Uncuffed

4.9 (199)
SOCIETY & CULTURE
UPDATED BIMONTHLY

Uncuffed empowers people in California prisons to tell their own stories. The award-winning collaboration between incarcerated student producers and professional journalists shines light on the human experience of people before, during, and after their prison terms. The new Season 4 is hosted by formerly incarcerated producer Greg Eskridge. https://www.WeAreUncuffed.org

AUG 14

One Year Out

It’s been just over a year since Greg Eskridge walked out of the San Quentin gates after spending 30 years in prison, and he has been busy! Greg has spent the year reconnecting with family, navigating parole, and finding new meaning in the concept of home. He is also settling into a new role at work, where he's helping to direct the Uncuffed program. It’s a dream job, but it can be exhausting. In the final episode of Season 4, Greg talks to other formerly incarcerated media makers — filmmaker Thanh Tran and Ear Hustle host and co-founder Earlonne Woods — about how to keep fighting the good fight. Learn more, sign up for Uncuffed news, and support the program at www.uncuffed.org Our work in prisons is supported by the California Arts Council, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, independent foundations, and donations from listeners like you. Follow us @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram and Facebook Transcripts are available within a week of the episode coming out at www.kalw.org/podcast/uncuffed

28 min
JUL 31

Being Accountable

All season long, host Greg Eskridge has been sharing his story — from experiencing homelessness in his childhood, to the decades he spent in prison. He’s also sharing what his freedom looks like – starting a new life on the outside and having hard conversations with family. Now, he’s sharing another very personal part of his story. Normally, on Uncuffed, we don’t talk about people’s crimes. We believe people are more than their crimes. But it’s impossible to tell Greg’s full story without acknowledging this part of it. Today, in a short episode, Greg Eskridge shares a message about what happened over 30 years ago, and how he is taking accountability. Learn more, sign up for Uncuffed news, and support the program at www.uncuffed.org Our work in prisons is supported by the California Arts Council, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, independent foundations, and donations from listeners like you. Follow us @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram and Facebook Transcripts are available within a week of the episode coming out at www.kalw.org/podcast/uncuffed

8 min
JUL 22

Stand With Uncuffed

The federal government just cut all support for public media. KALW, which brings you Uncuffed, will lose about $400,000 a year — money that helps us teach people in prison and bring their stories to you. Now is the time to stand with KALW, to stand with Uncuffed, and to stand with people in prison whose stories need to be heard. Become a member of KALW by making a monthly donation. Join us at KALW.org.Thank you.

1 min
JUL 17

Uncuffed Presents: Folktales from Sudan

Uncuffed is excited to present a story from one of our new favorite podcasts, Folktales from Sudan. These are stories from Sudanese folklore for the whole family, told by award-winning public radio journalist and storyteller Hana Baba. On this episode, you'll hear “The Father and Three Sons," a tale of misunderstanding and judgment between a parent and child. It’s also about forgiveness, healing, and realizing the value of something that may not be obvious until it’s gone. To listen to more episodes of Folktales from Sudan, visit: https://www.folktalesfromsudan.org

13 min
JUL 3

Finding Home

Getting out of prison is often called 'going home.' But when people have been away from it for so long, the idea of home can be complicated. In this episode, host Greg Eskridge shares three stories from Uncuffed producers about finding a sense of family, community, and shelter in unexpected places — everywhere from a treehouse to a car wreck in a canal. Check out Thanh Tran’s documentary at https://findingma.com and listen to his music on Spotify or Instagram. Take the Uncuffed Listener survey at www.uncuffed.org/survey, and support the program at uncuffed.org/donate Our work in prisons is supported by the California Arts Council, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, independent foundations, and donations from listeners like you. Follow us @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram and Facebook Transcripts are available within a week of the episode coming out at www.kalw.org/podcast/uncuffed

30 min
JUN 19

Mama

What does a mother’s love feel like? Growing up, Greg didn’t feel the love he wanted from his mother, and he held onto that pain for over three decades. This episode, Greg finally has an honest conversation with his mother about his childhood. And, we’ll hear from moms and caregivers at the California Institution for Women about the challenges of being a mother from prison. To learn more about Rochelle Edwards, the therapist who facilitated the conversation between Greg and his mother, visit https://tjinstitute.org/about/ Take the Uncuffed Listener survey at www.uncuffed.org/survey Our work in prisons is supported by the California Arts Council, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, independent foundations, and donations from listeners like you. Learn more, sign up for Uncuffed news, and support the program at www.uncuffed.org Follow us @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram and Facebook Transcripts are available within a week of the episode coming out at www.kalw.org/podcast/uncuffed

32 min
MAY 22

An Update From An Old Friend

Longtime listeners might remember a special episode of the podcast inviting listeners to a wedding inside San Quentin. In 2022, one of the producers from our original San Quentin cohort, Edmond Richardson, married the love of his life, Avelina. Today, all six of the members of that first cohort have been released from prison. Edmond came home late last year, and so much has happened since that episode of the podcast aired three years ago. We're re-airing this popular episode while we take a short break. And you’ll want to stick around until the end to hear a very special update from Edmond and Avelina. Uncuffed will be back with brand new episodes on June 19. Our work in prisons is supported by the California Arts Council, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, independent foundations, and donations from listeners like you. Learn more, sign up for Uncuffed news, and support the program at www.uncuffed.org Follow us @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram and Facebook Transcripts are available within a week of the episode coming out at www.kalw.org/podcast/uncuffed

33 min
MAY 8

Home Cooking

It’s no secret that the food inside prison is – to put it mildly – not great. That’s why folks in prison often daydream about memorable meals from their pasts, and find creative ways to make their own food inside their cells. Today on the episode, host Greg Eskridge goes to his first Thanksgiving dinner in over 30 years. We’ll hear about the magic of a shared meal and how it can bridge divides in and outside of prison. Our work in prisons is supported by the California Arts Council, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, independent foundations, and donations from listeners like you. Learn more, sign up for Uncuffed news, and support the program at www.uncuffed.org Follow us @WeAreUncuffed on Instagram and Facebook Transcripts are available within a week of the episode coming out at www.kalw.org/podcast/uncuffed

28 min

See All (71)

4.9

out of 5

199 Ratings

Awesome Podcast!

Oct 31

Angzhuhfthiig

Just starting season 2. I am grateful for the humanity and education delivered through the engaging storytelling. Thank you for this work. It is relevant for me personally, but also brings a human aspect to the prison experience for those who may not have a direct or personal connection to this system. Thank you so much for this important work.
Phenomenal listening

May 19

lovedbyamp

I am really enjoying this podcast. I’m enjoying hearing these men’s stories their emotions their thoughts, their sadness but also their joy and their growth. This is such a great podcast I love hearing their voices. I like hearing the different tones of voices and cadence of voices. It’s just a really great show. thank you.
Learning A Lot

Apr 10

Mildred Honey

So much heart and humanity and authentic. I look forward to each well produced episode..
Great podcast

Mar 4

shirljennings

I enjoyed the podcast and all of the insight that you’re bringing to the table. I hope this podcast goes far and reaches millions of people. Good luck.

Uncuffed empowers people in California prisons to tell their own stories. The award-winning collaboration between incarcerated student producers and professional journalists shines light on the human experience of people before, during, and after their prison terms. The new Season 4 is hosted by formerly incarcerated producer Greg Eskridge. https://www.WeAreUncuffed.org