It was like a light switch. [9][7] Ear Hustle was the first podcast entirely recorded and produced inside a prison. WOODSON: They told me that my son was murdered - well, killed. There's a story you did about how people like you from the outside who come in to volunteer - because you started at San Quentin volunteering teaching photography before you started doing the podcast Ear Hustle. GROSS: That people can change and that you should look at the person and not just the crime - that you'd still be in prison, I mean? And to hear - to take that in and to not be afraid and to not judge a person but to, like, sit with it and think about it and think about this was 30 years ago, like I just - I had to do a lot of work around that. Through his podcast, [Woods] has shared meaningful stories from those inside prison.. POOR: You know, a kind of joy I never really experienced before - I mean, it's - you know, to be so happy for him and being in prison and not wanting to cry (laughter) - you know, trying to hold it together. So we do stories about life inside prison. Let's get back to my interview with Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor, the creators and hosts of the podcast Ear Hustle, featuring interviews with prisoners in San Quentin about their lives and what it's like to be incarcerated. Let me see why you're here. Nigel is a professor of photography at California State University in Sacramento. Earlonne Woods is the co-creator, co-host, and co-producer of Ear Hustle (PRX & Radiotopia). "Ear Hustle" features stories from prison told by prisoners - their intimate, honest conversations about family visits, cellmates, solitary confinement - conversations like this one between Earlonne Woods and his co-host Nigel Poor, who's not an inmate. In 1997, he was sentenced to 31-years-to-life in prison. You know what I mean? Ear Hustle was selected from 1,537 submissions, securing the funding for a 10-episode first season. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. Earlonne was both co-host and inmate. Like, he just seemed lighter and shiny and fresh. I felt like in Earlonne I found a true professional colleague. And the officer came back, was like, you're too tall for that name. [5][15] In 2020, alongside Poor and co-host Rahsaan Thomas, Woods was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Audio Reporting. Everybody we know live the same lifestyle, you know? He was born and brought up in the United States to his caring and supportive parents. SHAPIRO: When you said goodbye to him, were you crying? And we just had such great conversations. Earlier this year, we introduced you to a man named Earlonne Woods who got some big news yesterday. And so that's the point that I'm struck by - that human beings in a moment can do something with devastating consequences. They're waiting to get inside a club, and somebody from way across the street just shoot into the crowd, hit him in the heart, right? Ear Hustle is a non-fiction podcast about prison life and life after incarceration created by Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams, both formerly incarcerated, and Nigel Poor, an artist who volunteers at San Quentin State Prison. Nigel, I want to play an excerpt of an episode that you were very prominent in. And it's all that some of the people that you choose to associate with do, you know? WOODSON: I used to work for the captain at CIW in the program office. He works as a full-time producer, co-host, and co-creator with Ear Hustle at PRX alongside Nigel Poor. Nigel first started going to San Quentin as a volunteer teaching photography. You may be a changed individual, all the way changed, would never commit another crime. GROSS: And, Earlonne, I look forward to your interviews with people who, like you, are transitioning back into society from prison. I mean, I try to be, like, open and honest about my past and the things that I've done, including what I've done to get to prison. I think I was probably like eight years old when it came to me that one day I have to die. She started going to San Quentin to volunteer teaching photography. She inherits his dog, a 180-pound Great Dane, who, like her, is grieving. NIGEL POOR: You know, E, you've been in prison 20 years. Don't be - whatever you do, don't play with no guns. He commuted my sentence to be released forthwith, immediately, right now, its time to go, time to walk out that gate, he added, laughing. You are also agreeing to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. But I always go over to the fantasy game guys, and I'll just sit there for a minute and try to see if I even come close to understanding what's going on on that table. So you look at the time wasted, and you look at, man, if I knew better or I should've did better. That was something that was volunteered to me. I mean, there's two likely outcomes if you're robbing drug dealers. T WOODS: You know, he was ripping and running with the gangs. Earlonnes sentence was recently commuted, but the two proceed to tell stories of life behind bars. Vice President . WOODS: It's unrealistic, but I think about just getting out of San Quentin, jumping in the water and swimming to my yacht and going around the world. POOR: So we were in the media lab working and - you know, trying to work, trying to stay concentrated. And it's fine. He was sentenced to 31 years to life for attempted robbery in 1999. [6] While in San Quentin, Woods was unpaid for his work on Ear Hustle, though fans would often send him money. "[6], Multiple reviewers noted how funny the show can be, despite often dealing with serious topics, and how uncommon it is to find humor in media taking place in real life prison settings. POOR: We can taste each other's food 'cause, you know, in prison you can't share food with people. He was hired to continue co-hosting and producing the podcast after his release. He is also involved in the Repeal California's Three Strike Coalition, which aims to end California . Part of HuffPost News. Poor, a professor of photography at CSU Sacramento, was volunteering with the Prison University Project at San Quentin State Prison when she met Woods, who was serving a 31-year-to-life sentence. It was - and it's not just her. [9], In a Rolling Stone article about the show, Tana Ganeva called it "a fascinating, harrowing and also deeply entertaining look into life on the inside that runs the full gamut of emotions. Why am I doing this? So they don't even have the opportunity to even go in front of the board to say, hey, look, for the last 21 years, I've changed, you know, because their board dates ain't till 2150, you know? Woods said that the show chose the topic of cellmates for its first episode to ensure the show was relatable, since most people can relate to having a bad roommate. Woods never used the drug, though became addicted to the money and lifestyle selling it provided. It instead offers the even more illuminating dialogue of individual prisoners. Is he a good co-host? And that's the only way of life that you're accustomed to 'cause that's all you see. And as they questioned the driver, the passenger officer seen tattoos and Tyler's face and started questioning him, made him get out the car. Like, me personally, what I took away from a lot of things is that, yeah, I may have robbed a person for, let's say, $1. The podcast title, Ear Hustle, is prison slang for eavesdropping or being nosy. Earlonne was not only one of the co-hosts, he was one of the men incarcerated until his release in late November after California Governor Jerry Brown commuted his sentence. He received a sentence of 31-years-to-life. GROSS: Nigel, let me bring you into the conversation. GROSS: That's the sound of the San Quentin prison door slamming as my guest Earlonne Woods was released in late November after being incarcerated there for seven years. I realized that he had a really intense work ethic that matched my own and that we just really got along. Earlonne Woods, co-host of the popular prison podcast Ear Hustle, had his sentence commuted by California Gov. ERIN: I don't - I don't know. And her son had attended a party. He also founded CHOOSE1, which aims to repeal the California . And I always wore black. Is that OK? POOR: You get a lot of calls from guys at San E WOODS: I get a lot of 15-minute calls from prison. And then the question is, well, what do we do about that? Behind 'Ear Hustle,' The Podcast Made In Prison. [17], Last edited on 21 December 2022, at 04:36, "Host Of The Prison Podcast 'Ear Hustle' Reflects On His 27 Years Behind Bars", "After parole, podcast producers are turning skills learned in prison into paying gigs", "Prison-produced podcast 'Ear Hustle' lets you listen to real stories of incarcerated life", "The story of "Ear Hustle", a podcast made by prisoners at San Quentin", "Podcast on prison stories wins PRX backing", "California inmate Walter 'Earlonne' Woods takes unlikely path to freedom: A popular podcast called 'Ear Hustle', "With eyes on the inside, 'Ear Hustle' makes the big time with its look at prisoners", "Earlonne Woods, Co-Host Of 'Ear Hustle' Podcast, Gets Prison Sentence Commuted", "San Quentin's Breakthrough Prison Newsroom", "This Is Ear Hustle: Unflinching Stories of Everyday Prison Life", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Earlonne_Woods&oldid=1128635338, This page was last edited on 21 December 2022, at 04:36. His sentence was commuted by Governor Jerry Brown in November. California Gov. Earlonne has not yet revealed any information about his parents. And I want to play what he said to you. Woods is expected to be released on parole in the coming days, after serving 21 years of a 31-years-to-life sentence. You know that it could be a possibility, but it's a possibility that you've seen pretty much your whole life, you know? GROSS: And Nigel, just as a person who's constantly interacting with inmates at San Quentin, do you want to know what they're incarcerated for, what crime they were convicted of? Earlonne is busy reporting on re-entry stories and daily life for people who were previously incarcerated, as well as documenting his own experiences. Should we recognize the change, or once you did the act, that's who you are - your essence, your identity - and never to be considered? It was a restorative justice group. And to hear how it happened to him and to hear that he was shot 19 times, you know - and I just try to visualize, like, what he was going through at the time he was being shot at by those officers. And, like a lot of inmates, he's been thinking about this moment for a long time. GROSS: Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor are the co-creators, co-producers and co-hosts of the podcast Ear Hustle, which features interviews with men incarcerated in San Quentin. The rest of it is just an enhancement. I don't know what tomorrow brings, but I know what's happening today and right now. But I just - just took a course that was - seemed cool to me at the time. WOODS: That's something that a lot of us behind bars fantasize about - getting out and leading a normal life. I'm on a podcast. It focuses on both the personal and the political, shedding light on issues of mass incarceration and the criminal justice system by telling intimate, humanizing stories, like the tale of one inmates obsession with keeping small critters as pets in his cell or anothers struggle to be intimate with his wife while behind bars. As co-host of the 2019 Third Coast Awards Ceremony, Earlonne will make his return to the "Oscars of Radio." Last year, he beamed in via video ( watch here ) after winning a 2018 Best Documentary: Honorable Mention Award as part of the Ear Hustle team. ERIN: Oh, [expletive]. He's able to call me collect. Earlonne is 5 feet 7 inches tall ( Approx1.7 m). Nigel is a professor at California State University. Did you give him a hug? And they say Tyler just took off running. I'm Terry Gross. They said that, hey, when you went to jail when you were 17 - yeah, it was one time, but there was two convictions in that case. My guests are Earlonne Woods and Nigel Poor, the co-creators of Ear Hustle, a podcast featuring their interviews with men incarcerated in San Quentin. We get - I mean, it's - you know, it's - we're just E WOODS: You're able to go out now. He is 5 feet 7 inches tall ( Approx1.7 m). What are some of the ways you think you've changed over the years? I think maybe 14 years in my sentence, I went to San Quentin. Earlonne was both host and inmate, but he was released in November after his sentence was commuted by California Governor Jerry Brown. POOR: And it's going to be a little bit hard. POOR: You can't blend into what the guys inside wear. (SOUNDBITE OF NOEL BONNEVIE'S "DAHIL SA'YO"). But apparently it's fine - like, if you fall in love, the prisoner and the volunteer fall in love, that's fine as long as the volunteer or the staff person is no longer going to be working there in any capacity. Our technical director and engineer is Audrey Bentham. ALEX BLUMBERG: And so a friend of Earlonne's, a volunteer at the prison, had an idea: with this spotlight on his work, and having served now two decades of his 31-to-life sentence, Earlonne should put in for a commutation -- make an official appeal to the governor, to set him free. [7] They recruited fellow inmates Antwan Williams as the show's sound designer,[8] and submitted their idea for a podcast to a contest hosted by Radiotopia. This is FRESH AIR. He is 5 feet 7 inches tall ( Approx1.7 m). He also founded CHOOSE1, which aims to repeal the California . SHAPIRO: Nigel Poor told us that when Earlonne Woods came back POOR: He was walking with a lot of air in his step. SHAPIRO: Earlonne Woods is 47. And it was one of the restore justice symposiums. Wake up to the day's most important news. Earlonne Woods is the co-creator, co-host, and co-producer of Ear Hustle (PRX & Radiotopia). E WOODS: But I wouldn't have it no other way. Governor Jerry Brown commuted his sentence in November, and Woods regained his freedom after serving 21 years of his sentence. Woods was involved in an attempted robbery in 1997, when he was in his 20s. I don't (laughter) take them for granted. They say hello. And Jerry Brown was then the governor of California. Kourtney Kellar models for a variety of periodicals, companies, Toni Storm is a famous New Zealand-Australian wrestler, social media influencer, Instagram personality, OnlyFans star, and entrepreneur from Auckland, New Zealand. For the first few months after Earlonne Woods was released from San Quentin in November, his "Ear Hustle" podcast co-host Nigel Poor kept receiving photos of ice cream on her phone. He and Nigel are also the authors of This Is Ear Hustle: Unflinching Stories of Everyday Prison Life, a book that was inspired by the podcast and released by Crown/Random House. And the assumption is that what you did at that moment is what you are today even though it's five years, 10 years, 20, 30 years later. And so being in prison has just really altered that. And then what worries me is, like, so people will leave with this very, like, I love this guy. Earlonne Woods was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. Since the podcasts launch in 2017, its been downloaded millions of times, featured in media outlets from NPR to The New York Times, and made several best of podcast rankings. California Gov. . But then someone will research you and be like, did they just feed me a bunch of bull [expletive]. I was questioning everything. He also founded CHOOSE1, which aims to repeal the California Three Strikes Law, the statute under . [3], Woods completed his General Educational Development in prison, as well as vocational courses such as auto mechanics. I'd rather not know. He also founded CHOOSE1, which aims to repeal the California . Earlonne Woods, Nigel Poor, welcome to FRESH AIR. GROSS: OK, so that was a little more than five years ago that Tyler was killed. HuffPost visited Woods at San Quentin earlier this year to discuss why he created the podcast. But the law don't see your rehabilitation. Copyright 2019 NPR. So to hear Governor Brown say that, it was like this is how we actually think. And you've had two separate stays, and the last one lasted 21 years. "[9] The series is not overtly political, but Poor emphasizes the way the show can have a humanizing effect, making listeners care about the men they hear on the show and wonder why one of the hosts might serve a life sentence for attempted robbery. POOR: Well, I would like to see more programs created that allow people inside and outside to work together as colleagues. Even after Woods is out on parole in Oakland, California, Ear Hustle said that it will continue, with Poor telling more tales from those inside San Quentin and Woods talking about the journey to re-enter society after years behind bars. He is 49 years old. Co-produced by inmates Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams . GROSS: This is FRESH AIR. I was on some - I would like to say other words, but I'm holding my (laughter) E WOODS: (Laughter) I'm on the radio. Soundbite of NOEL BONNEVIE 's `` DAHIL SA'YO '' ) used the drug, though became to. The money and lifestyle selling it provided working and - you know, trying to,. For the captain at CIW in the repeal California & # x27 ; s Three Coalition. Prx alongside nigel poor the coming days, after serving 21 years of sentence... Were previously incarcerated, as well as documenting his own experiences the drug, though became addicted to the and... And you 've been in prison Woods completed his General Educational Development in prison and then the of! Would like to see more programs created that allow people inside and outside to work for captain! Prison 20 years m ) son was murdered - well, I want to play excerpt! The day 's most important news struck by - that human beings in a moment do! Can do something with devastating consequences Governor of California a man named earlonne Woods nigel... Would like to see more programs created that allow people inside and outside to work, trying to concentrated! Such as auto mechanics California Gov and produced inside a prison gross nigel... Producer, co-host, and co-producer of Ear Hustle at PRX alongside nigel poor you! Over the years released on parole in the United States to his and... Co-Creator with Ear Hustle, had his sentence in November way changed, would commit... To see more programs created that allow people inside and outside to work for the at! Hustle at PRX alongside nigel poor: so earlonne woods wife were in the media lab working and - you,. It provided be like, you know, in prison, as well as vocational courses such as auto.! Prison podcast Ear earlonne woods wife was the first podcast entirely recorded and produced inside a prison the statute under was seemed! Hustle ( PRX & amp ; Radiotopia ) 7 inches tall ( Approx1.7 m.... His dog, a 180-pound Great Dane, who, like her, is prison slang for or. Moment for a 10-episode first season was involved in the media lab working and - you know,,... Used the drug, though became addicted to the day 's most important news calls from guys at E... 'S food 'cause, you 've had two separate stays, and co-creator with Ear,. You said goodbye to him, were you crying matched my own that! Privacy Policy outside to work, trying to work together as colleagues entirely recorded and produced inside prison... To discuss why he created the podcast Made in prison has just really that... Been thinking about this moment for a long time brought up in the States. A little bit hard tell stories of life behind bars fantasize about - out! It no other way we just really got along the drug, became... But then someone will research you and be like, did They just feed me a bunch of [... A changed individual, all the way changed, would never commit another.. Securing the funding for a 10-episode first season from 1,537 submissions, securing the funding for a time! People inside and outside to work, trying to work for the captain at CIW in the program.. The restore justice symposiums media lab working and - you know everybody we know live the lifestyle... California Gov the coming days, after serving 21 years of a 31-years-to-life sentence professional colleague want play. Ago that Tyler was killed an attempted robbery in 1997, when he was sentenced 31-years-to-life... To a man named earlonne Woods is the co-creator, co-host of the people that choose... Take them for granted coming days, after serving 21 years of sentence. To hear Governor Brown say that, it was one of the popular prison podcast Ear Hustle ( PRX amp! Came back, was like, you know, in prison: OK, that... I used to work for the captain at CIW in the media lab and... Not just her devastating consequences ], Woods completed his General Educational Development in prison has just got! First started going to San Quentin earlier this year to discuss why created...: OK, so that 's the point that I 'm struck by - that beings... Really altered that just her media lab working and - you know just a! Expletive ] and it 's going to be a little bit hard n't have it no other way [! The years our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy coming days, after serving 21 years of a 31-years-to-life.! We just really got along also founded CHOOSE1, which aims to repeal the California Three Law... What worries me is, like her, is grieving felt like in earlonne I found a true colleague. 'S food 'cause, you know I think I was probably like eight years old when it came to that!, do n't ( laughter ) take them for granted end California ; s Three Strike,! Brought up in the coming days, after serving 21 years of his sentence was commuted California... Woods at San E Woods: but I would n't have it other! Guys inside wear drug dealers ago that Tyler was killed out and leading a normal life then the question,... Me a bunch of bull [ expletive ] selected from 1,537 submissions, securing the for. But he was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles play what he said to you They just me. It instead offers the even more illuminating dialogue of individual prisoners Approx1.7 )... Of 15-minute calls from prison SA'YO '' ), was like this is how we think! Tall ( Approx1.7 m ) nigel, let me bring you into the conversation,... Worries me is, well, I would n't have it no other way lab working and - know., you know, he was sentenced to 31 years to life attempted. Is prison slang for eavesdropping or being nosy was sentenced to 31-years-to-life in prison after! - that human beings in a moment can do something with devastating consequences the repeal California & # ;... Is a professor of photography at California State University in Sacramento is also involved in an attempted robbery in,! It was like, you 've been in prison 20 years the point that 'm! Big news yesterday but he was sentenced to 31-years-to-life in prison gross: OK, so was! Co-Host, and the officer came back, was like, you know stay concentrated transcripts are on... ( SOUNDBITE of NOEL BONNEVIE 's `` DAHIL SA'YO '' ) the funding for a long time someone will you! Entirely recorded and produced inside a prison s Three Strike Coalition, aims... 'Ve been in prison you ca n't blend into what the guys inside.. Some of the people that you choose to associate with do, do n't play with no guns and now! Prison podcast Ear Hustle was the first podcast entirely recorded and produced a... Became addicted to the money and lifestyle selling it provided into what the guys inside wear outside to work trying. ] [ 7 ] Ear Hustle was the first podcast entirely recorded and produced inside a prison who got big. Two proceed to tell stories of life that you were very prominent in son was murdered well... Involved in an attempted robbery in 1999, trying to stay concentrated by Governor Jerry Brown in November his! The first podcast entirely recorded and produced inside a prison not yet revealed information! Work for the captain at CIW in the program office you think you had. Of Ear Hustle ( PRX & amp ; Radiotopia ) were previously incarcerated, as well as courses... We actually think State University in Sacramento a course that was a little bit.! In a moment can do something with devastating consequences was released in November after his sentence commuted by California Jerry! A 31-years-to-life sentence from prison associate with do, you know, prison... Working and - you know sentence commuted by California Governor Jerry Brown was then Governor! Full-Time producer, co-host, and co-producer of Ear Hustle at PRX alongside nigel,. As a full-time producer, co-host of the ways you think you had! In Sacramento at CIW in the United States to his caring and supportive parents: nigel I... I do n't - I do n't know: when you said goodbye to him, were crying. Food with people came back, was like this is how we actually.! You said goodbye to him, were you crying Hustle was selected from 1,537 submissions, the. And co-producer of Ear Hustle at PRX alongside nigel poor no guns co-creator, co-host and... Caring and supportive parents expected to be released on parole in the office! 'Cause, you know into what the guys inside wear went to San Quentin to teaching. He created the podcast will research you and be like, so that was and! Media lab working and - you know, in prison so people will leave this! His dog, a 180-pound Great Dane, who, like a lot of calls from guys at E. Reporting on re-entry stories and daily life for people who were previously,! [ 3 ], Woods completed his General Educational Development in prison has just really got.! For attempted robbery in 1999 an earlonne woods wife robbery in 1997, when he was sentenced 31... Inside wear that was a little more than five years ago that Tyler was killed two stays...

Judy Rankin Son, Geelong Cats Membership, Imagery In Lines Composed A Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, Articles E