Oklahoma Odyssey

Join hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson in this eye-opening episode of Oklahoma Odyssey as they delve into the crucial role of advocacy in the fight for equality within the state's criminal justice system. Special guest Tasneem Al-Michael of OCCJ shares valuable insights and experiences, shedding light on the power of advocacy to drive meaningful change. From grassroots efforts to legislative i...

Welcome to another episode of Oklahoma Odyssey with your hosts Michael Olson and Ashley Bender! In this month's installment of our series "On the Same Page," we delve into the thought-provoking book "Shielded: How The Police Became Untouchable." Join us as we dissect the author's exploration of the evolving dynamics between law enforcement and accountability, and discuss how these themes resonate...

Join Ashley Bender and Michael Olson on a captivating journey into the intricate web of relationships between prison labor and the broader economy. In this eye-opening episode, we delve deep into the often-overlooked role of incarcerated individuals in fueling industries beyond the confines of prison walls. From manufacturing to agriculture, retail to technology, prison labor quietly permeates var...

In this month's On the Same Page episode, hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson embark on a thought-provoking exploration of the acclaimed book "Punishment Without Trial: Why Plea Bargaining Is a Bad Deal" by Carissa Byrne Hessick. Join us as we dissect the intricate layers of the plea bargaining system and unravel its profound implications on our criminal justice system. Drawing from Hessick's in...

In this captivating episode of Oklahoma Odyssey, hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson with Project Manager Jennifer Williams, embark on an illuminating journey through the annals of history, tracing the evolution of punishment and confinement across civilizations and epochs. Join us as we uncover the origins, practices, and societal attitudes towards punishment, from ancient times to the modern e...

Join hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson on another riveting episode of our monthly series "On the Same Page". This month we are looking into the book "Rebooting Justice: More Technology, Fewer Lawyers, and the Future of Law." In this illuminating exploration, our dynamic hosts dissect the transformative impact of technology on the legal landscape and question the traditional role of lawyers in...

Join your hosts, Ashley Bender and Michael Olson, on a gripping journey through the labyrinthine corridors of history in this special episode of Oklahoma Odyssey. In "Chronicles of Consequence: Unraveling the War on Drugs," we embark on an exploration of the comprehensive history of the war on drugs — a multifaceted narrative that has left an indelible mark on communities, policies, and live...

Dive into a profound exploration of compassion, justice, and advocacy in our latest episode as hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson engage in a compelling conversation with the esteemed author of 'The Courage of Compassion,' Robin Steinberg. Together, they unravel the transformative power of compassion within the realm of criminal justice. Steinberg shares insights from her book, delving into sto...

Join hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson on this episode of Oklahoma Odyssey, we delve into the transformative strides made in criminal justice reform throughout the year 2023 in the Sooner State. Join us as we recap the remarkable successes, from innovative policies to impactful initiatives, that have reshaped the landscape of Oklahoma's criminal justice system. From reducing incarceration rate...

Join hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson in a poignant episode of Oklahoma Odyssey as they explore the heartfelt Harper's Magazine piece, "Christmas in Prison" by Kenneth Hartman with the author Kenneth himself. This captivating episode delves into the profound reflections and experiences shared by Hartman during the holiday season behind bars. Dive into the evocative storytelling of Kenneth Har...

Welcome to Oklahoma Odyssey, the thought-provoking criminal justice podcast brought to you by Ashley Bender and Michael Olson from Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform. In this episode, we embark on an investigative journey deep into the heart of civil asset forfeiture laws and practices, exploring their impact on individuals, families, and communities in Oklahoma. Civil asset forfeiture allows...

In this episode of Oklahoma Odyssey, hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson delve into the gripping narrative of 'An Innocent Man,' a powerful book that unravels the flaws within the criminal justice system. This story hits close to home as it took place in Ada, Oklahoma. Join us as we navigate the compelling stories, discuss the implications of wrongful convictions, and explore the urgent need for...

Join hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson on a gripping exploration of David Grann's true-crime masterpiece in this special episode of Oklahoma Odyssey. Delve into the shocking events surrounding the Osage murders in the 1920s, as depicted in both the book and movie 'Killers of the Flower Moon.' They use this book as a jumping book to talk about the issues the Native community must face when it c...

Join us and Dr. Rev. Shannon Fleck of Oklahoma Faith Network as we critically examine the religious narratives that both challenge and support the death penalty, seeking to understand the profound impact of faith on the pursuit of justice. Welcome to Oklahoma Odyssey, the thought-provoking criminal justice podcast brought to you by Ashley Bender and Michael Olson from Oklahomans for Criminal Justi...

Welcome to Oklahoma Odyssey, a captivating podcast series produced by Ashley Bender and Michael Olson from Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform. In this episode, we take you on a thrilling journey through the pages of Deborah Blum's masterpiece, exploring the riveting tales of poisonings, investigations, and scientific breakthroughs that shaped the evolution of forensic science in the United Sta...

In this riveting episode of Oklahoma Odyssey, hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson dive into the chilling world of criminal profiling with a close examination of the book "Mindhunter." Trigger warning: This episode contains discussions about sensitive topics, including rape and murder. Listener discretion is advised. Join Ashley and Michael as they unravel the pages of "Mindhunter," authored by J...

In this episode, hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson go on a deep dive into the intricacies of Concentrated Disadvantage Index and its profound impact on poverty and criminal legal involvement in Oklahoma. Our hosts, as well as David Gateley of The Oklahoma Policy Institute, delve into the data, unraveling the complex relationship between concentrated disadvantage and the justice system, sheddin...

Embark on a thought-provoking journey with hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson as they dissect the eye-opening revelations within 'Profit and Punishment: How America Criminalizes the Poor in the Name of Justice' by Toni Messenger. Together, they navigate the pages of this impactful book, exploring the intricate ways in which America's justice system intersects with issues of poverty. This book e...

In this thought-provoking podcast episode, we delve into the profound insights offered by John Rawls' seminal work, "A Theory of Justice," and explore its implications for the urgent challenges faced by the modern criminal justice system. Join us as we navigate the intricate web of Rawlsian principles and consider how they can shape the path towards a more equitable and humane criminal justice ref...

As the inaugural season of "Pulse" comes to a close, hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson take you on a reflective journey through the impactful stories and insightful conversations that have defined this podcast. Join us in this season finale as we delve into the pulse of criminal justice, exploring the heartbeats of reform, resilience, and the pursuit of a more just society. Episode Highlights:...

Join host Ashley Bender, Executive Director of Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform, Damion Shade, and Jasmine Sankofa, the Policy and Research Manager at FWD.us as we detail the progress made, while keeping our foot on the gas towards next best steps to make safer, better communities across the state. While Oklahoma's criminal justice story continues to be written, so much progress has already...

Join hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson on an enlightening episode of Oklahoma Odyssey as they engage in a riveting discussion with special guest Cindy Nyugen, representing ACLU Oklahoma. In this episode, the trio delves into the thought-provoking insights from the book "Criminal (In)Justice: What the Push for Decarceration and Depolicing Gets Wrong and Who It Hurts Most." Get ready for a candi...

Dive into the shadows of the criminal legal system with Pulse's special spooky season episode, "Chilling Chronicles: Oklahoma's Dark Tales of True Crime." Join hosts Ashley Bender and Michael Olson, as well as their guest Colleen McCarty the Executive Director of Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, as they unearth bone-chilling stories from the heart of Oklahoma, exploring eerie cold ca...

Join us and Nicole Mcafee of Freedom Oklahoma as we break down 2SLGBTQ+ History Month. We know that 2SLGBTQ+ folks are more likely to be involved in every step of the criminal legal system, by and large, by no fault of their own. Listen as we break this down, detail where Oklahoma is in this conversation, and give next steps for us all.

For decades, prison and jails across the nation have been built on or near enivronmentally hazardous locations. Join us and researchers Leon-Corwin, Maggie, Jericho R. McElroy, Michelle L. Estes, as we dive into their research paper “Polluting our Prisons? An Examination of the Relationship between Oklahoma Prison Locations and Toxic Releases, 2011-2017.” Additional researchers on thei...