Listen Now

Christina speaks with Christine, a recently married prison wife who met her husband, Carlos, through a prison pen pal website during the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Despite Carlos' 25 year prison sentence and living on opposite coasts they couldn't imagine life without each other. Christine and Carlos started prisonpenpalconnect.com - they run the site together working on it from both inside and outside of prison, connecting inmates with pen pals all over the globe and showcasing an array of art created by incarcerated folks on the site's marketplace for purchase. Christine shares what it takes for her and Carlos to make their marriage and business  succeed while he's incarcerated and waiting for release.***This episode sponsored by Magic Mind, The World’s First Productivity Shot.https://www.magicmind.co/pennedGet 40% off by using offer code: PENNED20***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: pennedpodcast@gmail.com

Christina speaks with BL Shirelle & Fury Young, Co-Executive Directors of Die Jim Crow Records, a non-profit record label dedicated to producing music from currently and formerly incarcerated artists. BL & Fury have made it their life's work to not only bridge the divide between incarcerated artists and artists in the free world, DJC Records works as a radical creative collective, agency for social change, and overall art power house.Listen to the very end of the episode for an additional song, Black Barbie by B. Alexis + a giveaway opportunity. Details below.****You can learn more about Die Jim Crow Records on their official website: Die Jim Crow Follow DJC on InstagramFollow DJC on TwitterSongs Featured: America The Merciful by Zealot ft. Uno & Black Barbie by B. Alexis***DJC/Penned Giveaway:- A lucky listener will be chosen to receive a copy of Die Jim Crow's EP Book signed by both BL Shirelle &  Fury Young.-Contest Instructions: Please go like & follow both Penned & DJC Records' Instagram pages and leave Penned a written review on Apple Podcasts (make it a good one!) - leave your Instagram handle in the review so we can find you easily! A winner will be announced on November 1, 2022***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: pennedpodcast@gmail.com

Christina speaks with  Martin Lockett, who spent 17.5 years in prison for a DUI fatality that claimed two lives and severely injured another. In Penned's 20th episode Martin shares the story of the tragedy that shaped his entire life and how, post-release, he has devoted the rest of his life to honoring his victims’ legacies.While incarcerated, Martin earned a BS in sociology, MS in psychology, and served as a mentor and role model to other inmates. He acquired state certification as a substance abuse counselor, published two books (Prison to Purpose Pipeline and My Prison Life), and began telling his story at DUI victim impact panels all within the prison setting. ****You can learn more about Martin through his website: martinlockett.com Prison To Purpose LifelineMy Prison LifeListen to Martin's Podcast: Rock The Bottom***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: pennedpodcast@gmail.com

Christina speaks with Britnee who entered into a relationship with an inmate without planning to pursue anything romantically from the start. As their connection progressed and real life issues started to surface Britnee was forced to reevaluate her life, her decisions, and ultimately the future of their relationship. ***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: pennedpodcast@gmail.com

Christina speaks with Aundrea, a prison wife who is plugged in to what goes on at the prison where her boyfriend is incarcerated. She shares some insight at the injustices that continue to occur, even after someone is sentenced and gives us a look into her boyfriend's daily life in prison - an outsider looking in.***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: pennedpodcast@gmail.com

Christina speaks with Tiyauna, a prison wife who started a friendship with her now-husband Willie, during his incarceration over a decade ago. The friendship turned into something deeper in the last couple of years and the two were married in 2021.  Willie has been serving a life-sentence since he was a minor with no end in sight, until an incredible turn of events happened in his favor. Tiyauna shares their story and gives us a new perspective on what marriage is like  with someone on the inside who is waiting to get out.***Learn more about Maryland's Justice Reinvestment Act  ***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: pennedpodcast@gmail.com

Christina speaks with Jade, a TikTok sensation who has gone viral for her videos talking about what everyday life is like being a self-proclaimed prison wife. Jade uses the platform as a means to connect with others like her in the prison wife community; a vent for her frustrations about being separated from her husband; and an outlet for the sense of humor she has living everyday life being married to someone in prison.***Find Jade on TikTok and InstagramWatch her Love Don't Judge Episode on YouTube  ***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: pennedpodcast@gmail.com

Christina speaks with author/journalist, Elizabeth Greenwood, about her newest book Love Lockdown, in which she follows 5 couples who have met while incarcerated and shares their vastly different experiences. Christina and Liz talk about these featured relationships, prison wife culture, what really goes on during conjugal visits, and how prison relationships endure years of incarceration with sometimes no hope of release.***You can check out Liz's work at: lizgreenwood.comFind her on Twitter: @LizGreenwood4UYou can find her book at one of my favorite Portland bookstores, Broadway Books: https://www.broadwaybooks.net/book/9781501158414or pick up a copy at your favorite local bookstore!!***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: pennedpodcast@gmail.com

Christina speaks with Robert Kingett, a blind journalist, who began writing to inmates who are serving life sentences and on death row. He thought they would be more accepting than any other sighted person in his life,  knowing they would read his words and be able to look past his disability more than most people could.***You can check out Robert Kingett's work at: https://blindjournalist.wordpress.com/***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: pennedpodcast@gmail.com

Christina speaks with Emma, a woman who lives in Jackson, Michigan AKA 'Prison City'.  She recently started writing to inmates during the COVID-19 pandemic, including one man who is currently on death row. ***This episode contains content that mentions issues pertaining to eating disorders, which might be sensitive for some listeners. ***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: pennedpodcast@gmail.com

In Episode 12, Christina explores the idea of uncertainty and shares the audio from Michael Shane Hale's TEDx Talk about redefining the prison reentry experience from within. This audio was recorded live from Sing Sing Correctional Facility in early February 2020. ***Special thanks to Michael Shane Hale for the permission to share his TEDx talk, and to Sean Gallagher, co-organizer of the TEDx Sing Sing Event, for providing Shane's audio.***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or if you'd like to drop me a note, send an email to: pennedpodcast@gmail.com

Christina speaks with Shane again, an inmate currently serving a life sentence at Sing Sing Prison. As Christina tries to understand the idea of inmates being cancelled out from society, Shane goes into detail about what daily life is like for him on the inside. From pursuing higher education classes, to learning a foreign language and giving a TedX Talk, he is determined to push himself despite his environment.***To hear the music from Carnegie Hall's Musical Connections Program at Sing Sing: https://www.carnegiehall.org/Education/Social-Impact/Musical-Connections***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by Jason Sissoyev***If you or someone you know has a story to share or you just want to drop me a little note, send an email to: pennedpodcast@gmail.com

Quarantine Edition. Christina speaks with Shane, an inmate currently serving a life sentence in New York State's Sing Sing Prison. He gives a firsthand account of the events developing in the prison during the COVID-19 outbreak and how it's impacting inmate life there. Sing Sing was one of the first US prisons to report positive tests for the COVID-19 virus.***Article referenced:https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/it-spreads-like-wildfire-covid-19-comes-to-new-yorks-prisons***Written and produced by Christina HansenAdditional production and sound editing by: Jason Sissoyev

In the second part of Vanessa's interview, she speaks with Christina about the details surrounding Tyler's crime for which he received a sentence of life without parole.***Show warning: the topics discussed in this episode contain graphic descriptions of violence. Please listen at your own discretion.

Christina speaks with Vanessa, a woman who consistently corresponds with inmates serving life without parole sentences. In the first of a two part episode Vanessa shares details of a relationship that has impacted her life in a way she couldn't have imagined

Christina speaks with Kathie Klarreich, Executive Director of Exchange For Change, a nonprofit organization that teaches writing in prisons and runs letter exchanges between incarcerated students and writers studying on the outside. This episode also features a reading by Prison Poet Laureate, Eduardo 'Echo' Martinez' of his poem Provocation.   You can learn more about Exchange For Change, you can visit their website: exchange-for-change.org   Order and read Don't Shake The Spoon   If you haven't already, please review us on iTunes! It's an important way to help new listeners discover the show!      

Christina shares more letters from the pen pals who wrote to her brother during his 5 year prison sentence. 

Christina speaks with Jessica, a married mother of two young children who has developed a relationship with an inmate serving a 20 year sentence.

Christina speaks with Samantha, a woman who has developed a close friendship with an inmate serving 50 years in prison.

Christina shares a handful of letters from the pen pals who wrote to her brother in prison.