From Anger to Empathy: A Story of Restorative Imagination

Claire de Mézerville López is joined by co-host, Professor Brunilda Pali, for the “Powerful Intersection Between Restorative Justice and Art” podcast series, a special initiative by the IIRP together with the European Forum for Restorative Justice (EFRJ). Art has the unique ability to connect and facilitate dialogue, making it a powerful tool in restorative justice practices. Throughout the series, we examine how artists from different disciplines and cultural backgrounds use their creative expression to foster communication, build empathy, and potentially repair harm. Each episode highlights a different aspect of this intersection, featuring conversations with artists who have contributed to restorative justice processes through various art forms — be it visual arts, music, theatre, film, or dance. We are joined by Kenneth Berth, a celebrated Belgian storyteller and radio maker, as he shares his journey from personal tragedy to artistic exploration and delves into the profound impact of storytelling on healing and justice. Kenneth's work, known for its depth and empathy, reflects on his own experience with a life-altering accident and his quest for understanding through restorative justice. Through theater and documentary, Kenneth bridges the gap between personal trauma and collective empathy. His projects, including the acclaimed podcast Born This Way, reveal the power of narratives to connect, heal, and provoke dialogue on complex societal issues. Brunilda serves as Assistant Professor of Conflict Dynamics and Governance at the Department of Political Science at the University of Amsterdam and Chair of the EFRJ. She researches, teaches, and publishes on gender and feminism, restorative, environmental, and social justice, cultural and critical criminology, and arts and justice.  Kenneth is a Belgian radio, documentary, and theater maker. As a Belgian public broadcaster, he created the podcast Born This Way (Zo Geboren), in which he explores the history of homosexuality in Belgium. He has also produced podcasts for BBC Radio 3 on topics such as being stuck in traffic, and for the Dutch public broadcaster on the act of looking out the window. He is a host at the Belgian radio station Studio Brussel. Kenneth was awarded the prestigious title of Master Storyteller by the Dutch Narrative Journalism Foundation, Stichting Verhalende Journalistiek. His work has been nominated for three Prix Europa awards and the Prix Italia.  Tune in to learn more about how art, empathy, and restorative justice intersect!