Who Judges The Judge? Hosted By Jordana H. Goldlist
Jordana H. Goldlist 51 episodes Nov 13, 2026
Jordana H. Goldlist reflects on her journey from homelessness and addiction in her teens to running a boutique criminal law firm and building a stable, successful life. In each episode, she interviews people who have overcome adversity and social stigma, including reformed criminals, the falsely accused, former addicts, and refugees. Named after her TEDx Talk, the podcast explores the untold stories and unexpected backgrounds of guests who defy stereotypes. The conversations focus on resilience, difficult personal journeys, and finding strength through struggle.
Episodes
Base: A Former Inmate on Why Prison Can Make People Worse
BASE says doing the time is only half the battle, and the other half is coming out and rebuilding with a criminal record, lost relationships and few resources. After about 14 years in and out of the justice system, he is now a carpentry apprentice, a content creator and a musician.Base goes by Inside Connect on Instagram, where he makes content about his time in the system and what he says young p
Chloe Brown: A Toronto Policy Analyst on Holding City Hall Accountable
CHLOE BROWN says Torontonians should treat their tax dollars like shares in the city and show up like owners: at elections, community consultations and their councillor’s office.Chloe Brown is a policy analyst who started at Toronto City Hall in 2012 as an unpaid intern while working nights as a security guard. She has run for mayor of Toronto twice and was running for city council in Etobicoke wh
Aanchal Vash: How Losing Her Twin Brother Led Her to Mental Health First Aid
AANCHAL VASH came to Canada at 17 with her twin brother, carrying the dream of an older brother who passed away before he could come. After her twin brother passed away, she says she saw a gap in how people recognize and respond to declining mental health, and decided to fill it.Aanchal Vash started Reach Out Together, which began with free monthly Mental Health First Aid workshops. She is certifi
Daniel Tate: Toronto's Drug Crisis, $3.2 Billion in Shelter Spending, and the Ward 13 Race
Toronto has spent billions on shelters and harm reduction, so why is the drug crisis getting worse? Ward 13 candidate Daniel Tate and criminal lawyer Jordana Goldlist debate it.DANIEL TATE is the executive director of IntegrityTO, a Toronto non-profit whose social accounts document addiction, homelessness and disorder on the city's streets. He is running for city councillor in Ward 13 Toronto
Quinton Jacobs: From Subsidized Housing to Building a Movement of Givers
QUINTON JACOBS grew up in subsidized housing in Scarborough, raised by a single mom, and was suspended and nearly expelled as a teenager. Today, he works full time in the nuclear industry while running two community initiatives that cook thousands of meals a year and have taken him running across South Africa with a community of strangers who became family.Quinton Jacobs is the founder of Ubuntu,
Japji Anna Bas: She Says the System Failed Her, Then Sued Children's Aid Society
JAPJI ANNA BAS says the systems meant to protect her failed her as a child. She says Children's Aid Society granted her father unsupervised access despite documented warnings, and the abuse continued for years. Decades later, she earned a PhD and sued the organization she says failed her.Japji Anna Bas is a researcher and founder of Flourish Energy, where she works with senior social-purpose
Alejandro Vivar: Running the Drug Trade, Surviving Prison, and Starting Over
Alejandro Vivar spent much of his youth and early adulthood involved in Toronto's drug trade, eventually serving the equivalent of 16 years in prison. Today, he works as a tourism and travel coach, helps others build online businesses, and hopes to begin mentoring at-risk youth in the community he grew up in.Alejandro grew up in Toronto's Christie Pitts neighbourhood in a stable, hardwor
Harvey Brownstone: The Retired Judge Breaking the Culture of Silence
AT 19, HARVEY BROWNSTONE told his parents he was gay. They cut him off completely, financially and emotionally. He went from a comfortable home to stealing food from wedding receptions to survive. Nineteen years later, he became one of the youngest judges in Canadian history, and Canada's first openly gay judge.Harvey Brownstone practiced law for 12 years before being appointed to the bench a
Cassandra Harvey: A Trafficking Survivor on What She Didn't Know Was Happening to Her
Cassandra Harvey is a survivor of human trafficking turned advocate and aspiring criminal defence lawyer. Raised by a mother who struggled with addiction from a young age, she entered the foster care system as a child and aged out of it as a teenager. She was trafficked by three different men over the following years before finally getting out with the help of a lawyer, a detective, and a support
Orlando Da Silva: Surviving Depression and Using His Words to Help Others
Orlando Da Silva is a lawyer of over 30 years, former president of the Ontario Bar Association, and one of the first people in the Canadian legal profession to publicly disclose his struggle with treatment-resistant depression and generalized anxiety. When he became OBA president in 2014, he spent two years working up the courage to go public, eventually sharing his story in a Law Times interview
Sarah Turney: How Adversity Fueled Her Path to Becoming a Successful Lawyer
SARAH TURNEY grew up in London, Ontario oscillating between working poor and just poor, using a food bank, navigating real instability at home, and never once imagining she would become a lawyer.Sarah Turney is a partner at Fasken, one of Canada's largest law firms, where she heads up the real estate and property litigation practice, a niche she built from the ground up. In 2024, she argued a
Dr. Robyne Hanley-Dafoe: From Struggle to Teaching Others How to Thrive
DR. ROBYNE HANLEY-DAFOE is an educational behaviorist, bestselling author of I Hope So, and international speaker who teaches resilience and well-being.She shares her journey from struggling with undiagnosed ADHD as a child to dropping out of high school, being institutionalized at 16, and surviving a near-death car accident—and how her mother's question "how do you want to feel?" i
Christophe Lewis: The Reality of Life Sentences in Canada
Christophe Lewis was 20 years old when he made a decision that cost him the next decade of his life. Convicted of second-degree murder in 2011, he was handed a life sentence with a 12-year parole ineligibility period and sent to Millhaven Institution.In November 2012, he refused a strip search being conducted by a female guard — illegal under CSC protocol. Thirty guards responded. What followed wa
Audrey Hyams Romoff: How Childhood Trauma Changes DNA
Audrey Hyams Romoff's mother was one of the youngest children to survive the Auschwitz concentration camp, liberated at just 8 years old — and that childhood trauma shaped four generations of women in ways Audrey never fully understood until decades later.Audrey Hyams Romoff is the founder of Overcat PR and author of The Ripple Eclipse, a memoir tracing four generations of women in her family
Shana McCalla: Finding Ontario's Missing Black Boys
Shana McCalla, founder of Find Ontario's Missing Boys, discusses the crisis of Black boys aged 12 to 16 disappearing across Ontario and being found in trap houses as far as Thunder Bay and Saskatchewan. She explains how boys from two-parent, high-income households are being lured with job opportunities, gifts, and mentorship, then forced to work 24/7 in drug houses under threat of violence.Sh
Melissa Lantsman: Crime, Addiction, and Canada's Future
Melissa Lantsman, Conservative MP for Thornhill and Co-Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party, discusses Canada's crime crisis, bail reform, addiction policy, and why young Canadians are losing hope. She explains the Conservative position on repeat violent offenders, why safe injection sites aren't working, and the $360 million spent annually on programs that keep addicts sick instead o
Staxxx: Don't Let Anybody Edit Your Story
Staxxx Facts is a mental health advocate, certified life coach, and founder of Black Status Social Network who discusses breaking mental health stigmas, redefining success beyond money, and building authentic community. He shares how he navigated growing up in Toronto's Weston Road surrounded by gang violence, why he stayed out of that life, and what it means to truly put yourself first when
Marlee Liss: What Justice Looks Like Outside the Courtroom
Marlee Liss, founder of Survivors for Justice Reform (S4JR), shares her experience choosing restorative justice over criminal prosecution after being sexually assaulted by a stranger. She discusses why 94% of sexual assault victims don't report to police, how the criminal court system re-traumatized her at every step, and what happened when she sat in a healing circle with her assailant after
Markez Graham: An 11-Year-Old Future Mayor's Vision for Toronto
Markez Graham is 11 years old, in grade six, and he's got a plan to fix Toronto. He talks about lowering taxes to address the cost of living crisis, creating a three-month housing program that transitions people from homelessness to self-sufficiency, and why Canada should prioritize fixing its own problems before sending billions abroad. Markez opens up about the importance of good teachers v
Drew James: From Government Housing to Networking with the 1%
Drew James grew up in Mount Olive, Rexdale, where standing up for yourself was the only way to survive a neighbourhood filled with sharks. Today, he is a serial entrepreneur rolling through Palm Beach in a Rolls Royce and accessing rooms at Mar-a-Lago with the 1% of the 1%. This is not just a success story; it is a breakdown of how to navigate a cold business world by building genuine relationship
Shantelle Bisson: Building Success From Life's Most Difficult Chapters
Shantelle Bisson is an entrepreneur, author, and founder of multiple businesses including a marina acquisition that shocked her community. Having experienced childhood sexual abuse and domestic upheaval, Shantelle has built a reputation for transforming trauma into triumph and mentoring women through her charity work. She discusses the systemic failures plaguing domestic violence response, the pre
Marco Sciarra: Corruption in the Justice System, Self-Defense & The Truth About Bail
Criminal defence lawyer Marco Sciarra explains why the justice system is holding on by a thread, the corruption behind the Maplehurst scandal where murder charges were stayed, and the reality of defending your home in Canada.Marco Sciarra is a criminal defence counsel and the founder of Sciarra Law. A survivor of a cancer diagnosis during his articles, Marco has built a reputation for advocacy in
Chris Seecharan: From Bank Robber to Fentanyl Survivor
Ex-Bank Robber Chris Seecharan exposes the "Zombie Fold", why Fentanyl withdrawal lasts 30 days, and why standard 7-day detox programs are failing addicts.Chris Seecharan is a survivor of a 10-year heroin and fentanyl addiction who turned to robbing banks to support his habit. After serving a federal prison sentence and achieving 7+ years of sobriety, he now works as a community outreach
Poet KP: Turning Trauma Into Art
Poet, author, and youth mental health advocate KP PARKER exposes how childhood violence, 8 years of probation, and losing his father to gun violence nearly destroyed him - and reveals how poetry became his path from survival to helping incarcerated youth heal.
Nital Gosai on Building a Law Firm That Fights for Justice
Nital Gosai, founder of Gosai Law and co-creator of the housing-tech platform Husmates, shares her journey from a turbulent childhood marked by mental-health stigma and family chaos to becoming one of Canada’s leading advocates for inmate rights, personal-injury clients, and access to affordable housing.A civil-rights-driven lawyer and entrepreneur, Nital exposes the human cost of Canada’s broken
How to Stop the Cycle of Violence in Toronto With Marcell Wilson
What happens when someone who’s seen the cycle of violence firsthand decides to break it for the next generation?Marcell Wilson joins Jordana Goldlist to share his story of transformation, from growing up surrounded by fear and survival in Toronto to building the One by One Movement, an organization dedicated to preventing violence and creating real community change.Marcell reveals how social medi
Cait Alexander: Surviving Violence, Exposing the System, Demanding Change
What happens when you survive attempted murder, have undeniable evidence, and still watch your case collapse in court? Actress and advocate Cait Alexander tells her true crime survival story, from a horrific domestic violence attack in Toronto to being silenced by Canada’s broken justice system under the Jordan Rule.Cait reveals how she nearly lost her life to intimate partner violence, how Crown
Solitair on Toronto gun violence, youth mentorship, and real solutions
Solitair — Toronto hip hop artist, mentor, and leader with the Forgiveness Project (Project F Word) and TO Wards Peace, co-founder at 4Sound Media Studios — breaks down youth crime, drill/hip hop’s influence vs. reflection, and why incarceration alone doesn’t solve violence. The conversation explores what actually reduces shootings: long-term mentorship, housing, education, employment, culturally
Jeremy Persaud on Youth Crime, Jail Realities, and Building a Way Out
In this episode, I sit down with Jeremy Persaud, CEO of A1 Films and founder of The Commitment Program, who grew up in Toronto housing, entered the justice system at 14, and later pled guilty to firearm charges. Instead of letting prison define him, he turned survival into purpose, building a grassroots movement to steer youth away from the cycle of violence and incarceration.Jeremy shares what it
Nadia Ghanny: From Childhood Trauma to Criminal Justice Reform
Nadia Ghanny reveals how surviving family tragedy at 5 days old shaped her mission to transform the criminal justice system from within, working with offenders for over 20 years.In this episode, I sit down with Nadia Ghanny, a University of Guelph-Humber professor teaching community corrections. Born in Guyana, she became an orphan at 5 days old following domestic violence. Raised by adoptive pare
How 'Of The Saint' Turned Every Opportunity Into Hip-Hop Success
In this episode, I sit down with Elijah "Of The Saint" de los Santos, a young media entrepreneur who transformed himself from a kid in Toronto housing projects into one of hip-hop's most sought-after photographers and videographers. His client list includes Drake, Jesse Reyez, and countless other major artists.Of The Saint opens up about growing up with a single mother and a father
Richard Miller on the Chadd Facey Case, Police Accountability & Community Healing
Richard Miller of Keep Six speaks on police accountability after the death of Chadd Facey and shares how justice system failures continue to impact Black communities and trust in law enforcement.Richard Miller returns to the podcast to speak on one of the most devastating cases in recent memory, the death of 19-year-old Chadd Facey, tackled and fatally injured by an off-duty police officer after s
Human Trafficking Survivor Timea Nagy on Trauma, Justice & Healing
Sex trafficking survivor Timea Nagy exposes shocking truths about victim vs criminal treatment, trauma healing, prison conditions & why the justice system fails both victims & offenders in this raw talk.In this explosive episode, I sit down with internationally recognized human trafficking advocate Timea Nagy, who survived trafficking from Hungary to Canada and became the founder of Canada
Why She Chose to Marry a Man Serving Life in Prison
Why she married a man serving life for murder—true crime, criminal psychology, parole denial, love behind bars, forensic justice, and what really happens when you fall for a convicted killer.In this episode, I sit down with B, a fierce advocate, mother, and social media storyteller, who is married to a man serving a life sentence for second-degree murder. Their relationship spans 22 years—through
How Jenn Harper Built an Indigenous Beauty Brand That Landed in Sephora
How to build a beauty brand from nothing, escape addiction, redefine clean cosmetics, and disrupt the industry with sustainability, purpose, and Indigenous leadership—this story has it all.In this episode, I sit down with Jenn Harper, the founder of Cheekbone Beauty, an Indigenous-owned cosmetics brand now sold in Sephora stores across North America. Jenn shares how a dream two months into sobriet
How Deluxson Yogarajah Escaped the Criminal Justice System to Mentor At-Risk Youth
In this episode, I sit down with Deluxson Yogarajah, a youth violence prevention worker and psychotherapy student who went from committing fraud while studying criminology to mentoring the very kids he once could’ve become.Deluxson opens up about growing up in Jane and Finch, witnessing domestic violence, navigating poverty, and stepping into criminal life after years of staying on the right path.
From Street Life to Million-Dollar Business: Mr. Wraptors' Car Wrapping Empire
In this episode, I sit down with Stanislav Kravtchouk—known worldwide as Mr. Raptors—who transformed from street life to building a million-dollar car wrapping empire.Stanislav opens up about immigrating to Canada at age 11 from Russia, growing up in welfare housing, and surviving the violent streets of Ottawa. He shares how getting stabbed 11 times became the turning point that led him away from
Overcoming Abuse, Addiction, and a Gun Charge | Kristin Markoff’s Story
In this episode, I sit down with Kristen Markoff—paralegal, entrepreneur, and survivor.Kristen opens up about growing up in Brampton, facing childhood trauma, falling into addiction, and surviving a long-term abusive relationship. She shares how a gun hidden in her car by her then-boyfriend led to criminal charges that nearly ended her career and her freedom. But despite being told by three lawyer
Lee Whitley Did 20 Years in Prison on a Marijuana Charge — Now He’s Using It to Help Others
This episode, I’m joined by Lee Whitley the creator of Lee’s Oil, a cannabis-based product he’s used to help people with illness. But before that, Lee spent 20 years in prison for a marijuana charge.From being extradited to the U.S. and facing a potential 80-year sentence, to coming home and building something he believes can save lives Lee’s story is about second chances, personal conviction, and
From PR to PI: Adrianne Fekete’s Journey to Becoming Unbreakable
This episode, I’m joined by Adrianne Fekete entrepreneur, certified life coach, and founder of I Am Unbreakable. She’s also the first woman in North America to own a private investigation company. But her journey didn’t start with success.From being told she’d never amount to anything, to working with U2 and the Rolling Stones, Adrianne’s story is all about persistence, reinvention, and showing up
Style, Strength & Survival: Kim Appelt on Fashion & Fighting Cancer
This episode, I’m joined by Kim Appelt, a celebrity fashion stylist, author, content creator, and YouTuber with over 8 million views. She’s styled some of the biggest names in entertainment and built a career at the top of the fashion industry. But behind the red carpets and magazine covers, Kim faced a battle far greater than any she could have imagined—a breast cancer diagnosis that changed ever
Living with a Life Sentence: Christophe Lewis on Justice, Survival & Redemption
This episode, I’m joined by Christophe Lewis, a real estate investor, social worker, and the founder of Freedom is a Must—a foundation dedicated to mentoring at-risk youth and breaking cycles of crime. But before any of that, Christophe was sentenced to life in prison for murder.We dive deep into his journey from growing up in one of Toronto’s toughest neighborhoods, to getting caught in the syste
Trials, Truth & the Justice System’s Flaws – Criminal Defense & Gun Laws with Ryan Handlarski
In this episode, I’m joined by Ryan Handlarski, a seasoned criminal defense lawyer who isn’t afraid to take on the toughest cases. We dive deep into his experiences in the courtroom, the flaws within our justice system, and the ethical dilemmas that keep defense lawyers up at night.From defending clients charged with murder and drug trafficking to launching his Acquittal Suits Initiative—Ryan brin
The Power of Positivity: How Warren Falkenstein Redefines Disability & Defies Limits
Welcome back to Who Judges the Judge? This podcast is aimed at questioning how we judge the world around us. Each episode, I sit down with extraordinary individuals who have faced adversity, found resilience, and transformed their struggles into strength.Today, I am joined by Warren Falkenstein, better known as Walk With Warren. Warren is a champion of positivity, resilience, and the power of show
Justice Tested: Criminal lawyer And Accused Criminal Leora Shemesh On Fighting Back…And Winning
Welcome back to Who Judges the Judge? It is aimed at questioning how we judge the world around us. Each episode, I sit down with extraordinary individuals who have faced adversity, found resilience, and transformed their struggles into strength.Today, I am joined by Leora Shemesh, one of the most accomplished criminal defense lawyers in Canada and my cousin. Leora’s legal career spans over 25 year
Career Criminal Turned Community Leader, Richard Miller Drops by The Show
Welcome to my new podcast, “Who Judges The Judge?” It is aimed at questioning how we judge the world around us. Please join me on the show as I interview a series of guests who have developed strength and discovered skills from situations of struggle and adversity that have allowed them to succeed in their lives today.Today, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Richard Miller, founder of Keep6i
From Street Life To LUXURY Watch Entrepreneur. I Chat With Sean The Watch Finder.
We have something a little different for you in this episode! We take a walk in Yorkville with Sean, the Watchfinder. This conversation is raw and real and spotlights the synergies between street life and transferring those skills into a legitimate business that impacts the community.Welcome to my new podcast, “Who Judges The Judge?” It is aimed at questioning how we judge the world around us. Ple
Broker Of The New Economy Rhiannon Rosalind Drops By To Chat
Welcome to my new podcast, “Who Judges The Judge?” It is aimed at questioning how we judge the world around us.Please join me on the show as I interview a series of guests who have developed strength and discovered skills from situations of struggle and adversity that have allowed them to succeed in their lives today.I am happy to welcome Rhiannon Rosalind as my next guest. Rhiannon is a leader, c
Diogo Snow On Creating An Art Empire Starting From Nothing
Welcome to my new podcast, “Who Judges The Judge?” a podcast aimed at questioning the way we judge the world around us.Please join me on the show as I interview a series of guests who have developed strength and discovered skills from situations of struggle and adversity that have allowed them to succeed in their lives today.I am happy to welcome my next guest, Diogo Snow! Diogo is a world-renowne
From Addict To Granola Queen. In Conversation With Terriann Carty.
Welcome to my new podcast, “Who Judges The Judge?” a podcast aimed at questioning the way we judge the world around us.Please join me on the show as I interview a series of guests who have developed strength and discovered skills from situations of struggle and adversity that have allowed them to achieve success in their lives today.I am happy to welcome my next guest Teriann Carty who is also kno
Welcome to Who Judges the Judge? in Conversation with Max Jamali
Welcome to my new podcast, “Who Judges The Judge?” a podcast aimed at questioning the way we judge the world around us.Please join me on the show as I interview a series of guests who have developed strength and discovered skills from situations of struggle and adversity that have allowed them to achieve success in their lives today. Our first guest is renowned artist, Max Jamali. Learn more abou
