Jesse Crosson, better known as @second_chancer, regularly shares his experience in prison with more than 750,000 TikTok followers. While in prison, Jesse turned his life around and earned a degree in psychology, taught yoga, Spanish, and served as a mentor other inmates. Originally sentenced to 32 years, Jesse received a conditional pardon from Virginia's then-Governor Ralph Northam in 2021, after serving 19 years.

Chris and Coss talk to Jesse about using social media as a force for change, and educating others about the incarcerated experience.

NOTE: This episode contains detailed descriptions of domestic violence

In 1995, Kelly Savage-Rodriguez was planning to leave her abusive husband when he killed her 3-year-old son Justin. Kelly was wrongfully convicted for the death of her son and sentenced to life without parole. After serving 23 years behind bars, her sentence was commuted with the help of former California Gov. Jerry Brown. 

Today, she is the Life Without Parole Coordinator for the California Coalition for Women’s Prisoners. Chris and Moyo talk with Kelly about the power of grief, healing, and rebuilding.

Alexandra Bailey is the Senior Campaign Strategist for The Sentencing Project. Since 1986, the organization has worked to reduce imprisonment and criminalization of teens and adults by promoting racial, ethnic, economic, and gender justice. Alexandra’s work focuses on ending life without parole, capping maximum penalties at 20 years, and promoting “second look” provisions.

Chris and Coss talk with Alexandra about why she was called to join the fight against mass incarceration and the privilege she has as an organizer.

To learn more about The Sentencing Project visit sentencingproject.org

Jeff Smith is a former state legislator and the author of “Mr. Smith Goes to Prison.” In 2004, Jeff ran for Congress, losing a close election but cementing himself as a rising star in Missouri politics. A few years later, while serving in the State Senate, he was convicted of conspiracy to obstruct justice, dating back to his previous congressional campaign. He was forced to resign and sentenced to federal prison, where he spent a year behind bars.

Today, Jeff is the Executive Director of the Missouri Workforce Housing Association. Chris and Moyo sit down with him to talk about his unique position as a former legislator turned prison-reform advocate.

To learn more about the Missouri Workforce Housing Association, visit moworkforcehousing.com

Preview for next week: Chris and Coss talk with Alexandra Bailey from the Sentencing Project about why she was called to join the fight against mass incarceration and the privilege she has as an organizer.

Jason Flom is a music executive, founding board member of the Innocence Project, and host of the Wrongful Conviction podcast. Formerly the chairman and CEO at Atlantic Records and responsible for launching stars including Katy Perry and Lorde, Jason found a passion for criminal justice reform after reading about Steven Lennon, a New York man sentenced to decades behind bars for a non-violent, first-offense cocaine possession charge. He has since become an “obsessive advocate” for first offenders and those wrongfully convicted, helping found or lead multiple social justice organizations.

Chris and Coss talk with Jason about supporting those who have been incarcerated and discuss the power of storytelling to impact reform.

Check out the Wrongful Conviction podcast here.

Preview for next week: Jeff Smith joins Chris and Coss to share his unique experience as a former legislator turned prison reform advocate.

Jesse Vasquez found a passion for the written word while spending nearly 20 years behind bars. As a troubled teen, Jesse found himself in and out of juvenile hall. He then landed in prison at 17 with two life sentences. It was there that he learned to read and write, and in August 2018 he became the editor-in-chief of the San Quentin News, a position he held until he was granted parole in 2019.

Now Jesse is the Director of Development of the Friends of San Quentin News, a non-profit empowering incarcerated people to build and run their own media platforms. Chris and Coss talk with Jesse about the importance of education, rehabilitation and access to journalism.

To learn more about the San Quentin News, be sure to check out https://sanquentinnews.com/

You can also visit Forward This Productions, an organization that allows the incarcerated to share their narrative through film and digital video.

Preview for next week: Chris and Coss sit down with music executive Jason Flom, who describes himself as an "obsessive advocate" for first offenders and those wrongfully convicted.

Tarra Simmons is not your average lawmaker. She’s Washington state’s first formerly incarcerated legislator. Her path to the State House – including a traumatic childhood and struggles with substance abuse as an adult – guides her work today. Tarra fights to reduce incarceration and widen access to behavioral and mental health resources. 

Chris and our producer Moyo Adeolu speak with Tarra about breaking the “concrete ceiling” for the formerly incarcerated.

Preview for next week: Coss and Chris sit down with journalist Jesse Vasquez, who found his passion for the written word while spending nearly 20 years behind bars.

Recognized as one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine in 2019, Desmond Meade is a voting rights activist who’s devoted his life to criminal justice reform. A formerly homeless returning citizen, he currently serves as the President and Executive Director of the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition. Desmond leads efforts to empower local communities and reform criminal justice policies. His organization is credited with the passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots citizens’ initiative that restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with prior felony convictions.

Chris and Coss talk with Desmond about why he believes the disenfranchisement of the incarcerated is one of society’s most pressing issues.

 To learn more about the Florida Rights Restoration Coalition, visit https://floridarrc.com/

Preview for next week: Chris and Coss interview Washington State Senator Tarra Simmons about her path to becoming the first formerly incarcerated lawmaker in her state.

Topeka K. Sam is a shining example of the power of redemption. While in federal prison for drug trafficking, Topeka witnessed firsthand the many challenges and injustices that women, particularly women of color, face behind bars.

After her release in May 2015, she launched The Ladies of Hope Ministries. The organization works to advocate for women in or recently out of prison. The ministry helps women transition back into society by providing them with safe housing, education, spiritual empowerment, and entrepreneurial skills.

Chris and Coss sit down with Topeka to discuss the highs and lows of her journey and how she stays hopeful in the face of adversity.

To learn more about The Ladies of Hope Ministries, visit thelohm.org.

Preview for next week: Chris and Coss interview voting rights activist Desmond Meade, whose organization is credited with the passage of Amendment 4, a grassroots initiative that restored voting rights to over 1.4 million Floridians with prior felony convictions.

The Hardest Step is an original podcast from Lost Debate about the power and promise of second chances. Hosted by two brothers from Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Chris and Coss Marte, the show’s first season explores the criminal justice system. We’ll talk with people who have had to ask for forgiveness and start again, including those who have committed crimes, been unfairly accused of crimes, and advocates for the incarcerated. 

The Marte brothers understand what it means to start all over again. Coss turned his life around after spending years in prison on drug trafficking charges and founded CONBODY, a fitness center that employs formerly incarcerated instructors. Chris weathered several political defeats before achieving his life-long dream of serving on the New York City Council. While their paths have diverged, they share a firm belief that starting over is the hardest step, and one worth celebrating.