Changing your name while incarcerated is impossible in some states, and quite easy in others. There are countless reasons why someone behind bars might feel the need to legally reinvent themselves. In this episode, we’ll explore the inspiring story of Savannah Turner, formerly Gena, an incarcerated member of PenPals.Buzz. Currently incarcerated for identity theft, Savannah has moved beyond a troubled past filled with poor choices and substance abuse. Today, she seeks to shed her old name and embrace a fresh start complete with a new attitude, new goals, and new values. This episode will guide you through the process of changing your name while incarcerated, including the time it typically takes and the various motivations behind such a decision. Are most inmates seeking to escape their pasts, hide their crimes, and protect themselves from online searches? Or do they have deeper, more legitimate reasons for wanting a name change? Once an inmate has paid their debt to society, should they be given the chance to leave their past behind? Unlike some European countries that offer ex-prisoners a new identity to aid in rehabilitation, the U.S. often seems to impose a lifelong stigma on those who have already served their time. Join us for a thought-provoking 15-minute exploration into the significance (or insignificance?) of a legal name and what it truly means for those looking to rebuild their lives.

"Welcome to More than an Inmate's Girlfriend. I'm your host, Jae," speaks a soothing voice each week from her podcast studio in Canada. Since 2024, Jae Ely has been releasing podcast episodes aimed at reducing the stigma associated with prisoners, prison wives, and even pen pals who choose to write to prison inmates. Jae, who is married to an inmate (yet not allowed to communicate with him!) talks about her life, her podcast, and the challenges she's faced along the way. In this exclusive interview with Big Steve, she opens up about how marrying Nicholas Ely, incarcerated in Nebraska, has completely changed her life. Learn about how Jae is working to get Nebraska's Felony Murder laws overturned, the free gift catalog she's created for inmates, her recent three-part podcast series about prison pen pals, and so much more. She'll even talk about why she no longer gets nervous when interviewing famous guests and reality stars from shows like Love After Lockup. This is an inspirational interview, filled with honesty and heart, which offers a behind-the-scenes look into Jae's personal life, her goals, and the mental strength it takes to host a successful podcast in 2026. Learn more about her show at https://morethananinmatesgirlfriend.com

Romantic relationships between an inmate and their free-world pen pal often start out like a whirlwind romance. After just a few letters exchanged, prisoners often feel like they met the person of their dreams, their true love, their soulmate. But is any of it actually real, or are they merely living in a fantasy world of false hopes and future faking? In this episode, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and founder of Gratitude and Growth Counseling, Jennifer Garcia, breaks it down. You'll learn about idealization and fantasy, love bombing, Borderline and Narcissistic Personality Disorders, loyalty tests, trauma bonds, and other factors that play into the start of these intense relationships. She will also teach you strategies to help better your chances of a sustainable pen pal relationship, and she will share proven red flags to watch for if you find yourself developing feelings for your pen pal.