Cellblocks to Mountaintops

Cellblocks to Mountaintops
  • 4.9 (79)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • WEEKLY SERIES

A podcast and video series that examines how America addresses violence, defines justice and seeks accountability through the journey of one man. Years after committing a horrific crime, Sterling Cunio fully faces the ripple effects of the harm he caused. Through the power of artistic expression and human connections and inspired by restorative justice principles, he forges a remarkable personal transformation while serving decades in prison. This story is a poignant reminder that hope, healing, and redemption are never beyond reach, even in the darkest of places. To see our companion video series and find out more about the show, go to our website at CellblockstoMountaintops.com

  1. Throw Away the Key

    EPISODE 1

    Throw Away the Key

    After serving more than 25 years in prison, Sterling Cunio goes before the most important audience of his life: the Oregon Board of Parole. His supporters and attorneys argue that Sterling has rehabilitated, and deserves a second chance for a life beyond prison walls. But even if that’s true, does that mean he should be set free? Locking him up for the rest of his life won’t bring his victims back, but will it send a message that demonstrates respect for the lives he took? Will it improve public safety or help his victims heal? What does justice demand? Please note: There are many types of parole board hearings. In this episode, Karuna Thompson speaks of one kind of hearing. Rehabilitation Hearings, however, on average tend to run between 4-5 hours and it has been reported that the Oregon Board of Parole has consistently been prepared for these hearings. Be sure to watch our mini-documentary video The Hearing where you will see live excerpts of the hearing. To watch our companion videos, read the transcripts, and see our complete show notes with media links, sources, and references please visit our website: www.cellblockstomountaintops.com Featured in this episode: Sterling Cunio Professor Melissa Buis,  Professor and Chair of Politics, Policy, Law and Ethics Department (PPLE)  and Director, Transformative Justice Initiative at Willamette University.  Since 2016 she has taught  “Restorative Justice” classes at Oregon State Penitentiary with both “inside” and “outside” students. Dr. Buis is also a founding member and Board Chair of the nonprofit, Transformative Justice Community. Lauren Kessler teaches Storytelling for Social Change at University of Washington, former writing teacher at Oregon State Penitentiary, author of 15 books including A Grip of Time and Free, Two Years, Six Lives and the Long Journey Home, both of which feature Sterling Cunio. Ryan O’Connor, Criminal Defense Attorney Ryan Joslin, Chief Deputy District Attorney, Benton County, Oregon Michael Chiu, Board Chairman, Oregon Board of Parole Karuna Thompson, Former Prison Chaplain & Victim Liaison at the Oregon Department of Corrections Rosemary Brewer, Former Prosecutor, Victims Advocate & Director of Oregon Crime Victims Law Center Danielle Sered, Founder & Executive Director of Common Justice; Author: Until We Reckon: Violence, Mass Incarceration, and a Road to Repair Anthony Pickens

    19 min
  2. The Hearing

    EPISODE 1 BONUS VIDEO

    The Hearing

    This episode is a video. If your podcast player does not support videos, please go to our website to watch: www.cellblockstomountaintops.com Sterling Cunio faces the Oregon Board of Parole at a prison term hearing to decide his fate. Held during the peak of the pandemic, Sterling, his attorneys, and supporters must present his case over video. Sterling has committed the past twelve years of his life to changing himself and expresses deep remorse for his crimes. Will this be enough to earn his freedom? To hear more about Sterling’s bid for freedom, listen to Podcast Episode 1, *Throw Away the Key.*

    5 min
  3. The Making of a "Superpredator"???

    EPISODE 2

    The Making of a "Superpredator"???

    Sterling Cunio used to play football and ride bikes around the neighborhood with his friends.  He won The Most Mannerly Kid award.  But several tragic circumstances changed the trajectory of his life, pushing him into foster care, and later the juvenile justice system. What happened? How did he come to commit such a horrific crime? Watch Sterling’s lawyers explain the complexities of his case in our 3-minute video: A Legal Quagmire To watch our companion videos and to see our complete show notes with media links, sources, and references please visit our website: www.cellblockstomountaintops.com Featured in this episode: Sterling Cunio Anthony Pickens Carly Baetz, JD, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology, Purdue University Northwest (formerly Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine) Rosemary Brewer, Former Prosecutor, Victims Advocate and Director of Oregon Crime Victims Law Center Companion Video for this Episode:   Video 2A - A Legal Quagmire

    31 min
  4. A Legal Quagmire

    EPISODE 2 BONUS VIDEO

    A Legal Quagmire

    This episode is a video. If your podcast player does not support videos, please go to our website to watch: www.cellblockstomountaintops.com See attorneys Aliza Kaplan and Ryan O’Connor delve into juvenile sentencing complexities, centering on Sterling’s case and his bid for freedom. They discuss the infamous “super predator scare” of the 1990s and advancements in understanding adolescent brain development as it relates to the law.  Listen to Podcast Episode 2, The Making of a “Superpredator”???,  to hear how Sterling went from a loving home at age 12 to prison by age 16.

    4 min
  5. Push. The. Button.

    EPISODE 3

    Push. The. Button.

    In 1994, Sterling walked into prison a scrawny, 17-year-old biracial kid. His mettle was immediately tested by a much older white supremacist cellmate. That first night would set the tone for the years to come. But eventually,  he would discover new ideas and new ways of being -  in unexpected places. Sterling adjusts to living in prison and meets a friend for life - get to know him in our mini-documentary,  Anthony’s Story. This episode includes a description of a suicide attempt about 10 minutes into the program.  Listener discretion is advised. If you or anyone you know is struggling with a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts, please call 988. That’s the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 988. To watch our companion videos, read the transcripts, and see our complete show notes with media links, sources, and references please visit our website: www.cellblockstomountaintops.com Featured in this episode: Sterling Cunio Anthony Pickens Carly Baetz, JD, PhD, Associate Professor of Psychology, Purdue University Northwest (formerly Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, NYU Grossman School of Medicine) Cheryl Cunio Companion Video for this Episode:   Video 3A - Anthony’s Story

    26 min
  6. Anthony’s Story

    EPISODE 3 BONUS VIDEO

    Anthony’s Story

    This episode is a video. If your podcast player does not support videos, please go to our website to watch: www.cellblockstomountaintops.com Join us as Anthony shares his life story with both “inside” and “outside” classmates from Professor Melissa Buis’ “Reforming Criminal Justice” class held inside Oregon State Penitentiary.  He details step by step what led to his incarceration at age 15.  Anthony emotionally reflects on a surprising moment from his sentencing hearing which fuels his transformation on a daily basis.   Tune into Podcast Episode 3, Push. The. Button., to hear what adult prison does to teenage boys.

    7 min
  7. Love, Loss & Art

    EPISODE 4

    Love, Loss & Art

    Relationships with people in the outside world are essential for maintaining hope, working towards rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism. Letters, emails, and in-person visits from friends and family bring a shred of humanity to an otherwise inhumane environment. In Sterling's case, he found a pen pal that would become very dear to his heart. And in writing, he began to express himself in a way that people would finally listen. To see Sterling’s transformation unfold through pictures and stories watch Turning Points.   Watch Sterling perform in the award-winning play, The Bucket. This episode includes a description of suicide ideation about 8 minutes into the program. Listener discretion is advised. If you or anyone you know is struggling with a mental health crisis or suicidal thoughts, please call 988. That’s the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, 988. To watch our companion videos, read the transcripts, and to see our complete show notes with media links, sources, and references please visit our website: www.cellblockstomountaintops.com Featured in this episode: Cheryl Cunio Sterling Cunio Lauren Kessler, teaches Storytelling for Social Change at University of Washington,  former writing teacher at Oregon State Penitentiary, author of 15 books including A Grip of Time and Free, Two Years, Six Lives and the Long Journey Home, both of which feature Sterling Cunio. Performers in *The Bucket:* Troy Ramsey, Key Davis, Ben Pervish Becca Stevens, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Antonio Sánchez, 4x Grammy Winner, Film Composer of 2014 Best Picture Winner, “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” Thana Alexa - Grammy-nominated vocalist, composer, arranger and producer.  She performs a portion of The Bucket in this episode. Companion Videos for this Episode: Video 4A - Turning Points Video 4B - *Excerpts from The Bucket*

    34 min
  8. Turning Points

    EPISODE 4 BONUS VIDEO

    Turning Points

    This episode is a video. If your podcast player does not support videos, please go to our website to watch: www.cellblockstomountaintops.com With acute self-awareness, Sterling recounts several of the key turning points in his life that enabled him to transform. Thanks to an unexpected letter and a surprising connection to a novel he randomly read, Sterling’s perspective on himself and his crime turns upside down.  Witness this unfolding transformation enhanced with old photographs.   Hear how letters, love, and creative expression propelled Sterling’s transformation in Episode 4, Love, Loss & Art.

    5 min
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4.9
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About

A podcast and video series that examines how America addresses violence, defines justice and seeks accountability through the journey of one man. Years after committing a horrific crime, Sterling Cunio fully faces the ripple effects of the harm he caused. Through the power of artistic expression and human connections and inspired by restorative justice principles, he forges a remarkable personal transformation while serving decades in prison. This story is a poignant reminder that hope, healing, and redemption are never beyond reach, even in the darkest of places. To see our companion video series and find out more about the show, go to our website at CellblockstoMountaintops.com

Information

  • Creator
    Cellblocks to Mountaintops
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Narrative Alchemy 2024 - 2026
  • Show Website
    Cellblocks to Mountaintops