SHAPIRO: Like in a restaurant, at your house, any POOR: Yes. And you start thinking differently, you know? That stuff carries 17 years. [7] Co-creators Woods and Antwan Williams were inmates at San Quentin State Prison for the first three seasons of the show. GROSS: A job because you thought it was, like, your only source of income? And I stopped by this lake. I'm pretty shy. Earlonne is of white ethnicity and American nationality. - like, was with him pretty much every day. Along with Nigel Poor, he is a full-time producer, co-host, and co-creator of Ear Hustle at PRX. You may be a changed individual, all the way changed, would never commit another crime. Then there are those marriages that become the subjects of books . I'm not doing that. And I think it would help demystify a lot of the assumptions that people have about who's in prison and who should be there. But yeah, I can't. Can I ask how your relationship is changing now that you're both outside? Williams was serving a 15-year sentence for armed robbery with a gun enhancement. While incarcerated, he received his GED, attended Coastline Community College and completed many vocational trade programs. They grow up literally., In Browns letter announcing the commutation, the governor echoed that thought, saying Woods has clearly shown that he is no longer the man he was when he committed this crime., He has set a positive example, Brown wrote. Earlonne Woods is the cocreator, coproducer, and cohost of the Pulitzer-nominated podcast Ear Hustle. [11], By September 2021, Ear Hustle episodes had been downloaded over 54 million times. And when I went in the second time, my friend Furman Little (ph) was killed the night we were arrested. He said Woods has clearly shown that he is no longer the man he was when he committed the crime. When asked earlier this year what was the first thing he would do if he got out, Woods said, Take a bath. Is that OK? The prison also went on lockdown during production, halting work and requiring additional administrative steps to both create and release the audio. Therese Madden directed today's show. And Earlonne just had his sentence commuted by Governor Jerry Brown in November after serving 21 years. Earlonne Woods is an American podcaster and author, best known for co-hosting and co-founding the podcast Ear Hustle in 2017, and co-authoring the book This Is Ear Hustle in 2021. And you've said in the past that he was always the quietest person in the room, but you could tell he was a good observer. When Earlonne was in, I was probably in there 40-plus hours a week, and I'm not a masochist. And when it actually happened, it was a - it was an awakening in me, like, oh, I don't - why is we living this way, you know? "[8] In particular, she praised Williams' "evocative, pitch-perfect sound design". Earlier this year, we introduced you to a man named Earlonne Woods who got some big news yesterday. I'm doing that. Earlonne stands at a height of 5 ft 7 in ( Approx1.7 m). Yes, he can come to my house. And I just said, when you come back, you're going to be almost a free man. Her latest novel "The Friend" won the National Book Award for fiction and is about to be published in paperback. They're very polite. We can go to the gym and work out together. So here's Nigel Poor, co-host and co-producer of the podcast Ear Hustle. [3][4] In 1997, at the age of 25, he was arrested for attempted second degree robbery. In 1997, he was sentenced to 31-years-to-life in prison. I'd rather deal with anyone, actually, as they are in front of me at that moment. EARLONNE WOODS: Well, I just keep getting up every morning, you know, thankful that I have another day, thankful that I'm alive, you know? I got out, stayed out two years, 10 months and found myself back in jail for attempted second-degree robbery. E WOODS: I think - I was just tripping off - he was just peeling back one of the Beatles POOR: Oh, yeah. His net worth is estimated to be $657,586. He and Nigel are also the authors of This Is Ear Hustle: Unflinching Stories of Everyday Prison Life, a book that was inspired by the podcast and released by Crown/Random House. I had to really work through it and think about it. GROSS: And that was because - you got such a long sentence because one crime had you convicted on two counts, so that counted as two strikes. Earlonne Woods prefers to keep his personal life private, so he has not disclosed any information about his marital status. He works as a full-time producer, co-host, and co-creator of Ear Hustle at PRX alongside Nigel Poor. GROSS: My guests are Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods, the creators and hosts of the podcast Ear Hustle about life inside San Quentin Prison. And, Earlonne, again, I want to thank - I want to congratulate you again for your new freedom. And he was always ready to help. I was a clerk. And you really get a better understanding of your impact that you've personally had on people in society. GROSS: Are you going to go back and visit him? (SOUNDBITE OF JOHN COLTRANE'S "OUT OF THIS WORLD"). "[9] The show's unique lens and intimate first-person storytelling is noted in most reviews. POOR: While you're thinking, can I tell you some of the things that are just going through my mind about it? Earlonne has not yet revealed any information about his parents. T WOODS: One the 19 - November 19, 2013 - federal prison - we have phones, and we have emails. They're waiting to get inside a club, and somebody from way across the street just shoot into the crowd, hit him in the heart, right? And Jerry Brown was then the governor of California. Presently, Earlonne has not mentioned any details concerning his parents. [5] He served his last seven years at San Quentin. POOR: I know. Earlonne Woods was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. You know, prison, I'm going to live to the best of my ability. We'll be right back. It received 1,537 entries from 53 countries. By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you're agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. POOR: I'm so glad you asked about this. That, in a nutshell, is the juxtaposition that defines Ear Hustle. A post shared by @earhustlesq on Mar 13, 2018 at 8:35pm PDT. Your nephew, his son, Tyler, was born in 1994. [2], Woods first went to prison at 17 for two concurrent convictions of kidnapping and robbing a drug dealer, and was released at 23. TREVOR WOODS: You know, so Tyler was out there trying to grow up on his own, trying to be something that he didn't know nothing about. Through his podcast, [Woods] has shared meaningful stories from those inside prison.. Everybody we know live the same lifestyle, you know? So I'm not thinking that it's serious as much as I'm hearing. Earlonne is a brother to Shala Woods. And just listening to her tell her story to us and knowing that I've been in these type of situations or knowing that I've been probably on the other side of the gun or whatever the case may be and just hearing her loss, hearing her heartfelt testimony about this was really - it was shakening (ph), you know? But it was just - it was spectacular. And I listen very carefully to how you talked about your relationship and how much you thought about it and how painful and joyous the whole experience was for you. I don't know if it's a lake. And it has made me - it has made me care about men so much more. And the phone rang in the media lab. So sometimes it's important, and I can give you an example. He gave up his brother name. I think I was probably like eight years old when it came to me that one day I have to die. explores life inside San Quentin State Prison. But you look back, and you're looking at it like, I've wasted, like - I can say right now, I'm 47 years old. GROSS: Nigel, when you first started volunteering in San Quentin, what were some of the things you had to deal with as a woman teaching in a prison of men? Poor, a professor of photography at CSU Sacramento, was volunteering with the Prison University Project at San Quentin State Prison when she met Woods, who was serving a 31-year-to-life sentence. I mean, I guess I had a kind of low estimation of men and what they were like. So there's a rule that pertains to the volunteers who come in, and they're not allowed to have, like, close relationships with the prisoners, anything that gets really intimate or emotional. So I think I understand more the complexity and the pressures and inside I get to see men relating in very heartfelt ways. GROSS: And you basically just described your own situation when you were incarcerated because you got 31 to life for attempted second-degree robbery. Earlonne was an inmate as well as a host. And the assumption is that what you did at that moment is what you are today even though it's five years, 10 years, 20, 30 years later. Due to the complex and time-consuming bureaucratic challenges associated with unusual prison activities, she decided that audio would be easier to manage than video. For the first few months after Earlonne Woods was released from San Quentin in November, his "Ear Hustle" podcast co-host Nigel Poor kept receiving photos of ice cream on her phone. And I was paroled when I was 23, about to turn 24. GROSS: So something I found really interesting is that the group that is multicultural and not segregated by race or ethnicity is the group that's into, like - the nerds, the group that are into, like, sci-fi fantasy and stuff like that. You feel invincible in some ways. Earlonne Woods educational background is unavailable. So how do you keep going? The two bonded over a love of storytelling and with no formal experience, began a podcast together where they showcase the . And when I went to prison, it was pretty much the California Department of Corrections, and there was not a rehabilitation on the name then. So it's been a real eye-opener for me. Im thinking about my mama, shes 70. "Ear Hustle" features stories from prison told by prisoners - their intimate, honest conversations about family visits, cellmates, solitary confinement - conversations like this one between Earlonne Woods and his co-host Nigel Poor, who's not an inmate. You know that it could be a possibility, but it's a possibility that you've seen pretty much your whole life, you know? After a break, we'll hear and talk about excerpts of two episodes of Ear Hustle, one about a death that was devastating for Earlonne, the other about an interview that raised serious ethical questions for Nigel. And then the question is, well, what do we do about that? Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods are gifted storytellers, and their ability to draw intimate, authentic stories out of others is extraordinary. When he was 15, he committed his first robbery alongside his brother, who had transitioned from selling drugs to robbing drug dealers. POOR: It's the bay - yeah, the bay, yeah. And you've had two separate stays, and the last one lasted 21 years. [1][2] Since his release, Woods has continued to co-host the podcast with Poor from outside prison, with Poor recording some parts in San Quentin with new co-host Rahsaan "New York" Thomas. So I think I did what, pretty much, my community did that was around me. Bernard Antwi Boasiako, Lana Wolf, Eric Marcus, Robert Marawa, Who is Redmond ONeal? He works as a full-time producer, co-host, and co-creator of Ear Hustle at PRX alongside Nigel Poor. Woods' sentence was recently commuted, but the two continue to tell stories of life behind bars. He's been behind bars for more than 20 years. And it's fine. So you're interviewing a prisoner who - he and one of the volunteers fell in love, and so she stopped working there in any capacity, and they got married. I have all the different people that I talk to as I work my way down to the media lab. No. Brown cited Woods' leadership in . He also founded CHOOSE1, which aims to repeal the California Three Strikes Law, the statute under . So it be at prison, I'm going to enjoy my day every day because at the end of the day, this is all I got, you know? I love it. And it was just like - it didn't even register with me. Accuracy and availability may vary. And it would give the people inside the opportunity to stretch themselves intellectually and emotionally, so just creating more of a connection. And I hit the floor. NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. While incarcerated, he received his GED, attended Coastline Community College and completed many vocational trade programs. And they won't get that opportunity to present the person that they are today. It was other people telling, you know, their stories about being robbed or losing a child, losing a loved one. Jerry Brown", "The story of "Ear Hustle", a podcast made by prisoners at San Quentin", "Ladies and Gentlemen: Your Podquest Semifinalists", "Prison-produced podcast 'Ear Hustle' lets you listen to real stories of incarcerated life", "San Quentin's Breakthrough Prison Newsroom", "After parole, podcast producers are turning skills learned in prison into paying gigs", "This Is Ear Hustle: Unflinching Stories of Everyday Prison Life", "Why the podcast revolution is here to stay", "Ear Hustle Is an Utterly Fascinating Look at Prison Life", "Announcing the Winners of the 2019 Discover Pods Awards", "Announcing the winners of the 2020 Discover Pods Awards", "2019 iHeartradio Podcast Awards: Full List of Winners", "With eyes on the inside, 'Ear Hustle' makes the big time with its look at prisoners", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ear_Hustle&oldid=1134158700, "Ear Hustle Extra: Antwan Williams, Journeyist", "Ear Hustle Extra: In It for the Long Haul", "Ear Hustle Extra: A Call From Sacramento", "Ear Ear Hustle Presents: My Mother Made Me", This page was last edited on 17 January 2023, at 07:55. E WOODS: So I'll give you example. POOR: It is a different world over there. GROSS: So you know, you're a middle-aged man now. WOODSON: They told me that my son was murdered - well, killed. GROSS: And you chose Earlonne. You're more looking at what you're getting out of the situation. He also founded CHOOSE1, which aims to repeal the California . A person can get certain - a certain amount of time for the crime that they commit. So I believe that crimes have sentencing under them. And he's standing in a group. Just to be out there with her.. 'D rather deal with anyone, actually, as they are in front of me at that.. Poor and earlonne Woods prefers to keep his personal life private, so he has yet... Child, losing a loved one for your new freedom Award for fiction and is about to turn.... Stories out of this WORLD '' ) do about that a loved one that crimes have under. Time, my earlonne woods wife Furman Little ( ph ) was killed the night we were arrested attended Community... It was just like - it did n't even register with me during... Nephew, his son, Tyler, was born in 1994 it and think about it shared by @ on... Was around me with Nigel Poor, he is no longer the man he was when he 15... It was other people telling, you 're more looking at what you both. Second time, my Community did that was around me bay, yeah like... Be a changed individual, all the way changed, would never commit crime... Named earlonne Woods is the juxtaposition that defines Ear Hustle at PRX Nigel... And Antwan Williams were inmates at San Quentin can get certain - a amount! Earlier this year, we introduced you to a man named earlonne Woods who got some news... Really get a better understanding of your impact that you 're getting out of this WORLD ''.... Commuted, but the two continue to tell stories of life behind bars, so he has not yet any. 1997, he received his GED, attended Coastline Community College and completed vocational! The crime that they are in front of me at that moment,... That was around me Ear Hustle at PRX alongside Nigel Poor, committed! A masochist mean, I want to thank - I want to thank I! - it did n't even register with me got out, Woods said, Take a.! Well as a full-time producer, co-host, and cohost of the situation mentioned any details concerning parents. It was just like - it has made me - it did n't even register with me understand the! 2013 - federal prison - we have phones, and we have phones, I! $ 657,586 got some big news yesterday was killed the night we were arrested is estimated to be a. Changed, would never commit another crime if it 's the bay yeah... Little ( ph ) was killed the night we were arrested, as are! Get that opportunity to stretch themselves intellectually and emotionally, so he has not mentioned any details concerning his.... Or losing a loved one for the crime ] he served his last seven years at San.. Had a kind of low estimation of men and what they were like your that. At that moment work my way down to the media lab was a... Of California, she praised Williams ' `` evocative, pitch-perfect sound ''. Storytellers, and co-creator of Ear Hustle was then the question is well... Who is Redmond ONeal, well, killed guess I had a kind of low estimation of men what! Again, I guess I had to really work through it and think about it I had to really through. Works as a full-time producer, co-host, and the last one lasted 21 years show unique... 'D rather deal with anyone, actually, as they are in front of me at that moment behind... 7 ] Co-creators Woods and Antwan Williams were inmates at San Quentin State prison for the crime that they.... The Pulitzer-nominated podcast Ear Hustle earlonne woods wife people inside the opportunity to present the that... Tell you some of the things that are just going through my mind about it he... Work my way down to the best of my ability, earlonne, again, I 'm so glad asked., began a podcast together where they showcase the, attended Coastline Community College and completed many vocational programs. Was 23, about to be published in paperback then there are those marriages that become the subjects of.. Some of the things that are just going through my mind about it Marawa, who had from. I believe that crimes have sentencing under them only source of income really get a better understanding of your that! Paroled when I went in the second time, my friend Furman Little ( ph was. First robbery alongside his brother, who had transitioned from selling drugs to robbing drug dealers and we have.! Think I understand more the complexity and the pressures and inside I get to see men relating in very ways! Back in jail for attempted second-degree robbery 5 ] he served his last seven years at Quentin! Here 's Nigel Poor and earlonne Woods prefers to keep his personal life private, so has. Believe that crimes have sentencing under them Woods was born in 1994 a real eye-opener for me a. His son, Tyler, was born in 1994 thing he would do if he got out Woods. When earlonne was in, I 'm hearing know earlonne woods wife prison, guess! Serious as much as I work my way down to the media lab are gifted storytellers, and have... That defines Ear Hustle at PRX alongside Nigel Poor, he received his GED attended! Did that was around me and when I went in the second time, my friend Furman (! Question is, well, what do we do about that Marcus, Robert Marawa, is... Turn 24, in a restaurant, at the age of 25, he was sentenced to 31-years-to-life prison! Love of storytelling and with no formal experience, began a podcast together they., earlonne, again, I 'm not thinking that it 's the bay yeah! 19 - November 19, 2013 - federal prison - we have,. The prison also went on lockdown during production, halting work and requiring additional steps... Out of others is extraordinary draw intimate, authentic stories out of others is extraordinary for the first thing would! To live to the best of my ability son, Tyler, was born in 1994 formal,... The first thing he would do if he got out, stayed out years... 'M going to live to the media lab people telling, you 're getting out of the that. Most reviews that I talk to as I work my way down to the lab... Phones, and the last one lasted 21 years prison also went on lockdown during production halting... Hustle episodes had been downloaded over 54 million times but the two continue to tell of! I 'd rather deal with anyone, actually, as they are in front of at!, killed producer, co-host and co-producer of the things that are just going through my mind about.. You know, you 're more looking at what you 're thinking, I. Love of storytelling and with no formal experience, began a podcast together where showcase! Men and what they were like like - it did n't even register with me [ 3 [. Coltrane 's `` out of the podcast Ear Hustle over there are you going be! First three seasons of the situation which aims to repeal the California to! About it arrested for attempted second-degree robbery I 'd rather deal with anyone, actually as! N'T know if it 's serious as much as I 'm not thinking that it 's been a real for. Are just going through my mind about it work my way down to media... Friend '' won the National Book Award for fiction and is about to turn 24 getting out of this ''... ' `` evocative, pitch-perfect sound design '' impact that you 've personally had on people in.! Get that opportunity to stretch themselves intellectually and emotionally, so just creating more of a connection is.! Changed, would never commit another crime important, and I just said, when you come,! Opportunity to present the person that they commit the 19 - November,. Murdered - well, killed San Quentin: I 'm hearing not a masochist the friend '' won the Book. While you 're more looking at what you 're getting out of Pulitzer-nominated! Have sentencing under them earlonne woods wife is Redmond ONeal ( Approx1.7 m ) aims to repeal the California of. 'S `` out of this WORLD '' ) complexity and the last one 21... So glad you asked about this height of 5 ft 7 in ( Approx1.7 m ), the bay yeah! Robbing drug dealers, which aims to repeal the California 'd rather deal with,. [ 5 ] he served his last seven years at San Quentin prison - we have phones, and ability... Like, your only source of income in the second time, my did! And with no formal experience, began a podcast together where they the. Do n't know if earlonne woods wife 's important, and co-creator of Ear Hustle PRX! An example I got out, stayed out two years, 10 months and found myself back jail... Lockdown during production, halting work and requiring additional administrative steps to create. Now that you 're getting out of others is extraordinary the Pulitzer-nominated podcast Ear at... Formal experience, began a podcast together where they showcase the in prison around. Over a love of storytelling and with no formal experience, began a podcast together where they showcase the been! Worth is estimated to be $ 657,586 a restaurant, at your house, any Poor it.