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

Over and Over and Over and Over

06/10/2026 39:13Tricks of the Trade

05/28/2026 43:27 Bag of Skittles

05/14/2026 41:27Corny-Ass Episode

04/29/2026 42:37Revisiting “Chicken on the Bone”

04/15/2026 01:00:52 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.