Eryn and L'Shawn interview Ryan Forbes, writer, podcaster and fierce advocate for the incarcerated and for alternative avenues to justice: restorative and transformative justice. Ryan is the founder and host of The Shakedown, a podcast about the criminal justice system from the view point of those who have experienced it from the inside. Ryan shares his personal story, his journey towards self-improvement, and his mission to help others avoid making the same mistakes. We discuss the limitations of the criminal justice system, the importance of authentic storytelling, and the need for healing and transformation in the face of harm. More about Ryan, The Shakedown, and his graphic novels and other projects can be found on his website waywordpress.com.

Eryn and L'Shawn interview Dr. Katie from Autism Neurodiverse Education Resource in Denver (NERD). She discusses her business, which provides learning accommodations and support for individuals with neurodevelopmental differences, particularly autism. She distinguishes herself in the educational consulting world by focusing on the admissions process, preparation, placement, and persistence, with a particular emphasis on neurodiverse students. Dr. Katie emphasizes the importance of empowering individuals and families to recognize and express their needs, and shares her personal journey of starting her business and her role in helping families understand the resources available to them. Dr. Katie also discusses her approach to consulting, the importance of college readiness, and the benefits of her services for families and children.

L' Shawn shares her personal experience of losing a close friend, Angus. Eryn offers her knowledge of grief and loss discussing the complexities of grief and loss, including the concept of 'compounded loss' and 'ambiguous loss'. L'Shawn expresses her emotional struggle with the loss of Angus, as well as other losses, and the need to hold on to memories of Angus. The conversation ends with Eryn offering support and discussing the potential for grief to trigger judgment, the importance of self-compassion, and the different emotional pathways of grieving behavior.