Ear Hustle

Ear Hustle & Radiotopia
  • 4.9 (20K)
  • DOCUMENTARY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY
Ear Hustle
EAR HUSTLE +

Go behind-the-scenes with exclusive bonus episodes

$4.99/mo or $49.99/yr after trial

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. EH+ Where’s Talib Now? 

    1 DAY AGO • 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
  2. Last Memory: Linda

    DEC 11

    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

    39 min
  3. EH+ “Unwritten” Commentary

    DEC 5 • 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
  4. Last Memory: Leisha

    NOV 27

    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
  5. EH+ Where’s AR Now?

    NOV 25 • 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
  6. The Wrong Line of Business

    NOV 13

    The Wrong Line of Business

    Earlonne's here with his "mystery" episode, and it's a doozy. He tells Nigel a redemption story wrapped in a drug-trafficking story, and, along the way, dives deep into several subjects we swore we'd never touch. Buckle up.  Thanks to George for telling his story. He co-authored a book about moving past gangs and criminal thinking; you can find that here. Thanks also to Tanaya for the rap and listener alert, and to everyone else we talked to for this story.  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

    46 min
  7. EH+ November Ask Nigel and Earlonne Anything

    NOV 13 • EAR HUSTLE + ONLY

    EH+ November Ask Nigel and Earlonne Anything

    Nigel and Earlonne field listeners’ questions about walk-up songs, visiting Rikers Island, favorite jokes, and much more.Got a burning question for Nigel and Earlonne or the Ear Hustle team? Apple EH+ 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! Things mentioned in the episode:TurduckenEmile DeWeaver - Ear Hustle episode 1 - CelliesEmile Soutonye DeWeaver - Ghost in the Criminal Justice Machine: Reform, White Supremacy, and an Abolitionist FutureLady Jay - Ear Hustle episode 18 - Down Low Curtis Roberts - Ear Hustle episode 8 - Left BehindCurtis Roberts - Ear Hustle episode 30 - I Want the Fairy TaleCurtis Roberts (book) - Sentenced to Life: The Path to Redemption and Freedom for Prisoner E-25212Prison Break (trailer)The Shawshank Redemption (trailer)Penitentiary (movie)Comedian Ali Saddiq - Mexicans Got on BootsAli Saddiq’s four-part series - Domino Effect, Domino Effect 2, Domino Effect 3, and Domino Effect 4.Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

    59 min
  8. My Understanding of This Place: Nigel & Earlonne

    NOV 6

    My Understanding of This Place: Nigel & Earlonne

    Over the past two episodes we’ve been hearing about “memory places” at San Quentin: ordinary-seeming spots that become extraordinary through the eyes of people who spent time there. In this extra mini-ep, Nigel and Earlonne take us to their spots, and down Ear Hustle memory lane.    This episode was scored with music by Earlonne Woods, Antwan Williams, and Derrell Sadiq Davis. 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.

    16 min
See All (168)

Trailers

Hosts & Guests

4.9
out of 5
20,099 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 - 2024
  • Episodes
    168
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Show Website
    Ear Hustle
  • Provider
    PRX

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.
Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada