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Artwork for Notes From The Pen

Notes From The Pen

Caldwell
Prison Industrial Complex
Mental Health
Prison Reform
Incarceration
Prison Life
Art
Prison
Freedom
Creativity
Michigan Prison System
Doug Stanhope
Addiction
Charlie Kirk
Neoliberalism
Friendship
Parole
Rehabilitation
Anxiety
Social Media
Political Discourse

A pebble in the shoe of the Prison Industrial Complex. Notes From The Pen is a modern portrait of American incarceration told, in real time, through a series of fifteen-minute phone calls between two special degenerates on opposite sides of a prison wall. Our website: Notesfromthepen.com Check out our reviews: www.podparadise.com/Podcast/Reviews/1518819034

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes290Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
DocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Notes From The Pen

Latest Episodes

Updates on Bobby living in Las Vegas and meeting his new Parole Officer, finally feeling free after 12 years in prison, and finding your place in life.

B.L.A.C.K. Label Art blacklabelart.shop/

You can read more about Bobby and prison refor... more

Bobby's post prison journey continues with his trip out to Las Vegas as he transfers parole out of Michigan. He's experiencing parts of America he's never seen, and reflecting on his freedom and the long road that's still ahead.

B.L.A.C.K. Label Ar... more

Bobby running solo this week while Miss Ray is in Florida, and JD is away on family business. For the past 12 years Bobby learned how to live on the inside of prison, and learning to live on the outside has been more challenging and stressful than he... more

The boys list their favorite movies of all time and talk all things cinema in a lightened episode for all. What are your top 3 movies of all time and why?

B.L.A.C.K. Label Art blacklabelart.shop/

You can read more about Bobby and prison re... more

Key Facts

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The Doug Stanhope Podcast
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Recent Guests

Greg Wright
Former professor who taught inside prisons and juvenile facilities; expert in film and creative writing
Michigan State University (former), various teaching positions
Episode: EP #245 - Lost Stories: A Look Inside Prison With; An Inmate, A Professor, And A Night Keeper
Jack Daniels JD
Guest, co-hosting with the regulars
Notes From The Pen
Episode: EP #243 - Anxiety, Healthcare, And Institutionalized Caution
Mama C
Mother of the hosts, frequent collaborator and supporter of the cause
Episode: EP #240 - Finding Meaning From the Bottom of Maslow’s Pyramid
Bobby Ray
Second half of the superhero duo on the podcast
Episode: EP #235 - No Manual For Post Prison Anxiety: The Story Of Bobby-Ray
Doug Stanhope
A well-known comedian and podcaster, who has influenced the hosts' work.
Episode: EP #228 - Comedic Hero, Charlie Kirk, And Tolerance

Hosts

Bobby C
Host of Notes From The Pen, formerly incarcerated
Mama C
Co-host/partner accompanying the journey, and participant in discussion

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 194 ratings
  • Bobby is actually a solid dude

    I did time with Bobby at St. Louis Correctional Facility. He’s one of the only people who was able to hold an intellectual conversation. He’s insightful. He’s been through a lot. He’s actually a really good person. Happy to call him a homie. Can’t wait to see what you do when you’re out, Chino!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ZackFenner
    United States2 years ago
  • Where’s the communist?

    Not here

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lesiure Lotion
    United States3 years ago
  • He brings us behind the prison razor wire

    Notes From The Pen is a fantastic podcast that offers insightful and thought-provoking discussions on various topics related to the criminal justice system. The hosts are knowledgeable and engaging, and the guests they bring on offer valuable perspectives and experiences. Whether you're interested in prison reform or simply want to learn more about the realities of life behind bars, Notes From The Pen is definitely worth listening to. Highly recommended!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cold in the north
    United States3 years ago
  • Needs to blow up

    Slept on everyone needs to hear this

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nvy326
    United States4 years ago
  • Great podcast!

    Bobby shines a light on the dark corner of society called “The Correctional Institution”. In a very entertaining and clever way, we get to see what life is like for those in the penal system. I’ve been a solid listener since Doug turned me on to his podcast

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bluff monster
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests and hosts are praised for honesty, empathy, and hard-hitting discussions of reform.
The show is appreciated for its community focus and Patreon-supported transparency.
Audiences value unvarnished, authentic storytelling from inside incarceration.
Criticism centers on production quality and format changes; many still respect the mission and voices.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

EP #245 - Lost Stories: A Look Inside Prison With; An Inmate, A Professor, And A Night Keeper
Q: Can you describe the ethical considerations involved in adapting prison histories into new forms of media or literature?
Ethics involve ensuring that the narratives center the lived experiences of those involved, avoid sensationalism, and seek to empower participants; it's about telling truth with responsibility and acknowledging who has the right to tell certain stories.
EP #245 - Lost Stories: A Look Inside Prison With; An Inmate, A Professor, And A Night Keeper
Q: How has teaching in juvenile and adult facilities shaped your views on rehabilitation versus punishment?
Teaching has shown that meaningful intervention—like education and therapy—can alter life trajectories, whereas a punitive approach tends to entrench harm; the system often lacks the resources to provide proper rehabilitation, which leads to worse outcomes after release.
EP #245 - Lost Stories: A Look Inside Prison With; An Inmate, A Professor, And A Night Keeper
Q: Why did you decide to start this podcast and tell these stories from inside prisons?
The goal was to counter two-dimensional depictions of incarceration by giving real, human voices a platform, preserving stories that would otherwise be lost, and highlighting the potential for education and storytelling to create empathy and change.
EP #221 - The Edge Of Freedom; Anxiety, And The Balance Between Control And Love
Q: Did you want to talk about that?
Yeah, it was a good segue.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About Notes From The Pen

What is Notes From The Pen about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two long-running hosts discuss the realities of American incarceration through intimate, in-depth conversations and serialized storytelling. Episodes center on parole, reintegration, prison healthcare, education inside facilities, and the human impact of the criminal justice system, often mixing humor with hard-hitting insights. Noteworthy are guest perspectives from educators, researchers, and community voices, plus a strong grassroots feel driven by patron support and a transparent, survivor-informed lens that appeals to listeners who crave authentic, lived-experience storytelling and policy critique.

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Which podcasts are similar to Notes From The Pen?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Notes From The Pen:

1. The Doug Stanhope Podcast

How many episodes of Notes From The Pen are there?

Notes From The Pen launched 6 years ago and published 290 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Notes From The Pen?

Recent guests on Notes From The Pen include:

1. Greg Wright
2. Jack Daniels JD
3. Mama C
4. Bobby Ray
5. Doug Stanhope

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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