Amplified Voices
Amber & Jason - Criminal Legal Reform Advocates with Lived Experience
Amplified Voices is a podcast that lifts the voices of people and families impacted by the criminal legal system. Hosts Jason and Amber speak with real people in real communities to help them step into the power of their lived experience. Together, they explore shared humanity and real solutions for positive change.
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Top 10 Amplified Voices Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best Amplified Voices episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to Amplified Voices for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite Amplified Voices episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
03/07/22 • 58 min
Ray Boyd was incarcerated in 1992, facing a 50 year sentence. He ultimately spent close to 30 years in prison in Connecticut before being released. Ray experienced Covid 19 while incarcerated and reentry during the pandemic. Ray shares his story with Amber and Jason. Ray, Amber, and Jason are joined by Barbara Fair from Stop Solitary Connecticut.
You can find Ray's book, Model Inmate on Amazon by clicking here.
In 2021, the Protect Act to limit the use of Solitary Confinement and create oversight for the Department of Corrections was passed by the Connecticut House and Senate. Governor Lamont vetoed the bill, and instead issued an executive order that can be repealed at any time. In 2022, Connecticut advocates led by Stop Solitary are organizing to finally have the Protect Act signed into law.
You can learn more about Stop Solitary CT visiting here.
Background on The PROTECT Act
An Act Promoting Responsible Oversight and Treatment, and Ensuring Correctional Transparency (PROTECT) Act would: 1) create a Commission for Correctional Oversight made up of formerly incarcerated people, family members, experts in medicine, mental health, and corrections, and representatives from the legislative and executive branch; 2) stop extreme isolation and promote effective alternatives, bringing Connecticut in compliance with international minimum human rights standards; 3) end abusive restraints and dehumanizing strip searches; 4) protect social bonds by guaranteeing incarcerated people a minimum number of free letters and access to contact visits; 5) promote correctional officer wellness by requiring trainings and other strategies to mitigate trauma; and 6) promote transparency by requiring public reporting of key corrections department data.
LaResse Harvey - Surviving & Thriving -Season 4 Episode 2
Amplified Voices
05/13/23 • 63 min
In this episode of Amplified Voices, Jason & Amber speak with LaReese Harvey, a Connecticut native and walking testament to the power of perseverance. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and a formerly incarcerated black woman, she's faced some of the greatest oppression there is. Despite encountering significant obstacles and trauma, LaResse has committed herself to breaking down the abuse to prison pipeline through her writing, coaching and public advocacy.
LaReese is the author of the book, Buttons Journey, as well as one of the first inductees into the Great 8, organized by the Connecticut Hall of Change . She welcomes communications and inquiries at [email protected] and expresses a sincere thanks to Community Partners in Action for their love and support during her reentry process.
*Trigger warning* This episode includes references to childhood sexual abuse and violence behind bars. Survivors of violence should listen with a support person, listen in chunks or turn the podcast off if needed.
Greg Mingo: Seeing the World Through More than One Pair of Eyes - Season 5 Episode 2
Amplified Voices
03/31/24 • 74 min
Life can twist and turn in unexpected ways, as Greg Mingo, a Harlem native, profoundly understands. His story, one of resilience amidst the vibrant yet challenging streets of New York, unfolds as he shares the gravity of his choices and the socioeconomic forces that impacted his life. Our latest episode invites you into an intimate conversation with Mingo, revealing the stark realities youth face, navigating through a world that's often pitted against them, and the consequences that follow.
From a life-altering injury to a wrongful conviction that led to decades of imprisonment, Mingo's personal trials are a testament to the human spirit's capacity for endurance and transformation. His journey through the criminal justice system exposes battles of a legal case that captivated media attention. Yet, amid the harshness of incarceration, Mingo's will to educate himself, advocate for others, and his ultimate triumph in securing clemency with the help of a high profile campaign (#FreeGregMingo), illuminates a path of redemption and action that continues to inspire at 69 years old.
In an age where second chances can be scarce, Mingo's advocacy work shines a beacon on the importance of reform and empathy within the legal system. He shares with listeners the value of the 'clemency collective', a group dedicated to system reform, and invites us all to engage with the transformative potential of individuals having an opportunity to redefine their lives. Join Amber, Jason and Mingo on Amplified Voices Mingo's continues to uplift his voice - a rallying cry for change, hope, and understanding.
About Greg Mingo:
Greg Mingo is a clemency grantee who spent over 40 years in prison following a wrongful conviction. He was released in September 2021. Greg has taught the law, communications, domestic violence, and fatherhood. He is an ambassador for the innocent project. He is a community leader for Releasing Aging People in Prison (RAPP) advocating for parole reform. He also works with CUNY Law School on clemency, resentencing and parole issues. He co-founded the Clemency Collective to advocate for the granting of clemency on a rolling basis. He is a consultant for In Arm’s Reach a foundation that tutors and mentors the children of incarcerated parents. Additionally, Greg works with Hudson Link for higher education in prison, volunteering his time to build transitional housing for men and women returning home. Change.org has recognized Greg as one of the top change makers in 2021 and again in 2022. In January, Greg was honored with a proclamation from the New York State Senate for his work to improve opportunities for the wrongly convicted and those who deserve a second chance. Greg is an advocate for social, racial, and criminal justice reform, and so much more.
Morgan Godvin - Incarceration Is Not The Answer To Our Drug Crisis - Season 2 Episode 8
Amplified Voices
08/11/21 • 49 min
In this episode, Jason and Amber speak with Morgan Godvin, a freelance writer, scholar and advocate who spent time behind bars after she sold her best friend heroin and he died of an overdose. In a matter of days, Morgan found herself grappling with the death of her friend while also navigating an unrelenting justice system. Morgan shares her story of addiction and struggle, highlighting how she quickly became aware of racial and socioeconomic disparities in the criminal legal system. She explains how our nation's reliance on incarceration exacerbates addiction and often charges family members, friends, and others who share drugs as murderers while doing nothing to help.
In February of 2020, Morgan was appointed to serve as a commissioner on Oregon’s Alcohol and Drug Policy Commission. In January of 2021, she was appointed by the Oregon Health Authority to the Measure 110 Oversight and Accountability Council where she was one of 21 Oregonians determining the grant funding that came in tandem with drug decriminalization.
You can learn more about Morgan at https://www.morgangodvin.com/
A listing of her published writings can be found at: https://www.morgangodvin.com/portfolio
Watch Morgan's appearance on CNN here: https://www.cnn.com/videos/tv/2020/11/14/from-addiction-to-advocacy-for-drug-decriminalization.cnn
Marty Weiss - Life is Complicated- Season 2 Episode 10
Amplified Voices
10/04/21 • 41 min
Amber and Jason spoke with Marty and took a deep dive into Marty's life before he took actions that landed him in the criminal legal system. Marty shares the bullying and sexual assaults he endured as a young gay man and how this shaped his response to the world. You can hear him express remorse for his actions and what he learned through the process. He describes some aspects of his time in prison. Marty talks about the support he found with ACSOL (https://all4consolaws.org), how he has rebuilt his life, and the work he does now to support others. He also talks about his new book "Thanks for the Infamy."
If you're interested in his book, you can email [email protected], go to https://payhip.com/b/aT86b or send a direct message on Twitter to Marty @mwmtalent.
Chris - Keep Moving Forward - Season 4 - Episode 1
Amplified Voices
03/21/23 • 79 min
Amplified Voices is back! In this episode, Amber and Jason met with Chris who shares the impact that a conviction, incarceration and registration has had on his plans to serve his country and to lead a good life. Chris shares his challenges and successes as he works to overcome many of the obstacles he faces as a parent, caregiver, professional and community member forced to register in the state of Florida.
Chris advocates with Florida Action Committee, more information on their work can be found here: https://floridaactioncommittee.org/
12/12/23 • 65 min
When we think of motherhood, the images that typically come to mind are those of joy, love, and celebration. But what happens when the journey to motherhood unfolds in a place designed for punishment, not nurturing? Our guest, Brittany, exposes the stark and heartbreaking realities of becoming a mother in prison. We journey with her through the heartache of pregnancy behind bars, the profound isolation, and the harsh judgment of society.
Is it possible to find healing and self-discovery in such a bleak environment? Brittany's story says yes. She recounts the harrowing experience of giving birth shackled to a hospital bed, waking up to a corrections officer in the room, and then embarking on a journey toward self-discovery and healing. Her story peels back the layers of the prison system, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing the underlying issues that lead to incarceration.
Finally, we delve into Brittany's life post-incarceration and the impact it had on her relationships and personal development. Brittany's story is not just one of struggle and hardship, but also one of resilience, self-reflection, and determination. This episode underscores the importance of looking beyond assumptions and recognizing the potential and humanity of individuals impacted by the criminal legal system. Brittany's story is a testament to the power of hope and the human capacity for change.
About Brittany:
Brittany is a determined advocate for human rights, youth justice, and legal policy reforms at the state, national, and international level. She has worked as a Justice Advisor for CTJA since 2021.
She holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut, and she is currently pursuing a J.D and Masters in Public Policy at UConn. Brittany personifies the power of education as an alum of Yale Law School’s Access to Law Fellowship and a Frederic Bastiat Fellow of the Mercatus Center at George Mason University.
Brittany brings her unique blend of lived experience and scholarship to her many leadership roles; she serves as Project Manager of the Juvenile Justice Policy and Oversight Committee with the Tow Youth Justice Institute, Smart Justice Leader with the ACLU of Connecticut, International Justice Exchange Project lead with the Institute of Municipal and Regional Policy, a member of the New England Commission on the Future of Higher Education in Prison, and Assistant Director of the National Prison Debate League.
Richard Bronson -Wall Street to Prison to Commissary Club Entrepreneur- Season 2 Episode 2
Amplified Voices
02/07/21 • 64 min
Amber and Jason talk with Richard about his experience with Wall Street as part of the Wolf of Wall Street firm. In the conversation, Richard takes us on his journey from prison and all of the collateral consequences to reentry up through his entrepreneurial efforts focused on others who have been incarcerated. He takes us from New York to Florida to California.
From Richard's bio on his new site Commissary Club: Richard was the founder and CEO of 70 Million Jobs and 70 Million Staffing. Before launching 70 Million Jobs, Richard served as Director of Defy Ventures, a 501(c)3 organization dedicated to providing incarcerated men and women second chances upon release. Before that, he was a co-founder of the popular nostalgia website, DoYouRemember.com. His career began on Wall Street, where he managed money at Lehman Bros. and Bear Stearns. He eventually went on to found Biltmore Securities, a registered broker-dealer based in South Florida. Richard grew Biltmore to nearly 500 employees and took many companies public. After Biltmore, Richard founded Channels Magazine and launched several successful consumer product and service businesses. Richard was convicted of securities fraud in 2002, arising from his activities in the 1990s and served two years in a Federal prison camp.
https://www.commissary.club
https://www.70millionjobs.com
Deb Martinez - Shared Survival - Episode 15
Amplified Voices
11/11/20 • 57 min
Deb Martinez's brother is currently incarcerated in Connecticut. In this episode, Deb shares her experience as an advocate for her brother as well as for other incarcerated individuals and their families. She also talks about when she was the victim of a sexual assault as a teenager, an occurrence that completely changed the trajectory of her life. Like most stories, Deb's is multi-dimensional and one you won't want to miss. Deb can be found on twitter as @victim2advocate, on Facebook or by email at [email protected].
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FAQ
How many episodes does Amplified Voices have?
Amplified Voices currently has 50 episodes available.
What topics does Amplified Voices cover?
The podcast is about Society & Culture, Criminal Justice, Justice, Podcasts, Civil Rights and Criminal Justice Reform.
What is the most popular episode on Amplified Voices?
The episode title 'Richard Bronson -Wall Street to Prison to Commissary Club Entrepreneur- Season 2 Episode 2' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on Amplified Voices?
The average episode length on Amplified Voices is 53 minutes.
How often are episodes of Amplified Voices released?
Episodes of Amplified Voices are typically released every 21 days, 4 hours.
When was the first episode of Amplified Voices?
The first episode of Amplified Voices was released on Jul 18, 2020.
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