Most parents don't expect their kids to grow up, graduate college, and then spend their 9-5 inside of a prison every day. In fact, many might shudder at the mere thought. Art therapist Laurie Gentry shares her experience entering prison in a helping role as both a graduate student and as a woman, navigating power dynamics and learning to safely build helping relationships.

Renowned artist Halim Flowers shares his experience in prison for over two decades, a sentence beginning at the age of 16---and how he now makes his living as a successful working artist. Halim has published a multitude of books under his own publishing company, founded and operates as CEO of Artonomics, and was a 2025-2026 Obama Foundation USA Leader. Tune in to be inspired to live authentically and fearlessly. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video (https://ketsa.uk.)

Dave shares some insight on the gender inequities of mental healthcare and the institutions that oversee policies, and why that's where we are today. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in the video.

"Tir'd with all these, for restful death I cry." Shakespeare: In what might sound out-of-date to many, Devon Glover---The Sonnet Man---hears art, truth, relatability, and opportunity. He has devoted himself to bridging hip hop with Shakespeare, transforming his words to digestible and relatable lyrics. His recitations of modernized poetry that originally began in a school have since expanded to inside the carceral system, bringing along with them empowerment, learning, connection and sincere emotional depth to those who listen. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video (https://ketsa.uk.)

"It's not all f***ing hunky dory". Self-proclaimed abolitionist, activist, social worker, ex-con and poet, Jorge Antonio Renaud, shares his journey toward transformation. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video (https://ketsa.uk.)

A man kidnaps his two children, murders one, and attempts to kill the other. Dave talks about being an expert witness in the murder case as an art therapist. To hear the full, unabbreviated story read the book Art on Trial: Art Therapy in Capital Murder Cases. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video (https://ketsa.uk.)

Nineteen people in the state of Florida were executed in 2025. The next-highest state's number? Five. Grace Ellen Hanna, director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP; fadp.org), answers how the death penalty works in Florida, shares art from those on death row, and demystifies the political partition between pro and anti death penalty. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video (https://ketsa.uk.)

Berto Lule visits Dave again to speak about his "fingerprint": his identity and responsibility in the context of being a visual and performing artist, being previously incarcerated, and being a community member. He enlightens listeners on why exactly it is necessary for EVERYBODY to offer support to people who are currently incarcerated or are reintegrating into the community. We all are the community. Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in video (https://ketsa.uk.)

*Trigger Warning: verbal descriptions of graphic violence* Dave describes the attempted murder in prison he witnessed and the role he played that made him realize the fragility of identity on BOTH sides of the bars. How do we observe self and others as two dimensional or three dimensional beings, and how do we embrace transferential and countertransferential dynamics? Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in the video.

From prison to doctoral studies.... Berto Lule studies change, identity and reinvention as an artist and scholar. This episode dives into the discrepancies of a prison sentence and the role that culture and society plays for young populations (especially those of color) facing the prison pipeline. Stay tuned for part II. IG: @tierrabuenatattoos Free Music by 'Ketsa.uk' in the video.