Podcasts: The Hustler Files
The Hustler Files
The Hustler Files – Storytelling That Will Challenge What You Thought You Knew
Join creator and host Lisa Reilly every Saturday morning from 9:32 AM to 10:00 AM, streaming here on WHMP.com, or find us on your favorite podcast platform. Each week, we bring storytelling with grit, purpose, and possibility to break stigmas, reshape narratives, and amplify the voices of justice-involved individuals, advocates, and change-makers. We’ll explore the criminal justice system, addiction recovery, domestic violence, human trafficking, fair-chance employment, and prison reform through powerful storytelling and candid interviews that bring humanity to issues too often overlooked.
Please reach out with questions or comments to thehustlerfiles@outlook.com
The Hustler Files Ep 8
A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE HOUSE, PART 2
“When we take the responsibility for cultivating our true self, we break the ties that bind us to the illusions of who and what we falsely think we are.” In part 1 of the interviews with incarcerated individuals finishing up their sentences in the Bridge to the Future House in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, you met Dakota, Matt, Sonny and Eric. In part 2, Eric speaks of how his alcoholism is tied to his self-esteem and self-love, but also how his ability to change is tied to having something bigger than himself to connect to. Future careers, after their time behind the wall is shared as is their final words of wisdom. Advice hard won.
The Hustler Files Ep 7
A BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE HOUSE, PART 1
“Your mind and habits will create either barriers or bridges to a better future” – Dr. Al Siebert. While re-entry programs, 2nd chance hiring, education, and halfway houses are known to lower recidivism rates, it is still, sadly, not the norm. If there is an upside to being jailed in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, it is their 16-bed halfway house with community-based programming and educational opportunities called, most appropriately, The Bridge to the Future House. In part 1 of this two-part story, on location, in the kitchen at the house, incarcerated individuals, Dakota, Matt, Sonny, and Eric, share the stories of what put them behind the wall, and the steps they are taking to become better citizens, parents, and people once they have served their time.
The Hustler Files Ep 6
RAISING THE BAR AND LOWERING RECIDIVISM RATES, ONE DEGREE AT A TIME
The word Partake means ‘to consume’ and for those who become incarcerated, having lost everything will when given the opportunity for educational pursuits, be like sponges, ready and willing to participate as education returns them back some of their dignity. At Partakers dot Org, a College Behind Bars degree program through Boston College, Emerson and Tufts University, and most recently the Partakers Empowerment Program (PEP) in association with Brandeis University has for 25 years, within the State of Massachusetts, offered higher education and community mentoring for re-entry, to bridge the divide between those inside and outside of prison and assist with reducing recidivism.
The Hustler Files Ep 5
MEL & MEREDITH SPRINGFIELD, 2ND CHANCE HEROES
Not all heroes wear capes, masks and carry a shield, but at Meredith Springfield, a Ludlow Massachusetts manufacturing facility for Fortune 100 companies, Owner Mel O’Leary has spent twenty years as a 2nd chance employer! In his relationship with the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department, Mel has not only employed a few hundred formerly incarcerated but approximately one-third of those 2nd chance hires have continued to stay on with him and some have even moved into management positions. Joining Mel in the conversation is Luis, an ex-offender for drug conspiracy, who entered Federal prison at the age of 18 and stayed incarcerated for six years. As with all the Meredith Springfield 2nd chance hires, Luis was given the opportunity to work for Mel while finishing up his sentence in the Hampden re-entry program. Listen in to find out how Mel’s 2nd chance hiring has not been in vain.
The Hustler Files Ep 4
THE POWER OF TOGETHER
When Judy Issacson Elias launched the Heroes To Heroes organization in 2010 to help War Zone Veterans who had suffered moral injury she couldn’t have imagined that almost 13 years later she, her staff and her volunteers would have positively impacted 350 veterans and have 750 on a waiting list to join her 18 month program that includes a 10-day biblical journey of faith, to Israel. Seventeen veterans commit suicide every day in the United States and Judy says that to impact veterans suffering from moral injury, is at the core, all about faith.
The Hustler Files Ep 3
THIS ISN’T THE WILD WEST ANYMORE
In days of old the local Sheriff would protect the town and lock up the ‘bad guys’ until the Circuit Judge showed up for a trial and a sentencing. There were no ‘reentry’ programs, support services or opportunities to redeem oneself. Modern times, in most cases has changed the thought process around reform and reentry and thankfully people like Sheriff Patrick J. Cahillane of the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Department believe that the offerings of resources, such as housing, for those he calls ‘de-incarcerated’ are not only needed but life-changing to prevent recidivism.
The Hustler Files Ep 2
WE ARE NOT DEFINED BY OUR WORST MOMENT
Most of humanity has experienced a ‘worst moment’ in life. If you’re Behind The Wall, other than a rare few, in that your worst moment, you broke the law. Business Strategist, Author and Advocate for Second Chance Hiring Jeffrey Korzenik says, “Whether through resources available in your facility or available after your release, demonstrate that you are not defined by your worst moment”. This is the case of former inmate Gabriel Santiago who took advantage of the resources and connections available after his re-entry back into society, and with the help of Mark Mitchell, the AISS Mentorship Program Coordinator, Gabe is now an AISS Volunteer Mentor and a Care Coordinator at the Stonybrook Stabilization & Treatment Center, (STCC).
The Hustler Files Ep 1
MEET AISS (THE ALL -INCLUSIVE SUPPORT SERVICES PROGRAM)
Whether you’re getting ready to re-enter the world post incarceration or you’re on probation or parole or you are just struggling with drugs, employment, housing, and more, the All-Inclusive Support Services Program is ready and available to help! AISS is a division of the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, and they provide access to individualized services no matter what level of help you need, AND they were the first full-service reentry program in the U.S., launching in 1996! Of course, there is SO much more at AISS than could be covered in this episode so paste this link in your browser – http://hcsdma.org/aiss-3/ for more information.
