In this episode of The Prison Pod, host Valerie Cartonio welcomes Sephria Reynolds-Tanner, a criminal justice and drug policy analyst at the Reason Foundation. Sephria shares her journey from working as a probation and parole officer in Washington to her current role, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based practices in criminal justice reform. She discusses the barriers individuals face upon reentry into society, such as the lack of necessary identification documents, and advocates for incorporating lived experiences into policy-making to better support those affected by the justice system.

Support the show

In this episode of the Prison Pod, Valerie Cartonio speaks with Mitch Pearlstein about the concept of second chance hiring, addressing the myths and facts surrounding the employment of individuals with criminal records. They discuss the economic and ethical necessity of providing job opportunities to this population, the importance of trades and job training, and the role of education and reentry programs. The conversation also touches on the significance of empathy in hiring practices and the mental health challenges faced by those reentering society. Pearlstein emphasizes the need for better programs and collaboration with outside agencies to support successful reintegration into the workforce.

His Book : Second Chance Hiring: An Economic and Ethical Necessity can be found on Amazon.com

Support the show

In this episode of the Prison Pod, host Valerie Cartonio speaks with Holly Bot, a former inmate who served a 12-year sentence in a Minnesota women's prison. Holly shares her journey from a troubled life marked by depression and a difficult marriage to finding faith and purpose during her incarceration. She discusses the challenges of adjusting to prison life, the importance of coping mechanisms, and the transformative power of spirituality. Holly also reflects on her experiences with family, the impact of her past on her children, and the significance of second chances in life. Her story is one of resilience, hope, and the desire to help others who are struggling.

Support the show

In this episode of The Prison Pod, Valerie Cartonio interviews rap legend X-Raided, who shares his journey from a troubled past to a successful music career. He discusses the importance of family, the meaning behind his album cover, and the themes of perseverance and hope in his lyrics. X-Raided reflects on his spiritual growth, the significance of being a father, and his upcoming autobiography, emphasizing the importance of personal development and inviting others to embrace the light in their lives. X-Raided shared two songs which are featured in this podcast.

Bloc Star Evolution: https://www.blocstarevolution.com/

Instagram: instagram.com/officialxraided1

 YouTube:  www.youtube.com/@OfficialXRaided

(c) PrisonPOD Productions 2026

Support the show

Summary

In this episode of the Prison Pod, Dr. Robert Mossi Alexander discusses his journey from incarceration to becoming an educator and filmmaker. He emphasizes the transformative power of education in reducing recidivism and shares insights from his documentary 'Reclaiming Our Humanity.' Dr. Alexander also highlights the importance of children's literature in addressing the stigma of incarceration and the need for educational resources in prisons. He shares his collaboration with Edovo to provide educational content on tablets in prisons and recommends several impactful books for those seeking education while incarcerated.

Reclaiming Our Humanity - https://youtu.be/aPB-WluLi9g?si=l5Kj7mBgaeri5P-D 

Support the show

In this episode of the Prison Pod, Valerie Cartonio interviews Samuel Hunter, founder of Youth Love and Above, a program aimed at rehabilitating youth and preventing them from entering the prison system. Samuel shares his personal journey from incarceration to creating impactful programs that focus on cognitive restructuring and community outreach. The conversation emphasizes the importance of listening to youth, the spiritual foundations of the program, and the need for community support to break down barriers and foster understanding among diverse groups.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577941343585

Support the show

In this episode of the PrisonPod, host Valerie Cartonio speaks with Sobanan Narenthiran, who shares his transformative journey from aspiring doctor to incarcerated individual. Sobanan discusses the impact of his prison experience on his identity, the educational opportunities available in prison, and how he found hope and purpose during his time behind bars. He addresses misconceptions about prisoners, the importance of second chances, and the role of spirituality in personal growth. Sobanan also shares insights about his current work in social enterprise and his upcoming book, emphasizing the need for systemic change in the criminal justice system.

Break Through Enterprise: https://wearebreakthrough.co.uk

PrisonPOD would like to thank their Sponsor - Corrio -
Corrio helps inmates connect with their loved ones by allowing an inmate to receive and leave messages at any time using standard prison phones. - https://corrio.org

Support the show

Kara Janssen is formerly incarcerated and works on prison reentry and reform. she is a storyteller and teaches others how to tell their story. Only you can tell your own story from your perspective.

Kara's Linked In:   / karaejanssen 

We Stand AZ: https://www.alignable.com/glendale-az...

We Stand AZ is "a community-rooted nonprofit dedicated to empowering incarcerated individuals and their loved ones to become powerful advocates for change."

PrisonPOD would like to thank their Sponsor - CorrioSPC - 

Corrio helps inmates connect with their loved ones by allowing an inmate to receive and leave messages at any time using standard prison phones. - https://corriospc.org

Support the show

In this conversation, Valerie Cartonio interviews John R. Whitman about the Creative Prisons Project, which aims to harness the creative potential of incarcerated individuals. They discuss the challenges of copyright registration for prisoners, the therapeutic benefits of art, and the vast untapped creativity within the prison population. Whitman emphasizes the importance of creativity in rehabilitation and the need for societal change to address poverty as a root cause of incarceration. The conversation highlights the potential for art and creativity to transform lives and improve prison environments.

Prisons of Creativity:

https://amzn.to/4751NME

Creative Prisons

https://creativeprisons.org/

Support the show

In this episode of the Prison Pod, Valerie Cartonio interviews Madinah Wilson-Anton, a Delaware state representative and comedian. They discuss Madinah's advocacy for social justice, her experiences with vitiligo, and the importance of humor in addressing serious topics. Madinah shares her journey in politics, the significance of community engagement, and the role of faith and hope in her work. The conversation also touches on the value of extended families, inspiring books, and the motivations that drive Madinah to make a difference in her community.

Delaware House of Democratics:

https://housedems.delaware.gov/members/house-district-26/

For Lack of a Better Word - podcast/comedy

https://shows.acast.com/for-lack-of-a-better-word

Link Tree - All things Madinah

https://linktr.ee/madinahcomedy

Support the show