All Things Conflict

In this heavy-hitting episode of All Things Conflict - Justice Redesigned, Maria sits down with Jon Wedger, a former elite detective and specialist interviewer who operated at the highest levels of the British policing establishment. Jon shares the harrowing personal cost of breaking the "code of silence" to expose malfeasance and a systemic cover-up regarding the abuse of children.

Jon details the "vicious" campaign launched to silence him, which included being arrested nine times and going three and a half years without pay while his son lay in a coma. Drawing on his decades of experience interviewing both victims and the most hardened offenders, Jon breaks down the psychological impact of trauma through the "Three Selves" lens. This is a raw conversation about power, the "shadow economy" built around child misery, and the radical courage required to have a "real conversation" in a system designed to deflect.

Key Takeaways


The Price of Whistleblowing: Jon recounts how making allegations of malfeasance against senior officers led to a campaign of harassment, nine arrests, and total financial depletion.

The Elite Interrogator's Craft: Insights into the high-stakes world of specialist interviewing, where understanding human psychology is more effective than coercion or violence.


The "Three Selves" Theory: A breakdown of how trauma affects the Intellectual, Physical, and Emotional selves, often leading to survivors developing high intellect to mask emotional "stunting".


The Impact of Step-Parents: Jon discusses the statistical increase in the risk of abuse within homes where a step-parent is present and calls for a return to stronger family boundaries.


The "Cradle to Grave" Economy: A provocative look at how the justice and social care systems have become an "algorithm" that profits from child abuse through legal fees and incarceration costs.


The Unreachable 10%: Why Jon believes a small fraction of offenders are beyond reach, while the other 90% can be managed or prevented through intervention and restorative justice.


The "Shadow" of Power: How childhood trauma can drive individuals to seek jobs that offer power and control over others, potentially leading to further cycles of abuse.



Timestamps


00:00 – Meeting Jon: A Voice for the Voiceless

03:37 – The Allegations: Why the Police Came for Me


06:17 – Inside the Elite Interrogation Room


13:14 – The Truth About Step-Parents and Abuse Statistics


16:54 – The Three Selves: Intellectual vs. Emotional Trauma


23:03 – Why Bashing Offenders Doesn't Solve the Crime


30:54 – The Vagrancy Act: Controlling Traumatized Soldiers


42:06 – Cognitive Dissonance: Why the Public Refuses to Believe


50:09 – The Profit of Misery: The 450-Pound-per-Day Industry


55:21 – Boarding School Workhouses and Institutional Abuse


01:03:19 – The Vetting Scandal: Blackmail in High Office


01:13:43 – Final Plea: "Get Help, Get Out, Stop It"

Redemption Documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NkZiz8LXYU&pp=ygULcmVkZW1wdGlvbiA%3D

Social Links
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.workplacehuddle.com⁠

HOST BIO


Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).  

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this episode of All Things Conflict - Justice Redesigned, Maria sits down with Ben Leapman, the editor of Inside Time, the UK’s only national newspaper dedicated to the prisoner population. With a unique background as a former Fleet Street journalist who also has lived experience of the justice system, Ben provides a rare and balanced look at life behind bars.

We explore how Inside Time serves as a vital communication hub, offering news, legal information, and a powerful "voice" for those often silenced by the state. From the emotional release of "Wing Worries" to the struggle for in-cell technology and the fight against illegal book bans, Ben explains the daily mechanics of incarceration. Finally, we discuss a radical "reset" for British sentencing to fix the overcrowding crisis and restore public trust in the justice system.

Key Takeaways


A Trusted Source of Truth: Inside Time provides prisoners with reliable information to combat the rumors and "official speak" that often lead to confusion and disappointment on the wings.

The "Wing Worries" Release Valve: Beyond news, the paper acts as a safe container for emotional distress through its agony aunt column, helping prisoners process the trauma of incarceration.


The Digital Divide: While the world has moved online, many UK prisons still rely on print media due to a lack of infrastructure, though in-cell technology is slowly beginning to save staff time and improve family contact.


The Fight for Literacy: Ben recounts the paper's role in monitoring and overturning illegal local book bans, emphasizing that "sunlight is the best disinfectant" for systemic rule-breaking.


Decency and Dignity: A sobering look at the reality of modern prison conditions, where Victorian-era single cells are often doubled up, forcing prisoners to live in cramped, undignified spaces.


The Hidden Costs of Prison: From expensive in-cell phone credits to overpriced "canteen" items, the financial strain on prisoners (who earn an average of £13 a week) can directly impact suicide rates and mental health.


The Sentencing Reset: Ben argues that the current system of long sentences served at a fraction of their length (33% or 40%) is a "joke" that satisfies no one; he calls for shorter, more honest sentences focused on clear public safety risks.



Inside Time Newspaper - https://insidetime.org/

Ben Leapman

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-leapman-29a053191/

Social Links
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.workplacehuddle.com⁠

HOST BIO


Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).  

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/

In this profound and inspiring episode of All Things Conflict -Justice Redesigned, Maria welcomes Kelechi Ezeigwe, a remarkable activist, educator, and author based in Nigeria. Kelechi is the founder of the Saint Abigail’s Women’s Initiative, an organisation dedicated to empowering women through financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and life skills.

Kelechi shares her transition from a secure corporate career in banking to the "restless" pursuit of building a school system that prioritizes critical thinking over rote memorisation. We explore the themes of her powerful book, Vultures of a Kind, which serves as a poetic outcry against leadership failure and the systemic oppression of women. From navigating culturally entrenched domestic violence to advocating for women’s voices in boardrooms, Kelechi's story is a masterclass in using "love in action" and education to disrupt toxic cycles.

Key Takeaways


The "Hyena" Metaphor: Collette discusses the powerful imagery in her writing, comparing failed leadership to a predator that "kisses its prey" before consuming it, reflecting the broken promises of government.

Education as Liberation: Why Collette walked away from the financial sector to build a preschool and primary school that teaches children to "question things" rather than simply follow rules.


The Struggle for Women’s Autonomy: A raw look at the stigma surrounding divorced or independent women in Nigeria and the ongoing battle against domestic violence.


Financial Literacy as Power: How the Saint Abigail’s Initiative teaches women financial education to build integrity with banks and secure their own economic futures.The Art of Patient Activism: Collette reflects on shifting from "fierce" activism to a model based on "listening to understand," inspired by Nelson Mandela and her work with Maria on conflict resolution.


A Call for Global Sisterhood: Collette’s plea to women everywhere to keep opening doors for one another and to ensure their voices are never shut down, whether in small communities or global boardrooms.

Vultures of a Kind
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vultures-Kind-Kelechi-Ezeigwe/dp/1914560280/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0

Kelechi Links

https://ng.linkedin.com/in/kelechi-ezeigwe-2b4b74171

https://www.stabigailintlschools.org/

Social Links
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.workplacehuddle.com⁠

HOST BIO


Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).  

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠⁠

In this episode of All Things Conflcit - Justice Redesigned, Maria sits down with Shahab (Shab) Hashtroudi, a former high-flying entrepreneur and "Nightclub King" who saw his world collapse following a dawn raid and a grueling seven-week trial. After losing his business empire, Shab found himself in the "darkness" of the British prison system—but he didn't just serve his time.

Shab became a powerhouse of peer-led rehabilitation, clocking over 700 hours as a Dialogue Roadmap facilitator. He shares the shocking details of his trial—including a juror who wore a T-shirt signaling bias—and discusses the profound "ego death" that allowed him to find true happiness behind bars. This conversation is a piercing look at the failures of the jury system, the psychological impact of incarceration, and why peer-to-peer support is the most effective tool for saving lives in prison.

Key Takeaways


The Jury System Scandal: Shab recounts the unbelievable moment a juror wore a T-shirt mocking the defendants during his trial, and why the judge’s refusal to dismiss that juror highlights a systemic lack of accountability.


The Tax Authority Trap: A discussion on how UK authorities often treat business errors as criminal "theft" rather than civil mistakes, destroying viable companies and jobs in the process.


The Trust Gap in Prisons: Why inmates are often unwilling to speak to "outside" psychiatrists but will share their deepest traumas with a fellow prisoner who has "lived it."


Peer-Led Rehabilitation: How Shab used the Dialogue Roadmap to help fellow inmates move off suicide watch, proving that the most effective therapy in prison often comes from the cell next door.


The "Ego Death" of Incarceration: Shab reflects on how losing his millions, his cars, and his status actually made him a happier, more grounded man by forcing him to focus on internal value rather than external labels.


The 700-Hour Lesson: A look at the resilience required to facilitate change in a high-pressure environment and why Shab believes "punishment is not a resolution."


A Message for Entrepreneurs: Insights from Shab’s book, Legacy of a Shooting Star, on how to handle failure and find the energy to restart when everything is taken away.

Legacy of a Shooting Star

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Legacy-Shooting-Star-Beyond-Alcatraz/dp/1839529458

Shab Hashtroudi

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shab-hashtroudi-b51b99243/?originalSubdomain=uk

Social Links
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.workplacehuddle.com⁠

HOST BIO

Maria founded the Centre for Peaceful Solutions in response to the fatal shooting of a 7 year old in her neighbourhood. She developed a model of conflict resolution for violent crime using her brainchild, the Dialogue Road Map (DRM).  

Over 30 years she has mediated everything from threat to life gang disputes to high stakes business deals gone wrong, Maria empowers people to resolve conflict without reliance on experts. So she trains violent prisoners to be facilitators, leaders to be effective communicators, teenagers to be peer mediators and neighbours to be tenant listeners within their respective communities.

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. ⁠https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/⁠

In this deeply moving episode of All Things Conflict - Justice Redesigned, Maria sits down with Joan, a mother whose life was irrevocably changed in 2011 when her son was killed in a "one-punch" attack. While many would remain locked in a cycle of bitterness and anger, Joan chose a different path one that led her to the heart of Restorative Justice.

Joan shares the raw reality of her journey: from the initial fury of losing her son to the groundbreaking decision to meet his attacker, Jacob, face-to-face. This conversation explores the transformative power of being heard, the flaws in the "manslaughter" sentencing guidelines, and the incredible friendship that emerged from a tragedy. Joan’s story is a powerful testament to the fact that forgiveness isn't about forgetting; it’s about healing the "lion’s den" and finding a way forward for two families caught in the same tragedy.

Key Takeaways


The Weight of "One Punch": Understanding the devastating impact of a single moment of violence and how it ripples through a community, affecting both the victim's and the offender's families.


Moving Beyond Bitterness: Joan discusses her transition from being "very bitter and very angry" to realizing that holding onto hatred was only hurting her own healing process.


The Power of the Face-to-Face Meeting: The pivotal moment when Joan met Jacob in prison. She describes how seeing his remorse and his own "lost" nature allowed her to see him as a human being rather than just a "monster."


Flaws in the Justice System: A critique of the current sentencing for manslaughter (often as low as 14 months), which Joan argues fails to reflect the value of the life lost or provide adequate time for rehabilitation.


Restorative Justice as a Right: Why Joan believes every victim of a serious crime should be offered the opportunity to participate in Restorative Justice as a standard part of the legal process.


The Impact of "Punch": A look at how Joan’s story was adapted into a successful play, helping to educate the public on the consequences of violence and the possibility of reconciliation.


Two Families, One Tragedy: The unique perspective that Jacob’s family also suffered a loss, and how the two families eventually found common ground and support in each other.

Social Links
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.centreforpeacefulsolutions.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.peacefulsolutions.org.uk⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.workplacehuddle.com⁠

Resources mentioned

https://www.theforgivenessproject.com/

https://www.commongroundjustice.uk/

The Play - Punch

https://punchtheplay.com/uk-tour/