The Inside Circle Podcast with Eldra Jackson III
Eldra Jackson III
Welcome to the Inside Circle podcast with your host Eldra Jackson III.
Eldra spent over a decade unlearning dangerous lessons about masculinity and finding freedom while serving 24 years in prison. In conversation with leaders from all walks of life who have overcome some of lifes' greatest challenges, The Inside Circle podcast aims to broaden our concept of personal transformation, 'men's work', and what it means to 'lead change from within'. Beyond the manufactured constructs of race, class, gender, and even criminal history, this deep dive exposes the heart of our shared humanity, revealing prison as an intensely personal state of mind that can be transcended at any time.
Eldra is the Co-Executive Director of Inside Circle, a non-profit organization that supports justice involved people in transforming their lives. Featured in the documentary The Work while he was still incarcerated at New Folsom prison, Eldra's TEDTalk about his personal journey received over 1.2 million views. The Inside Circle Podcast - where your truth will set you free.
Learn more at www.insidecircle.org.
Eldra spent over a decade unlearning dangerous lessons about masculinity and finding freedom while serving 24 years in prison. In conversation with leaders from all walks of life who have overcome some of lifes' greatest challenges, The Inside Circle podcast aims to broaden our concept of personal transformation, 'men's work', and what it means to 'lead change from within'. Beyond the manufactured constructs of race, class, gender, and even criminal history, this deep dive exposes the heart of our shared humanity, revealing prison as an intensely personal state of mind that can be transcended at any time.
Eldra is the Co-Executive Director of Inside Circle, a non-profit organization that supports justice involved people in transforming their lives. Featured in the documentary The Work while he was still incarcerated at New Folsom prison, Eldra's TEDTalk about his personal journey received over 1.2 million views. The Inside Circle Podcast - where your truth will set you free.
Learn more at www.insidecircle.org.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 9, 2022 • 60min
Vulnerability is Strength with Jason Broadway, Episode 45
In this conversation, Eldra Jackson III talks to his longtime friend, Jason Broadway. Recently released from federal prison after serving 15 years, Jason's done all he can to turn his life around. He's become a writer and activist since he was first incarcerated and in this episode, he expands even further. Listen as he opens up to a whole new level of his own humanity. By walking through anger with vulnerability as his guiding light, Jason connects to the presence and power of his own emotions. Don't miss this one, folks.
Aug 25, 2022 • 45min
Work for a Brighter Future with Joseph McNeil Jr., Episode 44
Enrolled Member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and General Manager for SAGE Development Authority, a renewable and sustainable public power authority in balance with Natural Law, guest Joseph McNeil Jr. weaves community and activism to bring vitality and resources to the Lakota Sioux. Hear about SAGE's wind farm, Anpetu Wi, and the arrival of community banking to tribal lands in North Dakota. This is truly amazing work in deep accord with nature and humanity - get inspired here today.
Aug 12, 2022 • 38min
Rebuilding Hope with Nora Spencer, Episode 43
In this wonderful conversation, we hear about the extraordinary work of Nora Spencer, founder of Hope Renovation, a non-profit organiztion that provides trades education for women and non-binary people and performs renovations and improvements that help seniors remain in their homes as they age. A delightful exchange between two inspiring change-makers, Nora opens up about the emotional challenges of her intensity to push herself and starts taking steps toward her own transformation in this dialogue. Listen as this motivated woman explores her anger at inequity, tries to find her center, and learns how to care for herself.
Jul 29, 2022 • 56min
Humanity is Everything with Eugenia Carter, Episode 42
Coming of age amongst Sacramento's gangs in the city's housing projects, Eugenia Carter witnessed and experienced countless violent crimes. Though she is still impacted by those experiences, Eugenia has managed to transform her past pain into medicine she uses to help others grow and thrive in similar situations through mentoring, dance, and teaching self-defense. She is also a talented fashion designer and the CEO of Pink Gorilla, a clothing line. Her story is about growth, tune in to hear how she found faith, choice, and inner strength.
Jul 15, 2022 • 29min
The Courage to Live How You Want with Rick Misener, Episode 41
Rick Misener has been out for 15 years, but his 30 years inside still impact him deeply. In his second interview for The Inside Circle Podcast, Rick addresses the difficulties and joys of living with your romantic partner, the journey to supportive work after transitioning to the outside, and the incredible support Inside Circle offers to system-impacted people. Rick Misener is now a lead facilitator and certified coach for Inside Circle, and he's been part of the project of building Inside Circle from its earliest days. Rick shares simple, profound ways that sitting in circle can fuel personal growth and help you follow the path you want for your life.
Jun 30, 2022 • 34min
Circle is Community with Gethin Aldous, Episode 40
Gethin Aldous co-directed and produced The Work, an award-winning documentary about Inside Circle's emotional healing work at New Folsom State Prison in California. Listen as he shares the unexpected series of connections that inspired him to get involved with the documentary project and describes how doing "the work" with Inside Circle changed his life and inspired the creation of All Kings - a New York based group that puts together therapeutic circles and hosts retreats for formerly incarcerated men and others.
Jun 17, 2022 • 1h 2min
The Poetry of Visiting Day with Scott Nolan, Episode 39
The subject of a documentary entitled, Visiting Day, Scott Nolan was close to his incarcerated cousin, Patrick Nolan, who founded what is known today as Inside Circle. Their relationship, kept alive through letters, conversations and occasional visits, influenced Scott's work and inspired him to make art and music with incarcerated people. Tune in for a conversation loaded with rich, humorous stories and unexpected insights from a perceptive artist. This lively interview goes deep into the meaning of Inside Circle's work and illuminates how to make it real in our lives and our hearts.
Jun 3, 2022 • 48min
Humanizing Our Systems with Stephen B. Walker, Episode 38
The work of our corrections officers is often difficult and dehumanizing. The prison system perpetuates harm on both sides of the bars and Stephen Walker, a corrections officer for over 30 years - most notably in facilities for incarcerated youth - is passionate about changing that for everyone impacted by incarceration and abuse. He is not proud of the role he played in the system before turning his life around and working to become a deeply kind and compassionate person. Now, he shares his hard-earned wisdom and technical expertise to improve systems and situations for as many people as he can, making that kind of change possible for more people.
May 20, 2022 • 39min
I'm Not the Worst Thing I've Done with Cheryl Armstrong, Episode 37
Entrepreneur, author and speaker, Cheryl Armstrong, is ready to inspire others with her story of perseverance and personal transformation. Incarcerated as a teenager, she spent almost twenty years in prison. After years of bitter darkness, she started to focus on what she could actually change and made incredible progress - both in her outlook on life and on how she used her time. She earned a master's degree while in prison and now, as a returned citizen, she's committed to using her lived experience to serve others. Enjoy this one, folks - Cheryl's energy and enthusiasm are infectious!
May 7, 2022 • 44min
Transforming Systems with Jarrell Daniels, Episode 36
Jarrell Daniels is passionate about changing the narrative of the criminal justice system to ensure that justice and democracy are applied equally to all. Tried as an adult when he was 17, Jarrell was released after serving a six year sentence. Today, as Founder of Justice Ambassadors Youth Council - an interactive social-emotional program for disadvantaged youth - he brings policymakers together with community members and academics to develop strategies and best practices for effective community-centered interventions. Listen in as Jarrell opens up about his vision and the challenges and joys of his journey. For more from Jarrell, catch his TED Talk covering the factors that led to his incarceration and his innovative approach to collaborative education between the system and the system-impacted: https://www.ted.com/talks/jarrell_daniels_what_prosecutors_and_incarcerated_people_can_learn_from_each_other
