Ear Hustle

Ear Hustle & Radiotopia
  • 4.8 (96)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • EVERY TWO WEEKS
Ear Hustle
EAR HUSTLE +

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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.

  1. From the Vault: Crew No. 7

    17 JAN

    From the Vault: Crew No. 7

    California relies on incarcerated firefighters to fight fires like the ones that have engulfed Southern California this month. But once these men and women are released from prison, they can have a hard time finding jobs on civilian firefighting crews. Back in 2020, Nigel and Earlonne spent time at a Ventura fire camp designed to help bridge that gap. In light of the recent fires, we’re sharing this episode again. Thanks to Bay Salmeron, Andrew Morales, Levi Rosier, Barrett Brown, and Eric Kesselmark for sharing their stories. Thanks also to Michelle Garcia, Jeremy Brandt, and Michael Salas at the Ventura Training Center. You can donate to Anti-Recidivism Coalition’s fund for incarcerated firefighters here, and listen to the Fire Escape podcast here.   This episode was scored with music by Antwan Williams and David Jassy.  Big thanks to Acting Warden Andes and Lt. Berry at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, Acting Warden Parker, Associate Warden Lewis, and Lt. Newborg at the California Institution for Women, and Warden De La Cruz and Lt. Williams at the Central California Women’s Facility 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.

    45 min
  2. EH+ Where’s Lonnie Now?

    15 JAN • EAR HUSTLE + ONLY

    EH+ Where’s Lonnie Now?

    Lonnie Morris spent 44 years in prison, where he created the violence prevention group No More Tears. Lonnie also became a fixture on Ear Hustle, stepping in as resident expert and the guy most likely to interrupt – aka “Lonnie” – an EH interview. He paroled in 2021. Rahsaan sits down with Lonnie to see what he’s up to out in the free world.Mentioned in this episode: Episode 9: Gold Coats and OGs Episode 7: Unwritten Episode 35: Chicken on the Bone Episode 92: Articles of Hustle No More Tears violence prevention groupEar Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

    42 min
  3. Revisiting “August 21, 1971”

    8 JAN

    Revisiting “August 21, 1971”

    In the next installment in our “sleeper hits” series, Earlonne listens back to the episode “August 21, 1971,” about George Jackson and one of the most significant days in San Quentin’s history. E talks about why this was an essential story for Ear Hustle to tell, why it was a tricky one to tackle, and reflects on his personal connections to this history and its long aftermath.  Mentioned in the episode:  Episode 61: August 21, 1971 Day of the Gun documentary from Bay Area news station KRON4 Freedom Archives’ 99 Books project Ear Hustle interview with Angela Davis Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

    1h 20m
  4. EH+ Where’s Talib Now? 

    19/12/2024 • EAR HUSTLE + ONLY

    EH+ Where’s Talib Now? 

    Troy “Talib” Young might hold the record for appearing in two different Ear Hustle episodes back to back. In Episode 43, Tired of Running, he shared his story about being on the lam, and in Episode 44, Nobody Comes Back, he talked about getting COVID while on parole. And we heard from him again in Episode 59, Cracked Windshield, discussing police misconduct. For this EH+ exclusive, Talib sits down with Rahsaan “New York” Thomas to talk about how much COVID cost him, his transition from gang member to re-entry specialist, and creating a men’s support group. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Mentioned in this episode: Episode 43: Tired of RunningEpisode 44: Nobody Comes BackEpisode 59: Cracked WindshieldValley Fever and African Americans: Coccidioidomycosis in African Americans - PMCGRIP Home - Guiding Rage Into PowerBlack Dragon Take Out in Philly for Oxtail Lo MeinCGA - Criminals & Gang Members AnonymousDream Center transitional housing

    40 min
  5. Last Memory: Linda

    11/12/2024

    Last Memory: Linda

    Linda’s mom brought her to a Catholic Mass because she had a sense her daughter was on the verge of something, and needed help. Thirty-seven years into her prison sentence, Linda wonders what would have happened if she had listened to her mom, and Nigel and Earlonne visit the same chapel to see the place through Linda’s memory.  This episode was scored with music by Derrell Sadiq Davis, Antwan Williams, Fernando Arruda, David Jassy, Bruce Wallace, and Earlonne Woods. Big thanks to Acting Warden Andes and Lt. Berry at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, Acting Warden Parker, Associate Warden Lewis, and Lt. Newborg at the California Institution for Women, and Warden De La Cruz and Lt. Williams at the Central California Women’s Facility 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.  Need some Ear Hustle merch? Check out the new items at earhustlesq.com/shop.  Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support Ear Hustle. Thank you! on.prx.org/3s6RrL5

    38 min
  6. EH+ “Unwritten” Commentary

    05/12/2024 • EAR HUSTLE + ONLY

    EH+ “Unwritten” Commentary

    Last EH+, Earlonne chatted with Arthur “AR” Snowden, who first appeared in the Ear Hustle season 1 classic “Unwritten” about two guys of different races being good friends despite prison rules. In this EH+ episode, Nigel and Earlonne re-listen to “Unwritten,” stopping the tape to comment about what they would do differently, where the folks that were in the episode are now, penis towels, and race in America. Is there someone from a past Ear Hustle episode you’d like an update on? Email us at info@earhustlesq.com. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. SHOW NOTESEH episode UnwrittenHow to make a penis towelSugarfoot

    1h 7m
  7. Last Memory: Leisha

    27/11/2024

    Last Memory: Leisha

    Leisha didn't plan on getting pregnant. And she certainly didn't plan on giving birth in prison. But on the day those two red lines showed up, Leisha found kindness in an unexpected place. Thanks to Katie Turner and Samantha Bhatia at Poetic Justice for connecting us with Leisha.  This episode was scored with music by Darrell Sadiq Davis, Antwan Williams, Fernando Arruda, David Jassy, and Earlonne Woods. Big thanks to Acting Warden Andes and Lt. Berry at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, Acting Warden Parker, Associate Warden Lewis, and Lt. Newborg at the California Institution for Women, and Warden De La Cruz and Lt. Williams at the Central California Women’s Facility 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.  Radiotopia’s fall fundraiser is here! Donate today to support Ear Hustle. Thank you! on.prx.org/3s6RrL5

    32 min
  8. EH+ Where’s AR Now?

    25/11/2024 • EAR HUSTLE + ONLY

    EH+ Where’s AR Now?

    Earlonne pulls up to Beardos Grooming to chat with Arthur “AR” Snowden, who first appeared in the Ear Hustle season 1 classic “Unwritten.” In that episode, AR discussed his friendship with Drew, a person of a different race, which went against prison culture. AR talks about what he’s doing today, the last time he saw Drew, quacking up, and more.Is there someone from a past Ear Hustle episode you’d like an update on? Email us at info@earhustlesq.com. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Mentioned in this episode: EH episode "Unwritten"Beardos GroomingEasy-ESaucy CuzzoSaucy EngineeringVagabonds Motorcycle Club

    33 min
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Trailers

Hosts & Guests

4.8
out of 5
96 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Ear Hustle & Radiotopia
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    171
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Ear Hustle
  • Provider
    PRX

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