The Exiled Voice
By Joshua
The Exiled VoiceSep 20, 2021
Ray
Ray was unable to provide a bio at this time, however we believe his amazing story speaks for itself! Thanks for supporting our podcast, we hope you enjoy our latest episode.
Darrel
In the interest of privacy, our first Season 3 interviewee, Darrel, requested to not post a bio or a photograph. We hope you enjoy his interview, and thank you for listening.
Jerome
Jerome was not able to share a bio or pic with us at this time! We still highly recommend all of our interviewees as their stories are important!
Terrence
Terrence Hayes spent nearly 13 years in prison after being convicted in Multnomah County by a 10-2 jury vote. He was released about five years ago and has since done social justice work, along with many other things. He lives in Portland, OR, with his family.
Natalee
Natalee is a 34 year old mother from St. Louis, Missouri. She enjoys spending time with her teenage daughter, playing Animal Crossing, and cuddling with their 5 cats. While she is open about her former drug use and incarceration, she does not let it define her. Her motto in life is, “What costs nothing but means everything? Kindness. Throw it around like confetti!”
Anthony Pickens
Anthony is a formerly imprisoned youth. who was incarcerated at the age of 15. He served 24 years of a 29-to-life sentence before successfully proving outstanding rehabilitation and reformation; having his sentence commuted by Governor Kate Brown.
Note from Joshua: This episode was recorded a bit before the Roe vs Wade decision on June 24th, 2022. At the end, a line I say is eerie given what happened a few weeks after I said it. Just felt the need to reflect that, and to keep fighting for the rights we all deserve. Thank you.
Tacuma
A father, son, friend, and voice for the voiceless. On January 27, 2021 I was granted a Governor’s Clemency, 13 years early from a 33 year sentence. As much as I prepped and prepared for this blessed day, I never really believed it would happen. I hit the ground running. I carried the voices of my fellow brothas and co-founded the Mary Kiona Foundation. In addition, started my first business Fremont Plaza LLC. All rooted in re-entry. I’ve worked alongside fellow members of Uhuru SaSa Cultural Club and from OASIS and other advocates to help bring and pass a bill that sits on our ballots today: SJR10. It removes a language of “Slavery and Involuntary Servitude” from the Oregon Constitution. And 70 plus years of a racist and demonic law that continues to plague our people of color: SB1511, which I have testified and advocated for as well. Today I continue to work alongside those who represent and support the collective interest of my Culture and my Community. In many ways I know I have attained my uhuru (freedom). But Uhuru SaSa will forever ring and be sung from the top of my lungs and will continue to be the daily work until my brothas’ and sistas’ voices are heard around the world. GOD. FAMILY. A VOICE. UHURU SASA!
Mason Sees
Mason Sees is an Oregon native who is currently teaching classes to incarcerated youth and individuals in the community who are impacted by addiction or the justice system. Mason has been in prison twice in Oregon State for drug related crimes and strongly believes we need to rethink how we approach the strong-arm punishment system. He is engaged to his partner for over three years, has two dogs and loves the Pacific Northwest for the outdoor opportunities. His apartment is filled with plants and indoor greenhouses growing lots of tropical plants.
Brian
Brian was unable to provide a bio or photo for us at this time. He talks about the prison industrial system in America, and some potential ways to stand against it. Please listen to his educational & eye opening story below.
Ryan Undeen
Ryan David Undeen has been a book salesman; a graveyard clerk at a Shell, a Citgo, and a Texaco; a bookstore do-it-all; a travel agent; a busboy at Chopstix; a server at Waffle House; a salesman for a moving company; everything at East University McDonald’s; a newspaper salesman; and a technician, an analyst, a manager, a supervisor, and a technical training manager at an independent contract food testing lab. He went to prison because he valued resolution over peace and spent too much time thinking about himself. Currently, Ryan David Undeen is attempting to further the spiritual resolution through poetry, art, and the steady beating heart. He believes in acorns
Faraji
My name is Faraji Bhakti and I am 41 years young. My passion in life is to raise the collective consciousness of my Tribe and community through an all inclusive approach of meditation and yoga. I am a spoken word artist, activist, a grandfather, father, brother, uncle and many other things. I have been a victim of the preschool/foster care to prison pipeline and use my voice to speak for the voiceless. There is so much more to my evolution, to my journey ahead of me. You can follow it through my Instagram @aumthegod.
Latrice
Latrice is a mother, a former prisoner, and a managing broker in Spokane WA. She is changing the world, and the way they see us, one day at a time.
Jordan
Bio is pending for Jordan, please enjoy his interview
Anthony
Anthony Lial
Anthony was born in 1984 and has lived in the Portland metro area for most of his life. He is proud to be able to claim North Portland, Southeast Portland, and Gresham-Rockwood as neighborhoods that he grew up in.
Anthony did not want to provide a picture as he hopes the interview will speak for itself.
Skyler
Skyler Ray was born November 28, 1990 in San Jose, California. He grew up in foster homes, and was homeless for multiple years; from getting locked up, to sleeping on the sidewalks of downtown Portland. His music is primarily based off his experience with his life. Whether that be addiction, incarceration, homelessness, etc. He is a firm believer in spreading hope and giving back to the community he once helped destroy. Since being released from prison November 30th 2018 he is re-focused on his music and will stop at nothing to get it out to the masses. Skyler Ray still lives in Portland and remains clean and sober.
This will be the final episode of our first season of this podcast. We hope you enjoy it, and please share it with all that you can!
Luther
Luther Arnett has been unable to provide a brief bio. We hope he is doing well, and we hope you enjoy his story.
Zafar
Zafar Abdullah is a 22 year old Portland-based Muslim who actively seeks knowledge. Now that his exterior has been freed from the confinement of the state he continues his pursuit in patiently preserving and promoting positivity, as well as being a part of various non-profit organizations, some of which are more specific to the Muslim Community and some of which have a broader spectrum in helping spread awareness, find solutions and help those who suffer from or have been impacted by the following social issues and many more such as: systematic discrimination, xenophobia, racism, and islamophobia.
Note: We were unable to use Zafar’s original interview so we did a second one. Because of that, this is a longer than normal episode to honor the time and energy we used in getting it out to you. We hope you enjoy.
Damien
We are so happy to share our first international episode!
Damien Linnane served 10-months in prison in Australia, for crimes the sentencing magistrate described as 'vigilante action'. Frustrated with the lack of educational and rehabilitation services in prison, he instead spent his sentence writing a novel by hand, which has now been published, and also teaching himself to draw. Since his release from prison, Damien has completed a master's degree in Information Studies, and works primarily as an archivist and also as an illustrator. An outspoken activist for prison reform, Damien also lobbies on behalf of inmates around the globe
Evelyn
Evelyn has been unable to provide a bio due to work and personal life. We hope you enjoy her story. And as always, thank you for listening to The Exiled Voice.
Queaz
Queaz is a 30 year old father of one (Jaylah). After being involved with the justice system for the majority of his life, Queaz decided to make a change within his self and now, instead of taking from the community, he spends his time giving back to the community he’s passionate about. Working with the youth; learning & teaching with the ones that come from the same things as him. Giving back to the youth is a passion of his.
NaPP
NaPP, a.k.a 2 Ps, is a father, an artist, business man, and activist. NaPP spends his days working on his crafts and passions, spending time with his family and working on his entrepreneurial dreams. He seeks knowledge and enjoys learning. Consistent Progression & Growth is a creed NaPP lives by.
Beatzilla
Beatzilla PDX is a singer, songwriter, show emcee and host. A self-taught chef, husband, father, and social activist. You can visit his facebook page via the link above!
Irvin
Irvin Hines has been unable to provide a brief bio due to work and family life taking priority. We hope you enjoy his story. As a side note, we had to edit parts of the interview as we mentioned various prison staff and Correctional Officers by name and want to avoid litigation. Please keep that in mind when listening, and thank you for supporting the Exiled Voice Podcast.
Bell
Bell has been unresponsive for quite some time and as such, we have been unable to receive a brief bio or headshot from her. We hope you all enjoy her story however, as her powerful words are statement enough.
Photo Credit: https://www.portlandalano.org/staff
Sunny
Sunny was unable to provide a bio due to work and family obligations. We hope you enjoy his story
Shawn
Shawn McWeeney served a 25-year sentence for his role in a robbery when he was 18 years old. Released from prison in 2020, Shawn entered the University of Oregon Prevention Science Program. He is on track to graduate with a Masters of Education in the Spring of 2021. Shawn is passionate about trauma informed advocacy and mentorship of underserved youth.
Joe
Joe Cheadle was in prison for more than 23 years. Being incarcerated as a juvenile He received a life sentence with a minimum of 30 years. While incarcerated he participated in every program available to him and eventually earned a parole date. Now he reside in Oregon and and continues to support prison & sentencing reform. Especially for juvenile offenders.
Ben
Ben Stiller is a Portland native, born and raised. He spent a better part of his life living in a busted mobile home with his single father and his older brother. Literally, there was a hole in the kitchen floor that went straight outside. He got in a lot fights as a child and had to move to a private school where he was picked on for being poor, until he got to high school. This is when he did a lot of his criminal activity. According to Ben, he didn’t learn his lesson until he went to jail the first time. He met a lot of good people in prison and learned a lot of good lessons. He also learned that prison doesn’t help people, that change comes from inside, and most importantly, that police should not have the power that they have of judge, jury and executioner. Ben’s hope is that people realize that the media’s depiction of prisoners as animals is the farthest thing from the truth.
Cody
Cody has been a resident of the pacific northwest for 20 years, absolutely loving the mountains, trees, and beautiful waterfalls. He is adventurous, with a passion for entrepreneurship, art, local activism, and yoga! He enjoys building positive friendships within his community, in order to strengthen and protect the people within it.
Juan
Juan Parra served 11 months at Columbia River Correctional Institution where Juan worked as a tutor with the Prison’s GED program. Juan currently works in Interpreting Services and enjoys spending time with his dog Atlas.