PODCAST · society
The Returning Citizen
by The Returning Citizen
The Returning Citizen is an inspirational storytelling platform for ex-offenders, their families, and allies.
Episodes
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S3 E1 - From Trauma to Triumph: Robert Gardner's Journey from Prison to Prosperity
Jacob Evan Smith speaks with entrepreneur Robert Gardner about childhood trauma, the terrible decision that landed him in prison for 22.5 years, and his long and winding path to self-discovery and forgiveness while incarcerated. Today, Robert owns a growing trucking business and courageously…
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S2 E6 - House of Life Pittsburgh: The Power of Restorative Justice
What would happen if ex-offenders, law enforcement, and legal professionals joined forces, using restorative justice to fight against over-incarceration and high recidivism rates? Meet House of Life Pittsburgh, a group doing just that with their innovative prisoner reentry program. Central to…
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S2 E5 - Drug Crime & Addiction: One Man's Path to Success
Ed Kressy has come a long way since his days as a struggling meth addict, losing everything as he bounced in and out of jail. Through a long and winding journey, he was finally able to overcome his addiction, turn his life around, and fulfill his childhood dream of publishing a book (link below)....
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S2 E4 - Voting Rights for Returning Citizens (ACLU & Nation Outside)
When we think about criminal justice reform, voting is an essential piece of the puzzle. But for folks who have spent time in prison... it’s complicated. Your voting rights are often stripped while incarcerated, and in certain situations, this disenfranchisement can be permanent. In this episode,...
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S2 E3 - Here to Help Foundation: Enabling Self-Sufficiency
When folks transition out of prison, there are many obstacles ahead--finding a job, securing housing, conquering stigma, and so much more. For the past 13 years, The Here to Help Foundation has provided direct support to Detroit area residents facing emergencies. In this episode, we focus mainly…
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S2 E1 - Center for Employment Opportunities: Providing Jobs as a Launchpad
Finding a job can be a daunting task for returning citizens for all types of reasons-- gaps in work experience, lack of resources, stigma, and so much more. In this episode, we sit down with a team that’s in the trenches every day, hitting this challenge head-on. The Center for Employment...
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S1 E10 - Wrongfully Convicted: Life After Prison for Exonerees
At age 16, Jeff Deskovic's life turned upside down when he was wrongfully convicted for the rape and murder of a classmate. After 16 long years in prison, he was finally exonerated and released, cleared of all charges. Today, Jeff is the Founder of The Deskovic Foundation, committed to the...
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S1 E9 - Bags to Butterflies: Reducing Recidivism With Handbags
When women return from prison, they face some unique challenges as compared to their male counterparts. Even though women are the fastest growing segment of the prison population, there are few programs designed specifically for women after their release. In this episode, Jacob, Erik, and Imani…
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S1 E8 - Entrepreneurship as a Path for Returning Citizens
Finding a job can be a major challenge for men and women coming out of prison. For some, entrepreneurship can provide a path to take control of their situation and create their own opportunities. In this episode, Jacob, Erik, and Imani sit down with Karlos Harris (COO, DSDT & Founder, Koded…
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S1 E7 - Aaron Kinzel: From Prisoner to Professor
Jacob and Imani sit down with Aaron Kinzel to discuss how he went from serving a 10-year prison sentence to teaching about criminology and criminal justice as a professor at the University of Michigan-Dearborn. In his words, "I know everything there is to know about crime. I don't need to read a...
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S1 E6 - Azzie: A Mother's Journey from Crime to Design
Jacob, Erik, and Imani sit down with Azzie to hear about her experience growing up around crime and ultimately serving two separate prison sentences before finally turning her life around. She shares insight into the unique challenges faced today by incarcerated women, the fastest-growing segment...
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S1 E5 - Equal Justice Under Law: Fighting Wealth-Based Discrimination
Jacob and Imani connect with Phil Telfeyan, Executive Director for Equal Justice Under Law, a national civil rights organization based in Washington, DC. Phil explains how they recently filed a class action lawsuit against Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson for suspending driver's licenses…
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S1 E4 - Escaping Thru Art: Creative Expression As a Release
Jacob, Erik, and Imani chat with members of the Prison Creative Arts Project, a Michigan-based program that "brings those impacted by the justice system and the University of Michigan community into artistic collaboration for mutual learning and growth." GUESTS: - Janie Paul (Senior Curator &...
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S1 E3 - Welcome Home Jamo: Activist/Poet Returns After 30 Years
Jacob and Erik welcome home James “Jamo” Thomas, recently released after a 30-year prison term. Despite being sentenced to life without parole at age 15 in 1987, Jamo managed to help start a variety of programs while incarcerated, including The Teddy Bear Project and Writer's Block (links below)....
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S1 E2 - Teach a Man to Farm: Growing Food While Creating Jobs
Jacob and guest host Brandon sit down with Detroit's own Anna Kohn to discuss how RecoveryPark Farms is putting returning citizens to work growing produce in Detroit! GUESTS: - Anna Kohn ([email protected]) - Brandon Christopher ([email protected]) LINKS: - The Returning Citizen...
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S1 E1 - Telling Erik's Story: The Returning Citizen Debuts!
Jacob, Erik, and Imani introduce The Returning Citizen. Erik reflects on why he got life without parole for a nonviolent drug crime, how he got out after 18 years, and what he's been up to since. CONTACT US: - [email protected]
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Returning Citizen have?
The Returning Citizen currently has 16 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Returning Citizen about?
The Returning Citizen is an inspirational storytelling platform for ex-offenders, their families, and allies.
How often does The Returning Citizen release new episodes?
The Returning Citizen has 16 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Returning Citizen?
You can listen to The Returning Citizen on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Returning Citizen?
The Returning Citizen is created and hosted by The Returning Citizen.
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