Learn More: Providing Access to Housing After Incarceration

​​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 peopl…

Introducing: Life Jolt

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…

Collect Call. Kyle Murphy x Jesse Williams

“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 migh…

Ultimate Freedom. Ramon Escobar x Angelique Cabral

“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 …

Inhaling Memories. Frank Jimenez x Danny Ramirez

“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…

Ghetto Royalty. Daniel Bisuano x Julio Torres

“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 unpa…

Real Leo. Taylor Lytle x Issa Rae

“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 …

Jiggy Stuff. Lionel Tate x LaRoyce Hawkins

“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 hav…

The Unfit. Olivia Carrasco x Dascha Polanco

“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 fr…

Borrowed Time. John Rodriguez x Karamo Brown

“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 reg…