In this episode of TMN Creative Thinking, Dr. Osariemen Osaghae, an award-winning educator working with incarcerated young people, speaks with TMN creators Hasi Kapali and Emil Cinto about juvenile justice, education, mentorship and the importance of giving young people opportunities to change their futures.

Throughout the conversation, Dr. Osaghae discusses her experience teaching at a juvenile detention center and the challenges faced by students involved in the justice system. She explains how traditional education can sometimes fail to recognize students' individual needs and how repeated disciplinary actions, exclusion from school and a lack of support can contribute to a cycle that eventually leads some young people into the criminal justice system.

Dr. Osaghae also shares a personal experience with a student whose reputation had preceded him before he entered her classroom. Rather than accepting what others had told her about his behavior, she decided to give him an opportunity to demonstrate his potential. The experience illustrates how respect, expectations and the relationship between educators and students can influence behavior, even in difficult circumstances.

The conversation explores the responsibilities of educators beyond academic instruction. Dr. Osaghae explains why emotional support, understanding individual circumstances and treating students with dignity are essential parts of education. She also discusses the importance of maintaining high expectations while recognizing that young people may need different levels of guidance and support.

Reflecting on her own professional journey, Dr. Osaghae shares how she initially planned to pursue medicine before discovering her interest in educational psychology. She offers advice to young people who are uncertain about their career paths, encouraging them to explore their interests, recognize their abilities and understand that finding a meaningful profession can take time.

The interview also addresses the limitations of the juvenile detention system. Dr. Osaghae questions an approach centered primarily on punishment and discusses why rehabilitation, restorative practices and opportunities for reintegration could offer better outcomes for young people involved in the justice system.

Toward the end of the conversation, she shares advice for young creators and students pursuing internships, emphasizing the importance of learning from professional experiences, observing different leadership styles and finding mentors who can help guide their development.

The interview was conducted by TMN creators and Big Picture Learning Fellows Hasi Kapali and Emil Cinto during the Big Picture Learning Big Bang Conference 2026 in Dallas, Texas.

If you're interested in education, juvenile justice, mentorship and creating better opportunities for young people, this episode is for you.

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We create and share these conversations to explore how we learn, create, work together, and find our place in the creative industries. So if something in this episode made you think, helped you see something differently, or simply felt worth sharing — pass it on.

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