Life on the Outside

Latest Episodes:

Sink or Swim Mar 15, 2020

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When Anthony got out he walked up to a tree and gave it a huge hug. He remembered trees from his childhood but for fifteen years he barely saw any at all. When he got out, he made it his business to hug one. In this conversation, we discuss freedom and its limitations and the simple joys of life on the outside.

Tribute Mar 14, 2020

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Anthony McDuffie was seventeen years old when he went into the prison system. Today, he's in his mid-thirties and reflecting on his personal journey from gang-banging in the streets, to politicking in prison, to being the lead coordinator for Alternatives to Violence Program on the yard. But life on the outside is not all rainbows and roses...It's full of family drama, personal struggles, and political turmoil of another kind.

Quantum Love Feb 21, 2020

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After nearly three decades in the California prison system, Tobias is versed in faith practices and traditions that span Islam to the Occult. He has looked down the barrel of a gun and chosen love every time. In this episode Tobias and I continue our conversation about freedom, energy, and taking a stand against the system.

Sunflower Fields Feb 11, 2020

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Tobias Tubbs believes in joy as resistance. He believes in love as the way forward, and he embodies this in the darkest of places and in the worst of times. He grew up with revolutionary parents at the fore of Black Liberation and that spirit remains strong in him to this day. After receiving a commutation from Governor Jerry Brown, Tobias finally had an opportunity for physical freedom and was released this fall after serving 26 years in the California prison system.

Mercy Jan 29, 2020

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At age 19 Christian was charged with murder and sentenced to life in prison, without the possibility of parole. Narrowly sidestepping the death penalty, Christian had little hope of ever getting out. Twenty-five years later, now in his 40s, Christian's sentence was commuted and he recently got out. Today Christian is working towards the same goals he had on the inside, helping others heal through meaningful dialogue and direct amends...and making art.

KANAKA Jan 08, 2020

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Maria Kanaka Luna got locked up in 1995, went to county jail, then hit the penitentiary in 1996 and 23 years later she was released. Freedom didn't settle in right away for Maria. She was picked up by ICE and still faces deportation. But that won't stop her from enjoying her freedom. She works at Homeboy Industries, advocates for people still inside, and wants to learn how to milk a cow. Each day is a blessing and Maria is soaking it all in.

Glaring Sun Dec 11, 2019

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Johnathan was sober, but he was still struggling, trying to play two sides. When he went through AA, step 7 struck him. It talks about how in the midst of our addiction we make decisions based on comfort, not character. This resonated. Johnathan knew he had principles and values but comfort and convenience was overriding them. With each piece of insight and perspective, Johnathan gets closer to his essence, his remorse, and eventually, his release into the free world.

Heart of Hearts Nov 07, 2019

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At the age of 16, Duc Ta was sentenced to life in prison and sent off to an adult facility where he would spend the next 15 years of his life. Duc has been out for six years now and in 2013, he co-founded an organization called API RISE, that seeks to empower the Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities who have been impacted by the criminal justice system. In this episode, Duc shares what brought him into prison and the near death experience on the inside that changed everything for him.

Live Free or... Oct 03, 2019

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After 31 years in prison Thomas Eirls was exhausted and had made up his mind. Even with a life-sentence, he decided that he could only give five more years of his life to the system. He chose five years because that's how long it was until his next shot at freedom, a parole board hearing. But Thomas decided that would be his last one, no matter what the outcome was.

LWOP Jul 01, 2019

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Kenneth E. Hartman served 38 years in the California prison system having been convicted to 'Life without the possibility of parole' back in the 1970s. He shares stories from his time at the notorious Old Folsom prison, his turn to activism, and his transformation after the birth of his daughter while he was still incarcerated. The day before Easter in 2017 Kenneth's sentence was commuted by Governor Jerry Brown. In December of that year he was released. Freedom is still surreal.

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