Jaws of Justice Radio

KKFI 90.1 FM Kansas City Community Radio

It is the intention of Jaws of Justice Radio to investigate how to achieve justice in America, this includes issues of economic injustice, political injustice and the criminal justice system. We want to put a human face on those caught in the grasp of injustice and those that are part of an unjust system. We strive to dispel the misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system.

  1. 6d ago

    HIROSHIMA-NAGASAKI REMEMBRANCE 2026

    Jaws of Justice Radio investigates how we can achieve justice from a system of laws deeply rooted in economic, social and political inequality.  We want to dispel misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system. We hope you will listen. On August 17, 2026, Jaws of Justice will play our recording of the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Remembrance 2026 which was held on August 9th. The event commemorated the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which occurred in 1945 when the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima, Japan on August 6 and Nagasaki, Japan on August 9. Presentations and discussions emphasized contemporary nuclear dangers, reflections on global militarism, and calls for international nuclear weapon abolition agreements. The program includes Ted Jahns, former president of the Kansas City chapter of Veterans for Peace, Susan Schnall, current president of the national Veterans for Peace (who was court-martialed in 1969, for wearing her military uniform while leading an anti-war demonstration), local poet Marlen Kahlo, author Robin Anderson, Katerina Canyon, executive director of the Peace Economy Project, Spencer Graves, Dave Pack, chair of the PeaceWorks KC Board, and Henry Stoever, a Board member, closed the program. The use of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki killed civilians and military personnel indiscriminately and highlighted the terrible inhumane consequences for survivors. Peace is not just the absence of war but the presence of justice, compassion, and understanding. It is a commitment we make to one another, to our children, and to future generations. It is a promise to strive for a world where every person can live with dignity and without fear or violence. On Jaws of Justice, we examine how to find justice in our society.  Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.   https://kkfi.org/listen/

  2. Aug 8

    LENS OF A LAWYER with DAVID BELL: PROF. SHELDON EVANS – WHY DO WE PUNISH?

    Jaws of Justice Radio investigates how we can achieve justice from a system of laws deeply rooted in economic, social and political inequality.  We want to dispel misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system. We hope you will listen. Jaws of Justice will play the July 31, 2026 Lens of a Lawyer podcast produced by David Bell, “What is the true purpose of prison?” Sentencing sits at the absolute center of criminal justice, sparking fierce debate from every angle - whether it’s public outrage over lenient terms or the devastating, unintended consequences of mandatory minimums. In this episode, David sits down with Professor Sheldon Evans of Washington University in St. Louis, a leading expert on punishment theory, to break down the historical, social, and philosophical forces that dictate how we punish crime. Lens of a Lawyer is a legal podcast hosted by criminal defense attorney David Bell. The show explores how the justice system reflects societal values, struggles, and culture by featuring interviews with legal experts, activists, and community leaders. David asks his guests to look beyond basic laws and procedures to see the legal system as a mirror of society. David Bell believes the justice system is more than a set of laws and procedures - it’s a mirror reflecting the values, struggles, and complexities of our society. In Lens of Lawyer, David will sit down with guests from all walks of life - legal experts, survivors, activists, and thought leaders - to explore how real-world issues play out in and beyond the courtroom. With empathy, insight, and honesty, each episode peels back the layers of the legal system to reveal what it says about who we are - and who we want to become. On Jaws of Justice, we examine how to find justice in our society.  Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

  3. Aug 2

    VETS FOR PEACE 2026 NATIONAL CONVENTION, 8-6 thru 8-9 at UMKC

    Jaws of Justice Radio investigates how we can achieve justice from a system of laws deeply rooted in economic, social and political inequality.  We want to dispel misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system. We hope you will listen. On August 3, 2026, host Terri Wilke welcomes guests Jeff Humfeld, Ellen Barfield, Nancy Lessen and Dave Logsdon.  We are going to learn about the two organizations Veterans for Peace and Military Families Speak Out. Our guests will discuss the groups’ history, the evolution to present day goals, a look to the future and the Veterans for Peace national convention which is happening this week, August 6th through August 9th at the University of Missouri in Kansas City (UMKC). https://vfpconvention.org/ Military Families Speak Out is an organization of military family members and Gold Star families whose loved ones have served in the US military since 9-11, or are serving now. Their membership spans the country and around the world. As families with loved ones who were or are in the military, they have both a unique voice and role to play in speaking out on behalf of their loved ones who are, have been, or will be on the frontlines; loved ones who are risking injury, death, and who are coming home both physically and mentally scarred. Military Families Speak Out against unjust wars and stand against endless illegal war in Iran. Although the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have formally come to an end, a large number of our troops are still in harm’s way. https://militaryfamiliesspeakout.com/ Veterans For Peace is a global organization of Military Veterans and allies whose collective efforts are to build a culture of peace by using their experiences and lifting their voices. They inform the public of the true causes of war and the enormous costs of wars, with an obligation to heal the wounds of wars. Their network is comprised of over 140 chapters worldwide whose work includes educating the public, advocating for a dismantling of the war economy, providing services that assist veterans and victims of war, and most significantly, working to end all wars. https://www.veteransforpeace.org/ Veterans for Peace has the following Statement of Purpose: We, as military veterans, do hereby affirm our greater responsibility to serve the cause of world peace. To this end we will work, with others both nationally and internationally To increase public awareness of the causes and costs of war To restrain our governments from intervening, overtly and covertly, in the internal affairs of other nations To resist racism and repression in our home communities To oppose the militarization of law enforcement To end the arms race and to reduce and eventually eliminate nuclear weapons To seek justice for veterans and victims of war To abolish war as an instrument of national policy To promote a sustainable and peaceful world To achieve these goals, members of Veterans for Peace pledge to use non-violent means and to maintain an organization that is both democratic and open with the understanding that all members are trusted to act in the best interests of the group for the larger purpose of world peace. VFP Chapter 97 Kansas City and 8 other local groups are sponsoring a concert to benefit Haskell Indian College Media Communications Department Sunday Aug 9th g sr On Jaws of Justice, we examine how to find justice in our society.  Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

  4. Jul 19

    JEREMIAH BARBER VIEWS JUSTICE, HEALING AND COMMUNITY; MELVIN MERRITT TELLS US ABOUT PENNY MILL

    Jaws of Justice Radio investigates how we can achieve justice from a system of laws deeply rooted in economic, social and political inequality.  We want to dispel misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system. We hope you will listen. On July 20th, 2026, our hour opens with host Bev Livingston speaking with her guest Jeremiah L. Barber, a Kansas City, Missouri cowboy who has spent years balancing the grit of the arena with the heavy realities of the justice system. For over six years he has worked on the front lines of corrections, navigating high-stress environments across the Kansas City Police Department, the Jackson County Detention Center, and the Missouri Department of Corrections. To truly understand the mechanics behind the walls, he also studied Criminal Justice at Metropolitan Community College’s Longview campus. But his time in uniform wasn't just a job - it was a deeply eye-opening experience. As a Black man working in these facilities, it was incredibly tough to face the daily reality that roughly 70% of the incarcerated population were also Black men. Bearing witness to that systemic cycle firsthand left a lasting impact on how Jeremiah L. Barber views justice, healing, and community. Today, he has traded the steel doors for the open pasture and he finds peace and purpose alongside his four horses. After years of carrying the weight and stress of correctional work, working with these animals has become his way of healing and staying grounded. During the second half of our hour, host Terri Wilke will speak with Melvin Merritt, Founder, about Penny Mill.  The ⁠Penny Mill Foundation is a Kansas City, Missouri based non-profit dedicated to empowering communities and bringing different ethnic and social groups together. ⁠Penny Mill regularly hosts free, large-scale community events in the area. Penny Mill’s Community Empowerment Event is back this summer bringing fun and community building to the East side. The event in Blue Valley Park, 23rd and Topping, Kansas City MO features food and entertainment from 10 AM – 4 PM.  Please tune in to hear about it!⁠ On Jaws of Justice, we examine how to find justice in our society.  Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

  5. Jul 5

    TALK ABOUT A REVOLUTION – NO MORE NUKES, NO MORE WRONGFUL CONVICTIONS

    Jaws of Justice Radio investigates how we can achieve justice from a system of laws deeply rooted in economic, social and political inequality.  We want to dispel misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system. We hope you will listen. On July 6th, 2026, our hour opens with guest Casey Carter, Director of the award-winning nuclear waste documentary film, To Use a Mountain.  As regional communities confront new nuclear projects, weapons production, and questions of public consent, Casey Carter is coming to showings of the film on July 11th in Parsons, Kansas and July 12th in Kansas City, Missouri. https://www.touseamountain.com/ Southeast Kansas and Kansas City face separate but connected nuclear flashpoints amid a broader federal push to accelerate nuclear energy and weapons programs. In Parsons, Deep Fission has proposed an underground nuclear reactor pilot project at Great Plains Industrial Park, promoted in part as an energy solution for data centers and other large power users, raising community concerns about safety, oversight, waste, and public consent. In Kansas City, organizers are challenging the city’s role in the nuclear weapons complex, including the Kansas City National Security Campus and the broader push to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal. More than 90,000 metric tons of commercial spent nuclear fuel remain stored across the United States, with no permanent geologic repository in operation, and the amount growing by roughly 2,000 metric tons each year. What happens when national nuclear ambitions become local responsibilities that communities are asked to accept? Casey Carter will speak a few minutes about where to see the film. Next, host Terri Wilke will speak with Valena Beety, a wrongful convictions litigator and former US federal prosecutor.  Beety is the McKinney Professor of Law at Indiana University and co-founder of the Indiana Innocence Project. She is also author of a forthcoming book Pink Crime: Fighting Against the Criminalization of Motherhood, Pregnancy, and Queer Identity.  Her book exposes how junk science, false confessions, faulty forensic evidence, and gender stereotypes are leading to no-crime wrongful convictions for women and LGBTQ+ people. The cases she explores are chilling: women prosecuted after miscarriages and stillbirths, mothers losing custody based on hospital-administered drugs, and LGBTQ+ people sentenced to decades in prison for crimes that never occurred. Beety draws on her litigation experience and interviews with leaders across the Innocence Movement to connect today’s prosecutions to a long history of criminalizing women and LGBTQ+ communities based on identity. https://thenewpress.org/books/pink-crime/ On Jaws of Justice, we examine how to find justice in our society.  Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

  6. Jun 21

    HUMANS CAN BE AGGRESSIVE AND VIOLENT AND PEACEFUL AND COOPERATIVE ALL AT THE SAME TIME; ARGUING FOR A STATE OF COOPERATION

    Jaws of Justice Radio investigates how we can achieve justice from a system of laws deeply rooted in economic, social and political inequality.  We want to dispel misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system. We hope you will listen. For June 22, 2026, we play an April, 2026 broadcast of Final Straw Radio. This episode features an interview with Dr. Terence Keel about U.S. Deaths in Custody and Public Accountability. Dr. Terence Keel is a Professor of Human Biology & Society and African American Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles. He is also author of Divine Variations: How Christian Thought Became Racial Science and The Coroner's Silence: Death Records and the Hidden Victims of Police Violence.  He created the UCLA BioCritical Studies (BCS) Lab in 2020, an interdisciplinary space that investigates the complex interactions between human biology and society. https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/about/ The Final Straw is a weekly anarchist and anti-authoritarian radio show bringing you voices and ideas from struggle around the world. Since 2010, they have been broadcasting from occupied Tsalagi land on 103.3 FM in Asheville, NC. Amar Bursts is co-host and producer; Ian Bursts is co-host. https://thefinalstrawradio.noblogs.org/about/ During the second half of our hour, hosts Terri Wilke and Justice Johnson will talk further about violence involving law enforcement.  Humans are violent due to a complex interplay of evolutionary instincts, biological factors, and social/environmental influences. While humans are highly cooperative, we possess an inherent capacity for aggression.  Primal “fight or flight” instincts still exist, even when the threats are social rather than physical. A lack of the neurotransmitter serotonin can impair the brain's ability to inhibit impulsive or aggressive reactions. Studies show that it is significantly easier for individuals to commit violent acts when there is physical or emotional distance from the victim. Aggression is heavily influenced by a person's environment. Individuals who grow up exposed to abuse, conflict, or violence in their communities are much more likely to exhibit and pass on those behaviors. Our success as a species relies overwhelmingly on empathy, reason, and cooperation. Society has historically mitigated our violent tendencies through laws, institutions, and cultural norms that encourage negotiation over conflict. On Jaws of Justice, we examine how to find justice in our society.  Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

  7. Jun 14

    PRISONERS ARE PEOPLE TOO

    Jaws of Justice Radio investigates how we can achieve justice from a system of laws deeply rooted in economic, social and political inequality.  We want to dispel misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system. We hope you will listen. First, we want to express our sincere thanks for everyone who contributed to the KKFI Summer FUND Drive.  Because of your support, we are able to continue to produce vital programs to connect you with others.  A special kind of person appreciates a non-commercial community-based station like KKFI. You are listening right now and you get informed, entertained, inspired, even captivated. Your mind is engaged. This is programming that matters, for people who care. On Jaws of Justice, Bev Livingston opens our hour speaking with her guest, Sheena Rogers from the Joplin area. She's founder of Show Me Justice for All and From the Trenches Ministry. https://showmejusticeforall.org/ https://www.facebook.com/people/From-The-Trenches-Ministries/61585573536731/ Show Me Justice for All is a non-profit organization which fights for freedom, dignity, and justice for every person harmed by the criminal legal system. Born from lived experience, their work focuses on ending the harsh and inhumane sentences that keep people imprisoned for decades - including life without parole, and uplifting those who have been criminalized simply for surviving violence. They also advocate for abolishing the death penalty and advancing humane, restorative approaches to justice. They stand beside incarcerated people and their families, helping them navigate a system designed to silence them. They provide reentry support, community resources, and unwavering advocacy for fair and compassionate policies at every level of government. Sheena Rogers is a nationally respected justice reform advocate, criminal law paralegal, and keynote speaker whose work is grounded in lived experience, resilience, and a relentless commitment to transforming the U.S. prison system. Sentenced to juvenile life without parole and surviving 25 years in a Missouri prison, Sheena rebuilt her life from inside, first as a jailhouse lawyer and now as a trained criminal paralegal fighting nationwide for those still behind the walls. She is the founder and executive director of two grassroots organizations: Show Me JUSTICE FOR ALL, where she lobbies from Washington, D.C. to state capitals for meaningful policy reform, and From the Trenches Ministries, which supports individuals returning from incarceration and those impacted by addiction and homelessness. After the calendar, the second half of our hour will feature The Dark Side of the Ball from: the broadcast series produced by Victor Palomino, Futbol Is My Life. Ready to explore the beautiful game where soccer meets politics? This episode sits down with Professor Kirk Bowman, who turned his passion into a career studying the powerful connection between soccer and politics. Professor Bowman shares his incredible origin story, from watching Honduras qualify for the 1980 World Cup to seeing how clubs in Buenos Aires form the whole identity of neighborhoods, demonstrating futbol's power to create community and unity. Professor Bowman offers his academic critique of the World Cup and discusses the ethical tightrope fans walk today, covering US host politics, visa uncertainty for qualifying teams and how social issues are often sidelined during the tournament. On Jaws of Justice, we examine how to find justice in our society.  Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

  8. May 31

    JAIL BILL OF RIGHTS

    Jaws of Justice Radio investigates how we can achieve justice from a system of laws deeply rooted in economic, social and political inequality.  We want to dispel misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system. We hope you will listen. Host Bev Livingston speaks with her guest, Lora McDonald, Executive Director of Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity, better known as “MORE Squared”.  Lora McDonald has served as a social worker in metropolitan Kansas City for three decades. In her early career, she worked in a Missouri state prison; licensed foster and adoptive families; and served youth who were street homeless. McDonald’s career evolved to developing and implementing programs, ranging from crisis intervention with adoptive families to creating community gardens; more recently, McDonald was the architect of the Second Chance Program for people returning from incarceration.  While designing Second Chance, she would organize the Kansas City Metropolitan Reentry Coalition in order to address policies that impeded the success of people with criminal histories.  Around the same time, she was introduced to MORE2 and the National Leadership Training from the Gamaliel Network. She has been Ex. Dir of More² since 2012, and during that time, the organization has won many victories, expanded into Kansas, and sustained a significant ongoing public presence through a myriad of issues. Lora McDonald was the lead organizer who beat back a plan to collapse KCPS for an all-charter school model; she wrote the bill and led statewide organizing to win food stamps for people with drug convictions; and drove the campaign that established the first tenant’s rights in Kansas City, Missouri with the passage of Healthy Homes. MORE2 is recognized as one of the leading organizations for police reform in the metro, specifically focused on accountability and transparency in Kansas City, Kansas, and local control of Kansas City Police Department. Bev and Lora will talk about the More² Gubernatorial Forum, Voting Rights for Formerly Incarcerated people and on June 2nd, a Jail Bill of Rights coming up before the legislature in Jackson County for a final vote. Then, Host Keith Brown El will talk with our NEW Host, Justice Johnson, about jails in Jackson County MO and Kansas City MO as we try to keep listeners informed of the changes being made in our local incarceration system. On Jaws of Justice, we examine how to find justice in our society.  Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

It is the intention of Jaws of Justice Radio to investigate how to achieve justice in America, this includes issues of economic injustice, political injustice and the criminal justice system. We want to put a human face on those caught in the grasp of injustice and those that are part of an unjust system. We strive to dispel the misconceptions created by the news and entertainment industry, politicians and our educational system.

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