Fierce Conversations with Toby

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  • “I Am Enough”: The Power of Second Chances with Tanaine Jenkins

    “I Am Enough”: The Power of Second Chances with Tanaine Jenkins

    What does it mean to truly believe, I am enough? In Episode 28 of Fierce Conversations with Toby, we sit down with Tanaine Jenkins, whose incredible journey from incarceration to self-empowerment is a testament to the transformative power of second chances.

    Tanaine’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and the courage to rewrite her narrative. It reminds us that while society often sees people through the lens of their past mistakes, our worth is not determined by where we’ve been but by where we choose to go.

    Breaking Free from Shame

    After giving 10 years of her life to the Florida Department of Corrections, Tanaine Jenkins has dedicated her voice to shining a light on the Second Sentence that Returning Citizens face once they are released from confinement.

    Tanaine is the best-selling author of From Prison to President: 7 Ways to Succeed in Your Second Chance, the President of Everything I Am LLC, the CEO of The Loc’d Line, a member of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition Policy Council, and a 2022 TEDx Jacksonville speaker.

    She has also been featured in Forbes, on the CW Channel and PBS. Through her company, Everything I Am, Tanaine has helped hundreds of returning citizens and justice involved individuals find their ‘Why’ and learn the power of self-forgiveness.

    Finding “Enough”

    One of the most powerful moments in Tanaine’s story is her realization that she didn’t need to earn her worth. She was already enough. Society often tells us that second chances must be “deserved,” but Tanaine challenges this notion, showing us that everyone has inherent value, regardless of their past.

    She describes the turning point when she stopped looking outward for validation and began building an unshakable foundation of self-love and self-respect. This shift empowered her to pursue new opportunities, mend relationships, and, most importantly, forgive herself.

    A Second Chance at Life

    Tanaine’s journey highlights the importance of second chances—not just in the eyes of others, but within ourselves. Whether it’s securing employment, reconnecting with loved ones, or simply waking up each day ready to try again, second chances are what keep us moving forward.

    In the episode, Tanaine calls for a more compassionate approach to people reentering society after incarceration. “We’re all more than our worst moment,” she says. “But we need systems and communities that recognize that truth.”

    Toby’s Reflection

    Toby reflects on her own journey through incarceration and redemption, echoing Tanaine’s sentiments. “Second chances aren’t just about a new opportunity—they’re about believing in the possibility of transformation,” Toby shares.

    Both Toby and Tanaine know that second chances are often hard-won. They require persistence, self-awareness, and a support system that sees the potential for change.

    The Fierce Call to Action

    Tanaine’s story challenges all of us to think about how we offer second chances—not just to others, but to ourselves.

    • For Those Seeking Second Chances: Remember, you are enough. Your past does not define your future.
    • For Those Who Can Give Second Chances: Whether as an employer, a mentor, or a friend, your belief in someone’s potential can be life-changing.

    Join the Conversation

    Tanaine Jenkins’s story is proof that second chances aren’t just possible—they’re essential. Tune in to Episode 28, I Am Enough, and discover how embracing second chances can change lives, one bold step at a time.

    #SecondChances #IAmEnough #FierceConversations

  • Making Room for Love in the Justice System: Reflections on Episode 34

    Making Room for Love in the Justice System: Reflections on Episode 34

    Making Room for Love in the Justice System: Reflections on Episode 34

    How can love transform a system built on punishment? In Episode 34 of Fierce Conversations with Toby, titled “Making Room for Love in the Justice System,” we explore this bold and transformative question with Cathy Harvey, an unlikely trailblazer in restorative justice. Her insights challenge us to reimagine how love—not as sentimentality, but as an active force of connection and accountability—could reshape our understanding of justice.

    Why Love and Justice?
    For many, the justice system is a cold, transactional space. It focuses on rules, consequences, and retribution. But Cathy Harvey argues that this approach leaves something vital out of the equation: the humanity of everyone involved.

    Love, she says, isn’t about ignoring harm or absolving responsibility. Instead, it’s about seeing the person behind the actions. It’s about fostering connection where there might have been division and creating space for healing instead of perpetuating cycles of harm.

    A Restorative Vision
    Cathy’s work centers on restorative justice, a model that shifts the focus from punishment to accountability and repair. In the episode, she shares her family’s moving story of finding love and acceptance for the young man who was responsible for her daughter’s tragic accidental death.  

    Their story is particularly profound: leading a judge to change the way he looks at justice.  For the family, this wasn’t about forgiving and forgetting—it was about using their voices to ensure the young man’s life wasn’t destroyed because of an accident. For the driver and his family, it was an opportunity to feel the human impact of their relationships and move forward. The two families created a bond which found them sharing vacations and holidays.

    Making Room for Love
    Love in the justice system doesn’t mean excusing harm; it means holding space for humanity. This could look like:

    • Programs that bring victims and offenders together for dialogue.
    • Policies that prioritize rehabilitation over incarceration.
    • Community support systems that address root causes of harm, such as poverty, addiction, or trauma.
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    In the episode, Cathy highlights the need for systemic change but also emphasizes the power of individual actions. “Love begins in small moments,” she says. “In how we listen, how we approach conflict, and how we choose to see the best in one another, even when it’s hard.”

    The Challenge of Love
    Talking about love in the justice system can feel idealistic, even naïve. But Cathy argues that it’s one of the most courageous things we can do. Love requires vulnerability, patience, and a willingness to embrace discomfort. It asks us to navigate tough conversations, challenge entrenched beliefs, and open ourselves to perspectives we may not want to hear.

    Toby’s Takeaway
    For Toby, Cathy’s insights resonate deeply. Having navigated her own journey through the justice system, Toby knows firsthand how transformative love can be—both in personal relationships and as a framework for justice.

    “This episode reminded me,” Toby shares, “that love is not a weakness in the face of harm. It’s a strength. It’s what allows us to move forward, not just as individuals, but as a society.”

    Continuing the Conversation
    If this episode inspires you, consider how you can bring more love into your own life. Whether it’s approaching a difficult conversation with empathy, supporting restorative justice programs, or simply choosing to see the humanity in others, every action matters.

    Join Us
    Tune in to Episode 34, Making Room for Love in the Justice System, and join the conversation. Together, we can challenge the status quo and envision a justice system rooted in accountability, healing, and yes—love.

    #RestorativeJustice #LoveInAction #FierceConversations

  • They Wanted Justice: A Closer Look at Episode 6

    They Wanted Justice: A Closer Look at Episode 6

    They Wanted Justice: A Closer Look at Episode 6

    In Episode 6 of Fierce Conversations with Toby, we dive into one of the most emotionally charged topics of our time: justice. Titled “They Wanted Justice,” this episode unpacks the complexities of what justice truly means—and how elusive it often is in our criminal justice system.

    Justice is a word that carries weight. It’s a rallying cry, a call for fairness, and a deeply personal journey for those who seek it. But justice is rarely straightforward. It intersects with pain, loss, hope, and, often, redemption.

    What Does Justice Look Like?
    In this episode, we hear from voices of four men who were denied justice. When offered mercy, they declined because justice was far more important to them. Their stories challenge us to consider the human cost of justice.

    Is justice retribution? Is it fairness? Is it healing? The answer isn’t always clear. What becomes evident, however, is that justice can’t exist in isolation. It requires dialogue, empathy, and an openness to understanding perspectives that differ from our own.

    The Complexity of Justice
    For many, justice is about closure. It’s about seeing wrongs acknowledged and addressed. For others, it’s about a second chance—a way to rebuild and let go of the harm done to them.

    In the episode, Toby reflects on her own experiences with the justice system. She shares how the consequences of her actions rippled outward, impacting not only herself but her family, friends, and even strangers who followed her story. Justice, for Toby, wasn’t just about serving time—it was about healing and finding a path forward.

    For her guests, Chris, Cliff, Tim and Charles justice begins with the world hearing their story and hopefully leads to a presidential pardon.

    The Role of Redemption
    Redemption and justice are often seen as opposites, but they are deeply connected. True justice isn’t just about punishment; it’s about creating space for transformation. In Episode 6, we explore how redemption can coexist with justice, offering a way to heal both individuals and communities.

    One powerful moment in the episode comes when our guests share their journey of surviving their unjust convictions and using it to help others as they leave prison. They speak candidly about their anger and how facing their past head-on was the only way to move forward. It’s a reminder that redemption doesn’t erase the past—it reframes it, allowing growth and accountability to take root.

    The Takeaway
    “They Wanted Justice” is more than an episode—it’s an invitation to reflect. What does justice mean to you? How do we balance accountability with compassion? And how can we create a system that fosters healing alongside fairness?

    At Fierce Conversations with Toby, we believe in the power of dialogue to spark change. Justice and redemption are not easy topics, but they are necessary ones. By listening to these stories, we step toward understanding and, hopefully, a more just and compassionate world.

    Tune In to Episode 6
    Don’t miss this powerful conversation. Listen to “They Wanted Justice” and join us as we navigate the intricate, emotional landscape of justice and redemption. Together, let’s ask the hard questions and find ways to move forward—fiercely and with grace.

    #JusticeAndRedemption #FierceConversations #TheyWantedJustice