Ear Hustle

Ear Hustle, Radiotopia

Ear Hustle is prison slang for eavesdropping, and that’s what listening to the show feels like: a raw, often funny, and always surprising peek into the reality of life inside prison. Hosts Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods co-created the show that launched in 2017 while Earlonne was incarcerated at San Quentin State Prison, where Nigel was a volunteer teaching photography. Read more

Society & Culture Documentary Storytelling

Episodes

Revisiting “Future on Ice”

08/21/2025 47:49San Quentin: The Magazine, Issue 3

07/30/2025 42:26 Revisiting “12 Hours on the Yard”

07/09/2025 01:15:3130 Days

06/11/2025 48:01I See the Castle

05/28/2025 01:02:49 Show all episodes

Our take on Ear Hustle podcast

Ear Hustle, hosted by Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods, offers a biweekly 40-minute glimpse into the lives of those within San Quentin State Prison. Since its 2017 debut, it's not just a podcast but a cultural touchstone, earning a Pulitzer Prize nomination and a duPont-Columbia Award. The hosts' authenticity and the show's raw storytelling have even influenced the arts, like the Met's Songs from the Spirit. Their book, This Is Ear Hustle, further extends their impact. It's a powerful listen that connects deeply, breaking down barriers and changing perceptions about incarceration and life after. Ear Hustle is a documentary podcast by Ear Hustle & Radiotopia.