Before They Could Dream
An Exploration of Youth Justice and Incarceration in the United States
Before They Could Dream is a seven-episode podcast series that explores the history, lived experiences, and lasting impact of youth incarceration in the United States. The Aspen Institute’s Forum for Community Solutions (AIFCS), in partnership with the Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY) and Green Buzz Agency, set out to tell the story of youth incarceration in the United States from the perspective of six people who were given extreme sentences as children. The series explores each person’s early childhood, the dreams they once imagined, their remorse for choices they made under often dire circumstances, and the consequences that have followed them into adulthood. Each story is grounded in factual, legal, and historical context provided by a group of experts across various fields. Together, they illuminate a system most Americans rarely see and the realities young people face when the law decides their futures before they can dream.
Watch the Podcast Series Trailer Here
Upcoming Episodes: (March 10th, 2026)
Learn how you can support young people and organizations who are reimagining justice in the United States: Youth Justice Resources
Tune in on Tuesdays for the Latest Episodes from this Podcast Series, through 04/07/2026
Themes may include physical, mental, and sexual abuse and suicide along with adult language.
A partnered production of The Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions (AIFCS), The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY), Green Buzz Agency and our expert panelists.
The Aspen Institute Forum for Community Solutions (AIFCS) has been a beacon of hope and change for over a decade. AIFCS promotes collaborative, community-based efforts that build the power and influence of those with the least access to opportunity. We support communities to come together to expand mobility, eliminate systemic barriers, and determine their own solutions to their most pressing challenges.
The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth (CFSY) is a national nonprofit that leads efforts to ban juvenile life without parole and other extreme sentences for children. The CFSY works to dismantle the racial disparities, social injustices, and residual harms caused by the legal system. Through partnerships with advocacy organizations, businesses, and other stakeholders, the CFSY supports survivors of youth violence, those incarcerated as children who are still serving or have been released, and their respective families and communities.
Green Buzz Agency’s mission is to tell compelling stories that inspire action and evoke emotion, through a commitment to our clients, team and creative excellence.
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