Chasing Justice

Chasing Justice

Chasing Justice is your guide to see God's goodness for our world and learn to live justly.

  1. We Got Us: Health Care at Risk and the Power of Proximity

    11/19/2025

    We Got Us: Health Care at Risk and the Power of Proximity

    As a medical student, Flo believed policy was the path to fixing the deep inequities she saw in the healthcare system. But God called her into serving like Jesus, through proximity and relationships.  In this episode, Dr. Flo shares her journey in medical service and advocacy tracing how her understanding of care transformed as she served the people most affected by the system's failures. This is a story about the importance and effects of policy, but also about presence. About how real change begins not with legislation, but with listening. Welcome to our season titled, We Got Us: Stories of Faith, Justice and Collective Hope. This season is an immersive journey that invites you to witness how neighbors and local leaders are answering a powerful question. How do we acknowledge brokenness and challenge oppression to cultivate and preserve communities so everyone can flourish? Together we'll explore how neighbors are confronting injustice, cultivating resilience, and creating communities of collective flourishing. This is what it looks like when we say: We Got Us. In this episode: Lawndale Christian Health Center LCHC 30th Anniversary How does the Big Beautiful Bill affect Medicare? How Trump's "big beautiful bill" could impact your Medicaid coverage The Big Beautiful Bill's impact on Medicaid Lawndale Christian Health Center: Farm on Ogden Producer, Writer, Host: Roslyn Hernández Video and Sound Engineer: Nasim Bowlus Storyteller: Florence Hsiao A Chasing Justice Podcast Network Production This podcast season was made possible by the Storytellers Collective, a program of Christians for Social Action. The theme song for this season is We Got Us. It was produced in collaboration with Common Hymnal. Social links https://chasingjustice.com/ Instagram: @chasingjustice_ We have an active Patreon community where you can access more resources. Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice ||  PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

    27 min
  2. We Got Us: Interrupting Violence Through the Arts

    11/05/2025

    We Got Us: Interrupting Violence Through the Arts

    In the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago, violence isn't just a headline, it can be a daily risk. But at the Firehouse Community Arts Center, Pastor Phil Jackson and his team are interrupting violence through creativity, youth-mentorship, and a loving and active presence on the block.  In this episode we dive into Pastor Phil's decades-long mission to reach youth and young adults labeled as "violent." We explore how The Firehouse Community Arts Center is transforming lives and the community through programs like: violence interruption, art education, and work force development. And we get insights into what is at stake in communities already facing systemic divestment when funding for organizations like The Firehouse falls short. This is a story where hope pushes the envelope, becomes contagious, and restores self-worth and dignity. It's a story with the kind of hope that spreads into neighborhoods and sparks change. This season is titled, We Got Us: Stories of Faith, Justice and Collective Hope. It invites you into neighborhoods where hope is cultivated day-by-day. Together we'll explore how neighbors are confronting injustice, cultivating resilience, and creating communities where everyone can flourish. This is what it looks like when we say: We Got Us. In this episode: The Firehouse Community Arts Center North Park Partners with Firehouse Community Arts Center in Violence Reduction Study The Firehouse Community Arts Center: Leveraging the Arts and a Hyperlocal Approach Producer, Writer, Host: Roslyn Hernández Video and Sound Engineer: Nasim Bowlus Storyteller: Pastor Phil Jackson A Chasing Justice Podcast Network Production This podcast season was made possible by Storytellers Collective, a program of Christians for Social Action. The theme song for this season is We Got Us. It was produced in collaboration with Common Hymnal. Social links: Chasing Justice  Instagram: @chasingjustice_ We have an active Patreon community where you can access more resources. Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice ||  PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

    21 min
  3. We Got Us: From Incarceration to Community Transformation

    10/22/2025

    We Got Us: From Incarceration to Community Transformation

    When Jamal was 13, he was shot on his way to school. Four years later, he was in prison. This is the story of how violence, survival, and faith intertwined to shape a new kind of transformative hope. In this episode, Roslyn Hernández and Jamal take us inside his journey from incarceration to transformation. We hear how Jamal found hope inside prison, how neighbors and advocates fought for his release, and how he now mentors young people at The Firehouse Community Center for the Arts, in Lawndale, to break the cycles of violence that once trapped him. It's a story of injustice, but also of gospel hope, the kind that's lived, not just preached. It's a reminder that even when systems fail us, community can be the place where restoration begins. This season is an immersive journey that invites you to witness how neighbors and local leaders are answering a powerful question. How do we acknowledge brokenness and challenge oppression to cultivate and preserve communities so everyone can flourish? In the episode Jamal Bakr SRA Graduation Speech, June 2022 Rev Alicia Reese & Jamal Bakr - Saving All of Me State of Illinois Prisoner Review Board 12/19/2024 Jamal Bakr The Firehouse Arts Center of Chicago Producer, Writer, Host: Roslyn Hernández Video and Sound Engineer: Nasim Bowlus Story Teller: Jamal Bakr A Chasing Justice Production Social links https://chasingjustice.com/ Instagram: @chasingjustice_ We have an active Patreon community where you can access more resources. Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice ||  PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

    28 min
  4. 11/27/2024

    Making An Impact On Campus #changemakers 😎💪

    Our podcast producer, Roslyn Hernández sits down with Justin Guaman to explore how Gen Z can engage in social justice and civic advocacy. Justin shares his journey from a justice-impacted youth to an advocate for marginalized communities, offering insights on finding courage through community, starting small, and collaborating for change. Tune in to discover how you can make a difference on campus and beyond, one step at a time.   Justin Guaman is a Queens native of Ecuadorian descent. He has been on staff with InterVarsity for five years. And is currently overseeing two student chapters in NYC. Justin has a degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. He's been working with justice-impacted youth at Riker's Island, Harlem, and other NYC communities since 2018. Justin's passion for this work is rooted in his journey as a justice-impacted youth. Since then, Justin has been working and wrestling at the intersection of Faith & Justice.   Roslyn M. Hernández creates resources for the spiritual formation and empowerment of emerging generations through her work as Project Manager at the Fuller Youth Institute and Podcast Producer at Chasing Justice. As a Contributor at Think Christian, her thought-provoking articles and conversations bridge the gap between faith and pop culture. Roslyn is also a Spiritual Director, Public Theologian, and Podcaster providing space for Indigenizing, holy listening, discernment, and healing.    We have an active Patreon community where you can access the full video interview and more resources. Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice  ||  PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

    21 min
  5. 10/30/2024

    Civic Engagement in Your Community #Neighborhood 🏘️🫱🏼‍🫲

    Chealsia sits down with Tamir Bell to explore what it means to make a difference beyond the voting booth. Tamir shares his journey, from middle school to bridging gaps in his community, confronting ageism, and staying grounded in faith while advocating for justice. Tune in to hear practical ways to get involved, overcome barriers, and identify your passions to take action for change.   Tamir Bell's passion for public service began with grassroots organizing, connecting communities with resources to drive progress. As a Gen Z Precinct Committee person and as Political Director to State Rep. Maurice West, he has championed innovative solutions across Illinois. Tamir also serves as Chairperson of the Jackson Charter School Board and is a YMCA board member, focusing on family programs and community well-being. He inspires youth to engage locally, reminding them, "We can't change the world, but we can change our small corner of the world."   Chealsia Smedley is a writer, editor, and content manager with Chasing Justice. Chelsea is passionate about storytelling that sparks curiosity and drives compassionate action. She produces and hosts the Created For podcast, supporting BIPOC Christians in walking with Jesus and living out their callings. In her free time, she enjoys dancing the Lindy Hop and other Black vernacular jazz dances.   We have an active Patreon community where you can access the full video interview and more resources. Support Chasing Justice || Patreon: patreon.com/ChasingJustice  ||  PayPal: paypal.me/ChasingJustice || Donate: chasingjustice.com/donate

    20 min
4.9
out of 5
41 Ratings

About

Chasing Justice is your guide to see God's goodness for our world and learn to live justly.