Walter Thompson-Hernández speaks with formerly incarcerated young writers whose work will be read over the course of the season by creatives like John Legend, Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Karamo Brown, Jay Ellis, Keke Palmer, Julio Torres, and Jesse Williams. Vulnerable poems and honest stories play out against a tailored soundtrack with original music. From Lemonada Media and Black Bar Mitzvah.
The voices of those locked up in the U.S. prison system have been all but written off, but no more. These aren’t voices you’ve missed; they’re voices that haven’t been heard.
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Collect Call. Kyle Murphy x Jesse Williams
“Wash It Off.” Written by Kyle Murphy. Performed by Jesse Williams. Kyle chats with his friend (and series executive producer) Aaron Bergman a few weeks ahead of his release about his political activism and fully realizing his literary dreams after a decade inside the system.
Ultimate Freedom. Ramon Escobar x Angelique Cabral
“My People.” Written by Ramon Escobar. Performed by Angelique Cabral. Ramon is quick to thank InsideOUT Writers for helping him make the transition from feared gang member to highly-successful business owner who happily employs other IOW alums.
Inhaling Memories. Frank Jimenez x Danny Ramirez
“2nd.” Written by Frank Jimenez. Performed by Danny Ramirez. Frank is putting his mentor’s sage advice to good use by prioritizing his and his family’s happiness and working towards leaving his own unique mark on Hollywood.
Ghetto Royalty. Daniel Bisuano x Julio Torres
“Second Chances.” Written by Daniel Bisuano. Performed by Julio Torres. Daniel is determined to leave his turbulent past behind by living authentically and pursuing each opportunity that presents itself in his quest to become a screenwriter.
Real Leo. Taylor Lytle x Issa Rae
“Everybody Knows That Time Will Pass You By.” Written by Taylor Lytle. Performed by Issa Rae. Taylor is all smiles as she owns her pronounced presence in the world and continues exercising her “revolutionary” methods as a criminal justice activist.
Jiggy Stuff. Lionel Tate x LaRoyce Hawkins
“I’m Still Trying to Find Out.” Written by Lionel Tate. Performed by LaRoyce Hawkins. Lionel embodies healthy living both personally and professionally by honoring his truth on paper and devoting himself to his successful vegan catering company.
The Unfit. Olivia Carrasco x Dascha Polanco
“The Unfit.” Written by Olivia Carrasco. Performed by Dascha Polanco. Olivia is getting reaccustomed to her life “on the outs” and finding her voice amongst friends and family at InsideOUT Writers.
Borrowed Time. John Rodriguez x Karamo Brown
“Time.” Written by John Rodriguez. Performed by Karamo Brown. John is heavily conflicted by the freedom afforded him with an early commutation, leaving him stuck between missing his “family” on the inside and deciphering what’s truly real among folks on the outside.
Good Wolf. Dee Davis x Jay Ellis
“Untitled.” Written by Dee Davis. Performed by Jay Ellis. After losing loved ones to COVID this past year, Dee is now living in Vegas and finding meaning in teaching other writers of similarly troubled backgrounds.
Woman Anew. Yahniie Bridges x Yvonne Orji
“Untitled.” Written by Yahniie Bridges. Performed by Yvonne Orji. Even though Yahniie has temporarily left writing and performance behind, she still understands how they’ve each been a saving grace for her, especially after the last few trying years.
Collect Call. Kyle Murphy x Jesse Williams
“Wash It Off.” Written by Kyle Murphy. Performed by Jesse Williams. Kyle chats with his friend (and series executive producer) Aaron Bergman a few weeks ahead of his release about his political activism and fully realizing his literary dreams after a decade inside the system.
Ultimate Freedom. Ramon Escobar x Angelique Cabral
“My People.” Written by Ramon Escobar. Performed by Angelique Cabral. Ramon is quick to thank InsideOUT Writers for helping him make the transition from feared gang member to highly-successful business owner who happily employs other IOW alums.
Inhaling Memories. Frank Jimenez x Danny Ramirez
“2nd.” Written by Frank Jimenez. Performed by Danny Ramirez. Frank is putting his mentor’s sage advice to good use by prioritizing his and his family’s happiness and working towards leaving his own unique mark on Hollywood.
Ghetto Royalty. Daniel Bisuano x Julio Torres
“Second Chances.” Written by Daniel Bisuano. Performed by Julio Torres. Daniel is determined to leave his turbulent past behind by living authentically and pursuing each opportunity that presents itself in his quest to become a screenwriter.
Real Leo. Taylor Lytle x Issa Rae
“Everybody Knows That Time Will Pass You By.” Written by Taylor Lytle. Performed by Issa Rae. Taylor is all smiles as she owns her pronounced presence in the world and continues exercising her “revolutionary” methods as a criminal justice activist.
Jiggy Stuff. Lionel Tate x LaRoyce Hawkins
“I’m Still Trying to Find Out.” Written by Lionel Tate. Performed by LaRoyce Hawkins. Lionel embodies healthy living both personally and professionally by honoring his truth on paper and devoting himself to his successful vegan catering company.
The Unfit. Olivia Carrasco x Dascha Polanco
“The Unfit.” Written by Olivia Carrasco. Performed by Dascha Polanco. Olivia is getting reaccustomed to her life “on the outs” and finding her voice amongst friends and family at InsideOUT Writers.
Borrowed Time. John Rodriguez x Karamo Brown
“Time.” Written by John Rodriguez. Performed by Karamo Brown. John is heavily conflicted by the freedom afforded him with an early commutation, leaving him stuck between missing his “family” on the inside and deciphering what’s truly real among folks on the outside.
Good Wolf. Dee Davis x Jay Ellis
“Untitled.” Written by Dee Davis. Performed by Jay Ellis. After losing loved ones to COVID this past year, Dee is now living in Vegas and finding meaning in teaching other writers of similarly troubled backgrounds.
Woman Anew. Yahniie Bridges x Yvonne Orji
“Untitled.” Written by Yahniie Bridges. Performed by Yvonne Orji. Even though Yahniie has temporarily left writing and performance behind, she still understands how they’ve each been a saving grace for her, especially after the last few trying years.
Walter Thomas-Hernández
Xorje Olivares
Kryssy Pease
Claire Jones
Xander Singh
Jay Ellis
Aaron Bergman
Jessica Cordova Kramer
Stephanie Wittels Wachs
Matthew Simonson
Lemonada Media is an award-winning women-run podcast network that shares the unfiltered version of the human experience.
