Penned

Christina speaks with BL Shirelle & Fury Young, Co-Executive Directors of Die Jim Crow Records, a non-profit record label dedicated to producing music from currently and formerly incarcerated artists. BL & Fury have made it their life's work to not only bridge the divide between incarcerated artists and artists in the free world, DJC Records works as a radical creative collective, agency for social change, and overall art power house.

Listen to the very end of the episode for an additional song, Black Barbie by B. Alexis + a giveaway opportunity. Details below.


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You can learn more about Die Jim Crow Records on their official website: Die Jim Crow

Follow DJC on Instagram

Follow DJC on Twitter

Songs Featured: America The Merciful by Zealot ft. Uno & Black Barbie by B. Alexis

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DJC/Penned Giveaway:

- A lucky listener will be chosen to receive a copy of Die Jim Crow's EP Book signed by both BL Shirelle &  Fury Young.

-Contest Instructions: Please go like & follow both Penned & DJC Records' Instagram pages and leave Penned a written review on Apple Podcasts (make it a good one!) - leave your Instagram handle in the review so we can find you easily! A winner will be announced on November 1, 2022

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Written and produced by Christina Hansen

Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev

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If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with  Martin Lockett, who spent 17.5 years in prison for a DUI fatality that claimed two lives and severely injured another. In Penned's 20th episode Martin shares the story of the tragedy that shaped his entire life and how, post-release, he has devoted the rest of his life to honoring his victims’ legacies.

While incarcerated, Martin earned a BS in sociology, MS in psychology, and served as a mentor and role model to other inmates. He acquired state certification as a substance abuse counselor, published two books (Prison to Purpose Pipeline and My Prison Life), and began telling his story at DUI victim impact panels all within the prison setting.

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You can learn more about Martin through his website: martinlockett.com

Prison To Purpose Lifeline

My Prison Life

Listen to Martin's Podcast: Rock The Bottom

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Written and produced by Christina Hansen

Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev

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If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with Britnee who entered into a relationship with an inmate without planning to pursue anything romantically from the start. As their connection progressed and real life issues started to surface Britnee was forced to reevaluate her life, her decisions, and ultimately the future of their relationship. 


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Written and produced by Christina Hansen

Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev

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If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with Aundrea, a prison wife who is plugged in to what goes on at the prison where her boyfriend is incarcerated. She shares some insight at the injustices that continue to occur, even after someone is sentenced and gives us a look into her boyfriend's daily life in prison - an outsider looking in.


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Written and produced by Christina Hansen

Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev

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If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with Tiyauna, a prison wife who started a friendship with her now-husband Willie, during his incarceration over a decade ago. The friendship turned into something deeper in the last couple of years and the two were married in 2021.  Willie has been serving a life-sentence since he was a minor with no end in sight, until an incredible turn of events happened in his favor. Tiyauna shares their story and gives us a new perspective on what marriage is like  with someone on the inside who is waiting to get out.

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Learn more about Maryland's Justice Reinvestment Act 
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Written and produced by Christina Hansen

Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev

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If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with Jade, a TikTok sensation who has gone viral for her videos talking about what everyday life is like being a self-proclaimed prison wife. Jade uses the platform as a means to connect with others like her in the prison wife community; a vent for her frustrations about being separated from her husband; and an outlet for the sense of humor she has living everyday life being married to someone in prison.


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Find Jade on TikTok and Instagram
Watch her Love Don't Judge Episode on YouTube  
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Written and produced by Christina Hansen

Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev

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If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with author/journalist, Elizabeth Greenwood, about her newest book Love Lockdown, in which she follows 5 couples who have met while incarcerated and shares their vastly different experiences. Christina and Liz talk about these featured relationships, prison wife culture, what really goes on during conjugal visits, and how prison relationships endure years of incarceration with sometimes no hope of release.

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You can check out Liz's work at: lizgreenwood.com

Find her on Twitter: @LizGreenwood4U

You can find her book at one of my favorite Portland bookstores, Broadway Books: https://www.broadwaybooks.net/book/9781501158414

or pick up a copy at your favorite local bookstore!!

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Written and produced by Christina Hansen

Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev

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If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with Robert Kingett, a blind journalist, who began writing to inmates who are serving life sentences and on death row. He thought they would be more accepting than any other sighted person in his life,  knowing they would read his words and be able to look past his disability more than most people could.


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You can check out Robert Kingett's work at: https://blindjournalist.wordpress.com/

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Written and produced by Christina Hansen

Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev

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If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

Christina speaks with Emma, a woman who lives in Jackson, Michigan AKA 'Prison City'.  She recently started writing to inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic, including one man who is currently on death row.

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This episode contains content that mentions issues pertaining to eating disorders, which might be sensitive for some listeners.

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Written and produced by Christina Hansen

Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev

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If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]

In Episode 12, Christina explores the idea of uncertainty and shares the audio from Michael Shane Hale's TEDx Talk about redefining the prison reentry experience from within. 
This audio was recorded live from Sing Sing Correctional Facility in early February 2020. 



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Special thanks to Michael Shane Hale for the permission to share his TEDx talk, and to Sean Gallagher, co-organizer of the TEDx Sing Sing Event, for providing Shane's audio.

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Written and produced by Christina Hansen

Additional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev

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If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: [email protected]