EP 235: Becoming the Brave One: Amanda Carrasco on Surviving Trauma, Embracing Restorative Justice, and Reclaiming Her Voice

In this powerful reunion episode, Kam Stevens returns to The Criminologist—not only as a global changemaker, but as a passionate advocate for lived experience, human dignity, and digital innovation in justice reform. Since first joining us on Episode 40 nearly five years ago, Kam's journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. In this conversation, we explore his global justice work through the lens of digital equity, system transformation, and cultural healing. We talk about the evolving landscape of Justice 2.0, the power of elevating lived experience inside systems, and how Kam continues to champion trauma-informed, person-centered approaches to change. We also dive into his latest project—Sphear Music, a Web3-based platform reshaping how music, storytelling, and justice-oriented voices are heard and valued. From frontline reintegration to high-level digital consultancy, Kam invites us to reimagine what true reform can look like—where technology and humanity are no longer at odds, but allies. 🎧 Whether you work in probation, prisons, tech, policy, or the arts—this conversation will move you, challenge you, and inspire action. 🔗 Listen now and join the movement toward systems rooted in connection, equity, and collective growth. Learn more about Justice 2.0 Connect with Kam on Linked In      

In this powerful episode of The Criminologist Podcast, Joseph Arvidson sits down with author, restorative justice advocate, and survivor  Amanda Carrasco. Her debut memoir, Becoming the Brave One, chronicles her harrowing journey through childhood trauma, systemic injustice, and ultimately,  transformation through healing and storytelling. Amanda opens up about the writing process,  and why accountability, not punishment, should be the cornerstone of a truly restorative justice system. Her work challenges practitioners, policymakers, and survivors alike to imagine a world where courage and compassion coexist. If you've ever wondered what it means to not just survive, but to thrive — this is the episode for you. 📚 Learn More About Amanda Carrasco 🌐 Official Website: amandacarrasco.com 📖 Buy the Book – Becoming the Brave One: Amazon Link 📘 Goodreads: Follow the Book 📱 Follow Amanda on Social Media 📸 Instagram: @amanda_the_brave_one 🎵 TikTok: @amandacarrasco.com 🐦 X (formerly Twitter): @Amanda_Carrasco 🔗 Episode Highlights The emotional and intellectual process of writing Becoming the Brave One Amanda's experience with restorative justice — and why survivors need a voice, not vengeance Advice for justice professionals who work with survivors of complex trauma The healing power of storytelling — and the risks of staying silent 🎧 Connect With The Criminologist Podcast If this conversation moved you, please: ⭐ Leave us a review 📲 Share this episode 🔔 Subscribe for more interviews exploring desistance, neuroscience, trauma, and transformational justice Thank you for supporting voices that matter.

In this gripping episode, we welcome back frequent guest and forensic mental health expert Dr. Jerrod Brown to explore the devastating phenomenon of intra-familial homicide—when murder occurs within the home, at the hands of someone trusted and loved. From uxoricide (husbands killing wives) to parricide (children murdering parents), these crimes tear at the fabric of our social and emotional understanding. Why do they happen? How can we spot the warning signs? And what role does neurocriminology play in helping us make sense of the unthinkable? 🎙️ Dr. Brown brings insight from his recent media appearance in People Magazine, where he was quoted in their True Crime Special Edition: A Killer in the Family. As he explains: "People are fascinated by complex and deviant behavior. They want to understand the 'why' behind these cases." – Dr. Jerrod Brown, People Magazine, August 2025 We also discuss: Patterns and motivations in family-based homicide Prevention and risk factors from a forensic lens The psychological dynamics of betrayal, control, and violence 🌍 PLUS: Host Joe Arvidson shares a special shout-out to his new friends and listeners in Uruguay, where he just returned from a Fulbright Specialist assignment training national justice professionals on evidence-based supervision strategies. 🔗 Resources Mentioned in this Episode: 📖 People Magazine: A Killer in the Family Read the article 🧠 AAMFT article on Intra-Familial Homicide Definitions and Framework 📜 Professional Certificate: Becoming a Neurocriminology-Informed Professional Explore the Program 📬 Contact Dr. Jerrod Brown: [email protected] 🎧 Explore more episodes featuring Dr. Brown by searching The Criminologist Podcast in your favorite app! 🧠 Follow us for more insights into criminal behavior, neuroscience, desistance theory, and human-centered supervision strategies. 🎙️ The Criminologist Podcast And always remember, folks—there's no them. There's only us.

In this quick-hit mini-sode, host Joe Arvidson checks in with listeners to share exciting updates from The Criminologist universe! Joe talks about prepping for his upcoming Fulbright Specialist assignment in Uruguay—where he'll be training corrections professionals in evidence-based practices like the Risk-Need-Responsivity model, trauma-informed care, and desistance theory. He also reflects on summer podcast plans, international connections, and what to expect in upcoming episodes. It's a brief message, but packed with gratitude, global perspective, and a sneak peek into what's next. 🌎 Montevideo is calling. 🎧 Tune in now, share with a colleague, and stay subscribed for more! #TheCriminologist #Fulbright #Uruguay #EvidenceBasedPractice #RNR #TraumaInformedCare #Desistance #GlobalJustice #CorrectionsTraining #PodcastMiniSode

🎙️ Episode 232 | Beyond Supervision: A Conversation with Laura Elliott This week, we're joined by Laura Elliott, Assistant Director of Community Corrections in Floyd County, Indiana—and the creative force behind the Beyond Supervision newsletter that's sparking fresh dialogue in the field. In this thoughtful and energizing episode, Laura shares her journey from front-line supervision to leadership, and the values that guide her work every step of the way. We explore the tools she champions—including GPS monitoring and peer recovery support—as well as the relationships and moments that keep her grounded in the why of this work. From a client's heartfelt thank-you to collaborating with someone she once supervised, Laura offers powerful reflections on growth, trust, and the future of community corrections. 🔗 We're also highlighting Laura's June 2025 edition of Beyond Supervision—linked in the show notes for you to explore and share. Whether you're a practitioner, policymaker, or change-maker in this space, this conversation is a must-listen. 🎧 Tune in now—and join us in going beyond supervision. 📥 Subscribe to Beyond Supervision: www.linkedin.com/in/lauraelliott-beyondsupervision   🛑 And as always… There's no them. There's only us.

In this episode of The Criminologist Podcast, host Joseph Arvidson is joined by Shawn Trusten and Phil Galli, co-creators of the Core 4 Survey and Intervention, an innovative framework that breaks down social support into four key domains: Instrumental, Expressive, Perceived, and Received. Built on years of case management experience and field testing, the Core 4 model helps practitioners move beyond the binary "pro-social/anti-social" lens and instead gain a nuanced, actionable understanding of the social networks that influence client behavior. This episode explores how the Core 4 tool bridges assessment and intervention—serving as a roadmap for client-centered case planning and long-term behavioral change. 🎯 Want to go deeper? Don't miss their upcoming FREE webinar! Join Shawn and Phil for a live session hosted by the American Probation and Parole Association (APPA): 📅 Thursday, June 12, 2025 🕑 2:00–3:30 PM Eastern | 1:00–2:30 PM Central 💻 Register here: https://www.appa-net.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=Training-Online They'll walk you through the full Core 4 approach, demonstrate real-world applications, and discuss policy implications for community supervision, reentry, and beyond. 📖 Learn more about the Core 4 model in their publication: "An Exploratory Study of Self-Reported Levels of Social Support in Two Justice-Involved Groups" – Federal Probation Journal https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/85_2_7_0.pdf Whether you're a probation officer, supervisor, policy maker, or simply passionate about desistance and reform—this episode will leave you thinking differently about how we support change. 🎧 Subscribe, share, and connect with us! Follow The Criminologist on LinkedIn, YouTube, and your favorite podcast platform.

Episode Summary: In a justice system often obsessed with risk scores and compliance checklists, what happens when we stop and ask a deeper question: How have you survived? In this powerful episode, Joseph Arvidson sits down with Dr. Charlie Barnao, sociologist, ethnographer, and professor at the University of Palermo, to explore the hidden strength behind the stories of justice-involved individuals. Dr. Barnao spent 15 years living in a halfway house—not observing from the outside, but embedded in the day-to-day realities of those navigating the margins. His work on the Sociology of Survival offers a critical lens for probation, parole, and correctional professionals who want to truly understand resilience, identity, and change. Together, they dive into: What survival looks like in environments of exclusion and stigma How resilience and identity are built—and rebuilt—through supervision Why qualitative insights (real stories) matter as much as data points How the wrong labels can blur the professional lens—and harm outcomes Direct ties to the TIDES Supervision Model pillars of Resiliency, Identity, and Social Support This episode challenges listeners to see beyond behavior—to recognize survival as strength, and to partner with that strength to create real, lasting change. Whether you're a probation officer, trainer, policymaker, or simply passionate about justice transformation—this conversation will reframe how you think about your work. Guest Bio: Dr. Charlie Barnao is a Professor of Sociology at the University of Palermo (Italy), a scholar in cultural and communicative processes, and an ethnographer dedicated to exploring social marginality, survival, and resilience. His immersive research brings critical insights into how individuals adapt to exclusion and how systems can better support real transformation.   Key Topics Covered: Understanding the "Sociology of Survival" Lessons for probation and correctional practice Why language matters: Labeling Theory and client identity Building resilience and belonging through supervision Embedding hope and belief into justice work Connections to the TIDES Supervision Model pillars Connect with Joseph Arvidson: 🌐 The Criminologist Website 📺 Subscribe on YouTube 📧 [email protected]   If you found value in this episode: ✅ Please leave a rating and review ✅ Share it with a colleague, student, or friend in the justice space ✅ Post a favorite quote from the episode and tag The Criminologist on LinkedIn or Instagram! Because always remember, folks: There's no them. There's only us. #Desistance #TIDES #SociologyOfSurvival #TheCriminologist #ProbationInnovation #JusticeTransformation #Podcast

Episode Summary: As our world becomes more digital, the work of probation and parole professionals becomes more complex. In this episode, Joseph Arvidson welcomes Professor K. Jaishankar, the globally recognized founder of Cyber Criminology, to explore what justice supervision looks like in an era of cybercrime, digital victimization, and technological surveillance. Professor Jaishankar, Principal Director of the International Institute of Justice & Police Sciences (India), offers powerful insights into his groundbreaking Space Transition Theory, the psychology of cyber-offending, and how justice systems worldwide can better adapt to the challenges—and possibilities—of the digital age. Together, they explore the intersections of: Cybercrime and community supervision Victim protection in a virtual world The role of Therapeutic, Theological, and Political Victimology in behavior change The surprising relevance of Microbial Criminology in probation and public health Global practices that can inform U.S.-based supervision strategies Balancing technology with human connection in a justice system built on relationships Whether you're a front-line officer, trainer, or policy maker, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about the clients you serve—and the future of justice itself. Guest Bio: Professor K. Jaishankar is a world-renowned criminologist and founder of several sub-disciplines, including Cyber Criminology, Cyber Victimology, Therapeutic Criminology, and Microbial Criminology. Based in India, he is a prolific scholar, international speaker, and advocate for modernizing justice systems in response to technological and societal change. 🔗 Visit Professor Jaishankar's website 🔗 Connect with him on LinkedIn Key Topics Covered: The psychology of online crime and digital supervision What Space Transition Theory teaches us about behavior in cyberspace Intervention strategies for cyber-offenders The use of restorative and spiritual frameworks in rehabilitation Systemic injustice and client mistrust through the lens of Political Victimology Implications of global justice innovation for U.S. probation systems Training gaps and future competencies in cyber-related supervision Connect with Joseph Arvidson: 🌐 thecriminologistpodcast.com 📺 YouTube: The Criminologist 📧 [email protected] 🔗 LinkedIn | Instagram If you found value in this episode, please rate and review the show, and share it with colleagues committed to building a more human, effective justice system. #CyberCriminology #Desistance #ProbationInnovation #TheCriminologist #Jaishankar #CommunityCorrections #DigitalJustice #Podcast

Episode Description (Libsyn Format): What does the gut have to do with criminal behavior, cognitive flexibility, or the ability to navigate supervision successfully? In this compelling episode of The Criminologist Podcast, host Joseph Arvidson welcomes back Dr. Jerrod Brown—expert in neurocriminology, behavioral health, and forensic psychology—for a deep dive into the emerging science of the gut-brain connection and its powerful implications for justice-involved individuals. Together, we explore how gut health, inflammation, and microbiota imbalances can influence cognition, mood regulation, and decision-making—core elements of resilience and responsivity. This conversation challenges us to reconsider what we think we know about client behavior and invites us to approach supervision, programming, and intervention through a more holistic lens. Topics discussed include: ✔️ Resilience as both a biological and relational process ✔️ The impact of social isolation on desistance and self-regulation ✔️ How nutrition, sleep, and health literacy shape client outcomes ✔️ What probation officers and justice professionals can do to support whole-person change ✔️ The real-world applications of trauma-informed, neuro-informed, and evidence-based practice Whether you're a probation officer, therapist, correctional educator, policy-maker, or justice system reformer, this episode offers practical insights to elevate your work and deepen your understanding of the people you serve. 🎧 Tune in now to explore how what's happening below the surface—biologically, socially, and psychologically—can shape the path to change above the surface.

What does true transformation look like—from the inside out? In this compelling episode of The Criminologist, host Joseph Arvidson sits down with Arman Vestad—a former justice-involved individual turned award-winning keynote speaker, trainer, and advocate for change. Arman's life story is one of remarkable resilience, identity transformation, and the social connections that made desistance not just possible—but sustainable. From his lived experience in the criminal justice system to his international Tour de Wave project—where he runs across cities, smiling and connecting with strangers—Arman's message is clear: we all have the power to create change through empathy, engagement, and everyday dialogue. 🎙️ In this episode, you'll learn: The pivotal moment that shifted Arman's life from crime to purpose How identity reconstruction plays a vital role in desistance Why financial stability is a critical but overlooked piece in successful reintegration How resilience and social support networks shape long-term transformation What practitioners and policymakers can do to break stigma and support reentry A look into Arman's Run and Smile events and upcoming Tour de Wave 2025 This conversation aligns closely with the TIDES Supervision Model, emphasizing the critical role of identity, resilience, and social support in fostering meaningful, evidence-based rehabilitation. 🔗 Connect with Arman and learn more about his work: 👉 https://armanv.no 🌐 Learn more about the TIDES Supervision Model: 👉 https://TheTIDESllc.com  If this episode resonates with you, please share it, leave a five-star review, and join the conversation on LinkedIn or wherever you connect with change-makers.