Cognitive Capacity

Dr. Shameka Stewart
  • 4.8 (4)
  • EDUCATION

Exclusive podcast discussing true stories of the intersectionality between cognitive and communication disorders and involvement with the criminal justice system, mass incarceration, and the school-to-confinement pipeline.

Episodes

  1. 07/14/2025

    Stolen Childhood - Juvenile Life without Parole Hallmark Casess

    This episode delves into landmark Supreme Court cases that have significantly impacted the juvenile justice system, particularly focusing on cases like Graham v. Florida, Roper v. Simmons, Atkins v. Virginia, Miller v. Alabama, and the personal story of Ken Young. The discussion highlights the evolving understanding of youth culpability, cognitive capacity, and the implications of sentencing youth to life without parole or death. The conversation emphasizes the importance of recognizing the differences between youth and adults in the legal system and the role of scientific evidence in shaping these landmark decisions.takeaways Youth offenders cannot be sentenced to life without parole for non-homicidal offenses.Graham v. Florida was a pivotal case in juvenile justice.Roper v. Simmons established that the death penalty for youth is unconstitutional.Atkins v. Virginia recognized the impact of mental retardation on culpability.Miller v. Alabama introduced factors to consider in sentencing youth.Ken Young's case exemplifies the injustices faced by youth in the legal system.The Supreme Court's decisions have retroactive implications for many cases.Cognitive capacity and youth impulsivity are critical in legal considerations.The Eighth Amendment protects youth from cruel and unusual punishment.These landmark cases have reshaped the juvenile justice landscape.

    42 min

  2. 05/02/2025

    Six Years for a Prank Call? In re Gault Case

    Gerald Gault is a hallmark Supreme Court case that change the procedural due process rights of juveniles and juvenile law. Rock with me as I unpack the case and discuss the Due Process Clause and the 14th Amendment and how Cognitive Capacity was jeopardized in this matter.

    41 min

  3. 04/01/2025

    Let's Start From the Beginning: Kent v. United States (1966)

    To continue to understand the impact of youth being tried as adults, sentencing individuals with cognitive disabilities to harsh punitive outcomes requires us to go back and start from the beginning with a few Hallmark cases that set precedent of how this should be done when it comes to the intersection of Cognitive Capacity and Criminal Justice. This is case One - Kent v. US (1966). Tap In!!

    1h 4m

  4. 12/29/2023

    Cognitive Capacity Ep. V: Halim Flowers The Proof is in the Resilience

    Mr. Halim Flowers was sentenced to two life sentences without possibility of parole at the age of 16. Based on a law he helped get passed in D.C., he was released in 2019 after serving over two decades and losing his entire youth. This is a story about cognitive capacity and arrested development in Black youth during a time when there was little understanding of the brain development, and the redemption and success of a Black man proving that a youth can become more than their worst mistake.

    1h 10m

  5. 11/16/2023

    Brendan Dassey: Final Episode IV

    In this episode we wrap up the Brendan Dassey cognitive capacity episode by digging into the taped interrorgation videos. We discuss how the video makes it appear as though the officers utilized Brendan's impairment to coerce him into a form of forced confessions. We also discuss of course the confluence between his cognitive capacity and this coerced confession. Stay tuned to the bonus episode where I will address the Candace Owens Series. Specifically when she discusses Brendan Dassey.

    1h 1m

  6. 10/09/2023

    Communication Disorders and Coerced Confessions: Unpacking the Brendan Dassey Case Pt. III

    This is part III of the Brendan Dassey series. This episode focuses on the signing of the confession and what that led to in this case.

    58 min

  7. 09/08/2023

    Communication Disorders and Coerced Confessions: Impairments present during police "interview"Pt. II

    This is part two of the Brendan Dassey case. In this episode, we unpack the cognitive impairments Brendan presented with and that impacted his coerced confession (in my opinion). There is also a bonus episode with some additional content from this part that will follow so stay tuned!

    1h 1m

  8. 08/18/2023

    Communication Disorders and Coerced Confessions: Unpacking Brendan Dassey Impairments

    This is the first episode in season 2 and I decided why not kick it off with a big case! So, for the first time ever, the Brendan Dassey case will get a deep dive analysis and discussion from the standpoint of communication disorders. Like only The Juvenile Forensic SLP can do, I will unpack his cognitive and communication disorders and correlate its impact on his coerced confession, Miranda Rights, and wrongful conviction. This will be a multi-episode series so hang tight and lock in! Welcome back to Cognitive Capacity Season II!!!

    38 min
  9. Second Chances When You Never Had a First: Sentenced To Life Before Living Your Life

    01/24/2022

    Second Chances When You Never Had a First: Sentenced To Life Before Living Your Life

    Dr. S shares the stories of Evan Miller and Michael Soto.

    58 min

  10. 05/31/2021

    Paying With Your Natural Life: One Mistake As A Child Results In A 70 Year Sentence

    Cog Cap New Episode: This episode is about Mr. S. Gridine sentenced to an adult sentence that is essentially a de facto life sentence. The episode will discuss the continued stark differences in the justice system for Black Youth and the disregard for development in the cognitive capacity of the youth.

    1h 3m

  11. 04/06/2021

    One Step Toward Decriminalizing Cognition: Atkins & The 8th Amendment

    This podcast will discuss the landmark case the shifted the discussion of whether the death penalty was an 8th Amendment violation of individuals with disabilities constitutional rights. The podcast details the case that reached and won in the Supreme Court, Atkins v. Virginia

    1h 17m

  12. 03/01/2021

    10 to 70: 10 minutes to Convict, 70 years to Exonerate

    This is our premier episode featuring the youngest person to be exonerated in the United States in the 20th Century. This is the story of George Stinney Jr., and will discuss cognitive capacity, racial prejudice and stereotype and more. This premier episode for the "Cognitive Capacity" Podcast sets the stage for the next 70+ years in the United States related to Youth Justice, the United States Juvenile Justice System and the Confluence between Cognitive and Communication Disorders and the U.S. Criminal Justice System.  Welcome and we hope you stick around for the development and dialogue of Sunday Dinners.

    1h 19m
  • 12 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Exclusive podcast discussing true stories of the intersectionality between cognitive and communication disorders and involvement with the criminal justice system, mass incarceration, and the school-to-confinement pipeline.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Shameka Stewart
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr. Shameka Stewart