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
Jul 2, 2021 • 41min
A Call to Men with Tony Porter, Episode 15
Tony Porter is seeking a transformational experience with men - and that does not begin in the head. For Tony, transformation starts in the heart. CEO of A Call To Men, an incredible organization dedicated to preventing violence against women by promoting healthy, respectful manhood, Tony has given TED talks, published a book, and led countless workshops and trainings. This in-depth conversation gets down to his roots, the personal experiences, and deeply held convictions that drive him to be a healer and a hero living and teaching from the heart.
Jun 18, 2021 • 55min
I'm Only Here For You with Ashanti Branch, Episode 14
Raised by a single mother on welfare in Oakland, Ashanti Branch started his first career as a civil engineer yet later found his true passion was for teaching struggling students. Founder and Executive Director of The Ever Forward Club, a support group that mentors opportunity youth in middle and high school by providing them with safe, brave communities that build character, Ashanti was featured in the documentary, The Mask You Live In, and launched the #MillionMaskMovement to connect people all over the world in a self-reflective experience designed to help them visualize and realize the truth that they are not alone. Listen as he describes the powerful shift that occurred in his life when he moved from seeking financial satisfaction to seeking heart satisfaction.
Jun 7, 2021 • 47min
We Are Beautiful with Sam Rivera, episode 13
Executive Director of New York Harm Reduction Educators and Inside Circle Facilitator-in-Training, Sam Rivera has transformed the challenges of his youth into an incredible wealth of compassion and knowledge to help others find wellness through his work in harm reduction, education, and services for people struggling with addiction. In conversation with Eldra Jackson of Inside Circle, Sam weaves together the struggles of black and brown people with his own journey of personal growth and finding meaning in his life.
May 21, 2021 • 42min
Bundles of Stardust with Greg Archer, episode 12
In this uplifting conversation author Greg Archer shares his understanding of vulnerability and growth. His book, Grace Revealed, tells the story of his parents' internment in Stalin's concentration camps in the 1930s, and their journey as refugees. Join Greg and Eldra as they uncover the wisdom gained through hardship.
May 7, 2021 • 46min
One Man's Journey with William "Mecca" Elmore, episode 11
Join Eldra Jackson as he sits down with William "Mecca" Elmore, author of Prison from the Inside Out: One Man's Journey from a Life Sentence to Freedom. Incarcerated for over 24 years, Mecca is a man who's taken on some of life's greatest challenges and used them to build a dignified, self-realized life. Sharing his experiences with enthusiasm, his strength and resilience shine through every word of this passionate conversation.
Apr 23, 2021 • 40min
Leading from the Heart with Andrew Blum, episode 10
Founder and CEO of The Trium Group, Inside Circle Board Member, former Marine Officer, and globally recognized thought leader in the areas of executive and business performance, Andrew Blum takes the messages of Inside Circle — understanding the stories we tell ourselves, leading from the heart, and following your sense of purpose — and shares them with leaders across venture capital, technology, and the Fortune 500. Demonstrating that the benefits of our work are as extraordinary and meaningful for CEOs as they are for the justice-involved, Andrew reminds us that there are kindred spirits in every corner of the world and that we all have work to do to cultivate kindness and compassion.
Apr 9, 2021 • 1h 3min
Finding Inside Circle with Eldra Jackson III and Ryan Blum-Krystal
Our host Eldra Jackson III had a long, difficult road to find the fulfillment and freedom that he enjoys today. In conversation with his friend and colleague Ryan Blum-Krystal, Eldra shares his personal story, emphasizing how he has integrated and healed from childhood trauma and almost a quarter century of incarceration. The brilliant guiding light behind Inside Circle today, Eldra's wisdom and compassion grow from both personal commitment and community support from other system-impacted people working alongside him to heal themselves and their communities.
Mar 26, 2021 • 24min
Waking up to Reality with Byron Katie, Founder of The Work of Byron Katie
Wake up to reality with Byron Katie, founder of The Work - four simple questions that will change your life. In a dialogue with host Eldra Jackson III that goes straight to the heart of what's real and raw about transformation, Katie points us directly to the power of integrity and love. Learn more about The Work of Byron Katie at thework.com.
Mar 12, 2021 • 45min
Source Code with Soren Gordhamer, Founder of the Wisdom 2.0 Conference
Soren Gordhamer is the founder of Wisdom 2.0, and produces unconventional, consciousness raising events that explore how we can live with awareness and wisdom in our current technology-rich age. In this vulnerable conversation between host Eldra Jackson III and Soren, listeners learn how Soren finds his sense of purpose from a connection with source, and how his history of working with incarcerated youth influences his work with Wisdom 2.0 today.
Feb 26, 2021 • 41min
From Exploitation to Empathy with Dr. Joseph Betancourt, Medical Doctor at Massachusetts General Hospital
Exploring the impact of systemic racism on health care for people of color, the call for empathy, and the need to strive for equity, Dr. Joseph Betancourt shares how his Puerto Rican background informs his work and demonstrates the power of a calm, cool, and collected way of being when advocating for ourselves against systems of power. Listen as Inside Circle's host, Eldra Jackson III, leads the dialogue through clear, relatable information about the COVID-19 pandemic and how to find reliable, culturally relevant resources.
