Launching its full season, Ark Republic delves into the lives of women experiencing reentry and professionals who provide innovative, trauma-informed programs for them. The first-ever podcast focusing on Philadelphia women, it is an eye-opening series of healing and transformation.
Philadelphia –Taking three years to complete—from inception to launch—the Being Beloved podcast opens up Ark Republic’s audience to an often ignored population: formerly incarcerated women. The full series, recorded from 2023 to 2024, launched in the form of a live podcast at Cherry Street Pier No. 9 in Philadelphia last week. While the center of the evening was to learn about the experiences of women who returned home after years of incarceration, it became a night to activate a community.
Curated by Sunkissed Media Group and 5 Shorts Project, the nexus of the night was a panel discussion with Blak Rapp Madusa, Michele Wood and Rashida Ricketts as discussants. Moderated by Kaia Shivers, who is also editor-in-chief of Ark Republic, the conversation brought to the fore stories about the U.S. prison system, and the struggles from the experiences of women who served years.
Madusa explained that everyone who has spent time in jail or prison will leave traumatized. Whether detained for “20 minutes or 20 years,” Madusa, who self-describes as an “artivist,” explained that when you are locked up, “you realize you have no rights,” and ”no one to advocate for you.”
While women who are incarcerated are significantly lower than their male counterparts, The Sentencing Project showed a 50 percent faster increase than men from 1984 to 2015. Another study reported that from 1978 to 2015 the female population in jails went up by 834 percent. Philadelphia is one of 10 major cities seeing an increase in women incarcerated, and the need for reentry programs is critical.
On the panel, Madusa talked about daily humiliations around folk with wombs. While inside, she often saw women beg male correctional officers for feminine hygiene products. Sometimes, women would pull down their pants during their cycles to show the need for sanitary pads or tampons, Madusa pointed out. While hygiene products are supposed to be unlimited, Ricketts, the creator and director of the, “From Graves to Gardens” podcast, also spoke of some of her interviewees revealing inmates exchanging sexual favors for basic necessities often withheld by prison guards.
Wood chimed in to break down the power dynamics between prisoners and guards. She detailed how officers watched women shower then timed them when they left the washroom to perform invasive body searchers resembling sexual assault. Wood, who is now an author of children’s comic books affirmed soberly, “If you didn’t have mental health issues when you went in, you definitely have them when you get out.”
Another issue Madusa exposed, which several other Being Beloved interviews informed, is the medical neglect plaguing prisons and jails nationwide. Most of the time, those who are incarcerated face limited access to basic care, which causes a litany of health issues. The conditions of the institutions and the high amounts of stress add to the increased risks of inmates developing life-threatening illnesses for preventable disease. When it comes to women, their reproductive health is even more vulnerable.
A formerly incarcerated friend of Madusa died from ovarian cancer. “That type of cancer doesn’t happen overnight,” Madusa emphasized by pointing out the lack of routine exams or adequate assessments. Another issue was prison infirmaries were mostly staffed with physician assistants, or students in local medical schools served as doctors. Madusa knows the issues of this because she said she had to have surgery while inside, which turned out to be a botched procedure.
Wood’s time in Pennsylvania’s State Correctional Institution at Muncy has left scars where she refuses to watch prison shows, be they fiction or not, due to it “retriggering” her. Medusa added that shows such as Netflix’s highly popular, Orange is the New Black, “romanticized” a horrible institution and the lives of women who lived it.
Madusa also recalled ongoing acts of physical violence against inmates. ”I’ve seen C.O.’s slam women in the head … but would never do that to a big male prisoner,” they said.
Like many, Madusa and Wood were released, but left little options or assistance when they came back to their communities. When Wood came home from serving time for dealing drugs, she said that all of the reentry programs offered to her were “antiquated” and “male-centered.” Job training for skills such as driving a forklift catered to men; plus, they failed to focus on how rapidly changing technology shifted the job landscape. “There’s so much you miss when you’re away,” emphasized Wood who talked about the technology learning curve.
Ricketts agreed, insisting that much of the reorientation when coming home is understanding the latest technology in daily navigation such as transportation. “There are those who get out that must navigate a new transportation system,” said the Philadelphia-based content creator.
Madusa, who has a master’s degree in African studies, was ostracized by their peers. “They would not hire me for jobs … for things like advocating for mothers who had their babies while being shackled … and I lived it,” stated the emcee who soared in athletics and academics.
Housing is also an issue when reentering back into society. Wood said she had to declare herself homeless in order to get a bed at a halfway house. So distraught by the lack of assistance during reentry she said she reached out to others formerly incarcerated for guidance. “They were the ones who told me where to go, what to say and what to do, not these programs.”
Madusa agreed, stressing that the community of women who navigated the world offered the best advice, even though for some, you are forbidden to do so. “The best people to learn from are those who went through it.”
Issues such as the experiences of transgender populations and mothers who work to restore relationships with their children add more complex layers to returning home. Most of those who go to jail are mothers, and often the sole or a significant provider for their families. According to a 2017 report by Philadelphia Corrections, incarcerated mothers average 2.4 children. As well, women are usually incarcerated for non-violent offenses that are often “survival crimes” connected to taking care of their families or close ties, but when they come out, their trauma presents as worse.
While there is an over-representation of Black and Latino female prisoners, Madusa highlighted that there are “a lot of poor white women” who are incarcerated and face the same issues when they reintegrate back to their communities.
“What can we do to bring more healing,” asked Jack, an audience member. The panel stressed that there needs to be more conversation and more resources to a population, along with advocacy that changes sentencing and incarceration.
“This podcast and the live show that we had was possible because a collective of people wanted to push these types of honest projects through,” said Kaia Shivers, who created the podcast and later brought on a colleague, Rolanda Spencer, who left the production in 2023. “It has been one of my most challenging projects, but absolutely rewarding. If anything, it showed the need for more platforms and media like this.”
Accenting the night was what Shivers called “The Healing Bar,” an interactive, self-crafting display to promote healing. While the bar had items that encouraged de-stressing and joy such as beeswax candles, sage sticks, and healthy snacks, the marquee activity was participants were able to make their own bouquets from local flower producers supplied by the Cut Flower Exchange Pennsylvania.
“This is more than just a podcast launch,” said Shameka Sawyer, event producer and founder of the 5 Shorts Project and Sunkissed Group who assisted Ark Republic in finishing up the series. “It’s a collective space for healing, reflection, and reclaiming voice. These women are not statistics. They are storytellers, survivors, and leaders.”
About the Podcast
The podcast’s name, Being Beloved, has two meanings. One, it is the quest to be fully embraced and loved back into the community after incarceration.
The second meaning is taken from Toni Morrison’s book, Beloved, which explores an enslaved woman who escaped bondage with her children, but was caught. Rather than return back to the brutal chattel system of American slavery, she killed one child and attempted to murder a second. For her actions, she was incarcerated. Though she was never deported back to plantation life, she had to deal with the stigma of her criminal offense when in the community. Her ordeal resulted in profoundly deep mental health issues and severe isolation.
There are many parallels of incarcerated women and the character Beloved in Toni Morrisons’s book. In the case of Philadelphia, a city that has failed a Black community that has contributed to its development, and now has some of the highest levels of urban poverty in the U.S., it also shows a gross racial wealth gap. Therefore, the stories of these women must be told
While the podcast opened the space to all women, Ark Republic intentionally held space for Black and Latino women, who are the growing population in jails.
Meet the Women
Rolanda Spencer – Episode 1: The first episode of the Being Beloved podcast turned the microphone around to Rolanda Spencer who carried out most of the interviews. A re-entry scholar and practitioner, Spencer breaks down the facts of how returned citizens navigate reintegration back into society, and why women are largely absent from its programs. She talks with Shivers about the fastest growing population in mass incarceration: women and how we need to rethink re-entry programs for them.
Faith Bartley – Episode 2: Faith Bartly walked into the recording session fresh from hearing that she received her bachelor’s degree. At 51, the road was long and curvy, but today is aligned with self love and fulfillment. Raised in North Philadelphia, Faith Bartley’s early childhood trauma turned into a lifelong journey of healing. As she grew, so did her struggles with addiction, getting money and stability. Ultimately, it led to her doing multiple stints in prison. But, when she decided to change course, she weathered many storms. At the center she began to see who she really was and is, a beautiful soul.
Ivy Johnson – Episode 3: Ivy Johnson’s childhood traumas as a girl in Philadelphia, resulted in her being one of the millions who got caught up during the crack cocaine epidemic. Johnson went in-and-out of incarceration as she dealt with a crack cocaine addiction. Eventually, she ended up with a sentence where she could’ve possibly did life. After over 18 years, she was released. Before she got out, she began to dig deeper into herself for radical change. This is her story of finding her worth and beauty, and seeking reconciliation on the Being Beloved podcast. The Being Beloved podcast is a series dedicated to telling the lives of formerly incarcerated women with dignity and integrity.
Renaya Furtick Wheelan – Episode 4: Dr. Renaya Furtick Wheelan spearheads one of the few women-led and started re-entry groups for women in Philadelphia. Growing up in South Philadelphia, she said she could have easily gone to jail during her youth. Adopted as a teen and thrust into an environment where she became literate, and explored her creative and intellectual curiosities, she went on to become a psychologist. When she discovered that programs for women were few and far between, she cultivated, I’M FREE. But she designed this program because several of her family members, including her sister, had to face reintegrating back into their communities after incarceration. During our conversation, she gives an honest journey of her life and what guided her to I’m Free. Plus, she details the needs for women coming home, and the nurturing that is often absent. Here’s her story.
Najah Beckett – Episode 5: Najah Beckett left school and her dreams of being a pediatrician to quench her yearning to be loved. What she found was years of abuse and homelessness in Philadelphia, which resulted in incarceration. What jail showed her was just how exploitative the system can be to people who are locked up; and the things people will do to navigate the inhuman conditions while inside. Dr. Rolanda West speaks with Beckett on how a series of relationships became toxic and abusive; and how she left and began to work on thriving in the midst of many obstacles. While in re-entry, she continues to heal as a survivor. Now with a young daughter, Najah strives to be the healthy parent she never had, and heal from her own trauma.
Rev. Michelle Simmons – Episode 6: Over twenty years ago, Rev. Michelle Simmons was fresh in her sobriety and new in her re-entry journey. While stitching her life together, she received a message from God to open up a transitional housing program for formerly incarcerated women. Leaning on her church family and many years of sacrifice later, Rev. Michelle is one of the most respected re-entry professionals in Philadelphia with her organization, Why Not Prosper.
Starr Granger – Episode 7: When Starr Granger came back to Philadelphia after 35 years in prison, the city had changed. So had she. Getting arrested for the first time at 13, she would get arrested again at 16 years old, but this time she was sentenced to life without parole. Decades later, Granger was released, serving one of the longest sentences for a woman who was locked up as a minor. Though she became a woman behind bars, her second becoming as a middle-aged woman is to be beacon for others who face profound uphill battles when the re-enter back into society.
Petrena A. Young and Renaya Furtick Wheelan – Episode 8: Dr. Renaya Furtick Wheelan and Petrena A. Young have one of the few organizations serving incarcerated and formerly incarcerated women from the greater Philadelphia area. Their load is heavy, but they persist in providing care and support to a population often neglected by reentry programs and professionals. In their joint conversation, they identify challenges for women who are returning to the their communities, and how retry professionals can better assist and understand an underserved population.
Michele Wood – Episode 10: Michele Wood turned her hustling days into creative ventures when she was released from federal prison. Using writing and other innovative outlets to forge a new career, she still navigates the challenges of returning home, but Michele’s family has been her bedrock. This is their story.
Danielle Hart – Episode 9: Danielle Hart has fond childhood memories growing up with her grandparents, but as a young adult she began to make decisions that found herself in front of judge, and facing time. This survivor of domestic violence and single mother of four saw the harsh realities of working-class living in Philadelphia when she faced housing issues. As she works to resettle her life, she must redefine relationships and motherhood.
Tamika Bell – Episode 11: At the age of 16, Tamika Bell was sentenced to life without parole. Given a chance to redeem herself Tamika was paroled 24 years late. Now she works to recover a lost childhood, while heal as a woman navigating a different Philadelphia when she left. Her circle of sisters, family and friends help her through healing.
Blak Rapp Madusa – Episode 12: Teacher, lyricist, activist and artist Blak Rap Madusa lived two lives. By day, they were a scholar and intellectual. By night, they hustled until Madusa’s world collided. Serving some years in a Texas prison, they reentered back into society with perspective and purpose. Now Madusa uses an intersection of scholarship and advocacy in creative and political acts of revolution. But still, the emcee must navigate the stigma of doing time.
