From 180s and 270s to “just one long-ass hallway,” different kinds of prison architecture leave different marks on the people who live there. In this episode, like the last one, we explore how architecture shapes the experience of incarceration, and how people push back to reclaim space for themselves. Learn more about the San Francisco Public Library’s 2022 One City One Book , This Is Ear Hustle , at sfpl.org/onecityonebook . And find out how you can watch the main event — Nigel and Earlonne li...
Nov 02, 2022•41 min•Season 10Ep. 5
Prisons are built with one thing in mind: surveillance. The architecture is designed to assert control and diminish privacy. But even in these spaces, people find ways to claim just a bit of privacy. In this episode and the next, we explore how individuals adapt to prison architecture. First: carving out pockets of privacy, real and imagined. Listen to Earlonne guest hosting the podcast Wrongful Conviction here . As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Broomfield for their suppo...
Oct 19, 2022•44 min•Season 10Ep. 4
Stories from our first-ever international reporting trip! From the nightclubs of Oslo, to Norway’s first in-prison Pride parade, to an incarcerated Danish guy who wouldn’t take no for an answer: Ear Hustle goes abroad, mics on , baby. Each episode this season will feature new artwork by an incarcerated artist. You can see their illustrations on our website . Hear the full episode of the “San Quentin Prison Report” that we mention in this episode, here . Is this your first time listening to Ear H...
Oct 05, 2022•54 min•Season 10Ep. 3
Sam Brown spent 24 years in prison not just denying his crime, but lying about it, over and over again. Finally, he decided to come clean. Would the parole board believe him? Each episode this season will feature new artwork by an incarcerated artist. You can see their illustrations on our website . Is this your first time listening to Ear Hustle? Are you trying to convince a friend to start listening? For our tenth season, we’ve chosen 10 essential Ear Hustle episodes. Find those here . As alwa...
Sep 21, 2022•45 min•Season 10Ep. 2
Life in prison can mess with your senses. There are smells you can’t unsmell, and sounds you long to hear. Some tastes you forget about entirely, and some forms of touch are almost too evocative to bear. Five San Quentin residents reflect on the sights, tastes, touch, smells, and sounds of prison life. Each episode this season will feature new artwork by an incarcerated artist. You can see their illustrations on our website . Is this your first time listening to Ear Hustle? Are you trying to con...
Sep 07, 2022•36 min•Season 10Ep. 1
A special episode from Uncuffed : During the COVID lockdown at San Quentin, Steve and Darren both got unexpected letters that changed their lives. This is the second episode of the new season of KALW’s Uncuffed , a podcast training program at San Quentin and California State Prison, Solano. They’re in the middle of an emergency fundraiser right now, trying to keep their training and broadcast programs going after their main funder rescinded a grant because of a bureaucratic error. You can learn ...
Aug 24, 2022•26 min•Season 9Ep. 10
The Ear Hustle team is hard at work on our next season, which launches September 7! In the meantime, we’d like to tell you about a new podcast, hosted by Jason Reynolds. Reynolds is a New York Times bestselling author, and the Library of Congress' national ambassador for young people's literature. He’s ambitious, he says yes to everything, and he’s feeling overwhelmed. On the first episode of My Mother Made Me , his new podcast with Radiotopia Presents, Jason turns to his mother for advice, and ...
Aug 03, 2022•33 min•Season 9Ep. 9
The jig was up for Ryan, so he told police he’d turn himself in. His mom had one request: a final family meal at Applebee’s. Plus, Earlonne and Nigel head to the intersection of Firmona and Marine Avenues in Lawndale, California, the scene of E's last memory before being locked up. As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia , from PRX. Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com . We did...
Jun 08, 2022•51 min•Season 9Ep. 8
The day before committing the crime that sent him to prison, Michael stood in a parking lot in Bakersfield, California, and looked up at the sky. Twenty-two years later, Earlonne and Nigel visit that same parking lot, then return to San Quentin to tell Michael what they found. If you need help for yourself or someone else, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or suicidepreventionlifeline.org . As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Broomfield for the...
May 25, 2022•29 min•Season 9Ep. 7
This season we're flipping the script on our traditional Catch a Kite episodes, exploring questions asked and answered between San Quentin State Prison and the California Institution for Women. Do men in prison form unofficial families the way incarcerated women do? Do women sentenced for killing an abusive spouse receive fair sentences? Which candies from the prison package catalog appeal the most in both places? All of this, and more, in Catch a Kite 7. As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinso...
May 11, 2022•38 min
Life in prison, without regular sex and intimacy, can cause all sorts of emotional and physical issues. Yep, we're going there — to explore the impact of this constraint inside prison, and for men and women seeking close relationships after they get out. As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia , from PRX. Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com . Support the show and become one of...
Apr 27, 2022•39 min•Season 9Ep. 5
What happens to a prison town when its main prison closes? The residents of Susanville, in Northern California, are about to find out. Ear Hustle took a road trip to see how Susanvillers — both inside and outside the prison — are reacting to the news. As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. 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...
Apr 13, 2022•43 min•Season 9Ep. 4
Six massive murals span hundreds of feet across the walls of a San Quentin chow hall, depicting the history of California in epic scale and detail. Residents of San Quentin eat their meals surrounded by this artwork, and thousands of people see it every year. The murals have inspired countless myths and mysteries, but for a long time, little was known about the artist who painted them. In this episode, we go in search of Alfredo Santos. You can see photos of the the San Quentin murals at our web...
Mar 30, 2022•36 min
We talk about love on Ear Hustle, plenty, but it’s hard to think of prison as a “romantic” place. What does dating look and feel like, on the inside? Against all odds, sometimes true love prevails. As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. Thanks also to everyone who called in to tell us their one-minute love stories. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia , from PRX. Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com . Learn about...
Mar 16, 2022•27 min•Season 9Ep. 2
In California and many other states, calls from prison are limited to 15 minutes and are monitored, recorded, and often difficult to come by. But whether you’re trying to fix a marriage or a broken wall heater, these short conversations are a lifeline for family on the outside. As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia , from PRX. Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com . Learn abou...
Mar 02, 2022•20 min•Season 9Ep. 1
Sometimes, when you’re up against a big state institution, you have to make some trouble. For this mini-episode, part of Radiotopia’s winter fundraiser , we share a few stories about incarcerated people trying to effect small change but not always getting the results they want. This special episode of Ear Hustle is a part of Radiotopia’s winter fundraiser. Your support helps foster independent, artist-owned podcasts and award-winning stories. Donate today at radiotopia.fm . Thank you! As always,...
Feb 23, 2022•6 min•Season 8Ep. 11
We’re between seasons but have an exciting update to share with listeners: Our friend and colleague Rahsaan “New York” Thomas’ prison sentence has been commuted by California Governor Gavin Newsom. What does this mean for Rahsaan’s release from San Quentin? As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. 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: do...
Jan 26, 2022•5 min•Season 8Ep. 10
While Ear Hustle works on its next season, which starts March 2, we wanted to introduce you to the podcast Written Off . It features formerly incarcerated young writers talking about their journeys and creative processes. In this episode, host Walter Thompson-Hernández talks with writer Candice Price, and actor Keke Palmer performs one of Price’s pieces. If you or someone you know needs help, please contact one of the resources below for a free, confidential conversation with a trained counselor...
Dec 29, 2021•34 min•Season 8Ep. 9
This past fall, we followed a group of kids into Salinas Valley State Prison to spend two days with their dads, whom they hadn’t seen in years. Through music, crafts, and games, the idea behind Camp Grace is to put aside prison personas and reconnect with fatherhood. But relationships strained by incarceration can be hard to fix. Find out more about Camp Grace here . As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. Ear Hustle is a proud member of...
Dec 22, 2021•40 min•Season 8Ep. 8
Earlier this year, some of the Ear Hustle team spent a month living under a specific set of constraints informed by the daily routines of our inside colleagues, changing the way we ate, got dressed, and exercised. The goal wasn’t to replicate prison life, but to see how constraint shapes the way we experience the world. We report back on what was hard, what was surprising, and what we discovered along the way. You can learn more about the Ear Hustle Challenge here and about Tehching Hsieh’s perf...
Dec 08, 2021•55 min•Season 8Ep. 7
Sports in prison are more than just games. They can be an outlet for stress, the realization of dreams deferred, or a positive way to prove oneself to peers and family. In this episode, one player battles for acceptance and a spot on the San Quentin baseball team, a two-time Super Bowl champion goes from partying with the Patriots to living in a 5x9 cell, and resident sports reporter Rahsaan “New York” Thomas attempts to win a one-on-one basketball game on behalf of all the nerds. As always, big...
Nov 17, 2021•54 min•Season 8Ep. 6
Going to prison in your home country can be disorienting enough. What about when you’re new to the culture, don’t speak the language, and are thousands of miles from family and friends? Three Americans describe their experiences of incarceration in Japan, Thailand, and Iran. As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia , from PRX. Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com . Learn about y...
Nov 03, 2021•54 min•Season 8Ep. 5
What does it take to be bonnaroo in prison? We explore the creative ways people inside transform and beautify their physical selves and their living environment, using whatever they can find within prison walls. As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. 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...
Oct 20, 2021•55 min•Season 8Ep. 4
At Ear Hustle, we hear more from listeners about music than almost any other topic. In response, we bring you the Ear Hustle Mixtape, including stories about an unlikely instrument that’s been showing up on the yard at San Quentin, Native American sweat lodges and music, and getting the band back together post-incarceration. As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia , from PRX. Find a full list of...
Oct 06, 2021•57 min•Season 8Ep. 3
We bring you stories about the ups and downs of making bail and the bittersweet taste of freedom when you know you’re about to lose it. Plus: Nigel confronts a man with no regrets, and Ear Hustle says goodbye to a friend of the show. To find out more about the Ear Hustle 30-Day Challenge, and to participate with us, visit earhustlesq.com/challenge . As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia...
Sep 22, 2021•50 min•Season 8Ep. 2
August 21, 1971 was the deadliest day in San Quentin history, and it’s still a painful topic, both inside the prison and out. At the center of the story was a Black revolutionary named George Jackson. Who was he, and what makes him so controversial, even today? As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia , from PRX. Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com . More on George Jacks...
Sep 08, 2021•55 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Ear Hustle’s eighth season launches on September 8th with a dramatic account of one of the most notorious days in San Quentin’s history: August 21st, 1971. By sundown, three guards and three incarcerated people lay dead. Fifty years later, the events of that day remain intensely contested, and emotions raw. We break down what happened, and why it still matters today. As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. Ear Hustle is a proud me...
Aug 25, 2021•2 min
With just a few weeks to go before Ear Hustle returns with Season 8, we wanted to introduce listeners to a new show that’s been in all of our headphones: Life Jolt . In this first episode, “The Before Times,” incarcerated women look back on the uncertainty and dread they experienced in those early days while they waited to receive their sentences. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices...
Aug 11, 2021•38 min
Leslie has served more time in prison than anyone we’ve ever interviewed on the show: over half a century, for a crime committed when she was 19. Four times, the parole board has deemed her fit for release. Each time, California’s governor denied it. What does it mean to live a meaningful life when nearly all of it is spent behind bars? As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. You can find out more about Nigel and Earlonne’s forthc...
Jun 09, 2021•1 hr 7 min•Season 7Ep. 8
A year after George Floyd’s death at the hands of a police officer, the Ear Hustle team and friends talk about their first interactions with cops, the role of empathy, and whether those relationships can ever change. As always, big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Acting Warden Ron Broomfield for their support of the show. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia , from PRX. Find a full list of episode credits, sign up for our newsletter, and shop for merch at earhustlesq.com . Find out how Tali...
May 26, 2021•42 min•Season 7Ep. 7
