Notes From The Pen
Episodes
EP #175 - Comedy Adjacent; Standup Comedians
19 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby is moving forward with working on his stand-up comedy routine; defining what a stand-up artist really is, and the viral Comedians In Prison piec...
EP #174 - Idiocracy And Prison
12 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
JD, and America's favorite convict Bobby, discuss logic and reason behind prison walls...or the lack thereof. It brings to mind the movie Idiocrac...
Bonus: Snow Storm Throw Back
04 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Well there's this blizzard thing going out throughout the Midwest and Northeast right now making it pretty hard for lots of people...including Bob...
EP #173 - Finding Humor And Humanity In Prison
29 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In prison it's especially important to find ways to deal with all the chaos and tragedy that comes with living behind bars. For Bobby it's wit...
NFTW (39) - Chicken Fight
22 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW) - Updates of life behind bars and some of the characters who live it every day. Bobby referees a chicken fight between The ...
NFTW (38) - A.I. And Prison Reform
15 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW) - Updates of life behind bars and some of the characters who live it every day. Using artifical intelligence to solve priso...
EP #172 - PEN America And Prison Lightsabers
08 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The rigid activities of prison are constantly dictated to inmates causing the erosion of autonomy, and fostering a challenging emotional landscape. Ev...
Bonus: New Year's Day 2024 - A Reminder Of Why We Do This
01 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It worked out that the release of this Monday's episode falls on New Year's Day, and because of the lack of prison phone calls on a holiday I&...
EP #171 - Bloviation: Rodgers, Chauvin, Blackbeard, And Rocks
25 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
America's favorite convict Bobby, and Co-host JD are back for another great episode. This one has just about everything. They discuss Aaron Rodger...
NFTW (37) - Prison Pranks And Feeling Frisky
18 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW): updates of life behind bars and some of the characters who live it every day. Things left unsaid, doing bits off someone, ...
EP #170 - Story Telling; The Joys And Tragedies
11 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
America's favorite convict Bobby, and Co-host JD: Living in the moment, the history of story telling and how it relates to us today. I love how th...
EP #169 - Zombies; A Prison Epidemic
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode: we have a new NEWS segment on Patreon; and Bobby shares the emotional toll of Monica's death while the drug zombies are closing in al...
EP #168- 38k Mouths And Prison Dentistry
27 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A snapshot of the prison system and their 4 Dentists, who have to treat 38 thousand inmates. If you liked this episode please visit Notes From The Pen...
EP #167 - A Show Talking About A Show That's Talking About A Show
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
he theme in this one is 'variety'. There's a lot in this one you're sure to enjoy. Support our show by signing up on Patreon: https://...
EP #166 - Breaking Boundaries; Convict Code Dilemma
13 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We learn about a new podcast from someone unexpected...or maybe not so unexpected. Bobby continues the convict code dilemma, and how hard it is to nav...
NFTW (36) - Overworked COs, And Guyana Bunkie
06 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW) - Updates of life behind bars and some of the characters who live it every day. The issues with the understaffed and overwo...
NFTW (35) - Knee Cap Biters, What Up Doe, And Convict Codes
30 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW) - Updates of life behind bars and some of the characters who live it every day.Football is here and it's game time in p...
NFTW (34) - 159 Roommates, Doors, And Detroit By Way Of Russia
23 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW) - Updates of life behind bars and some of the characters who live it every day. A lighter episode this week about Bobby ha...
NFTW (33) - Ernie Locks Up, And A Manly Mama c
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW) - Updates of life behind bars and some of the characters who live it every day. After a short time in the cube, one of the...
A Look Back: Prison Journey
09 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A special look back at a few of the more memorable episodes. You can read more about Bobby and prison reform on our website: notesfromthepen.com...
NFTW (32) - Prison GHM And A Shift Taking Place
02 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After a decade behind bars Bobby sensing a shift taking place. But why? And why now? Plus updates on a couple of the usual suspects. You can read more...
EP #165 - 2 Sided Coin; And A Ray Of Hope
25 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby worries that his prolonged confinement will have lasting effects and that he'll lose all the gains he's made with personal growth and re...
EP #164 - Anatomy Of A Lockup Artist; Baby Gibs
18 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After ten years in prison it's more important than ever that we document Bobby's journey. In this episode we hear how important it is to keep ...
EP #163 - 3 New Bunkies, And A Collapsing System
11 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby has a prison dream: in the midst of a collapsing system three new Bunkies arrive, all at the same time, creating tensions and chaos within the c...
EP # 162 - Bunkies, And Prison Reform Updates
05 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby teases us with a story about 3 new Bunkies that arrive in the cube...needless to say issues are certain. We also get updates on prison reform by...
EP #161 - The Meth Clinic; Prison Parallels And Exhaustion
28 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby's gives us a brief background on his creative writing project and how it parallels with life behind bars. Spending so much time behind bars ...
NFTW (31) - Kilo Red Update, Scuba Screaming, And Safer In Prison
21 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW) - Updates of life behind bars and some of the characters who live it every day. Bobby's newest bunkie locks up, JD look...
NFTW (30) - Level 9 New Bunkie, And Rizzo
14 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW) - Updates of life behind bars and some of the characters who live it every day. Bobby's cube gets a new bunkie that has...
EP #160 - Prison Soups, Scuba, And Russia
07 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby orders fiber instead of ramen soups, JD takes on scuba diving, and we're introduced to a new inmate named Russia (who's really from Geor...
Bonus (31) - A New Start For Bobby
28 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last decade, in a place that offers no meaningful help, Bobby has managed to not only heal, but to grow beyond belief. In an attempt to shed ...
EP #158 - Prison Reform And Duress
24 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Enter the world of an inmate who, against all odds, strives to share his life experiences and shed light on the urgent need for prison reform. With on...
NFTW (29) - The Crew Goes To Prison; A Visitation
17 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW) - Updates of life behind bars. This week's update; Bobby watched the documentary 'Exposing Parchman' AND gets ...
EP #157 - Some Men Are Islands
10 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Few things are more familiar to the American inmate than the dissolution of meaningful relationships. After mourning the death of yet another friendsh...
EP #156 - Ybor City, Jello, And Saving A Life
26 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A recent conversation about jello wrestling triggers a memory when Bobby saved a life while at work. AND Bobby has two, count them, two in-person visi...
EP #155 - Prison Tech
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Prison technology; the good, the bad, and the ugly. No matter how much pressure is put on the necks of inmates and their families, we'll keep shar...
NFTW (28) - Morning Anxiety, And Heels On Top
12 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW) - Updates of life behind bars and some of the characters who live it every day. Waking up with stress, Mama C cries, Du Boi...
EP #154 - Nocturnal Inmates; Prison Vampires
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After pushing off a more serious episode about the failures and solutions of our failed mass incarceration the topic changes to inmates who sleep duri...
Bonus (29) - A Short Call; Dungeons And Dragons
29 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is a short and sweet episode...well...because finding working phones in prison is becoming harder and harder. NTM the facility where Bobby is hou...
NFTW (27) - Prison Yard, Scooter, And Night Eating
22 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW) - Updates of life behind bars and some of the characters who live it every day. You can read more about Bobby and prison re...
EP #153 - Prison Exploitation; And Hurricane Judy
15 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Prisons can exploit an inmate's lack of advocacy by denying basic rights and perpetuating unjust treatment. Those who don't have anyone to hel...
EP #152 - Stage Names; And Name Envy
08 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby makes fun of his narcissism as he tries to decide what his pen and stage name will be. He wishes his name was as cool as some of the people who ...
EP #150 - A Commutation Update; And Hope
24 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Writing a commutation is an emotional experience for Bobby as he pours his heart and soul into his letter. It's impossible to write without feelin...
EP #149 - Spinning Laps, Death, And Prison Destruction Of Families
17 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby & Co-host JD start out spinning laps and sharing stories, but take a turn with sharing the death of GR Joe's mom (Kim). Bobby reminds us...
EP #148 - Sense Of Freedom; Touch
10 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A series which takes a look at each of the 5 senses as it pertains to prison life, and the absence of touch. If you liked this episode please visit N...
EP #147 - The Two Dimensional Consultant, And Prison Patina
03 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Short pre-show clip: during our first phone call, Bobby hits a wall. Hey, it's not always sunny in prison. As the 24 hour news cycle comes to an end w...
EP #146 - A Prison Dream; And The Unfolding Chaos
27 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Even though Bobby has nothing to do with the prison drama that unfolds in his dream, he must delicately navigate a peaceful resolution to a prison dil...
Bonus - You Got Questions, And Mr. Cat Man
20 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This is an excerpt from a previous recording on Patreon. Mama C reads questions from our Pebbles. We’ll have another episode in the near future answ...
EP # 145 - Prison Pod Thai And Store Day Dreaming
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Prison Food Network staring Bobby and Co-host JD, also Bobby shares a dream that deals with prison Store-Day collections. You can read more about Bo...
NFTW (25) - Throwing Heat And Finding A Dead Guy Under The Bunk
06 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week (NFTW) is a series of updates about the goings on behind bars. Throwing heat, Clark Kent glasses, nuts to butts, inmate found unde...
NFTW (24) - Seasonal Depression And Prison Isolation
27 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
RECORDED Nov 2022. Seasonal depression is kicking in for Bobby, he finds a Kitchen Plug, the unit has flipped, and a Toro update. Let me...
EP #144 - It's Happening; PEN Announcement
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby joins the upper echelon of creative writing by being selected as one of only 27 inmates t/o the nation to join the newly created PEN America Inm...
EP #143 - 10 Years Of Exhaustion; A Breaking Point
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby reaches a breaking point in prison amid the financial stresses of hunger as he attempts to deal with surviving while surrounded by diminishing r...
EP #142- Human For A Day - Football: The Great American Unifier
06 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Even in prison, inmates are treated as human for a day...during the Super Bowl. The hype surrounding the end of the football season is perhaps one of ...
EP #140 How Big Vern Lands In The Joint; A Story Of Incarceration
23 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In a series of incarceration stories, and ridiculous prison tales, comes another story about how love always wins and the reason why Big Vern is in pr...
EP #139 - Sense Of Freedom; Sight
16 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A series which takes a look at each of the 5 senses as it pertains to prison life. Bobby describes what he sees on the 1st day he arrives at the Big H...
Christmas Bonus - Prison Bag, Oranges, And Gratitude
23 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby gets his holiday prison bag, Christmas music, Christmas magic, mama c and her oranges, family holiday gatherings, and gratitude for our Notes Fr...
Bonus - Throw Back Tuesday: Early Call Out
06 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Pulled from Ep #19 dated 2020: Bobby gets an early call out for a rare road trip to a local hospital for a CT scan. The experience is nothing like Bob...
EP #132 - Prison Snitches
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Prison Pony Express, Super Rats, Rat Bastard and Squeal Pigeons are just a few names for prison rats. We get the low down on the types of rats & h...
NFTW (23) - Windbreakers, Asian Kyle, Towels, And Eye Wear
14 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Michigan state coats, nerding out with a fellow asian (and new best friend), Bobby gets a real towel, and finally an eye exam to replace his lost glas...
EP #131 - 12 Years And LARPing
08 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's been 10 years since Bobby was locked up & as he's approaching his 12 year ERD (early release date), he can't help but notice time and how the old...
EP #130 - School Days And Birth Of A Hurricane
31 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby gets beat up in kindergarten, birth of Hurricane Judy, growing up poor, and the difference between education in the hood and the burbs. Settin...
NFTW (22) - Why Do We Love Dogs
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mama C searches the internet for the meaning of the universe and gets pulled down a rabbit hole on hairdos, a rare moment in prison as Bobby is surpri...
NFTW (21) - I Need Sleep, Bloody Underwear, And Dan
17 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host JD and America's favorite convict Bobby provide updates and happenings behind prison walls. As Bobby tries to find a way to sleep these past f...
EP #129 - Prison Cast, Kyle Goes Home, And Frozen
28 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Normally Notes From The Pen episodes have a 2 week lag, but because Bobby wants Kyle to be able to listen to this the day after he's released (which i...
Bonus - Time Loop And Synchronicity; Notes From The Vault
19 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Time Loop, starting out, and synchronicity are the topics as we share how it all started as we look back at our first recorded prison phone call. Hard...
NFTW (20) - Book Banister And Rain Man
12 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Notes From The Week with Co-host Monkey Wrench: Prison Junk Drawer (or Drunk Drawer as mc incorrectly says), GTL snatching up account money, bloody un...
EP #127 - How Time Is Spent Behind Bars
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host JD and America's favorite convict are back to talk about inmates and how they spend their time behind bars, Bobby nerds out with college extra...
NFTW (18) - LP, Clamp Daddy, And 200K Streams
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host JD and America's favorite convict Bobby bring us another weekly update of the joining-ons behind prison walls: Bobby see's his first little pe...
NFTW (19) - Keyser Söze And Bugging Out
22 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Weekly updates on life behind bars with American's favorite convict - Bobby. Bobby has been struggling with depression and although the fog is lifting...
EP #126 - A Ladies Man And Deep Depression
15 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
America's favorite convict, Bobby, is back. We celebrate his birthday, his junk endowment, and the dark place Bobby's been in these past few weeks. Th...
EP #125 - Giuseppe
08 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mama C is co-hosting with America's favorite convict - Bobby. Turns out covid isn't done with the prison system just yet, mama c has passed the menopa...
Bonus - Commutation Efforts 2022
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby's prison is on full lock down due to Covid (again), so phone calls are extremely hard right now. This week's episode is one which was created fo...
NFTW (17) - You're My Homie And Convict Codes
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back co-host (and prison fish) JD. We catch up on some of the usual suspects like JC (who broke a convict prison code), Zac, Outlaw, and we me...
Comic & Convict (24): I'll Pay You Later
20 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Doug Stanhope back from a recent tour, and America's favorite convict discuss the latest happenings from behind bars and on the TV screen. Yo...
EP #123 - Unresolved Issues, Birth Mom, And Kung Fu Fighting
18 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ladies Wear and America's favorite convict Bobby, reflect on the last episode which was hit by a rather large wave, also we learn that Ladies Wear was...
NFTW (16) - It's A Big Boat
11 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host JD gets canceled by Bobby (not really), and commutation efforts have begun (to knock off a few years from Bobby's sentence). COMMUTATION - To ...
EP #122 - Truck Nuts
04 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby gets knighted, instagram, the Capt. abandons the dirty Max, truck nuts, and the ship gets a bit sideways from a rouge wave. You can read more ab...
NFTW (15) - Chicken Skins
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ladies Wear is back! Is chicken skins really a thing, Ladies Wear is getting married, and having tough skin as kids in S. Florida If you liked t...
EP #121 - The Cpt., Kids, And Prison Field Day
15 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby survives prison field day, the Cpt. misses the ex's kids, plus much more. If you liked this episode please visit Notes From The Pen on Pat...
NFTW (14) - Prison Break And Map Reading
13 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Relationships, in general, take work...but from behind bars the work is even more challenging (for all involved), and forget about showing any painful...
EP #120 - Jeremy Takes L's, And Sexbots
08 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The Captain gets a break-up text, and Bobby wonders about sexbots. If you liked this episode please visit Notes From The Pen on Patreon and sign up -...
NFTW (12) - Underground Dispatch
06 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Mama C, and America's favorite convict Bobby bring you an underground dispatch of family proportions. We're getting the new season (12) ready for you ...
NFTW (11) - Six Foot Korean And Taste Of Freedom
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host JD has a 6' cut-out of America's favorite convict - Bobby, who knew mama c was an expert photo shop geek, the usual suspects tell us what thei...
EP #119 - I Need A House Mother, And Watch Who You Hang Around
23 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby updates the Capt. on a recent, chaotic move to a new block of the prison. If you liked this episode please visit Notes From The Pen on Patreon ...
NFTW (10) - Pissed Off Jack Sparrow And The Stick Story
16 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host JD...aka Dr Doolittle joins America's favorite convict, Bobby, for the weekly prison life update: the Usual Suspect list grows, a ridiculous s...
EP #117 - All Aboard
11 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode, the Captain is back at the helm. We get to listen as Bobby & the Cpt. share their first few phone calls since the ship hi...
NFTW (9) - Rock Climbing
09 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Bobby has a prison mixer (say what?!?!), JD covid update, penthouse eviction, and sharing feelings from a relationship while behind bars...warts and a...
NFTW (8) - Penthouse Zoning Issues And Zelensky Tatt
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host JD, Bobby, and the Notes From The Week: Nacho Boxes with prison Chef Panda, Polo gives GR Joe a run for his quick wit, Penthouse zoning ...
NFTW (7) - Super Bowl Prison Style
25 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This week: Super Bowl prep behind bars, an asshole, and hell's better with a homie! If you liked this episode please visit Notes From The Pen on...
NFTW (6) - Band-aids Are Food
18 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Microwave bacon, using the wrong phone, and band-aid coffee. Oh boy...once again you can't make this shit up! BONUS post show included after the outro...
NFTW (5) - It Gets Exhausting
11 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host JD and Bobby fill us in on the weekly happenings behind the razor wire like: dealing with the Energy Vampire just gets exhausting, a perfect s...
NFTW (4) - Circuit City: Filling In The Blanks With JD
04 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host JD and Bobby on this ep of the Notes From The Week remind us of a forgotten episode they did with Ladies Wear back in Sept of 2021. It w...
NFTW (3) Walking Dead And Mouth Pieces
28 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
JD & Bobby give us a peek behind the weekly prison curtain: more covid updates, Bobby grabs his mouth piece, superstitions, Phil Hendrie radio show, Z...
NFTW (2) Pirate Of The High Seas
21 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As Bobby continues to get his feet under him in this new joint...Co-host JD (no real last name)...or should I say Pirate JD...introduce us to the most...
NFTW (1) Forensic Dissection And Italian Face
15 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We're kicking off a new (Patreon only) segment of rebel radio with what we're calling Notes From The Week (NFTW) - no lists, and no predetermined topi...
EP #112 - Convict Goals & Trust Issues
28 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host JD and Bobby - Red owes money, inmate lies, how to disengage a prison friendship, trust, and convict goals...daily life behind the razor wire....
EP #110 - Monogamy And Relationships
14 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Cousin Greg and Bobby (recorded a few months ago) talk relationships, expressing love, and aging while behind bars. If you liked this episode please v...
EP #109 - Insecurities Amplified Behind Bars
07 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Being in prison is hard enough when it comes to personal growth...but responding to insecurities and dealing with them while behind bars is yet anothe...
EP #108 - Banishment And Othering
31 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Co-host Cousin Greg is back with Bobby as they discuss cancel culture, virtue signaling, and 'othering' people. If you liked this episode please visit...
EP #107 - Prolific Provolone Joe
24 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Chino talks with Mayo (aka: GR Joe) and picks up right where they left off before Chino was transferred 2 units ago. After that convo JD & B...