I love the show and have listened for years, shared it with others, donated and bought the book. Recently though, I've struggled to listen to one of the hosts. I know we're not supposed to look into participants' crimes, but most of the hosts refer to theirs with candor, while one of them often seems to express self-pity, and surprise at his own arrest. So, intrigued at what could have put him in prison, I finally looked him up and learned that he was a serial child rapist. It's not some accident that he's there, a single lapse in judgment, or anything easy to grasp. Maybe there was some factor like addiction or childhood abuse or who knows what, and it's not our place as listeners to judge him -- but he gets a lot of mic time in which to complain, seemingly without a sense of reckoning. I wish Nigel would at least touch on the situation, because it's pretty off-putting, and makes me hesitant to keep listening.

Thank you for sharing about the lives and ways of incarcerated folks. I am a descendant of a formerly incarcerated person. Now that they’re deceased, listening to the show somehow gives me a glimpse of what their life may have been like. Deep respect and admiration all involved.

Such a great podcast! I first listened because it was recommended when I was listening to the podcast This American Life. I am so glad I gave it a try and I’ve been hooked ever since! This is not a podcast that I would have looked for on my own but listening to it has truly opened up my mind and my heart. These are people, people who have made mistakes in their lives. And many of them have learned and grown and are trying to be better people. And this is something that we should all be striving to do, every single day, no matter what is thrown our way. Give it a listen, I think it’ll surprise you, as it did me. Thank you to the team at Ear Hustle, for all your hard work, we are enjoying the fruits of your labor and hopefully becoming more open minded because of what you are doing. Thank you!

I really appreciate the shows put out by Ear Hustle. They are thoughtful and bring to light what life is like for incarcerated folks. Millions of people in our country have no idea what this life is like and I feel the topics of the show are pertinent and can bring out more compassion in folks. Many thanks to the hosts and producers and I look forward to listening to new shows in the fall.

I have been a long time listener of your hustle. But this latest episode, 30 Days, compelled, me to write a review. Obviously, as a long time listener, I have enjoyed listening to the stories and perspective that Nigel and Earlonne share. This past episode just hit me straight in the gut. Maybe because I deal with anxiety myself. But Thom’s Nervous energy regarding his court date translated so thoroughly. I found myself having to skip forward quite a few times. And then I thought that Thom doesn’t have an option, so I tried to sit with it during the episode. I know this is long and rambling. Very stream of consciousness. But that was my journey on this episode. I really enjoyed his song at the end and I can’t wait for him to get his next appearance before the judge on July 8. I’m rooting for you, Thom.

Your personalities are so precious to me and I wish you all the very best. Thank you, Ear Hustle

This must be so hard. I can’t even imagine. Thank You

The subject matter is quite interesting. The background music, however, is way too distracting, meaningless and loud. Unfortunately I have given up attempting to follow this podcast specifically because of the inappropriate use of music.

Long time listener, first time reviewer. I just listened to the episodes about Death Row and Condemned Row, as well as the follow-up episode with listener input. I’m really surprised people suddenly want this podcast to be something it isn’t. Ear Hustle finds the most compelling way to share stories without too much bias or judgement, and it’s about the people you are connecting with and honoring their stories. I work with survivors of violence (sexual crimes and intimate partner violence), and this show has helped me find understanding and compassion for people that harm others in a way I never had before. There are so many things that happen in someone’s life before they get to the place of committing a heinous crime. It will never excuse violence, or make it okay, but it does give it context and sometimes that context can bring a level of peace because it takes away feelings of hatred. I commend Ear Hustle for how you have handled stories, from the jump, and I will always recommend your podcast when people want incredible stories with depth, heart, and humor.

I truly appreciate the decision to generally not discuss people’s crimes. As another podcast said, “no one should be defined by the worst day of their life.” Enoch media discusses the criminal system from by re-litigating people’s actions. I love that Ear Hustle humanizes incarcerated people. I always go back to the episode about pets, which showed that even the toughest, hardest men need to express their nurturing side. Besides, many people are still going through appeals and we as listeners shouldn’t be in the position to affect their legal cases.

I’ve listened to podcasts for years and years and this one has risen to the ranks of This American Life which was how I got to this podcast in the first place (thanks to Ira for the rec). Incredible stories. Love it so much. Thank you. After hearing the most recent episode where listeners speak to the insensitivity, I felt compelled to reach out. I’ve always felt that you all have handled the intricacies of interviewing without reminding us of why they are there. I feel like the punishment is incarceration, and we don’t need to continue to impose additional punishment. If the crime is an important part of the story, it makes sense to mention it, but nobody should be defined by something that they’ve done. I deeply appreciate the nuance. And I admire your work.

5 Stars!! in reference to your death row episodes ..I often find it difficult to be non biased when I learn about a person’s past. Listening to the incarcerated without the knowledge of what crime got them there frees me of that prejudice and when I wonder what they did i realize it’s just curiosity on my part. I’ve learn that we all have the potential of “crossing the line” why did these people do it? Well I believe for every person incarcerated there’s that many explanations. Well done Ear Hustle

Thank you for the podcast and especially for the 2 amazing shows on men and women who spent time on death row. Skillful, thoughtful interviewing and story telling helped to make these episodes especially compelling. I have encouraged everyone I know to listen to these episodes and consider the differences between them. In one, people are isolated and live with pain and misery, in perpetuity. In the other, a loving community emerged that was so healing some listeners seemed troubled by the transformations it enabled. But this is what we should want for anyone who has committed a crime - even a horrible one. Thank you for focusing on the daily humanity of your subjects rather than the moments that led to their incarceration. Signed, someone who has also needs to be loved and forgiven.

Being that I led a completely normal boring regular life before finding myself in prison for an 8 year stint once then never even a speeding ticket before or after. It’s easy for me to hear this and know that these women and even men too are just people like us- yes some of their choices were worse than others but most were made impulsively without thought and typically under the influence or with poor mental health. It’s so sad and very tragic for ALL impacted. I am glad to hear the podcast and to see how the people outside the walls in the “free world” get a chance to hear the voices and truths of the “violent criminals- the people who are outcasted and just condemned and thought of to be such lost causes.” The recidivism rates are sucky because they are not doing anything to rehabilitate inside in the USA. It’s literally a “holding camp”. They aren’t focused on helping anyone change their behavior , or better their lives like they should be - why are our tax dollars really being wasted like that. What a waste of my life, my heart goes out to every one in there still paying for that one bad decision- this is a good listen !!

The April 25th episode is so good! I love hearing all of the interesting and educated opinions everyone has. Grateful this isn’t a true crime show ❤️

Now the show has pivoted for sure. I understand not wanting to judge but being judged (and convicted) is the reason they are in the situations. The stories in the beginning made us understand that life before prison was tough, and prison is tough and their actions got them there. I understand humanizing the incarcerated, but it’s kinda hard to listen about missing a birthday party on death row, WHEN YOUR ON DEATHROW! How’d you get there first?!? Giving your story before getting on the podcast should be a bare minimum! You guys were pulling at all sides of morality that’s the reason the podcast grabbed me.

I am a long time listener to Ear Hustle, and I really love how the show humanizes the incarcerated people. I feel like the last episode I listened to went over the line from humanizing to toxic positivity. It was the episode on the ladies on death row. I know you probably had a story to follow and that’s fine but the ladies were Super surface level for 90% of the episode. These women committed horrible crimes and I just wish there was a little more digging into them on a psychological level. They kind of acted like they were all there at a summer camp or something.

The humanity of the incarcerated blows me away. This is the best show I’ve ever heard.

This episode is literally the plot of the old gem of a movie “Point Break” (started Patrick Swayze). Remember the bank robbers who were surfers? That is the gentleman’s former life before he was incarcerated. Holy moly the stories uncannily align!

This is a really great podcast, and one I encourage my friends and family to listen to (no matter how skeptical they may be). I’m not sure what brought me to it in the first place because I never had a particular interest in prisons, but I certainly do now. I personally think it is worthwhile to start at the beginning of the podcast to follow the stories of the interviewees and hosts. I haven’t listened to every episode but I’m working on it. I have grown very attached to Nigel and Earlonne, and admire they work they do. It’s also interesting in more recent episodes to hear them look back at previous stories and discuss how they might present them differently if they had it to do over again. TBH I never really thought about prisons before listening to this podcast (which I feel terrible about), but I have learned so much and I’m so glad I found it.

Ear Hustle is one of the most unique and thought-provoking podcasts out there. It offers a rare and deeply human perspective on life inside prison, told by the people who experience it firsthand. The storytelling is powerful, the production is top-notch, and the conversations are raw, honest, and often surprisingly humorous. It challenges perceptions and fosters empathy in a way few other shows can. Whether you’re interested in social justice, personal stories, or just great storytelling, Ear Hustle is a must-listen. Highly recommend!

I'd read about this podcast on some “Best of” list, saved it in my library, and then forgot about it. Fast forward a year or so and I went through all of the many podcasts I’d saved. Coming across Ear Hustle, I decided to listen, starting at the very beginning, Season 1, Episode 1. Fast forward about 5 days of bingeing, and I'm now at the beginning of season 4. I cannot believe I’d slept on this one. Ear Hustle is perhaps one of the best examples of true story-telling and life. These men (and Miss J) are some the most incredible, honest, caring, intelligent and interesting characters I’ve encountered either in real life or otherwise. Earlonne is absolutely incredible and I’m so incredibly thankful for him and this amazing journey I've been taken on.

A brilliant coming together of form and substance producing a work that moves beyond podcasts and into the realm of art. A masterpiece!

Earlonne and Nigel draw you in with their excellent storytelling and give you a fascinating glimpse inside prisons. Then before you know it, you’re pondering the big questions like how do we as a society want to treat those among us who have been convicted of crimes? What do we view as the purpose of incarceration? Is our current set up what we want? The podcast is satisfying at so many levels. Get on in there and start binging!

The team in this podcast is great! The topics are interesting and the breadth of personalities is so wide. You grow to understand the challenge of covering incarceration when everyone’s story is different!

I’m a criminal attorney and have been listening to ear hustle for years. I would also tell my clients about it because even if they weren’t incarcerated at the time, many had been or have family or friends who are and I thought they’d find it interesting. It was super interesting to me to listen to what prison is like on the inside since I have spent the last 20 years working in criminal justice, both as a prosecutor and defense attorney. I have to say I’ve slacked off listening a bit since you’ve gone to the subscription. I understand why but I don’t want to have to pay for podcasts since I listen to so many. It’s really disappointing to see titles that I can’t listen to without paying for a subscription. Also I’m not as crazy about the format you’ve moved to. I think you still do great work but I’m not as interested in the “field trips” as I am in hearing from the incarcerated individuals. For instance, I just finished the Linda episode. I fast forwarded through some of the church because I just didn’t find it all that interesting to hear your guys’ take on the church, etc… Walking down the hall, seeing how it’s different, lighting the candle… I find it infinitely more interesting to hear the stories directly from the incarcerated individuals and left the episode disappointed that I didn’t hear more from Linda about her story. I found the same thing when I listened to another episode recently when you went back to a convenience store. I don’t mean to criticize because you guys are awesome podcasters. I just think your strength is interviewing people in prison and those are the stories I love to hear. In the older episodes I left each one wishing you could have interviewed them longer because I loved hearing their stories. Maybe this is just me but that’s my take on the early episodes versus your later ones. I never tire of hearing stories from the inside and would love for you to go back to more in-depth interviews. Just my opinion for what it’s worth. Love you guys! You do a great job and service.

Seems fitting that a fan of true crime would follow a podcast produced in a prison, right? Prisons are fascinating and the communities, taboos, and unwritten rules that are cultivated inside are hard to understand unless you’ve been on the inside. Unless you’re going to break some laws, this is as close as you’ll probably come to getting an inside peek. I have learned so much from this podcast. I’ve laughed and been brought near tears. It’s the best story-telling you’ll find anywhere. I re-fall in love with this podcast in every episode. Nigel, Earlonne, and the crew are obviously dedicated to telling various sides of all stories and examining facets we might not otherwise consider.

I am amazed how the hosts can draw the narrator (Linda) and articulate their emotions so vividly. To Linda, I pray for continued transformation and strength for you. To Fr. Lalo thank you for shedding light of God’s unconditional love.

This show is so deep, and somehow funny. It manages to humanize the people most dehumanized by our society, without being cliche. I heard in the end if the last episode that we can donate using Venmo, but can’t find it in the website or link?

I love the show for its candid look inside without bringing you the same focus on just the crime and just the redemption. I absolutely loved the episode about sex offenders though…. Very insightful. Very deep… I would love for you to do a states tour.. maybe… not just a blip on the radar, but a little history… interesting facts, and a little story or 2 about a couple incarcerated people. At least in some hotspot cities or well known prison systems. Mississippi, New York, Florida…

I haven’t missed an episode since the first one dropped back in 2017. Great storytelling that gives me insight to what it’s like to be an incarcerated person. Nigel and Earlonne have a wonderful dynamic that draws listeners in. (Love the rest of the crew, too, but they’re the prominent voices of the podcast).

I get so excited when a new episode drops - I usually listen immediately or within a day or 2. The stories are about real people and focus on their humanity. I love hearing from everyone and the dedication is evident. We are not the worst thing we have done and while not every situation has a perfect redemption, we are all human. I have listened to most episodes multiple times especially those first few seasons. I learn so much about the men and women’s prison system. In such a guarded and hurt world, it’s refreshing to see each person’s vulnerability. There is an episode about restorative justice that is tough to listen to but really insightful. This is my favorite podcast.

I enjoy listening to this podcast but I will say Nigel gets very annoying. She often times tries to push her own ideals and views onto the people she should be interviewing not debating. I still enjoy it but I just skip through her parts where she’s being irritating.

Deeply human, compelling, funny, engaging, insightful, challenging, complex, and humanizing. Worth the download, and the time to listen. And listening to the arc as storytellers are released and transition to civilian life? Heart-expanding. Thank you for giving me so many people to root for in a chaotic and confusing world.

I used to look forward to new episodes. Now I listen to them and I’m not interested. Also, there is an older episode where Nigel does a terrible and insensitive interview of a victim of sexual assault. Go back to interviewing the incarcerated individuals. Those are the stories that brought us to this podcast.

Was he trying to be Sam Smith, or a ghost? 🤣🤣😆😆 LOL

This podcast has changed so much. I used wait every week for the next episode. Now I just don’t care. Please do more stories on the inmates and what happens inside. I feel like you are trying so hard to come up with clever content but most of the episodes now are just so boring! No one cares about what books you are reading. 👎🏼 Listen to the first season and go back to that format. I’m sorry, I really love and appreciate you. But its just changed too much. 😞

I love this podcast. Always expands my thinking. However, in this episode, the non Kamala supporters cited her as the Prosecutor who keeps them in Prison. These people committed a crime. They are there for a reason. True to Trump supporters they are thinking in a false (self) narrative. They somehow aren’t accepting responsibility for what they did.

I’ve worked in jail and oftentimes work with people who have been in jail and prison. I oftentimes think there but for the Grace of God go I. It could be me in there instead of out here. Even tho I know it’s not exactly God but a lot of other factors. This show touches you deeply if you let it. It’s also funny tragic educational and real. It’s very very real. In a world with a lot of unreality.

Thanks to Ear Hustle for giving us a glimpse, and making the incarcerated people full fledged humans. I’m truly thankful for every story. Thanks Nigel and Earlonne! You two are awesome! This episode on books was so good! I also love the guy who reads. His voice is so soothing. I’m sorry I can’t remember his name. New York??

I felt compelled to leave a review when I realized I’ve been listening for years and never done so. Each time I open the podcast app, if there’s a new Ear Hustle, it’s my first click. It’s automatic. Thanks for telling stories that never disappoint.

Ear Hustle is a brilliant peek inside an otherwise closed-off world of incarceration. The episodes are informative, honest and every single one (I have listened to them all!) is engaging. Most importantly, Ear Hustle brings a depth of compassion to every interaction with every incarcerated person. This podcast brings humanity and understanding to a population many want to write off. I have been touched by every episode and often moved to tears. Everyone needs to listen to Ear Hustle!

Ear Hustle features fascinating personal stories about incarcerated individuals including experiences that led to their imprisonment, how they are adapting to life behind bars, rehabilitation, and sometimes even experiences after being released. Ear Hustle provides real insight into prison life and our criminal justice system. I love the sound quality, the interview styles, the music, and especially the perspectives of people that I would have never known otherwise.

It is very easy to hear how the hosts feel about each other and how they feel about the show. It’s fun to hear those feelings evolve. The visiting host has always struck me as condescending. It feels like she is holding on to the fact that this was “her show” that she decided to include him in. As the show moves forward it’s more and more like, wait why is this lady here? She doesn’t need to be it’s weird. I think she should have just been a producer especially after he got out of prison. Erlon’s confidence is building enough to react in a normal way to the weird voice she uses sometimes, for example whenever she says “our show”

I enjoy how each prisoner interviewed gives us the story of his humanity, hobbies, gifts and talents. I so wish our prison system would allow prisoners to learn a trade or enhance skills of their talents. Allow them to become better individuals and gain confidence in themselves. When they are released, they have a much better chance of getting a job with the skills they enhanced while in prison and make them more valued in themselves, their families and in society. The story of Ear Hustle is a great example. Perhaps you can extend to the women’s prisons also? Thank you for such wonderful, compassionate stories!

Educational and moving

This show is somehow non-abolitionist and has a vested interest in keeping people in prisons to profit off of “telling their stories”. Sure it’s great to humanize incarcerated people but the end goal should always be DE-carceration and creating a society in which prisons no longer exist. This show is gross and gives off savior complex vibes when in reality the creators have no interest in building a better world without human cages.

This is Lt Samual Robertson public information officer, for San Quentin state Prison, and I absolutely and wholeheartedly approve this Podcast! This is a great podcast, well produced and thankful it’s making a positive impact for those who are incarcerated. As it gives individuals a outlet to make positive changes in their lives. That’s a gift worth sharing.

This podcast is so well done and insightful. Each season is just as great as the last. The mixing on each episode. The topics. #1 pod .

Prior to listening to this podcast, I used to see the incarcerated as the crimes they commit, but listening to ‘Ear Hustle’ has helped me to humanize these people. Also, it has taught me to be more grateful for the simple things in life; as small as I might perceive them to be, for example human touch, the feel of raindrops against my skin and just being able to make choices for myself. I have never thought about how important those things are. Thank you!!! You have open my eyes, my mind and heart. ❤️