Written Off

May 07 2024 160

Written Off Podcast artwork

Walter Thompson-Hernández speaks with formerly incarcerated young writers whose work will be read over the course of the season by creatives like John Legend, Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Karamo Brown, Jay Ellis, Keke Palmer, Julio Torres, and Jesse Williams. Vulnerable poems and honest stories play out against a tailored soundtrack with original music. From Lemonada Media and Black Bar Mitzvah. The voices of those locked up in the U.S. prison system have been all but written off, but no more. These aren’t voices you’ve missed; they’re voices that haven’t been heard.

Subscribe on Podcast Addict

Listen Now: Fail Better with David Duchovny

May 07 2024 9 mins

We are dropping in your feed today to tell you about a new Lemonada Media series called Fail Better with David Duchovny. On Fail Better, David, who has experienced both low and high profile failures throughout his life, explores the vast world of failure - how it holds us back, propels us forward, and ultimately shapes our lives. Each week, he will chat with guests like Ben Stiller

Learn More: Providing Access to Housing After Incarceration

Oct 03 2023 28 mins

Incarceration in the U.S. has profound flaws and consequences, but there are many people doing life-changing work to lessen its harm. In this special episode, Lemonada co-founder Stephanie Wittels Wachs sits down with two individuals whose organizations aim to increase access to housing for people who have been involved in the justice system. Stephanie speaks with Leslie Cred

Introducing: Life Jolt

Nov 03 2021 36 mins

Life Jolt - prison slang for a life sentence - examines the lives of women navigating Canada’s correctional system. The team gained unprecedented access to the Grand Valley Institution prison, the federal pen for women in Ontario, for a full year. They followed women going into prison for the first time, spoke with lifers who have been there for years, and parolees as they le

Collect Call. Kyle Murphy x Jesse Williams

Sep 29 2021 44 mins

“Wash It Off.” Written by Kyle Murphy. Performed by Jesse Williams. Kyle chats with his friend (and series executive producer) Aaron Bergman a few weeks ahead of his release about his political activism and fully realizing his literary dreams after a decade inside the system. “Some people might feel like they’ve written me off, but I’ve go

Ultimate Freedom. Ramon Escobar x Angelique Cabral

Sep 22 2021 28 mins

“My People.” Written by Ramon Escobar. Performed by Angelique Cabral. Ramon is quick to thank InsideOUT Writers for helping him make the transition from feared gang member to highly-successful business owner who happily employs other IOW alums. “I'm in a different place now where I don't have to hide this other person anymore - it's part of who I've b

Inhaling Memories. Frank Jimenez x Danny Ramirez

Sep 15 2021 23 mins

“2nd.” Written by Frank Jimenez. Performed by Danny Ramirez. Frank is putting his mentor’s sage advice to good use by prioritizing his and his family’s happiness and working towards leaving his own unique mark on Hollywood. ‘My writings are like little track markers showing me I'm on the right path, even though I might not see it right the

Ghetto Royalty. Daniel Bisuano x Julio Torres

Sep 08 2021 27 mins

“Second Chances.” Written by Daniel Bisuano. Performed by Julio Torres. Daniel is determined to leave his turbulent past behind by living authentically and pursuing each opportunity that presents itself in his quest to become a screenwriter. “When I started to write, I started to not only unpack all the pain that I had inside, but I started to create

Real Leo. Taylor Lytle x Issa Rae

Sep 01 2021 21 mins

“Everybody Knows That Time Will Pass You By.” Written by Taylor Lytle. Performed by Issa Rae. Taylor is all smiles as she owns her pronounced presence in the world and continues exercising her “revolutionary” methods as a criminal justice activist. “Writing is too rewarding to ever think of a life without it.” - Taylor Lytle F

Jiggy Stuff. Lionel Tate x LaRoyce Hawkins

Aug 25 2021 27 mins

“I’m Still Trying to Find Out.” Written by Lionel Tate. Performed by LaRoyce Hawkins. Lionel embodies healthy living both personally and professionally by honoring his truth on paper and devoting himself to his successful vegan catering company. “I don't feel like I'm in a position where I have to lie to the paper because basically I'm just lyin

The Unfit. Olivia Carrasco x Dascha Polanco

Aug 18 2021 32 mins

“The Unfit.” Written by Olivia Carrasco. Performed by Dascha Polanco. Olivia is getting reaccustomed to her life “on the outs” and finding her voice amongst friends and family at InsideOUT Writers. “Whether you're heard or not, writing is getting out your thoughts without judgment - I find freedom in that.” - Olivia Carrasco &n