Today’s guest is Christopher, who served 25 years in various California prisons as part of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. During his time in prison, he acted as Jane’s surrogate in their Victim-Offender Dialogue.

In this context, a surrogate is someone convicted of a similar crime, though not the perpetrator of the offense against the specific victim. The surrogate’s role is to help bridge the gap, allowing the victim to express their experience to someone with a shared history of offense. This creates an opportunity for healing and reconciliation, especially when victims are unable or choose not to confront the actual offender but still want their voices heard.

After more than two decades of incarceration, Christopher has been released and is adjusting to life in the free world. Navigating the challenges of reentry, he faces the task of catching up on the technological and cultural changes that have unfolded during his time in prison. But Christopher’s story is about more than reentry. It’s one of deep personal transformation. Through years of self-reflection and a commitment to growth, he has come to embody the possibility of redemption. His journey is a profound reminder of the humanity that exists within all of us, no matter the mistakes we’ve made.

This episode addresses a difficult and sensitive topic: a sexual crime committed against a child. Christopher, who has been open about his past, is here to discuss the painful reality of his actions. His willingness to confront and share the truth about his crime is both courageous and impactful. This conversation is not just about personal accountability; it’s a sobering reflection on trauma, human behavior, and the potential for change. It’s a raw, powerful discussion about forgiveness, healing, and the challenges of facing the darkest parts of one’s past.

This content may be sensitive or disturbing to some listeners.

Executive Producer: Diane Kahn
Producer: Elaine Ferguson
Producer: Emerson Swift
Producer: Laura Hardy
Editor: Josh Latham
Music: Jacob Bloomfield-Misarch
Artwork: Jorge Ramirez

A special thank you to the Ahimsa Collective and the Mend Collective. Ahimsa focuses on restorative justice, fostering healing and accountability through dialogue between victims and offenders, while Mend supports emotional and psychological healing through community-based initiatives. A heartfelt thanks as well to Martina Lutz Schneider and Miguel Quezada, whose dedication to restorative practices and conflict resolution has been vital in advancing these important efforts.

Today, we have a remarkable guest joining us: Jane, who has an incredibly powerful story to share. As a survivor of rape, Jane has faced unimaginable trauma, yet her journey of healing and empowerment is truly inspiring.

In this episode, Jane opens up about her experience participating in a Victim-Offender Dialogue with a surrogate offender—someone who committed a similar crime but was not the individual who harmed her. This courageous step allowed Jane to confront difficult emotions, gain new insights, and take powerful strides toward recovery.

This content may be sensitive or disturbing to some listeners.

Executive Producer: Diane Kahn
Producer: Elaine Ferguson
Producer: Emerson Swift
Producer: Joanne Lubeck Esser
Producer: Laura Hardy
Editor: Olivia Muse
Editor: Josh Latham
Assistant Editor: Colin Parker
Assistant Editor: Max Cohen
Music: Jacob Bloomfield-Misarch
Artwork: Jorge Ramirez

A special thank you to the Ahimsa Collective and the Mend Collective. Ahimsa focuses on restorative justice, fostering healing and accountability through dialogue between victims and offenders, while Mend supports emotional and psychological healing through community-based initiatives. A heartfelt thanks as well to Martina Lutz Schneider and Miguel Quezada, whose dedication to restorative practices and conflict resolution has been vital in advancing these important efforts.

In the last episode, Melissa shared the heartbreaking story of losing her father, killed by Matthew in 1993 when he was just 22 years old. Now, after 30 years of incarceration, Matthew opens up about his experience, offering a powerful example of trauma, growth, and reconciliation even in the most unimaginable circumstances.

Since his conviction, Matthew has participated in a rare victim-offender dialogue with Melissa. This process allowed them both to engage in honest communication—giving Matthew a chance to take responsibility for his actions and Melissa a space to voice her pain and anger. In this episode, Matthew reflects on how this dialogue helped him confront the consequences of his crime and grasp the profound human toll of his actions in ways he hadn’t before.

This content may be sensitive or disturbing to some listeners.

Executive Producer: Diane Kahn
Producer: Elaine Ferguson
Producer: Emerson Swift
Producer: Joanne Lubeck Esser
Producer: Laura Hardy
Editor: Olivia Muse
Editor: Josh Latham
Assistant Editor: Colin Parker
Assistant Editor: Max Cohen
Music: Jacob Bloomfield-Misarch
Artwork: Jorge Ramirez

A special thank you to the Ahimsa Collective and the Mend Collective. Ahimsa focuses on restorative justice, fostering healing and accountability through dialogue between victims and offenders, while Mend supports emotional and psychological healing through community-based initiatives. A heartfelt thanks as well to Martina Lutz Schneider and Miguel Quezada, whose dedication to restorative practices and conflict resolution has been vital in advancing these important efforts.