The Prison Podcast gives voice to survivors of violent crimes and the individuals convicted of those crimes, uncovering powerful stories that are often excluded from public discourse. Hosted by Diane Kahn, Executive Director of Humans of San Quentin, the podcast focuses on the transformative process of Victim Offender Dialogue—a facilitated meeting in a prison setting where survivors of harm meet face-to-face with those responsible for it. This process allows both sides to share their experi ...
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Humans Of San Quentin Podcasts
This week features a special bonus episode of The Prison Podcast! We sit down with Jorge, an incarcerated artist from San Quentin Rehabilitation Center, whose powerful artwork graces our show. During his time in prison, Jorge not only discovered his passion for art but also learned to read and write so he could read his mother’s heartfelt letters. …
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In this episode, Martina from the Ahimsa Collective takes us into the often misunderstood world of Victim-Offender Dialogue. With deep empathy and insight, she explores the traumatic experiences that shape both survivors and offenders. Her work is rooted in the belief that healing is possible through compassionate listening and understanding, rathe…
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This week, Diane sits down with Tristan, who shares his journey of confronting the childhood trauma he endured. At a young age, Tristan made the difficult decision to speak out, leading to his cousin’s arrest. His cousin's actions, which had affected not only Tristan but others as well, eventually led to his imprisonment. Tristan's path to healing …
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In this episode, Steven opens up about his tumultuous past — growing up on welfare, surviving through drug dealing, and enduring the lasting effects of domestic violence. He reflects on how his life spiraled into addiction and the long, painful journey toward self-awareness and healing. Steven also shares a poignant memory of a chance encounter wit…
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This week’s episode shares Michele’s remarkable journey. After losing her husband during a burglary, her grief hardened into anger toward the man responsible. This anger overshadowed her ability to reflect on her husband’s own challenges, including his temper and tendency to escalate conflict. Over time, Michele came to a painful yet liberating rea…
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Today, we’re speaking with Alan, the person responsible for the tragic death of Emily, whose story we discussed in last week's episode. While intoxicated, Alan struck Emily, leading to her death. In that episode, we heard from Emily’s mother, Elle, who shared her deeply moving journey of grief and healing. Both Elle and Alan participated in the Vic…
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This week’s episode features Elle, a mother who shows us the profound beauty of carrying grief with grace. She faced the devastating loss of her daughter, Emily, in a tragic accident caused by a drunk driver in Los Angeles. Over time, Elle's journey moved from grief and anger to a place of healing, ultimately leading her to meet with Alan, the driv…
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Today’s guest is Christopher, who served 25 years in various California prisons as part of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. During his time in prison, he acted as Jane’s surrogate in their Victim-Offender Dialogue. In this context, a surrogate is someone convicted of a similar crime, though not the perpetrator of the offense agains…
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Today, we have a remarkable guest joining us: Jane, who has an incredibly powerful story to share. As a survivor of rape, Jane has faced unimaginable trauma, yet her journey of healing and empowerment is truly inspiring. In this episode, Jane opens up about her experience participating in a Victim-Offender Dialogue with a surrogate offender—someone…
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In the last episode, Melissa shared the heartbreaking story of losing her father, killed by Matthew in 1993 when he was just 22 years old. Now, after 30 years of incarceration, Matthew opens up about his experience, offering a powerful example of trauma, growth, and reconciliation even in the most unimaginable circumstances. Since his conviction, M…
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In this powerful first episode, The Prison Podcast dives into the gripping and emotional journey of Melissa, a woman grappling with loss, forgiveness, and love after the tragic death of her father during a family gathering. As she reflects on the profound impact of that day, Melissa opens up about the complex emotions that followed and the healing …
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