Who Judges The Judge? Hosted By Jordana H. Goldlist
Jordana H. Goldlist spent her teens as a homeless, high school dropout; a junkie fully entrenched in street life by 17 years old. Today, she runs a boutique criminal law firm, owns property, invests in the market, and travels the world. She built the life she has today by recognizing and using skills she developed during the most trying times of her life, and she believes that some of the most successful people are those that find their strength through struggle and adversity. In “Who Judges The Judge?”, named after her TEDx Talk, Jordana invites listeners to explore the untold stories and unexpected backgrounds of her guests, all successful and productive individuals who have overcome adversity and the stigmas that society attaches to those of us who side step the status quo. From reformed criminals to the falsely accused, from former addicts to refugees escaping war and poverty, each episode will feature an individual who defies stereotypes and expectations and will navigate difficult conversations to highlight the personal journey of each guest.
Jordana’s unique perspective, grounded in her own tumultuous past but developed over a 15 year career in criminal justice, adds authenticity and depth to the conversation. Please join Jordana on “Who Judges The Judge?” a podcast that challenges both guests and listeners to question the way we judge ourselves, others, and the world at large.
Who Judges The Judge? Hosted By Jordana H. Goldlist
Nadia Ghanny: From Childhood Trauma to Criminal Justice Reform
Nadia Ghanny reveals how surviving family tragedy at 5 days old shaped her mission to transform the criminal justice system from within, working with offenders for over 20 years.
In this episode, I sit down with Nadia Ghanny, a University of Guelph-Humber professor teaching community corrections. Born in Guyana, she became an orphan at 5 days old following domestic violence. Raised by adoptive parents, she discovered her traumatic origins at age 11.
Instead of seeking revenge, Nadia chose rehabilitation over punishment. She shares how she shifted from wanting justice through harsh sentences to helping offenders transform their lives. Now writing pre-sentence reports and parole investigations, she literally holds people's futures in her hands.
Nadia opens up about intergenerational trauma driving youth crime, why harsh prison conditions don't work as deterrents, and how education reform could prevent crime. She explains why problem-solving skills and financial literacy should be mandatory curriculum.
We explore victim mentality versus resilience, what authentic rehabilitation looks like, and how seeing humanity in offenders creates real change. From wanting punishment to helping transformation, Nadia's journey proves our most difficult experiences can become our greatest tools for serving others.