The Prison Podcast

The Prison Podcast Episode 10: The Power of Bearing Witness

February 19, 2025

In this episode, Martina from the Ahimsa Collective takes us into the often misunderstood world of Victim-Offender Dialogue. With deep empathy and insight, she explores the traumatic experiences that shape both survivors and offenders. Her work is rooted in the belief that healing is possible through compassionate listening and understanding, rather than through punishment. Drawing on years of experience, Martina shares with us how she guides individuals through this delicate process, showing us the transformative power of dialogue, healing, and human connection.

Martina also shares valuable insights on how society can better educate the public about this powerful process. As she emphasizes, punishing individuals for their wrongdoings often doesn’t lead to lasting change. Instead, real transformation comes from showing compassion, listening to pain, and supporting the healing journey. This episode isn’t just about Martina’s work, it’s a call to rethink justice and how we approach healing within our communities.

The Prison Podcast Episode 9: Don’t You Trust Me?

February 12, 2025

This week, Diane sits down with Tristan, who shares his journey of confronting the childhood trauma he endured. At a young age, Tristan made the difficult decision to speak out, leading to his cousin’s arrest. His cousin’s actions, which had affected not only Tristan but others as well, eventually led to his imprisonment.

Tristan’s path to healing also included a challenging step: a victim-offender dialogue with the cousin who had assaulted him. In this conversation, he was able to ask the questions that had haunted him for years, seeking understanding and closure.

This is a story of hardship, but also one of strength and resilience in the face of trauma. Tristan’s experience encourages us to reflect on important issues like justice, accountability, and the lasting impact of abuse.

This content may be sensitive or disturbing to some listeners.

The Prison Podcast Episode 8: It Wasn’t About The Bike

February 5, 2025

In this episode, Steven opens up about his tumultuous past — growing up on welfare, surviving through drug dealing, and enduring the lasting effects of domestic violence. He reflects on how his life spiraled into addiction and the long, painful journey toward self-awareness and healing. Steven also shares a poignant memory of a chance encounter with Floyd, Michele’s husband, and the profound consequences that followed, culminating in Floyd’s tragic murder.

Nearly 19 years later, Steven participates in a Victim-Offender Dialogue with Michele. This powerful process allows him to share his side of the story and hear the grief and pain that Michele has carried for nearly two decades. Guided by a mentor, Steven embarks on a transformative journey of redemption, finding peace in this deeply healing experience. He reflects on how the dialogue helped lift the weight of his past, offering clarity and restoring his sense of humanity and hope.

The Prison Podcast Episode 7: All That Anger

January 29, 2025

This week’s episode shares Michele’s remarkable journey. After losing her husband during a burglary, her grief hardened into anger toward the man responsible. This anger overshadowed her ability to reflect on her husband’s own challenges, including his temper and tendency to escalate conflict.

Over time, Michele came to a painful yet liberating realization: her husband’s actions had likely contributed to the tragic events of that night. As she processed this truth, her anger began to soften. When Michele finally met Steven, the man who killed her husband, she confronted not only him but also her own pain.

The Prison Podcast Episode 6: Facing Redemption

January 22, 2025

Today, we’re speaking with Alan, the person responsible for the tragic death of Emily, whose story we discussed in last week’s episode. While intoxicated, Alan struck Emily, leading to her death. In that episode, we heard from Emily’s mother, Elle, who shared her deeply moving journey of grief and healing. Both Elle and Alan participated in the Victim-Offender Dialogue program.

In this episode, we’ll hear directly from Alan, who is currently incarcerated at San Quentin Rehabilitation Center. Alan reflects on his difficult path to sobriety, expresses his heartfelt gratitude for Elle’s willingness to forgive him, and shares how his growth during incarceration has inspired him to help others.

The Prison Podcast Episode 5: I Have A Hug For You

January 15, 2025

This week’s episode features Elle, a mother who shows us the profound beauty of carrying grief with grace. She faced the devastating loss of her daughter, Emily, in a tragic accident caused by a drunk driver in Los Angeles.

Over time, Elle’s journey moved from grief and anger to a place of healing, ultimately leading her to meet with Alan, the driver who took her daughter from her. Together, they participated in a Victim-Offender Dialogue. Today, Elle works as an advocate and facilitator for these dialogues. She has walked a long path toward forgiveness, and in this poignant episode, she shares her powerful experience.

The Prison Podcast Episode 4: Hurt People Hurt People

January 8, 2025

Today’s guest is Christopher, who served 25 years in various California prisons as part of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. During his time in prison, he acted as Jane’s surrogate in their Victim-Offender Dialogue.

In this context, a surrogate is someone convicted of a similar crime, though not the perpetrator of the offense against the specific victim. The surrogate’s role is to help bridge the gap, allowing the victim to express their experience to someone with a shared history of offense.This creates an opportunity for healing and reconciliation, especially when victims are unable or choose not to confront the actual offender but still want their voices heard.

After more than two decades of incarceration, Christopher has been released and is adjusting to life in the free world. Navigating the challenges of reentry, he faces the task of catching up on the technological and cultural changes that have unfolded during his time in prison. But Christopher’s story is about more than reentry. It’s one of deep personal transformation.

This episode addresses a difficult and sensitive topic: a sexual crime committed against a child. Christopher, who has been open about his past, is here to discuss the painful reality of his actions. His willingness to confront and share the truth about his crime is both courageous and impactful. This conversation is not just about personal accountability; it’s a sobering reflection on trauma, human behavior, and the potential for change. It’s a raw, powerful discussion about forgiveness, healing, and the challenges of facing the darkest parts of one’s past.

The Prison Podcast Episode 3: Breaking The Silence

January 1, 2025

Today, we have a remarkable guest joining us: Jane, who has an incredibly powerful story to share. As a survivor of rape, Jane has faced unimaginable trauma, yet her journey of healing and empowerment is truly inspiring.

In this episode, Jane opens up about her experience participating in a Victim-Offender Dialogue with a surrogate offender—someone who committed a similar crime but was not the individual who harmed her. This courageous step allowed Jane to confront difficult emotions, gain new insights, and take powerful strides toward recovery.

The Prison Podcast Episode 2: A Life Worth Living

December 25, 2024

In the last episode, Melissa shared the heartbreaking story of losing her father, killed by Matthew in 1993 when he was just 22 years old. Now, after 30 years of incarceration, Matthew opens up about his experience, offering a powerful example of trauma, growth, and reconciliation even in the most unimaginable circumstances.

Since his conviction, Matthew has participated in a rare victim-offender dialogue with Melissa. This process allowed them both to engage in honest communication—giving Matthew a chance to take responsibility for his actions and Melissa a space to voice her pain and anger. In this episode, Matthew reflects on how this dialogue helped him confront the consequences of his crime and grasp the profound human toll of his actions in ways he hadn’t before. 

The Prison Podcast Episode 1: Never Too Late

December 18, 2024

In this powerful first episode, The Prison Podcast dives into the gripping and emotional journey of Melissa, a woman grappling with loss, forgiveness, and love after the tragic death of her father during a family gathering. As she reflects on the profound impact of that day, Melissa opens up about the complex emotions that followed and the healing power of letting go.