Episodios

  • Behind the Bars: Representative Rhonda Taylor on Reform, Reunification, and Restoring Mother's Dignity

    Behind the Bars: Representative Rhonda Taylor on Reform, Reunification, and Restoring Mother's Dignity
    Jan 7 2026
    In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with Georgia State Representative Rhonda Taylor, a dedicated advocate for women, families, and justice reform. Representing District 92 in Rockdale County, Representative Taylor shares how poverty, hunger, and survival often push mothers into the criminal legal system—even as overall incarceration rates decline. She reminds us that behind every statistic is a woman trying to care for her children, and that second chances must remain central to justice. We explore Georgia's efforts to bring dignity to incarcerated mothers, including House Bill 345, which prohibits shackling and solitary confinement for pregnant and postpartum women. Representative Taylor explains why policy alone is not enough and why families and communities must be informed of their rights. Together, we discuss the ripple effects of maternal incarceration on children, grandparents, and caregivers—and the urgent need for compassion, proper funding, and humane reform. Representative Taylor also shares her own cotton patch moment: answering a reluctant call to public office and discovering that real change happens when state resources meet community care. This conversation challenges us to see incarcerated mothers not as statistics, but as human beings worthy of dignity, connection, and restoration—and reminds us that justice rooted in compassion benefits us all. Three Key Takeaways 1. Compassion Is a Justice Issue Representative Taylor makes clear that underfunded systems and emotional numbness inside prisons create lasting harm. Compassion—from lawmakers, correctional staff, and communities—can interrupt cycles of trauma and incarceration. 2. Supporting Mothers Supports Children and Society When mothers are incarcerated without adequate prenatal care, postpartum support, or family connection, the damage extends to children and future generations. Humane policies and reunification programs are investments in long-term community wellbeing. 3. Real Change Requires Both Policy and People Laws matter, but they only work when communities are informed, engaged, and supported by nonprofits, faith leaders, and everyday citizens willing to "pay it forward." Why Listen If you care about justice reform, maternal health, family preservation, or what it truly means to turn pain into purpose, this episode will move you. Representative Rhonda Taylor offers rare insight into how legislation, compassion, and community action intersect—and why restoring dignity to incarcerated mothers restores hope for us all. Connect With Representative Rhonda Taylor 🌐 Website: https://www.rhondastaylor.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rhonda.taylor.7528 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonda-taylor-56428830/ 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.
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    34 m
  • Rev. Dr. Allison Henderson Brooks: Preaching Beyond the Walls on Faith, Freedom And Women Behind Bars

    Rev. Dr. Allison Henderson Brooks: Preaching Beyond the Walls on Faith, Freedom And Women Behind Bars
    Dec 24 2025
    In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with Reverend Dr. Allison Henderson Brooks—fourth-generation preacher, scholar, and barrier breaker—to explore what it truly means to preach liberation, practice compassion, and carry hope into places many people forget. As the first woman to lead the 157-year-old Hill First Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia, and as Assistant Dean of Students at Candler School of Theology at Emory University, Dr. Brooks embodies a faith that isn't confined to a pulpit—it shows up wherever people are fighting to survive, heal, and be seen. From answering her call to preach at just 15 years old to serving women doing life sentences at Lee Arrendale State Prison, Dr. Brooks shares how her theology was shaped long before seminary—through family, church lineage, womanist scholarship, and the lived reality of Black communities. She unpacks what she learned behind prison walls: the creativity it takes to endure, the spiritual grit required to keep choosing yourself, and the profound truth that God does not show up after we arrive—God is already there. Together, we discuss what incarceration costs women emotionally, spiritually, and physically—especially mothers—and why reentry support for women is often dangerously inadequate. Dr. Brooks also reflects on preaching "heart-heavy" messages that reach the full complexity of human life, and she reminds us: no matter the hell you're in, you must remember who the hell you are. Three Key Takeaways 1. Faith is a Daily Choice in Systems with No Choices Dr. Brooks makes it plain: incarceration strips away nearly every decision—what you eat, when you wake, what you wear. But there is still one sacred choice left: to be better today than yesterday, and to hold on to faith when everything else is controlled. 2. Liberation Starts With Refusing the Labels She challenges how we talk about people as "marginalized," asking the deeper question: who decided that? True liberation requires reclaiming voice, identity, and dignity—without waiting for permission. 3. Women Need Real Reentry Support, Not Shame Dr. Brooks exposes the harsh reality: women often leave prison with fewer services than men, less financial support, and immediate pressure to "catch up" as mothers—without any structure to rebuild. Safe spaces, community care, and practical resources aren't optional—they're life-saving. Why Listen If you've ever wondered what it looks like to carry the gospel beyond church walls, this conversation will stay with you. Reverend Dr. Allison Henderson Brooks brings storytelling, truth, and tenderness as she shows how ministry, justice, and mercy can live in the same breath. You'll walk away thinking differently about incarceration, forgiveness, and what it means to build a world where redemption is real. Connect with Rev. Dr. Allison Henderson Brooks 📺 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MTENNONmebc ⛪ Hill First Baptist Church (Athens, GA): https://www.hillfirstbaptist.org/ 📱Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/historichillfirst 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.
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    39 m
  • From Prison to Redemption: Dr. Mica Battle on Second Chances and Community Healing

    From Prison to Redemption: Dr. Mica Battle on Second Chances and Community Healing
    Dec 10 2025
    In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with Dr. Mika V. Battle—founder and executive director of Bridge to Freedom, a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to eliminating recidivism and restoring the lives of returning citizens. After her own incarceration, Dr. Battle transformed personal tragedy, addiction, and generational trauma into a powerful mission: to help others rebuild with dignity, stability, and spiritual grounding. During this transformation, she earned her Masters Degree and Ph.D. With a 90% success rate and nearly 500 reentrants served, Bridge to Freedom is rooted in housing, workforce development, counseling, financial literacy, anger management, and practical life skills. But Dr. Battle's story reaches far beyond the program's metrics. She is an author of four books, a mentor in U.S. and international prisons, a theater owner and producer, and co-owner of the Chicago Soul Coffee Shop. She embodies what happens when redemption becomes leadership—and when one woman's healing becomes a lifeline for hundreds. Together, we explore the emotional impact of maternal incarceration on children, the long-lasting "mark" it leaves on families, the spiritual foundation of her work, and the practical tools that make reentry sustainable. Dr. Battle also shares profound stories—like meeting grandchildren for the first time in prison, and the journey of a formerly incarcerated woman who rose from addiction and homelessness to earn a master's degree and serve other traumatized women. Three Key Takeaways 1. Maternal Incarceration Leaves a Lifelong Mark on Children and Families Dr. Battle shares that it took years for her to fully comprehend the impact her absence had on her children—and even decades later, the emotional imprint remains. Incarceration touches every generation, and the effects don't stop at release. 2. Reintegration Fails Without Resources, Structure, and Community Support Many people thrive inside prison—getting clean, reconnecting with their faith, and gaining stability—only to struggle upon release because essential supports disappear. Housing, counseling, financial literacy, spiritual grounding, mentorship, and workforce development all work together to prevent recidivism. Without them, cycles repeat. 3. Practical Life Skills Are as Important as Big Systemic Change Some individuals have survived so much trauma that even basic tasks must be relearned—from using utensils to understanding daily decision-making. Teaching discipline, emotional regulation, budgeting, and life skills gives returning citizens the foundation required for long-term success. Why Listen If you've ever wondered what real reentry support looks like—or how trauma, addiction, and incarceration shape entire families—this conversation will change how you see rehabilitation. Dr. Mika V. Battle brings honesty, spiritual clarity, and lived experience to every part of her work. Her journey shows: What redemption looks like when it becomes service Why community resources—not judgment—change outcomes How trauma and poverty shape decision-making and how one woman's transformation can alter the trajectory of hundreds of lives This episode is a masterclass in compassion, accountability, faith, and community healing. Connect with Dr. Mika V. Battle 🌐 Bridge to Freedom (Chicago) Donations 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.
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    25 m
  • Dr. Robin J. Bell: From Military Service to Family Restoration

    Dr. Robin J. Bell: From Military Service to Family Restoration
    Nov 26 2025
    In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with Dr. Robin J. Bell—retired Army veteran, consultant, professor, and founder of Rehabilitation Reform and Reentry Resources (R4)—to explore the deep, generational impact of incarceration and the transformative power of giving people a real chance to rebuild. Dr. Bell has devoted her life to supporting returning citizens and children affected by parental incarceration through workforce development programs, scholarships, and wraparound reentry resources. Her journey began during her final years in the military, when she served as an Equal Opportunity Advisor and witnessed, firsthand, the devastating sentencing disparities facing young Black men in D.C. courts. That experience ignited a calling: to ensure that returning citizens are not simply released, but restored. Today, her nonprofit and consulting work bridges gaps in mental health, digital literacy, financial stability, employment, and education—opening doors for individuals and families long shut out by the system. From creating scholarship programs for youth, to partnering with the D.C. Department of Corrections to build life-changing reentry pathways, to writing books and producing films that expose the realities of incarceration, Dr. Bell's work invites us to rethink justice, uplift families, and center the children who often carry the quietest burdens. Together, we discuss the generational effects of maternal incarceration, the emotional realities children face, the communal responsibility we share in reintegration, and how storytelling can shift the narrative—and even change policy. Dr. Bell also shares powerful stories from her upcoming short film A Fight for Time, inspired by the real-life experience of a juvenile lifer who entered the system at just 17 with a third-grade education. Three Key Takeaways 1. The Unseen Weight on Children Maternal incarceration carries a unique emotional toll for children—shame, secrecy, embarrassment, and isolation. Dr. Bell's work, including her scholarship program and her children's book collaborations, helps kids feel seen, supported, and understood. 2. Reintegration Requires Community, Not Judgment Successful reentry is not achieved alone. Digital literacy training, soft skills development, mental health care, employer partnerships, and mentorship all contribute to whether someone thrives outside prison walls. As Dr. Bell reminds us, rehabilitation is "not for people who need it—it's for people who want it"—and communities must meet that desire with opportunity. 3. Storytelling as Advocacy Through her film A Fight for Time and her writing, Dr. Bell uses narrative to humanize returning citizens and illuminate the systemic failures that shape their journeys. Storytelling becomes a bridge to empathy—and a vehicle for change. Why Listen If you've ever wondered what real reintegration looks like—or how to support families affected by incarceration—this conversation will open your heart and shift your lens. Dr. Robin J. Bell brings clarity, compassion, and conviction to a subject too often shrouded in silence. Her work shows that when we invest in returning citizens and their children, we don't just change individual lives—we strengthen communities, disrupt generational cycles, and create a more just future for everyone. Connect with Dr. Robin J. Bell 🌐 Website: www.r4resources.org 📚 Books: False Start: Race to Prison, My Mom Set Me Up; Until We Are Together Again 🎬 Upcoming Film: A Fight for Time 📱 Social media links available on her website 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.
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    32 m
  • Redefining Reintegration: Charlotte Garnes on Second Chances and Justice-Impacted Women

    Redefining Reintegration: Charlotte Garnes on Second Chances and Justice-Impacted Women
    Nov 12 2025
    In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with Charlotte Garnes, founder of RENFORCE and Redemption House, to explore what it truly means to transform pain into purpose. After serving 46 months in federal prison, Charlotte used what she calls her "righteous anger" to create pathways of hope and opportunity for justice-impacted women. Today, she leads initiatives that focus on reentry support, leadership development, and mental health awareness—helping individuals move from surviving to thriving. From being terminated after disclosing her conviction to being named Augusta's 2025 Remarkable Woman, Charlotte's journey is a masterclass in resilience, faith, and service. She opens up about the systemic barriers facing returning citizens, how communities can take shared responsibility for reintegration, and the ripple effects of incarceration on families—especially children left behind. Together, we discuss the power of stable employment, the critical role of mental health care, and the need for safe spaces like Redemption House that allow women to heal and rebuild their lives with dignity. Charlotte also shares the story of a young woman who completed RENFORCE's program and, for the first time, felt proud of finishing something—proof that second chances can rewrite futures. Three Key Takeaways 1. Turning Pain into Purpose Charlotte's story shows that what breaks you can also build you. Her "righteous anger" became the foundation for RENFORCE and Redemption House—organizations that help women rebuild their lives after incarceration. 2. Community Responsibility in Reentry Reintegration doesn't end with the individual—it's a community effort. Charlotte challenges employers and society to create fair opportunities that reduce recidivism and strengthen families. 3. Healing Beyond the Sentence True freedom begins with healing. Through mental health support, leadership development, and safe spaces for women, Charlotte demonstrates that thriving after incarceration is not only possible but necessary for generational change. Why Listen If you've ever wondered how people rise after their most difficult seasons, this conversation will move you. Charlotte Garnes brings both vulnerability and vision as she redefines what second chances look like for justice-impacted women. You'll walk away inspired to see redemption in action—and reminded that transformation doesn't just change one life; it can change entire communities. Connect with Charlotte Garnes 🌐 www.reNforce.org 📞 833-273-6367 📱 Instagram | Facebook | TikTok 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years. You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here. 📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖 If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces: Website LinkedIn Instagram Facebook X Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word. The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.
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    33 m
  • Inside the Walls: Rudolph Brothers on Families, Justice, and Life Beyond the Sentence

    Inside the Walls: Rudolph Brothers on Families, Justice, and Life Beyond the Sentence
    Oct 29 2025

    In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with Rudolph Brothers Jr., a seasoned attorney who has spent over 30 years in the criminal justice system—beginning as a corporate lawyer, then serving as a public defender, prosecutor, and Division Director for the Office of State Counsel for Offenders in Texas. In his decades of service representing incarcerated individuals, Mr. Brothers witnessed firsthand how incarceration impacts not just inmates, but their families, children, and communities.

    Now retired, Rudolph reflects on his life's work, the dehumanizing effects of solitary confinement, and his ongoing advocacy for justice reform. He shares how his early experiences with racial profiling as a child shaped his commitment to the law—and how compassion and fairness have guided him throughout his career.

    This powerful conversation explores the human side of justice, the importance of family connection during incarceration, and what true rehabilitation should look like in America's prison system.

    Three Key Takeaways:

    The Human Cost of Incarceration

    Rudolph reveals how distance, isolation, and lack of visitation erode family bonds and dehumanize incarcerated individuals, emphasizing the emotional toll that incarceration takes on both sides of the prison walls.

    Dignity in Representation

    He shares the care taken to ensure inmates were presented in court as people first—not just prisoners—by allowing them civilian clothes, grooming, and dignity during trial.

    Faith in Reform and Redemption

    Despite systemic flaws, Rudolph remains hopeful about growing reforms that remove barriers to employment and restore civil rights, helping formerly incarcerated people reintegrate into society with purpose and dignity.

    Why Listen

    If you care about criminal justice reform, rehabilitation, or the impact of incarceration on families, this episode offers an eye-opening look at how one man's legal career became a lifelong mission to restore humanity within the justice system. From courtroom advocacy to compassion behind prison walls, Rudolph Brothers Jr.'s story will leave you reflecting on mercy, equity, and the shared humanity in us all. Also, Rudolph references this My Cotton Patch Moment episode: From Prison Bars to Power: Robyn Hasan-Simpson's Rise to Lead and Liberate

    Find Rudolph Brothers Jr. in these places:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rudolphbrothersjr/

    📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖

    This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years.

    You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here.

    📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖

    If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces:

    Website

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    Facebook

    X

    Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word.

    The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay.

    Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.
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    30 m
  • Behind Bars Beyond Walls: Dr. Karma Johnson's Ministry To Children Of Incarcerated Parents

    Behind Bars Beyond Walls: Dr. Karma Johnson's Ministry To Children Of Incarcerated Parents
    Oct 15 2025

    In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with Reverend Dr. Karma Johnson—Senior Chaplain, Assistant Pastor at Turner Monumental AME Church, and longtime Angel Tree advocate. With a ministry grounded in compassion and community service, Dr. Johnson has dedicated her life to supporting incarcerated individuals and, just as importantly, their children and families left behind.

    She opens up about the transformative power of the Angel Tree program, how faith communities can bridge the gap for children impacted by incarceration, and the ripple effects of love and mentorship on breaking the school-to-prison pipeline. From providing holiday gifts and year-round support to creating spaces of hope, Dr. Johnson's work shines a light on the healing power of faith, restoration, and practical community care.

    This conversation dives deep into the intersection of incarceration, childhood trauma, faith, and advocacy, offering both spiritual encouragement and actionable insight for families, educators, and churches.

    Three Key Takeaways:

    The Angel Tree Difference

    Dr. Johnson explains how Angel Tree extends far beyond Christmas gifts—connecting children to camps, mentors, and year-round support that restores dignity and hope.

    Breaking the School-to-Prison Pipeline

    She outlines how children of incarcerated parents face systemic pushout from schools, and why churches, educators, and communities must step in to disrupt this cycle.

    Faith as Restoration

    Through her chaplaincy and ministry, Dr. Johnson shows how grace, mercy, and community care can heal families fractured by incarceration and remind children they are not forgotten.

    Why Listen

    If you care about children's well-being, justice reform, or the role of faith in transforming lives, this episode will open your eyes and stir your heart. Dr. Johnson's ministry offers a blueprint for how communities can step up, stand in the gap, and love children beyond the stigma of incarceration.

    You can connect with Dr. Johnson through her church community:

    Turner Monumental AME Church

    66 Howard Street

    Atlanta, GA (Kirkwood community)

    Email: Dr.Karma@turnermonumental.org

    📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖

    This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years.

    You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here.

    📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖

    If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces:

    Website

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    Facebook

    X

    Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word.

    The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay.

    Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.
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    30 m
  • Balancing the Scales: Judge Tonya Rainwater's Reflections on Justice and Equity

    Balancing the Scales: Judge Tonya Rainwater's Reflections on Justice and Equity
    Oct 1 2025

    In this episode of My Cotton Patch Moment, I sit down with retired Florida Circuit Judge Tonya Rainwater, a trailblazing leader who presided over every division of the 18th Judicial Circuit from 1991 to 2019 and helped establish Brevard County's first drug court. Twice elected chief judge, Rainwater spearheaded programs like the Rainwater Center for Girls, offering a lifeline to juvenile girls in crisis and reshaping approaches to justice with compassion.

    She reflects on the moment she chose law as her path and how years on the bench taught her that listening with empathy can be a judge's most powerful tool. From witnessing children torn between unsafe homes and the hope of adoption, to celebrating the joy of "forever families," her stories reveal both heartbreak and healing. She speaks candidly about addiction and incarceration, sharing why drug courts and education offer a way forward when prison alone cannot. And she recalls the powerful moments when former juveniles returned years later to thank her—proof that compassion, second chances, and community support can truly change lives.

    This episode dives deep into justice reform, equity, family bonds, and the human side of the court system. Whether you're passionate about juvenile justice reform, drug court innovation, or community mentorship, Judge Rainwater's wisdom and heart will inspire you to see the humanity behind the headlines.

    Three Key Takeaways

    Compassion and Listening Matter

    Judge Rainwater's career shows that every case is unique, and true justice begins with hearing each person's story with fresh ears. Her approach to listening with empathy reminds us that fairness isn't just about the law—it's about humanity.

    Support Systems Change Lives

    From mentoring programs to relative adoptions and diversion courts, Rainwater highlights how community support can break cycles of trauma and crime. Providing resources and guidance gives individuals and families the chance to build stronger, safer futures.

    Community Action Is Powerful

    Rainwater emphasizes that everyone has a role to play in creating a more just society. Whether volunteering with Big Brothers Big Sisters or mentoring children of incarcerated parents, small, local efforts can create lasting change.

    Why Listen

    If you care about criminal justice reform, youth advocacy, family resilience, or restorative practices, this conversation offers actionable hope and a rare, compassionate look into the courtroom.

    📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖

    This podcast is hosted by Mildred J. Mills. Mildred writes raw and poignant stories describing monumental highs and devastating lows as she takes her reader and listener on a journey of laughter and tears. Mildred survived a childhood of picking cotton on her strict, domineering father's farm and thrived in a male-dominant IT industry for forty years.

    You can find Mildred's memoir, "Daddy's House: A Daughter's Memoir of Setbacks, Triumphs & Rising Above Her Roots" and when her new book, The Hope Club, publishes here.

    📝👧🏽👩🏽🧓🏽📖

    If you would love to connect with Mildred, join her in these following spaces:

    Website

    LinkedIn

    Instagram

    Facebook

    X

    Have you been inspired by this Cotton Patch Moment? If so, Mildred encourages you to leave a review, comment, email and tell her about it! Also, share this episode with someone you love. You never know who needs to hear an inspiring word.

    The music and sound effects for this episode came from Epidemic Sound, Soundstripe and/or Pixabay. Crackers In Soup is the audio editor and producer for this episode.
    Más Menos
    28 m
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