Post #267
850 words; 4 minutes to read
Post by volunteer graduate student Jada Lam
Summary: introduces 3 Canadian podcasts on criminal justice issues.
In a world where headlines often reduce complex legal issues to fleeting soundbites, understanding how justice truly operates in Canada has never been more crucial. While true crime stories captivate audiences with gripping tales of individual cases, they rarely peel back the curtain on the intricate machinery that keeps out justice system running. The administration of justice – the processes, institutions, and principles that uphold fairness and order – is the heartbeat of democracy. Yet, for many, it remains shrouded in mystery.
Enter a trio of Canadian podcasts that do more than narrate courtroom stories: they dissect, demystify, and humanize the systems that shape our collective pursuit of justice. For legal professionals, advocates, and curious citizens alike, these shows offer not just information, but revelation.
In All Fairness
Produced by the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice, In All Fairness has become a cornerstone for thoughtful legal discourse since its 2020 debut. With over 100 episodes, it invites judges, scholars, and advocates to incisively explore both broad systemic issues and nuanced aspects of legal practice in Canada, such as: How can we bridge gaps in access to legal aid? What does reconciliation mean for Indigenous legal traditions? What roles do cognitive and brain skills play in administrative justice?
This podcast shines brightest when it zooms in on the overlooked details that ripple into systemic change. Take the early episode Who’s Afraid of Plain Language?, with host Caroline Mandell in conversation with editor Iva Cheung and language expert Cheryl Stephens. They delve into the challenge and benefits of using plain language in legal writing. This episode transforms dry jargon into a rallying cry for clarity – proving that even small shifts, like simplifying language, can empower marginalized communities and produce positive long term consequences.
Recent episodes confront urgent crises head-on, from the toxic drug epidemic to mental health in prisons. Each episode feels like sitting in on a candid roundtable, where experts debate solutions without sugarcoating complexities.
The Every Lawyer
Launched in September 2018 by the Canadian Bar Association, The Every Lawyer is a bold step beyond conventional legal topics. Yes, it covers courtroom strategies and career advice, but its true power lies in spotlighting issues that rarely make headlines – yet shape lives irrevocably.
Consider the haunting episode The Violence Link in Practice, which uncovers a chilling connection: animal abuse as a precursor to domestic violence. Through Dr. Amy Fitzgerald’s research, listeners learn how a bruised pet can signal deeper household trauma – a revelation that redefines a lawyer’s role in safeguarding families. Other episodes delve into the mental health toll on legal professionals, or how social media reshapes public perception of law.
The Every Lawyer does not just inform; it unsettles. It reminds lawyers not to see their work as part of a broader tapestry of social justice, where every case carries echoes of systemic inequity. For listeners, it is a reminder that the administration of justice is not confined to courtrooms – it is woven into the fabric of everyday life.
Modern Law
For those craving real-time insights into Canada’s legal landscape, the Canadian Bar Association’s Modern Law delivers. Bilingual and briskly paced, this podcast dissects criminal justice policies and Supreme Court developments with the precision of a seasoned litigator. This podcast first stands out as it periodically provides comment on key decisions of the Supreme Court of Canada.
In 2025, it introduced a new series titled Verdicts and Voices, hosted by Alison Crawford. The 2025 Federal Election episode, for instance, strips away partisan rhetoric to examine proposed criminal justice reforms. What happens when campaign promises collide with constitutional rights? How do proposed laws ripple through courtrooms? By interviewing legal experts, this podcast points out the overlooked legal issues from the political debates during the campaign.
What sets this podcast apart is its knack for connecting theory with practice. Whether analyzing a high-profile trial or explaining how AI could transform court proceedings, it bridges the gap between legal ideals and on-the-ground realities. For anyone who wants to grasp not just how the system works, but where it is headed, Modern Law is essential listening.
Why These Podcasts Matter
In Canada, readily accessible resources that decode the justice system remain scarce. These podcasts fill that void – not with dry lectures, but with stories that resonate. They remind us that justice is not a static concept, but a living process shaped by countless voices: judges, lawyers, advocates, citizens, and more.
By tuning in, you join a community of informed thinkers. You gain tools to question assumptions, advocate for change, and hold power to account. In a democracy, this is not just a privilege – it is a responsibility.
Stay engaged. Stay curious. And stay tuned for our next exploration into other podcasts that demand to be heard – including podcasts featuring firsthand accounts from those who have experienced incarceration. The conversation is just beginning.
Direct links to the podcasts
In all Fairness: Apple Podcast, Spotify
The Every Lawyer: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Simplecast
Modern Law: Apple Podcast, Spotify, Simplecast
About this blog: The John Howard Canada blog is intended to support greater public understanding of criminal justice issues. Blog content does not necessarily represent the views of the John Howard Society of Canada. All blog material may be reproduced freely for any non-profit purpose as long as the source is acknowledged. We welcome comments (moderated). Contact: blogeditor@johnhoward.ca.
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