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United States Ear Hustle offers an unfiltered look into prison life and post-incarceration experiences, providing unique narratives directly from those living them to a global audience.
Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia from PRX, a network of independent listener-supported podcasts. Radiotopia provides a platform for independent audio creators to bring meaningful storytelling to millions of listeners.
Ear Hustle has engaged in a special collaboration with The Moth, participating in joint episodes and content.
A collaboration between Futuro Media and PRX resulted in 'Suave', a podcast that tells a story of juvenile incarceration, redemption, and the unusual relationship between a criminal and reporter.
Lori McCreary and Morgan Freeman's Revelations Entertainment is partnering with Ear Hustle for a docuseries project.
PRX is a public radio and podcasting company that partners with independent creators like Ear Hustle to distribute audio storytelling.
The Knight Foundation provided funding for Radiotopia's Podquest initiative, through which Ear Hustle was discovered and funded.
The Just Trust supported Ear Hustle's live shows during their tour.
Ear Hustle is a non-fiction podcast launched on May 25, 2017, focusing on prison life and experiences after incarceration. It was co-created by Earlonne Woods and Antwan Williams, both formerly incarcerated, and Nigel Poor, an artist and volunteer at San Quentin State Prison. The podcast originated from the Public Radio Exchange (PRX) Radiotopia network’s Podquest competition in 2016, beating over 1,500 entries to become the first podcast produced entirely inside a prison. Its unique format involves interviews with inmates sharing their stories on daily life, relationships, and the challenges of the carceral system, aiming to humanize individuals within the American prison system.
Initially hosted by Woods and Poor, with Williams handling sound design from within San Quentin, the podcast gained significant recognition. In a notable development in 2018, California Governor Jerry Brown commuted Earlonne Woods’ 31-years-to-life sentence, acknowledging Ear Hustle as a factor in his reformation. Following his release, Woods continued to co-host the podcast from outside prison, while Rahsaan “New York” Thomas joined as a new co-host for inside recordings. This progression allowed the podcast to expand its scope, incorporating stories from other carceral facilities, including the California Institution for Women, and chronicling the complexities of re-entry into society. By September 2021, Ear Hustle had achieved over 54 million downloads, solidifying its reach and impact.
The podcast has been widely praised for its authentic and nuanced portrayal of prison life, often interweaving serious topics with moments of humor. Critics have highlighted its intimate first-person storytelling, which contrasts with typical outsider narratives of prison. The show’s critical acclaim includes being a finalist for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Audio Reporting and winning an Alfred I. duPont–Columbia University Award in 2021. Ear Hustle has also received multiple Webby Awards and an iHeartRadio Podcast Award for Best Social Impact Podcast, demonstrating its significant influence on listeners and the broader understanding of incarceration. The fourteenth season began airing in September 2024, continuing its mission to share these human stories.
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