Restorative Works
Restorative Works, hosted by Claire de Mézerville López, focuses on restorative practices—the study of building relationships and community. Through conversations with global guests, the podcast shares transformational stories from restorative practitioners, community leaders, and researchers. Listeners can learn practical solutions for addressing harm and trauma while increasing a sense of belonging in schools, communities, and homes. The show also explores methods for facilitating meaningful conversations that foster understanding and positive impact.
Episodes
Literacy and Wellness: Reading as a Restorative Practice with Stephanie Affinito
What if reading could do more than build literacy skills? What if books could help us regulate stress, strengthen empathy, foster connection, and support our overall well-being? In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Dr. Claire de Mézerville López speaks with literacy and teacher educator Stephanie Affinito about the connection between literacy, wellness, relationships, and restorative practi
Leading with Belonging: Restorative Practices in New York City Parks
From personal and communal grief to creating a workplace that works for everybody. In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Assistant Commissioner for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation, Dr. Iyana Titus, to explore how restorative practices can transform workplace culture and strengthen communitie
The Human Side of Change Management with Dr. Doug Judge
What does it take to move restorative practices from an idea into sustainable, meaningful change? In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Dr. Claire de Mézerville López welcomes back IIRP Associate Professor Dr. Doug Judge for a conversation about the structural, cultural, and emotional dimensions of implementing restorative practices in schools and other organizations, as outlined in his re
Joy as Resistance, Community as Practice with Dr. Tahirah J. Walker
In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Dr. Claire de Mezerville López speaks with Dr. Tahirah J. Walker, Chair of the Department of Community Engagement and Leadership at Point Park University, about the connections among restorative justice, community, education, writing, and joy. A writer, teacher, restorative justice practitioner, and scholar, Dr. Walker challenges the idea that writing an
The Garden of Joy: Empowering Students Through Culinary Skills and Restorative Practices
Food has the power to nourish more than our bodies; it can also strengthen relationships, build community, and create opportunities for healing. In this episode of Restorative Works, host Claire de Mezerville López speaks with Ali Rizvi, LSW, volunteer executive director of Garden of Joy Culinary Academy and school social worker with Cincinnati Public Schools, about how restorative practices, shar
Creating the Conditions for Change: Restorative Practices and Collective Care
How can schools move beyond reacting to harm and instead create the conditions that help prevent it? A continuation of the conversation started in the episode, The Sustainability Myth: What Schools Get Wrong About Restorative Practices, host Claire de Mézerville López welcomes back Lan Nguyen and Jennifer Vermillion of the San Diego County Office of Education to explore how restorative practices
Beyond Behavior: Restorative Practices for Every Student
In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville Lopez welcomes Dr. Layla Dehaiman, assistant professor of special education at the University of New Mexico, to explore how school communities can become more equitable, inclusive, and transformative. Fresh from defending her doctoral dissertation with distinction, Dr. Dehaiman shares insights from her research examining how educato
From Conflict to Community: Intentional Connection in Academic Environments
In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville Lopez welcomes guest Melkam Tesfaye for a grounded conversation on restorative practices in higher education and student affairs. Tesfaye draws on her background in law, mediation, and conflict resolution to explore how approaches that are rooted in restorative practices take shape inside complex university systems, particularly wit
Beyond the Stage: Joy, Imagination, and Restorative Practices
In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Assistant Director of Learning and Community Engagement at Manhattan Theatre Club, Gabbie Ballesteros. Together, they explore the powerful intersection of art, advocacy, and restorative practices, revealing how creative expression can strengthen relationships, amplify voices, and inspire meaningful social change. D
Building Bridges: Leading in Higher Ed with Restorative Practices
In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville López welcomes Dr. Alex Boesch, educator, higher education administrator, and organizational culture expert, for a thoughtful conversation about how restorative practices can bridge intercultural competence and social justice in higher education. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience implementing restorative practices on c
The Teacher's Sphere Collaborative Episode: The Role of Teacher Leaders in Civil Discourse
In this special collaborative episode of Restorative Works and The Teacher's Sphere Podcast, hosts Dr. Claire de Mezerville Lopez, Dr. Kobi Nelson, and Sarah Lane explore how educators can cultivate stronger school communities through civil discourse, restorative practices, and meaningful dialogue. Our hosts invite us to examine the role teacher leaders play in fostering civil discourse among col
Consistency, Voice, and Change: What Students Teach Us About Discipline with Saundra Hensel
In this second part of our conversation with Saundra Hensel, alongside co-hosts Dr. Michael Washington and Dr. Doug Judge, we continue exploring the long-term, system-wide implementation of restorative practices in a large school district. With over a decade of experience, Saundra shares how integrating restorative practices with social-emotional learning, trauma-informed care, and behavior suppo
Building Belonging for Stronger Campus Communities with Heather Gardley
In this episode of Restorative Works!, we are joined by Heather Gardley, a leader deeply committed to advancing community-centered approaches through restorative practices in higher education. Heather shares insights from her work supporting schools and organizations in building cultures rooted in trust, belonging, and accountability. Heather invites us to consider how we can implement restorat
The Web of Rights: Centering Student Voice in Schools with Dr. Cameron McCuaig
In this episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville Lopez is joined by educator and researcher Dr. Cameron McCuaig to explore what it truly means to center student voice and reimagine schools as spaces of service, dignity, and community. Cam challenges traditional models of education by contrasting compliance-driven systems with a more relational, student-centered approach. Using re
Building Inclusive Practice: The Restorative Rainbow Alliance and LGBTQ+ Affirmation in Restorative Justice
In this special roundtable episode of Restorative Works!, host Claire de Mezerville López brings together a powerful group of restorative justice practitioners, educators, and leaders to explore the creation and impact of the Restorative Rainbow Alliance's Facilitator Code of Conduct. Guests Ames Stenson and Rami El Gharib, co-founders of the Restorative Rainbow Alliance, join Lindsey Pointer and
Carrying Stories with Care: The Power of Embodied Connection and Compassionate Witnessing
In this episode of Restorative Works, host Claire de Mezerville Lopez is joined by Deanna Zilske, school leader, theater director, and restorative practitioner, to explore the powerful intersection of restorative and embodied theater practices. Drawing from her work with a community of educators, artists, and practitioners, Deanna shares how integrating narrative practices, such as compassionat
The Win-Win Workplace: Why the Strongest Companies Start with Worker Voice
We are joined by Harvard researcher, author of The Win-Win Workplace, and founder of Future Forward Strategies, Dr. Angela Jackson, to discuss how organizations can redesign work to strengthen both employee well-being and business performance. Backed by research across more than 1,700 companies, Dr. Jackson makes a clear, data-driven case for human-centered leadership. She reveals how organiza
Human-Centered Higher Ed: How SNHU Scales Restorative Practices System-Wide
We are joined by Program Manager in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) Jen Torres, to explore what sustainable, system-wide implementation of restorative practices in higher education really looks like. Jen brings a practitioner's lens to a challenge many institutions face: how to move from reactive, discipline-focused approaches toward proactive, r
Youth Reintegration and Restorative Justice in Belize with Dr. Aveka Mano
We are joined by criminologist, researcher, and educator at the University of Belize, Dr. Aveka Mano, to hear about the impact of restorative practices on the lived realities behind complex issues like gang involvement, human trafficking, and youth reintegration, and its connection to higher education. Dr. Mano challenges traditional approaches to justice by emphasizing long-term reintegration o
The Sustainability Myth: What Schools Get Wrong About Restorative Practices
We are joined by Lan Nguyen and Jennifer Vermillion, two restorative justice leaders who take us beyond surface-level change to discover what it truly takes to sustain restorative practices in schools and communities across complex educational systems. Together, they unpack a critical tension facing educators and administrators today: why restorative practices are widely embraced, yet so difficul
Choosing Engagement: Creating Culture from the Ground Up
The reality of today's organizations: tension runs high, trust feels fragile, and progress stalls under the weight of reactivity. Seasoned practitioners Kristina Katayama and Miriam Zachariah join us to explore relational methods for charting a path forward rooted in awareness, connection, and intentional change. With decades of experience across education, leadership, and organizational trans
Beyond the Basics: Leading Sustainable Restorative Practices in Schools
Discover what it really takes to sustain restorative practices in today's complex school systems. In this episode of Restorative Works, host Claire de Mezerville-López, alongside co-hosts Dr. Michael Washington and Dr. Doug Judge, welcomes veteran educator and systems leader Saundra Hensel. With more than 35 years in education and nearly a decade leading district-wide implementation, Saundra brin
Reimagining Education Through Universal Design for Learning with Mirko Chardin
We are joined by nationally and internationally recognized educator, leadership coach, and bestselling author Mirko Chardin for a deeply reflective conversation about healing school communities through restorative practices and equity-centered design. Drawing from lived experience and decades of leadership in education, Mirko shares how schools can move beyond compliance-driven systems and cultiva
Organizing for Change: Restorative Justice and Community Transformation with Dr. James W. McCarty
Boston University Professor James W. McCarty, Ph.D., joins us to explore how restorative justice and conflict transformation can reshape the way communities engage in disagreement, repair harm, and build collective power. Dr. McCarthy invites listeners to rethink one of society's most misunderstood realities: conflict. Rather than treating conflict as something to avoid, he reframes it as a power
Justice That Heals: Inside the Practice of Restorative Lawyering with Brenda Waugh
What if the practice of law could heal instead of harm? In this episode of Restorative Works! Podcast, Dr. Claire de Mézerville López welcomes lawyer, mediator, and restorative justice facilitator Brenda Waugh for a compelling conversation about restorative lawyering. Brenda shares how she transformed her traditional legal career into a justice-centered practice rooted in healing, dignity, and hu
Intergenerational Power and the Future of Education Justice with Dr. Juan Pablo Blanco
In this episode of Restorative Works! Podcast, Dr. Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Juan Pablo Blanco, Ph.D., for a discussion about intergenerational collaboration, youth leadership, and education justice as a basis for transforming systems that affect youth and families. Dr. Blanco brings more than a decade of experience in community organizing and community-engaged research to this convers
Beyond Suspension: Transforming School Culture with Amy Hart
Dr. Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Amy Hart, principal of Stanley Elementary in Wichita, Kansas, to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Drawing from more than 14 years in education, Amy shares how relationship-centered leadership improves school culture, even amid systemic change, limited resources, and community mistrust. Through a real-world story involving two fifth-grade students on the brin
The Stories We Tell Ourselves: Shaping Healthy Self-Talk Through Children's Literature
Welcome to season four of Restorative Works! Podcast! In this episode, Dr. Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Johari "J.P." Mitchell for a discussion around positive self-talk, children's literature, and how the power of storytelling helps shape how we relate to ourselves and one another. J.P. explores how children's literature, especially picture books, can serve as a restorative practices tool
Integrating Restorative Practices Across the Curriculum with Erika Schwanbeck
How can restorative practices deepen learning in subjects like English, social studies, music, art, or science? In this episode, Claire de Mezerville López and Nikki Chamblee are joined by restorative practices instructional coach Erika Schwanbeck on the Restorative Pedagogies series of the Restorative Works! Podcast to explore what meaningful curriculum collaboration can look like in practice. Er
Building Readers Through Relationships with Jamee Cox
In this episode of Restorative Works!, the Restorative Pedagogies Series continues with a rich, practice-forward conversation on how restorative practices transform English Language Arts classrooms from the inside out. Host Claire de Mezerville López is joined by co-host Nikki Chamblee and special guest Jamee Cox, an eighth-grade English Language Arts teacher and IIRP Graduate School student, for
Science, Curiosity, and Learning Through Relationship with Kate Shapero
What happens when science education is designed as a relational, exploratory process rather than a rigid set of steps? In this episode, Claire de Mezerville López and Nikki Chamblee welcome science educator and restorative practitioner Kate Shapero to the Restorative Pedagogies series of the Restorative Works! Podcast to examine how restorative practices can transform the science classroom. Kate r
Restorative Practices as a Pedagogical Approach with Nikki Chamblee
In this opening episode of the Restorative Pedagogies series, Claire de Mezerville López and Nikki Chamblee to the Restorative Works! Podcast to explore what it means to approach teaching through a restorative practices lens. Moving beyond the idea of restorative practices as solely relational or disciplinary tools, Claire and Nikki reflect on pedagogy as a human-centered practice—one that honors
Redefining Justice: Eric S. Lee on Prevention, Purpose, and Community Healing Justice
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Eric S. Lee to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Eric S. Lee, Executive Director of Full Circle Restorative Justice, joins us to explore a visionary model for transforming how communities guide young people toward healthier, more connected futures. He shares the three-pronged framework that drives Full Circle Restorative Justice: a youth diversion program that of
Architecture for Healing: Creating Dignified Spaces for Community and Care
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Deanna Van Buren and Adrienne Hogg to the Restorative Works! Podcast. We are joined by Deanna Van Buren, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Designing Justice + Designing Spaces (DJDS), and Adrienne Hogg, Co-Executive Director of Community Works. Together, we explore how spaces, rooms, buildings, and environments in which we gather directly shape our nervous s
Writing, Healing, and Accountability in Prisons in Jammu & Kashmir
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Mushtaq Ahmed Malla to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Mushtaq joins us and shares his journey that weaves together youth education, mental health counseling, child rights advocacy, and an unwavering commitment to creating humane, relationship-centered systems of justice. He discusses how his Fulbright–Humphrey Fellowship at the University of Minnesota introduce
Unclenching the Fist: Breaking Patterns, Reclaiming Ourselves
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Nikki Fynn, Ed.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast. We are joined by Dr. Nikki Fynn, a restorative education and leadership consultant whose journey through guilt, grief, and shame has reshaped her approach to healing, leadership, and human-centered systems. She shares with us a pivotal moment from 2018, when a mentor's story about a monkey trapped by its own
Dean's Roundtable Collaborative Episode: From Aspirations to Action
In this special collaborative episode, Claire de Mézerville López is joined by cohost Bridget Johnson, current IIRP graduate student and founder of the Deans' Roundtable, an organization that supports student life professionals. Together, they dive into this collaborative episode on Restorative Practices That Move the Needle. Through the power of storytelling and the exchange of in-depth experien
Revisiting Voice to Power in Restorative Justice with Marlee Liss
This week we're revisiting our conversation with Marlee Liss from January 18, 2024! Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Marlee Liss to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Marlee speaks with us about her experiences as a survivor of sexual assault. Her case made history as the first in North America to conclude with restorative justice processes through the courts. She describes her experience in the t
Reflecting on Courageous Conversations with Dr. Shelley Jones-Holt
This week we're revisiting our podcast episode from November 23, 2023! Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Shelley Jones-Holt, Ed.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast, World Conference series. This series of conversations were held during the 2023 IIRP World Conference, Building Thriving Communities: A Radical Approach Through Restorative Practices, held in Detroit, MI, October 2-4, 2023. Dr. She
Letters That Never Arrived: How Storytelling Moves Policy and People
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Blair Kirby and Professor Mark Osler to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Blair and Mark join us to illuminate how restorative practices intersect with clemency work, storytelling, and systemic reform. Their conversation opens a window into the human impact of policies that often feel remote, revealing how small acts of recognition and repair can shift entire syst
Inside the Kindness Revolution with Officer Warren Edmondson
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Officer Warren Edmondson to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Officer Edmondson joins us to share how he first embraced restorative practices when transitioning from street policing to middle school hallways. He describes the emotional landscapes of sixth to eighth graders and explains why relationship-building became the cornerstone of his approach. Rather than c
Building Strong Children with Devanshi Patel
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Devanshi Patel to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Devanshi joins us to explore how youth leadership, community trust, and restorative practices intersect to build what she calls "the beloved community"— a vision rooted in justice, dignity, and belonging. She shares the groundbreaking work of the Youth Peer Court Ambassador Academy, a hands-on training program t
It Starts with Us: Restorative Practices Culture in the Workplace
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Kevin Jones to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Kevin joins us to explore how vulnerability and authenticity transform leadership, build stronger teams, and repair workplace divides, especially in times of conflict. Through real stories, Kevin illustrates how restorative circles and authentic conversations can turn tension into trust. From school districts integ
Finding the Courage to Forgive with Amanda Carrasco
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Amanda Carrasco to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Amanda is a family survivor of homicide and sexual assault who has turned profound personal tragedy into a mission for healing and accountability. She uses her story to illuminate how truth, empathy, and connection can break cycles of harm and bring repair to individuals and communities alike. Amanda shares
Matters that Restore Community: It Begins with Me featuring Marin Broadbent-Bell
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Marin Broadbent-Bell, alumni coordinator at Community Matters, to the Restorative Works! Podcast for this special series titled Matters that Restore Community in partnership with Community Matters. Community Matters is an internationally recognized, innovative, and thought-leading organization committed to improving the social-emotional climate of schools and co
Matters that Restore Community: Seeds of Change with Erica Vogel
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Erica Vogel, CEO of Community Matters, to the Restorative Works! Podcast for this special series titled Matters that Restore Community in partnership with Community Matters. Community Matters is an internationally recognized, innovative, and thought-leading organization committed to improving the social-emotional climate of schools and communities. Founded in 19
Hip Hop, Healing, and Youth Empowerment with Edwin Freeman
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Edwin Freeman to the Restorative Works! Podcast. What happens when hip hop culture meets restorative practices in the classroom? Edwin Freeman, actor, filmmaker, educator, and founder of the Hip Hop Harmony Program, helps us explore how art, culture, and restorative circles are transforming urban schools. Through the Freeman Foundation for the Arts, he dev
Reclaiming Accountability and Joy with Ruth Ifakemi Efungbemi Jeannoel
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Ruth Ifakemi Efungbemi Jeannoel to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Ruth joins us and shares her powerful journey of weaving ancestral wisdom, social justice organizing, and restorative justice into practices that transform communities from within. As founder and director of Fanm Saj, Inc., Ruth describes her work as "catching communities," a practice rooted i
Collateral Repair: Poetry, Pedagogy, and Restorative Practices with Dr. Ellen Skilton
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Dr. Ellen Skilton to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Dr. Skilton joins us as we explore how creative expression and restorative pedagogy open new pathways for repair, resilience, and transformation. She shares moving selections from her poetry manuscript Collateral Repair, weaving together themes of grief, love, and unexpected healing. She reflects on her per
From Research to Practice: Lessons from Ridgedale Middle School
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes back Dr. Nicholas Steffner to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Dr. Steffner shares compelling findings from his dissertation, Building Restorative School Communities: A Study on the Impact of Restorative Practices, including data from the five-year implementation of restorative practices at Ridgedale Middle School in Florham Park, New Jersey. His research docu
Worcester County, a Restorative School District in Action
On this special episode of the Restorative Works! Podcast, host Claire de Mézerville López welcomes three leaders transforming school culture in Worcester County, Maryland: Dr. Jenifer Rayne, Principal of Pocomoke High School; Carlton Cartwright, Community School Liaison and Restorative Practices Coach; and Lauren Williams, Coordinator of School Health and Mental Health. Together, they share a de
We Are Crew, Not Passengers: Creating Safe and Supportive Schools
In this special episode Claire de Mézerville López welcomes recent IIRP alumni, Matthew Leaf and Victoria Torres, to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Matthew and Victoria are experienced professionals in education. They join us to share practical strategies and personal stories that highlight how restorative practices transform school culture. From greeting students at the door by name to crea
Cultivating Connection and Justice with Erin Dunlevy
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes seasoned restorative justice practitioner and educator, Erin Dunlevy, to the Restorative Works! Podcast. In this series of episodes, we explore the use of restorative practices in higher education through various aspects of the college and university sphere. We are joined by Erin as she delves into the power of culturally responsive pedagogy and restorative
Collective Growth: Transforming Higher Ed Through Restorative Practices
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Dr. Jasmine A. Lee and Dr. Ciara R. Christian to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Claire is joined again by co-host and IIRP Lecturer Kiyaana Cox Jones. In this series of episodes, we explore the use of restorative practices in higher education through various aspects of the college and university sphere. Dr. Christian and Dr. Lee share insights from their role
Restorative Practices is Soul Work: Robin Riley-Casey on Higher Ed
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Robin Riley-Casey to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Claire is joined again by co-host and IIRP Lecturer Kiyaana Cox Jones. In this series of episodes, we explore the use of restorative practices in higher education through various aspects of the college and university sphere. Join us as Robin shares insights on the power of face-to-face connection and its rol
Murals as a Tool for Change with Joseph Iacona
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes IIRP alumnus Joseph Iacona to the Restorative Works! Podcast. We are joined by Joseph as he takes us behind the scenes of projects in schools, libraries, prisons, shelters, and behavioral health facilities, revealing how restorative practices create authentic collaboration between artists and communities. He shares powerful stories, including a mural co-create
Art, Dialogue, and Restorative Justice: A Visual Journey
Claire de Mézerville López is joined by co-host, Professor Emanuela Biffi, for the "Powerful Intersection Between Restorative Justice and Art" podcast series, a special initiative by the IIRP together with the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ). Art has the unique ability to connect and facilitate dialogue, making it a powerful tool in restorative justice practices. Throughout the seri
From Anger to Empathy: A Story of Restorative Imagination
Claire de Mézerville López is joined by co-host, Professor Brunilda Pali, for the "Powerful Intersection Between Restorative Justice and Art" podcast series, a special initiative by the IIRP together with the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ). Art has the unique ability to connect and facilitate dialogue, making it a powerful tool in restorative justice practices. Throughout the serie
Art as a Bridge: Restorative Storytelling with Geoff Power
Claire de Mézerville López is joined by co-host, IIRP Associate Professor, Dr. Fernanda Fonseca Rosenblatt, for the "Powerful Intersection Between Restorative Justice and Art" podcast series, a special initiative by the IIRP together with the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ). Art has the unique ability to connect and facilitate dialogue, making it a powerful tool in restorative justi
Powerful Intersection Between Restorative Justice and Art with Olga Ziori
Claire de Mézerville López is joined by co-host Bálint Juhász, for the "Powerful Intersection Between Restorative Justice and Art" podcast series, a special initiative by the IIRP together with the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ). Art has the unique ability to connect and facilitate dialogue, making it a powerful tool in restorative justice practices. Throughout the series, we will e
Second Chances: Restorative Justice for Youth in Colombia
Building Sociedades Más Justas: Youth Justice in Colombia Claire de Mézerville López and cohost IIRP Lecturer A. Miguel Tello welcome Lina Hernández Nassif to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Lina brings a wealth of experience from her work implementing restorative justice programs, particularly with youth in Colombia. Her journey spans from coordinating conflict resolution programs in prisons to
Restorative Happens Now: Natalie Walters on Connection in Schools
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Natalie Walters to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Natalie joins us to share her inspiring journey and innovative approaches to restorative practices integration in school settings. This includes the creation of Practice Academy—an initiative revolutionizing in-school suspensions by keeping students within the educational community, guiding them through reflect
Two Plus Two Is Twenty-Two: Real Stories from Long Island Schools
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes IIRP alumnus, Gregg Scheiner, to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Gregg joins us and shares how his inclusive approach to mediation and conflict resolution empowers students and community members alike. He shares impactful stories, such as his work with a Nassau County high school where students and staff engaged in peer mediation sessions, leading to lasting re
Lessons from Canada's Indigenous Communities with Margaret Clark
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Margaret Clark to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Margaret shares her inspiring journey of integrating Indigenous wisdom into restorative practices, highlighting how these approaches foster healing, accountability, and community connection. Drawing on her Canadian roots and extensive experience, she explains why centering Indigenous voices and values strengthen
The Restorative Compass: Rethinking Conflict Through Stories
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Natasha Akery to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Natasha joins us and introduces her original framework, the "Restorative Compass," a forward-looking alternative to the Compass of Shame. Designed to help students and educators navigate difficult emotions and conversations, the Restorative Compass guides users from reactivity toward engagement, self-compassion,
From Confinement to Calm: Yoga, Agency, and Restoration in Prisons
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Juan Martinez to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Juan joins us and shares his experience as a dedicated yoga instructor innovating with inclusive yoga practices in unconventional spaces. We explore how yoga and meditation foster compassion and wellbeing within challenging environments, including prisons and centers for vulnerable populations. Juan shares his jo
Restorative Media: A Lens on Rural Costa Rica and El Colectivo 506
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Katherine Stanley Obando to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Katherine shares how restorative practices show up organically in her work as a journalist, particularly in rural areas where trust, voice, and relationships are essential. Through El Colectivo 506, a Costa Rican journalism collective rooted in community, collaboration, and care, Katherine and her team
Community First, Always: Restorative Justice in Schools and Beyond with Bianca Johnson
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Bianca Johnson to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Bianca joins us and shares her introduction to restorative justice through a pilot diversion program that instantly resonated with her values. Her story highlights how relationships built in the community can open the door for meaningful engagement and real change within institutions. Bianca shares a moving stor
Bridging Language, Culture, and Connection with Peggy Barrette
Claire de Mézerville López is joined by co-host, Executive Director of IIRP Canada, Pat Lewis, for a special IIRP Canada series, highlighting the use of restorative practices and restorative justice across Canada. In this episode, they welcome long-time educator and bilingual consultant Peggy Barrette to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Peggy joins us to share her journey of integrating restorativ
Naming Harm, Shifting Power: Restorative Lens on Youth Justice with Joe Blake
Claire de Mézerville López is joined by co-host, Executive Director of IIRP Canada, Pat Lewis, for a special IIRP Canada series, highlighting the use of restorative practices and restorative justice across Canada. In this episode, they welcome seasoned youth care specialist Joe Blake to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Joe joins us to discuss the representation of Indigenous youth in Canada's just
Where the Circle Begins: Healing Justice with Indigenous Roots
Claire de Mézerville López is joined by co-host, Executive Director of IIRP Canada, Pat Lewis, for a special IIRP Canada series, highlighting the use of restorative practices and restorative justice across Canada. In this episode, they welcome dedicated community leader, Nicole Chouinard, to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Nicole joins us to share how she and her team collaborate with schools acr
IIRP Canada Series – Restorative Practices in Canadian Education
Claire de Mézerville López is joined by co-host, Executive Director of IIRP Canada Pat Lewis, for a special series with IIRP Canada highlighting the use of restorative practices and restorative justice across Canada. In this episode they welcome seasoned educator, consultant, and curriculum specialist, Angela Green, to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Angela helps us explore the interse
The Power of Storytelling, A Collaborative Episode with Minorities in Publishing Podcast
The Power of Storytelling is a special collaboration episode between Minorities in Publishing and the Restorative Works! Podcast. Through the power of storytelling, we aim to engage powerful leaders and activists in conversations around keeping hope in dire times; giving back power to communities; radical empathy; arts as means to tell real life stories, and the effects of genuine engagement in co
Artful Integration: Restorative Practices, the Arts, and Evidence-Based Impact
Returning guests, Dr. Lindsey Pointer and Deron Bell, two inspiring voices at the intersection of education, creativity, and healing, are featured presenters for the upcoming 2025 IIRP World Conference in Chattanooga, Tennessee—Artful Integration: Exploring the Art and Science of Restorative Practices. Lindsey, Assistant Professor at Vermont Law and Graduate School and Principal Investigator at t
Recidivism, Redirection, and Restorative Justice with Dr. Kendall Hughes
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes back Kendall Hughes, D.Min., to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Dr. Hughes shares moving stories—from a group of teens who made amends after a traumatic act of vandalism, to incarcerated men working through shame and accountability in a high-security penitentiary. These stories highlight the power of restoring dignity and finding healing through meani
Global Connections Through Restorative Justice with Emanuela Biffi
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Emanuela Biffi from the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ) to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Emanuela shares how the EFRJ is fostering a vibrant global restorative justice community through international events, training programs, and innovative initiatives like the REstART Art Festival. EFRJ's events go beyond traditional conferences to
Change-Makers Start Here: with Dr. Michael Washington & Dr. Doug Judge
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Michael Washington, Ph.D., and Doug Judge, Ph.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Dr. Washington and Dr. Judge share their insights on how leaders can step into complex, high-stakes environments and commit to change using relational-based approaches. Dr. Washington, an expert in leadership development and operational excellence, shares his journey of shifti
Restorative Justice & Gendered Violence with Dr. Fernanda Fonseca Rosenblatt
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Fernanda Fonseca Rosenblatt, D.Phil., to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Dr. Rosenblatt discusses the critical shortcomings of the conventional criminal justice system in addressing gendered violence and explores how restorative justice offers a survivor-centered alternative. Survivors often face secondary victimization, navigating a system that can
Disrupting the School-to-Prison Pipeline with Mark R. Warren
Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Mark R. Warren to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Mark shares insights from his latest book, Willful Defiance, shedding light on how exclusionary discipline policies, such as suspensions and expulsions for minor infractions, have been instrumental in pushing children from the classroom to the criminal justice system. As the conversation unfolds, Mark
The Art of Narrative: Trauma, and Healing with Dr. Frida Rundell
Welcome to Season 3! Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Frida Rundell Ph.D., to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Join us as Dr. Rundell unpacks the intersection of storytelling, trauma, and restorative practices, offering a deeply personal and professional perspective on fostering healing. Drawing from her childhood experiences in South Africa, Dr. Rundell shares how the philosophy of ubuntu—"I
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