Free World

In Episode 11, our holiday special and the season finale of Free World's debut season, our hosts and production team chat about their experiences around the holiday season during and after incarceration. Exploring the hard times, the joy, and the unique traditions they built throughout their holidays inside those prison walls. Our hosts also take a look back at the past year and reflect on this very first season of Free World. Lessons were learned, friendships made, and ideas blossomed on how to make Free World even better in season 2. Thank you to all our guests and loyal listeners for an amazing first season!

In episode 10 you'll hear trailblazing ARC Member Celia Perez share her experience of surviving prison, finding her truest self, and her struggle with post-incarceration anxieties in every day life. Celia bonds with hosts Norma and Shone over shared reentry anxieties like overpasses, busses, and Chili's. They also explore different Free World problems like bills, healthcare, and sharing unique institutional experiences with family.

In Episode 9 of Free World, you'll hear from courageous ARC member Candice Lewis about family--as she explores with Norma and Shone her roles as mother, daughter, and friend. After being incarcerated for 14 years and surviving a life sentence, Candice talks candidly and beautifully about the effects prison had on her relationships and how she earned her freedom to be reunited with her son--and what it's like being back home. She'll also talk about leaving the family she made inside prison behind. There will be some laughs too, as Norma and Shone talk with Candice about paying bills.       

In Episode 8, you'll meet Rose Brown, one of the producers of Free World. Rose explores with deep empathy and heart who it is she left behind when she came home from prison after surviving a life sentence, including one of her mentors/friends who is serving a Life Without the Possibility of Parole (LWOP) sentence. She talks with love, care, and humor about what it's like to explore a relationship after incarceration and what the future has in store for her. Plus, you'll get to hear the voice and mind of one of our amazing Free World team members working behind the scenes!

In Episode 7, you'll hear from Alyssa Gallo, producer and editor of Free World. You'll hear her inspiring story of leaving prison in both literal and metaphorical senses. As a trans woman, Alyssa shares her lived experience with a deluge of truth and courage. You'll hear about the difficulties of living her authentic identity, one ultimately rooted in transformational power. You'll also get to know who has been behind the scenes on audio for the Free World team!

In Episode 6 of Free World, you'll meet ARC Member Blanca Ruiz-Thompson and hear her story of overcoming the cycles of violence and incarceration that has plagued so many families. Blanca's resilience and dedication to choosing love over violence and refusing to be distracted from her blessings, has made her into the incredible wife, mother, and advocate she is today. In the Free World Blanca's heart is with supporting and uplifting the children of incarcerated parents through organizing “Let's Kick it With the Kids” and her own non-profit Brianna's Closet. Brianna's Closet provides Mom's in need with blankets, beanies, and clothes for their children and surprise birthday parties for the children of incarcerated parents.

 In Episode 5 of Free World, you'll hear Pamela Thompson share her harrowing story about receiving a life sentence as a young woman. Listen in to how she came to terms with her stark reality, hear how she finally realized how much love she had in her community, and how it helped shape the strong woman she is today. Learn the difficulties of “Free World Problems” through Pam's journey into re-entry and discover that the worst day in the free world will always be better than the best day in prison.  

Episode 4 of Free World features the incomparable Rep. Tarra Simmons, the first formerly incarcerated state legislator in Washington state history. Rep. Simmons is an elected official, a lawyer, an advocate, a mother, and the Executive Director of the Civil Survival Project. In this episode, she details her incredible journey to the Washington state legislature to our hosts Norma and Shone. You'll hear how her time in prison and immediately following shaped her future, how she is a force for generational change, and about the things we don't always talk about for women in reentry.

In Episode 3 of Free World, you'll hear our very first guest Dolores Canales share her story of resilience through her journey on both sides of the walls. Dolores will guide you through the barriers that she navigated as she helped those inside and continues to advocate for the women and men that she feels so passionately about. You'll hear about the challenges she faced, turning herself into custody, and finding shared strength with a young boy who taught her to enjoy the ride. An ARC member, Dolores Canales is the Community Outreach Director for The Bail Project. Previously a Soros Justice Fellow, Dolores is the co-founder of California Families Against Solitary Confinement and worked as a youth coordinator for the Orangewood Children's Foundation. She is the founder of Family UnIty Network and serves on the board of National Council of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls. Dolores brings a wealth of leadership experience in organizing with those personally affected by incarceration, drawing from her own experiences as well as having a family member who is incarcerated. She currently serves as The Director for the National Network of Solitary Survivors and Families project and advocates to end the use of solitary confinement.

In Episode 2 of Free World, you'll learn from Norma and Shone about their journey before prison and what it was like not knowing if they'd ever come home. Norma will share what it was like to have such a young son while incarcerated and our two hosts will discuss their pathway to freedom. Plus, you'll hear about the hilarious and unusual parts about reentering society after so much time away.

In the debut episode of FREE WORLD, you'll jump right in with our hosts Norma and Shone as they take you through some of their first days in prison, the dehumanization within our prison system, and the stigmas of coming home. There will be some laughs, too, especially as it concerns the creation of the 210 freeway. Together, Norma and Shone have experienced 40 years of incarceration but are home and free, thriving.

In this introduction, you'll hear from our hosts Norma and Shone about what to expect in the debut season of Free World, a podcast presented by the Anti-Recidivism Coalition.  FREE WORLD is a podcast about women reconstructing their lives after incarceration. In this series we hear stories from women and non-binary individuals about the ways prison tears at the bonds of family, the triumphs of resilient human beings, and what's it like to put a life back together in freedom.