Whatsjust presents Critical Conversations
Dr. Abbie Henson hosts conversations with people directly impacted by the criminal justice system, whether through lived experience, research, or both. The podcast explores complex justice-related issues, encouraging listeners to think critically and challenge existing narratives. It aims to inspire transformation in both individuals and the broader criminal legal system through open dialogue.
Episodes
Pregnancy on Trial: The Criminalization of Reproduction with Lourdes A. Rivera
Send a textIn this episode, I’m joined by Lourdes A. Rivera, President of Pregnancy Justice and a leading voice in the fight to ensure that no one loses their rights because of pregnancy. Lourdes has spent over three decades advancing reproductive freedom, gender justice, and human rights through her work in law, philanthropy, and advocacy.Together, we unpack what it means to live in a country whe
Are We All Falling for 'Copaganda'? with Alec Karakatsanis
Send a textIn this episode, I’m joined by Alec Karakatsanis, a trailblazing civil rights lawyer, Founder and Executive Director of Civil Rights Corps, and author of Copaganda: How Police and the Media Manipulate Our News. Together, we pull back the curtain on how everyday headlines shape what we believe about crime, safety, and justice, and how those beliefs serve the powerful and not necessarily
How to Make Heterosexuality Less "Tragic" with Dr. Jane Ward
Send a textThis episode features Dr. Jane Ward, professor and chair of Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of the recent book, The Tragedy of Heterosexuality. In this conversation, we explore the complexities of heterosexuality, its historical context, and the implications of gender dynamics in relationships. We discuss The evolution of marriage Exploring se
How Healing Changes our Future, Present, and Past with Prentis Hemphill
Send a textThis episode features a live-recorded critical conversation between Abbie and Prentice Hemphill, a therapist, somatic educator, political organizer, founder of the Embodiment Institute, and writer of the recent book, What It Takes To Heal. In this conversation, we explore the intricate relationship between healing, justice, and the body, and discuss:Conflict as a catalyst for growthThe
Step Ten: Being Open to Change with Dr. Steven Windisch
Send a textThis episode is step ten in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations featuring Steven Windisch, the Director of the Crime and Security Data Analytics Lab in the Terrorism Research Center at the University of Arkansas. Dr. Windisch's research breaks away from approaches limited to specific phases of the extremist’s life course, such as their period of incarceration. Inst
Step Nine: Developing Empathy with Dr. Barret Michalec
Send a textThis episode is step nine in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations featuring Barret Michalec, director of the Center for Advancing Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research (CAIPER), and an associate professor in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Michalec’s research examines humility, empathy, and belonging, particularly within the healthcare fi
Step Eight: Releasing Defenses with Dr. Alison Wood Brooks
Send a textThis episode is step eight in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations featuring Dr. Alison Wood Brooks, a Professor of Business Administration and Hellman Faculty Fellow at the Harvard Business School who was recently named a Best 40-Under-40 Business School Professor by Poets & Quants. Her book TALK: The Science of Conversation and the Art of Being Ourselves will be pu
Step Seven: Encouraging Vulnerability with Dr. Mariel Buqué
Send a textThis episode is step seven in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations featuring Dr. Mariel Buqué, an Afro-Latina psychologist and author of the best-selling book, Break the Cycle: A Guide to Healing Intergenerational Trauma. She earned her doctoral degree in psychology at Columbia University, where she trained as a holistic mental health fellow within Columbia University&ap
Step Six: Learning to Listen with Julian Treasure
Send a textThis episode is step six in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Julian Treasure, a top-rated international speaker and award-winning author on the power of sound and the skills of speaking and listening for both individuals and organizations. Julian’s five TED talks have been viewed more than 150 million times; one of them is the sixth most-viewed of all ti
Step Five: Mastering the Power of Inquiry with Dr. Natalie Nixon
Send a textThis episode is step five in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Natalie Nixon, a creativity strategist and keynote speaker. She is valued for her accessible expertise in creativity, the future of work, and innovation. Natalie has been named among the top women keynote speakers by Real Leaders and BigSpeak and has features in Forbes, Fast Company, and I
Step Four: Creating Safety in Conflict with Dr. Peter T. Coleman
Send a textThis episode is step four in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Peter T Coleman, a professor of psychology and education at Columbia University and a renowned expert on constructive conflict resolution, intractable conflict, and sustaining peace. Dr. Coleman has authored or edited a dozen books, well over 100 scientific articles and chapters, is the re
Step Three: Cultivating Curiosity with Dr. Todd Kashdan
Send a textThis episode is step three in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Todd B. Kashdan, a Professor of Psychology at George Mason University, and a leading authority on well-being, curiosity, courage, and resilience. He has published over 200 scientific articles, his work has been cited over 35,000 times, and he received the American Psychological Associatio
Step Two: Recognizing Personal Biases with Dr. Mendoza-Denton
Send a textThis episode is step two in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Rodolfo Mendoza-Denton, a professor of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, with expertise in stereotyping and prejudice from the perspective of both target and perceiver, intergroup relations, and how these processes influence educational outcomes. In this episode, we:defi
Step One: Becoming Self-Aware with Dr. Rick Hanson
Send a textThis episode is step one in the 10-Step Toolkit to Having Critical Conversations and features Dr. Rick Hanson, a psychologist, senior fellow at UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, and New York Times bestselling author. His seven books have been published in 31 languages and include Making Great Relationships, Neurodharma, Hardwiring Happiness, and Buddha's Brain, with o
What Happened to You? with Dr. Bruce Perry
Send a textToday's episode features New York Times best-selling author, neuroscientist, and developmental psychiatrist, Dr. Bruce Perry. In this episode we discuss:why we need to start asking "What happened to you?" rather than "What's wrong with you?how relationships and connection can counterbalance the negative health impacts of traumahow our brains interpret stress and
Can Self-Care Prevent Police Shootings? with Iya Affo
Send a textToday's episode features Iya Affo, the founder of Heal Historical Trauma Culture Wellness Academy, and the International Historical Trauma Association. In this episode we discuss:how trauma creates neurological dysregulationhow self-care can be used as a stress-prevention toolwhy it's important to teach police about historical traumaIf you have any questions or comments that
Are Credit Scores Racist? with Ashley Bell
Send a textToday's episode features Ashley Bell, CEO of Readylife, a new Black-owned bank that is making homeownership more achievable for those often left out of the global economy. In this episode we discuss:the racist history of the American banking systemthe truth behind how credit scores are createdhow homeownership is a key component for racial equityIf you have any questions or commen
Can Prisons be Humane? with Dr. Jordan Hyatt
Send a textToday's episode features Dr. Jordan Hyatt, an associate professor in the Department of Criminology and Justice Studies at Drexel University, where he also sits as director of the Center for Public Policy. In this episode we discuss:a pilot program in a Pennsylvania prison that is attempting to emulate the Scandinavian prison modelhow the prison environment impacts correctional off
Should We Abolish Prisons? with Are Hoidal
Send a textToday's episode features Are Hoidal, Senior Advisor for the Norwegian Correctional Service and recent author of The Norweigan Prison System: Halden Prison and Beyond. For 14 years, Are served as the prison warden at Halden prison, known to be the most humane prison in the world. In this episode we discuss:the importance of rehabilitation versus retributionhow to lower recidivism ra
Can We Cure Violence? with Dr. Fredrick Echols
Send a textToday's episode features Dr. Fredrick Echols, Chief Executive Officer of Cure Violence Global, a violence prevention organization. Prior to becoming CEO of CVG, Dr. Echols served as the Director of Health and Health Commissioner for the City of St. Louis and was a physician in the U.S. Navy. In this episode we discuss:the reason for the uptick in violence during the COVID-19 pandem
Should We Legalize All Drugs? with Dr. Carl Hart
Send a textDr. Carl Hart is a neuroscientist and professor of Psychology at Columbia University and is also the author of Drug Use for Grown-Ups: Chasing Liberty in the Land of Fear. In this episode we:uncover the benefits of drug usedebunk several myths including that (1) drugs destroy the brain, and (2) drugs cause violence and crimediscuss the feasibility of drug legalizationexamine the importa
Can We Actually Abolish the Police? with Dr. Alex Vitale
Send a textDr. Alex Vitale is the author of End of Policing, a Sociology professor at Brooklyn College, and the coordinator of the Policing and Social Justice Project. He has spent the last 25 years writing about policing and consults both police departments and human rights organizations internationally. In this episode we:unpack the differences between the concepts of police abolition and police
Getting Healthy Through Healing with Dr. Wright
Send a textThis episode features a critical conversation with Dr. H. Jean Wright, the Deputy Commissioner for Philadelphia’s Department of Behavioral Health and the Director of the Behavioral Health and Justice division. In this episode, we discuss social determinants of health and specifically how the criminal justice system impacts the health of all those in contact with it. We also discuss tang
Dying to Live in Prison with Stacey Torrance
Send a textIn this episode, I’m joined by Stacey Torrance. Stacey was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole at the age of 14. Upon the supreme court ruling that sentencing children to life without parole was unconstitutional, Stacey was released after 30 years in prison. In this episode, we speak about how he maintained hope throughout his sentence, the harsh reality check he confron
How Prison Impacts the Mind, Body, and Soul with Abd'Allah Lateef
Send a textThis critical conversation features Abd’allah Lateef, the Senior Strategic Advisor and Racial Equity Specialist at the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth. Sentenced to life without the possibility of parole as a child, Abd’allah was resentenced and released in 2017 after spending over 30 years in prison. In this episode, Abd’allah provides an intimate account of the effects of pr
Locked In During Lockdown with Michael A.
Send a textThis episode features Michael A., a teaching assistant at the University of Kent in England and motivational speaker. Michael was incarcerated at the age of 16 and spent 12 years in the UK prison system and was released in the summer of 2020. In this episode, we speak on how police action can instigate criminal engagement, what it was like to be incarcerated and released during a global
Tangible Solutions to America's Policing Crisis with Dr. Rashawn Ray
Send a textThis critical conversation features Dr. Rashawn Ray, a fellow at The Brookings Institution, and a Sociology Professor and the Executive Director of the Lab for Applied Social Science Research at the University of Maryland. In this episode, we discuss some of the public health issues stemming from racism. Dr. Ray also presents some tangible solutions to America’s policing crisis, includ
Women's Unique Paths to Prison with Kamilah Newton
Send a textThis episode features Kamilah Newton, a writer, advocate, and previous participant of Justice Home, an alternative to incarceration program hosted by the Women’s Prison Association. This episode exposes the unique gendered experience of the criminal justice system, highlighting the cycle of victimization and the pervasiveness of trauma that the majority of justice-involved women experie
Thinking Beyond the Binary of "Violent" and "Nonviolent" Offenders with Michael Fischer
Send a textThis week's critical conversation features Michael Fischer, a writer, activist, and advocate. Michael was incarcerated for 2 years in upstate New York and in this conversation, we speak about how social connections significantly impacted his opportunities upon re-entry, how his whiteness and the location of his arrest impacted his experiences with the criminal justice system, how
Reducing Harm through Anti-Segregation Policing and Community Racism Response Funds with Dr. Monica Bell
Send a textThis episode features a critical conversation with Dr. Monica Bell. Dr. Bell is an Associate Professor of Law as well as an Associate Professor of Sociology at Yale University. In our conversation, we speak about some of Dr. Bell's proposals for reducing harm until we abolish racist systems, including anti-segregation policing and community racism response funds. Our discussion hi
Fighting for Freedom Following a Wrongful Conviction with Carl Williams
Send a textThis episode features Carl Williams, a man who, at the age of 17, was arrested for a murder he did not commit. After waiting in jail for 3 years pre-trial, Carl was ultimately sentenced to life without parole. For 23 years, Carl maintained his innocence in prison and fought for his life. Finally, in August of 2020 , Carl was released...into a global pandemic. This conversation touches
The Profound Harms of Prison with Dr. Reuben Jonathan Miller
Send a textThis episode features a critical conversation with Dr. Reuben Jonathan Miller, assistant professor in the Crown Family School of Social Work, Policy and Practice at the University of Chicago and author of the new book, Halfway Home: Race, Punishment, and the Afterlife of Mass Incarceration. Dr. Miller’s book tells the story of prison release and community reentry through the experience
Bonus Episode: A Reflection on the Last 10 Episodes
Send a textThere has been A LOT of critical content delivered over these last 10 episodes- here is your cheat sheet. In this episode, Abbie highlights the main takeaways and over-arching themes throughout and draws attention to possible solutions for a more just society. Support the show
It's Not About Right and Wrong When It's About Survival with Maleek Jackson
Send a textIn this episode, I speak with Maleek Jackson, owner of Maleek Jackson Fitness Boxing Gym in Philadelphia. Maleek spent 10 years in prison from ages 16-26 and in our conversation, we contextualize criminal behavior, interrogating how, for those in the streets, it is not about “right” or “wrong” but about doing what you need to do to survive with the limited opportunities available. We di
Street Hustling as a Site of Resilience with Dr. Yasser Payne
Send a textThis episode challenges pretty much everything we know and think about the concept of resilience. Dr. Payne explains how resilience is traditionally a value-laden construct that is seen as synonymous with “goodness” or “morality.” Dr. Payne makes the argument that resilience is simply action that serves to perpetuate an individuals survivability, and cites gun violence, drug dealing, pi
Policing Blackness in Suburban Spaces and Beyond with Dr. Andrea Boyles
Send a textThis episode features a critical conversation with Dr. Andrea Boyles, visiting professor of Sociology and Africana Studies at Tulane University. Dr. Boyles is also the author of two books: You Can’t Stop the Revolution: Community Disorder and Social Ties in Post-Ferguson America and Race, Place, and Suburban Policing: Too Close for Comfort. In today’s episode, Andrea speaks about how p
Empowering the Community from Within with Gregory Coachman
Send a textIn this episode, I am joined by Gregrory Coachman, a Philadelphia-based social entrepreneur and the founder of the lifestyle brand, Urban Recreation. The original audio draws from a webinar that took place during the height of the summer 2020 protests and highlights how the kinds of contentious interactions with police that we saw during the protests are a part of everyday life for many
The Borderwall, Prisons, and Other False Symbols of Safety with Laiken Jordahl
Send a textIn this episode, I speak with Laiken Jordahl, a Borderlands Campaigner with the Center for Biological Diversity. In our conversation, Laiken describes the devastation that the border wall is wreaking on the land, wildlife, and indigenous communities. We speak about how, like prisons, the border wall serves as a false symbol of safety that is touted to make "America" secure but
Mass Incarceration and The Missing Men with Dawan Williams
Send a textDuring his 10 years in prison, Dawan Williams was able to meet some of society's "Missing Men." These men served as mentors and guided Dawan into a process of change. Since returning home 6 years ago, Dawan has dedicated his life to mentorship and serves as the coordinator for Mural Art's Restorative Justice Guild program and as the program director for No'Mo. I
Redemption, Change, and the Importance of Building Community Capacity with Dr. Nikki Jones
Send a textDr. Nikki Jones is a professor in the Department of African American Studies at the University of California, Berkeley, and the author of two books, Between Good and Ghetto: African American Girls and Inner-City Violence and The Chosen Ones: Black Men and the Politics of Redemption. In this episode, we speak about the differences between internal and external motivations and expectatio
Abolition, the Purpose of Punishment, and Defining Justice in America with Juwan Bennett
Send a textIn this episode, I am joined by co-creator of Whatsjust, co-founder of the Urban Youth Leadership Academy in Philadelphia, and Criminal Justice Ph.D. candidate, Juwan Bennett. Juwan and I attended graduate school together and were both mentored by a pioneering prison abolitionist, Kay Harris. Together, we unpack the concept of abolition and provide a brief history of police and prisons
Parents in Prison, Positive Trauma Responses, and the Implicit Racism of "Resilience" with Dr. Whitney Hollins
Send a textWe’re back with the next Critical Conversation! In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Whitney Hollins, educator, advocate, researcher, and justice-impacted individual. Dr. Hollins’s father was in prison for 25 years of her life. According to the common narratives about children of incarcerated parents, Dr. Hollins was *at-risk* for being incarcerated herself. However, she went on to recei
Getting Out of Prison through Expanders and Positive Delusions with Chris Wilson
Send us Fan MailChris is a social entrepreneur, storyteller, artist, social justice advocate, and author of The Master Plan: My Journey from Life in Prison to a Life with Purpose. After spending 16 years in prison, Chris has spent the last 8 years in the Baltimore community dedicated to easing the reentry process for others and immersing himself in the arts. I have had many people reach out to me
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