Written Off
Walter Thompson-Hernández speaks with formerly incarcerated young writers whose work will be read over the course of the season by creatives like John Legend, Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Karamo Brown, Jay Ellis, Keke Palmer, Julio Torres, and Jesse Williams. Vulnerable poems and honest stories play out against a tailored soundtrack with original music. From Lemonada Media and Black Bar Mitzvah. The voices of those locked up in the U.S. prison system have been all but written off, but no more. These aren’t voices you’ve missed; they’re voices that haven’t been heard.
Episodes
August 19, 2026 • 14 mins
To listen to the rest of this episode, search for Last Day wherever you listen to podcasts.
When Nadia Bowers's sister Sasha died of fentanyl overdose in 2015, Nadia was seven months pregnant with her first child and had gotten married just six weeks earlier. Suddenly she had to ask herself: how do I go on after the worst thing that's ever happened to me? In this episode, Nadia tells Stephanie how writing her new memoir, Dear Deal...
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October 3, 2023 • 31 mins
Incarceration in the U.S. has profound flaws and consequences, but there are many people doing life-changing work to lessen its harm. In this special episode, Lemonada co-founder Stephanie Wittels Wachs sits down with two individuals whose organizations aim to increase access to housing for people who have been involved in the justice system. Stephanie speaks with Leslie Credle, founder and executive director of Justice 4 Housing...
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November 3, 2021 • 38 mins
Life Jolt - prison slang for a life sentence - examines the lives of women navigating Canada’s correctional system. The team gained unprecedented access to the Grand Valley Institution prison, the federal pen for women in Ontario, for a full year. They followed women going into prison for the first time, spoke with lifers who have been there for years, and parolees as they left. Hosted by Rosemary Green, a former inmate herse...
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September 29, 2021 • 47 mins
“Wash It Off.” Written by Kyle Murphy. Performed by Jesse Williams. Kyle chats with his friend (and series executive producer) Aaron Bergman a few weeks ahead of his release about his political activism and fully realizing his literary dreams after a decade inside the system.
“Some people might feel like they’ve written me off, but I’ve got news for them - that s*** is incorrect. I got a...
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September 22, 2021 • 30 mins
“My People.” Written by Ramon Escobar. Performed by Angelique Cabral. Ramon is quick to thank InsideOUT Writers for helping him make the transition from feared gang member to highly-successful business owner who happily employs other IOW alums.
“I'm in a different place now where I don't have to hide this other person anymore - it's part of who I've become.” - Ramon Escobar
Written Of...
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September 15, 2021 • 26 mins
“2nd.” Written by Frank Jimenez. Performed by Danny Ramirez. Frank is putting his mentor’s sage advice to good use by prioritizing his and his family’s happiness and working towards leaving his own unique mark on Hollywood.
‘My writings are like little track markers showing me I'm on the right path, even though I might not see it right then and there.’ - Frank Jimenez
...
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September 8, 2021 • 29 mins
“Second Chances.” Written by Daniel Bisuano. Performed by Julio Torres. Daniel is determined to leave his turbulent past behind by living authentically and pursuing each opportunity that presents itself in his quest to become a screenwriter.
“When I started to write, I started to not only unpack all the pain that I had inside, but I started to create new, happy memories and give back to my community...
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September 1, 2021 • 24 mins
“Everybody Knows That Time Will Pass You By.” Written by Taylor Lytle. Performed by Issa Rae. Taylor is all smiles as she owns her pronounced presence in the world and continues exercising her “revolutionary” methods as a criminal justice activist.
“Writing is too rewarding to ever think of a life without it.” - Taylor Lytle
Find Taylor on Instagram at @shesobeasty.
...
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August 25, 2021 • 29 mins
“I’m Still Trying to Find Out.” Written by Lionel Tate. Performed by LaRoyce Hawkins. Lionel embodies healthy living both personally and professionally by honoring his truth on paper and devoting himself to his successful vegan catering company.
“I don't feel like I'm in a position where I have to lie to the paper because basically I'm just lying to myself.” - Lionel Tate
Find L...
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August 18, 2021 • 35 mins
“The Unfit.” Written by Olivia Carrasco. Performed by Dascha Polanco. Olivia is getting reaccustomed to her life “on the outs” and finding her voice amongst friends and family at InsideOUT Writers.
“Whether you're heard or not, writing is getting out your thoughts without judgment - I find freedom in that.” - Olivia Carrasco
Written Off contains mature language and t...
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August 11, 2021 • 37 mins
“Time.” Written by John Rodriguez. Performed by Karamo Brown. John is heavily conflicted by the freedom afforded him with an early commutation, leaving him stuck between missing his “family” on the inside and deciphering what’s truly real among folks on the outside.
“Writing has the role of regrounding me, being honest with myself and calling myself out a lot - it's like a remolding tool...
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August 4, 2021 • 25 mins
“Untitled.” Written by Dee Davis. Performed by Jay Ellis. After losing loved ones to COVID this past year, Dee is now living in Vegas and finding meaning in teaching other writers of similarly troubled backgrounds.
“When you write, take the mask off - be you and just write.” - Dee Davis
Find Dee on Instagram at @dcddx821.
Written Off contains mature language and t...
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July 28, 2021 • 31 mins
“Untitled.” Written by Yahniie Bridges. Performed by Yvonne Orji. Even though Yahniie has temporarily left writing and performance behind, she still understands how they’ve each been a saving grace for her, especially after the last few trying years.
“Although I don't put pen to paper very often, it's something that I know is in me.” - Yahniie Bridges
Written Off contains mature...
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July 21, 2021 • 28 mins
“I Am Great.” Written by Jimmy Valdez. Performed by John Legend. Jimmy is finding his true artistic voice through various creative mediums, from acting and modeling, to launching his Mexican corrido music career under the name El Artista.
“Writing is therapy for me. It's also like a guide for me now when I'm trying to accomplish any goals - it’s a map.” - Jimmy Valdez
Find Jimmy...
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July 14, 2021 • 33 mins
"Silent Love." Written by Candice Price. Performed by Keke Palmer. After years of dwelling in the silence of her survivorship, Candice is spirited and joyful, living in her truth as a proud Black queer woman.
“When I started writing, I found the way to heal from my childhood trauma. And I found a different coping skill on how to release my emotion.” - Candice Price
Find Candice on Instagram at @t...
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July 14, 2021 • 44 mins
“Untitled.” Written by Jimmy Wu. Performed by Randall Park. Jimmy runs the organization that saved his life years ago when he was a youth who felt lost in the system: InsideOUT Writers. Today, he’s confronting the pain and effects of his incarceration while still managing to set an example for his IOW family.
“If I was never introduced to this outlet through writing, I wouldn’t be here.&...
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June 28, 2021 • 3 mins
A 13-part series that shines a light on young writers who found their voice inside the U.S. prison system. Hosted by Walter Thompson-Hernández (California Love, The New York Times) and featuring notable creatives like John Legend, Issa Rae, Jay Ellis, Keke Palmer, Julio Torres, and many more reading their work. Premieres July 14.
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