And Still We Rise is a podcast produced by the College of Journalism and Mass Communication students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Each episode features the story of a different woman impacted by the Nebraska criminal justice system.

Thank you to all 165 students of the 2022 spring semester of Social Justice, Human Rights, and the Media class for making this podcast possible. Our podcast artwork was created by Hannah Timm, the music was written and performed by Anne McConkey, and produced by Terry Keefe. Scriptwriters were Kate Alekcanavachis, Landon Brown, Emerson Gilfry, Sadie Ingram, Nick Karas, Paige Kotik, Brynn Novotny, Caitlyn Thomas, and Emily Whitney. This episode was produced by Alyssa Wademan and Broderick Wilken.

Resource Links

https://www.seeusrise.org/

https://nebraskanewsservice.net/krnu-home/

https://www.prisonpolicy.org/profiles/NE.html

And Still We Rise is a podcast produced by the College of Journalism and Mass Communication students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Each episode features the story of a different woman impacted by the Nebraska criminal justice system.

Thank you to all 165 students of the 2022 spring semester of Social Justice, Human Rights, and the Media class for making this podcast possible. Our podcast artwork was created by Hannah Timm, the music was written and performed by Anne McConkey, and produced by Terry Keefe. Scriptwriters were Kate Alekcanavachis, Landon Brown, Emerson Gilfry, Sadie Ingram, Nick Karas, Paige Kotik, Brynn Novotny, Caitlyn Thomas, and Emily Whitney. This episode was produced by Zekiel Williams.

Resource Links

https://www.seeusrise.org/

https://nebraskanewsservice.net/krnu-home/

https://www.prisonpolicy.org/profiles/NE.html

In this first installment of And Still We Rise, host Nandini Rainikindi explores one woman’s experience with the Nebraska criminal justice system. Desiree talks about the challenges she faced as a triracial woman living in Minnesota. She discusses the conflict between being part Native American and part of the Christian community. Desiree mentions feeling as though people perceive her as unapproachable. She discusses her perspective on aging and accepts that she does not know all the answers. She feels joy in many aspects of her life, appreciating her freedom, knowledge, and accomplishments.

This episode was produced by Jessica MacDonald.

This episode includes information from RISE about LB920. LB920 is a bill before Nebraska legislature that can help minimize barriers to successful reentry, strengthen parole processes, and tailor punishments more closely to the offense. For more information, visit https://www.seeusrise.org/policy-advocacy/advocacy-tips-tools.html.

To hear more podcasts and other audio media created by the students of the College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, visit https://krnu.nebraskanewsservice.net/.

To volunteer, donate, or learn more about how you can help current and formerly incarcerated individuals in Nebraska, visit https://www.seeusrise.org/.

And Still We Rise is written and produced by 165 students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as part of the Social Justice, Human Rights, and the Media course. The show features discussions with both formerly and currently incarcerated women whose lives have been adversely impacted by the Criminal Justice System in America. Special thanks to graphic designer Hannah Timm, composer Anne McConkey, producer Terry Keef, writers Kate Aleknavicius, Landon Brown, Emerson Gilfry, Sadie Ingram, Nick Karas, Paige Kotik, Brynn Novotny, Caitlyn Thomas, and Emily Whitney.

0:00-Carla’s opening words

0:34-Introduction

0:52-Carla’s story, in her own words

• Being in prison with food allergies
• Wants to make a positive change in prison reform
• The need for more accountability

2:09-What is something that people get wrong about you?

• Carla’s demeanor doesn't tell the whole story.

2:20-What is something you are excited about?

• Carla loves learning and sharing her experience

2:30-A snapshot of everyday life that gives Carla great joy.

• Hear about her daily yoga and meditation.

2:54-Nebraska prison fast fact.

• There are statistically significant racial and ethnic disparities in the prisons and jails in Nebraska. While whites comprise eighty-two percent of Nebraska’s total population, they only make up 52 percent of the prison population. Blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans are overrepresented in the prison population. Blacks are the most overrepresented – comprising five percent of Nebraska’s population and twenty-five percent of the prison population.

3:24-End credits and future podcast information

• Thank you to all 165 students of the 2022 spring semester of Social Justice, Human Rights, and the Media class for making this podcast possible. Our podcast artwork was created by Hannah Timm, the music was written and performed by Anne McConkey, and produced by Terry Keefe. Scriptwriters were Kate Alekcanavachis, Landon Brown, Emerson Gilfry, Sadie Ingram, Nick Karas, Paige Kotik, Brynn Novotny, Caitlyn Thomas, and Emily Whitney. This episode was produced by Carter Nab and Molly Monahan.

Resource Links

https://www.seeusrise.org/

https://nebraskanewsservice.net/krnu-home/

https://www.prisonpolicy.org/profiles/NE.html

Denisha is an afro indigenous woman, a storyteller, and a sexual assault survivor. At the very young age of 5, Denisha was prostituted by her brother, and at age 14 she was sexually assaulted again. Being surrounded by this heavy amount of trauma, she has had to grow up very quickly. Therapy was not a big help for her, but once she entered college and got diagnosed with PTSD, she was able to begin her healing journey. With a lot of love and patience towards herself, she was able to accept her reality and use the gifts she was given to become a storyteller. She speaks about what people get wrong about her, her snapshot of everyday life that makes her content, and what she is excited about.

And Still We Rise is written and produced by 165 students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as part of the Social Justice, Human Rights, and the Media course. The show features discussions with both formerly and currently incarcerated women whose lives have been adversely impacted by the Criminal Justice System in America. Special thanks to graphic designer Hannah Timm, composer Anne McConkey, producer Terry Keef, writers Kate Aleknavicius, Landon Brown, Emerson Gilfry, Sadie Ingram, Nick Karas, Paige Kotik, Brynn Novotny, Caitlyn Thomas, and Emily Whitney.

This episode was produced by Kasha Cherek.

Resource Links

https://www.seeusrise.org/

https://nebraskanewsservice.net/krnu-home/

https://www.prisonpolicy.org/profiles/NE.html

Thank you to all 165 students of the 2022 spring semester of Social Justice, Human Rights, and the Media class for making this podcast possible. Our podcast artwork was created by Hannah Timm, the music was written and performed by Anne McConkey, and produced by Terry Keefe. Scriptwriters were Kate Alekcanavachis, Landon Brown, Emerson Gilfry, Sadie Ingram, Nick Karas, Paige Kotik, Brynn Novotny, Caitlyn Thomas, and Emily Whitney. This episode was produced by Spencer Arceneaux and Shawn Hardy.

Resource Links

https://www.seeusrise.org/

https://nebraskanewsservice.net/krnu-home/

https://www.prisonpolicy.org/profiles/NE.html

And Still We Rise is written and produced by 165 students at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as part of the Social Justice, Human Rights, and the Media course. The show features discussions with both formerly and currently incarcerated women whose lives have been adversely impacted by the Criminal Justice System in America. Special thanks to graphic designer Hannah Timm, composer Anne McConkey, producer Terry Keef, writers Kate Aleknavicius, Landon Brown, Emerson Gilfry, Sadie Ingram, Nick Karas, Paige Kotik, Brynn Novotny, Caitlyn Thomas, and Emily Whitney.

This episode was produced by Jaiden Jerath.

Resource Links

https://www.seeusrise.org/

https://nebraskanewsservice.net/krnu-home/

https://www.prisonpolicy.org/profiles/NE.html

Thank you to all 165 students of the 2022 spring semester of Social Justice, Human Rights, and the Media class for making this podcast possible. Our podcast artwork was created by Hannah Timm, the music was written and performed by Anne McConkey, and produced by Terry Keefe. Scriptwriters were Kate Alekcanavachis, Landon Brown, Emerson Gilfry, Sadie Ingram, Nick Karas, Paige Kotik, Brynn Novotny, Caitlyn Thomas, and Emily Whitney. This episode was produced by Zekiel Williams.