The reason Molly has such a sterling reputation in so many Restorative Justice, peace and justice, racial justice, societal healing and transformation and conscious media circles is because she has been gripped by living their values in her own extraordinary life story. People trust her because she knows deeply the ravages of the dysfunctional incarceration system with its obsession with punitive sentencing. She knows the prejudice and economic discrimination experienced by single mothers. She knows because she embodies the vision of RJ on the Rise which represents a truly compassionate future for humanity the mainstream media generally ignores in favor of the horrors of global systemic breakdown, or worse, the presence that all that is needed are economic adjustments. Yes, she knows what is On The Rise.

Restorative Justice on The Rise makes history as the first public media platform devoted to restorative justice. Scores of inspiring interviews, talks, panels, circles, and dialogues that reimagine justice  have made their way into the headphones, car stereos, and daily lives of countless listeners globally. The power of public  media to create narrative change cannot be overestimated. This public forum open to a global citizenry not only helps shift the narrative but also redirects the course of what is possible in our individual and communal futures.

Restorative Justice On the Rise has been a steadfast and tireless advocate and connector for moving the vision of restorative justice globally. RJOR was a pioneer in using the internet as a platform for connecting practitioners and providing education about restorative justice.

So when the pandemic stopped us all in our tracks, RJOR already had links to practitioners around the world and had an established track record of engaging in interactive dialogs with speakers. The pandemic created an immediate sense of isolation and profound disorientation and RJOR quickly recognized the need for relational support among practitioners.

On March 23, 2020, RJOR launched the first support circles for practitioners which were an incredible learning experience for me. Without that experience I would not have realized the potential of virtual circles so quickly. I am deeply grateful to Molly for initiating those online support circles. We discovered that we can still belong to each other in deep ways across thousands of miles and through a screen!

Molly’s technical skill and her commitment to meaningful relationships allowed us to use the technology to increase belonging, transcending the limitations of geography to care about one another in our shared distress and fears. When we felt helpless to change the external conditions, we came together over the internet and listened to one another, shared our stories and knew we were not alone and knew others cared about us.

The support circles built resilience and inspired each of us to reach out in our own spheres to use virtual circles with others, transforming the disconnection of the pandemic into connection and belonging. That advancement in our practice was propelled by a crisis. As the technology grows ever more pervasive in our lives it is important to be intentional in bridging between the technology and the fundamental relational needs of human beings. In the virtual support circles we experienced common ground, a oneness that made it possible to hold our differences. Molly’s vision made that possible.