Updates on programming will be found here…
January 29, 2026 – First off, thank you to our new sponsor CORRIO SPC , please visit their website to find out more about the voice messaging service offered for those who are incarcerated and their families.
Season 5 dropped on Tuesday January 13th, 2026 –
In this episode of the Prison Pod, host Valerie Cartonio speaks with Percy H. Pitzer, a retired warden and founder of the Pitzer Family Education Foundation. They discuss the importance of education in reducing recidivism, the role of inmates in supporting educational initiatives, and the need for community engagement in the rehabilitation process. Percy shares his experiences in the correctional system and emphasizes the necessity of common sense in sentencing and rehabilitation. The conversation highlights the foundation’s efforts to support children of incarcerated parents and the importance of expunging criminal records to aid reintegration into society.
In this episode of the Prison Pod, Valerie Cartonio interviews Madinah Wilson-Anton, a Delaware state representative and comedian. They discuss Madinah’s advocacy for social justice, her experiences with vitiligo, and the importance of humor in addressing serious topics. Madinah shares her journey in politics, the significance of community engagement, and the role of faith and hope in her work. The conversation also touches on the value of extended families, inspiring books, and the motivations that drive Madinah to make a difference in her community.
In this conversation, Valerie Cartonio interviews John R. Whitman about the Creative Prisons Project, which aims to harness the creative potential of incarcerated individuals. They discuss the challenges of copyright registration for prisoners, the therapeutic benefits of art, and the vast untapped creativity within the prison population. Whitman emphasizes the importance of creativity in rehabilitation and the need for societal change to address poverty as a root cause of incarceration. The conversation highlights the potential for art and creativity to transform lives and improve prison environments.
Kara Janssen is formerly incarcerated and works on prison reentry and reform. she is a storyteller and teaches others how to tell their story. Only you can tell your own story from your perspective. Kara’s Linked In: We Stand AZ: https://www.alignable.com/glendale-az… We Stand AZ is “a community-rooted nonprofit dedicated to empowering incarcerated individuals and their loved ones to become powerful advocates for change.”
PrisonPOD would like to thank their Sponsor – CorrioSPC – Corrio helps inmates connect with their loved ones by allowing an inmate to receive and leave messages at any time using standard prison phones. – https://corriospc.org
In this episode of the PrisonPod, host Valerie Cartonio speaks with Sobanan Narenthiran, who shares his transformative journey from aspiring doctor to incarcerated individual. Sobanan discusses the impact of his prison experience on his identity, the educational opportunities available in prison, and how he found hope and purpose during his time behind bars. He addresses misconceptions about prisoners, the importance of second chances, and the role of spirituality in personal growth. Sobanan also shares insights about his current work in social enterprise and his upcoming book, emphasizing the need for systemic change in the criminal justice system. Break Through Enterprise
Samuel talks about the work of Youth Love & Above – In this episode of the Prison Pod, Valerie Cartonio interviews Samuel Hunter, founder of Youth Love and Above, a program aimed at rehabilitating youth and preventing them from entering the prison system. Samuel shares his personal journey from incarceration to creating impactful programs that focus on cognitive restructuring and community outreach. The conversation emphasizes the importance of listening to youth, the spiritual foundations of the program, and the need for community support to break down barriers and foster understanding among diverse groups.
In this episode of the Prison Pod, Dr. Robert Mossi Alexander discusses his journey from incarceration to becoming an educator and filmmaker. He emphasizes the transformative power of education in reducing recidivism and shares insights from his documentary ‘Reclaiming Our Humanity.’ Dr. Alexander also highlights the importance of children’s literature in addressing the stigma of incarceration and the need for educational resources in prisons. He shares his collaboration with Edovo to provide educational content on tablets in prisons and recommends several impactful books for those seeking education while incarcerated. Dr. Robert Mossi Alexander is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, educator, and nationally sought-after speaker whose work centers on justice, healing, and human dignity. A proud son of East Oakland, he transformed his lived experiences into a lifelong commitment to uplifting justice-impacted communities. His documentaries Reclaiming Our Humanity and Burning for Justice have screened across the country, sparking powerful conversations on trauma, resilience, and systems change. Dr. Alexander is the Founder of Hood To Higher Ed and Awkwaaba Academics, organizations dedicated to expanding educational access, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and college pathways for system-impacted students. As Counselor/Coordinator for A²MEND at Laney College in Oakland, CA, he empowers Black male scholars through mentorship, leadership development, and culturally responsive support. He has taught inside San Quentin through the Mount Tamalpais College program, presented at universities and national conferences, and partnered with schools, nonprofits, and justice-reform organizations to provide professional development rooted in equity and liberation. A storyteller, educator, and advocate, Dr. Alexander uses film and education to ignite hope, inspire action, and challenge the systems that confine our communities. He believes in the transformative power of voice, culture, and second chances. Website: https://hood2highereducation.com
LinkedIn: @Dr.RobertMossiAlexander
Instagram: @hoodtohighereducation.com
Website: https://hood2highereducation.com
In this episode of The Prison Pod, Valerie Cartonio interviews rap legend X-Rated, who shares his journey from a troubled past to a successful music career. He discusses the importance of family, the meaning behind his album cover, and the themes of perseverance and hope in his lyrics. X-Rated reflects on his spiritual growth, the significance of being a father, and his upcoming autobiography, emphasizing the importance of personal development and inviting others to embrace the light in their lives. Facebook – / xraided1 Instagram – / officialxraided1 TikTok – / officialxraided
In this episode of the Prison Pod, host Valerie Cartonio speaks with Holly Bot, a former inmate who served a 12-year sentence in a Minnesota women’s prison. Holly shares her journey from a troubled life marked by depression and a difficult marriage to finding faith and purpose during her incarceration. She discusses the challenges of adjusting to prison life, the importance of coping mechanisms, and the transformative power of spirituality. Holly also reflects on her experiences with family, the impact of her past on her children, and the significance of second chances in life. Her story is one of resilience, hope, and the desire to help others who are struggling. Her book “From Struggling To Living” (#ad)
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