Control or Outcome: What Should Justice Optimize For? Every day, we face choices about control versus outcome—how we respond when someone makes a mistake, whether at work, in our communities, or in our personal relationships. Do we enforce the rules and move on, or do we look for ways to help someone learn, repair, and … read more
The Wall So Many Criminal Justice Reformer Hits (And Why You Shouldn’t Turn Back)
You wanted to make a difference in criminal justice reform. The data and stories were clear: the system was broken, communities were hurting, and change was desperately needed. You decided to get involved with a nonprofit working on these issues, armed with ideas, passion, and that bright confidence that comes from knowing just enough to … read more
The Only Comparison That Actually Matters
We all do it – compare ourselves to those around us. That colleague who always speaks up confidently in meetings, the friend who runs their own business, the neighbor who has the perfect garden and somehow always looks put-together. It’s natural to notice these people and wonder what they’re doing differently. We’re wired to be … read more
How Gen Z’s Truth-Seeking Is Reshaping the Courtroom
I was doing research for our upcoming community live event. It seemed pretty straight forward on the surface, but it got interesting quickly. Comparing the view of truth telling from sections of the legal landscape showed significant distinctions between cultures. As Generation Z enters jury boxes and law schools, their fundamentally different relationship with truth … read more
The Art of Future’s Thinking: Building Tomorrow’s Readiness Today
We just wrapped up our first live community event with guest speakers from the Institute for the Future (IFTF). It’s about being able to anticipate change, envision what’s possible, and actually do something about it. Why Most of Us Get the Future Wrong Most of us plan like tomorrow will just be today with minor … read more
Stories, Our New Community and Staying Curious
Striking a balance between the stories we tell ourselves and letting the stories drive parts of our lives is not easy. Stories matter. Our belief in ourselves often come from stories. They hold so many of our values. For some people and some stories… we hold on too long and for the wrong reasons and … read more
Being “Pushed Around”.
I just finished reading the latest ABA Journal, and honestly, the front cover made me pause: “Pushed Around.” We’ve all seen headlines like this before, but something about it felt different this time. The stories inside were relatable to comments I have heard over the years. The article reveals that workplace bullying in the legal … read more
It’s Permission…Why Online Communities Feel So Real
Have you ever noticed how “we” can be one person at work or school, another with your family, and someone completely different in your online community? It’s not that you’re being fake—you’re just finally being allowed to be yourself. Here’s something that might sound backwards: Communities attract people by giving them permission to EXPRESS parts of … read more
Summer Interns are here.
Next week, we’re welcoming our fourth cohort of summer interns from the University of Chicago. They are feature writers, app builders, volunteer managers, and video game developers who are stepping from the academic world into real-world impact. After wrapping up another year of rigorous coursework, summer offers them a chance to learn in a completely … read more
“It’s Summer” Finding Your Seasonal Vibe
“Well, it’s summer…” You know that phrase. There’s something about summer that gives us permission to live differently. The longer daylight hours make me feel like I should be productive well into the evening, but there’s also social pressure to have vacation plans when honestly, the summer heat isn’t my favorite thing. Here’s what I’ve … read more
Volunteering
A Personal Reflection Over the past few years at Impartial, I’ve been deeply moved by the dedication of hundreds of volunteers who have stepped forward to contribute their time and talents. Their collective generosity has been nothing short of transformative. Without these individuals, our organization simply would not exist in its current form. This extraordinary … read more
We are all Commencing…
I had the privilege to go to my two daughters’ college graduations this past week. Interestingly, they were in two different cities about 2.5 hours apart on the same day. Besides the fact that I was proud of them and overjoyed at their accomplishments, I have to admit, I look forward to hearing the commencement … read more
Interactive Prosecution Presentation
I gave an interactive prosecution presentation virtually this past Wednesday night. A group of students and faculty participated, not just listened to a “speaker”, but took an active role in reading through the series of events that collectively was my prosecution. It’s only the third time that I have done this. I am collecting opinions … read more
Willingness to Prepare
Let’s be honest about our priorities. We all say certain things matter to us, like family, health, work, personal growth, but our actions tell the real story. Are we actually willing to put in the preparation time for the things we claim are important? Sometimes I catch myself saying something matters, then realizing I haven’t … read more
Your Voice
The World Needs Your Authentic Voice In a world saturated with noise, there’s one sound that remains irreplaceably powerful: your authentic voice. Not an echo of someone else’s thoughts. Not a carefully crafted persona designed to maximize likes. Not a watered-down version of your truth meant to offend the fewest people possible. Your actual, unfiltered, … read more
Eno River Art Show
I went to the Eno River Arts Event last Friday night. Impartial’s artwork is part of their show and of course, I wanted to be supportive. There was a good crowd there for the space they had. I would say at least 100 people in a couple of rooms and more outside among the entertainment … read more
Don’t be Fooled – The Courage to Stand for What Matters
Try not to be fooled today or any other day. There are countless distractions vying for your time and energy, but the challenge lies in keeping the truly important things at the center of your life. How do you recognize what genuinely matters to you? Look no further than your calendar and your bank account. … read more
Frank’s Freedom
Seven years ago, I attended a conference that completely blew me away. A huge room filled with people who all had one thing in common – being convicted of a crime they didn’t commit. The conversations that unfolded were unlike anything I had ever experienced. The shared experiences elevated the discussions in ways I never … read more
The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences – Interactive Presentation
There’s something powerful about being in a room full of people who just get it. That’s exactly what I experienced at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) National Meeting in Denver, CO—an energy that’s hard to put into words but impossible to ignore. It’s the fuel that elevates conversations, sharpens our sense of purpose, … read more
Stepping Into Justice: A Choreographed Conversation at ACJS
I’m beyond excited to attend the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences’ National Meeting today! It’s an incredible opportunity to engage with students, educators, and professionals who are passionate about the criminal justice system. This year, I’ve been invited to present something unique—an interactive, choreographed conversation that immerses students in the realities of prosecution, defense, and … read more
