139 episodes

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.

Ear Hustle Ear Hustle Plus

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.9 • 19.9K Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

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.

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    EH+ Ask Amy Anything

    EH+ Ask Amy Anything

    It’s May’s Ask Me Anything episode! This month and for the rest of the summer, Earlonne and Nigel are taking a break and the supporting crew are filling in. First up: Ear Hustle editor Amy Standen. She’ll answer questions from both EH executive producer Bruce Wallace and EH Plus subscribers. How did she get started in radio? Where’s the episode on religion? And, What song does she want played at her funeral? No prep, very little editing (we didn’t let her), and extreme candor.Things mentioned in this episode:The Leap - KQED's podcast, co-created by Amy StartUp season reported by AmyEAR HUSTLE EPISODES"What’s up Michael Freeman" - about the hospice program at CMF"The Preacher"MUSIC“No Children” by The Mountain GoatsGot a burning question for Managing Producer Shabnam Sigman or Rahsaan “New York” Thomas? Apple subscribers: email them to ama@earhustlesq.com; Supercast subscribers: add them to earhustle.supercast.com/ama. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. 

    Moms

    Moms

    In honor of Mother’s Day, some decidedly un-Hallmark-y stories about incarceration and motherhood. Thanks to Mary Behun, Reggie, and Kat for speaking with us for this episode. This episode was scored with music by David Jassy, Antwan Williams, Fernando Arruda, Dwight Krizman, Rhashiyd Zinnamon, and Earlonne Woods. Big thanks to Acting Warden Andes and Lt. Berry at San Quentin State Prison, and Acting Warden Parker, Associate Warden Lewis, and Lt. Newborg at the California Institution for Women for their support of the show.Our spring fundraiser is here! Learn more and donate: on.prx.org/4d5WnCm Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. 

    • 44 min
    EH+ Nadya from Pussy Riot

    EH+ Nadya from Pussy Riot

    In this Ear Hustle Plus exclusive, from an interview we did back in 2020 but never aired, Nigel and Earlonne talk to Nadya Tolokonnikova, a member of the  punk/activist/performance-art group Pussy Riot, about the time she spent in the Russian prison system. Pussy Riot’s protestRussian Penal ColonyEar Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

    Hope Lacquer

    Hope Lacquer

    Inside prison, as well as out, some of us cling to stuff and some of us let go. In this episode: two cell-block neighbors engage in a gentle dispute, Tony attempts to Marie Kondo his future from inside prison, and Mesro won’t have his keepsakes disrespected.Thanks to our colleagues and collaborators inside San Quentin — Carrington, Mesro, Sadiq, and Tony — for talking to us about their stuff, and to Tony’s Uncle Eric for welcoming us into his home.  This episode was scored with music by David Jassy, Antwan Williams, E. Phil Phillips, Rhashiyd Zinnamon, Gregory Dixon, and Earlonne Woods.Big thanks to Acting Warden Andes and Lt. Berry at San Quentin State Prison, and Acting Warden Parker, Associate Warden Lewis, 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. (And while you’re there, leave us a review!)Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. 

    • 49 min
    EH+ Ask Ear Hustle Anything 6

    EH+ Ask Ear Hustle Anything 6

    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. 

    Five Mirrors

    Five Mirrors

    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. 

    • 44 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
19.9K Ratings

19.9K Ratings

veteran podcast listener ,

In my top 10

Everyone should listen to this podcast, it sheds light on the prison system and gives you an amazing perspective on incarcerated individuals

@EarHustle ,

My favorite by far!!!

Since the conception of the show I’ve been a faithful listener. Being a former inmate in North Carolina, I can relate to most of not all topics and have learned how society looks at formally incarcerated individuals. Erlon and Nigel are a great duo and I hope EarHustle last forever!!! Keep up the great work!

Aperrr ,

Great show

Nigel and Erlon are a great pair. Even though Nigel stands out like a sore thumb, she radiates comfortability, so that makes others comfortable to speak with her. Some of the stories are so intimate others are just kind of funny. Truly a great show.

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