In this thought-provoking episode of Conviction Fiction, we sit down with educator, justice advocate, and powerful voice for change, C. Jay Tarter. Together, we explore how language shapes not only public perception of incarcerated individuals but also the policies and systems that keep cycles of injustice in motion.

C. Jay breaks down the impact of labels like “offender” and “inmate,” and how reclaiming our narratives can lead to healing, dignity, and transformation. We also dive into the critical role education plays—both behind the walls and beyond them—as a tool of liberation and self-discovery.

Whether you're directly impacted, a justice reform advocate, or just someone who wants to better understand how words and systems intertwine, this episode is for you.

🎧 Tune in and discover what’s possible beyond the bars.

#ConvictionFiction #BeyondTheBars #CJayTarter #TheCommonGood #JusticeReform #LanguageMatters #EducationIsFreedom #PrisonAbolition #ReentryJourney #FromPrisonToPurpose #ChangeTheNarrative

As part of the Starting Over series, host Antoine Rivers explores how technology is reshaping what reentry looks like for returning citizens. From that first moment of holding a smartphone behind bars to navigating online job platforms, we break down how digital literacy is no longer optional — it’s essential.

Antoine shares his own journey of learning how to use tech while incarcerated and how that knowledge transformed his opportunities on the outside. We also dig into how AI is changing the job market, the importance of digital skills in today’s workforce, and how returning citizens can catch up — and thrive — in a digital world.

This episode also highlights key organizations doing the work to bridge that tech gap and empower justice-impacted individuals through training, education, and opportunity.

Featured Resources:

• Defy Ventures – https://www.defyventures.org
• The Last Mile – https://thelastmile.org
• See Us Rise – https://www.seeusrise.org

Whether you're a returning citizen, an advocate, or simply curious about how second chances are built in the digital age — this episode is for you.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to share, subscribe, and leave a review!

#ConvictionFiction #ReentryMatters #DigitalLiteracy #TechForChange #SecondChances #FromPrisonToPurpose #TheLastMile #DefyVentures #SeeUsRise #LifeAfterLockup #CriminalJusticeReform #ReentrySuccess #PodcastEpisode #ReentryTech

What happens when your child is sentenced—but you’re the one still doing time on the outside?

In this powerful and personal episode, Antoine Rivers shifts the focus to the often unheard voices of parents and families who carry the emotional, financial, and spiritual weight when a loved one is incarcerated.

From the guilt of wondering “Did I fail?”, to the sacrifices made just to maintain a connection, Antoine opens up about his own family’s journey—how his parents and sister stepped up to raise his children, how they supported him through rejection and reentry, and how love held everything together even when the system tried to tear it apart.

You’ll hear reflections on:

• • The silent struggle of parents who feel like they raised “an inmate”
  • The cost of cross-state visits, job losses, and emotional exhaustion
  • Community programs that support families like POD Movement, Dreambuilders Foundation, Focus21, and 1MoQuestion.org
  • A special shoutout to those who never stopped visiting, writing, or praying

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  This episode is a tribute, a truth session, and a thank-you to the ones who never let go.

What happens to the children when a parent goes to prison?

In this episode of Conviction Fiction, host Antoine Rivers explores the often-overlooked impact of incarceration on children. From the confusion and emotional trauma of separation to the long-term effects on mental health, education, and trust — this conversation dives deep into the invisible wounds these young people carry.

Antoine shares personal reflections, including the painful memory of his daughters visiting him behind bars during a Fatherhood Initiative workshop — and not understanding why they had to leave.
He also revisits a powerful past conversation with Nolan, a young man who opened up about losing his passion for sports because his incarcerated father wasn’t there to cheer him on.

You'll also hear about:

• • Programs like Angel Tree and the Fatherhood Initiative working to preserve the fragile bond between parent and child
  • The unique struggles of incarcerated mothers, featuring insight from April Paulk, founder of AP Rose Entertainment
  • The systemic changes needed to support children of incarcerated parents and break the generational cycle

  
  

  This episode is personal, raw, and necessary.

• 📚 Don’t forget: Antoine’s new book is on the way. And if you haven’t picked up his first book, The Conviction Fiction: Changing the Narrative of Life After Lock Up, grab it now on Amazon.

  🔗 Subscribe, listen, and share — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major platforms.

Getting out is one thing. Getting everything you need to move forward? That’s a whole different battle.

In this solo episode of Conviction Fiction, host Antoine Rivers breaks down the exact steps to get your state ID, Social Security card, birth certificate, and other essential documents—even if you’re starting with nothing.

You’ll learn:

• • How to apply when you have no ID or proof of residence
  • What to do if your documents were lost or stolen
  • How to stay grounded when the system makes it hard on purpose
  • Resources and pro tips for navigating long lines and closed doors

• Whether you're fresh out, in a halfway house, or helping a loved one get back on their feet, this episode gives you the roadmap to rebuild—starting with the paper trail.

  🛠️ Follow our “Starting Over” series for more practical tools to reclaim your future after incarceration.

In this powerful episode of Conviction Fiction, we sit down with Matthew Stephens—a man once labeled “incorrigible” by the U.S. government, who is now a Regional Detox Specialist and a fierce advocate for Restorative Justice.

After serving 18 years across five separate prison bids, including a 15-year federal sentence as an "armed career criminal," Matthew made a decision that changed everything: he refused to let the system write his ending.

Inside, he earned over 10 vocational certifications, a college-level education, and a new vision for his life. Now on the outside, he's helping others recover, rebuild, and rise above the same system that once tried to bury him.

In this episode, we explore:

• The emotional weight of being labeled “incorrigible”

• How prisons can either be crime factories or classrooms

• The importance of education and recovery in reentry

• What restorative justice really looks like in practice

• Why policy and perception must change for true justice

Whether you’re directly impacted or just ready to understand what real change takes, this conversation will challenge what you thought you knew about justice, redemption, and second chances.

**Don’t just listen—**be part of the movement.

In this emotionally charged episode of Conviction Fiction, we explore the heartbreaking reality that sometimes, even your growth won’t be enough for the people you love. What do you do when your apology is met with silence—or worse, judgment? When your success is seen as a threat instead of a triumph?

We unpack the fantasy of unconditional family support and the painful disconnect that can follow when your transformation challenges old narratives. Through real talk and deep reflection, this episode dives into:

• Why some family members may resist your growth

• The emotional labor of rebuilding while being torn down

• How judgment from loved ones can cut deeper than the system

• The power of boundaries in protecting your peace

• What to do if you might be the trigger in someone else’s story

If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or unfairly misunderstood by those closest to you, this episode is for you. You’re not alone—and you don’t have to prove your worth to people committed to misunderstanding you.

🎧 Tune in now and let your healing journey be louder than their doubts.

What if everything you thought you knew about justice… was a lie?

Welcome to The Conviction Fiction, the podcast that exposes the untold stories of those silenced by the criminal legal system. In this powerful trailer, host Antoine Rivers introduces the mission: to challenge stigma, uncover truth, and amplify the voices of the formerly incarcerated, their families, and those fighting for real justice.

This isn’t about betrayal — it’s about accountability.
This isn’t just prison talk — it’s freedom work.

With raw interviews, emotional storytelling, and bold commentary, Conviction Fiction peels back the layers of the system to reveal what really happens after the sentence is handed down.

Subscribe now and join the movement to change the narrative — one voice at a time.