This Is Ear Hustle

Unflinching Stories of Everyday Prison Life

De: Nigel Poor, Earlonne Woods

Narrado por: Nigel Poor, Earlonne Woods, Sam Robinson, Chayne Hampton, Andrew Eiden, Gary Tiedemann, Landon Woodson, Cary Hite, Debi Tinsley, Joniece Abbot Pratt, Curt Bonnem, Teri Clark Linden, Pierce Cravens

A “profound, sometimes hilarious, often heartbreaking” (The New York Times) view of prison life, as told by currently and formerly incarcerated people, from the co-creators and co-hosts of the Peabody- and Pulitzer-nominated podcast Ear Hustle

“A must-read for fans of the legendary podcast and all those who seek to understand crime, punishment, and mass incarceration in America.”—Piper Kerman, author of Orange Is the New Black

When Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods met, Nigel was a photography professor volunteering with the Prison University Project and Earlonne was serving thirty-one years to life at California’s San Quentin State Prison. Initially drawn to each other by their shared interest in storytelling, neither had podcast production experience when they decided to enter Radiotopia’s contest for new shows . . . and won. Using the prize for seed money, Nigel and Earlonne launched Ear Hustle, named after the prison term for “eavesdropping.” It was the first podcast created and produced entirely within prison and would go on to be heard millions of times worldwide, garner Peabody and Pulitzer award nominations, and help earn Earlonne his freedom when his sentence was commuted in 2018.

In This Is Ear Hustle, Nigel and Earlonne share their own stories of how they came to San Quentin, how they created their phenomenally popular podcast amid extreme limitations, and what has kept them collaborating season after season. They present new stories, all with the same insight, balance, and rapport that distinguish the podcast. In an era when more than two million people are incarcerated across the United States—a number that grows by 600,000 annually—Nigel and Earlonne explore the full and often surprising realities of prison life. With characteristic candor and humor, their moving portrayals include unexpected moments of self-discovery, unlikely alliances, inspirational resilience, and ingenious work-arounds.

One personal narrative at a time, framed by Nigel’s and Earlonne’s distinct perspectives, This Is Ear Hustle reveals the complexity of life for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people while illuminating the shared experiences of humanity that unite us all.

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A Prison University Project professor and a formerly incarcerated man bring together evocative first-person accounts from those who previously served in prison and those who remain there today in a starkly honest series of conversations.”—Newsweek

“In this unforgettable book, Nigel Poor, Earlonne Woods, and a range of fascinating people generously share their prison stories, inviting readers to understand human struggle in an inhumane system via humor, contemplation, and community.”—Piper Kerman, author of Orange Is the New Black

“This Is Ear Hustle is a jewel. Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods are gifted storytellers, and their ability to draw intimate, authentic stories out of others is extraordinary. With grace and humor they walk through what life is really like behind bars, showing the humanity and depth of those they meet inside.”—Catherine Burns, artistic director, The Moth

“I listen to Ear Hustle because it doesn’t travel on the surface of the prison experience but dives deep into the humanity and transformation of those behind the walls with raw and authentic representation of the real San Quentin. Nigel and Earlonne find a way to take a world that is invisible to most and make it relatable to everyday life through stories of love, joy, family, and resilience—with a magical sense of hope.”—Scott Budnick, film producer and founder of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition

“The gift of the Ear Hustle podcast is that it’s just as revelatory for people who’ve done a bid as it is for those who have no idea what hearing a cell door closing really feels like. This Is Ear Hustle is the bildungsroman of one of the most influential pieces of art, broadcast journalism, and reportage to ever come out of a prison. Nigel and Earlonne have created a soundscape that is as inventive as it is provocative, and their book shows why we ear hustle, and why, somehow, sometimes, it makes us feel like we were there.”—Reginald Dwayne Betts, author of Felon

“I’m a big fan of these two angels of the radio, Earlonne and Nigel, whose dreamy collaboration, a conversation I love to listen in on, gives me joy and amusement, and also: hope.”—Rachel Kushner, author of The Hard Crowd and The Mars Room

A peek into prison life

Woods and Poor gently show you an image of life in prison through interviews and by sharing their own reflections of producing podcasts inside San Quentin.

authenticity

an amazing opening into a world that might be totally foreign to you, yet there is plenty to laugh, cry, be provoked by. of the few books, this is worth the time.

Just Like the Podcast

I have been listening to the Ear Hustle podcast for a few years, so was really excited for this book. I was even more excited when I realized it is read by Nigel and Earlonne. I was not disappointed. This book is like listening to an extended podcast. The hosts have their normal, incredible rapport that makes the podcast fun, entertaining, and educational. It also gives a lot of background that gives context (how Earlonne ended up in prison, how Nigel ended up volunteering at San Quentin, how the podcast got going).

There are some repeats from podcast episodes, which are listed in the afterword. Those flashbacks do not feel like filler, but add to the story they are telling.

Having said that, this book is very specialized. Some familiarity with the podcast would probably help in understanding the book.

Amazing read/listen!

Loved the book! I was so excited that Earlonne and Nigel were the readers. Highly recommend.

Listened twice

The Ear Hustle podcast has 40 million subscribers and I am one of them. This audiobook is perfection, and I have listened to it twice and bought the hardcover. Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods are great humanitarians.

Amazing!

This book changed how I think about prison and especially the three strikes law. It must be changed! Nigel and Earlonne, thank you for this important book.

Love the people telling these stories

I wouldn't think I could enjoy stories about people in prison, because it sounds way too heavy. And yet, Earlonne and Nigel create a welcoming space to 'bring us inside'. We get to know some of these folks, to laugh and cry and be deeply touched by their stories. It makes me want to be part of the solution; to do better by our brothers and sisters who've made mistakes and want to reengage in society.

loved

I have listened to the podcast and really enjoyed this book as well! would recommend for anyone with a loved one locked up for a glimpse inside.

Listen to this book!

I've been a fan of the podcast since the beginning! Moving stories. Beautifully narrated by a rich tapestry of voices. I loved everything about it.

LOVED the book!!!!

Huge fan of the podcast & the book did not disappoint! Equally entertaining and insightful! Thank you!!