Ear Hustle

Running a prison takes a lot of work, and not just by the staff running the place. At San Quentin inmates work regular jobs, earn pennies on the hour and often supplement their income with a side hustle. Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com, where you can also download and remix our theme song (do it!), 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 also to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for their support of the show, and Article, Lantigua Williams & Co. and Native for sponsoring this episode.

I think we can all agree: It’s high time we devoted a full episode to the music of San Quentin. Thanks to all of the musicians who talked with us for this episode, and shared their songs. Find a full list of credits at earhustlesq.com, where you can also download and remix our theme song (do it!), 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 also to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for their support of the show, and Article and Lantigua Williams & Co. for sponsoring this episode.

How does dating work in your 30s when you’ve been locked up since you were 15? How soon do you share your incarceration history with new love interests? And how the hell does online dating work? Recently released men and women muse about all of it, and one former San Quentin inmate tries to make a beeline from the gates to the altar. Thanks to Article and the American Red Cross for sponsoring this episode. For a full list of credits and to find out more about the show, head to earhustlesq.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter and order a T-shirt, sticker pack or mug. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Serving a prison sentence is hard, but getting out isn’t exactly a cakewalk, either. A lot depends on who’s waiting for you, what you have lined up on the outside and how you handle the regular pressures of life after incarceration. Thanks to Article and the American Red Cross for sponsoring this episode. For a full list of credits and to find out more about the show, head to earhustlesq.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter and order a T-shirt, sticker pack or mug. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Hardly anyone writes letters anymore. On the streets it’s all texting, posting, sharing and liking. But in prison, pens, paper, envelopes and stamps are highly prized, and still considered an essential lifeline to the outside world. Thanks to Article for sponsoring this episode. For a full list of credits and to find out more about the show, head to earhustlesq.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter and order a T-shirt, sticker pack or mug. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Ear Hustle is back with season four! Let’s get oriented: to a new format and a new inside host, and through the stories of guys learning the prison ropes in Reception, while they wait to find out where they’ll serve their time. A heads-up: This episode contains graphic descriptions of violence. Listener discretion is advised. Thanks to HelloFresh for sponsoring this episode. For a full list of credits and to find out more about the show, head to earhustlesq.com, where you can sign up for our newsletter and order a T-shirt, sticker pack or mug. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Ear Hustle is back with season four, starting June 5. Mark your calendars and tell your friends!

Ear Hustle will return with season four later this year, but in the meantime, here’s a timely bonus episode. Nigel and Earlonne hit the road and drive south to interview the man who commuted Earlonne’s sentence in November: Governor Jerry Brown. Thanks to Governor Jerry Brown and Evan Westrup, Governor Brown’s press secretary, for sitting down with us. Ear Hustle is produced by Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods with help from outside producer Pat Mesiti-Miller, who also comes in to lead the sound design team. This episode included music by David Jassy and Antwan Williams. And, a big thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for their continued support of the show. Find out more about the show at earhustlesq.com, including where to get one of our awesome mugs. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

As the annual Radiotopia fundraiser wraps up, we bring you one final missive of the year, including an appeal for support, a chance encounter and a musical offering from the inside. What a season! Deep thanks to our listeners, to Dwight Krizman, Richie Morris and the other guys from Quentin Blue, and as always, to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for their epic support of Ear Hustle. And to Radiotopia, the network that brought Ear Hustle to life! Donate here to support Radiotopia, and all of the shows it helps make possible. Happy holidays to all, and we’ll catch up with you in 2019. In the meantime, sign up for the Lowdown to stay informed about all things Ear Hustle. Love, Team Ear Hustle (Nigel, Earlonne, Pat, Curtis, Julie and Erin)

In prison, life’s major milestones usually pass at a distance. In our season three finale, Earlonne gets up close to a big one, while his brother’s family struggles with having missed out on too many. A heads-up: This episode contains discussion of suicidal thoughts. Listener discretion is advised. You can reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255. Thanks to Trevor Woods, Tyra Woodson and Lee Jaspar (aka Matthew Lee Jasper) for sharing their stories with us. Ear Hustle is produced by Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods with help from outside producer Pat Mesiti-Miller, who also comes in to lead the sound design team. This episode includes music by David Jassy, Antwan Williams, E. Phil Phillips, Gregg Sayers, Eric “Maserati E” Abercrombie and Lee Jaspar. And a big end-of-season thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for their support of the show. Thanks to Nectar for supporting this episode. And lastly — a standing ovation for you, our amazing listeners around the world who

Earlonne and Nigel got some big news earlier this week, from the office of California Governor Jerry Brown. Stay tuned for more information about what’s next for Earlonne, and Ear Hustle, in our next episode.

Despite the additional hurdles involved, daters in prison fall into the same categories as daters on the outside: romantics, hopefuls and players. Thanks to Charlie Srey, Sincere Carter, Kevin Turner, Mo, Allyson West and Jessie Ayers for talking to us for this story. Ear Hustle is produced by Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods with help from outside producer Pat Mesiti-Miller, who also comes in to lead the sound design team. This episode was scored with music by David Jassy, Antwan Williams, E. Phil Phillips, Eric “Maserati E” Abercrombie and Lee Jaspar (aka Matthew Lee Jasper). Eternal thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for their support of the show. Thanks to Nectar and Bombas for supporting this episode. Find out more about the show at earhustlesq.com, where you can also buy an Ear Hustle mug to go with your T-shirt! Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

When you’re incarcerated, falling in love with prison staff or volunteers is prohibited. But… it happens. And it happened to Erin and Lisa, who then had to negotiate the joys and pitfalls of romance inside San Quentin. A heads-up: this episode contains discussion of domestic violence — listener discretion is advised. Thanks to Allyson West for talking with us, and to Erin for talking twice. Ear Hustle is produced by Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods with help from outside producer Pat Mesiti-Miller, who also comes in to lead the sound design team. This episode was scored with music by David Jassy, Antwan Williams, Lee Jaspar (aka Matthew Lee Jasper), E. Phil Phillips, Dwight Krizman and Gregg Sayers. Eternal thanks to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for their support of the show. You can reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. Thanks to Nectar and Bombas for supporting this episode. Find out more about the show at earhustlesq.com, where you can also buy an Ear Hustle mug to go w

A “kite” is prison slang for a written note, and since Ear Hustle launched we’ve encouraged listeners to send in their questions about daily life inside San Quentin, via postcards, or kites. In this episode, we answer a handful of kites received via voice messages from listeners, touching on spectacle, humor, mental health, laundry and more. A heads-up: this episode contains graphic descriptions of violence — listener discretion is advised. Thanks to Rahsaan “New York” Thomas for helping out with this episode, and check out earhustlesq.com for a full list of the guys who helped answer questions. Ear Hustle is produced by Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods with help from outside producer Pat Mesiti-Miller, who also comes in to lead the sound design team. This episode was scored with music by Antwan Williams, David Jassy and E. Phil Phillips. Our story editor is Curtis Fox, digital producer is Erin Wade and our executive producer for Radiotopia is Julie Shapiro. We’re grateful to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron D

This time on Ear Hustle we’re trying something different: we’re diving into San Quentin’s 166-year history. Normally, we get the guys inside to tell stories. But this place itself does speak, and it’s not always through words. A heads-up: this episode contains graphic descriptions of violence — listener discretion is advised. Thanks to George “Mesro” Coles-El, Richard Richardson aka Bonaru, John Robb, Norman Willhoite, Gregg Sayers, Lee Jaspar (aka Matthew Lee Jasper), Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Clinton T. Duffy for sharing their stories. Ear Hustle is produced by Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods with help from outside producer Pat Mesiti-Miller, who also comes in to lead the sound design team. This episode includes music by David Jassy, with contributions from Antwan WIlliams. Our story editor is Curtis Fox, digital producer is Erin Wade and our executive producer for Radiotopia is Julie Shapiro. We’re grateful to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for their support of the show. See the photos the guys

Being an immigrant in an American prison can pose unique challenges, like deciding which racial group you’ll identify with. But sometimes the biggest hurdles don’t become apparent until the day you are released. Thanks to Martin Gomez, Miguel Sifuentes, Wayne Boatwright, Phoeun You, David Jassy, Borey Ai (aka PJ) and Marco Villa for sharing their stories with us. And thanks to Jose Diaz, Vicente Gomez and Gerardo Sanchez-Muratalla, the Three Guitarists. Ear Hustle is produced by Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods with help from outside producer Pat Mesiti-Miller, who also comes in to lead the sound design team. This episode was scored with music by David Jassy, with contributions from Antwan Williams. Our story editor is Curtis Fox, digital producer is Erin Wade, and executive producer for Radiotopia is Julie Shapiro. Thanks also to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis for their support. Find out more about the show at earhustlesq.com, where you can also buy an Ear Hustle mug to go with your T-shirt. Ear Hustl

During a San Quentin lockdown, the prison grinds to a halt, and men are confined to their cells 24 hours a day. On the heels of a summer lockdown, we’re kicking off season three by looking into what causes one, and how 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. Thanks to Michael Williams, Jason Perry, Aaron Taylor, Jessie Vasquez and Lee Jaspar (aka Matthew Lee Jasper) for sharing their stories with us. Thanks also to Gregg Sayers for performing his song “Lost in Time,” with additional vocals by Eric Abercrombie, aka Maserati E. Ear Hustle is produced by Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods with help from outside producer Pat Mesiti-Miller, who also comes in to lead the sound design team. This episode was scored with music by David Jassy, Antwan Williams, Lee Jaspar, E. Phil P

Ready for more stories about life inside? We bet. Season three of Ear Hustle drops September 12. In the meantime, enjoy this taste of what’s to come. Find out more about the show at earhustlesq.com, including how to send us a question (by postcard) that might get answered in a future episode. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Leaving an organization or community often calls for an exit strategy – even in prison. In this final episode of season two, four men who are preparing to leave San Quentin share stories about what they’ve learned on the inside, and their aspirations, big and small, for life on the outside. Thanks to Chayne Hampton, Gus Lumumba Edwards, Michael Thompson, and Anouthinh Pangthong, aka Choy, for sharing their stories with us. Learn more about Re:store Justice, the organization that Choy now works for. Ear Hustle is produced by Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods with help from outside produce Pat Mesiti-Miller, who also comes in to lead the sound design team. This episode was scored with music by Antwan Williams and contributions from David Jassy.  Our story editor is Curtis Fox and our executive producer for Radiotopia is Julie Shapiro. Finally, here’s one last shout out to Lt. Sam Robinson and Warden Ron Davis, for their support of the show. And… that’s a wrap! For now. Thanks so much for hanging with us through

Of the thousands of people incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison, no one is openly gay. No one. And only a few people are comfortable enough to talk about LGBTQ life inside. In this episode we dive in: Lady Jae returns to talk about living as a woman in SQ, and another inmate, who identifies as bi-sexual, shares his story. Thanks to: Lady Jae and Mike Adams for sharing their perspectives on LGBTQ issues, all the guys who talked to us in the yard, and to White Eagle for telling us about the sweat lodge at SQ, and sharing his friendship song. Ear Hustle is produced by Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods, with help from outside producer Pat Mesiti-Miller who comes in to lead the sound design team. *Down Low *was scored and sound designed by Antwan Williams with contributions from David Jassy. Our story editor is Curtis Fox, and executive producer for Radiotopia is Julie Shapiro. Find out more about the show at earhustlesq.com. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX. Thanks to Nectar Sleep for suppor