Amici Podcast

Maggie McCann
  • 4.5 (2)
  • Government

The "Amici" podcast series was created to share information and insight from New York's judges and the Unified Court System with constituents, stakeholders and anyone else who might have an interest in these topics.

  1. 15h ago

    Turning Crisis into Opportunity: Mia Santiago

    In this episode of Amici: The Official Podcast of the New York State Unified Court System, we sit down with Mia Santiago, Project Director of the Problem Solving Courts in Brooklyn Criminal Court. With nearly three decades of experience in the helping field, Mia shares how Brooklyn’s treatment parts have evolved to better meet people’s needs and how crisis can be an opportunity for meaningful support. She is quick to note that none of this work happens in a vacuum. She credits the teamwork of dedicated colleagues, and the steadfast support of exceptional mentors and court leaders, including  Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Richardson and NYC Criminal Court Administrative Judge Tamiko Amaker.   We discuss the origins of The Clothing Closet, an initiative providing free clothing, toiletry kits, and essential items to court participants and anyone in the building who needs them. Mia explains how this effort restores dignity, shifts courthouse culture, and bridges the gap between justice and community. She also describes the Closet’s partnership with m.a.e. Brooklyn, a local consignment shop whose donations help sustain this growing resource.   This episode highlights problem-solving justice in action and the profound impact of meeting people with compassion at critical moments. Transcript: ⁠webfiles.nycourts.gov/public/2026-11…ll-episode.pdf⁠ Website: ⁠www.nycourts.gov/amici-podcast-series⁠

    Turning Crisis into Opportunity: Mia Santiago

  2. Jul 10

    From Newsrooms to Courtrooms: The Chief Judge’s Q&A with John Caher

    In this special edition of “Amici: News and Insights from the New York Courts,” Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson turns the microphone toward someone who has spent decades shining a light on others: longtime “Amici” host and UCS veteran John Caher. As John embarked upon retirement last Spring, he reflected on his extraordinary career spanning 30 years in journalism and another decade in the Unified Court System, where he was charged with bringing bold ideas to life — from getting the Court System’s social media presence off the ground to producing an award winning documentary, and co founding the impactful U CAN mentoring program. Here, in a 42-minute interview, Chief Judge Wilson guides a warm, enlightening conversation that spans John’s Buffalo childhood, his path into journalism, the mentors and judges who shaped him, and the curiosity that has driven his life’s work. They revisit the origins of the podcast, the many people whose stories John has brought to light, and the deep commitment to justice, storytelling, and humanity that threads throughout his career. It’s an insightful, moving tribute to a colleague whose creativity and compassion have helped strengthen our Courts and enrich our understanding of one another. Transcript: https://webfiles.nycourts.gov/public/2026-07/rdw-and-john-caher-final_0.pdf

    From Newsrooms to Courtrooms: The Chief Judge’s Q&A with John Caher

  3. Jun 10

    The Family Business: Mom and Daughter Court Officers Rebecca and Jolyn Dingman

    In this episode of Amici: News and Insights from the New York Courts, we meet an inspiring pair of women who made NYS Court System history: Court Officers Rebecca and Jolyn Dingman, the first mother–daughter duo to graduate side by side from the New York State Court Officers Academy. A generation apart but united by service, pride, and deep family bonds, Rebecca and Jolyn completed their training at the upstate academy in June 2025 and have been proudly serving in Oneida County ever since. They join us to share the story of their unique path to the academy, the challenges they faced along the way, and how they relied on strength, resilience, and empathy to reach this extraordinary milestone. Transcript: https://webfiles.nycourts.gov/public/2026-06/amici-mom-and-daughter-court-officers-rebecca-and-jolyn-dingman.pdf

    The Family Business: Mom and Daughter Court Officers Rebecca and Jolyn Dingman

  4. Feb 20

    The case that made sojourner truth: How a formerly enslaved woman beat the establishment

    In this special Black History Month edition of Amici: News and Insights from the New York Courts, we shine a light on one of the most extraordinary and often overlooked stories in American legal history. It begins in Ulster County, New York, where a newly freed Black woman discovers that her young son has been illegally sold to a plantation in Alabama. Determined to bring her son home and seek justice for herself and her family, she turns to the Ulster County Courthouse in Kingston, NY. Her name was Isabella, the woman the world would come to know as Sojourner Truth. Thanks to the kindness of those she encountered in the courthouse and the bravery of the grand jury she stood in front of, Sojourner Truth became the first Black woman in the United States to successfully sue a white man and win. To help us explore this remarkable chapter of Sojourner Truth’s life, we’re joined by historian and Ulster County Commissioner of Jurors Paul O’Neill. Paul has made it part of his mission to share Sojourner Truth’s story with today’s jurors as a reminder “That each of us plays a role, and each of us can make a difference.” Transcript: https://ww2.nycourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/files/2026-02/Paul-O-Neill-Sojourner-Truth.pdf

    The case that made sojourner truth: How a formerly enslaved woman beat the establishment

  5. Jan 22

    Promoting Diversity in the Courts: Mindy Jeng

    In the latest Diversity Dialogue podcast, Mindy Jeng, Executive Director of Pro Bono Services and Special Counsel to Justin Barry, Executive Director of the Court System, discusses her family’s roots in China and Taiwan and the importance of diversity in the Court System. “… It's when we get to know different people with different backgrounds and experiences that we will have a better understanding of the world and our work, and I think it really enriches all of our lives,” Mindy said. The Diversity Dialogues segment of the Court System’s Amici podcast program is produced in conjunction with the Office of Diversity & Inclusion. Transcript: https://ww2.nycourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/files/2026-01/mindy%201.7.26%20MJ%20%28002%29_0.pdf

    Promoting Diversity in the Courts: Mindy Jeng

  6. Jan 7

    Climbing the Bench with Quadriplegia: Hon. Shannon Filbert

    The latest Amici podcast tells the unlikely and inspiring story of a 16-year-old girl who was suddenly rendered quadriplegic yet, without the use of arms or legs, grew up to be a Family Court Judge in Erie County— the Hon. Shannon Filbert. Transcript: https://ww2.nycourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/files/2026-01/filbert%20Transcript.pdf Content Warning: Frank medical discussion

    Climbing the Bench with Quadriplegia: Hon. Shannon Filbert

  7. 11/19/2025

    Exploring Dominican Heritage with Justices Ventura and Rosado

    Justice Llinét Rosado of the Appellate Division, First Department, is an immigrant from the Dominican Republic who became a U.S. citizen in her early 20s. Justice Lourdes Ventura was born to Dominican immigrants. In this Amici podcast, the justices discuss their journey from very humble roots to the upper echelon of the NYS Judiciary. They explain their culture and experiences as part of the Dominican diaspora. Transcript: https://ww2.nycourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/files/2025-11/Exploring%20Dominican%20Heritage%20with%20Justices%20Rosado%20and%20Ventura.pdf

    Exploring Dominican Heritage with Justices Ventura and Rosado

  8. 09/17/2025

    The Tragedy of Indian Boarding Schools: Marnee Ryan Lehtonen

    In this Diversity Dialogue segment of the Amici podcast program, we explore Indian boarding schools, institutions established in the U.S. and Canada with the expressed goal of eradicating indigenous culture. Our guest is Marnee Ryan Lehtonen, of Corning City Court. Marnee’s grandmother grew up in the notorious Thomas Indian School and, with some prodding by Marnee, shared her experience. Here, Marnee shares what she learned from her grandmother. Diversity Dialogue is a production of the NYS Unified Court System’s Office of Diversity & Inclusion. Transcript: https://ww2.nycourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/files/2025-09/Marnee.pdf #indianboardingschools #orangeshirtday

    The Tragedy of Indian Boarding Schools: Marnee Ryan Lehtonen
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About

The "Amici" podcast series was created to share information and insight from New York's judges and the Unified Court System with constituents, stakeholders and anyone else who might have an interest in these topics.

Information

  • Creator
    Maggie McCann
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    176
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    Amici Podcast