Ben Free Podcast

They told them they had LIFE, and they were never coming home. Now they are home through overturned convictions and survived sentences. Recently coming home himself after 18 years in prison, Benjamin Frandsen leads us on weekly interviews through the emotions, thoughts and processes of those who have survived their heavy handed sentences. When Benjamin Frandsen was only ten months old, his mother would sit him up on the kitchen counter so she could chat with him, not in baby-talk lexicon but rather like a small university colleague. After witnessing this phenomenon one day, her friend exclaimed, “Why do you talk to that baby like he’s Winston Churchill?” “Because,” she fired back, “if I wanted him to saying nothing but woodjy-goodgy- gaga all the time, I’d talk to him like that. I want him to use his words!” And use them he did. At the age of ten, he delighted her with a homemade book of his original poetry. Basking in the light of her proud face, he felt as if the course of his life were being set, like tumblers in a lock clicking into place. He knew then what he wanted to be when he grew up—a wordsmith. Since then, he’s written environmental impact report, copywriting for Barbie™, and a professional contract screenplay. His publications have included several editorials, flash-fiction and essay pieces in Columbia University’s exCHANGE magazine, poetry in Iconoclast, and memoir excerpts through the Vera Institute of Justice. He has won prizes and honorariums for screenplays, websodes, poetry, and essays through PEN America and has been published in their annual anthologies for three years running. Last year his essay earned him PEN’s prestigious L’Engle-Rahman Prize for Mentorship, and this year he is launching his career in professional public speaking, writing and developing scripts forThe Coin studio, and hosting his own show called the Ben Free podcast. Recently, his close friend cautioned him, “You can’t just do everything!” Ben simply grinned and said, “Watch me.”

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Ben Free Podcast

Ben Free w/ Garren

March 20, 2023 • Benjamin Frandsen • Season 2 • Episode 1

18 years after being imprisoned and a drawn-out legal battle of unjust factual debacles, Benjamin Frandsen continues his firsthand true-crime drama account. He beat the same life sentence 5 times!

Season 2 is packed with recounts of never-before-heard highlights of nearly two decades of incarceration and his new successes as a free man. Since his physical release in December 2021, Ben has been sharing with quality guests about the patience and the doubt, the due diligence, the fear, and the profound faith needed to abstain from violence without becoming its victim. This fall, 2022. Model inmate turned 2022 UCLA student, Ben is an award-winning writer, public speaker, content creator, and 2nd-chance model citizen.

These inspiring accounts will captivate the mind and free the spirit, inspiring hope in those battling on behalf of the wrongfully accused and for those of us who will appreciate a new understanding of what is meant by true freedom. Notwithstanding a heavy dose of true-crime drama surrounding real victims, these podcasts will transport you from seemingly hopeless to hope-filled and set free.

Now let me introduce you to one amazing human beings to bless us with their presence...

With his unique flow and sound, Garren is one of the most exciting and promising artists to emerge within the R&B space. Nominated for three Grammys, he possesses an extensive music catalog including highly acclaimed collaborations with Nas, Kendrick Lamar, Nipsey Hussle, and J. Cole.
On this episode of Ben Free, Ben discusses Garren’s popular song, “Wrong Way,” (over 4 million streams) and how it was inspired by growing up with a father who was incarcerated for most of Garren’s youth. Tune in as Garren gives a titillating live performance of “Wrong Way” and his new song “Save Me.”

People on this episode

Benjamin Fransen

Host