Abolition is for Everybody

On this episode, Crystal and Graham are joined by Hugo Gonzalez. Together, they dive into what it is like to experience arrests.-Season 4 is all about the journey of incarceration. From arrests, to sentencing, to family connections, parole hearings, and reentry. To access the episode transcript, visit ⁠⁠InitiateJustice.org/Podcast⁠

On this episode, Crystal and Graham are joined by Antoinette Ratcliffe, Executive Director at Initiate Justice. Together, they kick off Season 4 and dive into the history of mass incarceration.-Season 4 is all about the journey of incarceration. From arrests, to sentencing, to family connections, parole hearings, and reentry. To access the episode transcript, visit ⁠InitiateJustice.org/Podcast⁠

On the last episode of Season 3, Graham and Crystal are joined by Rasheeda Jones. Rasheeda is a mental advocate, community organizer, and self-published author of Justice- a children's book about a young boy navigating his feelings through his father's incarceration. Together, they discuss how they work towards changing the current narrative on people who are impacted by our carceral system. - Season 3 is about the media's involvement in carceral or abolitionist thinking- how it uses narratives to impact, radicalize, and shift culture. To access the episode transcript, visit InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Crystal and Graham are joined by Valerie, a public school teacher and community organizer. Together, they discuss the stories on gangs and immigration that are omitted by the media. - Season 3 is about the media's involvement in carceral or abolitionist thinking- how it uses narratives to impact, radicalize, and shift culture. To access the episode transcript, visit InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On Minisode Six: The one where we talk about organizing while incarcerated, Adam and Lee discuss Initiate Justice's Inside Organizing department. Together they discuss the barriers incarcerated organizers face and their experience as former incarcerated organizers. To donate to Initiate Justice's Inside Organizing department, visit: GiveButter.com/WeFightForUS To access the episode transcript, visit InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Crystal and Graham are joined by Alec Karakatsanis. Together, they discuss the history of protests and how they're represented in the media. Alec is a civil rights lawyer and former public defender, and the founder and executive director of Civil Rights Corps. - Season 3 is about the media's involvement in carceral or abolitionist thinking- how it uses narratives to impact, radicalize, and shift culture. To access the episode transcript, visit InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Crystal and Graham are joined by Selena Miranda. Together, they discuss houselessness, drug, and their conflation and portrayal in the media. - Season 3 is about the media's involvement in carceral or abolitionist thinking- how it uses narratives to impact, radicalize, and shift culture. To access the episode transcript, visit InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Crystal and Graham are joined by Qasim Rashid. Together, they discuss mass shootings, how they're represented in the media, and how collectively, we can make a difference in our communities. Qasim Rashid is a lawyer, author, and host of The Qasim Rashid Show on Sirius XM Channel 126 on Sundays @ 10am EST. - Season 3 is about the media's involvement in carceral or abolitionist thinking- how it uses narratives to impact, radicalize, and shift culture. To access the episode transcript, visit InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Crystal and Ra are joined by Lewis Wallace. Together, they discuss what copaganda is and how it is embedded in our daily lives. Lewis is a journalist, podcaster, and the abolition journalism fellow for Interrupting Criminalization, an organization co-founded by Mariame Kaba and Andrea J. Ritchie. - Season 3 is about the media's involvement in carceral or abolitionist thinking- how it uses narratives to impact, radicalize, and shift culture. To access the episode transcript, visit InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Crystal and Graham discuss media misdirection and how the stories we are hearing, celebrating, or being afraid of are not actually complete. - Season 3 is about the media's involvement in carceral or abolitionist thinking- how it uses narratives to impact, radicalize, and shift culture. To access the episode transcript, visit InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

Our co-hosts, Crystal and Graham, are joined by Ra Avis, our Season 2 co-host, to discuss what media literacy is and how they can apply learned skills in their day to day lives! -- Season 3 is about the media's involvement in carceral or abolitionist thinking- how it uses narratives to impact, radicalize, and shift culture. To access the episode transcript, visit InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

Welcome to Season 3! This season is about the media's involvement in carceral or abolitionist thinking- how it uses narratives to impact, radicalize, and shift culture. On this episode, learn about Crystal and our new host, Graham Finochio's, thoughts on sensationalized and criminal entertainment!. -- To access the episode transcript, visit InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On Minisode Five: The one where we talk about incarceration and the holiday season, Crystal and Adam are joined by Danielle Macias from True Blue Stationary. Together they discuss the creative ways they stay connected to their incarcerated loved ones during the holiday season, and the barriers they face trying to do so. To access the episode transcript, visit InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On Minisode Four: The one where we talk about universal voting rights, Graham is joined by Nicole Porter, the Senior Director of Advocacy from The Sentencing Project. Graham and Nicole discuss the movement working towards ending disenfranchised voting in the United States. To access the episode transcript, visit InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this Minisode: The one where we talk about prison art, Ra and Crystal talk about art— how it is made inside prisons despite the barriers incarcerated folks face, and the ways people use art as activism. Crystal shares The ART Gallery, a special event hosted by Initiate Justice, made possible by the participation of incarcerated artists. To learn more, visit InitiateJustice.org/TheARTGallery To access the transcript for this episode visit, www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On the final episode of Season 2, Adam is joined by former Season 2 guests and community organizers Adrianna Griffith and Graham Finochio to share their experiences with the prison system. Together, they discuss the failures of our system as a vehicle for rehabilitation and safety, and the type of care and insight that is most responsible for creating a new pathway. — In this season of Abolition is for Everybody, we talk about harm–what creates it, what recycles it, and how we can find our way to meaningful means of repair. To do this, we talk to folks who have caused harm, folks who prevent it, folks who experienced it, and we learn a lot about how often harms intersect, or grow from the same root. We're excited to have these conversations with you! To access episode transcripts, visit: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On episode 9, Abolition Addresses Violences Against Children, Abolition is for Everybody's hosts dive into violences they have experienced as children, as well as ways we all contribute to them. They discuss the failures of society as a vehicle for safety, intervention, and the type of insight and work that is most responsible for creating a new pathway. — In this season of Abolition is for Everybody, we talk about harm–what creates it, what recycles it, and how we can find our way to meaningful means of repair. To do this, we talk to folks who have caused harm, folks who prevent it, folks who experienced it, and we learn a lot about how often harms intersect, or grow from the same root. We're excited to have these conversations with you! To access episode transcripts, visit: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

Audio Captioning: We're so thankful for the Dad's who fight and heal with us. On this Father's Day, we'd like to acknowledge the incarcerated fathers around the world who continue to parent through 15-minute phone calls, countless letters, and behind glass doors. We know first-hand how incarceration strains and shifts relationships, and how 92% of incarcerated men are fathers- and that's just one part of that story. We see you loving. We see you healing. We see you protecting. We see you. If you are celebrating Father's Day, know we are celebrating with you. If you'd like to learn more, we encourage you to look into organizations that are working tirelessly to reunite fathers with their children. Music by Lesfm from Pixabay --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On episode 8, Abolition Addresses Domestic Violence and Family Harm, Abolition is for Everybody's co-hosts are joined by former LWOP and DropLWOP advocate, Susan Bustamante. Together, the hosts talk about Susan's experience with domestic violence and family harm and her perspective after being incarcerated for 31 years. We also discuss the failures of incarceration as a vehicle for safety, intervention, and the type of insight and work that is most responsible for creating a new pathway. — In this season of Abolition is for Everybody, we talk about harm–what creates it, what recycles it, and how we can find our way to meaningful means of repair. To do this, we talk to folks who have caused harm, folks who prevent it, folks who experienced it, and we learn a lot about how often harms intersect, or grow from the same root. We're excited to have these conversations with you! To access episode transcripts, visit: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On episode 7, Abolition Addresses Gun Violence, Adam, Crystal and Ra hear the story of a currently incarcerated individual. Together, the hosts talk about the lineage of harms that led to his own participation in the cycle, as someone who has caused this type of harm. We also discuss the failures of our systems as a vehicle for safety, and the type of care and work that is most responsible for creating a new pathway. Music by Lesfm from Pixabay -- In this season of Abolition is for Everybody, we talk about harm–what creates it, what recycles it, and how we can find our way to meaningful means of repair. To do this, we talk to folks who have caused harm, folks who prevent it, folks who experienced it, and we learn a lot about how often harms intersect, or grow from the same root. We're excited to have these conversations with you! To access episode transcripts, visit: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On episode 6, Abolition Addresses Sexual Assault, Abolition is for Everybody's co-hosts are joined by Initiate Justice's Outside Organizer and Abolition Corner facilitator, Sarah. Together, the hosts talk about Sarah's experience with sexual assault and her perspective as an abolitionist who has experienced this harm. We also discuss the failures of incarceration as a vehicle for safety, and the type of insight and work that is most responsible for creating a new pathway. — In this season of Abolition is for Everybody, we talk about harm–what creates it, what recycles it, and how we can find our way to meaningful means of repair. To do this, we talk to folks who have caused harm, folks who prevent it, folks who experienced it, and we learn a lot about how often harms intersect, or grow from the same root. We're excited to have these conversations with you! To access episode transcripts, visit: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

Audio Captioning: We're so thankful to the moms who fight and heal with us— our Inside Organizer moms, our Inside Member moms, our Outside Organizer moms, our Staff moms, our Volunteer moms, our Outside Member moms, our Ally moms, and everyone — birth givers or not— who hold this work in motherly love. We know first-hand how incarceration strains and shifts relationships, and how 80% of incarcerated women being mothers is just one part of that story. We know that all sides of motherhood can be complex even without state interference. We see you loving. We see you healing. We see you protecting. We see you.. This, like all our work, is for extended generations, and we applaud all of it. If you are celebrating Mother's day, please know that we are celebrating with you. If you're interested in learning more, we encourage you to look up organizations in your area that support currently incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, and system-impacted moms. Music by Lesfm from Pixabay --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On episode 5, Abolition Addresses Murder/ Manslaughter, Adam, Crystal and Ra hear Dan's story. Dan is a currently incarcerated individual whose actions led to the death of his bestfriend, Jr. Together, the hosts talk about the lineage of harms that led to Dan's own participation in the cycle, as someone who was charged with manslaughter. We also discuss the failures of our systems as a vehicle for rehabilitation and intervention, and the type of care and insight that is most responsible for creating a new pathway. Music by Lesfm from Pixabay -- In this season of Abolition is for Everybody, we talk about harm–what creates it, what recycles it, and how we can find our way to meaningful means of repair. To do this, we talk to folks who have caused harm, folks who prevent it, folks who experienced it, and we learn a lot about how often harms intersect, or grow from the same root. We're excited to have these conversations with you! To access episode transcripts, visit: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this Minisode: The one where we talk about solitary confinement, Ra is joined by season 1 co-host Lee, and Pamila Lew, an attorney in the Investigations Unit at Disability Rights California. Pamila shares the history of solitary confinement, the different ways state facilities refer to it, and the many different communities of folks who are placed in it and have to experience the torturous and negative impacts of solitary confinement. To access the transcript for this episode visit, www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On episode 4, Abolition Address Robbery, Adam, Crystal and Ra are joined by community organizer and Success Stories' Transformational Coach and Coach Coordinator, Graham Finochio. Together, they talk about the lineage of harms that led to Graham's own participation in the cycle as someone who was charged with robbery. We also discuss the failures of incarceration as a vehicle for rehabilitation, and the type of insight that was most responsible for creating a new pathway. In this season of Abolition is for Everybody, we talk about harm–what creates it, what recycles it, and how we can find our way to meaningful means of repair. To do this, we talk to folks who have caused harm, folks who prevent it, folks who experienced it, and we learn a lot about how often harms intersect, or grow from the same root. We're excited to have these conversations with you! To access episode transcripts, visit: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On episode 3, Abolition Serves Survivors, Crystal and Ra are joined by community organizer Adrianna Griffith. They dive into how abolition centers survivors, and what it looks like now in Stockton California's Women's Center Youth & Family Services where Adrianna is currently employed. In this season of Abolition is for Everybody, we talk about harm–what creates it, what recycles it, and how we can find our way to meaningful means of repair. To do this, we talk to folks who have caused harm, folks who prevent it, folks who experienced it, and we learn a lot about how often harms intersect, or grow from the same root. We're excited to have these conversations with you! To access episode transcripts, visit: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, our hosts dive into different forms of state violence they have witnessed and experienced. They ask our listeners to think about the way violence has been perpetuated in their lives by the state. In this season of Abolition is for Everybody, we talk about harm–what creates it, what recycles it, and how we can find our way to meaningful means of repair. To do this, we talk to folks who have caused harm, folks who prevent it, folks who experienced it, and we learn a lot about how often harms intersect, or grow from the same root. We're excited to have these conversations with you! To access episode transcripts, visit: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, our new hosts Crystal and Adam, join Ra to discuss the different harms they have experienced throughout their lives and the many things we could have done to prevent them. In this season of Abolition is for Everybody, we talk about harm–what creates it, what recycles it, and how we can find our way to meaningful means of repair. To do this, we talk to folks who have caused harm, folks who prevent it, folks who experienced it, and we learn a lot about how often harms intersect, or grow from the same root. We're excited to have these conversations with you! To access episode transcripts, visit: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this Minisode: The one where we talk about vaccines, Ra is joined by Initiate Justice's executive director and season 1 co-host, Taina, and Communications Coordinator, Michelle. They discuss how we make abolitionist choices in real life situations, what vaccines have to do with abolition, and how we live our values while doing the work. To access the transcript for this episode visit, www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Lee and Ra are joined by Brian Kaneda from Californians United for a Responsible Budget (CURB) to discuss the need to reduce prison and police budgets, the three prison closures that have been announced in California, and more issues related to moving funds from the prison and police system into community resources. To access the transcript for this episode visit, www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Ra, Lee, and Taina discuss into the importance in addressing disability justice towards our goal of abolition. To access the transcript for this episode visit, www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Taina and Lee discuss with Professor Oscar F. Soto what the school to prison pipeline is, how it contributes to the carceral system, and ways we can address it as we move towards our goal of prison abolition. To access the transcript for this episode visit, www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Ra and Taina are joined by author Charlene Carruthers to discuss feminism, patriarchy, and the different ways that gender impacts the abolitionist movement and incarceration. To access the transcript for this episode visit, www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Ra, Lee, and Taina delve into how the carceral system hinders connections between incarcerated individuals, their families, and community even after they have returned home. To access the transcript for this episode, visit our website: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Ra, Lee, and Cat Brooks delve into the topic of mental health inside prisons, mental health stigma, how supporting each other is part of daily abolition work, and more. To access the transcript for this episode, visit our website: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Ra, Lee, and Eunisses delve into the topic of drugs, how our current system treats drug use and users of drugs, and what abolition and community care around drugs looks like. To access the transcript for this episode, visit our website: www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

On this episode, Ra, Lee, and Patrisse delve into what abolition is, how their abolitionists journeys began, and struggles they've encountered along the way! To access the transcript for this episode, click here, or visit our website www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support

Welcome to season 1 of Abolition is for Everybody! On this episode, Ra, Lee, and Taina share how their abolitionist journeys began. Stay tuned for more episodes as we will be launching biweekly! To access the transcript for this episode, click here, or visit our website www.InitiateJustice.org/Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/abolitionisforeverybody/support