American Dreams Podcast

Reflections

Reflecting on Season 2 of American Dreams: Behind the Journey In this wrap-up episode of 'American Dreams' season 2, the team reflects on the creation and emotional journey of the podcast, featuring insights from team members Erika, Simone, and Will. They revisit significant episodes, share behind-the-scenes moments, and explore compelling stories of resilience and injustice, from Marcus Alston's controversial conviction to Sammy's wrongful imprisonment. The conversation broadens to touch on systemic issues within the prison system, the impact on families, and the enduring quest for justice and humanity. Tune in to understand the profound takeaway and mission behind Season 2 of 'American Dreams.' American Dreams: Reproductive Justice is hosted, created and executive produced by Erika Washington.  Associate Producer Simone Endress Edited by: Erika Washington, Simone Endress and Wil Black Researcher: Simone Endress Editing and Music Supervision by Wil Black for Black Gypsy Music Graphic Design by Mingo Collaso American Dreams courtesy of Flobots Special thanks to KUNV 91.5  This podcast is empowered by Make it Work Nevada, a Project of Tides Advocacy For more information please visit Make It Work Nevada.org and find us on all the socials to learn more about our work to create a world we all can thrive in.

A Different Kind Of Pedestal

“A Different Kind Of Pedestal”  You’re out of prison, now what?  As we wrap up our journey with Phillip Sample, Alvin Hill and Cincere Al’Talet and this season of American Dreams, we hear directly from them what prison was like and how they navigated their day to day in both state and federal lockup. How has their family and community ties affected their journey through their newest chapter as advocates for the community? Is this pedestal harder to to stay on and is there a safety net that will protect them.  Many formerly incarcerated individuals with felony convictions now have access to vote but that doesn’t mean they feel obligated or motivated to cast a ballot. We talk about how they feel about voting and what change could really mean.  In this episode we also hear from Assemblyman Howard Watts on what the passing of Nevada's question 4 could mean for Nevada.  Plus, hear the hit song, “Black Exploitation” in its entiretity–the song inspired by season 2 of American Dreams Reproductive Justice. Available on all streaming platforms.  https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/wilblack/black-exploitation-feat-coop-da-real-project-logic-kaliq-sayyid-cierra-nikole--grov-gt-tigue-iv [https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/wilblack/black-exploitation-feat-coop-da-real-project-logic-kaliq-sayyid-cierra-nikole--grov-gt-tigue-iv] American Dreams: Reproductive Justice is hosted, created and executive produced by Erika Washington Associate Producer Simone Endress Edited by: Erika Washington, Simone Endress and Wil Black Researcher: Simone Endress Editing and Music Supervision by Wil Black for Black Gypsy Music Graphic Design by Mingo Collaso American Dreams courtesy of Flobots Special thanks to KUNV 91.5  This podcast is empowered by Make it Work Nevada, a Project of Tides Advocacy For more information please visit Make It Work Nevada.org and find us on all the socials to learn more about our work to create a world we all can thrive in.

The Other Side of a Dollar

In this episode of American Dreams: Reproductive Justice we introduce you to three men whose individual stories intersect through violence, struggle and ultimately success and investment into the community that shaped them.  High unemployment rates, broken infrastructure, crack cocaine and gang violence plagued the inner city of Detroit during the 1980’s. Families struggled to piece together any resemblance of an American Dream without the resources or the comfort needed to rest well or long enough to dream.  Alvin Hill, Cinceré Al’Talet, and Phillip Sample give us a glimpse into what it’s like to walk in their shoes. Their experiences are laid out in a raw and unapologetic way that gives space for us to understand how you could end up incarcerated and how you can also become powerful educated community leaders. Their story continues in episode 5.  American Dreams: Reproductive Justice is hosted, created and executive produced by Erika Washington Associate Producer Simone Endress Edited by: Erika Washington, Simone Endress and Wil Black Researcher: Simone Endress Editing and Music Supervision by Wil Black for Black Gypsy Music Graphic Design by Mingo Collaso American Dreams courtesy of Flobots Special thanks to KUNV 91.5  This podcast is empowered by Make it Work Nevada, a Project of Tides Advocacy For more information please visit Make It Work Nevada.org and find us on all the socials to learn more about our work to create a world we all can thrive in.

The Injustice System Cannot Break Us

Is this a case of being a criminal or being gay? In this episode of American Dreams: Reproductive Justice we continue the conversation of incarceration and what can happen when women are incarcerated while pregnant. We want to introduce you to Sammy Werkheiser. A wife, mother, and former dance teacher in New York who loved working with children and lost everything after being accused of molesting her own daughter. She spent years in prison fighting for rights to be free and to be a mother.  We later hear from Dr. Mike Koeings, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin Madison and Aaron Hicks, a formerly incarcerated man who is now a reentry coordinator, who are working together to change how mental health issues caused by incarceration are approached and studied.  This episode discusses domestic and intimate partner violence and sexual assault. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, call 1 800 799 SAFE.  American Dreams: Reproductive Justice is hosted, created and executive produced by Erika Washington Associate Producer Simone Endress Edited by: Erika Washington, Simone Endress and Wil Black Researcher: Simone Endress Editing and Music Supervision by Wil Black for Black Gypsy Music Graphic Design by Mingo Collaso American Dreams courtesy of Flobots Special thanks to KUNV 91.5  This podcast is empowered by Make it Work Nevada, a Project of Tides Advocacy For more information please visit Make It Work Nevada.org and find us on all the socials to learn more about our work to create a world we all can thrive in.

Dreaming of the Day I Wake Up

This season we are following stories of people touched by incarceration, all pushing forward to find their way into a better space. Is it possible to live through tragedy, addiction and incarceration and become an elected official?  In this episode of American Dreams: Reproductive Justice, we’re continuing the conversation of how the carceral system affects families and communities. Today I’d like you to meet Jovan Jackson. He’s 32, born and raised in Las Vegas, and comes from a family with two loving parents. He’s been an entrepreneur, community advocate and has committed himself to staying both civically and politically engaged in his community. He’s also a convicted felon. American Dreams: Reproductive Justice  is a podcast that will explore exactly what Reproductive Justice means. A thoughtful framework  born in 1994, by 12 Black women in Chicago. The four principles of Reproductive Justice are: 1. The right to have a child 2. The right to not have a child (which includes sterilization, which many doctors won’t do) 3. The right to have a child in a healthy environment and then raise them safely free from violence and with access to resources 4. The right to bodily autonomy and sexual pleasure Season 2 of American Dreams will expand upon last season’s exploration of reproductive justice, centering stories of those touched by incarceration. Highlighting the effects of the carceral system and its effects on the directly and indirectly impacted people through the lens of reproductive justice.  American Dreams: Reproductive Justice Season 2 is executive produced and hosted by Erika Washington, powered by Make It Work Nevada. The podcast is associate produced, written and edited by Simone Endress. Music by Wil Black for Black Gypsy Music. Graphic designs by Mingo Collaso. A special thanks to Flobots for the use of their song ‘American Dreams’.  Special thanks to KUNV 91.5  This podcast is empowered by Make it Work Nevada, a Project of Tides Advocacy For more information please visit Make It Work Nevada.org and find us on all the socials to learn more about our work to create a world we all can thrive in. – Information in this episode found on: Websites: Childrensrights.org sciencedirect.org