How did the latest episode look to everyone?

Leslie has served more time in prison than anyone we’ve ever interviewed on the show: over half a century, for a crime committed when she was 19. Four times, the parole board has deemed her fit for release. Each time, California’s governor denied it. What does it mean to live a meaningful life when nearly all of it is spent behind bars?

We all know that the police are a good institution with a few bad apples that make a bad name for the rest of them. And nothing shows that better than when a former police officer talks about how the nature of the job itself forced him to police poorer, blacker neighborhoods, talks about how the job made him feel like he was losing his humanity, but somehow still says he has no regrets in his life. This is a good system, we should definitely make sure the police apologize to the communities they oppress more often.

I listened to the podcast recently, there was a beautiful song but now i can't remember what episode it was on. It had the flow of a rap song, but i don't remember it having a beat. I think it was acoustic. any thoughts? I tried going through some show credits but didn't see it listed. It's definitely not listed on the music page on the official website. It's possible the song title or chorus mentions "going home."

I'm worried that its not actually from ear hustle, but from one of the prison podcasts they recommended while they were on hiatus.

Man that was intense. So hard to listen to. Mara sounds like such an amazing person. I have no idea how someone could get over what she went through.

I don’t listen to EH to hear a cop talk about how he feels about every episode. If a CO is on the show and it’s germane to the topic, that’s a different story. But Sam had one line to say but he always has to throw in some extra shit. Honestly I don’t even listen to the end of the show anymore. Am I the only one?

Season 6 has begun and the first episode is quality!

Just listened to the season finale. Former inmates sure can be in quite a maze of turmoil post release. The guy who had to bunk with a bunch of guys at a half way house trying his best on the outside and got COVID was very upsetting.

I've wondered what I would do as a fugitive on the run. I then realize that I would be ass out, as I don't know anyone who would risk putting me up. I would have to be one of those solo all cash, cheap motel living types. It probably wouldn't take them long to catch me.

That story of the dude and his wife going to Mexico was captivating af and goes to show how quickly one's life can go sideways.. If I were a TV producer I would be dying to turn it into a limited series on Netflix or something.

It made me upset when Del was talking about the act of watching child porn and comparing to the act of watching legal porn. When she said “people watch porn, it’s a fantasy. People don’t enact on them most of the time,” it made me want to explode. Child porn is never consensual. Consuming child porn is enabling that industry. The fact is, is that her husband a pedophile who has consumed child porn.

How could she know that her husband hasn’t sexually abused children in the past? Her confidence that her husband won’t sexually abuse children shocks me.

I know that she knows what her husband did was wrong. But she’s delusional to the fact that she doesn’t understand just how wrong it was. What I mean is, the opposite of tolerance is not necessarily intolerance, its indifference. To me, her words ring that she’s indifferent to her husband’s crime. If she were to truly understand that what her husband did was wrong, she wouldn’t have made that comparison to legal porn. She wouldn’t have stayed married to him. She would have made sure that her child was safe and away from her husband, for good. To me, she’s in denial.

I do agree with Del that there is a mental illness aspect to this that we should have more of an understanding for, and that even I should do more reading about that aspect. But I believe she has too much sympathy for her husband.

I’m glad Ear Hustle released this episode, but it was the hardest one to listen to. I just got done listening to it only 20 minutes ago, and I’m still trying to collect my feelings. It’s especially conflicting as a victim of sexual abuse.

I want to know what other people have to say. I’m also interested an opposite opinion from me, where Del’s comments about her husband are justified. Because I sincerely believe her sympathy for her husband is the wrong way to handle things. I would like to understand more of Del’s point of view.

Hi friends,

I work with Spoon Jackson who's locked up in Solano. (and has some connections to good ol' KALW (where Ear Hustle started) We live with a new show called AT NiGHT I FLY. It's about Spoons life and work (and what you learn after being locked up for 42 years.) Check it out.

apple podcasts

Stitcher

Man, this episode hit me hard. I don't think I've been this affected since The Big No No. Anyone else?

Is it just me or is someone playing the St Kilda themesong? Would not have expected that to be played in a prison in California. Maybe its some other song that happens to sound similar.

I know Nigel, E, NY, and Co. are most definitely a groundbreaking bunch, but I wonder if there are other works akin to their subject matter...

I remember a Tumblr site/page entitled "We Do Time Too," but it isn't quite the same.

Thanks in advance.

(All caught up on the podcast and hungry for more!)

I really appreciated how up-front and honest Nigel and E were about the future of Curtis' new relationship. I really really wish him the best, but I can't help but share their reservations as well. Also, I wanna hear more from that badass truck driver chick!

Once again Sara Kruzon hit me right in the gut with her sincere introspection and just overall candidness. I totally teared up when she said E was her new man; what a journey it's been for both of them! Although it would be delusional to call their story a fairy tale (we all know Ear Hustle was never about peddling fairy tales) it's hard not to wish for some fairy tale-esque ending for the two of them.

I don't think there's a podcast out there that has consistently presented such complex and difficult human experiences so matter-of-factly like Ear Hustle has (though if there are others, please tell me!).

Trying to visualize the bunsen burner flame coming out of the can from toilet paper fuel source and having a hard time believing it.

I also think the smell of the fuel would overpower the smell of the food.

Starts on such a high note and then reality comes back and hits you, and then their reality slaps you in the face, it was one of the best hours out of the thousands I have spent listening to podcasts. I had to suppress my eyes from leaking a few times. Such a candid look at someone’s life.