Dark and Tender: Aaron Johnson on Reclaiming Touch and Dismantling the Black Brute Myth - Episode 80

In this episode of The Inside Circle Podcast, Eldra sits down with social activist and founder of The CUT Project, Aaron Johnson, about the need for holistic, platonic touch in the lives of Black and BIPOC men. Drawing from personal experience and his work, Aaron explores how unaddressed trauma and chronic under-touching affect nervous systems, relationships, and communities — and how healing practices rooted in intention and connection can bring transformation. Aaron introduces his short documentary Dark and Tender, which follows 10 Black men on retreat as they navigate grief, touch, and connection. He reflects on dismantling the “Black brute” stereotype, building personal touch plans, and creating spaces grounded in consent, connection to the earth, and care. Whether you're raising a young Black man, working in healing spaces, or seeking deeper connection in your own life, this episode is an invitation to listen, reflect, and begin again. Learn more: https://cutproject.org More episodes and info: https://insidecircle.org/podcast  

In this powerful conversation, host Eldra Jackson III sits down with Ian Manuel—activist, poet, and author—whose life was irrevocably changed after being sentenced to life in prison at age 13. Ian shares his remarkable journey from solitary confinement to the national stage, where his poetry and voice are transforming narratives about justice and healing. With raw vulnerability and grace, Ian recounts his friendship with the woman he harmed, the struggle to rebuild life after release, and how art helped him survive two decades in isolation. A moving exploration of restorative justice, resilience, and redemption.  To learn more about Ian Manuel, you can follow him on Instagram at @ianmanuelofficial and on Twitter at @ianmanofficial. His memoir, My Time Will Come, is available from Penguin Random House wherever books are sold. To learn more about the work of Inside Circle, visit www.insidecircle.org.

Felix Mickens joins host Eldra Jackson III to reflect on a life shaped by early loss, decades of service in juvenile justice, and a profound journey of healing. From his childhood in East St. Louis and New Jersey to his leadership in bringing Inside Circle into New Jersey’s juvenile justice system, Felix shares moving stories of grief, disconnection, growth, and the quiet power of second chances. Now cancer-free after a decades-long battle, Felix embodies the resilience and compassion he offers to the young people he serves.

After a devastating rugby injury left him paralyzed from the neck down at just 25, Wayne Forrest could have given up. Instead, he tapped into something deeper. In this moving conversation with host Eldra Jackson III, Wayne shares how he transformed trauma into triumph, rediscovered purpose, and now helps others access their inner warrior. Tune in to hear how this farmer, father, and coach turned adversity into fuel for a powerful new life. Learn more about Wayne at https://www.wayneforrest.com/ Connect with Inside Circle at https://insidecircle.org/

Therapist Thomas LaGrave Jr. joins Eldra Jackson III to explore the loss and reclamation of identity through addiction, the healing power of nature, and the role of strong male mentors in shaping lives. Drawing from his work in the prison system and the Honor Bound Academy, Thomas shares raw insights on accountability, transformation, and what it truly means to heal. Learn more at thehonorboundacademy.org

In this powerful episode, Eldra Jackson III welcomes Alexander McLean, founder of Justice Defenders, an organization transforming lives by training prisoners and prison officers to become paralegals and lawyers. Alexander shares his incredible journey, from washing and advocating for abandoned patients in Uganda as a teenager to building a movement dedicated to ensuring every accused person has the opportunity to tell their story before being punished. With stories of resilience, transformation, and radical trust, Alexander reveals how Justice Defenders is empowering unlikely allies in Uganda, Kenya, and beyond to bring dignity, justice, and hope where it’s needed most. Tune in to hear about his vision of justice, the lessons learned from working in prisons, and the importance of community in the endless work of creating a more just world. Learn more about Justice Defenders at justicedefenders.org

In the first episode of 2025, host Eldra Jackson III welcomes Skippy Mesirow, certified master coach and founder of the Elected Leaders Collective (ELC), for a deeply personal and insightful conversation about healing our politics, addressing addiction, and confronting the unspoken realities of mental health and suicide. Skippy shares his journey from battling severe addiction to founding ELC, which leads the nation in mental health and well-being training for public servants. Through his own experiences, he emphasizes that healing politics begins with the human in the mirror, reminding us of the critical role self-awareness plays in creating systemic change. As we enter a new year, this conversation is a call to action for creating spaces of healing, both personally and collectively. Tune in to hear about Skippy’s work with ELC, his mental health advocacy, and how we can all play a role in healing the systems that shape our lives. For more information, visit healingourpolitics.com. Find skippy on intagram at @skippymesirow.

In the final episode of 2024, host Eldra Jackson III reflects on a transformative year for Inside Circle and its mission to empower system-impacted individuals to ignite healing and change within themselves and their communities. From reintroducing circles inside New Folsom Prison after six years to launching the first Inside Circle program at the Zaanstad Justice Center in Amsterdam, this year has been about one theme: igniting community. Eldra revisits three standout episodes that exemplify this theme, sharing powerful stories from guests like Jason Bostic, Wesley Jeffries, Janelle Hudson and Manuel Ruiz. Join us for an inspiring retrospective on how Inside Circle has worked to eliminate all forms of violence, empower self-healing, and spark change in communities around the globe. As we head into 2025, we invite you to join us on the front lines of service and transformation.  Consider making an end of year gift at: insidecircle.org Thank you for your continued support. Let’s ignite community—together.  

In this episode of The Inside Circle Podcast, host Eldra Jackson III welcomes Trent Griffin-Braff, founder of The Success Map Initiative. Trent shares his journey of growing up in the Bronx during the crack epidemic and his rise from cleaning toilets at the Marriott to becoming a general manager. Now, through his nonprofit, The Success Map Initiative, his mission is to uplift the "hidden workforce"—those often overlooked—helping them find hope, employment, and purpose.  He furthers this mission with his Prison Bosses podcast, which reaches incarcerated individuals across the country, offering them hope and tools for success after release. Tune in for a powerful exploration of second chances, transformation, and the hidden workforce. Learn more at www.trentgriffinbraaf.com

In this powerful episode of Inside Circle, host Eldra Jackson III sits down with George Nolan, a re-entry recovery advocate and motivational disruptor. George shares his transformative journey from a life of crime, addiction, and prison to becoming a force for positive change. At 45, he had a life-changing epiphany that led him to pursue a path of intention, authenticity, and recovery. George opens up about the importance of aligning actions with values, the hard work of personal development, and how he's now helping others realize that their past doesn’t have to dictate their future. From prison tattoos to entrepreneurship awards, George’s story is a testament to the power of internalizing change and making it personal—whether in public or in the dark. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about resilience, recovery, and the impact of intentionality. If you’re interested in learning more about George and his work, visit his website at GeorgeNolan.net, or his podcast site at OutlawsToAdvocates.com. You can also connect with him directly at 480-527-6326, or follow him on LinkedIn and TikTok (@George2021).