#prison

What's keeping me up? America’s extremely flawed  judicial system, prison reform, mental health, corruption and depression. I share my point of view on the prison system. My partner was wrongfully accused and served five years, for a crime he did NOT commit. I discuss the traumatic impact that has had on him and our relationship.  

Carlos Vasquez shouldn't even be here. He shouldn't even be alive. Those are the words he spoke to me as we shared one of the most powerful conversations I've ever had. 

Today, Carlos is Founder & CEO of How to Battle, a confidence mindset coaching program he developed following his 17-year journey in prison, which ended in June 2021. Carlos has defied nearly every odd both inside and outside of prison and his How To Battle program equips people with the tools to conquer personal and professional challenges, igniting their inner potential for a life of profound transformation. Not unlike his own.

Carlos' transformation is nothing short of miraculous. At 19 years old, six years after joining gang life due to the loss of his father, Carlos was sentenced to 20 years in prison for armed robbery and sent to a maximum-security facility. As prison is a constant mental battle, going in at an early age was particularly tough. He remembers days when self-defeating thoughts plagued his mind so badly, he wanted to end his life. He felt depressed and hopeless and did not know how to battle through it. Only once he was placed in solitary confinement did he begin to experience a gradual but steady shift in his mindset. 

During a three-year sentence in solitary confinement, an encounter with a chaplain  challenged Carlos to keep fighting. He became relentless in his pursuit for understanding why he had developed the callous mindset that created the destruction that landed him in prison. He desperately wanted to understand the human mind with the hope that in doing so, he could then understand my own. He developed a deep need to find an answer to the question that was keeping him up at night: What was his purpose in life? 

In this episode, Carlos beautifully and painstakingly details the journey that led him to his purpose, starting with his childhood battles and ending with the founding of How to Battle. This conversation is not to be missed. 

Thaddeus Bruce spent his life searching for meaning and acceptance, but those things aren't found in this world. They're found in surrender to the never-ending, relentless love of God. Thaddeus combines his powerful testimony of redemption with his musical and writing talent to help others find direction, transformation, and a closer relationship with God. For more information, visit www.thaddeusbruce.com.

"That's Not My Name Anymore: The Story of Thaddeus Bruce" can be found in Victorious Living Magazine Issue 4 | 2022.

Melisha Johnson walked out of federal prison a woman on a mission. No longer an inmate, she is a voice for those she left behind. Working with churches and prison ministries, she shares her experience to help them better understand the needs of the incarcerated. She is the founder of Jesus is the Key to Re-Entry, a Christ-centered ministry and podcast promoting advocacy on behalf of the incarcerated.

"Keep Pressing On: The story of Melisha Johnson" is found in Issue 2 | 2022, Victorious Living Magazine.

John 3:30 says, "He must become greater; I must become less." Ronnie Hopkins lives his life by this scripture. But that wasn't always the case. Years of anger and self-pity kept Ronnie from recognizing anything good in his life and landed him straight into prison. With no other choice, he finally stopped long enough to hear God's voice, quietly saying, "Trust me, Ronnie."

The Story of Ronnie Hopkins can be found in Issue 1 | 2023 Victorious Living Magazine, "More of Jesus, Less of Me".

Juliana McFadden once struggled with the shame of being the sister of a murderer and a growing resentment toward God. But God had a purpose in her pain, and today she uses her experience to help others see Christ in their circumstances as well by ministering to formerly incarcerated women through SISTER Ministries. Her story can be found in Victorious Living Magazine, Issue 1 | 2023.

Today on our show, we’re sharing another story by Corey Devon Arthur. Corey’s stories have been aired on Episode 120: My Pen Uncovers the Real Me and Episode 128: My New Manifesto.

Corey Devon Arthur has served 25 years on a life sentence for robbery and murder and is currently housed at Otisville Correctional Institution in New York. Corey is an artist and writer who has been published on Writing Class Radio and The Marshall Project. 

The story Corey wrote for this episode was in response to our callout for men’s abortion stories and it came in at 3,000 words. Allison loved the entire story, because she pretty much loves everything Corey writes. She made a few edits, asked Corey a bunch of questions, and the story got longer. She sent it to Andrea, sure she would love it. Only, Andrea was like, What is all this? Andrea whittled it down to 1,113 words. So today we’re talking about omitting needless words and why that is important.

We have a guest host. Xaire Vii co-hosted the prison series to help us get things right. Xaire is a poet, singer-songwriter, actor, and educator who teaches writing and poetry to kids in the foster care system and kids caught up in a detention center.

This episode of Writing Class Radio is hosted by Allison Langer, Andrea Askowitz and Xaire Vii. Audio production by Matt Cundill, Evan Surminski, and Aidan Glassey at the Sound Off Media Company. Theme music by Justina Shandler.

There’s more writing class on our website www.writingclassradio.com including essays to study, editing resources, video classes, writing retreats, and live online classes. Join our writing community.

Follow us on Patreon to join our First Draft weekly writers groups. You have the option to join me on Tuesdays 12-1 ET and Zorina Wednesdays 7-8 pm ET. You’ll write to a prompt and share what you wrote. 

If you’re looking to take your writing to the next level, we have two Second Draft writing groups. Each week, three people bring a finished draft for feedback. 

Join the community that comes together for instruction, an excuse to write, and most importantly, the support from other writers. To learn more, go to www.Patreon.com/writingclassradio. Or email andrea@writingclassradio.com for a Zoom link. First session is FREE.

A new episode will drop every other WEDNESDAY. 

There’s no better way to understand ourselves and each other, than by writing and sharing our stories. Everyone has a story. What’s yours?

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Bonsoir les Melimelotes

Ce soir on continue notre tour du monde avec Matthieu Biasotto en partant en Alaska, rien que ça, à la découverte du mystérieux Solveig Holm.

Toutes les raisons de mon coup de cœur, c'est par ici.

Vous connaissez la musique? 

Alors branchez vos écouteurs et laissez vous guider.

Aujourd’hui j’accueille Julie. 

Avant de vous présenter son parcours extraordinaire, je me dois de vous
rappeler la loi Kouchner : pour certains, elle ne vous évoquera sûrement rien, mais dans cet épisode, elle prend tout son sens. 

Cette loi de 2002 a pour but d'améliorer la prise en charge des détenus malades et rappelle que toute personne a droit à la protection de sa santé et doit avoir un égal accès aux soins. 

Julie est infirmière dans une maison d’arrêt depuis presque 10 ans. Après une longue expérience dans le milieu hospitalier, l’envie de retrouver le lien avec le patient s’est fait ressentir. 

C’est à la suite d’un échange avec une collaboratrice qu’elle s’est dit : « pourquoi pas moi » ? 

À ce moment-là, Julie découvre une autre pratique du métier d’infirmière : travailler quotidiennement, en tant que femme libre et presque anonyme, entourée de barreaux et de grands murs en béton. 

Un univers obscur mais, qui peut aussi s’avérer être un lieu de grands accomplissements et de belles victoires.

Comment fait-on pour soigner tous les maux dans un milieu si
particulier ? 

Comment créer une relation soignant/soigné maîtrisée ? 

L’empathie, Cette qualité essentielle pour tous les soignants a-t-elle sa
place en prison ? 

Julie nous explique tout, sans détour !  

Retrouvez tous les épisodes sur le site de Santé Académie  

Never underestimate the strength of a woman. Convicted Hearts Jen Magana has a compelling story. 

 An abuse survivor , her own brother shot her stepfather and then murdered their biological father. After all that she is thriving and helping others.

Listen here.  Enjoy. 

YOUTUBE: Convicted Hearts : Jen Magana
IG: jen_punch_1108

Louie Max
Youtube: GRIND & PIVOT 
IG : @louiemaxx, @grindandpivot @louieteeshirts
FB: Louie Max

Finally got the time to catch up with Mitch Smiley of Hard Intentions.  As you might know I interviewed Mitch last year.  Mitch has a fascinating story.  He spent 38 straight years in prison.  He is now out and thriving. An accomplished artist and tattooist as well, he brings a special light and wisdom to the table.  This was more of a conversation between two people!
Enjoy it.  I find him engaging and 100% real.  Stay well all! PEACE 

1:45 - Background
3:00 Who is Zach?
4:45 - First Second Chance
5:42 - Toughest Lesson Learned
9:50 - How to Pay Forward
10:10 - First Meal after being released
12:34 - First Tattoo
13:18 - Favorite Tattoo
14:08 - Getting into Podcasting
15:09 - Why is everyone on Podcast?
16:28 - Instant Gratification
17:32 - Philosophy of Podcast by Zach
19:17 - Keeping the balance
21:57 - Key to Growth
23:38 - Greatest Piece of Advice
25:50 - Zach's North Star

Mitch spent 38 years in prison. Now, Jesse James and the world are buying his art.  An amazing story. Part 2 of 2. 

Mitch spent 38 years in prison. Now, Jesse James and the world are buying his art.  An amazing story. Part 1 of 2