Sending Messages: True Stories From A Secure Care Facility

Happy Holidays, everyone! This episode, Tank is joined by Xman, Jor-El, and Gordo as they look at bizzare holiday traditions from around the world. Then, Indio gives us a slam poetry piece about Christmas, both as an idyllic childhood memory, and the hardships of being in lockup at the holiday season. Junior takes us through several interviews with the staff and residents about their feelings regarding giving and recieving gifts, and finally, Xman and TC take a look at New Year resolutions for the year. Finally, a reprise of last years Christmas song by KO and Young In. Merry Christmas everybody!

As you go through life, Different people come and go, and you learn different things from them.  Some people are around your whole life, some momentarily.  But no matter what, you have to say goodbye to everybody.  This episode, the contributors at Sending Messages look at what that feels like, and how it affects the way we look at relationships.  Tank is the host this episode, and he is joined by Alias, Eagle, Lil D, KO, and Jay – L.  Send us feedback, and thanks for downloading!

Happy Halloween everybody!  This witching season, our contributors have put together a series of pieces dedicated to the creepy ghouls that haunt your Halloween dreams.  Zombies, ghosts, Frankenstein’s Monster, Vampires and Werewolves.  We also have two holiday poems, interviews, and a look at the origins of the Grim Reaper.  Stories this episode from Gordie, Jay-L, Eagle, Tank, Gee, Junior, Dee Trill and DJ Bronx.  Hosted by Tank.  Download now.

This week, the contributors at Sending Messages wished to share stories about their experiences with their fathers, the lack of those experiences, and the challenges that many of them face, being fathers now.  Dubski is joined by Alias, T Razzy, Eagle, Wrek, Jay L, and KO.  These stories are sometimes sad and sometimes uplifting, but always honest.

We are thrilled to announce that Sending Messages has received funding from the Utah Humanities Council!  Their support goes a long way in validating the work we’ve been doing with this program over the last two years.

Happy Mothers Day!  This episode is all about the first woman in our lives, our mother.  But the experience that our contributors have had ranges from the tragic to the uplifting, and a lot of them in between.  Poetry from Taylor and Alias, a slam poetry piece from Yours Truly, music from NMZ, Dan, KO and Dee Thrill, and a letter from Kaylee.  To finish it off, an interview with Jailen, Gee, and Jay-L.  Dubski hosts this episode, as well as contributing his own acoustic song. Send Us Feedback!

There is a series of violence prevention organizations springing up in gang and drug infested communities all across America.  A great number of the people involved in these movements are former gang members and drug dealers.  In 2010, acclaimed documentary filmmaker Steve James followed three of these violence ‘interrupters’ through the troubled streets of Chicago, documenting their struggle to end gang violence in their community.  This last winter he brought those same three interrupters to the Sundance film festival with him to show the film.  This gave the staff at Sending Messages the opportunity to meet them and interview them.  Here’s what happened.

Best Inspirational Podcast
Sending Messages
Serving as one of the few creative outlets in a local west-side juvenile detention center, this Spy Hop-funded venture has earned praise from listeners and fellow podcasters alike for its raw content.Sending Messages is completely written, recorded and produced by the students themselves, counseled by Adam Sherlock (A Damn Movie Podcast). The show gives students the opportunity to express their feelings however they wish in an uncensored audio environment. Whether it be purely fictional or shaded fact, these stories come from the hearts and minds of youth looking for something better.

This episode is all about telling the truth, and what happens when you do.  Each of the contributors today bring stories about being real.  True stories and poetry about addiction, being locked up, making the right decisions and finding your own identity. Our host, Dubski, is joined by The Voice Behind The Wall, Zee, Buddy, Yours Truly and 711. Also, a musical contribution by KO and Young IN about how a persons background can influence their future.  Please leave us feedback, and thanks for downloading

Mistakes.  Regrets.  This week’s show is about the problem that arises when you say or do the wrong thing, and the consequences it brings.  Slam poetry from Yours Truly, Music from Young In and KO, stories from Buddy and Andre, and an apology in the form of a poem from Ater.  Hosted this week by Rey.  Thanks for downloading.  Be sure to leave us feedback.

Happy Halloween everybody!  This week, everyone wrote pieces specifically for the holiday.  Rey hosts an episode full of spooky and funny stories, a legend of a stone cross hidden deep in the woods, a series of interviews about childhood halloween memories, a radio play about a ghostly woman who haunts children, and a series of conversations about aliens and hauntings.  Also, a new horror movie themed hip hop track by KO and Young IN.  Stories this week by Dubski, Lil D, Magic, Self, and Wrek.  Thanks for listening.  Send us feedback!

We just won an Arty award from City Weekly for best new Podcast! Awesome!

Best New Podcast
Sending Messages
With a show completely written, performed, edited and produced by the students living at Decker Lake Youth Center, even the minds behind it were curious as to who would be interested in listening. The SpyHop venture counseled by A Damn Podcast co-host Adam Sherlock not only attracted fans in droves, but also earned respect for its original and unfiltered content. These are stories and narratives from the minds of teenagers who have already lived through worse times than some of us will ever know, presented to entertain some and serve as a lesson to others;—an example of what broadcasting these days should be.

Salt Lake City Weekly Arty Awards

10/18/10 – Episode #7 of Sending Messages

This week is hosted by Rey.  Stories about addiction, letters to lost loved ones, songs about struggle, and reminders to keep ones self strong.  Rey is joined this week by C., KO, Self, MT, NMZ, Magic, and Jose.  Please leave feedback.  Thanks for listening.

LINK: Episode_7.m4a

9/13/10 – Episode #6 of Sending Messages

Download Episode #6 now!  This week, stories about the loss of identity, memories of childhood and drug abuse, as well as experiments with rap and poetry.  Some sad, and others uplifting and hopeful, Sending Messages continues to bring real stories from a real place.  Ace is joined this week by Ater, Brandon, Kaylee, Yours Truly and Zee.  Music this week by Idyll Rigamarole and Sleep Whale.  Leave us some feedback at sendingmessages.org

LINK: Episode_6.m4a