Prison Pen Pal Podcast

GHOST HAUNTS WITH JASON KURTZ – A HALLOWEEN SPECIAL!

Something strange is happening at the Prison Pen Pal Podcast studio... Could it be the ghost of Big Steve? This Halloween, we're opening the door to the supernatural and inviting you along for a creepy conversation with Wisconsin prisoner Jason Kurtz, author of Secret Tales of the Supernatural and our resident OG ghost hunter!

Jason joins Big Steve to explore the mysterious world of ghosts, spirits, haunted houses, and things that go bump in the night. Have you ever wondered whether a Ouija board can invite something unwanted into your home? Can ordinary objects like dolls become cursed? And if you think there's something lurking in your house, how do you know whether it's a genuine haunting or just an unexplained noise?

Jason shares the personal experience that first drew him into the supernatural, including a frightening Halloween encounter in his own home and the Christian approach he used to drive away what he believed was an unclean spirit. He also explains his unconventional approach to ghost hunting, why he isn't impressed by all the gadgets and gizmos used on television, and how he hopes to help people who believe something unwanted may be haunting their homes.

We'll also discuss Robert the Doll, mysterious prison hauntings, spirits in unexpected places, and whether ghosts really prefer hanging around old saloons and brothels! And just when you think things couldn't get any stranger, we may even have a little supernatural interference of our own during the interview. Coincidence? We'll let you decide. So grab your Halloween candy, turn down the lights, and maybe leave one lamp on. You're about to enter the world of Ghost Haunts with Jason Kurtz!

Happy Halloween from Big Steve, Daisy, Anya, Jason Kurtz, and the entire crew at the Prison Pen Pal Podcast!

About Today's Guest: For more info about Jason Kurtz, visit https://jasonkurtz.bio.link or write to Jason Kurtz #495483, Racine Correctional Institution (Wisconsin), PO Box 189, Phoenix, MD 21131 or connect with him on the myViaPath app (formerly the Getting Out app).

In this emotionally charged and controversial episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Big Steve welcomes Matthew Reynolds back to the show after his appearance earlier in 2026. This time, Matthew has written a lengthy, deeply personal letter in an effort to tell his side of the story and explain the relationship he says changed his life. Currently incarcerated at Great Plains Correctional Center in Oklahoma, Matthew is serving a lengthy sentence stemming from a relationship with a girl who was under the age of consent when he was in his 30s. Matthew maintains that the relationship was mutual and loving, and disputes allegations that he manipulated, controlled, or held the girl against her will. He attributes the accusations, in part, to a story he says his sister told authorities. However, as Big Steve presses him for details about the relationship and the circumstances that led to his incarceration, Matthew is reluctant to share certain information, leaving important questions unanswered.

He describes the girl as his soulmate and says that, despite the possibility of spending 20 years or more behind bars, he considers the time they spent together worth the price. Matthew also claims that she has endured serious trauma since his incarceration and says he continues to hold on to the hope that they might reconnect someday. Big Steve, drawing on his own experience of spending 11 years in prison and eventually meeting his wife through a pen pal relationship, encourages Matthew to consider the possibility of moving forward and allowing new people into his life rather than remaining focused on a relationship from his past. The conversation also touches on Matthew's caring nature and his love of animals, which listeners may remember from his previous appearance, raising questions about the relationship between his desire to care for others and his intense attachment to the woman he describes as the love of his life.

When the call unexpectedly ends before Big Steve can ask all his questions, the discussion continues in the studio with Daisy. Together, they reflect on the seriousness of the situation, the significant age difference, the importance of recognizing wrongdoing, and the role accountability and rehabilitation should play in the lives of incarcerated people. They discuss the difference between showing compassion for someone behind bars and endorsing the choices that brought them there, emphasizing how difficult it can be to move forward when a person does not appear to recognize the harm or legal boundaries involved in their actions.

The episode takes another turn when Matthew sends a follow-up message explaining that he had expected a preliminary conversation before recording and that he believes listeners cannot fully understand the relationship without hearing both perspectives. He challenges the idea that age alone should determine whether a relationship is appropriate, suggesting instead that experience, knowledge, behavior, and trust should also be considered. Big Steve and Daisy examine that argument, questioning whether a young teenager can realistically possess the life experience and maturity necessary to navigate a relationship with an adult decades older. The result is a candid, sometimes uncomfortable discussion about love, personal responsibility, the protection of minors, the meaning of rehabilitation, and the limits of understanding another person's story when only one side is available.

Big Steve has long sought to show the humanity of people who are often judged solely by their crimes, but this conversation highlights the difficult distinction between understanding an incarcerated person's perspective and accepting their version of events without question. What does accountability look like when someone insists their actions were justified? Can a person genuinely move forward without acknowledging the harm their choices may have caused? And how should we balance compassion for incarcerated individuals with the responsibility to protect vulnerable people? This episode leaves those questions open for listeners to consider, and Big Steve and Daisy invite you to share your thoughts by emailing [email protected].

In this eye-opening episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Big Steve shares the story of William Leverett, who confessed to killing Melissa Millan, a 54‑year‑old senior vice president at MassMutual, while she was jogging at night in Simsbury, Connecticut. William had gotten away with the crime for four years, but ultimately confessed to the crime. Once he got to prison, he wondered whether anyone would ever be willing to write to him. We first heard from Mr. Leverett on episode 16 of our podcast (back in November of 2024). This follow-up episode, nearly two years later, begins with actual audio from William’s police interrogation, including his murder confession. Then, Big Steve chats with Will Leverett by phone to discuss how joining PenPals.Buzz led him to letters, phone calls, an in-person visit, and a meaningful romantic relationship with a young woman named Emily. He also shares valuable advice for anyone considering a relationship with an incarcerated pen pal, including why taking the time to get to know someone before making a serious commitment is so important. This episode is a reminder that even when someone's past is difficult to face, genuine human connections can (and do) still happen in unexpected ways.

Thinking about writing to a prison pen pal? Before you choose an inmate, you might want to think about what state they’re incarcerated in. In this quick-hit episode, Big Steve breaks down which states and messaging services can make communicating with an inmate easy—and which ones can turn it into a frustrating nightmare. He covers Corrlinks, JPay, Securus, Getting Out, Smart Inmate, and Corrlinks Text Chat, along with the best and worst states for traditional snail mail. He also explains why federal inmates can be an especially good choice for free messaging and highlights some of his favorite states for staying in touch. Then, Big Steve talks about the upcoming Not Another Year rally in Lincoln, Nebraska, organized to stand against prolonged solitary confinement in Nebraska prisons. He shares a powerful message from Jae Ely of More Than an Inmate’s Girlfriend and explains why he hopes to attend the October 17 event and make his first public appearance with the Prison Pen Pal Podcast and https://penpals.buzz

Robert from Illinois is back on the Prison Pen Pal Podcast—and this time, he has some incredible news to share. After first appearing on the podcast earlier in 2026, Robert has continued building friendships with people he met through PenPals.Buzz. One of those pen pals is Lenora Mcelwee, a 69-year-old woman who spent 34 years in prison. After years of being denied parole, Lenora finally went before the parole board in August and was granted parole, with her release expected later this year. Robert explains how their friendship changed both of their lives, and how seeing someone walk out after decades behind bars gave him a renewed sense of hope and purpose.

Robert and Big Steve also talk about the deeper value of prison pen pals and why these relationships aren't always about romance. They discuss friendship, mentorship, faith, loneliness, hope, learning from people with completely different life experiences, and the importance of taking things slowly rather than becoming caught up in fantasies or "love bombing."

Later in the episode, Robert discusses another friendship with an incarcerated man serving a 55-year sentence, who was specifically looking for a mentor (not a romantic partner) and explains why he believes the people behind the walls can give just as much back to those on the outside. It's an energetic, emotional, and often funny conversation about connection, second chances, and the unexpected ways that pen pals can change lives.

If you have comments about this episode, or you'd like to be a guest on a future episode, email [email protected] or call 888-273-6725. To find an incarcerated pen pal of your own, visit https://penpals.buzz

How many prison pen pals is too many? Is it okay to write to more than one person? What about 10? Is 100 too many?

In this first Quick Hit episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Big Steve shares his perspective based on more than a decade of experience as a pen pal and years of running PenPals.Buzz, one of the largest prison pen pal websites.

Steve explores what happens when a friendship with a pen pal turns romantic, what it might tell you when a pen pal insists that you write only to them, and why limiting yourself to just one pen pal could mean you're missing out on some great connections.

Quick Hit is our new series of short, under-10-minute episodes packed with valuable prison pen pal information, observations, and advice—delivered in a fun, entertaining, and condensed format.

Listen while you're getting ready for work, brushing your teeth, driving home, or anytime you have a few minutes to spare!

Welcome to Quick Hit.

Ben Alverson returns to the Prison Pen Pal Podcast for his third appearance, and a lot has changed since we last checked in with him at the Civil Commitment Center in St. Peter, Minnesota. Ben discusses the changes he’s seen in the program, the possibility of moving more quickly toward life outside the facility, and his upcoming court proceedings. He also explains how some people are now making it through the system faster than before—including one friend who went from the facility to having his own home and eventually receiving a full discharge. With his own future still uncertain, Ben is hoping his progress and low-risk assessments will help him take the next step toward freedom.

But there’s more to Ben than his legal situation. He talks about turning his artwork into a business, the roughly 100 pieces of art he hopes to make available, and his fascination with creating art that people can actually experience—including a painting that incorporates real coffee. And in one of the more unexpected conversations you'll hear on the podcast, Ben and Big Steve discuss making homemade ice cream inside the facility, experimenting with flavors like cinnamon, coffee and chocolate. Add in a little talk about prison food, pen pals, international connections and a challenge for listeners to leave Ben a very unusual 15-second phone message, and this is a revealing—and occasionally hilarious—look at life behind the walls and the person trying to build a life beyond them.

Learn more about Ben and view his artwork at https://penpals.buzz/inmate/benjamin-alverson/

Learn more about the horrors of the St. Peter Civil Commitment Facility: Minnesota Sex Offender Program: The Indefinite Detention of the Reviled | Criminal Legal News

To be a guest on a future episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, or to share your comments, email us: [email protected]

On this episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast, Big Steve is joined by Nicco Plowden from the Five Points Correctional Facility in Romulus, New York. Nicco, incarcerated for well over three decades, shares his journey from growing up in Brooklyn in the 1980s, getting caught up in street life, and eventually being sentenced to 55 years to life for crimes committed as a teenager. He talks about the realities of life on the run, the differences between federal and state prisons, and how he stays out of trouble. Nicco hasn't received a disciplinary write-up in over 25 years, and he credits that in part to education, programming, and cooking -- turning even the most limited resources into moments of comfort and creativity, while never losing hope for a better future.

The conversation also veers into the impact of long (or life) sentences on juvenile offenders, the fight for reform through New York’s proposed Second Look Act, and the challenges of finding connection and hope inside. Nicco talks candidly about the importance of friendship, the loneliness of incarceration, and his wish for genuine pen pals -- people who see him for who he is now, not just for the mistakes of his youth.

To learn more about Nicco Plowden, visit his PenPals.Buzz Profile Page

Let us know your thoughts at [email protected] or hear other episodes at https://penpalpodcast.com.

In this episode, we talk to a prisoner who lives with severe mental illness. He shares stories about his life -- tales of great wealth, global fame, and wild adventures -- that reveal the depth of his personal convictions, even as they depart from reality. Our goal isn’t to challenge his beliefs or judge his narrative, but to listen, and to reflect on the lived experience of mental illness behind bars. This episode offers a window into one man’s world, where fact and imagination are deeply intertwined.

Danny Terron-Roney, an inmate at the Federal Medical Center in Butner, North Carolina, weaves together a narrative that is both extraordinary and deeply personal. As Danny recounts his story, listeners hear about a childhood marked by abuse, survival on the streets, and early encounters with both real and imagined figures of power. He shares vivid, earnest accounts of joining a gang at age five, running with the Crips, and receiving a presidential pardon from Bill Clinton. Danny also describes being a high-ranking military officer, fathering thousands of children with celebrities, and even owning the very store he was accused of robbing.

Throughout the conversation, it becomes clear that Danny genuinely believes these stories. The episode does not challenge or question his claims; instead, it offers a space for Danny to be heard, reflecting the complexity of mental illness and the harrowing experience of someone navigating reality through the lens of delusion. Big Steve and co-host Daisy approach the interview with empathy, offering listeners a rare view into a mind shaped by trauma and mental health struggles. This episode invites listeners to consider what it means to bear witness to another person’s reality, especially within the walls of the prison system.

While the stories themselves are often fantastical, the pain underlying them is real. Danny’s openness, and the respectful way his story is received, serves as a reminder of the importance of compassion and the need to listen, even when the truths we hear do not match our own. This conversation challenges perceptions, prompts reflection, and underscores the humanity of those living with mental illness behind bars.

Erik Beller had a Master's degree in Education, a professional career, and a seemingly good life. But just as things were really starting to fall into place, his brother died of an overdose. Then, on Erik's birthday, his best friend, John, also passed away. These tragic events set Erik on a downward spiral of addiction, homelessness, and ultimately jail.

While incarcerated, Erik was beaten, almost to death, by a guard (who was later convicted and served prison time for the assault). Erik spent months in the hospital, on a ventilator, and developed myriad physical ailments and health problems as a result of the attack. When he was finally released from jail, he was determined to help someone who might be in a similar situation, so he began browsing inmate pen pal profiles on WriteAPrisoner.com. It was there that he learned about a woman, Taira Litsey, who was sentenced to 40 years.

Many letters and phone calls later, Erik and Taira are now married. Together, they've turned their experiences into advocacy. Erik, now sober for over five years, founded Still Standing, an organization focused on second chances, prison and sentencing reform, and successful reentry. It wasn't created from theory or based on some A.I. algorithm; Still Standing was created thanks to Erik and Taira's real-life experiences with incarceration and the criminal "justice" system.

In this sometimes sad, sometimes funny, and often heartwarming episode, Erik shares his genuine love and appreciation for his wife, Taira. He believes she may have even saved his life.

This isn't just a prison love story. It's the story of two people whose lives were shaped by trauma, addiction, violence, loss, and incarceration, but who refused to let those experiences define the rest of their lives. It's about resilience, faith, purpose, and redemption. By the end of the episode, it's hard not to root Erik and Taira

Learn more about Still Standing

Want to be a guest on a future episode of the Prison Pen Pal Podcast? Call 888.273.6725 or email [email protected]