131 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 • 19.8K 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 Ear Hustle Anything 5

    EH+ Ask Ear Hustle Anything 5

    It’s March’s Ask Me Anything episode! Earlonne and Nigel answer questions sent in by subscribers; EH executive producer Bruce Wallace passes them along. There’s little prep and very light editing. Stuff gets wild.


    Things mentioned in this episode:


    Mt. Tamalpais College, formerly the Prison University Project, where Nigel started volunteering in San Quentin


    “Getting a Date,” the episode where Steve Wilson talks about escaping prison


    There are a few recommendations of groups that support books and libraries in prison on this page


    Lemon Twist and Al’s Attire, two of Nigel’s favorite clothing spots


    “Keep Your Head to the Sky” by Earth, Wind & Fire, the song E wants played at his funeral


    “Stairway to Heaven” by The O’Jays


    And the song nobody could think of, “Gangsta Lean” by DRS


    Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

    A Rock Across a Lake

    A Rock Across a Lake

    We’ve never based a whole episode on a poem before, but this one, by Sky, took us by surprise. It’s both a record of longing for all the things she can’t do in prison — sleep in a teepee, have a cookie jar, touch a rabbit — and a way of doing those things in her mind. 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 in Apple Podcasts by tapping on the "Subscribe" button. Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX. Find a full list of episode credits at earhustlesq.com.

    • 28 min
    EH+ Ask Ear Hustle Anything 4

    EH+ Ask Ear Hustle Anything 4

    It’s February’s Ask Me Anything episode! Earlonne and Nigel answer questions sent in by subscribers, relayed by EH executive producer Bruce Wallace. There’s no prep and very little editing. Anything can happen.


    Things mentioned in this episode:


    “Sentenced to Life for an Accident Miles Away,” the recent New Yorker article about felony murder laws


    A few sound design edit notes from Amy on the last episode of season 12



    Amy Standen


    1:53 PM Dec 19


    SD - Sorry E -- but can you try a different music? this feels too jokey. Doesn't have to be SO happy -- just something EH-y that's got some momentum to it


    Amy Standen


    8:47 PM Dec 16


    this will need to be paced so it can "dance with the music" (TM)


    Amy Standen


    8:12 PM Dec 16


    SD here in between these different voices? like a ziiiip or zaap?



    Earlonne’s karaoke song


    Nigel’s karaoke song (if she didn’t hate karaoke)


    Bonus: The song Nigel wants sung at her funeral


    Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

    Ear Hustle Extra: A Sneak Peek at "Cellies, with Commentary"

    Ear Hustle Extra: A Sneak Peek at "Cellies, with Commentary"

    Season 13 is coming soon; in the meantime, here’s a glimpse of what’s going on in Ear Hustle Plus, our new subscription feed. In this excerpt, Nigel and Earlonne listen back to their very first episode, “ Cellies,” and chat with executive producer Bruce Wallace about what life was like behind the scenes when Ear Hustle first stepped into the world, what’s changed since then, and the question in that episode that drove Earlonne nuts. To hear the rest of the Cellies commentary episode, sign up at earhustlesq.com/plus. You’ll also get access to more bonus content, including monthly Ask Me Anything episodes, where Nigel and Earlonne take on listener questions — the weirder, the better! Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

    • 11 min
    EH+ Ask Ear Hustle Anything 3

    EH+ Ask Ear Hustle Anything 3

    It’s a bonus Ask Me Anything episode! Earlonne and Nigel answer questions sent in by subscribers, relayed by EH executive producer Bruce Wallace. There’s no prep and very little editing. Anything can happen.


    Links to things mentioned in this episode:


    “12 Hours on the Yard,” perhaps our most technically complex episode to date


    “Transitional,” with its controversial listener alert


    As an Ear Hustle Plus subscriber, you can ask us questions anytime. Add them to earhustle.supercast.com/ama OR to the #ama channel in our Discord space.


    Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

    EH+ Ear Hustle's First Episode, with Commentary

    EH+ Ear Hustle's First Episode, with Commentary

    As we celebrate Ear Hustle’s 100th episode, Nigel and Earlonne listen back to their very first episode, “Cellies,” and talk to EH executive producer Bruce Wallace about what was going on behind the scenes when Ear Hustle first stepped into the world, and what’s changed since then.


    And subscribers, keep your questions coming! As an Ear Hustle Plus subscriber, you can ask us questions for our regular AMA episodes anytime. Add them to earhustle.supercast.com/ama OR to the #ama channel in our Discord space.


    Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
19.8K Ratings

19.8K Ratings

BeautyIsAnimate ,

Sky

I have enjoyed Ear Hustle since the beginning. (Snap Judgement *might* have been the pod that pointed me to Ear Hustle.) This week’s episode with Sky was probably my favorite episode to date. If there’s any way the folks at Ear Hustle could connect Sky with Button Poetry, I think all parties would be very happy with the outcome. 💖

Adr_San ,

So excited for new season

Finding the humanity in each person thru candid interviews while giving us a real sense of what its like to be a resident in SQ and other places. The questions are insightful. Many of those interviewed are introspective, funny, creative, and have plans and ambitions. Through the stories we get insight into justice systems and the impact that reforms could have. The dynamic between E and Nige is so endearing, sometimes humorous and they elicit the best of each other. It’s in my top2 of all podcasts ever. I wait with great anticipation for the next episode and often re-listen to to get all the nuances and original music. Written long ago and now I am disappointed because I was an early adopter and now being asked to pay to listen. I listen to 20 podcasts so I can’t afford to pay for all of them.

super vision ,

Binged and learned.

I was late learn about Ear Hustle, but once I started I smashed through all 12 seasons in a few weeks!! Listen and learn. I’m so happy to have this knowledge that I’ll use to support changes we very much need in our prison systems… and you’ll have fun. I miss Sam Robinson’s perspective and wisdom. I hope more CO’s feel this is a welcome place to contribute, and we’ll listen. I have my Ear Hustle Hoodie and rockin’ it in Brooklyn NY. Continued best wishes for this important work. sj

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