Written Off

Lemonada Media

Walter Thompson-Hernández speaks with formerly incarcerated young writers whose work will be read over the course of the season by creatives like John Legend, Issa Rae, Yvonne Orji, Karamo Brown, Jay Ellis, Keke Palmer, Julio Torres, and Jesse Williams. Vulnerable poems and honest stories play out against a tailored soundtrack with original music. From Lemonada Media and Black Bar Mitzvah. The voices of those locked up in the U.S. prison system have been all but written off, but no more. These aren’t voices you’ve missed; they’re voices that haven’t been heard.

  • 59 minutes 19 seconds
    Featuring: Julia Gets Wise with Ruth Reichl

    Because Thanksgiving is basically Ruth Reichl season (the holy trinity of food, family, and feelings) we’re serving you a special episode of Julia Louis-Dreyfus' lovely conversation with her from Season 1 of Wiser Than Me.


    On this episode of Wiser Than Me, Julia gets enlightened by 77-year-old food writer, magazine editor, and author Ruth Reichl. From her infamous New York Times review of Le Cirque to greenlighting a controversial David Foster Wallace article in Gourmet, Ruth is as gutsy as they come. Ruth talks to Julia about living with a mom who has bipolar disorder, processing grief through food, and why you should always do things that scare you. Plus, Julia asks her mom Judith for a recommendation on what to cook when Ruth accepts an invitation for dinner.


    For more episodes, follow Wiser Than Me wherever you get your podcasts or head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefd

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    27 November 2025, 8:30 am
  • 1 hour 12 minutes
    A Special Listen: Julia Gets Wise with Roz Chast

    On the latest episode of Wiser Than Me, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 70-year-old New Yorker cartooning legend Roz Chast, whose humor and unforgettable illustrations Julia has adored for decades. They dive into Roz’s anxieties, obsessions, and the worldview behind her award-winning memoir “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?” Roz chats about raising kids through constant worry, caring for her aging parents, and how her work helps her make sense of the chaos. Plus, Julia’s mom Judy recalls how she handled the sex talk with Julia when she was growing up.

    For more episodes, head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefd or follow Wiser Than Me on Instagram and TikTok @wiserthanme and on Facebook at facebook.com/wiserthanmepodcast. Find us on Substack at wiserthanme.substack.com.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    24 November 2025, 8:30 am
  • 59 minutes 35 seconds
    Listen Now: Julia Gets Wise with Jane Curtin

    Today on the premiere episode of Wiser Than Me’s new season, Julia Louis-Dreyfus sits down with 78-year-old comedy icon and Saturday Night Live original cast member, Jane Curtin. They reminisce about the 50th anniversary celebration of SNL and the enduring friendships Jane formed with the women of that first cast. Jane shares the story of meeting her husband of 50 years, Patrick Lynch, their hands-on parenting, and navigating grief after his recent passing. Plus, Julia’s 91-year-old mom, Judy, recalls Julia landing the SNL job.


    After you listen, search Wiser Than Me, for more episodes wherever you get your podcasts or you can head to https://lemonada.lnk.to/wiserthanmefd

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    12 November 2025, 8:45 am
  • 28 minutes 37 seconds
    Learn More: Providing Access to Housing After Incarceration

    ​​Incarceration in the U.S. has profound flaws and consequences, but there are many people doing life-changing work to lessen its harm. In this special episode, Lemonada co-founder Stephanie Wittels Wachs sits down with two individuals whose organizations aim to increase access to housing for people who have been involved in the justice system. Stephanie speaks with Leslie Credle, founder and executive director of Justice 4 Housing in Boston, and Bernadette Butler, director of The Homecoming Project, an initiative out of Impact Justice in Northern California. The three discuss the realities faced by justice-involved individuals in today’s society, and how housing is both a human right and a crucial place to start when trying to improve lives.

    You can find Justice 4 Housing at justice4housing.org and @justice4housing on Instagram and YouTube. The Homecoming Project can be found through its parent organization at impactjustice.org and @impactjustice on Instagram and Facebook.

    Thank you to both of these organizations for making this episode possible.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    3 October 2023, 7:30 am
  • 36 minutes 11 seconds
    Introducing: Life Jolt

    Life Jolt - prison slang for a life sentence - examines the lives of women navigating Canada’s correctional system. The team gained unprecedented access to the Grand Valley Institution prison, the federal pen for women in Ontario, for a full year. They followed women going into prison for the first time, spoke with lifers who have been there for years, and parolees as they left. Hosted by Rosemary Green, a former inmate herself, Life Jolt focuses on individual women’s stories and the realities of prison life, and explores a wide range of issues including parenting behind bars, segregation, the over-representation of Indigenous women, addiction, trauma and the many obstacles of reintegration. More episodes are available at: smarturl.it/lifejolt

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    3 November 2021, 7:30 am
  • 44 minutes 43 seconds
    Collect Call. Kyle Murphy x Jesse Williams

    “Wash It Off.” Written by Kyle Murphy. Performed by Jesse Williams. Kyle chats with his friend (and series executive producer) Aaron Bergman a few weeks ahead of his release about his political activism and fully realizing his literary dreams after a decade inside the system. 

     

    “Some people might feel like they’ve written me off, but I’ve got news for them - that s*** is incorrect. I got a bright future ahead of me.” - Kyle Murphy

     

    Written Off contains mature language and themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. To hear a bleeped version, go to lemonadamedia.com/shows/writtenoff.

     

    Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

     

    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.


    Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 September 2021, 7:30 am
  • 28 minutes 12 seconds
    Ultimate Freedom. Ramon Escobar x Angelique Cabral

    “My People.” Written by Ramon Escobar. Performed by Angelique Cabral. Ramon is quick to thank InsideOUT Writers for helping him make the transition from feared gang member to highly-successful business owner who happily employs other IOW alums. 

     

    “I'm in a different place now where I don't have to hide this other person anymore - it's part of who I've become.” - Ramon Escobar

     

    Written Off contains mature language and themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. To hear a bleeped version, go to lemonadamedia.com/shows/writtenoff.

     

    Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

     

    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.


    Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    22 September 2021, 7:30 am
  • 23 minutes 40 seconds
    Inhaling Memories. Frank Jimenez x Danny Ramirez

    “2nd.” Written by Frank Jimenez. Performed by Danny Ramirez. Frank is putting his mentor’s sage advice to good use by prioritizing his and his family’s happiness and working towards leaving his own unique mark on Hollywood. 

     

    ‘My writings are like little track markers showing me I'm on the right path, even though I might not see it right then and there.’ - Frank Jimenez 

     

    Written Off contains mature language and themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. To hear a bleeped version, go to lemonadamedia.com/shows/writtenoff.

     

    Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

     

    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.


    Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    15 September 2021, 7:30 am
  • 27 minutes 9 seconds
    Ghetto Royalty. Daniel Bisuano x Julio Torres

    “Second Chances.” Written by Daniel Bisuano. Performed by Julio Torres. Daniel is determined to leave his turbulent past behind by living authentically and pursuing each opportunity that presents itself in his quest to become a screenwriter. 

     

    “When I started to write, I started to not only unpack all the pain that I had inside, but I started to create new, happy memories and give back to my community.” - Daniel Bisuano. 

     

    Find Daniel on Twitter at @d_bisuano and on Instagram at @d.bisuano. 

     

    Written Off contains mature language and themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. To hear a bleeped version, go to lemonadamedia.com/shows/writtenoff.

     

    Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

     

    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.


    Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    8 September 2021, 7:30 am
  • 21 minutes 58 seconds
    Real Leo. Taylor Lytle x Issa Rae

    “Everybody Knows That Time Will Pass You By.” Written by Taylor Lytle. Performed by Issa Rae. Taylor is all smiles as she owns her pronounced presence in the world and continues exercising her “revolutionary” methods as a criminal justice activist. 

     

    “Writing is too rewarding to ever think of a life without it.” - Taylor Lytle

     

    Find Taylor on Instagram at @shesobeasty. 

     

    Written Off contains mature language and themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. To hear a bleeped version, go to www.lemonadamedia.com/shows/writtenoff.

     

    Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

     

    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.


    Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 September 2021, 7:30 am
  • 27 minutes 20 seconds
    Jiggy Stuff. Lionel Tate x LaRoyce Hawkins

    “I’m Still Trying to Find Out.” Written by Lionel Tate. Performed by LaRoyce Hawkins. Lionel embodies healthy living both personally and professionally by honoring his truth on paper and devoting himself to his successful vegan catering company. 

     

    “I don't feel like I'm in a position where I have to lie to the paper because basically I'm just lying to myself.” - Lionel Tate

     

    Find Lionel on Instagram at @takemoney_chef and @tasty_tates. 

     

    Written Off contains mature language and themes and may not be appropriate for all listeners. To hear a bleeped version, go to lemonadamedia.com/shows/writtenoff.

     

    Stay up to date with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram at @LemonadaMedia. 

     

    Click this link for a list of current sponsors and discount codes for this show and all Lemonada shows go to lemonadamedia.com/sponsors.


    Joining Lemonada Premium is a great way to support our show and get bonus content. Subscribe today at bit.ly/lemonadapremium.

    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    25 August 2021, 7:30 am
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