us safer, or do they just shrink our demands until nothing meaningful changes? In this episode of Reset Critical with Niaz Kasravi, featuring guest Lex Steppling, a seasoned organizer with the Los Angeles Community Action Network (LA CAN) and a founding member of the All People's Health Collective, Lex and Niaz discuss how today’s political climate feels unprecedented in its brazen cruelt...

In this episode of Reset Critical, Niaz sits down with scholar and filmmaker Rudy Mondragón to explore boxing as far more than sport. They discuss how boxing has long been a site of political struggle, self-expression, and resistance — especially for people from marginalized communities. Rudy explains how ring entrances can function as powerful acts of identity, solidarity, and advocacy, from Indigenous representation to statements...

In this episode of Reset Critical, Niaz sits down with Marcie Gilbert and Marcos L. Vann of Calibrate, a Los Angeles nonprofit that helps young people and communities heal through a powerful practice called Connections. They explain how creating safe, structured spaces for people to speak from the heart and listen without interruption can build resilience, strengthen communication, and foster genuine human connection across differe...