Intersection Podcast

In part six of this recidivism series, we talk with Jennifer Johnson of the public defender's office about jail populations, public health, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Jennifer serves as co-vice chair of the Anderson County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and is the Chief Circuit Public Defender of the 10th Judicial Circuit in South Carolina. Links: 42 inmates released from Anderson County Detention Center as fears rise about coronavirus: https://www.independentmail.com/story/news/local/2020/03/19/coronavirus-anderson-county-detention-center-inmates-released-sc-jail-amid-covid-19-fears/2877575001/ Public Defender's Office: https://www.andersoncountysc.org/public-defender Jennifer Johnson's Bio: https://sccid.sc.gov/about-us/circuit-public-defenders/bio/1961/jennifer-l-johnson https://www.scbar.org/lawyers/directory/profile/14224 Anderson County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC): https://www.andersoncountysc.org/criminal-justice-coordinating-council Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Five of this recidivism series, we talk with Jennifer Johnson of the public defender's office about the log jam in the court system. She shares her story as she serves as co-vice chair of the Anderson County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. She also shares her perspective as the Chief Circuit Public Defender of the 10th Judicial Circuit in South Carolina. She shares about the data and the log jam inside the court system as the CJCC continues to find ways to reduce the jail population inside the over crowded Anderson County Detention Center. Links: Public Defender's Office: https://www.andersoncountysc.org/public-defender Jennifer Johnson's Bio: https://sccid.sc.gov/about-us/circuit-public-defenders/bio/1961/jennifer-l-johnson https://www.scbar.org/lawyers/directory/profile/14224 Anderson County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) https://www.andersoncountysc.org/criminal-justice-coordinating-council Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recidivism, social determinants of health, and what does recidivism have to do with re-admission rates? Is there a cycle, a pattern, a deeper exploration surrounding how those who are mentally ill access the care they need before the cycle begins; or even in the midst of the cycle? This cycle is happening and it is bigger than the four walls of a hospital, the criminal justice infrastructure, and the community they serve. So many questions, Here is part two of my discussion with Michael Cunningham from AnMed Health, part four of this series exploring recidivism. As we talk to Micheal, he shares how hospitals term recidivism differently, specifically identifying the core cause for re-admission. This conversation leads to a larger discussion surrounding the social determinants of health for those consistently seeking access to care, especially those cycling inside the walls of the hospital from the criminal justice system.  Links: AnMed Health: https://anmedhealth.org/ Anderson County CJCC: https://www.andersoncountysc.org/criminal-justice-coordinating-council Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is CJCC? Well, CJCC is an acronym for Criminal Justice Coordinating Council and Anderson County establish the second of it's kind in South Carolina behind Charleston County. What does that have to do with recidivism? Anderson County was advised to create a CJCC and begin the process of criminal justice reform before starting the process of building a new jail. Why? Because the Anderson County Detention Center is grossly over crowded. Part two of Intersections exploration of recidivism in Anderson County South Carolina. Let's continue Dave Phillips story, curator of the Anderson County Community Resource Guide.  Links: Anderson County CJCC: https://www.andersoncountysc.org/criminal-justice-coordinating-council Charleston County CJCC: https://cjcc.charlestoncounty.org/ Anderson County Resource Guide: https://myresourceguide.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bryan Barlow is motivational speaker and a passionate highly requested and recommended soccer referee. Brian Barlow is also a father, pilot, golfer, writer & Emmy award winning TV Producer and husband of long-time best friend Lori Barlow. Barlow is no stranger to center stage so it was no surprise when the little “Offside” project went Viral the summer of 2018. Making a bold statement is one of the fundamental pillars of impactful marketing, Barlow took his own advise a few years ago and offered $100 for anyone who captures referee abuse and its posted on the Offside page. Offside received more than 6000 videos to date and is currently the only grassroots campaign discussing the negative impact fan behavior has on youth sports. This Offside Facebook page is often controversial, in your face and to the point - for those who are sensitive, uptight, wound-up or in need of a politically correct approach to the subject should probably skip-out. Here is his story...completely "Offside"! Links: NY Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/18/sports/referee-parents-abuse-videos.html Offside FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/youreoffside/ Brian Barlow's Website: http://barlowontheball.com/   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to best estimates, there are fewer than 3,900 tigers remaining in the wild. The reasons for dwindling populations are varied. Major issues include loss of tigers' natural habitats and poaching, which affects the 13 tiger range countries around the globe. Rachelle Leigh Beckner is a very passionate person, yet did not expect to find her passion in saving tigers until she arrived at Clemson. This former journalist found her way into the classroom teaching and into the wild saving tigers, representing four land grant institutions. Auburn University, Clemson University, Louisiana State University and the University of Missouri want their mascot to roar forever. That's why they are joining forces to form the Tigers United University Consortium, committed to saving wild tigers worldwide. The Tigers United University Consortium was initiated by Clemson University President James P. Clements, who also serves on the Global Tiger Initiative Council. Comprised of business and conservation leaders, this international council assists the Global Tiger Forum in saving remaining populations of wild tigers, with a goal of doubling tiger numbers in the wild by 2022, the next Year of the Tiger in the Chinese calendar. Links:  Rachelle Leigh Beckner Bio: https://meettheprof.com/view/professors/entry/rachelle-beckner/ Rachelle Leigh Beckner LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachellebeckner/ Tigers United University Consortium: https://www.clemson.edu/tigers-always/consortium/index.html Clemson World Article: https://clemson.world/saving-tigers/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carla Boyd, the mother of former Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd, has written a book called 'From the Heart of Momma Boyd.’ The book takes us back to the days before Tajh was a household name and what it was like to be the mother of an All-American quarterback at a major university. When you meat Mrs. Boyd, you immediately want to call her “Momma”; because she is just exactly that, a mom to many. From those very moments as a teenage in high school, having a child and fighting cancer; she has vowed to create a better home life for her children than she experience. And she did more than that, she followed her son to Clemson and became a mom to a football team.  There are not enough voices of division one mom’s sharing their stories in the mainstream media outlets. We could learn a lot from sitting and having a conversation with these strong women. They could change the way we look and view at each son or daughter whom compete at the highest level in college athletics. I am thankful I spent some time with Momma Boyd.  Where to buy From The Heart of Momma Boyd: The Mother of All American Quarterback Tajh Boyd Amazon - http://bit.ly/MommaBoydBook Books-A-Million - http://bit.ly/BAM-MommaBoydBook Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jordan Scott, florist, small business owner, lover of all people and their stories, committed to small business in downtown Anderson, SC; and yet she is not a United States Citizen. Jordan Scott came to the United States from Australia not for business or the American Dream, she came her following her faith in Jesus Christ and her new husband as the began their life together.  She owns a beautiful florist shop in one of the most southern towns in South Carolina, Anderson. She has grown to love the people, grow a business and yet her heart might be elsewhere, serving people in other regions of the world. She knows Anderson, SC will be her home but is called to a great purpose beyond the idea of American Nationalism and Capitalism.  As she navigates her Immigrant VISA for Spouse(s) and Fiancée(s), she is torn with the requirement of never leaving this domestic soil for close to 8 years and serving the poor internationally. Coming to the United States is more that a better life for people economically, it is also for people seeking a place they can call home and to serve. I wonder if our supply chain lifestyle here in the United States blinds us from those who seek a place just to serve one another.  Links: Forage Botanics Website: https://foragebotanics.org/ Forage Botanics Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foragebotanics/ Immigrant VISA for Spouse(s) and Fiancée(s): http://bit.ly/USVisa-ImmigrantSpouse Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate Ranta is a public figure in the gun reform and violence against women movements. In 2012—after leaving an emotionally, financially, and sexually abusive marriage—Kate’s ex-husband stalked her to her apartment in Parkland, FL, where he shot her twice and her father twice in front of her then 4-year-old son. One bullet destroyed her right hand, and another went through her left breast, just missing her heart. Her father was shot in his left arm, which is still disabled, and in his left side, just missing his heart and lung. Although not physically hurt, Kate’s son witnessed the entire event from start to finish. To Listen to Part One, go to: Intersection Episode 050: Kate Ranta: Killing Kate - Part One Links: Website: http://www.kateranta.com Book: Killing Kate: A Story of Turning Abuse and Tragedy into Transformation and Triumph Twitter: https://twitter.com/ravinranta Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supportkateranta/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate Ranta is the mother of two boys, a marketing professional, and a survivor of intimate partner and gun violence. She and her father survived two bullets each when her ex-husband ambushed her at her home and shot them. The couple's then 4-year-old son witnessed the shooting. Kate has been an activist for several years, and has appeared in documentary films, in national media, and on expert panels. In the years since the shooting, Kate has elevated her story in documentaries, television, online media, and print publications, as well as spoken out publicly at rallies—in particular, on the steps of the Capitol with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. John Lewis—and participated on numerous panels nationally. As a survivor, she is aligned with many national and local grassroots gun violence prevention groups. Kate focuses her work on raising awareness about the deadly intersection between guns and domestic abusers. Kate’s ex-husband was a Major in the Air Force who had many weapons, but she didn’t know the danger she was in as he became increasingly abusive—especially once she left. When a gun is present in a domestic violence situation, women are 500% more likely to die. And, 57% of mass shootings in America (defined as four or more people dead) are domestic violence-related. Kate is the co-author of “Killing Kate: A Story of Turning Abuse and Tragedy into Transformation and Triumph.”  Links: Website: http://www.kateranta.com Book: Killing Kate: A Story of Turning Abuse and Tragedy into Transformation and Triumph Twitter: https://twitter.com/ravinranta Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/supportkateranta/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ted Swann is President of Swann Medicine in Clemson, SC. Over the the past few months, he has been working diligently to educate his patients and also advise his community how to navigate COVID-19.  He has also been advising his home church, First Baptist Church of Clemson how to plan and prepare the church during this global crisis. He has created a wonderful graphical guide that helps explain how each person can personally prepare when trying to decide where to travel and how to interact with others during this pandemic.   This conversation highlights the creation of the above COVID-19 Individual Risk Guide and addresses the concerns of churches along with congregational members how to manage the risks of potential exposure.   To learn more about Ted Swann and Swann Medicine:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ted.swann.7 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ted-swann-74b32a55/  Website: https://swannmedicine.com/ Liberty Fellowship: https://www.libertyfellowshipsc.org/people/details/ted-swann Palmetto Promise: https://palmettopromise.org/independent-doctors-old-school-medicine-on-the-covid-19-frontlines/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acts 1:11 - Why do you stand here looking into the sky?” Betsey Matheny of Boulevard Baptist Church decided to no longer and “stand there staring;” she decided to do something and help the healthcare workers in Anderson, SC. So, she organized a group of women to sew masks for AnMed Health’s healthcare workers. This began as a simple initiative, but over time as AnMed Health engaged the community; they met their goal of 8,000 masks. It is because of this wonderful community here in Anderson came together to sew masks.  This story is about community, faith, and a commitment to helping each other. This story will feature interviews with Betsey Matheny of Boulevard Baptist Church, Tim Self of AnMed Health Foundation, and Ila Tribble of Boulevard Baptist Church.  Links: AnMed Health - Anderson, SC - https://anmedhealth.org Boulevard Baptist Church - Anderson, SC - https://www.boulevardbaptist.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recidivism and the words "health care", what do they have to do with each other? Health care refers to provider actions, and in this case actions truly speaks, shows, exemplifies so much more than the two words themselves. Michael Cunningham works for AnMed Health, a community healthcare system, healthcare in this case is one word. AnMed Health is located in Anderson County, South Carolina; and Michael is a champion seeking change, committed to the service to the community he serves. He is also a partner in this journey of tackling recidivism as a part of the CJCC in Anderson County. Here is part one of his story; part three in this series exploring recidivism. Links: AnMed Health: https://anmedhealth.org/ Anderson County CJCC: https://www.andersoncountysc.org/criminal-justice-coordinating-council Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recidivism, poverty, homelessness and a community resource guide; what do all of these items have in common? Dave Phillips shares his path of engaging the needs of a community through a simple idea, a community resource guide. This simple idea provided a spring board, creating connections across Anderson County, South Carolina; leading Dave down a path of a bigger mission! Dave began building connectivity inside the newly created Criminal Justice Coordinating Council in Anderson County, South Carolina. Links: Community Resource Guide: https://myresourceguide.org/ Anderson County CJCC: https://www.andersoncountysc.org/criminal-justice-coordinating-council Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I just believe...don’t you? It’s that time of the year where kids can be kids and so can us little adults. We just can’t hold it back, admit it...you get a little a little giddy when see jolly ole Kris Kringle. You have the yearning to go crawl up in his lap and share your greatest wish, each and every holiday season. But there is only one Santa Claus. At-least every kid believes there is only one Santa and all the other Santa’s are … well … just fake Santas. But I was able to catch-up with ole Saint Nick...he invited me to his temporary home on the lake in Townville, SC. Just a short stop-over before heading back to the north pole for the last push before Christmas.  It was Christmas 2014, I captured one of my most favorite images of Rosebud with Santa. It is this picture that is now hanging in our house during each and every Christmas holiday season. It is this picture that made me want to meet the man that made Rosebud’s eyes sparkle.  So...regardless if you believe in Santa, there is one thing for sure … Santa’s helper named Charlie Jordan believes. He believes so that others may continue to believe.  Check Out Links Below: Santa Claus and Rosebud [Picture] Santa on Facebook Town Carolina - Profile of Santa Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the many years of telling stories of domestic violence victims and survivors, I have never interviewed someone who has described the actual details of their physical abuse with such specificity and granularity; where her injuries from her abuser were so visibly apparent. She was burned with acid and lost her vision. There are so many intersections inside this story. Sabrina Greenlee is the mother of four children and grew up and raised her children in a little town outside Clemson University...Central, SC. I grew up right around the corner in Clemson. Her son is a former wide receiver star from Daniel High School, Clemson University, and now one of the leading receivers in the NFL playing for the Houston Texans. His name is DeAndre Hopkins. I went to Daniel High School and worked for Clemson Football with her brother Terry Smith, former receiver who also played in the NFL for the Indianapolis Colts. He died from a domestic dispute. Sabrina has been surrounded by domestic violence all her life; and this is a story of a survivor, of a crusader, of a lady who embraces her scars to tell a larger story...to help women overcome and transition back into real world after a traumatic experience of domestic abuse. Check Out Links Below: Learn more about Sabrina Greenlee (website) S.M.O.O.O.T.H. (website) Safe Harbor (website) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We all just need a little bit more skirt in our life. Yes...Skirt! Many would feel that this is a male chauvinistic statement especially given the current political and social climate; but it is true. We need more Skirt...that is Skirt Magazine based in Charleston, SC. “Skirt is all about women – their work, their play, families, creativity, style, health and wealth, bodies and souls. … skirt Is an attitude – spirited, independent, outspoken, serious, playful and irreverent, sometimes controversial, always passionate.”Skirt magazine is Charleston’s first women’s magazine, celebrating women with attitude since 1994. Shelly Hill Young is the executive editor and embodies everything that is Skirt. I met Shelly in 2009 as we worked together during a re-branding of a nonprofit working to grow the number of IT professionals in South Carolina. Afterwards, she spent a few years in California working for FOXSports.com, Hollywood Reporter, and the Doctors TV show. The south called her home, not only to raise her family but take on a new challenge; becoming the executive editor to a magazine that embodies passion necessary...during a time when we just need more Skirt. Check Out Links Below: Skirt Magazine | Charleston, SC - Website Shelley Hill Young - LinkedIn Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you know someone who has experienced infertility? This is one of those tough subjects to talk about not only in mixed company but also around family. It took Sarah and I years to have Rose, and when she was born in 2011, we experienced a miracle especially after three miscarriages. Around the same time, I was helping Greenville Health System tell some amazing stories in celebration of their centennial. This is when I met Jeff and Amory Cone. We helped Greenville Health System produced this story in 2013 as an opportunity to help other families realize the amazing advancements available when faced with infertility challenges. Jeff and Amory shared their home, their story, and how their family changed after the magic moments of having their little girl Payton. Six years later, their family has grown with a little boy. According to the CDC, about 10 percent of women in the United States, roughly 6.1 million women ages 15-44 have difficulty getting pregnant or staying pregnant. Sarah and I along with Jeff and Amory shared similar experiences, facing the challenges of infertility. Close to six years later, I sat back down with Jeff and Amory to see how they are doing. I wanted to share our conversation as we compared our stories and the roads we traveled. Check Out Links Below: Greenville Health System’s Fertility Center of the Carolinas [YouTube] Original Story featuring Jeff and Amory Greenville Health System in Greenville, SC Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Homes of Hope has a tremendous vision, providing opportunities for generational change throughout South Carolina. They do this in two ways, by rebuilding communities and rebuilding lives. But what does that really mean? In their 20th year of operations, they have developed 600 homes for families and helped over 300 men restore their lives. Their mission is to rebuild communities and individual lives through housing, economic and workforce development. They build safe, affordable, and energy-efficient housing for low-to-moderate income families and/or individuals in South Carolina. They also lead a men’s development program which is a voluntary one-year residential job training and mentoring program for men overcoming drug and alcohol addictions. As a storyteller, I have been leading a team to help tell the Homes of Hope story for over 3 years. Their impact and the stories we find inside these programs has not only inspired our staff of digital storytellers, but has inspired so many people here in the Carolinas to grow this mission far beyond what President and CEO Don Oglesby ever imagined. This story is worth hearing and sharing! Check Out Links Below: Homes of Hope Website [Video] 20 years ago a family came to me with one simple question [Video] My Home was my Foundation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was the most controversial call during the second week of college football play in the 2018 season. College Station, Texas is the home to the Texas A&M Aggies, home of the 12th man, and they were hosting the second ranked Clemson Tigers for a classic Atlantic Coast Conference and Southeastern Conference match-up. A critical play as the Aggies were mounting a comeback in-front of the home crowd, a run to the corner near the end zone where the ball was stripped propelling it in the air. Was it out-of-bounds or did it fly over the pylon indicating a touchback. The decision by the officials...critical. Yet, television replay could not provide an adequate view to confirm or deny the call on the field. Meet Lizzie Allen, a senior at Texas A&M and a student photojournalist on the field during the game. She just so happened to be in the right place at the right time, followed her instincts, and captured the perfect image of the ball flying. There is the many intersections inside this story, one that you will just have to listen to understand. I will just say one thing...I love my Clemson Tigers. Check Out Links Below: Lizzie’s Picture: The Fumble Replay of “The Fumble” - Clemson at TAMU on ESPN SEC Shorts - Texas A&M cross-examines that "touchback" pylon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices