Skip to main content

Search TrendsNew Ads Appearances Podcasts API

We value your privacy

We use cookies to understand how you use our platform and to improve your experience. Click “Accept All” to consent, or “Decline non-essential” to opt out of non-essential cookies. Read our Privacy Policy.

Atlantic Voice

How a convicted felon and his lawyer found freedom - and friendship

Aug 15, 2026 · 26 min · 10 segments

Renford Farrier was past his parole date by decades, when he met a Halifax lawyer who changed everything. Ren's journey in and out of prison, and the friendship he found, is chronicled in this…

Renford Farrier was past his parole date by decades, when he met a Halifax lawyer who changed everything. Ren's journey in and out of prison, and the friendship he found, is chronicled in this documentary by Jane Sponagle, called Ren & Emma. Please note this story does contain some strong language. This story first aired on Atlantic Voice this past winter.

Renford Farrier was past his parole date by decades, when he met a Halifax lawyer who changed everything. Ren's journey in and out of prison, and the friendship he found, is chronicled in this…

Spotify Apple Podcasts Amazon Music Website

Show signals: SuitabilitySafeAudience≈1k followers

Speakers: Renford FerrierGuestJane SponagleEmma HalpernGuestLindsay BirdHost

Top entities: Emma Halpern×54 Jane Sponagle×4 Toronto×4 Christmas×2 Canada×5

Ren and Emma0:01 – 1:07

U

UnknownUnknown

0:01

This is a CBC Podcast.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:04

Hey, you're about to hear an encore episode of Atlantic Voice.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:08

So

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:10

push from your heels, though.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:11

Go down more and push from your heels because you're pushing your glutes, right?

U

UnknownUnknown

0:15

It's not your front

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:17

quad, it's your glutes.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:19

So down and push from your heel.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:22

We're at a gym in Dartmouth with Emma Halpern and Renford Ferrier.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:26

They're doing some squats.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:27

And these friends have been working out together ever since Ren got out of prison.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:32

When we initially got here, the staff that was here...

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:36

They knew, like, yeah, this guy was in jail for killing somebody.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:40

And they were, like, welcoming.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:41

Didn't bat an eyelash.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:43

Didn't have a judgment.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:44

Didn't have a, like, great for you, welcome to the world.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:47

Crazy.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:49

Wren has Emma to thank for this life on the outside.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:52

I'm Lindsay Bird, and today on Atlantic Voice, we're going to follow Wren's journey and the friendship that came with it.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:58

CBC producer James Sponicle will pick up the story from here, back at the gym.

Lindsay BirdHost

1:03

But before we get there, just a note, this story does contain some strong language.

Read the full transcript.

Create an account to read the whole episode, search across every transcript, and follow the shows you care about.

Sign up Already have an account? Log in

Emma HalpernPerson
97%54 mentions
Jane SponaglePerson
90%4 mentions
TorontoCityCity in Ontario, Canada
83%4 mentions
ChristmasEntityFestival
77%2 mentions
CanadaCountryCountry in North America
70%5 mentions
JamaicaCountryCountry in the Caribbean
63%2 mentions
Nova ScotiaAdministrative AreaCanadian Province
57%2 mentions
Canadian Broadcasting CorporationCompanyBroadcasting company
50%2 mentions
Kingston PenitentiaryMuseumMuseum in Kingston, Ontario
43%1 mention
XEntitySocial networking service
37%1 mention
Toronto StarPeriodicalCanadian newspaper
30%1 mention
FloridaAdministrative AreaUS state
23%1 mention
Springhill InstitutionPlacePrison in Springhill, Nova Scotia
17%1 mention
IslamEntityReligion
10%1 mention
John Howard SocietyOrganizationNon-profit organization
3%2 mentions

RehabilitationCrime > Violence > Murder > Incarceration
Legal RepresentationLaw > Criminal Justice > Parole
Prison SystemLaw > Criminal Justice > Parole > Legal Representation
Prisoner ReintegrationSociety > Social Issues > Rehabilitation > Community Support
Support SystemsPersonal Development > Life Changes > Transformation
FriendshipPersonal Development > Life Changes > Transformation > Support Systems
IdentityCulture > Immigration > Cultural Heritage
CommunityCulture > Immigration > Cultural Heritage > Identity
Community SupportSociety > Social Issues > Rehabilitation
Social IssuesSociety
Society
ParoleLaw > Criminal Justice
Cultural HeritageCulture > Immigration
ViolenceCrime
TransformationPersonal Development > Life Changes
Life ChangesPersonal Development
Criminal JusticeLaw
ImmigrationCulture
Personal Development
RehabilitationSociety > Social Issues
MurderCrime > Violence
Law
Crime
Culture
IncarcerationCrime > Violence > Murder

Ren and Emma0:01 – 1:07

U

UnknownUnknown

0:01

This is a CBC Podcast.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:04

Hey, you're about to hear an encore episode of Atlantic Voice.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:08

So

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:10

push from your heels, though.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:11

Go down more and push from your heels because you're pushing your glutes, right?

U

UnknownUnknown

0:15

It's not your front

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:17

quad, it's your glutes.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:19

So down and push from your heel.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:22

We're at a gym in Dartmouth with Emma Halpern and Renford Ferrier.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:26

They're doing some squats.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:27

And these friends have been working out together ever since Ren got out of prison.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:32

When we initially got here, the staff that was here...

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:36

They knew, like, yeah, this guy was in jail for killing somebody.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:40

And they were, like, welcoming.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:41

Didn't bat an eyelash.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:43

Didn't have a judgment.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:44

Didn't have a, like, great for you, welcome to the world.

R

Renford FerrierGuest

0:47

Crazy.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:49

Wren has Emma to thank for this life on the outside.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:52

I'm Lindsay Bird, and today on Atlantic Voice, we're going to follow Wren's journey and the friendship that came with it.

Lindsay BirdHost

0:58

CBC producer James Sponicle will pick up the story from here, back at the gym.

Lindsay BirdHost

1:03

But before we get there, just a note, this story does contain some strong language.