Podcast Summary: Concrete Mama - BONUS: "It's a Big World Out There”

Host: Unincarcerated Productions
Episode Date: September 8, 2025

Overview of the Episode

This bonus episode of Concrete Mama serves as an emotional, reflective interlude while the podcast prepares for season two. The focus is on Anthony Covert, a formerly incarcerated individual and show host, who shares his raw and deeply personal experience of his first year of freedom after serving 17 years in Washington State Penitentiary. The episode is both a celebration of survival and a candid look at the realities of reentry—contradicting the idea that freedom automatically equates to ease or simplicity. Anthony’s story is used to highlight the complexities, emotional weight, and resilience required to transition back into society.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Concrete Mama Community Event Announcement (00:32 - 01:47)

• Rachel promotes an upcoming community celebration in Walla Walla (Sept 20th), featuring art by those inside and outside prison, a documentary premiere, and Ear Hustle’s Earlonne Woods as a special guest.
• Online participation and an art auction will include those unable to attend in person.

2. Introduction to Anthony’s Story (01:47 - 03:08)

• Vic and Rachel set the stage for Anthony’s powerful reflection on one year of freedom.
• Vic praises Anthony’s integrity and determination, noting that “freedom isn't easy” and comes with its own set of challenges.

3. Anthony’s First Day of Freedom (03:08 - 04:30)

• Anthony recalls dreaming for years about the day he’d be released, calling June 10th, 2024 "the start of my new life.”
• He describes an emotional, “all over the place” mindset and the immediate pressure of responsibility—not just for himself, but as “a trailblazer for the next people to come behind me.”
• Quote: “Freedom isn’t easy. Yes, it's a beautiful, joyous, life changing moment that you dream about…But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.” — Vic Chopra (02:13)

4. The Responsibility of Reentry and Breaking the Cycle (04:30 - 06:00)

• Anthony meditates on the frustration of seeing others return to prison and his studies on why that happens: “I could see how feasible it is for people to revert back to what they know.”
• He explains that he made a promise to himself: “No matter how hard it gets, I’m going to keep pushing through.”
• Quote: “I wasn’t just going out to my freedom. I was going out to be a trailblazer for the next people to come behind me.” — Anthony (03:45)

5. Emotional Goodbyes & Carrying Brotherhood Forward (06:00 - 08:10)

• Anthony recounts his final hours inside, playing games with close friends and struggling with the emotional weight of leaving loved ones and “brothers.”
• The idea of physically passing the same gates he’d never been allowed to approach: “For me to keep walking past where I entered, to get stripped out for my visits…That was a huge, groundbreaking moment for me.”
• The officer’s parting advice—“Be ready. It’s a big world”—didn’t fully sink in until he experienced the overwhelming newness of freedom.

6. The Reality of Reentry: Overwhelming Senses & Letting Go of Old Patterns (08:10 - 11:10)

• “No matter how much you prepare in prison for your life outside…there’s going to be things that trip you up, things that don’t go as planned.”
• Anthony describes the disorientation of the outside world, and the struggle to avoid old pitfalls: “The trajectory that I’m on doesn’t even make space for those things to occur in my life right now.”
• The initial step through the prison gate is recounted as an almost surreal, uncertain moment: “I stopped at that gate, and the officer’s like, ‘What’s up?’ I’m like, ‘Man, I just need a minute. Like, I really get to walk through here. This isn’t a trick?’”

7. Regrets and Messages to Brothers Still Inside (11:10 - 12:10)

• Anthony’s sole regret: Not writing farewell or encouragement letters to friends inside as tokens of their bond and a motivator for them.
• “Just know that I’m out here and you guys are on my mind. You guys know who you are.”

8. Accomplishments & Adjustments in the Free World (12:10 - 13:10)

• Anthony shares achievements: his own place, a car, a job, and a supportive community.
• He describes a poignant moment at an event where a friend prompts him to sit up front, saying, “You are no longer in prison.”
• The need to retain memories of incarceration as guardrails against complacency: “Once you start forgetting what you’ve been through to get somewhere, you start becoming more complacent…then you find yourself back.”
• Quote: “I’m gonna shed the stuff that needs to be shed, but I’m gonna keep the things that need to remind me…this is what you worked hard for.” — Anthony (13:00)

9. Hosts’ Reflections and Call to Action (12:51 - 13:30)

• Rachel underscores the extraordinary difficulty of reintegration and asks listeners to offer housing, employment, or support to returning citizens: “We hope…your views and perspectives have started to shift on the justice impacted community.”

10. Looking Ahead (13:30 - End)

• Vic promises the podcast will continue to follow Anthony’s journey in season two.
• Production assistant Alicia Navares is recognized for her work on this episode.

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Freedom isn’t easy…You dream about it every second…But it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.”
  — Vic Chopra (02:13)

• “I was going out to be a trailblazer for the next people to come behind me.”
  — Anthony (03:45)

• “No matter how much you prepare in prison for your life outside…there’s going to be things that trip you up.”
  — Anthony (08:40)

• “I stopped at that gate, and the officer’s like, ‘What’s up?’ I’m like, ‘Man, I just need a minute. Like, I really get a walk through here. This isn’t a trick?’”
  — Anthony (09:40)

• “Once you start forgetting what you’ve been through to get somewhere, you start becoming more complacent. You start becoming more loose. And then you start thinking like, oh, well, then I can just do whatever. And then you find yourself back.”
  — Anthony (13:00)

• “If you get an opportunity to give someone who’s coming home employment, housing, or a support…give people a chance.”
  — Rachel (13:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:32 – 01:47: Community celebration and art auction announcement
• 01:47 – 03:08: Anthony’s introduction, reflection on the difficulty of freedom
• 03:08 – 04:30: The first day out, emotional significance, responsibility
• 06:00 – 08:10: Farewells and the act of stepping through the gate
• 08:10 – 11:10: Navigating overwhelming new experiences and temptation
• 11:10 – 12:10: Regrets, relationships, and carrying others forward
• 12:10 – 13:10: Achievements and how trauma shapes post-prison vigilance
• 12:51 – 13:30: Social responsibility and invitation to support returning citizens
• 13:30 – End: Closing remarks and a look forward to next season

Tone and Language

The episode’s tone is raw, introspective, and deeply empathetic—balancing the hard truths of reentry with hope and encouragement. Anthony speaks candidly, using direct language that conveys both pain and pride. The hosts emphasize respect and admiration for those navigating the transition from incarceration to freedom.

Final Thoughts

This episode offers an honest, moving lens into the aftermath of incarceration—a time often missed by popular narratives. Through Anthony’s vulnerability, the show prompts listeners to reconsider how the world treats returning citizens and calls on the community to foster inclusion, support, and understanding. It’s a must-listen for anyone interested in the realities of the prison system, reentry, and redemption.