Talking Walls & Dancing Kites*: Powerful Lessons from a Prison Writing Classroom

Change the Story / Change the World

What happens when a writer steps into a prison and discovers more than just stories behind bars? In this episode author and educator Jim Reese shares vivid stories and hard lessons from more than a decade working with incarcerated men.

In a world obsessed with punishment over understanding, this episode dives deep into the transformative power of writing in places most people never dare to go. If you’ve ever wondered whether creativity can truly change lives—on both sides of the prison walls—this conversation offers surprising answers.

• Discover how inmates find their voices and reconnect with family and humanity through storytelling.
• Hear how teaching in prisons reshaped Jim Reese’s understanding of justice, redemption, and the role of an artist.
• Learn why authentic connection, vulnerability, and purpose can break barriers even in the most rigid environments.

Tune in explore how the written word is transforming lives and shifting mindsets—inside and outside the prison system.

* A "kite" In prison slang, a term for a written note or message. It's a way for inmates to communicate with each other or staff, especially when direct verbal communication is restricted. The term likely originated from the way inmates would attach folded notes to strings and "fly" them between cells, resembling a kite.

Notable Mentions

Here’s a list of the people, events, organizations, and publications mentioned in the show with hyperlinks for more in-depth information:

People

Jim Reese: An American poet, professor, and advocate for arts in corrections. He is the Associate Professor of English at Mount Marty University and has taught creative writing at the Yankton Federal Prison Camp.

David Sedaris: A renowned humorist and author known for his sardonic wit and incisive social critiques. Jim Reese had the opportunity to open for Sedaris during a live performance.

Kyle Roberson: Supervisor of Education at Yankton Federal Prison Camp who collaborated with Jim Reese on the prison’s creative writing program.

Marquise Bowie: An inmate participant in the creative writing program at Yankton Federal Prison Camp who credited the program with aiding his healing process.

2. Events

Jim Reese Opening for David Sedaris: In October 2023, Jim Reese opened for David Sedaris at the Orpheum Theater Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

A Decade of Learning at Federal Prison Camp Yankton: Celebrating Jim Reese’s ten years of teaching creative writing at the Yankton Federal Prison Camp, highlighting the impact of arts in corrections.

3. Organizations

Mount Marty University: A Catholic liberal arts university in Yankton, South Dakota, where Jim Reese serves as Associate Professor of English.

Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP): A U.S. federal agency responsible for the administration of the federal prison system, which supported the creative writing program at Yankton Federal Prison Camp.

National Endowment for the Arts (NEA): An independent federal agency that funds and supports artistic excellence, creativity, and innovation, which backed the artist-in-residence program at the prison.

4. Publications

4 P.M. Count: An annual journal edited by Jim Reese featuring creative writing and visual artwork by inmates at Yankton Federal Prison Camp.

Bone Chalk: A nonfiction book by Jim Reese published in 2020, offering insights into life, crime, and redemption in the American Midwest.

These Trespasses: A poetry collection by Jim Reese published in 2005, exploring themes of loss, love, and the human condition.

ghost on 3rd: A 2010 poetry collection by Jim Reese delving into the complexities of life in the Midwest.

Really Happy!: A 2014 poetry collection by Jim Reese that captures the nuances of everyday experiences.

Dancing Room Only: A 2024 collection of new and selected poems by Jim Reese, reflecting on the joys and sorrows of life.

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Change the Story / Change the World is a podcast that chronicles the power of art and community transformation, providing a platform for activist artists to share their experiences and gain the skills and strategies they need to thrive as agents of social change.

Through compelling conversations with artist activists, artivists, and cultural organizers, the podcast explores how art and activism intersect to fuel cultural transformation and drive meaningful change. Guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of community arts, socially engaged art, and creative placemaking, offering insights into artist mentorship, building credibility, and communicating impact.

Episodes delve into the realities of artist isolation, burnout, and funding for artists, while celebrating the role of artists in residence and creative leadership in shaping a more just and inclusive world. Whether you’re an emerging or established artist for social justice, this podcast offers inspiration, practical advice, and a sense of solidarity in the journey toward art and social change.