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What can a Star Wars show teach us about organizing, resistance, and healing? In this episode of the Amplify RJ Podcast, I sit down with strategist, therapist, and writer Gabes Torres to talk about Andor—yes, that Star Wars show—and what it reveals about real-life revolution.

We dive into how Andor de-romanticizes rebellion and reflects the complex realities of movement work: the banality of evil, conflict in organizing, disposability culture, and the painful but necessary tension between rest and resistance. Gabes shares insights from their piece on the show, their organizing and healing work in the Global South, and the ways marine mammals and myth can inform our strategy.

Whether or not you’ve seen the show, this conversation is about so much more than the galaxy far, far away—it’s about our world and how we build toward collective liberation with nuance, integrity, and care.

0:00 – Intro: What is Andor + Character Breakdown
5:20 – Meet Gabes Torres: Healer, Strategist, Rebel
9:42 – How Andor De-Romanticizes Revolution
14:20 – Disney, Propaganda & Revolutionary Storytelling
19:35 – The Banality of Evil in a Boardroom
25:00 – Real-World Parallels: Propaganda, Gaza, Gorman & Genocide
26:45 – Parenting, Powerlessness & Purpose
29:21 – Consciousness Building as Resistance
32:20 – Gabes on Luthen, Clea & Strategy in Movement
36:42 – Bix, Trauma & Knowing When to Step Back
40:28 – Organizing Through Burnout & Wavering Commitment
44:30 – Humananizing vs. Ruthless Sacrifice
47:40 – Disposability Culture in Movements
49:10 – Disagreeing Is Not a Failure of Solidarity
52:00 – Addressing Conflict & Building in Organizing
56:20 – Is there Shared Vision for Our Resistance?
1:00:23 – Activist Ecosystems, Movement Mentorship from Marine Mammals
1:07:30 – Upside Down Triangle: Rethinking Power
1:08:50 – Support Gabes & Psychosocial Care for Organizers

Connect with Gabes:

https://gabestorres.com/

https://www.instagram.com/gabestorres/

Read her article:

https://gabestorres.substack.com/p/andor

Support mental health care for organizers in the Global South

https://gabestorres.com/support/

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Last week, I spent 24 hours supporting teachers in running restorative justice classroom circles, and the impact was powerful. In this episode, I’m sharing what I witnessed—the challenges, the breakthroughs, and the small but meaningful shifts that happen when teachers commit to building relationships, not just managing behavior.

🔹 How teachers are integrating circles into their classrooms
🔹 The impact on student relationships, behavior & learning
🔹 Why rituals for “softness” matter in schools
🔹 Lessons on patience, trust & shifting school culture

Whether you’re an educator, school leader, or RJ practitioner, this episode will give you practical insights on how to make restorative practices sustainable in classrooms.

🔗 Resources & Next Steps:
✨ Join the free Amplify RJ community & access the other courses & membership resources: https://community.amplifyrj.com/communities/groups/arjcommunity/home?invite=67dc711150ec55e8a8a03a1b
✨ Download my Classroom Connection Prompts (Pay What You Can!): https://amplifyrj.com/questions-for-connected-classrooms
✨ Want training for your school? Let’s talk! Email: info@amplifyrj.com

📌 If this episode resonates, leave a review & "amplify" by sharing with someone who'd benefit!

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Tap in for an important conversation about the election, community care, and building a more just and equitable world, no matter who wins, through a restorative justice lens.

Voting ends in about 24 in most spaces so its not too late, especially if you're considering casting a protest vote.

Vote Harris in a swing state to defeat Trump.

Cast a protest vote in a safe state to put Dems on notice.

Go to swapyourvote.org to pledge and stay connected!

Visit swapyourvote.org for more info.

But there are parts of this conversation that apply to the rest of this week, and your political life moving forward.

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This episode pays tribute to the late Ted Lewis, a remarkable figure in restorative justice, whose life and work provide profound insights into this balance.

We explore how his bicultural upbringing and Mennonite roots led him into mediation and facilitation. We also reflect on Ted's legacy, balancing systemic change while addressing relational harm on the micro-level. We also explore the "Listening to the Movement" project as Ted brought together many of the RJ thought leaders to examine how RJ has evolved from a programmatic approach to a broader social paradigm.

Support for Ted's family through their GoFundMe to continue honor his impact and legacy.

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Eric Butler passed away this summer. We're re-airing this conversation in his honor. He was internationally recognized for his impactful work as a restorative justice practitioner, activist, and educator in Oakland and beyond. He went on to found the “Talking Peace” model of Restorative Justice, a set of practices and philosophy aimed at building relationships through shared values.

Support his family at their gofundme
Check out the documentary Circles featuring his work

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(Today) 10/31/24 You'll here the very first episode of This RJ Life with Cheryl Graves my mentor, elder, OG! She had a stroke this summer and it's important for me to make sure that those who didn't get to hear from, learn from her directly get the opportunity to.

Our conversation covers her start in the work, her famous "Aaron" story, and so much more.

You can Support Cheryl's Healing on their gofundme.

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After a long break, I'm back! I'll be back next week with more info and new content, but for the next few days I'm sharing 3 episodes from the archives.
(Today) 10/31/24 You'll here the very first episode of This RJ Life with Cheryl Graves my mentor, elder, OG! She had a stroke this summer and it's important for me to make sure that those who didn't get to hear from, learn from her directly get the opportunity to. You can Support Cheryl's Healing on their gofundme.

Nov. 1-2 (Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos/All Saints Day), I'll be sharing conversations with two elders in the RJ community who made their transitions this summer. 11/1 Eric Butler and 11/2 Ted Lewis

Glad to be back in community with y'all in this way again!

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My friend and mentor Shedrick Sanders passed a way last weekend.

To honor his memory we're revisiting our conversation from Fall 2020 detailing his journey from standing up to bullies as a young boy to becoming an esteemed peacemaker and problem solver. He shared his transformative experiences ranging from teaching math in Ghana to facilitating peace circles in Chicago. Shedrick's incredible knack for conflict resolution and mediation is unearthed through his thrilling anecdotes from his time in the Peace Corps and the Dispute Settlement Center. His unique approach of intertwining play, joy, and relationship building with conflict resolution is something that has had a lasting impact.

If you're part of the Chicago Restorative Justice Community and want to join a circle of remembrance and celebration. Join Circle for Circle Keepers on Monday, November 13th from 4-6pm CST at Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation.

email: cjyi.peace@gmail.com for more info.

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