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Ear Hustle — Documentary
Ear Hustle

Ear Hustle is prison slang for eavesdropping, and that’s what listening to the show feels like: a raw, often funny, and always surprising peek into the reality of life inside prison.

Hosts Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods co-created the show that launched in 2017 while Earlonne was incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison, where Nigel was a volunteer teaching photography. Since Earlonne’s release in 2018, the show has expanded to include stories from prisons across the state, including the California Institution for Women, as well as stories about getting out of prison and starting over, post-incarceration.

From finding romance, to grappling with a life sentence, to trying to parent via 15-minute phone calls, Ear Hustle stories deliver what This American Life host Ira Glass calls a “”very real” and “untragic” take on prison life.

Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX, a network of independent listener-supported podcasts. Discover audio with vision at radiotopia.fm and learn more about Ear Hustle at earhustlesq.com.

Latest Episodes:

Catch a Kite 5 May 13, 2020

Show notes

Every season we answer questions from listeners in our Catch a Kite episode. This time around, formerly incarcerated people lend their experiences and lessons learned to a group of kids currently incarcerated at a juvenile facility in Madison, Wisconsin.

We’re in the middle of our first-ever spring fundraiser. If you can spare a little to support the show, go to earhustlesq.com/donate. Thank you!

And check out our new, limited-edition T-shirt, featuring an illustration by listener Anna Hicks.

Thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Hold That Space Apr 29, 2020

Show notes

Four women share their stories of loving incarcerated men, and the challenges they face in maintaining their relationships, staying hopeful about an eventual reunion, and carrying on with their lives on the outside.

We just launched a month-long fundraiser. If you can spare a little to support the show, go to earhustlesq.com/donate. Thank you!

And check out our new, limited-edition T-shirt, featuring an illustration by listener Anna Hicks.
Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Sorry Means Nothing Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

One crime is treated differently than all others, both inside and outside prison. People who commit sex crimes against children are often ostracized, abused by fellow inmates, and deemed beyond rehabilitation. On this episode, we talk to victims and perpetrators about the causes for, and impacts of, these crimes.

A note: This episode includes disturbing content that may not be suitable for all audiences. Please use discretion in listening.

Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Us and Them Apr 01, 2020

Show notes

The relationships between incarcerated people and the correctional officers who guard their prisons are often as bad as you might expect. But sometimes, they’re a lot more complicated.

Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com, where you can also sign up for our newsletter or send a question (by postcard) that might get answered in a future episode.

We particularly want to hear from incarcerated people and their families about how the coronavirus pandemic is affecting them. Information on how to get in touch is on our website.

Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support, and to CBSi’s “The Lost Tapes” for sponsoring this episode.

Find out how Charles has been doing since this episode originally aired, in the Ear Hustle Plus episode “Where’s Us At Now.” To listen to all EH+ bonus content, sign up at earhustlesq.com/plus or directly in Apple Podcasts.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Locked Down Again Mar 18, 2020

Show notes

As the Coronavirus pandemic locks down parts of America and the world, we revisit an episode from 2018 about how the San Quentin community manages a prison lockdown.

During a San Quentin lockdown, the prison grinds to a halt, and men are confined to their cells 24 hours a day. What causes a lockdown, and how do guys survive the wait when boredom, uncertainty, hunger and isolation can push them over the edge?

A heads-up: this episode contains discussion of suicide and self-harm — listener discretion is advised. You can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com, where you can also sign up for our newsletter and or send a question (by postcard) that might get answered in a future episode. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Myths & Monikers Mar 04, 2020

Show notes

In prison, almost everyone has a nickname, and whether true or not, nearly every nickname has a story behind it. If that story is good enough, it might just become the stuff of legend.

A heads-up: This episode contains discussion of sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised.

Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com, where you can also sign up for our newsletter and get the details on our T-shirt design contest. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the new season, and to Native, Article, Sony Music Entertainment, Wrongful Conviction and Stanford Children’s Hospital for sponsoring this episode.

Support our team and get even more Ear Hustle by subscribing to Ear Hustle Plus today. Sign up at earhustlesq.com/plus or directly in Apple Podcasts.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Ear Hustle Extra: In It for the Long Haul Feb 20, 2020

Show notes

In honor of the launch of “Over the Road,” Radiotopia’s new show about long-haul trucking, Earlonne and Nigel talk with a formerly incarcerated truck driver about being a woman in a male-dominated profession, and about how she stays safe on the open road.

This episode is part of a network-wide project to welcome “Over the Road” into the Radiotopia family. Head to overtheroad.fm for more information about the show.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

A Message from Ear Hustle Nov 27, 2019

Show notes

Back in 2016, our podcast network, Radiotopia, made the Ear Hustle dream a reality. In honor of Radiotopia’s annual fundraiser, Nigel and Earlonne dream a little about what other podcasts they might make one day.

To support the network that supports Ear Hustle’s dreams, visit radiotopia.fm today.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Ear Hustle Extra: Antwan Williams, Journeyist Nov 15, 2019

Show notes

Surprise! In this season four bonus episode, Earlonne sits down with Ear Hustle co-founder and sound design contributor, Antwan “Banks” Williams, who was recently released from San Quentin after serving 13 years in prison. The two talk about Antwan’s time inside, the person he’s become during those years, his work with Ear Hustle and his musical ambitions for the future.

Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com, where you can also sign up for our newsletter and order a T-shirt, sticker pack or mug. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson, Warden Ron Davis and Krissi Khokhobashvili for their support of the show. And thanks to you, as ever, for listening.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Tell Christy I Loved Her Oct 16, 2019

Show notes

Tom was a cop; Jason was a teenager in a gang. One night in 1997, they had a violent encounter that Tom describes as “inevitable.” In our season finale, Tom and Jason relate the story of that night, and the series of events that unfolded in the years afterward.

Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com, where you can also sign up for our newsletter and order a T-shirt, sticker pack or mug. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for their support of the show, and Native, EPIX and BetterHelp for sponsoring this episode. And thanks to you for tuning in through all of season four!

Support our team and get even more Ear Hustle by subscribing to Ear Hustle Plus today. Sign up at earhustlesq.com/plus or directly in Apple Podcasts.

Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

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