When an individual is released from prison, only to relapse into criminal behaviour and be sent back behind bars, it’s known as the “revolving prison door.” In Australia, it’s estimated that over 50% of incarcerated people re-offend within two years and end up back in prison. In the US, that number is estimated to be as high as 75%. 

My guest today is Human Rights Activist Martin Hodgson. Martin works relentlessly, pro-bono, to get incarcerated people in Australia out of prison and away from a life of crime. In his 20-year career, not a single one of his clients has ever re-offended. Martin joins me to discuss how he helps to get his clients back on their feet - and stay on their feet.

Links:
https://www.instagram.com/martinghodgson
https://curtainthepodcast.wordpress.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 26th of January 1999, Sam Riggio’s life took an unexpected turn. A routine drive through his hometown turned into a catastrophic collision when a truck merged into his lane. Sam was left with a dislocated skull, shattered pelvis, broken ankle, ruptured spleen and stomach, lacerated liver and a punctured lung. Paralyzed from the neck down, medical staff told him he would never walk again. 

Please join Sam and I for this week’s episode of Unfiltered, as he shares his miraculous story of recovery, defying all the odds to walk again. 

Links:
Perry Cross Spinal Research Foundation - https://www.pcsrf.org.au

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Here’s a staggering reality: The United States, with only about 5% of the world's population, holds 25% of the world's prisoners. This raises a critical question: Does the US prison system perpetuate the oppressive legacy of slavery?

In hopes of some perspective, I’m joined by James Nelson, an abolitionist who, at just 19 years old, was sentenced to life in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Now a free man, James shares his insights on why abolition is not just a vision but a viable path forward.

Links:
Dignity and Power Now

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that Venezuela is experiencing what has been described as the worst economic and humanitarian crisis ever recorded in Latin America? A combination of political turmoil, inflation, soaring crime rates and food shortages has left more than 7.71 million Venezuelans displaced since 2014.

Today, documentary filmmaker Bruna Curcio provides insight into the crisis from a ground-level perspective. 


Links:
Production: https://www.brunacurcio.com
Projeto Reghid: https://gcrf-reghid.com
Film: https://www.youtube.com/@brunacurciofilmes

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s Unfiltered guest is Carrie Bell, a woman whose story of transformation begins in Pasadena, California. After Carrie’s parents separated when she was five years old, she turned to the streets in search of a family. This eventually led her down a path she never intended to follow, one that involved dealing drugs and committing crimes - anything to keep herself afloat. It got to a point where Carrie was spending the majority of her time in jail, never home for longer than a six-month stretch. 

But against all odds, Carrie completely turned her life around. Tune in to see how. 

Links:
www.urban-alchemy.us

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the 21st of August 1971, George Jackson, founder of the Black Guerrilla Family prison gang, was assassinated by a prison guard. Three guards and two other inmates were also killed. No one knows exactly what occurred that day, but six inmates were indicted for various crimes, including murder, conspiracy to commit murder, kidnap, possession of firearms, and escape. Those inmates came to be known as the San Quentin Six.    

Trial lawyer Richard Zitrin’s first-ever client was Johnny Spain, one of the San Quentin Six defendants. Richard joins me for this episode of Unfiltered to share his perspective on the case and the events that occurred on that fateful day.

Links:
 
Trial Lawyer: A Life Representing People Against Power

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Pyromania is an impulse control disorder which causes individuals to start fires deliberately. Unlike arsonists, pyromaniacs don’t light fires for personal or financial gain. They do so to release tension or gain pleasure.

Reunald Jones III claims to have started more than 300 fires throughout Los Angeles County between 1986 and 1990. He was arrested on February 5th, 1990, and sentenced to 14 years in prison. 

Here, Reunald speaks candidly about his motives behind starting the fires and explains how, back in the ’80s, his criminal mind turned him into a self-proclaimed menace to society.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it mean to be a man today? And what do we want it to look like tomorrow? These are the types of questions asked by Tomorrow Man, a social enterprise that facilitates workshops across Australia for men of all ages. The organization's mission is to reinvent masculinity by disrupting outdated stereotypes and building emotional muscle. 

Ryder Jack, the principal facilitator of Tomorrow Man, shares his experience and thoughts about reinventing a healthier version of masculinity to live by.

Links:

tomorrowman.com.au
tomorrowwoman.com.au
instagram.com/tomorrowman_au
facebook.com/tomorrowmanaustralia

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

J. Sakiya Sandifer, an entrepreneur, designer, and best-selling author. Over his nearly 30 year career, Sakiya has worked with Coca-Cola, Bally Total Fitness, Lil Wayne, and most notably, his longtime friend Ye, formerly known as Kanye West.

Sakiya’s primary focus now is his own lifestyle brand XSSORTMENTS, a hyper-curated collection of elevated basics for every mood.

Recorded from the comfort of his home, in our sit-down conversation, Sakiya generously shares some of his creative, insightful and humorous philosophies and anecdotes that have created his path to success.

Links:
https://www.xssortments.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rob Jua is a music executive and record producer from Brownsville, Brooklyn. Rob’s personal journey navigating the music industry is a truly inspirational tale. From his time at Quad Studios and Roc-a-Fella Records, to discovering his business executive calling and starting his own record label, one thing’s for sure - Rob never quits on himself! Join us as Rob shares the highs and lows of his illustrious career in an ever-changing industry.

Links:
instagram.com/rob.jua
disruptivelabel.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.