Sure, the dramatized experiences of characters on Orange is the New Black and Prison Break make for exciting TV shows. However, not all stories about being locked up require Hollywood embellishment.

At least that’s the case with two new podcasts, featuring current and former inmates, that have both gone to No. 1 on Apple Podcasts within the last month: Ear Hustle and Locked Up Abroad.

“Ear hustle” is prison speak for eavesdropping, which helps explain the set-up for the show. Listeners hear conversations happening right inside of San Quentin State Prison. What sorts of conversations? Well, funny and enlightening ones about the dating-like process of choosing “cellies” (cellmates), the harsh realities of dealing with gang life and what it’s like to have fights with your brother in a tiny cell….