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/

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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.

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

Website

LinkedIn

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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.

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.

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.