Overcoming 5 Years in Federal Prison and 8 years of Probation

A story about finding a path after Incarceration

In this episode, I talk to Brian, who shares with me the journey of how he ended up in prison, as well as how he is carving out a life for himself now. We talk about topics such as religion, self-help, therapy, and more as we navigate through his life. Ultimately, we end up in the current day, where we discuss the impact of the pandemic on not just Brian's life, but also our country.

Dealing with the Justice System - how moving on is sometimes the only option.

In this episode, I speak to Andi, who spent a year in prison in Georgia. She spent three years fighting her case in court before not being able to retain the service of a private attorney anymore. Her time in prison, and the years afterward were periods of growth, where Andi learned to accept her past and move on with her life. While in prison, she was part of the first all-female firefighter team and she also worked for the Governor of Georgia as part of a work-release program. Now, alongside, her husband, she runs a successful sewing business. Join us as she shares her inspiring story of how she got to this point in her life.

Moving past 7.5 Years in Prison for Attempted Murder

This episode, I talk to Josh, who spent 7.5 years in prison from ages 19 - 27 for attempted murder in Oregon during the years 2000 - 2007. We talk about Josh's early life, the events leading up to his arrest, his time in prison, and how he has continued with his life after release. While incarcerated Josh learned to draw and paint and became a community activist and trainer. He has continued to spend time after release on community activism. His story is one of perseverance, and the lessons he imparts at the end of the episode were insightful.

Overcoming 5 Years in Federal Prison and 8 years of Probation Part 2

In this continuation of the previous episode, David continues his story, starting with where we left off previously. We begin this episode right before David has his trial and is sentenced. We later talk about his experience in prison, as well as how in many ways, his time after prison, in probation and in a halfway house, was more stifling and oppressive than his prison sentence. We also discuss how David applied to have his probation shortened, and how he has moved past it since.

Overcoming 5 Years in Federal Prison and 8 years of Probation

David has lived in southern California his entire life, and shortly after college, was sentenced to 5 years in federal prison. After being released from prison, David had 8 more years of probation. In this first part, David paints a broad picture of his life, starting with key events in his childhood, teenage, and college years. This episode ends right after David was released on bail and right before his federal trial.