Join us for an engaging episode of "Getting to Know You" where Cameron sits down with Hope Cassella, a dedicated Los Angeles County public defender. Meeting at a music festival, Cameron quickly recognized Hope's intelligence, compassion, and thoughtful nature, setting the stage for a deep and empathetic conversation.
In this episode, Hope shares her journey to becoming a public defender, her experiences tutoring in a juvenile correctional facility, and the systemic challenges she faces within the criminal justice system. Learn how Jane Goodall’s holistic approach to solving problems inspired Hope’s activism and dedication to sustainable change.
Hope delves into her philosophy on interconnectedness, emphasizing the importance of considering collective benefit in her decisions. This perspective shapes her approach to work and personal life, striving to balance self-care and altruism. She also discusses the challenges of implementing idealistic concepts in practical, bureaucratic environments and the ongoing struggle to create meaningful change.
Discover how Hope transitioned from aspiring documentary filmmaker to Los Angeles County public defender, driven by her passion for constitutional law and a desire to directly help those affected by the criminal justice system. Her volunteer work at a juvenile detention center, where she witnessed the dehumanizing treatment of incarcerated children, profoundly impacted her career choice.
Hope challenges traditional views on punishment, exploring the idea that healing for victims isn’t necessarily linked to the suffering of perpetrators. She reflects on her unique role as a public defender, offering a window into human nature and societal issues.
Hope’s unique college experience in a program emphasizing learning for its own sake is discussed, along with her intellectual vs. personal arguments, and her journey of picking battles that resonate deeply with her core values. The episode also covers the role of allyship, embracing kindness as a guiding principle, and the emotional and mental resilience required in her profession.
Time Stamps:
00:00 Intro
02:21 Who Are you?
3:05 What is a good human?
5:55 Interconnectedness/Math is Wrong
9:10 How did you discover interconnectedness?
12:17 Jane Goodall - You have to consider the different connectedness
15:45 Why was she drawn to Jane?
18:57 How to create sustainable activism? Learn about sustainable change through Jane?
23:18 Why is she a LA County Public Defender? The most impactful thing she can do?
28:27 Volunteering at Juvenile Hall - Children in Prison
33:25 Being in the Trenches
35:03 What was it like in Juvenile Detention?
42:03 What do you talk to them about?
55:37 The State of College in Today’s World
59:50 Hope’s Unique College Experience
1:04:37 Clothing Optional Dorm?
1:11:11 Picking your battles
1:25:37 Be Kind
1:28:43 What does winning/losing a court case feel like?
1:37:55 How do you handle a job where most of the time you lose?
1:44:06 What can you win when you lose?
1:51:13 What are the solutions?
1:56:25 Principles of Punishment
2:04:37 Hope’s Request of the Audience
