Author and associate professor Randall Horton shares his introduction into poetry and writing. Horton describes the ability of language to bring the experience of others to life. He discusses the benefit that writing communities have on the lives of students both inside and outside of prison, as well as how he utilizes things he learned inside in the classes he teaches today. 

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Episode 7: Zeke Caligiuri & Jen Bowen

Zeke Caligiuri Author of the Memoir “This Is Where I Am” and co-founder of Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop Jen Bowen shed light on the process of creating writing communities behind bars. Zeke Caligiuri speaks about the challenges that writing programs face inside prison and the benefits of self determination in the writing groups inside. Jen Bowen speaks about the empowerment that comes from writing from memory as well as her experiences as an art instructor working inside prisons.

Dear Voyage poem animation: https://player.vimeo.com/video/767082435

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Piper Kerman, author of the memoir Orange is the New Black discusses the process of writing a first person narrative. She introduces the idea of regaining authorship of your own story by the process of selection and reflection of life events. Kerman discusses the process of including love and recognition in the stories that tend to revolve around trauma and pain such as those in the prison memoir. Kerman explains the role that revision and reflection have in molding the peaks and valleys of life into a narrative full of truth and healing.

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Writers Raquel Almanaz and Alejo Rodriguez discuss the benefits and new perspectives that writing can bring by using writing exercises for self advocacy. Raquel and Alejo give their experience and advice for writing in the context of internal change as well as structural change in the legal system.

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Journalists John J. Lennon and Shaheen Pasha discuss the journalistic process from inside Prison and the opportunities that are offered to these writers, John and Pasha also discuss the ethical responsibilities of a journalist in their journey to present their findings to the reader.

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Authors Curtis Dawkins and Ryan Gattis Discuss their process and perspectives on fiction. Dawkins discusses how to evaluate your own work,finding courage and freedom through writing as well as an inside look at how to publish a book from prison. Gattis shares his approach to world building and character creation. Gattis also talks about his approach while teaching writing courses in prison and the transformative effect it can have on students

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Poet Louise Wakaai'gan and Author and poet Luis J. Rodriquez discuss the process of creating poetry organically and authentically drawing from life, memory and identity. They discuss how to find your voice in a society that de-voices the perspectives of marginalized people while navigating through the storms of life.

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Director of Prison and Justice Writing at PEN America and Multidisciplinary Creator, Caits Meissner, and Writer and Radio Producer on Uncuffed Stories from Solano State Prison, Spoon Jackson, introduces the book PEN America: The Sentences That Create Us. Caits and Spoon discuss how and why the book was created and art-making and collaboration through the walls.

You can find more of Spoon's work on https://www.spoonjackson.org and https://www.saramariebottaro.com/rabbits-of-realness, and Cait's work on caitsmeissner.com.

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Meetra Johansen is the co-founder of Huma House, a non-profit contemporary art initiative dedicated to representing artists that are driven to create a positive change in their community and partner with high impact organizations that are motivated by social justice. Meetra shares how to maintain the balance of art as commerce and healing and the experience of the youth-centered and community garden program at Huma House.

Emily Silver is an Artist, Art Professor, and Director of Pete & Susan Barrett Art Gallery at Santa Monica College. Emily discusses her experience with the Prison Arts Collective alumni panel workshop and the importance of creating an inclusive space for artists through education and collaborative effort with students in gallery spaces.