Imagine you’re an archaeologist tasked with going through someone’s garbage. What will you learn about their habits and desires, their values, and how they spend their resources? For seven days, the entire Ear Hustle team, both inside and outside San Quentin, stashed our trash, revealing some new and surprising things about each other.

If you’d like to try your own seven-day trash challenge, check out our Trash Challenge guide.

Episode artwork by Raul Aguayo.

Each episode this season will feature new artwork by a different incarcerated artist. It’s part of a collaboration between Ear Hustle and the San Quentin Prison Arts Project, which is part of the William James Association (WJA) and is also supported by California's Arts in Corrections program.

Since 1977, the WJA has helped prepare participants for a successful return to their communities by building family connections, teaching social and communication skills, and giving students an opportunity to contribute. You can find out more about WJA here, and donate to help support its work here.

This episode was scored with music by David Jassy, Antwan Williams, Earlonne Woods, and Derrell Sadiq Davis.

Big thanks to Guim'Mara Berry and Acting Warden Oak Smith for their support of the show.

Ear Hustle is a proud member of Radiotopia, from PRX.

Donate today to help us explore more stories from beyond San Quentin: https://on.prx.org/EH

You can download the episode here and find the transcript here.

Episode 90: Abundant and Passionate Trash