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April’s Ask Me Anything episode features Nigel, Earlonne, and EH Executive Producer Bruce Wallace sipping Old Fashioneds while answering listener questions that lead to a discussion of the perfect murder, jury duty, what it’s like for Earlonne to return to prison as a volunteer, “arcing,” and much more.Things mentioned in this episode:The philosophies of James Brown, godfather of soul.Classic Old Fashioneds."Misguided Loyalty" Jury DutySnap Judgment “Money Truck” "American Me" “Except for that one thing” - This American Life episode with person sentenced then forgotten about Dateline NBC Everything is Alive: “Louis, Can of Cola” Snapped 
Tradition of Violence E’s Mike Playlist
Nipsey Hussle playlistMichael Jackson, "Power, Business and Influence""Gavin Newsom requests pardon for award-winning podcaster" Got a burning question for Nigel and Earlonne or the Ear Hustle team? Apple subscribers: email them to ama@earhustlesq.com; Supercast subscribers: add them to earhustle.supercast.com/ama. We just might answer your question in our next AMA episode! Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. 

Twelve years ago, Nigel asked San Quentin resident Greg Eskridge to write a list of everything he owned in prison. That much, Earlonne remembers. The rest of this episode is a surprise gift, from one Ear Hustle host to another. Thanks to Greg Eskridge for speaking and sharing his lists with us. You can hear more of Greg on the podcast Uncuffed, a podcast training program based in San Quentin and Solano prisons. This episode was scored with music by Rhashiyd Zinnamon, Derrell Sadiq Davis, Antwan Williams, David Jassy, and Earlonne Woods.Big thanks to Acting Warden Andes and Lt. Berry at San Quentin State Prison, and Acting Warden Williams and Lt. Newborg at the California Institution for Women for their support of the show.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. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. 

Gary “Coop” Cooper is in his 70s, is pretty sick, and has a hard time getting around. Despite that, he doesn’t want to move off of the third tier of San Quentin’s West Block. We recorded this interview last summer, planning to include it in our hospice episode, but it just didn’t fit in. So we’re sharing it here.


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

A bucolic garden, six kinds of breakfast cereal, and around-the-clock bedside vigil: How one California prison is trying to mitigate the fears and unknowns of dying inside prison. Thanks to Joseph Bick, Michele DiThomas, Terrance Harris, Allan Hickman, Gerard Hite, Jerry Judson, Keith Knauf, Jeff Maria, Earl Miller, Michael Powell, and Frederick Roberts for speaking to us for this episode. This episode was scored with music by Rhashiyd Zinnamon, Fernando Arruda, Antwan Williams, and Earlonne Woods. “Down The Hall” © 2022 Open Secret Music (ASCAP) – Administered by Bluewater Music Services Corp. Used By Permission. All Rights Reserved. Big thanks to Acting Warden Smith and Lt. Berry at San Quentin State Prison, and Acting Warden Hill and Lt. Newborg at the California Institution for Women for their support of the show. We’re also grateful to Acting Warden Cueva and Lt. Gonzalez at the California Medical Facility for allowing our team to record inside the hospice. 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. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

It’s March’s Ask Me Anything episode! Earlonne and Nigel answer questions sent in by subscribers; EH executive producer Bruce Wallace passes them along. There’s little prep and very light editing. Stuff gets wild.


Things mentioned in this episode:


Mt. Tamalpais College, formerly the Prison University Project, where Nigel started volunteering in San Quentin


“Getting a Date,” the episode where Steve Wilson talks about escaping prison


There are a few recommendations of groups that support books and libraries in prison on this page


Lemon Twist and Al’s Attire, two of Nigel’s favorite clothing spots


“Keep Your Head to the Sky” by Earth, Wind & Fire, the song E wants played at his funeral


“Stairway to Heaven” by The O’Jays


And the song nobody could think of, “Gangsta Lean” by DRS


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

We’ve never based a whole episode on a poem before, but this one, by Sky, took us by surprise. It’s both a record of longing for all the things she can’t do in prison — sleep in a teepee, have a cookie jar, touch a rabbit — and a way of doing those things in her mind. Big thanks to Acting Warden Andes and Lt. Berry at San Quentin State Prison, and Acting Warden Williams and Lt. Newborg at the California Institution for Women for their support of the show. Support our team and get even more Ear Hustle by subscribing to Ear Hustle Plus today. Sign up at earhustlesq.com/plus or in Apple Podcasts by tapping on the "Subscribe" button. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com.