Follow up on #123 (the one on DUIs): Can you tell us more about Olivia's state of denial?
In episode 123, between minutes 9 and 11, Olivia says a combination of meds and not wanting to know kept her from finding out what happened the night she drove while intoxicated and ended up killing several people. But she was in a prison ward of a hospital, complete with bars separating her from visitors. I'm very surprised that she was able to keep herself from questioning her situation and that no hospital staff ended up telling her what happened. Did she say anything more about this that you didn't end up including in the episode? This is the first time, after listening to dozens of episodes, that you didn't ask all the questions that I would have liked to ask. Or maybe you did ask, but she didn't have any more answers than what you included.
Talent Envy
What's one talent you wish you had? I've always wanted to be able to sing (and dance) better than I do. Tam's beautiful voice and guitar playing on today's episode made me think about this. Thanks, as always, to the EH team for your gorgeous, heartwrenching storytelling! Kirsten (from Milwaukee)
Ear Hustle in other countries
How different would Ear Hustle be if you were to produce to in prisons in other countries? What do you think makes this show typically American? I am Ditjola and I listen from Zurich, Switzerland. Listening to your show has been such an experience. When I discovered it about 2 years ago I literaly "breathed" all the seasons in :D I am always a little sad when you are on a break because my podcast life gets less exciting. Please do consider a Europen tour, or just a Swiss tour :P
Regularly Featuring Justice Involved Women
I LOVED hearing the voices of women at CCWF and CIW. Women are the fastest growing incarcerated population and easily forgotten by the general public as well as many program providers and advocates in part because they are a small (~10%) proportion of the total incarcerated population. Because the pathways to and experiences of incarceration are very different for justice-involved men and women, the contrast as well as similarities in their stories is really important and would be compelling for listeners. What are your plans to more regularly feature women and their stories?
Envelope art
When I was a kid my dad was in and out of prisons across California (but mostly San Quentin). This was throughout the 90’s. I remember for birthdays he would mail my siblings and i letters that had elaborate color pencil drawings on the envelope- Mickey Mouse or other cartoon characters- always in colored pencil. Is this still common in San Quentin today or has the internet/technology changed this practice? And why colored pencil only? Thanks!
Incarceration in Media
Hi Ear Hustle Team! I feel like I'm constantly wondering about the portrayal of incarcerated people and prisons in various forms of media. Is it challenging for either of you to watch shows or movies that revolve around incarceration as the end goal for the "bad guy?" Does that type of programming usually have any type of nuance or does it feel reductive in terms of "good vs bad?" Thanks for all you do and keep up the good work! -Emma W from Massachusetts
Commutation - does it happen more often in California?
I’m listening to Ear Hustle Plus episode about Ant Ammon. I really like these “where are they now?” episodes. He’s another person whose sentence was commuted. He was a young offender and he took advantage of the programs offered and learned to make better choices. Are you aware of another state that commutes sentences as often or more California? Or another state with prison programs meant to break the cycle of people offending again? Thanks, Elizabeth Gardner See you in Austin, TX!
Stigma
I live in London and work with a lot of people who have dependency, addiction and associated issues. Stigma - amongst friends and families, in communities, and in systems - is never far from the surface and so hard to address. I believe Ear Hustle has done more to address stigma around people with prison experience globally than anything that has gone before. Was this always part of the plan and baked into the approach from the start, or has it emerged as one of the benefits of your extraordinary show as time has passed? Sending love and respect from the UK, Henry.
For Ears that Don't Hustle
Our household are big Ear Hustle fans, and recently my partner was at dinner with a friend and his wife touting the show's praise about your episode on popular books in prison. The friend's wife got uncomfortable and stated that she could never listen to Ear Hustle—her dad used to work at San Quentin (as what, we don't know). She explained that she and her family were always terrified he'd go into work and not come back. My partner felt this was close minded of her, but I felt more understanding that personal experiences can make the show hard to listen to for some. I know you have gotten complaints from listeners at times for the controversial contents of the show, but have you ever encountered anyone who says they straight up won't listen to Ear Hustle because of their personal experiences? What do you say to those people? And what might you say to our friends wife?
Two questions for Nigel and Earlonne
My name is Marion, and I'm in Cleveland, Ohio. I have two questions: 1. In the episode about volunteers in prisons, you mentioned that there are concerns about incarcerated people and volunteers becoming too close or too intimate with each other, not just as romantic partners but even as friends. I wondered if this was ever a concern for Nigel and Earlonne when he was still inside. Did you feel like you had to be careful not to get too close or did people ever warn you about this? Was it easier to develop your friendship once Earlonne was out? 2. I am a college writing instructor, and I wish that my students were as thoughtful and reflective as many of the people you interview! Do you think there is something about being in prison that makes people think and reflect more deeply, or is that just a characteristic of the specific people you choose to interview and use on the podcast?
Differences between men and women on The Row
First I would like to thank the whole Ear Hustle Team for putting on such an insightful and profound podcast over the years. I have been an avid listener since the first year and turn have the pod on to many people, including some who have had very rough lives and found various episodes to be therapeutic and validating. My comments and question are in response to your 3 part series interviewing men and women who were condemned and the followup discussion. The interviews were super interesting, eye opening, and inspiring, for me. I found it sad you had to spend so much time discussing comments regarding why you gave credence to people who did such "horrible" crimes. As Earlonne said years ago, something to the effect of, "You are not your worst deed," so move on. What struck me from that series, and still sits with me, is the differences between how men and women treated one another on The Row. You touched on the impacts and differences based on the number of inmates on The Row and being isolated vs in a group. But there also seems to be very fundamental gender-based differences in how they dealt with such intense situations. What are your views about the fundamental, or innate, differences between how men and women on The Row treated one another and dealt with community, and does it reflect society (humanity) in the bigger picture?
Earlonne’s Personal Life
I somehow have the recollection that Earlonne was together with a formerly incarcerated woman. The romantic in me wants to know if this is true and if she is the woman with whom he has created the lovely and impressive twins … Regardless of whether he should choose to open his personal life to our awareness, I am over the moon that he has curated a life so fully rounded with experiences and realities that suit him; the ability and willingness to make the investments and sacrifices necessary to build such a life is rare in folks who have every advantage, especially in their early years. Earlonne, you have risen so beautifully above such limiting circumstances and are an exquisite testament to the resilience of the human spirit. You inspire me to believe that everyone is capable of finding joy and beauty and growth.
Ear Hustle super fan!
Hi Erlonne, Nigel, Bruce and everyone making this happen! I have listened to you all since the beginning and I love the work you do and your engaging and thought provoking podcasts! I have 2 questions. 1) I am a non tenure track instructor at Montana State University (MSU) and I teach in the community health department. I love to incorporate podcasts and other learning into my classes. I teach a human response to stress class and a drugs and society class and a foundations/intro class (among others) and I wonder if you have any recommendations on episodes that might go well with those topics? (I know I didn't give a lot of background on the class b/c I want to keep it short, but they are basically what the titles are) I try to focus on a multiple perspectives in both classes and we do cover impacts of incarceration and racism and drugs and addiction in the drug class. I have incorporated the war on drugs podcast, Dr. Carl Hart and more. Also, would you ever want to do virtual lecture/talk for my class??? :) That would be amazing!! 2) My step dad was incarcerated at San Quentin on Death Row in 1989. He committed suicide in (aprox) 2008. I started listening to EH originally b/c of the connection and my family doesn't like to talk about him or that time in our lives. He was also in and out of Orange County lock up when I was a kid. I have the letters he wrote me when I was a kid and teenager. I was wondering if there is a way that I could find out more about his time there? Do you think a FOIA request would work? Unfortunately, my mom does not talk about him (too emotional) and my grandma is 91 so I don't really want to dig into all of it when I am around her. If you have any advice for me, I would appreciate it. The 2 episodes on death row were so so moving for me. I could only imagine what it might have been like for him there. I also kept listening if any of the guys mentioned him but they didn't. Thank you ALL for everything you do!! If there is ever any way I could get more involved or if you want to visit beautiful Montana you have a place to stay! ~Katie DesLauriers
Neurodivergent life in prisons
Many incarcerated people are neurodivergent and have learning difficulties but are undiagnosed and unsupported in UK prisons. We have been thinking about this and would like to know if this also happens in America. Lucy & Phoebe (Mother and daughter listening from East Sussex, England)
Reentry
Hi! I’m Mabel Scroggins - I’ve listened to your podcast since 2021 but have never submitted a question. I listen from the Chicago area! #1: I am always very interested in the episodes about reentry and I know you have touched on it before, but I’m curious: What are some practical ways we, as a society, can better support people when they are released from prison, beyond just finding them a job? For example, I am an elementary school teacher. What could someone like me do to help, if anything? There is so much stigma around incarcerated people being released and as an EH listener I’ve learned how much people change in prison (whether through programs like the ones in San Quentin, just growing with age, mentorships, etc.) #2: I find myself incredibly emotional as I listen to the Camp Grace episodes. I have had multiple students with incarcerated parents and always find myself wishing I could do more for them, but it is such a heavy & difficult topic. I’m curious, how do you think prison systems could better support the emotional well-being of children who have incarcerated parents? And what can schools/educators do to better support these kiddos? Thank you!! I love you guys and you feel like my family!!!