Graves to Gardens Podcast

The long awaited final episode is here and for it I present to you the lovely minds that contributed to the recently released “That’s a Pretty Thing to Call It”. Learn from some of the writers as they reflect on their time spent with folks on the inside. To purchase “That’s a Pretty Thing to Call It” click here. All proceeds from the book will go to support Dances for Solidarity, a project that acts in correspondence with the more than 200 people incarcerated in solitary confinement through its chapters in New York and Denver.

Introducing The Speakers:

Erin Wiley - Erin Wiley is a poet, creative writer and workshop facilitator who studied Anthropology and Peace & Social Justice at the University of Michigan. She spent many years facilitating open format creative writing workshops at various Michigan prisons through the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP), has worked in girls juvenile facilities and participated in theatre workshops at Women's Huron Valley Correctional Facility. Today, Erin lives in a remote part of Southern Chile as an adventure travel specialist, planning outdoor adventures for folks who wish to visit Patagonia. You can find her on instagram @superboamagic.

Karla Robinson - Karla Robinson is a community based arts educator, conceptual artist, and poet, her multi-media work spans discipline and medium. Karla is the Poet in Residence at Sadie Nash Leadership Project and is a recipient of a Creatives Rebuild New York Artist Employment Program grant to start Document.Dream.Disrupt., a multi-generational, Bronx based boutique press dedicated to nurturing youth voices.

Leigh Sugar - Leigh Sugar is a writer, educator, and mutli-disciplinary artist. She holds an MFA in poetry from NYU and an MPA in Criminal Justice Policy from John Jay College. She has taught writing to previously incarcerated scholars at CUNY's Institute for Justice and Opportunity, and facilitated writing workshops at various prisons in Michigan through the Prison Creative Arts Project. She has also taught poetry at NYU, Poetry Foundation, Hugo House, Justice Arts Coalition, and more. Her debut poetry collection, FREELAND, is forthcoming from Alice James Books (2025), and she created and edited the anthology "That's a Pretty Thing to Call It: Prose and poetry by artists teaching in carceral institutions" (New Village Press, 2023). A disabled and chronically ill artist, Leigh lives in Michigan with her pup Elmo. You can find her at leighksugar.com or on Instagram @lekasugar.

Isaiah 41:10

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

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When she was 20 years old, Donna Hylton was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Today, Donna is taking all of the hurt and trauma she endured to transform her life and the lives of all those she is blessed to touch. Activist and author, Donna Hylton makes it clear that her story does not begin with incarceration nor does it end there!

In this episode you get a chance to hear from the dynamic speaker who has shared the stage with women like Orange is the New Black's Piper Kerman and is the author of her own book, A Little Piece of Light which is available for purchase here. Journey with us through this conversation as Donna stresses the importance of finding your own light and what true restorative justice means and looks like to her.

Micah 7:8

Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the LORD will be my light.

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In today's episode you get a chance to meet Chicago Books to Women in Prison, an organization that caters to women behind bars. This episode comes at just the right time with the holidays right around the corner. In hearing from Becca, one of CBWP's longtime volunteers, my hope is that you are inspired to support them and their efforts. Make a woman's day around the country by serving with CBWP today either through your giving or if you are local by physically showing up!

2 Corinthians 9:6

"The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully."

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I love this quote I stumbled upon which reads: "It does not matter how strong you are we all face dark times, it is in your darkest hour that you need the most strength. The power of mind to not give up, to hold on to hope, to restore your faith when all seems lost."

It reminds me so much of Valerie's story and how through the grace, mercy and power of the Holy Spirit she was able to walk in this transformed version of herself that at one point in her life didn't seem possible.

Today, Valerie is doing amazing work within her community and among that work is going back into the prisons ministering to the population. She brings her unique perspective of having once served time to the inform the work that she does with those currently facing time. And she does so all while radiating the grace-filled love of Christ. To further support/learn from Valerie you can purchase one of her books, Inviting and Exciting here.

1 Corinthians 16:14

Let all that you do be done in Love.

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Today's episode builds on some previous conversations we've had on the podcast. In today's episode I am joined by the authors of Break Every Yoke: Religion, Justice and the Abolition of Prisons, Joshua Dubler and Dr. Vincent Lloyd. Break Every Yoke masterfully presents all of the materials needed to paint on the canvas that is alternatives to incarceration and they do so through tying in religion as one of the drivers for prison abolition.

More on my guests:

Dr. Joshua Dubler is an associate professor of Religion at the University of Rochester, where he directs the Rochester Education Justice Initiative, which fosters higher educational opportunities for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated students in the Rochester area. He is author of Down in the Chapel: Religious Life in an American Prison, and co-author, with Vincent Lloyd, of Break Every Yoke: Religion, Justice, and the Abolition of Prisons.

Dr. Vincent Lloyd is a professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Villanova University, where he directs the Center for Political Theology and previously directed the Africana Studies Program. His most recent book is Black Dignity: The Struggle Against Domination, published by Yale University Press in 2022.

Isaiah 58:6

“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?"

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I can't believe I'm saying this but today's episode is a pre-release book discussion with lawyer and author Matt Martens. His book Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal is now available to purchase but this episode was recorded a week before the official release. Tune in to sit in on a conversation with the author to learn about his process in writing his new book, his vision for the future of our system.

Matt Martens graduated first in his class both from the University of North Carolina Law School and Dallas Theological Seminary. He is a trial lawyer and partner at an international law firm in Washington, D.C. Martens has spent a majority of his 27+ year career practicing criminal law both as a prosecutor and as a defense attorney. He has worked for the US Supreme Court and was a political appointee in the criminal division of the US Justice Department. To learn more about Matt Martens please visit his website.

Luke 10:27

And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

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Today's episode marks a final chapter in this series specifically touching on Believers in Christ Jesus and how their faith influences the way they show up in this work. In closing, I am joined by Caitlin Morneua, the Director of Restorative Justice for the Catholic Mobilizing Network. The Catholic Mobilizing Network is a nationwide organization with two very distinct calls - a call to end the usage of the death penalty and a call to promote a restorative justice system. In today's discussion we talk about Caitlin's work over at CMN as well as the organization's goals more broadly. Today’s guest, Caitlin is trained in peacemaking circles and restorative community conferencing. She holds an MA in Conflict Transformation from the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University and is a current student of theology at Catholic Theological Union.

As always, I encourage you to not just be listeners of the show but I hope you feel called to act. If you would like to support the work of Catholic Mobilizing Network you can learn how to do so by visiting their website and clicking on the "Take Action" tab.

Ephesians 4:32

Be kind and compassionate to one another, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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In one of Jesus' teachings He says these words, "I was in prison and you came to visit me..." This statement served as a call to His followers that if they truly wish to serve Him it looks like showing up for those in society that are typically and generally counted out. This beautifully daunting call serves as the basis for today's discussion.

In today's episode I had the extreme pleasure of speaking with Chaplain Al Garcia, former lead chaplain of Calvary Chapel Of Philadelphia. We spoke about Al's years of serving on the prison ministry and what he has learned about people, himself and ultimately the Lord in his time of service. We will of course unpack this above mentioned verse and also give you tools for how to serve in a respective ministry that you feel called to.

For more information on Calvary Chapel's prison ministry click the link here.

Matthew 25:36

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.

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You may have heard it said love your neighbor. This Gospel truth is one that we’ll dive into in a very specific way. First let’s start with the Gospel, it simply means good news. And the good news we’re exploring today is a Christ-centered understanding of the work that we’ve all been tied to.

We’ll learn about Christ’s heart for the issue of incarcerated and our call as followers and believers of Christ to show up for those that are systems impacted. Best of all it will be made practical. And to usher us into this incredible series that I’m excited to begin with is Pastor Reverend Khalil James of Mount Zion AME church and Reverend Isaac I. Scott, Executive Director of the Confined Arts. Learn about how the arts has served in a unique way to furthering their church’s prison ministry.

To stay connected with Pastor James and Reverend Scott you can visit Mount Zion AME in-person or online. That way you can get connected to their many ministries that they offer!

Isaiah 61:1

The Year of the Lord's Favor

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

Luke 4:18-21

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

19 To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

20 And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

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We are in the final hours to help save the life of a man on death row in Texas. His name is Jedidiah Murphy and I am urgently asking you to show up for him.

Psalm 42:5

Exodus 12:31

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