What's Next? Podcast

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Aaron T. Kinzel. Aaron is a Lecturer in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. His teaching and research areas of focus are corrections and public policy. He is a consultant that has worked nationally on criminal justice reform, including contracts with the U.S. Department of Justice and has worked with thousands of incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals for over 20 years. Kinzel's passion for these issues arose from his own incarceration as a youth in which he spent several months in juvenile detention and then nearly 10 years in adult correctional facilities and finally 6 years on parole in the State of Michigan. He is currently the Vice President of a well-respected Michigan non-profit organization entitled: Citizens for Prison Reform, which advocates for smart justice policy and the families of incarcerated individuals.     All Social Media Links: a) Work: https://umdearborn.edu/casl/undergraduate-programs/areas-study/criminology-criminal-justice-studies b) https://www.linkedin.com/in/kinzel c) https://www.facebook.com/atkinzel d) https://twitter.com/atkinzel/ e) https://www.instagram.com/atkinzel/ f) Personal Website: atkinzel.com g) Non-Profit Org: http://www.micpr.org/ h) Ted Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_A0EgNHyao   Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Jason J. Clark. Jason is a Father, partner, mentor, and previously incarcerated leader working to build bridges between communities and systems in King County. Professionally as an Equity and Justice Advocate for King County Superior Court he is laser-focused on juvenile justice reform. Mr. Clark is recognized locally for implementing community-based alternatives to incarceration, leading our local King County Credible Messenger Initiative (KCCMI) consortium building. Jason provides training and resources to King County Superior Court staff and Judicial Officers to equip our local justice system’s equity lens and procedural justice processes.    Zero Youth Detention Blog:  https://zeroyouthdetention.com/2017/07/26/youth-mentors-needed-for-growing-federal-way-community-support-network/ King County Blog:  https://kcemployees.com/2017/05/03/from-the-hip-laura-inveen-presiding-judge-king-county-superior-court/ King County Credible Messenger Initiative  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/kingcountycrediblemessenger/    Washington D.C. Radio One Blog: What's the Deal???, Dismantling the School to prison Pipeline.  https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-t5dqw-9bb0b6   Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Angeline Thomas. Angeline began her legal career as non-partisan Session Counsel for Washington State’s Senate Committee Services where she served on the Natural Resources and Energy Committee. Eager to put public policy into action, Angeline joined the Access to Justice Institute at her alma mater, Seattle University School of Law, where she developed and managed the Foreclosure Mediation and Outreach Project—a pro bono program for law students focused on foreclosure prevention education, outreach, and legal assistance. She became a regional expert on Washington State’s newly implemented Foreclosure Mediation Program, where she trained more than 100 law students, started an advice and referral legal clinic in Tacoma, founded the Pierce County Foreclosure Prevention Roundtable, consulted with city government and state agencies on outreach efforts, oversaw the production of a widely praised YouTube video about the law, and implemented two robust door-to-door canvassing campaigns to reach homeowners. Angeline graduated from Seattle University School of Law in 2011. She is currently a member of the Pro Bono and Public Service Committee of the Washington State Bar Association and has served as a volunteer with the Housing Justice Project. Angeline Thomas joined Washington Appleseed as the Executive Director in May of 2016. Washington Appleseed Website Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website    

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Melody Simle.  Melody has worked as an activist for systemic corrections change for several years. She is known for her lobbying efforts on the external DOC Ombuds legislation which passed this year. She currently sits on the Advisory Board of What's Next Washington. She has served on the DOC Statewide Family Council for nine years in various roles from co-chair to facility representative for Cedar Creek Corrections Center where her brother is currently incarcerated.  Melody has worked in the construction industry for over 20 years and owns and operates NW Roofing Specialists. Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Jessica Means. Jessica works as the Program Manager for New Connections' Reentry Shelter Plus Program in Tacoma, WA, providing a soft landing and supportive case management for women who, when released from jail or prison, are facing homelessness. Jessica is also a founding member of Numbers 2 Names, a community organization of activists, advocates, and storytellers whose mission is to eliminate mass incarceration and the unjust policies that create and perpetuate it. Jessica was incarcerated for two years and is a recent graduate of The Evergreen State College Tacoma Program with a BA in Sociology and Community Organizing. She is currently studying for the LSAT and will pursue a law degree in the near future.  New Connections Facebook Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Attorney Christopher Poulos was appointed Executive Director of the Washington Statewide Reentry Council (Council) on October 1, 2017 by Department of Commerce Director Brian Bonlender and the Council. On March 8, 2018 he was unanimously confirmed in this role by the Washington State Senate. Previously, Christopher served as Executive Director of Life of Purpose Treatment at the University of North Texas, where he was also an adjunct professor of criminal justice. During law school, he served at the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, The Sentencing Project, and was selected as law student of the year by National Jurist magazine. While at the Office of National Drug Control Policy, he worked to reduce discrimination by reframing stigmatizing language used by the federal government regarding addiction and justice system involvement. Christopher also served as an advisor to U.S. Sen. Angus King (I-Maine) on addiction and justice policy, and served on several task forces related to criminal justice policy and reentry. He graduated cum laude from the University of Maine School of Law, where he was president of the American Constitution Society and represented children facing criminal charges as a student attorney in the Juvenile Justice Clinic.   Christopher openly identifies as a person in long-term recovery from addiction who has also been incarcerated. Over a decade ago, he made a decision to seek help and has maintained his recovery since. The U.S. Department of Justice selected him to consult for a project documenting the nation’s most successful people to have reentered society following incarceration. His work and story have been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, The Hill, and other outlets. He also gave a TED talk on reentry and his personal journey in 2015.   WA Statewide Reentry Council Facebook Twitter Instagram   Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Quintin Williams. Quintin is a Field Building Project Manager at Heartland Alliance and a part-time instructor and Ph.D student in Sociology at Loyola University in Chicago. His research interests include the Sociology of Race and Ethnicity, Social Inequality, and Crime and Punishment. Quintin works with the Restoring Rights and Opportunities Coalition of Illinois (RROCI) working with people with records and advocating for the expansion of their opportunities and for broader criminal justice reform in Illinois. He believes in the inherent worth of all people, the urgency of expanding opportunities for the most marginalized, and the paramount role of lived experience in creating strong and sustainable policies. Quintin currently holds an Associate in Arts from Malcolm X College, a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Concordia University Chicago, and a Master’s Degree in Sociology from Loyola University Chicago.   HEARTLAND ALLIANCE RROCI JLUSA Facebook Twitter Instagram   Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Skyler Rich. Skyler is a student of Business and Political Science at Calvin College in Michigan. He is the founder of Forgive Everyone Co; a clothing brand donating parts of every sale to help formerly incarcerated men and women find employment, housing, rehabilitation, and mentorship. His passions lie in incarceration reform and encouraging and promoting the practice proximity to people and ideas different from one's own. His plans for the future include possibly pursuing a degree in law and continuing his work in prison ministry.  Forgive Everyone Co Instagram Facebook Twitter   Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews General Parker.   General Parker is a well-known community, political and civil rights activist in Peoria, Illinois. he served two years in the Illinois Department of Corrections and in several county jails for an auto theft in the early 1980's. Today, general works tirelessly to give back to his community and fight the injustices that left him and his counterparts with feelings of desperation and loss of hope. He is President of the Central Illinois Coalition of Black Trade Unionists and has spoken around the country on issues of organizing labor and incarcerated workers, fathers' and noncustodial parents' issues, domestic violence, housing and education reform. he is an Executive member of the organization on Procedural Justice (OPJ), a group founded by Dr. Merelyn Bates-Mims of Cincinnati, OH. OPJ's goal is to remove the "Exceptions Clause" from the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution which allows "slavery or involuntary servitude" for those convicted of a crime.  General is a 2018 Just Leadership (JLUSA) USA Fellow.   OPJ - Organization on Procedural Justice Central Illinois Coalition of Black Trade Unionists 2018 JLUSA Leading With Conviction Fellow Facebook Twitter

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Loretta Rafay.  Loretta works as a dissertation editor and coach for the Antioch University’s Writers’ Exchange and is a member of the Northwest Independent Editors Guild. She is the co-chair of the Washington Department of Corrections Statewide Family Council and is a policy researcher for Prison Voice Washington.  She is the proud spouse of University Beyond Bars scholar Atif Rafay.   Antioch University’s Writers’ Exchange Northwest Independent Editors Guild Washington Department of Corrections Statewide Family Council Prison Voice Washington University Beyond Bars Atif Rafay Atif Rafay Full Interview - the fifth estate   Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Lindsey Wilson. Lindsey is the co-founder of Unloop, a non-profit working to provide pathways to careers in tech for individuals marginalized by a conviction. Today Unloop’s flagship program, a one-year, full-stack JavasScript Bootcamp, is offered at three prisons in Washington State, along with their mentorship and community employment programs. Lindsey has worked in tech her entire career, most recently shifting to manage the design and build of large-scale software projects for public energy efficiency efforts and nonprofits with a focus on digital accessibility. Recognizing both the empowerment of a tech career on her own life, and that the rising tide of tech was not lifting all boats, she co-founded Unloop to utilize the tech industry as a vehicle for radical social change. Outside of her full-time job, Lindsey is a self-employed tech consultant, adjunct college instructor, and avid amateur sports player. When she’s not bringing robots to prison, she’s playing with her goldendoodle, Charlie Waffles. UnLoop Website Facebook Page Twitter   Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Suzanne Cook. In this episode, we talk about what it's like to have an incarcerated husband. Suzanne shares their love story and brings the realness about the struggles trying to love and care for someone who is incarcerated for the rest of their lives. When people do time, their families do time, and yet, they still love. Despite all of the barriers against such a subversive act. Suzanne Cook is a fierce warrior and advocate for the rights, human dignity, and fair treatment of all prisoners. Married to a prisoner incarcerated in Washington State affords her a front row seat to a system of punishment and human deprivation that drives her to advocate for him and for all inmates. Suzanne is a small business bookkeeper and interior painter. She sings alto in a choir, loves her free-spirited cat named Boots, surrounds herself with talented loving friends, and drives a car with no air-bags or a key fob. Profile pic: The Wedding Kiss   Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website  

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Will Jimerson. Will is a pillar of the Seattle community. In this episode, we talk about his work, his youth, and chop it up about racism, policing in America and the criminal "justice" system.  Will lives in Seattle and is a married father of three children. He has two Associates degrees and is earning his bachelor's at the University of Washington. His goal is to obtain his Ph.D. He works as a Program Director at the Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle's Career Bridge Program. Will is also a part of an initiative called Credible Messenger "the group itself is a pro-social peer support network where youth remind and encourage one another to maintain their commitment to positive behavior". Through the Credible Messenger Initiative, he trains facilitators to step in and support youth by being a change agent in their lives. Will knows well the path to a beautiful life defined by fatherhood, community, and grace having navigated that road himself with the support of the amazing men he met in prison.  If you would like to contact Will or know more about his work, please follow the links below.  A new episode will be uploaded next week, where we will interview Christopher Poulos. Chris is the formerly incarcerated Executive Director of the Washington State Governor's Statewide Reentry Council. He is also an attorney and a former White House intern in the Obama Administration. Join us next week for -What's Next! Will Jimerson Facebook Page Twitter Instagram King County Credible Messenger Facebook Page Credible Messengers Overview - The Pinkerton Papers Asante Shabazz - Incarceration to Resurrection Part 1   Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website          

What's Next Washington's Host, Sue Mason, interviews Chandra Bozelko. Chandra is formerly incarcerated and found her talent for writing and journalism in prison. She became the first prisoner to have a column in a major newspaper while still incarcerated. That column, Prison Diaries, later became a blog after she was released, which earned her a 2018 People's Choice Webby Award. Chandra also wrote a book of poetry called Prison Diaries, an Anthology which was published in 2014 and is available on Amazon. "Chandra has published 101 commentary pieces since her release. Her written commentary has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine, USA Today, US News and World Report, The Washington Post, Forbes, Elle, Ms. Magazine, Quartz, The Guardian, The Huffington Post and newspapers in 22 states." https://www.jaws.org/hall-of-fame/chandra-bozelko/ Chandra lives and works in Connecticut. She is also a 2018 Just Leadership USA Leading With Conviction Fellow. Links to her website and her work are below. A new episode will be uploaded next week, where we will interview Will Jimerson. Will is a formerly incarcerated advocate, inspirational speaker, and community organizer in Seattle, Washington. He was 13 years old when he was sentenced to prison as an adult and he turned a negative experience into a life of triumph and redemption. Will's message is powerful, you won't want to miss it. Join us next week for -What's Next! Chandra Bozelko's Blog - Prison Diaries Prison Diaries, An Anthology The New York Times The Washington Post The Guardian The LA Times   Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website  

What's Next Washington's Co-Founder and WNW Host, Sue Mason, details her experiences post-incarceration and what it's like, 15 years later, to live with the stigma of being formerly incarcerated.  A new episode will be uploaded next week, where we will interview Chandra Bozelko. Chandra is a published author, poet, and journalist who has spent time incarcerated. She will share her experiences with us and how she is navigating life on the outside since her release. Join us next week for -What's Next!   Produced and edited by ZipBangWow! Productions - Jonnie Wilder http://zipbangwow.com/ Song credit Marker Beacon. Song “Free".   Marker Beacon Website