Going Big with Aditi Goel and David Carroll: Taking On America’s Hidden Justice Crisis

In this episode of Going Big!, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Aditi Goel and David Carroll, the executive director and founder of the Sixth Amendment Center, to explore one of the most misunderstood crises in American law: the failure of many local courts to provide legal counsel to people who can’t afford it. Though the Constitution guarantees the right to an attorney, millions of Americans are being prosecuted, sentenced, and even jailed without ever speaking to one. In lower courts, the right to counsel often doesn't exist.  Goel and Carroll share their journey of building the only national organization dedicated solely to this problem. Their unique, nonpartisan model partners directly with states to identify structural gaps, uncover unintentional violations, and help governments meet their constitutional obligations without litigation. This episode offers a sobering look at what’s broken in America’s criminal justice system—and an inspiring path toward fixing it. If you care about civil liberties, smart governance, and how to go big with focused mission-driven work, this conversation is essential.