Shows
Homeschooling IRLSpecial Replay: The Desperate Need To Get It Right
Special Replay Episode: When we talk about the desperate need to get it right, Fletch is quick to say, “Oh! You mean homeschooling in the age of Pinterest?” On this episode we are talking about how to homeschool when we feel like we just don’t measure up to the other homeschool moms we know.
We are joined in the studio by Kym Smythe, Sabrina Justison and Vicki Tillman, three of the sisters from 7SistersHomeschool.com and The Homeschool Highschool Podcast. We discuss how to handle the competition, comparisons and the desperate need to get it right...
2023-09-2638 min
The PrisonCare PodcastFriendship Among Felons, and Why Cops Don't Love It (w/Dylan)Kym and Sabrina get to talk with Dylan about how healthy, good relationships are built inside a prison during your sentence. Can there really be good friendships in prison? What happens when people are transferred to another facility or make parole? How do COs respond to friendships they observe? (theme music intro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with permission)“I want to be as relevant to you as you are to me……am I the fool who’s dreaming? I’ll wait.”Support PrisonCare with a donation of any...
2023-08-2833 minThe PrisonCare PodcastDisplaced and Marooned (with Dylan)Kym and Sabrina get to talk with Dylan about the abrupt severing process that most incarcerated individuals go through when coming to prison. In this first of a 3-part series, Dylan (PrisonCare, Inc.'s Inside Community Director) shares insights with us about RELATIONSHIPS for people who are incarcerated...and the prison staff who provide for their custody, care and control. Time Markers:0:40 Dylan's got stuff to share!3:05 Relationships Lost, Relationships Made, Relationships Longed For5:30 Re-introducing Dylan! ('cause it's been a minute)7:00 Displaced and Marooned10:20 Text me, 'k?12:00 Apartment Clean-outs14:25 What a...
2023-08-2127 minThe PrisonCare PodcastCouldn't Phone Access in Prisons Be Easily Improved?Sabrina shares some of the specific limitations on phone access, and wonders respectfully about whether there aren't some easy improvements to be made...better options for EVERYONE in the prison.Support PrisonCare with a donation of any size:http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlTime Markers:1:59 Punitive vs. Rehabilitative - a Quick Review of the Paradigm6:00 Let’s Talk About Phones8:00 Why So Pricey?9:52 Wait, People Can’t Get a Call from Their Lawyer??13:58 “Leave me a message, and I’ll get back...
2023-08-1433 min
Shameless Leadership793: Sabrina Justison: What Happens to a Mother When Her Son Is Incarcerated for MurderContent Warning: this episode talks about murder and the prison system. Sabrina Justison is a curriculum developer, speaker, and writer, wife to Fred, and mom or step-mom to 7 grown kids, plus grandmother to 6. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit, PrisonCare. One of those grown kids is "J," who is mentally ill and in prison, serving a very long sentence for murder. Sabrina is an advocate for people like J who are incarcerated, in particular those living with mental illness.The need for sweeping prison reform is undeniable for sure, but in th...
2023-08-0959 minThe PrisonCare PodcastPersistent Hunger in Spite of Standards - WHY?An interview with J! Recorded before J's move to a new facility, this episode explores the complexities of feeding people in prison, the realities that cause people to be persistently hungry even when federally mandated nutritional requirements are being met, and the content (and quantities) of foods on your tray for a typical meal, the multi-layered truth about "3 hots and a cot" guaranteed, the gratitude that comes from people who appreciate being fed, and the common practice of a single third-party contractor that provides both chow hall food AND commissary items. Whew!! It's a packed episode.
2023-08-0843 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWhat Happens During a Lockdown?Join Sabrina and learn what makes a prison "lockdown," and be surprised by some of the difficulties that arise out of lockdown...in particular, for correctional officers.Support PrisonCare with a donation of any size:http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlTime Markers:Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: The Fool, original recording music and lyrics by J. Bloom © 2022.For the full song, visit the PrisonCare, Inc. YouTube Channel:https://youtu.be/cG8zHpQZDugSupport the show
2023-07-3125 minThe PrisonCare PodcastThe Paramilitary ProblemPrisons operate in the U.S. using a structure that is very similar to the military. Join Sabrina to dig into how that creates a fundamental problem for correctional staff...and is not particularly helpful to prison residents, either. And get an update on J in this last of the 4 "in-real-time" episodes of the past month.(theme music intro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with permission)“I want to be as relevant to you as you are to me……am I the fool who’s dreaming? I’ll wait.”Supp...
2023-07-2422 minThe PrisonCare PodcastCan We Talk? (Seriously, like talk therapy...)Continuing to learn about prison culture "in real time" with Sabrina and J as they walk through the uncharted territory that follows a rules violation, this week's episode examines the difficulties faced by people undergoing serious stress, and the limitations placed on even the simplest stress-management efforts, for residents and staff alike. And can someone please explain why talk therapy is not a priority in prison budgets? Let's look through a lens of common sense for a moment, if we can.(theme music intro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with permission)“I want to...
2023-07-1728 minThe PrisonCare PodcastBe HonestUpdate on J, who is scheduled to be transferred to a new prison today, if all goes according to plan. Sabrina shares what he will face because of the transfer, and also makes available for the first time another of J's original songs, "Be Honest." Hear the story behind the song, learn how you can get a free .mp3 to add to your music library, and think in a new way about the things that simply must change in prison neighborhoods, for the good of everyone on the inside.(theme music intro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. B...
2023-07-1015 minThe PrisonCare PodcastJ is in the HoleYeah, you read that right. There is so much complexity here, and this episode is Sabrina's super-careful analysis and fiercely-determined effort to LIVE OUT the non-partisan PrisonCare Mission of support for EVERYONE inside a prison neighborhood. No us. vs. them. Not even right now. Please listen to this important episode. Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: The Fool, original recording music and lyrics by J. Bloom © 2022.For the full song, visit the PrisonCare, Inc. YouTube Channel:https://youtu.be/cG8zHpQZDug(theme music outro, “The Fool,” by incarcerated artist J. Bloom © 2022, used with per...
2023-07-0340 minThe PrisonCare PodcastYour Worst AssignmentSabrina facilitates a powerful imagination game: let's imagine your worst possible work assignment. And then let's look at what that has to do with prison neighborhoods...and how it may increase our compassion for Correctional Officers. (Let's change the world for the better, shall we?)Support PrisonCare with a donation of any size:http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlTime Markers:1:10 An Imagination Game4:00 No, we're not actually talking about 2nd Grade Teachers5:00 Here's what one CO said about his work world7:00 Removed from society?8:45 The...
2023-06-2621 minThe PrisonCare PodcastYour Worst MomentSabrina starts Season 2 with a big-picture question that we ALL need to be asking ourselves, because it will fundamentally change the way we care for everyone inside a prison neighborhood, whether incarcerated individuals or corrections staff. There are many good questions to ask ourselves:What does "rehabilitation" even mean? How long is long enough?but most importantly..."What if you were defined by your worst moment?"SUPPORT PRISONCARE'S WORK WITH A DONATION OF ANY SIZE:http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlTime Markers:1:28 A Quick Framework for How to Recover...
2023-06-1913 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWhat Now, PrisonCare?The end of a WHOLE YEAR of weekly PrisonCare Podcast Episodes...Whew!!So much important info in this episode, y'all. The mission is expanding, and there is room for a whole bunch of new personalities in the PrisonCare model. You do NOT want to miss this look at what we learned in our first year, and what we're marching into in Year 2. So much goodness...so much care!Time Markers:(0:32) Lots of People Care(1:32) The Mission is BIG(6:59) Person Stories are Important(7:53) Raising Awareness in Year 2(9:48) PrisonCare H...
2023-06-1223 minThe PrisonCare PodcastPrison Visit Experiences: Fred Visits Prison, pt. 2Sabrina and Fred continue their conversation about what visits to the prison are like, and how different things challenge each of them, but some things are tough for ALL visitors. Also, get Fred's perspective on what all this prison exposure is doing to Sabrina's mental health in a big-picture way. http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and donate to our workTime Markers:Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Ve...
2023-06-0523 minThe PrisonCare PodcastPrison Visit Experiences: Fred Visits Prison, pt. 1As we continue to share prison visit experiences, this first of a 2-part episode series captures a conversation between Sabrina and her husband, Fred, who is J's stepdad. He is not at all the same personality type as Sabrina, so his experience on visits is different from hers in many ways. For more prison visit stories, check out ep. 10 with J's sister, Bekah, and eps. 31 and the Bonus Concert episode with PrisonCare's Community Director, Kym!We are approaching our one-year anniversary on the podcast! Get ready for exciting news in the next couple of weeks!!
2023-05-2928 minThe PrisonCare PodcastDoes Anyone ACTUALLY Get Rehabilitated in Prison?Sabrina and J dig into an important question -- who actually experiences rehabilitation while serving a prison sentence? We know a lot about what DOESN'T work in the process (lack of programming, lack of personnel, lack of mental health treatment, an environment that would corrupt the sweetest of us, etc.), but there are success stories out there. So what makes rehabilitation actually happen? NOTE: J may use occasional mild profanity in this episode.http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and donate to our workT...
2023-05-2229 minThe PrisonCare PodcastRoutines in PrisonJ is on the phone, talking with Sabrina about the rigid structure of prison routines AND the paradoxically random disruptions in every bit of routine life. Institutionalized living means that routines rule...except for when they don't. Yeah. Nothing like that kind of unpredictability to keep everyone feeling anxious! http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and donate to our workTime Markers:1:58 Hi, J. It's been awhile!4:43 On the outs, we have a lot of choice about the really basic stuff7:13 When they're telling us when to e...
2023-05-1529 minThe PrisonCare PodcastPartisan Applications of our Non-Partisan ModelWell, that's a mouthful! PrisonCare's unusual in its non-partisan vision -- EVERYONE on the inside matters. If you are way-left or way-right politically, or somewhere in-between, there's still a place for you at PrisonCare. Want some specific examples of how that can be? Sabrina's got you covered!http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and SUPPORT our workTime Markers:(0:49) A Nonpartisan Mission(4:42) A Heart for Incarcerated Individuals(6:41) Praise Can Lead to Growth(10:48) Tough on Crime(13:14) Getting Started with CO Support
2023-05-0822 minThe PrisonCare PodcastIsn't It Dangerous to be a Penpal Encourager??The number one question people ask Sabrina -- answered here! Dig into the nuts and bolts of safety and risk when you are corresponding with someone who is incarcerated.http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and SUPPORT our workTime Markers:1:30 And the answer is...4:00 Proximity and our sense of risk6:00 Defined by that crime?10:00 Clarity about YOUR purpose11:00 The sense you get, and the boundaries you set16:00 Misunderstandings happen, of course18:00 A few safety tips23:00 When a cause compels you
2023-05-0126 minThe PrisonCare PodcastDylan and J's EssaySounds boring, right? NOT! You need to hear what these two came up with when given the chance to share their thoughts and hearts with a room full of folks at a Criminal Justice conference. Think you know what a "Change Engine" is? Listen, and learn!http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and SUPPORT our workTime Markers:(1:14) Why an essay?(2:57) The Idea of A Book(4:52) The Essay(13:31) The Engine Provides the MovementIntro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come...
2023-04-2416 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWhat Happened at the ConferenceLet Sabrina take you to the ACJS Conference with her and share the major lightbulb moments she had there (plus hear some really cool stories about how people in the PrisonCare Workshop responded to the mission!). A couple of major things she had never thought of before may just blow your mind, too.http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and SUPPORT our workAcademy of Criminal Justice Sciences -https://www.acjs.org/page/PastMeetingProgramsShakespeare Behind Bars - https://shakespearebehindbars.org/Time Markers:
2023-04-1741 minThe PrisonCare PodcastShakedownsShakedowns are a common occurrence in prison, and they are tough on all the people in the neighborhood. Join Sabrina to learn what a shakedown is, how it impacts EVERYONE on the inside. (And hear what happened to the penguin...) http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and SUPPORT our workTime Markers:(1:07) What is a Shakedown?(4:17) Facility Wide Shakedowns(7:06) Contraband is Everywhere(9:26) The Contraband Must Be Found(13:12) What is a Shakedown Like for Residents?(14:46) The Penguin Story(20:41) Expressing...
2023-04-1037 minThe PrisonCare PodcastStories from the Inside VOL. 1People have been asking for stories from incarcerated people who are connected to PrisonCare Compassion Teams, so "Stories from the Inside" will become a periodic feature on the podcast. This episode, Sabrina shares stories about:* a "7 Habits on the Inside" special event, * a graduation party, * a domestic violence recovery group with a surprising twist,* grief counseling for people who can't get a counselor* a pod-sized feasthttp://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and DONATE to our workTime Markers:(0:49) Finally Time to Share
2023-04-0322 minThe PrisonCare PodcastIntroverts, Extroverts, and Static Vs. Dynamic SecurityWell, that's a mouthful! But it really does all fit together in a fascinating way behind the walls of a prison. Natural introverts experience the prison neighborhood in certain ways that natural extroverts do not...and vice versa. And these experiences are present no matter which uniform folks are wearing. So, how does an understanding of these personality traits impact our beliefs about Static vs. Dynamic security models? Join Sabrina for a lot of big words that make an awful lot of practical sense when you explore them for a moment through the lens of a prison neighborhood.
2023-03-2737 minThe PrisonCare PodcastTHE FOOL - Bonus Episode including NEW Original Music by J. BloomBONUS EPISODE! J. Bloom has released NEW original music via PrisonCare.org. "The Fool," what we hope will become the ANTHEM for compassionate people everywhere who rally around the needs of people inside prison neighborhoods (no matter which uniform they wear) is a gift to you from J in gratitude for all you have done to get PrisonCare off the ground this first year!Download your free MP3 file from PrisonCare.org, and share it with everyone!This episode shares the song with you, and explains where it came from, and where we hope...
2023-03-2517 minThe PrisonCare PodcastFight or Flight and Movies About PrisonWhy do most of our "prison movies" portray staff in a certain way? And what do the instinctual responses to danger - fight or flight - tell us about prison neighborhoods? And what can compassionate people on the inside do to be supportive of EVERYONE behind the fence, no matter which way they typically respond to threat? Join Sabrina for this episode, and ask yourself some interesting questions.http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and DONATE to our workTime Markers:(0:58) Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn(3:02) Backs to t...
2023-03-2027 minThe PrisonCare PodcastManipulation - Knowing Who's Playing (w/J)Is every prison resident looking for a way to take advantage? How can you tell who is being manipulative, and who is genuinely trying to live well? Join Sabrina and J for these complicated questions. NOTE: J may use some mild profanity in this episode.http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and donate to our workTime Markers:2:04 Trying to Get Stuff3:54 If Everyone is Manipulating, Isn’t the System to blame?6:49 Staff As Observers8:52 Hypochondriacs and Malingerers 10:14 Training and Rapport12:43 Rota...
2023-03-1332 minThe PrisonCare PodcastStrip Searches (eewww...)Naked. Intimate. Complicated for everyone involved! Let's have a talk about strip searches and the impact they have on residents AND staff, shall we? Does that thought make you uncomfortable? Face your fears and join Sabrina for this important topic.Time Markers:2:00 Let’s Get Naked2:55 Appreciation for Hospitals5:40 Prison…appreciation???8:00 Not as Clear Cut as we Want it to be8:55 Our Expectations for Released Prisoners9:57 Our Weird Attitude Toward Corrections STAFF11:55 The “Other” Branch of Law Enforcement13:55 Back to the Hospital...
2023-03-0629 minThe PrisonCare PodcastVirtues-Based Language - What, Why, and HowJoin Sabrina for this exploration of the power of virtues-based language. More than simply "writing letters," a pen-pal encourager is a voice of truth, hope, and support in the life of an incarcerated person...and HOW those words get chosen is important. Take a listen, and learn to make some subtle changes in vocabulary that will increase your positive impact in a prison neighborhood!Time Markers2:00 When Somebody Says, “I See What You Did”6:00 Virtues-Based Language is NOT Actually Hoity-Toity8:15 Getting Started When You Don’t Know Each Other Well Yet1...
2023-02-2727 minThe PrisonCare PodcastUrgent Needs for Prison StaffPerhaps our most important episode to date - Sabrina explains the looming crisis in the Corrections industry nationally, and shares what PrisonCare, Inc. is doing about it. (Hint: there's a LOT more going on here than just the equipping of pen pal encouragers, as important as that work may be!!)http://prisoncare.org/community.htmlLearn more about PrisonCare, Inc. and DONATE to our workYou can also view this episode on YouTube!https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLg1zYh48GV5KRMrz_FikIRcndtiWBqZbD-----------Time Markers:
2023-02-2026 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWhen You Are in Prison and You Get Sick - with JSabrina and J have an honest conversation about the challenges of providing medical care to incarcerated people. Getting sick while you are in prison is not a situation that is easy to manage. Is there any way compassionate people from the outside could help? (J and his friends do NOT have scabies, by the way. That is a very common problem in prisons, but J was treated for it, and symptoms were unchanged. Current best guess is a reaction to something that only some of them are allergic to, since many have symptoms but not all, and it d...
2023-02-1336 minThe PrisonCare PodcastLess Than Ten MinutesSabrina shares from a live event one of her favorite exercises for potential pen pal encouragers: "10 Minutes (or Less!) to True Awesomeness!"Walk through the process, and see how easy it is to write...and invest in the mental well being of Correctional Officers, as well as residents. *mind blown*Time Markers:1:50 Two Reasons for this Practical Episode2:50 Invite me!5:30 10 Minutes (or Less!) to True Awesomeness8:30 Take Out Your Phone and Write Your First Letter!10:00 A Free List of Letter Starters, In Case You Feel Stuck
2023-02-0618 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWhat Mental Wellness Resources are People in Prison Requesting?We've been getting requests for Mental Wellness Resources, and we've been creating free articles to meet that need. But you might be surprised at the top asks! We were. People in prisons want to improve their own lives AND their neighborhoods, and it's reason for hope. PLUS: Learn about the new Loose Change Project!TIME MARKERS:TIME MARKERS:1:25 Why Do They NEED Stuff Sent in from the Outside?3:10 A More Realistic Framework for this Conversation8:00 The Number One Request10:20 Number Two is What? Really?12:09 Ones We’d Ex...
2023-01-3020 minThe PrisonCare PodcastFront Row Seats at a Prison Concert!Sabrina and Kym got to go all the way INTO THE NEIGHBORHOOD at a prison concert and graduation ceremony for guys who participated in Mark and Tammy Collie's "My Song for Life" program! It was a LIFE-CHANGING experience. This episode is full of all the feels, all the lame efforts to capture in words the hope that we found inside the razor wire in January 2023!TIME MARKERS:1:25 While the Feelings are Fresh4:20 Visiting Their Neighborhood7:00 Who’s in the Room?10:35 There was no “Us vs. Them”16:20 Hugs in a Sp...
2023-01-2330 minThe PrisonCare PodcastBONUS: The Day We Went to the Concert in the Prison - The Whole StoryEpisode 31 let you hear all the in-the-moment feels from Kym and Sabrina. This BONUS episode gives the narrative. Wanna hear each thing that happened -- including "The Bathroom Dance," the strip-search room, the Assistant Warden's welcome, and more? This is the episode for you! We wish we could have taken you each with us for this life-changing day. If you wish you could have come along, take a listen to this BONUS episode.Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By...
2023-01-2329 minThe PrisonCare PodcastChaotic Communication in PrisonsSabrina records in a hotel room while waiting to see if a collaborative program is actually going to happen the next day at a prison...because there has been ZERO communication from the facility. She explores the importance of good communication anywhere, and especially inside prisons, and (blame-free!) looks at why good communication is even MORE important in a prison than most anywhere else. Plus, she has ideas about how we can help from the outside.Time Markers:1:00 Howdy from my hotel room!3:55 No blame being assigned here6:30 Scale the problem
2023-01-1630 minThe PrisonCare PodcastThinking Big Picture with DylanSabrina and Kym get to have a great, free-flowing conversation with our incarcerated friend and Inside Programs Director, Dylan. We talk about thinking big picture -- ideas for new approaches to problems in the carceral system that stem from experience inside the fence. Instead of complaining about what's broken, Dylan and his friends brainstorm ways to try things differently. Oh, and we learn a lot about Turtle Suits. Time Markers:2:45 It Starts with the Arts6:00 A Framework for Returning Citizens11:15 Going to Prison for…breaking curfew??14:10 County Jail, Mental Hea...
2023-01-0933 minThe PrisonCare PodcastService Dogs in Prison with Becky Hein of Canine Companions for IndependenceSabrina and Kym get to start 2023 with hope and PUPPIES! Becky Hein, Puppy Program Manager for Canine Companions for Independence (canine.org) is our guest on this beautiful, inspiring episode that looks at the puppy training programs in prisons that pair incarcerated trainers with puppies that are being prepared for jobs as service dogs for people with disabilities. Time Markers:2:30 Meet Becky!5:00 Community Director, Kym, trains Seeing Eye Puppies7:10 What kind of training? What kind of Trainers?13:50 Tell us about the prison puppy training programs19:10 Inmate Trainers mentoring one another FTW!23:10...
2023-01-0241 minThe PrisonCare PodcastMental Health and an End to Solitary Confinement with Mary Buser, Author of Lockdown on Rikers Island Pt. 2In the second part of this interview with Mary Buser, author of Lockdown on Rikers, and Director of Social Workers and Allies Against Solitary Confinement, Sabrina learns about why there are so many people with mental illnesses who are incarcerated, what mental health and medical professionals do and do not have to do as they provide care for the, and alternatives to the "hammer" approach our system currently employs. TIME MARKERS:4:30 Mandated Reporters of Abuse11:00 Why Are So Many Mentally Ill People in Jails and Prisons?17:30 It Isn’t Just Them, It’s The...
2022-12-2632 minThe PrisonCare PodcastMental Health and an End to Solitary Confinement with Mary Buser, Author of Lockdown on Rikers Island Pt. 1Sabrina gets to talk with Mary Buser, Director of Social Workers and Allies Against Solitary Confinement, and former assistant director of mental health services at Rikers Island, the huge jail complex in New York City. She has a heart of gold, a depth of knowledge, and work experience that can teach us all SO much. While we avoid any shocking or triggering descriptions in both parts of this interview, we get a real glimpse into the reality of solitary confinement and its torturous impact on people, the challenge of bringing mental health resources and corrections into the same space...
2022-12-1940 minThe PrisonCare PodcastShared Meals and Shared Challenges - with DylanJoin Sabrina and Kym for this phone interview with incarcerated friend Dylan. They begin talking about holidays, but quickly move to exploring the power of shared meals in creating community, and end up digging into the surprising shared challenges faced by prison residents and corrections staff. (Learn about prison burritos and cheesecakes as an added bonus!)Time Markers:2:50 How are you today?5:25 What are the ways you ARE able to build community?8:25 Awesome tortilla chips and CHEESECAKES11:30 Ain’t nothing like eating in the Chow Hall13:00 Please give me a real job — anot...
2022-12-1225 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWay Down in the Hole Pt. 2 The Ones You Never Forget with Dr. Angela Hattery and Dr. Earl SmithIn this 2nd of a 2-part interview, Sabrina talks with Drs. Hattery and Smith -- Angie and Earl -- about solitary confinement and the study they did that led them to write Way Down in the Hole. Meet some of the folks whose stories they will never be able to forget.For more from Angie and Earl, visit:http://hatteryandsmith.comTime Markers:4:15 Where Race Comes Into It6:39 We’re ALL In Here Because of the Mistakes We Made8:40 from the book — CO Travis and MIRRORS14...
2022-11-2835 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWay Down in the Hole Pt. 1 Solitary Confinement with Dr. Angela Hattery and Dr. Earl SmithSabrina gets to interview Drs. Angela Hattery and Earl Smith, professors of Sociology and authors of the new book, WAY DOWN IN THE HOLE. Learn about Solitary Confinement. Learn about its torturous impact on those held in those solitary cells, and on the Correctional Officers who work the unit. Part 1 of 2.To purchase a copy of Way Down in the Hole visit https://smithandhattery.com/Time Markers:0:49 Welcome to Solitary Confinement3:35 Who are these authors, anyway?6:00 Why did you do this study?13:28 Ethnographic…say what??...
2022-11-2135 minThe PrisonCare PodcastHolidays in PrisonJoin Sabrina and J for this conversation about the holiday season, the extra levels of complication that arise from being incarcerated, ways to support during the holidays, and power of a fire-engine red knitted beanie.NOTE: J may use mile profanity in this episode.Time Markers:1:40 Holidays are a Super-Complicated Thing5:45 Remaining Connected and Creating New Celebrations9:05 Maybe I’m Just Not Gonna Call This Year14:13 Does It Offend You If We ASK About he Holidays?17:47 I Had a Fire-Engine Red Beanie20:40 Things Th...
2022-11-1427 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWhose Side are YOU On?Sabrina digs into the "Us V. Them" mentality that rules prison neighborhoods, and considers the impact on Correctional Officers. What if...?Time Markers:1:00 Upcoming Interview Episodes - sneak peek!4:00 All the Differences6:00 Naive, much??9:07 A Closer Look at COs13:02 Surrounded14:32 What about…? / What If…?16:25 A Word We Don’t Often Use19:10 Knocking the Legs Out From Under It All20:07 What Can We Do?Intro/Outro MUSIC CREDIT: We've Come A Long Way (No Vocal Version) Exzel Mu...
2022-11-0922 minThe PrisonCare PodcastFriends of Incarcerated People - LifePath's StoryThe first-ever PrisonCare Compassion Team started with a group of people at a little church called LifePath. But this was not a religious thing at all -- in fact, it was intentionally NOT religious -- so what DID characterize it? What do new friends, new good friends, for incarcerated people look like? TIME MARKERS:(3:00) A story of true friends(4:45) Why we don’t solicit(5:30) The “90 Second Version” of the Roots of PrisonCare, Inc.(7:00) Seeing it on EVERYONE’s faces(8:45) Yay, Team! (connections on the inside)(9:45) And then...
2022-10-3125 minThe PrisonCare PodcastMilitary Veterans Wear ALL the Uniforms in PrisonHave you ever thought about the paramilitary structure of a U.S. prison? And what might be good about that for a vet -- or really, really bad for them? Sabrina explores the strong connection between those who have served in the military and those who can now be found in prison neighborhoods -- serving sentences, or serving as correctional officers. Time Markers:1:05 Challenges? What Challenges?3:31 Many Vets Wind Up in Prison5:08 The Paramilitary Model7:00 What the Challenges Look Like in a Prison8:38 A Common Enemy CAN Breed Compassion10:28 The Staff N...
2022-10-2416 minThe PrisonCare PodcastAnniversaries and Prison SentencesOf course birthdays and anniversaries are hard for people who are incarcerated. But there are other anniversaries that are (perhaps unexpectedly) brutal for those serving prison sentences. Good news -- compassionate people on the outside can do something practical and EASY that will help. Join Sabrina for this personal AND practical episode.Time Markers:1:45 The Power of Calendar Squares2:40 Not Talking About Those Kind of People5:23 I AM Talking about THESE Kind of People6:50 The Big Ask! (no, it’s not about money)7:40 Back to...
2022-10-1722 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWhy is Mail Such a Big Deal? J Weighs In Pt. 2In the second half of this conversation between Sabrina and J, find out how the cliffhanger from Ep. 17 is resolved! Also, explore how using mail in prison can feel like a throw back to another time, why some people DON'T want a penpal, the kiss of death in a penpal encourager relationship, and what to do when your hand has a cramp.(NOTE: J may use mild profanity in this episode.)Time Markers:0:50 Resolving the Cliffhanger5:50 Let’s Send a Raven7:45 I Don’t Actually Need That In My Life...
2022-10-1026 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWhy is Mail Such a Big Deal? J Weighs In Pt. 1In this conversation between Sabrina and J, we get into the nitty-gritty psychological struggles that accompany the whole process of receiving and writing letters to people on the outside. Topics like the weirdness of knowing that every letter is read by staff, the rules about photocopying, and the delays that can make you go a little nuts are explored. This is the first part of a 2-part series. (NOTE: J may use mild profanity in this episode.)Time Markers:0:50 Setting Up the Episode3:00 Even More Important?5:05 They Read it ALL!9:10 Photocopies, d...
2022-09-2624 minThe PrisonCare PodcastMeet Dylan! Pt. 2 - Relationships, Relationships, RelationshipsSabrina and Kym get some more time to talk with Dylan about forming relationships with people on the outside when you are incarcerated. We get the chance to learn from him things that will make the "FIRST LETTER" awkwardness a little bit more manageable for EVERYONE. We also get to hear about gangs without ever mentioning gangs, and learn about why people in prison may need to "go dark" sometimes. Time Markers:0:45 Recap and Setup1:50 That Bizarre First Moment4:05 Learning from Dylan5:35 Kym’s Christmas Decorations6:40 Limited Relational Skills and A Dif...
2022-09-1926 minThe PrisonCare PodcastMeet Dylan! Pt. 1In this first interview with one of our friends on the inside, Dylan shares a bit about his journey from foster care to prison, and what he is learning about making friendships and building healthy relationships while serving a prison sentence. Join Sabrina and Kym (Community Director for PrisonCare, Inc.) on this episode, and learn about the puppy-raising program in Dylan's facility, what incentive pods are, and what the statistics are for the foster care to prison pipeline.Time Markers:0:50 Meet Dylan3:49 The Dog Program5:30 French Horns and Keeping Up With the Band7:30...
2022-09-1225 min
Homeschooling with TechnologyUsing e-books for homeschooling
197:Using e-books for homeschooling
Sabrina Justison from 7 Sisters Homeschool explains the benefits of using e-books for homeschooling in this episode.
1. Using ebooks for some or all of homeschooling makes sense for students
– digital natives
– take-it-with-you convenience
– adaptable (font size, text-to-speech)
– often includes more illustrations for visual learners
2. Using ebooks for some or all of homeschooling makes sense for parents
– less expensive
– quickly updates to current versions
– highlights/markings can be removed easily for a younger child to use down the road
– e-schoolbooks don’t get lost as easi...
2022-09-0714 minThe PrisonCare PodcastMental Illness and the Fundamentals in Prison, Pt. 2 of 2Living with a mental illness while incarcerated presents specific challenges, and perhaps as many as 30-50% of the people who are in prison are dealing with the symptoms of a mental illness. In this second part of a phone interview with J (and Kym Smythe, Community Director for PrisonCare, Inc.), we explore the helpful and unhelpful elements of structure, the power of isolation, setting big goals, dealing with proximity, and deciding how much to explain about your illness in a prison neighborhood...many ideas which are a factor for corrections officers, as well as for resident inmates. Ti...
2022-09-0524 minThe PrisonCare PodcastMental Illness and the Fundamentals in Prison, Pt. 1 of 2Mental illness is a piece of the story for a surprisingly high percentage of incarcerated people. In this episode, J shares some of his specific experience with symptoms, and what he has learned about helping himself when there is no one else to turn to. Learning and returning to "the fundamentals" has been a game-changer for him. Join this interview (and meet PrisonCare's Community Director, Kym Smythe, who hops in to the conversation for the first time!) and explore this complicated issue. First of 2 parts. (NOTE: J may use mild profanity in this episode.)0:35 Intro. K...
2022-08-2925 minThe PrisonCare PodcastMail MattersReceiving mail (like, actual MAIL, in an envelope, with a stamp, delivered by snails) is uniquely powerful inside the prison fence. Learn some of the reasons why mail MATTERS very much to inmate residents, and learn why mail from a STRANGER is actually extra-powerful. Time Markers:0:45 Mail Call!2:40 Choice4:10 What, Me? Vulnerable??6:00 Thinking of You9:33 Tangible12:00 Pen-Pal Encouragers15:30 Shared Loss17:20 Lost People22:48 That 1st Super-Awkward Letter24:00 The Chosen One25:45 A Commitment to Encouragement27:50 Dangerous?29:00 The Purpose31:30 How to HelpIntro/O...
2022-08-2234 minThe PrisonCare PodcastA Visit to the PrisonJoin Sabrina and her daughter, Bekah, for a chat about their recent visit to J in prison. Learn a bit about the process of visiting, and clear up some misconceptions that many of us have about visiting, and the way staff feel about visitors.Time Markers:0:00 Welcome to our Hotel Room3:25 Misconceptions5:15 Tiny and Scared7:50 What You Carry8:27 Paperwork and Food9:45 Underwire Bras and the Key to Not Freaking Out12:33 One Red Chair14:20 The Mask of Toughness18:15 They WANT Me to Come and Visit!19:45 It's Intense
2022-08-1522 minThe PrisonCare PodcastPositive Prison Culture from the Inside PART 3 of 3In the last of the 3-part series looking at Positive Prison Culture from J's perspective on the inside, we dig into the complexities of sharing, following the rules (which aren't obvious at all), how we become what we focus on, and get tips on how to engage as a supporter.(NOTE: J may use mild profanity in this episode.)Time Markers:1:00 Recap2:30 Cassandra Makes a Connection3:00 Sharing is Caring…or is it?6:17 The Challenge for the Cops is Real8:00 Aren’t the Rules the Rules??9:52 Here’s What Suppor...
2022-08-0821 minThe PrisonCare PodcastPositive Prison Culture from the Inside PART 2 of 3Talking more with J about what positive prison culture actually looks like, sounds like, and feels like inside a prison. We need examples, stories to help us understand the kind of changes we're talking about. This interview yielded 3 episodes, and in this second part we talk about hyper-vigilance, the relational skills that are missing or hard to use, context, staff, and the key to being a good cellie.(NOTE: J may use some mild profanity in this episode.)Time Markers:1:12 Recapping Ep. 7 - Part 12:09 Hyper-vigilance3:15 Missing Skills3:44...
2022-08-0124 minThe PrisonCare PodcastPositive Prison Culture From the Inside PART 1 of 3Let's talk with J about what positive prison culture actually looks like, sounds like, and feels like inside a prison. We need examples, stories to help us understand the kind of changes we're talking about. This interview yielded 3 episodes, and in this first part we talk about noise, the secret code in prison, respect, and what being an acting change engine means.(NOTE: J uses some profanity in this episode.)Time Markers:1:42 - Recap3:15 - A Nice, Quiet Morning6:33 - In Really Simple Terms, What Are We Talking About?
2022-07-2523 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWhat IS Positive Prison Culture?All this talk about positive prison culture...what is that even supposed to mean? Are we suggesting that everyone hug-a-thug?Nope. Not even close. Let's do a sociological/psychological/include a little common sense deep-dive into the concept of positive prison culture.Time Markers:(1:08) Culture Is…(2:26) A Complex Series of Customs(4:45) There Are Actually MORE Than Two People Groups Here(7:50) Is Win-Win Even a Possibility?(9:39) Culture Creation IS Possible, For Real!(12:01) That’s Where a PrisonCare Encourager Comes In(14:00) No Effort Feels Small(16:35) Positive Prison Culture in Su...
2022-07-1820 minThe PrisonCare PodcastThe Five Forgotten People Groups in a PrisonHave you ever thought about that icky feeling you get when you drive past a prison, and wondered how that might be effecting the way you look at correctional officers? Or people who were formerly incarcerated?In this episode, we take a hard look at the five people groups inside a prison, and recognize how quick we are to forget about them, when they all need our support. Time Markers:(1:00) Not in My Backyard!(2:31) What’s the Threat That We Perceive?(4:31) Our Comfortable Forgetfulness is Hurting People(5:30) How Many People Grou...
2022-07-1117 minThe PrisonCare PodcastCo-Founder: J's StoryAllow me to make the introductions!J is the co-founder of PrisonCare, Inc. In this first episode with him on the phone, he shares the mind-blowing journey that took him from profound psychotic delusion to founding a non-profit from behind the walls of a Level 3 Medium Security prison, building hope and fostering growth in others as he pours into the prison culture in his neighborhood. (NOTE: J uses some profanity in this episode.)Time Markers:(2:08) Say hi to J!(4:12) The Power of Choice(7:00) Co-founders with VERY different opinions on faith
2022-07-0420 minThe PrisonCare PodcastThe Roots of PrisonCare - Our Personal StoryWho are these people? And how did they become the founders of PrisonCare, Inc.? And why should I give a hoot about their story?Commitment to change in society has more to do with personal connections than it does lofty ideas. Listen to Sabrina's story today, and you will never think about prison quite the same way again. sabrinajustison.com to learn more about J's story and to read his and Sabrina's, "Person, Interpreted" blog postsJ’s mailing address:Jacob T. White, DOC #182205CCCF, PO Box 1006564 Sta...
2022-06-2724 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWhat is PrisonCare and Why Is It Important?Okay, so episode 1 has you intrigued. The Mission Statement for PrisonCare, Inc., was the heart of that Welcome episode, and now you want to better understand what we're suggesting compassionate people actually DO. Using the idea of society's relationship with a hospital as opposed to its relationship with a prison, Sabrina Justison unpacks the big-picture need for a new understanding of prison neighborhoods. Then, using specific examples of strategies that work, she casts a vision for how a PrisonCare compassion team might form, what kinds of activities it might explore, and what kinds of goals it might s...
2022-06-2024 minThe PrisonCare PodcastWelcome to The PrisonCare Podcast!Welcome to The PrisonCare Podcast!What IS PrisonCare.org, and who is likely to be interested in this podcast?PrisonCare, Inc. founder, Sabrina Justison, answers that and casts a vision for the kind of support EVERY prison needs, but almost none of us has ever considered it.(1:04) Introducing Sabrina and PrisonCare, Inc.(2:00) The PrisonCare distinctive(5:44) Goals and Objectives of PrisonCare, Inc.(8:00) Topics in the FREE PrisonCare.org PDF library(9:59) The story behind PrisonCare.org(13:53) How PrisonCare gets the word out(14:54) Practical Examples of Culture Creation(16:50) What's to...
2022-06-1319 minHomeschooling IRLSpecial Replay: The Desperate Need To Get It Right
Special Replay Episode: When we talk about the desperate need to get it right, Fletch is quick to say, “Oh! You mean homeschooling in the age of Pinterest?” On this episode we are talking about how to homeschool when we feel like we just don’t measure up to the other homeschool moms we know.
We are joined in the studio by Kym Smythe, Sabrina Justison and Vicki Tillman, three of the sisters from 7SistersHomeschool.com and The Homeschool Highschool Podcast. We discuss how to handle the competition, comparisons and the desperate need to get it right...
2021-08-2838 minHomeschooling IRLThe Desperate Need To Get It Right – HIRL Episode 127
When we talk about the desperate need to get it right, Fletch is quick to say, “Oh! You mean homeschooling in the age of Pinterest?” On this episode we are talking about how to homeschool when we feel like we just don’t measure up to the other homeschool moms we know.
We are joined in the studio by Kym Smythe, Sabrina Justison and Vicki Tillman, three of the sisters from 7SistersHomeschool.com and The Homeschool Highschool Podcast. We discuss how to handle the competition, comparisons and the desperate need to get it right.
7Siste...
2016-11-2100 min
Vintage Homeschool Moms5 Keys To Homeschool SuccessLet’s Talk About the 5 Keys To Homeschool Success
with Felice Gerwitz
and special guests Dennis DiNoia, Vicki Tillman, Sabrina Justison, Kym Smythe, and Jan Bedell
Podcast #155
Is there such a thing as homeschool success? What does it mean, what is the solution – are there only five keys? In this podcast celebrating the Ultimate Homeschool Radio Network’s birthday some special guests drop in — podcasters on this network. Dennis (aka Mr. D. Math), Vicki, Sabrina and Kym, (aka The Highschool Homeschool Podcast), Jan (Brain Coach Tips).
In this podcast we will...
2016-10-0300 min
The Sociable HomeschoolerA Real Live Diva: Sabrina JustisonMy job is to bust stereotypes and referring to my guest this week as a diva could strike some sensitive chords! But let me clarify, a diva is a Prima Donna, a first lady and Sabrina Justison, playwright, singer-songwriter and fellow thespian, is a diva in her field. Sabrina teaches acting classes, leads one week intensive Drama Camps and talks about Performing Arts at homeschool conventions. She is going to help me take the arched eyebrow out of reactions to theatre and homeschooling being mentioned in the same breath when we talk about theatre being really good for the whole...
2012-05-0457 min