Give Love: Life on Death Row

Jess Hoffert

Life was never easy for Franklin Davis, and now he finds himself locked up in a cell on Texas death row. Discover what led him here—and what gives him hope despite the darkest of circumstances—through a series of phone conversations with an unlikely pen pal. New episodes released every Wednesday. To learn more about Death Row Support Project, visit brethren.org/drsp

Episodes

  1. 10. Legacy

    12/18/2024

    10. Legacy

    On the final episode of Give Love, Jess recounts his first face-to-face meeting with Franklin, and a chorus of voices shares how Franklin's life and story have impacted them. Franklin closes with a stirring statement on legacy and invites listeners to connect with him at the following address: Texas Department of Criminal Justice Franklin Davis 999585 PO Box 660400 Dallas, TX 75266-0400 NOTE: All mail must be sent in a basic white envelope.

    28 min
  2. 9. Support

    12/11/2024

    9. Support

    Rachel Gross founded Death Row Support Project more than 45 years ago, and now she's passing the leadership torch to her daughter Heidi. In many ways, the program has always been a family affair, and it's changed lives for thousands of inmates and those who correspond with them. Rachel and Heidi share about the origins of the project, how it's grown and where it's headed next. To learn more about Death Row Support Project, visit brethren.org/drsp

    33 min
  3. 8. Faith

    12/04/2024

    8. Faith

    Franklin's faith has been put to the ultimate test on multiple occasions. In this episode, he openly shares how his views on spirituality, organized religion and the afterlife have evolved since he was sent to death row. To learn more about Death Row Support Project, visit brethren.org/drsp

    29 min
  4. 7. Ahmad

    11/27/2024

    7. Ahmad

    Ahmad is the only one of Franklin's five children to visit him in prison. A conversation with Ahmad and his girlfriend, Christal, reveals early memories of Franklin, what it's like to meet with him now, and whether Ahmad has been able to forgive his dad for everything that's transpired. To learn more about Death Row Support Project, visit brethren.org/drsp

    24 min
  5. 6. Trial

    11/20/2024

    6. Trial

    It doesn't take long after officers knock on his door for Franklin to realize that his fate is sealed. In this episode, he walks us through the experience of being on trial for capital murder along with his first days on death row. To learn more about Death Row Support Project, visit brethren.org/drsp

    32 min
  6. 5. Linda

    11/13/2024

    5. Linda

    Linda spends her retirement visiting dozens of prison inmates, housing parolees and co-hosting a radio show that provides crucial information to people on death row. Despite regular encounters with those in the prison system, her bond with Franklin has become extraordinarily special. To learn more about Death Row Support Project, visit brethren.org/drsp

    28 min
  7. 4. Wandering

    11/06/2024

    4. Wandering

    After years of abandonment, loss and heartbreak, Franklin attempts to carve his own path in life as an adult. With no positive mentors or guardrails, his journey to seek peace and security results in chaos, homelessness and a cold act of vengeance that sends him to prison. To learn more about Death Row Support Project, visit brethren.org/drsp

    30 min
  8. 3. Teenager

    10/30/2024

    3. Teenager

    Franklin's teenage years bring fresh waves of violence, multiple rounds of foster care and an unusual family reunion with devastating news that will change his life forever. He also enters into his first serious relationship, which impacts all of his future forays into dating and intimacy. Advisory: This episode discusses sexual violence and other forms of physical abuse. To learn more about Death Row Support Project, visit brethren.org/drsp

    29 min
  9. 2. Childhood

    10/21/2024

    2. Childhood

    The conversation continues with Franklin Davis, an inmate on Texas death row for the past 11 years. Franklin is going to give us a glimpse into his childhood, and to call it rough would be an understatement. Advisory: Rape, murder, and other forms of violence will be addressed today, as they’re all pieces to the puzzle that is Franklin and the path his life has taken. To learn more about Death Row Support Project, visit brethren.org/drsp

    27 min
  10. 1. Connected

    10/21/2024

    1. Connected

    Franklin and Jess met 3 years ago thanks to the Death Row Support Project, a program that has connected thousands of inmates to writers around the world. More than 100 written and emailed exchanges later, Franklin and Jess have built a rich relationship. And now they get to discuss life via phone calls, thanks to new tablets being allowed on death row in Livingston, Texas. This story—Franklin’s story—is so much more than a murder case. It’s a story about life: his life, Jess' life, and how they’ve become intertwined in surprisingly beautiful ways. To learn more about Death Row Support Project, visit brethren.org/drsp

    28 min
  • 10 Episodes

5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Life was never easy for Franklin Davis, and now he finds himself locked up in a cell on Texas death row. Discover what led him here—and what gives him hope despite the darkest of circumstances—through a series of phone conversations with an unlikely pen pal. New episodes released every Wednesday. To learn more about Death Row Support Project, visit brethren.org/drsp

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