Podcasts about incarceration

On this week's episode we start by discussing the new update to Who Cares, which is The Imprint's project on foster care capacity data around the country, and how it connects to the Trump administration's central child welfare goal for the president's second term. We also review some recent Trump administration actions related to LGBTQ youth in foster care, and what some recent research on juvenile detention and congregate care suggests about mental health services for youth. Reading RoomWho Cares Projecthttps://fostercarecapacity.com/The Latest on A Home for Every Childhttps://imprintnews.org/youth-services-insider/latest-a-home-for-every-child/271534Mapping A Home for Every Child: Where Do States Stand?https://bit.ly/4716Gq0ACF is Rescinding Biden-Era Rule on LGBTQ Foster Care Placementshttps://bit.ly/3PcoZCvTrump Appointee Demands States Roll Back Foster Parenting Rules That Aim to Protect LGBTQ+ Youthhttps://bit.ly/47xLA2EFeds Warn States: Family Gender Disputes Should Not Lead to Child Welfare Caseshttps://bit.ly/3PmDfZoTrump Administration Slashes Number of Regulatory Guidance Docs at ACFhttps://bit.ly/3P2KJATBipartisan Report Raises Alarm Over Widespread Incarceration of Children With Mental Health Needshttps://bit.ly/4sKSeLdIn Many States, Federal Funding Restrictions on Foster Care Group Facilities Has Not Reduced Placementshttps://bit.ly/4sLerbWHHS Should Clarify Guidance on State Spending for Congregate Carehttps://files.gao.gov/reports/GAO-26-107592/index.htmlMichigan Lawmakers and Boarding School Survivors Speak Out on Shelved Indian Boarding School Reporthttps://bit.ly/3NAeFnrFor Centuries, Native Women Have Been Told to ‘Trust the Doctor.' The Results Have Been Disastrous.https://bit.ly/40xAJCcBirth Justice: The Fight for Reproductive Freedom in Indian Countryhttps://bit.ly/3N7X85YNY Judges Greenlight Class-Action Lawsuit on Behalf of Children Denied Foster Placement With Relativeshttps://bit.ly/4sQf5VSAmid Outcry, Foster Youth Advocate Detained by ICEhttps://imprintnews.org/special-series/amid-outcry-foster-youth-advocate-detained-by-iceYouth Sound Off: Foster Youth Speak Out on ICE's Attacks in Minnesotahttps://bit.ly/4uOoPBR

A new report from The Marshall Project reveals that the daily number of kids in ICE detention has increased sixfold under the second Trump administration. In this episode of Rattling the Bars, host Mansa Musa speaks with Shannon Heffernan and Anna Flagg of The Marshall Project about the the human cost of Trump's mass deportation campaign, and about the horrifying reality inside the South Texas Family Processing Center—the "black box" facility in Dilley, TX, where children are subjected to substandard food, medical deprivation, and prolonged detention beyond legal limits.Guests:Anna Flagg is a senior data reporter at The Marshall Project and works with data to report on detention, deaths in custody, crime, race, policing and immigration. Her reporting has appeared in The Marshall Project, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, ProPublica, Politico, The Guardian, The Associated Press, Al Jazeera, and others.Shannon Heffernan is a staff writer at The Marshall Project whose work focuses on prisons and jails across the US, as well as sexual and gender-based violence, immigration and mental health, and how arts and culture shape (and are shaped by) crime and punishment.Additional links/info:Anna Flagg & Shannon Heffernan, The Marshall Project, “‘Why is this happening to us?' Daily number of kids in ICE detention jumps 6x under Trump”Maximillian Alvarez, TRNN, “Texas' one-of-a-kind concentration camp for children and families”Credits:Producer / Videographer / Editor: Cameron GranadinoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!

Jeff Korzenik, the chief economist at a major US bank, explains how predicting a labor shortage in the US led him to discover the growing movement around "second chance" hiring of people with criminal records.  His passion for this work led him to write "Untapped Talent," a book that explains to companies the benefits of this type of hiring and offers a blueprint of how best to do it.  Jeff describes how second chance hiring can transform lives and communities.    Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Jeff Korzenik's Work  This chapter introduces Jeff Korzenik, Chief Economist and author of Untapped Talent, highlighting his unique background as a bank executive focused on hiring people with criminal records.   03:14 From Economics to Second Chances  Jeff Korzenik explains how his work on second-chance hiring evolved from his economic research into labor force challenges, initially focusing on the opioid epidemic.   05:51 The Staggering Numbers of Incarceration  Jeff outlines the immense scale of incarceration and criminal records in the United States, emphasizing how the U.S. is an outlier globally.   09:05 Creating Hope in Prison Jeff discusses the inherent unfairness of a system where a prison sentence can become a life sentence due to employment discrimination. He shares how his book, 'Untapped Talent,' is distributed to incarcerated individuals to instill hope and remind them that they are a valuable resource, not a burden, through the generous support of others.  14:15 Employer Barriers and Solutions  Jeff addresses the common objections employers have to hiring individuals with criminal records: safety/liability, employee quality, and reputation risk. He explains that these concerns are valid but manageable through intelligent, business-based decisions, advocating for transparent and supportive hiring practices.  17:55 The Loyalty of Second Chance Hires  Jeff highlights that successful second-chance hiring relies on traditional hiring models, adapted to understand and support candidates with criminal records.   23:23 Virtuous Cycle of Success  Jeff explains the 'snowballing effect' of success in second-chance hiring, where companies known for fair chance employment receive high-quality referrals and build strong community relationships.   26:08 Empathy and Boundaries in Hiring  Jeff advocates for people to visit prisons to humanize the incarcerated and understand their experiences.   33:28 Challenges Post-Release and 'Ban the Box'  Jeff illustrates the immense hurdles individuals face immediately after release from prison, from securing basic necessities to navigating a changed world with minimal support. He explains why state-mandated 'ban the box' policies have often been ineffective, and instead suggests that voluntary removal of the box by truly committed employers sends a powerful, positive signal to job seekers.  39:17 Impact on Fellow Employees and Society  Jeff discusses how to integrate second-chance hires into a company's workforce, emphasizing that transparency and context are key to addressing potential employee concerns.   43:43 Untapped Potential and Future Optimism  Jeff expresses immense optimism about the future of second-chance hiring, despite being in the very early stages of leveraging this vast talent pool.   49:10 Resources and Multi-Generational Impact  Jeff provides resources for companies interested in second-chance hiring, including the Second Chance Business Coalition and SHRM's 'Getting Talent Back to Work' certification. He underscores the profound multi-generational benefits of fair chance employment, emphasizing its role in breaking cycles of incarceration and fostering a virtuous cycle of community safety and economic prosperity. 

Steeve Marchand talks about the effects of prison programs on behavior. "Prison Rehabilitation Programs and Recidivism: Evidence from Variations in Availability" by William Arbour, Guy Lacroix, and Steeve Marchand. OTHER RESEARCH WE DISCUSS IN THIS EPISODE: “Thinking, fast and slow? Some field experiments to reduce crime and dropout in Chicago" by Sara B. Heller, Anuj K. Shah, Jonathan Guryan, Jens Ludwig, Sendhil Mullainathan, and Harold A. Pollack. “Does incarceration length affect labor market outcomes?” by Rasmus Landersø. “Incarceration, recidivism, and employment" by Manudeep Bhuller, Gordon B. Dahl, Katrine V. Løken, and Magne Mogstad. “Tough on young offenders: Harmful or helpful?” by Giulia Lotti. “Leave the door open? Prison conditions and recidivism" by Giovanni Mastrobuoni and Daniele Terlizzese. “Do better prisons reduce recidivism? Evidence from a prison construction program" by Santigo Tobón. “'Something Works' in U.S. Jails: Misconduct and Recidivism Effects of the IGNITE Program” by Marcella Alsan, Arkey Barnett, Peter Hull, and Crystal Yang. Probable Causation Episode 113: Peter Hull "Can prisons move people into better jobs? A look at correctional vocational training programs and sectoral employment outcomes" by Britte van Tiem. "Can Recidivism Be Prevented From Behind Bars? Evidence From a Behavioral Program" by William Arbour. Probable Causation Episode 102: William Arbour "Encouraging Desistance from Crime" by Jennifer Doleac. Want more? Check out my new book! The Science of Second Chances: A Revolution in Criminal Justice is available now.

Voices from Inside 3/10/26: Mean Girls @ NHS w/ Dave Grout & Ruby Ferrari – performing/singing LIVE in studio! Rep Particia Duffy: the Protect Act – restraining ICE in Mass. Hadley School Super Anne McKenzie: school budget crises. Mass Review Ex Ed Britt Rusert: the Incarceration and Family issue - inside the razor wire. Talkin Baseball w/ Duke Goldman: Spring training, World Baseball Classic, balls & strikes.

Voices from Inside 3/10/26: Mean Girls @ NHS w/ Dave Grout & Ruby Ferrari – performing/singing LIVE in studio! Rep Particia Duffy: the Protect Act – restraining ICE in Mass. Hadley School Super Anne McKenzie: school budget crises. Mass Review Ex Ed Britt Rusert: the Incarceration and Family issue - inside the razor wire. Talkin Baseball w/ Duke Goldman: Spring training, World Baseball Classic, balls & strikes.

Voices from Inside 3/10/26: Mean Girls @ NHS w/ Dave Grout & Ruby Ferrari – performing/singing LIVE in studio! Rep Particia Duffy: the Protect Act – restraining ICE in Mass. Hadley School Super Anne McKenzie: school budget crises. Mass Review Ex Ed Britt Rusert: the Incarceration and Family issue - inside the razor wire. Talkin Baseball w/ Duke Goldman: Spring training, World Baseball Classic, balls & strikes.

Voices from Inside 3/10/26: Mean Girls @ NHS w/ Dave Grout & Ruby Ferrari – performing/singing LIVE in studio! Rep Patricia Duffy: the Protect Act – restraining ICE in Mass. Hadley School Super Anne McKenzie: school budget crises. Mass Review Ex Ed Britt Rusert: the Incarceration and Family issue - inside the razor wire. Talkin Baseball w/ Duke Goldman: Spring training, World Baseball Classic, balls & strikes.

Voices from Inside 3/10/26: Mean Girls @ NHS w/ Dave Grout & Ruby Ferrari – performing/singing LIVE in studio! Rep Particia Duffy: the Protect Act – restraining ICE in Mass. Hadley School Super Anne McKenzie: school budget crises. Mass Review Ex Ed Britt Rusert: the Incarceration and Family issue - inside the razor wire. Talkin Baseball w/ Duke Goldman: Spring training, World Baseball Classic, balls & strikes.

Welcome to What I Know Now, a Podcast by The Delta Project. In this episode, we dive into the realities of reimagining the juvenile justice system with special guest Liz Frederick, Executive Director of Avenues for Justice. Hosted by Cole Williams, this conversation explores the transformative impact of community-based alternatives to incarceration, the importance of wraparound support for youth and their families, and the power of lived experience in advocacy.Through personal stories and deep insights, Liz Frederick shares her nearly 20-year journey at Avenues for Justice, highlighting how the program not only serves court-involved youth but also their siblings and at-risk peers. Together, Cole Williams and Liz Frederick tackle tough questions about systemic barriers, trauma, and the need for true safe spaces—both physical and virtual. They discuss breaking the cycle of generational incarceration, investing in holistic services from education to job readiness, and why lasting change means supporting both young people and their families.If you're passionate about justice reform, mentorship, and grassroots solutions, this episode will challenge, inspire, and inform you. Tune in to hear how resilience, leadership, and community drive meaningful progress for youth in the juvenile justice system,and what more we can do moving forward.

This week Julie and Chriss are joined by Holly Bot. Currently an IT Solution Architect at Bot Consulting LLC, Holly found her life tragically detoured in 2010 with a long prison sentence. In this episode we catch up on Holly's life and her recent experience being wrongfully arrested and held for two months.Holly is an award winning writer, podcaster, biblical counselor, and published author. She desires to encourage and inspire listeners and readers.Listen to Holly's previous episodes with You Need a CounselorMental Health and Incarceration: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/dKWnkafjd1bParenting from Prison: https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/P5BPY9ejd1bTo start behavioral or mental health services in Iowa call Heart and Solutions at (800) 531-4236. Connect with HollyWebsite: https://hollybot.me/Podcast: https://hollybot.me/podcasts/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holly.aho.14Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt2R_12DoxQaKrXo7c7IVLwGoing back to school - parenting from prisonConnect with Heart and Solutions online at:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2dWKD6TenIMIC76ctq21YNYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPmrcmi5HUINpWEjHfHzTnQ/featuredPodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/YouNeedaCounselorHeart and Solutions Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeartandsolutionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/you_need_a_counselor/Web: http://www.heartandsolutions.net

Join the Hey U! team as they sit down with U of U student, Sylia Olive. She discusses her professional career, offers advice to current students, and emphasizes the importance of mentors throughout your academic journey!

Michael Alig "The Party Monster" was an American club promoter who was convicted of felony manslaughter, along with his buddy "Freeze". He was one of the ringleaders of the Club Kids, a group of young New York City clubgoers who became a cultural phenomenon in the late 1980s and early 1990s.  Check out our other shows!: Cryptic Soup w/ Thena & Kylee Strange & Unexplained True Crime Guys YouTube EVERYTHING TRUE CRIME GUYS:   https://linktr.ee/Truecrimeguysproductions True Crime Guys Music: True Crime Guys Music on Spotify OhMyGaia.com Code: Crimepine Patreon.com/truecrimeguys Patreon.com/sandupodcast Merch: truecrimeguys.threadless.com   Sources: Book: "Chambers Of Horror: Monstrous Crimes of Incarceration"  

The traveling exhibition “Resilience - A Sansei Sense of Legacy” brings an artistic lens to the forced incarceration of an estimated 120,000 Japanese Americans — about two-thirds of whom were U.S. citizens — following President Roosevelt's Executive Order 9066. Featuring the work of third-generation Japanese American artists, the exhibition explores the effects of that wartime injustice and connects it to the present day. The St. Louis showing of “Resilience” includes pieces by longtime Alton, Illinois resident and SIUE graduate Arthur Towata. To explore local connections to the legacy of WWII Japanese American internment, we speak with Wendy Roll, president of the Japanese American Citizens League - St. Louis; Amy Ozawa, Arthur Towata's niece and executor of his estate; and Kristine Aono, WashU graduate and one of the artists whose work is part of the “Resilience” exhibition's core collection.

What if your hardest chapter became the foundation of your greatest influence? In this powerful and unfiltered conversation, Lora Tomlinson shares her journey from small-town athlete to addiction, incarceration, and ultimately, transformation. After serving 7 and a half years in federal prison for substance-related charges, Lora experienced a moment of clarity that changed everything. Instead of allowing her past to define her, she chose to take responsibility, do the internal work, and build a life rooted in purpose. Today, Lora is the CEO of a substance abuse treatment center, a licensed professional, and a leader committed to helping others see their potential — often before they can see it themselves. In this episode, we explore: • The moment in prison that sparked real change • Why leadership begins with vulnerability and integrity • How taking care of your team creates true impact • The power of support systems in recovery and in life • Why “a bad day doesn't make a bad life” Lora's story is a reminder that change is uncomfortable — but necessary for growth. Her honesty, compassion, and commitment to serving others demonstrate that our past does not disqualify us. In many cases, it becomes the very thing that equips us to lead. If you or someone you love is navigating a difficult season, this conversation will remind you that transformation is possible — and that leaning in and asking for help can change everything. Listen in and be inspired to keep showing up, leading, and growing — one day at a time.

After overcoming addiction and rebuilding her life around motherhood, a woman's world is shattered when her son kills her daughter, forcing her to grieve one child while fighting to protect the other and learning how to survive an unbearable moral and emotional divide. Today's episode featured Charity Lee. If you'd like to email Charity, you can reach her at bawmedia@gmail.com. You can also find her on Facebook @IAmCharityLee Charity has authored a book entitled, How Now, Butterfly? A Memoir of Murder, Survival, and Transformation, available where books are sold. Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits Content/Trigger Warnings: Child abuse and neglect, Domestic violence, Substance abuse and addiction, Suicide and suicide attempts, Self-harm, Child homicide, Graphic violence, Intrafamilial violence, Mental illness, Incarceration and juvenile detention, Grief and traumatic loss, Emotional abuse, Parental abandonment, Trauma and PTSD, Near-death experience / overdose, Religious and spiritual distress, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.com Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at wondery.com/plus Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop. Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com Intro Music: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott VelasquezMusic Bed: Salib (SAL) - Tension Underscore 33 A ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources: National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988 National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

     Slam The Gavel podcast host, Maryann Petri discussed the article written by Justin McPhail, on 2-12-2026, "One Question Family Court Contempt Practice Cannot Survive." The discussion involved "Purge Amounts" and imputed incomes as well as how judges ILLEGALLY INFLATE Child Support Arrearages.To Reach Maryann Petri:  dismantlingfamilycourtcorruption.comTo Reach Justin McPhail:  Substack/justinmcphail@att.netSupportshow(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/maryannpetri)Maryann Petri: dismantlingfamilycourtcorruption.comhttps://www.tiktok.com/@maryannpetriFacebook:  https://youtube.com/@slamthegavelpodcast?si=INW9XaTyprKsaDklhttps://substack.com/@maryannpetri?r=kd7n6&utm_medium=iosInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/guitarpeace/Pinterest: Slam The Gavel Podcast/@guitarpeaceLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryann-petri-62a46b1ab/  Twitter https://x.com/PetriMaryannEzlegalsuit.com   https://ko-fi.com/maryannpetrihttps://www.zazzle.com/store/slam_the_gavel/aboout*DISCLAIMER* The use of this information is at the viewer/user's own risk. Content on this podcast does not constitute legal, financial, medical or any other professional advice. Viewer/user/guest should consult with the relevant professionals. IRS CIRCULAR 230 DISCLOSURE: To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the Internal Revenue Service, we inform you that any U.S. federal tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (1) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (2) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein. Reproduction, distribution, performing, publicly displaying and making a derivative of the work is explicitly prohibited without permission from content creator. The content creator maintains the exclusive copyright and any unauthorized copyright usage is strictly prohibited.  Podcast is protected by owner from duplication, reproduction, distribution, making a derivative of the work or by owner displaying the podcast. Owner shall be held harmless and indemnified from any and all legal liability.Support the showSupportshow(https://www.buymeacoffee.com/maryannpetri)http://www.dismantlingfamilycourtcorruption.com/

[REBROADCAST FROM Dec. 8, 2025] A new documentary chronicles the journey of Tim Johnson, a former Super Bowl Champion turned pastor whose faith inspired him to minister to incarcerated men on Rikers Island. Kayla Johnson, the film's director and Tim's daughter, discusses "Fatherless No More," which is nominated for Outstanding Documentary (Film) at this year's NAACP Image Awards.

Forward Radio's proud community partner, the Greater Louisville Sierra Club (https://sierraclub.org/kentucky)organized this February program, focused on Central Appalachia as a central site of mass incarceration. Called "Cages in the Coalfields: Development, Criminalization, and Incarceration in Central Appalachia," it was held Feb 17, 2026 at 7:00pm at Crescent Hill Community Ministries (150 State St.) Central Appalachia is home to 16 prisons; there are 8 prisons alone in Eastern Kentucky, where full and overcrowded jails extend the expansive carceral geography to the local level. While these institutions reflect our national and state investment in criminalization and punitive sentencing policies, they also serve as rural development projects bound in various ways to the decline of coal. From calls for rural jobs in corrections to prisons built on mountaintop removal sites to jails as revenue strategies, the carceral expansion in the region must be understood as a response to multiple crises. This talk, by justice studies scholar and Sierra Club Executive Committee member Judah Schept, examines both the crises and the ways that prisons and jails have responded, as well as the work of the "Building Community Not Prisons" coalition to stop the construction of FCI Letcher (Federal Correctional Institution), the newest prison planned for the region. Judah Schept is a Professor in the School of Justice Studies at Eastern Kentucky University. He is the author of Coal, Cages, Crisis: The Rise of the Prison Economy in Central Appalachia (New York University Press, 2022) and Progressive Punishment: Job Loss, Jail Growth, and the Neoliberal Logic of Carceral Expansion (New York University Press, 2015). He is co-editor of The Jail is Everywhere: Fighting the New Geography of Mass Incarceration (Verso Books, 2024). On Truth to Power each week, we gather people from around the community to discuss the state of the world, the nation, the state, and the city! It's a community conversation like you won't hear anywhere else! Truth to Power airs every Friday at 9pm, Saturday at 11am, and Sunday at 4pm on Louisville's grassroots, community radio station, Forward Radio 106.5fm WFMP and live streams at https://www.forwardradio.org

This year, we hear from the creators of the five films nominated for the Academy Award for best feature documentary. Today, Andrew Jarecki and Charlotte Kaufman talk about their film "The Alabama Solution," which documents abuses in the Alabama state prison system using cellphone footage recorded by incarcerated men over several years. "The Alabama Solution," photograph by Courtesy of HBO.   

Political scientist Adam Carrington talks about the things that are underappreciated in lawmaking today and how we define cruel and unusual punishment. Carmen shares about the significance of Ramadan for Muslims around the world and where Christians can engage with aspects of Lunar New Year. The Reconnect with Carmen and all Faith Radio podcasts are made possible by your support. Give now: Click here

Bill Crews speaks with Professor Karleen Gribble from the University of Western Sydney on The impact of incarceration on children.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian From speaks with Heather Rice-Minus, the president and CEO of Prison Fellowship, as they celebrate the organization's 50th anniversary. They discuss the mission of Prison Fellowship, its founding by Chuck Colson, the spiritual revivals occurring within prisons, and the future initiatives aimed at supporting incarcerated individuals and their families. Heather emphasizes the importance of church involvement in these efforts and the holistic approach Prison Fellowship takes to address the complexities of crime and incarceration.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sac City Unified's superintendent steps down amidst budget crisis. Also, the impact of wolf attacks in the North State. Finally, a Roseville author's children's book about her Japanese-American grandfather's incarceration during WWII.

PJ hears about the new plans Penneys have for Patrick St, gets help choosing good Valentines gifts, hears many prisoners should get psychiatric treatment not jail. And more... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For NSP 73 we spoke with Victoria Law about mass incarceration, COVID-19 in prisons, counterproductive reform, abolition, and more. Victoria Law is a journalist and author who writes about incarceration, resistance and gender. Her most recent book is Corridors of Contagion: How the Pandemic Exposed the Cruelties of Incarceration. Links: https://victorialaw.net https://truthout.org/authors/victoria-law https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2447-corridors-of-contagion https://bsky.app/profile/victorialaw.bsky.social Chapters: 00:00:00 Introduction 00:11:17 Political and Politicized Prisoners 00:14:06 Reforming Treatment of Prisoners 00:25:53 Kalief Browder and Rikers Island 00:41:55 Clemency 00:49:51 Corridors of Contagion 00:59:59 American Carceral Mythos 01:09:47 Looking Forward 01:22:19 The Goal of Abolitionism 01:27:22 Lighting Round and Outro Thanks for listening! Please like, comment, subscribe, and share! --- If you'd like to see more anarchist and anti-authoritarian interviews, please consider supporting this project financially by becoming a patron at https://www.patreon.com/nonserviammedia Follow Non Serviam Media Collective on: Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/nonserviammedia.bsky.social Mastodon https://kolektiva.social/@nonserviammedia As well as Facebook, Instagram, and Threads. Connect with Lucy Steigerwald via: https://bsky.app/profile/lucystag.bsky.social https://mastodon.social/@LucyStag https://lucysteigerwald.substack.com/

Judge Brian Jackson of the U.S. District Court has certified a class action lawsuit against Angola Prison on behalf of men forced to perform punitive farm labor under unconstitutional conditions and in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under this ruling, the court certified two specific groups: a primary class encompassing all persons currently or potentially assigned to the Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) Farm Line, and a specialized subclass for those with disabilities assigned to the same labor. In his findings, Judge Jackson noted that nearly every individual arriving at the facility is assigned to the Farm Line upon entry, with the majority remaining at risk of reassignment as a disciplinary measure.Guest:Samantha Pourciau is a Senior Staff Attorney at The Promise of Justice Initiative based out of New Orleans, Louisiana.Credits:Host: Mansa MusaProducer / Videographer / Post-Production: Cameron Granadino Resource links:https://promiseofjustice.org/news/incarcerated-farm-line-workers-win-class-certificationhttps://therealnews.com/prisoners-sue-over-inhumane-conditions-on-angolas-brutal-farm-linehttps://therealnews.com/prison-farms-and-agricarceral-slave-laborhttps://therealnews.com/louisiana-still-imprisons-people-convicted-by-jim-crow-juries Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!

Judge Brian Jackson of the U.S. District Court has certified a class action lawsuit against Angola Prison on behalf of men forced to perform punitive farm labor under unconstitutional conditions and in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Under this ruling, the court certified two specific groups: a primary class encompassing all persons currently or potentially assigned to the Louisiana State Penitentiary (LSP) Farm Line, and a specialized subclass for those with disabilities assigned to the same labor. In his findings, Judge Jackson noted that nearly every individual arriving at the facility is assigned to the Farm Line upon entry, with the majority remaining at risk of reassignment as a disciplinary measure.Guest:Samantha Pourciau is a Senior Staff Attorney at The Promise of Justice Initiative based out of New Orleans, Louisiana.Credits:Host: Mansa MusaProducer / Videographer / Post-Production: Cameron Granadino Resource links:https://promiseofjustice.org/news/incarcerated-farm-line-workers-win-class-certificationhttps://therealnews.com/prisoners-sue-over-inhumane-conditions-on-angolas-brutal-farm-linehttps://therealnews.com/prison-farms-and-agricarceral-slave-laborhttps://therealnews.com/louisiana-still-imprisons-people-convicted-by-jim-crow-juries Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rattling-the-bars--4799829/support.Help us continue producing Rattling the Bars by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Sign up for our newsletterFollow us on BlueskyLike us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterDonate to support this podcast

When Divorce Gets Real: What Most People Never ExpectFor many divorce attorneys, the beginning of the year is typically peak season for obtaining new clients. After the holiday season is over, struggling couples reassess their marriage in the new year and then, if they choose to move forward, start the process of divorce in February. We speak with prominent New York City divorce attorney Jacqueline Newman about the biggest misconceptions people have when it comes to divorce and why everyone – single or married – should keep these tips in mind.Guest: Jacqueline Newman, divorce attorney, managing partner, Berkman, Bottger, Newman & Schein.Host: Gary PriceProducer: Amirah Zaveri The Environmental Cost Of Saying GoodbyeAs more people rethink their environmental footprint, new end-of-life options like green burials are gaining attention. We look at how these alternatives work and why more families are choosing them over traditional burial or cremation.Guests: Hayley Campbell, journalist, author, All the Living and the Dead; Cassie Barrett, Director, Cemetery Operations, Carolina Memorial SanctuaryHost: Marty PetersonProducer: Polly Hansen Viewpoints Explained: Why Prison Meals Fall ShortRehabilitation is often a stated goal of incarceration, yet meals in many U.S. prisons remain low in quality and nutrition. We take a closer look at what incarcerated people are fed and why systems that receive billions in public funding continue to fall short.Host: Ebony McMorrisProducer: Amirah Zaveri Culture Crash: Why Afrobeats Is Everywhere Right NowYou've heard the sound everywhere, but Afrobeats' rise is a bigger story than you think. We cover what we love about this fast-growing genre of music.Host:  Evan RookProducer: Evan Rook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Non-unanimous jury verdicts were a Jim Crow–era policy designed to silence Black jurors and secure convictions even when the state failed to prove its case. In 2026, over 1,000 people remain imprisoned in Louisiana after being convicted by non-unanimous juries. In this episode of Rattling the Bars, Mansa Musa speaks with Erica Navalance, Associate Director of Strategic Criminal Litigation at the Promise of Justice Initiative, about the case of Lloyd Gray and why the state of Louisiana continues to uphold unconstitutional convictions.Guest:Erica Navalance has worked with both Capital Appeals Project and Promise of Justice Initiative (PIJ) since 2015, but joined PJI full time in 2021 as a senior staff attorney for the Strategic Defense Litigation project, focusing on combatting excessive sentences, capital punishment, and other injustices in the criminal system.Additional links/info:Richard A. Webster, Verite News / ProPublica, What one man's 45-year-old case tells us about the “Jim Crow juries” haunting LouisianaPromise of Justice Initiative, Swastika found on DA file introduced into court, judge grants hearing for PJI client incarcerated for 45 YearsCredits:Producer / Videographer / Post-Production: Cameron GranadinoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!

Non-unanimous jury verdicts were a Jim Crow–era policy designed to silence Black jurors and secure convictions even when the state failed to prove its case. In 2026, over 1,000 people remain imprisoned in Louisiana after being convicted by non-unanimous juries. In this episode of Rattling the Bars, Mansa Musa speaks with Erica Navalance, Associate Director of Strategic Criminal Litigation at the Promise of Justice Initiative, about the case of Lloyd Gray and why the state of Louisiana continues to uphold unconstitutional convictions.Guest:Erica Navalance has worked with both Capital Appeals Project and Promise of Justice Initiative (PIJ) since 2015, but joined PJI full time in 2021 as a senior staff attorney for the Strategic Defense Litigation project, focusing on combatting excessive sentences, capital punishment, and other injustices in the criminal system.Additional links/info:Richard A. Webster, Verite News / ProPublica, What one man's 45-year-old case tells us about the “Jim Crow juries” haunting LouisianaPromise of Justice Initiative, Swastika found on DA file introduced into court, judge grants hearing for PJI client incarcerated for 45 YearsCredits:Producer / Videographer / Post-Production: Cameron GranadinoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/rattling-the-bars--4799829/support.Help us continue producing Rattling the Bars by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Sign up for our newsletterFollow us on BlueskyLike us on FacebookFollow us on TwitterDonate to support this podcast

Reuven Blau, reporter for The City who covers criminal justice and the city's prison system, talks about the man appointed by a federal judge as "remediation manager" and what that means for the jail's future.

There may be an easy solution to reducing incarceration for missed court dates. Alex Chohlas-Wood, assistant professor of computational social science at New York University, looks to his phone for answers. Alex Chohlas-Wood is an Assistant Professor of Computational Social Science. His research investigates how computational approaches can improve public policy. In recent work, he […]

Before Stan Andrisse was sentenced to ten years in prison for a Class A drug felony, the prosecutor had asked for a life sentence, suggesting that the defendant was irredeemable.  In the years since, Stan, now "Dr. Andrisse" has proved this attorney and many others wrong.  While in prison, he discovered an interest in science and endocrinology and today is a tenured professor at the Howard University College of Medicine.  To create similar opportunities and career paths for others who are or have been incarcerated, he founded the non-profit From Prison Cells to PhD.    Chapters:   00:00 Introduction to Dr. Stan Andrisse  This chapter introduces Dr. Stan Andrisse a tenured faculty member at Howard University and the founder of "From Prison Cells to PhD."   02:40 Early Life and Incarceration  Dr. Andrisse discusses his childhood in Ferguson, Missouri, and how he became involved in illegal activities from a young age. He describes his progression from minor trouble to serious drug dealing, leading to multiple felony convictions and facing a potential life sentence under the three-strikes law.  07:58 The Incarceration of the Mind  Stan reflects on the profound psychological impact of being labeled a career criminal and facing a lengthy prison sentence. He emphasizes that the 'incarceration of the mind' is more damaging than physical imprisonment and describes how a mentor helped him begin to overcome this despair.  12:58 Mentor and Path to Education  Stan details the pivotal role of Dr. Barry Bodie, who supported him during his sentencing and continued to mentor him in prison. He explains how reading scientific articles, prompted by his father's death from diabetes, liberated his mind and ignited his passion for science, leading to his acceptance into St. Louis University despite multiple rejections.  22:33 Talent, Opportunity, and Innovation  Stan discusses his philosophy that talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not, using his own journey as an example. He highlights the untapped brilliance within incarcerated individuals, arguing that with resources and opportunities, their innovative problem-solving skills could benefit society greatly.  28:40 From Prison Cells to PhD: The Organization  Stan explains how his personal transformation inspired the creation of "From Prison Cells to PhD," a nonprofit scaling the mentorship and resource provision he received. He shares the organization's three core tenets: peer mentorship, community building, and connecting people to resources, detailing its significant success in helping formerly incarcerated individuals pursue higher education and careers.  34:07 Impact and Pen Pal Program Stan discusses the remarkable matriculation and GPA rates of participants in his "From Prison Cells to PhD" program. He explains how the organization reaches incarcerated individuals through partnerships with correctional facilities and its impactful pen pal program, which provides a vital connection to the outside world and instills hope, preventing recidivism.  41:35 The Drive to Succeed and Give Back  Stan highlights the unique motivation and grit of formerly incarcerated individuals, driven by a desire to prove their worth and contribute positively to society. He notes that their experiences with hardship often translate into loyalty, hard work, and a commitment to making communities better and safer.  45:29 Breaking Chains, Building Futures, and Final Thoughts  Stan discusses his new book, "Breaking Chains, Building Futures," which features diverse stories of individuals helped by his organization.  He encourages listeners to support "From Prison Cells to PhD" through their website and social media, emphasizing the continued inspiration he draws from his father's motto: "It's Never Too Late to Do Good." 

Send us a textIn this gripping episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we welcome Daniel Gray, author of the memoir *The Man from the Medium*. Daniel shares his extraordinary journey, detailing his life leading up to, during, and after the events of January 6, 2021. He candidly discusses his experiences as one of the defendants involved in the Capitol protests, his subsequent incarceration, and how he took the time to write a 133,000-word memoir by hand while in prison. Daniel reflects on the challenges he faced, including the emotional toll of his actions and the realities of life behind bars. He also shares the transformative power of writing, as it allowed him to process his pain and find meaning in his experiences. Listeners will gain insight into the complexities of accountability and redemption, as Daniel emphasizes the importance of second chances and personal growth. Discover more about Daniel and his work on his social media platforms, and learn how he is using his experiences to inspire others. Don't miss this powerful conversation that challenges perceptions and highlights the resilience of the human spirit.Support the show

Brandon Terry, Harvard University sociology professor and co-director of the Institute on Policing, Incarceration, and Public Safety, takes us inside his latest text, “Shattered Dreams, Infinite Hope: A Tragic Vision of the Civil Rights Movement.”Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/tavis-smiley--6286410/support.

Returning citizens are being funneled into exploitative temp jobs that pay poverty wages, deny them basic labor protections, and deepen the state's control over their lives long after they've served their time. This week, Mansa Musa speaks with Katherine Passley and Maya Ragsdale, Co-Executive Directors of Beyond the Bars, about how Florida's temp industry traps the most vulnerable workers and operates as a profitable and punishing extension of the prison system.Guests:Maya Ragsdale is the founder and co-executive director of Beyond the Bars, a worker center in South Florida building the social and economic power of workers with criminal records and their families.Katherine Passley is co-executive director of Beyond the Bars. Passley was named the 2025 Labor Organizer of the Year by In These Times magazine.Additional links/info:Beyond the Bars website, Substack, and InstagramBeyond the Bars, The Temp Trap ReportCredits:Producer / Videographer / Post-Production: Cameron GranadinoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!

State prisons release at least 95% percent of incarcerated people back into society. Some individuals struggle to navigate those transitional challenges successfully. On the latest Us & Them, host Trey Kay talks with Rahim Buford who was paroled after 26 years in prison. The post Navigating Society After Incarceration, This West Virginia Morning appeared first on West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

Military Movies and Incarceration "This Evening"

After killing a cyclist while driving drunk, a woman confronts the consequences of her actions and begins the long, painful work of rebuilding a life shaped by guilt and accountability. Today's storyteller wishes to remain Anonymous. Producers: Whit Missildine, Andrew Waits, Sara Marinelli Content/Trigger Warnings: Drunk driving, Fatal accident, Death, Manslaughter, Substance abuse / alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Psychological trauma, Moral injury, Guilt and shame, Suicidal ideation, Incarceration / jail, Grief, Anxiety, Depression, Public shaming / social stigma, explicit language Social Media:Instagram: @actuallyhappeningTwitter: @TIAHPodcast Website: thisisactuallyhappening.com Website for Andrew Waits: andrdewwaits.comWebsite for Sara Marinelli: saramarinelli.com Support the Show: Support The Show on Patreon: patreon.com/happening Wondery Plus: All episodes of the show prior to episode #130 are now part of the Wondery Plus premium service. To access the full catalog of episodes, and get all episodes ad free, sign up for Wondery Plus at wondery.com/plus Shop at the Store: The This Is Actually Happening online store is now officially open. Follow this link: thisisactuallyhappening.com/shop to access branded t-shirts, posters, stickers and more from the shop. Transcripts: Full transcripts of each episode are now available on the website, thisisactuallyhappening.com Intro Music: “Sleep Paralysis” - Scott VelasquezMusic Bed: Discovery Studios Tracks (DST) - Dark Oasis ServicesIf you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma or mental illness, please refer to the following resources: National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Text or Call 988 National Alliance on Mental Illness: 1-800-950-6264National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brandon M. Terry is the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Social Sciences at Harvard University and the co-director of the Institute on Policing, Incarceration, and Public Safety at the Hutchins Center for African and African American Research. Born in Baltimore, Terry earned a PhD with distinction in Political Science and African American Studies from Yale University, an MSc in Political Theory Research at the University of Oxford, and an AB, magna cum laude, in Government and African and African American Studies from Harvard College.

Today, Hunter was joined by Max Miner the Founder of Executive Treatment Solutions. At one point in his life, Max hit rock bottom. Suffering with drug addiction, he reached the point where it thought it would be a good idea to get into a shootout with police officers. In a moment of clarity, he put down the weapon and started his road to recovery. Thanks to the work of an attorney who understood the power of pre-trial mitigation work, Max was able to get sober and avoid jail time. Now, Max works with people, who like him, need non-carceral treatment plans to help them escape the criminal legal system.   Guest: Max Miner, Founder, Executive Treatment Solutions   Resources: Contact the Office https://exectreatmentsolutions.com/   Contact Hunter Parnell:                                 Publicdefenseless@gmail.com  Instagram @PublicDefenselessPodcast Twitter                                                                 @PDefenselessPod www.publicdefenseless.com  Subscribe to the Patreon www.patreon.com/PublicDefenselessPodcast  Donate on PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=5KW7WMJWEXTAJ Donate on Stripe https://donate.stripe.com/7sI01tb2v3dwaM8cMN Trying to find a specific part of an episode? Use this link to search transcripts of every episode of the show! https://app.reduct.video/o/eca54fbf9f/p/d543070e6a/share/c34e85194394723d4131/home  

Release is not recovery, unless we build a bridge. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon is joined by Dr. Joshua Hall, FAOAAM, to examine what it truly takes to rehabilitate substance use disorder at the moment people leave incarceration, when the risk of overdose and recidivism is highest. Dr. Hall is the Medical Director and Senior Quality Officer at Crossroads Treatment Center and Chief Medical Officer at The Phoenix Center in South Carolina. Dual board-certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, he has dedicated his career to advancing compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals with substance use disorders, particularly those involved in the criminal justice system. Drawing from his clinical experience and personal journey, Dr. Hall shares insights into South Carolina's innovative soft re-entry model, a program that begins engagement during incarceration and continues seamlessly after release. The approach combines medication-assisted treatment, peer support, and continuity of care to intercept relapse, reduce recidivism, and support long-term stability. Together, Sharlee and Dr. Hall explore why the weeks following release are the most dangerous, and the most powerful, window for change, and how treating addiction as a medical condition, not a moral failure, can transform lives, families, and communities.   For more information about Crossroads Treatment Center, please visit: https://www.crossroadstreatmentcenters.com Learn more about the Soft Re-entry Program, please visit: https://www.crossroadstreatmentcenters.com/soft-re-entry-program/ For more information about the Crossroads Annual Outcomes report, please visit: https://www.crossroadstreatmentcenters.com/2024-annual-outcomes-report/ If you would like to refer someone, call 877-848-9294 or visit: https://www.crossroadstreatmentcenters.com/refer-someone-now/ If you are an individual looking for support, please call  855-694-8288 Connect with Crossroads on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/crossroadscenters Connect with Crossroads on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/crossroadscenters/ Connect with Crossroads on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@crossroadscenters Connect with Crossroads on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/CrossroadsCenters

On this episode of Everyday Injustice, host David Greenwald speaks with Kate Chatfield, executive director of the California Public Defenders Association, about the mounting crisis in California's public defense system and what it reveals about deeper structural failures in the criminal legal system. Chatfield explains that public defenders now represent roughly 90 percent of people charged with crimes, yet remain chronically underfunded and overwhelmed, a reality that directly undermines the constitutional promise of meaningful legal representation . Chatfield describes how excessive caseloads make it nearly impossible for defenders to provide the level of advocacy required even in so-called low-level cases. She notes that misdemeanors routinely carry severe collateral consequences, including loss of employment, housing instability, and immigration harm, and that many clients are navigating homelessness, mental illness, or substance use disorders. These underlying conditions, she argues, are routinely criminalized rather than addressed through social services, placing public defenders on the front lines of systemic neglect . The discussion also turns to SB 1437, the landmark 2018 reform that narrowed California's felony murder rule. As the bill's lead drafter, Chatfield recounts how survey and appellate research revealed that felony murder disproportionately impacted young people, particularly young Black and Latino men, and frequently sentenced accomplices who were not the actual killers to life terms. She emphasizes that resentencing data following SB 1437 show extremely low recidivism rates, undercutting claims that such reforms threaten public safety . Finally, Chatfield weighs in on Proposition 36 and broader claims that increased incarceration can be justified as “treatment.” She argues that such measures are disingenuous, expanding jail populations while diverting resources away from housing, health care, and voluntary treatment—the very investments proven to prevent harm. True public safety, she concludes, will not come from deeper entanglement with the criminal legal system, but from sustained commitment to meeting human needs before people ever enter it .

Join Dr. Charli for this new special edition of BattlePlan as she dives deep into the battles associated with broken families. Divorce, Custody issues, Children's Protective Services, Gender ideology, Death, and Incarceration are all on the table for discussion. You want to like and subscribe to BattlePlan so you don't miss this raw discussion of difficult topics and learn how to battle through so that your family can be restored and redeemed.

Britt James Carpenter is a five-time overdose survivor. After being incarcerated, he found his way to recovery and decided to turn his negative experiences into a source for good. He joins Racquel Williams to talk about his non-profit, Philly Unknown Project, which provides resources to the formerly incarcerated, people experiencing homelessness, and those with substance abuse disorder. Then, on Shara in the City, the founder of The Colored Girls Museum, Vashti Dubois, takes us through one of the most talked about art exhibitions for Black History Month for one last look before its closing. Shara Dae Howard explores “The Time is Always Now” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For incarcerated people and their families, the holidays are the most painful time of year. In this episode of Rattling the Bars, host Mansa Musa and TRNN Editor-in-Chief Maximillian Alvarez speak frankly about what it's like to be locked up during the holidays, why inmate suicides, violence, and depression spike this time of year, and about the life-saving and society-improving steps we can take this holiday season to help prisoners maintain contact with the outside world.C/W: Discussion of suicide and depression Producer / Videographer / Post-Production: Cameron GranadinoBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-real-news-podcast--2952221/support.Help us continue producing radically independent news and in-depth analysis by following us and becoming a monthly sustainer.Follow us on:Bluesky: @therealnews.comFacebook: The Real News NetworkTwitter: @TheRealNewsYouTube: @therealnewsInstagram: @therealnewsnetworkBecome a member and join the Supporters Club for The Real News Podcast today!

Rachel Maddow is an author, podcast host and producer, documentary producer, and, of course, the anchor of her eponymous show on MS NOW. Her newest podcast, "Rachel Maddow Presents: Burn Order," unravels how the incarceration of more than 100,000 Japanese Americans and Japanese immigrants during WWII was planned and carried out. Shockingly, the full story behind one of the 20th century's worst American human-rights abuses might never have come to light if not for the relentless work of a hobbyist researcher — who had been incarcerated herself. Kara and Rachel dig into the story and explore the parallels to President Trump's mass-deportation policies. They also discuss the recent boat strikes on alleged drug traffickers, the escalating drama around the competing bids for Warner Bros. Discovery and what it signals for the future of the news business, and MSNBC's evolution into MS NOW. Please note: This episode was taped on Tuesday, before President Trump said it was “imperative that CNN be sold." Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Ashley sits down with Eric King, author of A Clean Hell: Anarchy and Abolition in America's Most Notorious Dungeon. Eric is an anarchist who spent years locked inside a federal maximum security prison. In this episode, he offers a raw and powerful look into his experience in the prison system and the reality of surviving extreme isolation with his path as a practicing pagan behind bars. Eric shares how he built spiritual connection in an environment designed to strip people of identity, community, and meaning. From spellcrafting using whatever materials he could find, to forging a relationship with his Goddess while in prison, he gives an intimate glimpse into the rituals and resilience that sustained him through some of the harshest conditions in the U.S. prison system. This episode offers a conversation about survival, resistance, and the magic we create even in the darkest places. You can find Eric on Instagram (@SupportEricKing) or on Reddit: u/EKsaorsire Click here to purchase A Clean Hell. You can find Ashley on Twitter (@SeekWitchcraft), Instagram (@seekingwitchcraft), personal Instagram (@spellsandkettlebells), Facebook ("Seeking Witchcraft Podcast" or "Ashley Seekraft"), or the community Facebook group ("Witches Seeking Witchcraft"). Want to support the show and gain bonus community perks and features? You can do so at https://patreon.com/seekingwitchcraft

What does it take to turn a life of chaos into one of purpose and impact? In this episode of The Greatness Machine, Darius sits down with Andre Norman, author, speaker, and transformational leader whose journey from maximum-security prison to Harvard University is nothing short of extraordinary. Andre opens up about the pivotal moments that changed his trajectory, from leading a prison gang to realizing he was built for something greater. He shares how education, faith, and the right mentors helped him rebuild his mindset and redirect his drive toward helping others do the same. Throughout the conversation, Andre and Darius explore the real meaning of redemption, why self-awareness is key to change, and how people can break free from their environments, no matter how deep the hole seems. In this episode, Darius and Andre will discuss: (00:00) Introduction to Greatness and Transformation (05:13) The Awakening: Setting Goals in Solitary Confinement (12:26) Mental Resilience: Surviving Solitary Confinement (17:15) Breaking the Cycle: From Gang Leader to Harvard Fellow (27:08) The Cost of Incarceration (28:28) Psychological Impact of Imprisonment (29:17) Comparing Global Prison Systems (30:54) The Historical Context of Prisons (32:42) Reforming the Penal System (34:06) Barriers to Change in Corrections (39:39) Rebuilding the System from Scratch (41:37) The Importance of Education (45:11) Changing Outcomes through New Approaches (46:25) Community Involvement for Change (50:52) Overcoming Barriers to Greatness Andre Norman is living proof that second chances are real. Once facing a 105-year prison sentence and leading gang activity behind bars, he turned his life around through education, faith, and determination. Today, as the founder of The Academy of Hope, he works to reduce prison violence and promote rehabilitation. His message of transformation has reached audiences worldwide, from TEDx stages to Harvard University and London Business School. Connect with Andre: Website: https://andrenorman.com/  Website: https://secondchanceuniversity.org/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andre-norman/  Connect with Darius: Website: https://therealdarius.com/ Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dariusmirshahzadeh/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imthedarius/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thegreatnessmachine  Book: The Core Value Equation https://www.amazon.com/Core-Value-Equation-Framework-Limitless/dp/1544506708 Write a review for The Greatness Machine using this link: https://ratethispodcast.com/spreadinggreatness.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices