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Suave

Futuro Media

Winner of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting

The U.S is the only country in the world that allows minors to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Approximately 2,500 juveniles have been effectively sentenced to die in prison — considered “irredeemable” by the state for crimes committed when they were just teenagers. One of them was David Luis “Suave” Gonzalez, who entered prison at 17 expecting to leave in a coffin. Suave tells the story of what happens when your whole world is a prison cell, and you suddenly get a second chance at life. It’s the story of one man’s incarceration and redemption and an unusual relationship between a journalist and a source.

Binge both seasons of Suave and get exclusive bonus episodes with Futuro+. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

© Futuro Media

Winner of the 2022 Pulitzer Prize in Audio Reporting

The U.S is the only country in the world that allows minors to be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Approximately 2,500 juveniles have been effectively sentenced to die in prison — considered “irredeemable” by the state for crimes committed when they were just teenagers. One of them was David Luis “Suave” Gonzalez, who entered prison at 17 expecting to leave in a coffin. Suave tells the story of what happens when your whole world is a prison cell, and you suddenly get a second chance at life. It’s the story of one man’s incarceration and redemption and an unusual relationship between a journalist and a source.

Binge both seasons of Suave and get exclusive bonus episodes with Futuro+. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus

© Futuro Media
8hr 31min
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Introducing "Suave," a podcast about juveniles sentenced to die in prison told through one man's journey.
Thumbnail for "Building The Future: A Message From Maria".
We’re doing something different! Today, Maria Hinojosa joins listeners for a special message announcing something new from Futuro.
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“The very last word she said was ‘You can become a voice for the voiceless.’ And I was just like, ‘Damn, why am I letting this lady mess up my high?’”
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“I was fascinated with the lifestyle. I was fascinated with prison flicks. That's how you get the street credibility. You know, I'm gonna be the baddest dude on the block.”
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“We had a secret, unspoken bond. We’re all dying in here. And I felt like I was breaking that bond. I feel like I'm leaving my brothers behind.”
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“I never dreamed that it would be this good. Even the worst day that I have is good. I'm going up… and I know everything that goes up must come down.”
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“Doesn’t matter if you doing good, if you got a job, it doesn't matter—it could be snatched up in a heartbeat and there's nothing you could do about it.”
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“That little place right here changed my whole life. December 6, 1986. 15 seconds. 15 seconds changed my whole life.”
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“There's no winners in this. You’re a victim so you victimize other people because you’re hurt. It's a circle and it goes on and on.”
Thumbnail for "Introducing - Suave: Season Two".
You can leave prison, but does the lingering trauma of prison ever leave you?
Thumbnail for "Roses and Manure - Ep. 1".
Thumbnail for "Parole & The Pursuit of Happiness - Ep. 2".
Thumbnail for "Someone's Hand to Hold - Ep. 3".
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Thumbnail for "A Homecoming - Ep. 6".
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Let The Chips Fall - Ep. 5

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May 13, 202535min 22sec

An unexpected event turns Suave’s world on its head, and Suave seems ready to throw it all away. He feels violated, and it triggers a response from Suave we’ve never seen before. As he grows increasingly agitated and isolated from everyone around him, Suave’s actions put everything that he has built at risk.

Season 2 of Suave was made possible by The Mellon Foundation. Mellon makes grants to support the visionaries and communities that unlock the power of the arts and humanities to help connect us all. More at mellon.org.

Want to support our independent journalism? Join Futuro+ for exclusive episodes, sneak peaks and behind-the-scenes chisme on Suave and all our podcasts. www.futuromediagroup.org/joinplus.
Thumbnail for "Let The Chips Fall - Ep. 5".
Let The Chips Fall - Ep. 5
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