WE GOT US NOW Podcast

A 7-week campaign series from Mother’s day through Father’s day with weekly multimedia activations that exploring one of the most urgent and overlooked child well-being issues in America. New episodes air weekly centering the voices of directly affected daughters, sons and families who share personal stories and solutions for sustaining family bonds, complemented by interviews with researchers, sector-focused practitioners, systems leaders and subject-matter experts offering systemic insights from all across the United States. The acclaimed podcast amplifies underrepresented narratives and promotes greater awareness, empathy, and deeper conversations. Throughout this campaign series, you will gain in-depth perspectives and insights, learn what policies and practices are working to #KeepFamiliesConnected, and find out ways to ensure the well-being of children with incarcerated parents in the United States for as long as jails and prisons exist.

You can listen to all episodes on Apple Podcasts, Spotify,‍ ‍iHeartRadio or Amazon Music.

 
 

SEASON II

 
 

Our 1st Episode features Isabel Coronado, a Researcher, Policy Entrepreneur and Advocate for Native American youth impacted by parental incarceration, who has been on a mission to disrupt systemic oppression for children and families.

The 2nd Episode features Anyé Young, a courageous youth advocate for prison reform best known for the book she self-published when she was 16 years old: Teen Guide to Living With Incarcerated Parents (#TGLWIP). Young shares her story as a way to guide and educate teens in similar situations, equipping them with the tools to overcome any stigma or shame associated with their parents' incarceration.

The 3rd Episode features, Dr. Alexandria Pech, Ph.D., a Researcher, WE GOT US NOW Actionist and a First Generation Latina Doctora. Dr. Pech graduated in MAY 2022 as a Doctor of Philosophy with a Ph.D in Family Studies and Human Development at The University of Arizona. Her dissertation centered identity and familial incarceration, specifically regarding black and brown girls of color. Dr. Pech has been a leading voice and advocate for children and young adults with incarcerated parents in the states of Arizona and California.

In Episode 4, WE GOT US NOW Founder/CEO, Ebony Underwood, is in conversation with The Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Christine Norbut Beyer, an ally in the work to #KeepFamiliesConnected. Beyer is redefining the agency as a prevention-focused, child and family serving department, with a vision to help keep all New Jerseyans Safe, Healthy, and Connected. Under her leadership, out of home removals have been reduced and children’s mental health has significantly improved.

Episode 5, featuring Brooklyn District Attorney, Eric Gonzalez, the first Latino District Attorney in New York State is NOT to be MISSED. This compelling discussion gives insight into the trailblazing, transformative work his office is doing for the Kings County community by shifting toward preventative and accountability solutions with a track record of success, and away from over-reliance on criminal convictions and incarceration.

Episode 6 is an UPDATE from last season with WE GOT US NOW Actionist Ashley Jackson. This season, Ashley joins us with a very SPECIAL GUEST, her father, Orrin Jackson who received a sentence reduction and came home after 31 years in federal prison. Together, Ashley and her father, Orrin are Dream Corps JUSTICE North Carolina Empathy Network Leaders leading the charge, as subject matter experts, from North Carolina on the importance of the proposed EQUAL ACT by educating and informing legislators and policymakers.

 
 

SEASON I

 
 

In this seventh episode, WE spotlight WE GOT US NOW Actionist, Tony Lewis Jr and his journey of being a child impacted by the incarceration of his Dad, Tony Lewis. Tony Jr is seeking relief for his father, Tony Lewis Sr''s, extremely harsh sentence.

 
 

In this sixth episode, WE spotlight (3) Eleven year old girls from our WE GOT US NOW Jr Actionist Leaders community ~ Amira, Camaya & Ka'Miya give in-depth accounts about their personal experiences of having a parent behind bars, the cost of staying connected to their incarcerated parents emotionally, physically and financially and the POWERFUL solutions they each offer to decision makers about supporting children with incarcerated parents.

 
 

In this fifth episode, WE spotlight father Antoine Digital and daughter Jay Jay Digital and their remarkable story of turning a negative into a positive by utilizing tech to bridge families together through their nonprofit, Photo Patch Foundation and their educational tech academy, Unlock Academy.

 
 

In this fourth episode, WE feature the story of photographer, deejay and influencer, Pere Monsanto and the documentary film, Run For His Life. Pete's journey of turning pain to power is a motivating one for young people who have been impacted by parental incarceration and incarcerated or formerly incarcerated parents.

 
 

In this third episode, WE spotlight We Got Us Now Actionist, Shalei Heflin's story about growing up with her parents incarcerated and the challenges that have come along with it.

 
 

Ashley is the ONLY child of Orrin Jackson and after 31 years in prison she wants her Dad home. WE will hear about the trials and tribulations Ashley and her family have endured over the past 3 decades and uplift Ashley's resilient spirit in her advocacy efforts to seek her Father's release from prison.

 
 

For our 3rd annual #KeepFamiliesConnected campaign series, WE launch the first episode of the WE GOT US NOW podcast will highlight + uplift daughters seeking justice for their Mother's behind bars and the importance of remembering those still lingering behind bars stuck in legal limbo.