What if prison wasn’t the end of someone's story, but the beginning of a powerful transformation?

In this soul-stirring episode, Dr. Payal Beri sits down with Andrew Murphy, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Inmate Education Association (WIEA), to discuss how higher education, empathy, and human dignity are reshaping the lives of incarcerated individuals many of whom were once seen as beyond redemption.

Through personal stories, lived experiences, and hard truths, Andrew shares how WIEA’s groundbreaking college-in-prison program is restoring hope, reducing prison violence, and helping incarcerated men become change agents in their communities even from behind bars. Together, Payal and Andrew explore the deep stigmas society places on the incarcerated and why we must rethink justice, humanity, and redemption.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• Why transformation behind bars is not only possible - but essential
• How education and faith-based identity formation impact recidivism and violence
• The myth of "once a criminal, always a criminal"and how that mindset fails communities
• Real-life stories of rival gang members finding unity, fathers inspiring their grandsons, and men rewriting their legacies
• What families of the incarcerated learn when someone they love transforms inside
• Why supporting prison education helps break intergenerational cycles of crime

Support WIEA’s Mission

Want to make a direct impact? Sponsor a student’s college journey behind bars or become a monthly donor. https://www.wieawi.org

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If this episode moved you...

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Excitement

01:31 The Moment of Conviction

03:20 Realizations and Transformations

07:15 Debunking Myths About Incarceration

10:25 The Power of Education in Prison

15:25 Stories of Transformation

23:36 Addressing Criticisms and Redemption

25:27 The Impact of the Death Penalty on Victims' Families

26:52 Redemption and Dignity for Incarcerated Individuals

28:02 Inspiring Stories of Transformation

29:18 The Ripple Effect of Education in Prison

30:42 The Power of Truth and Accountability

32:49 Life After Release: Transformations and Challenges

35:35 The Role of Faith and Education in Rehabilitation

38:51 Addressing Systemic Issues and Changing Perspectives

45:21 The Importance of Compassion and Support

48:23 Reframing Perspectives on Incarceration and Redemption

This podcast is produced by MicMoguls.com