79. "Hope Had to Die So I Could Survive" | 25 Years in Prison | Brandon Baker

81. Love After Lockup: Building Healthy Relationships After Trauma

Can someone truly build a healthy relationship after years in prison, trauma, or emotional hardship? In this deeply personal episode of the How To Battle Podcast, Carlos and Shirin explore what it really takes to build a thriving relationship when two people come from completely different worlds. Carlos shares what it was like leaving prison after 17 years and navigating love, communication, trust, and emotional growth in a world that had completely changed. Together, they discuss why compassion, patience, continuous learning, and personal growth matter more than perfection. Whether you're healing from incarceration, divorce, trauma, heartbreak, or simply trying to build a stronger relationship, this conversation offers practical wisdom and hope that lasting love is possible. In this episode: ◼️ Why relationships after prison can actually thrive ◼️ The biggest learning curve after years of incarceration ◼️ Why compassion is more important than perfection ◼️ How personal growth creates stronger relationships ◼️ The importance of adapting to your partner ◼️ Why communication is a learnable skill ◼️ How prison prepared many people emotionally more than most realize ◼️ Why healing together creates deeper connection ◼️ The role of self-development in lasting love ◼️ How to support someone whose life experience is completely different from yours If this episode resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who is building a life or relationship after hardship. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful conversations to the world. 👉 Follow Carlos & Shirin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial [https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial] https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial [https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial] 👉 Subscribe for weekly insights: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezofficial [https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezofficial] 👉 New Books: The PRICE Method: How I Turned Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com/ [https://thepricemethodbook.com/] The Leader's PRICE: Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F] Thank you to our sponsor for their support! Legendary Foods – Protein Snacks https://www.eatlegendary.com/ [https://www.eatlegendary.com/] #LoveAfterLockup #HealthyRelationships #RelationshipAdvice #Healing #TraumaHealing #PersonalGrowth #EmotionalIntelligence #Communication #SecondChances #Transformation #Mindset #Resilience #HowToBattle #CarlosVasquez #Podcast

80. The 3 Mirrors of Relationships

What if the people in your life are showing you something about yourself? In this thought-provoking episode Carlos and Shirin explore the concept of the "Three Mirrors of Human Relationships" and how our relationships, friendships, triggers, and attractions may reveal deeper truths about who we are. Together, they discuss why we attract certain people, how unresolved wounds continue to show up in our lives, the importance of personal responsibility, and why changing your inner world can transform everything around you. Topics include: • The three mirrors of human relationships • Why you keep attracting the same types of people • How your outer world reflects your inner world • The connection between healing and relationships • Loneliness, self-worth, and personal growth • Why some people trigger you emotionally • The importance of intentional relationships • Building a new life through conscious choices • How Carlos rebuilt his network after prison • The power of surrounding yourself with the right people If this episode resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who is working to build healthier relationships and a more intentional life. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful conversations to the world. 👉 Follow Carlos & Shirin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial [https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial] https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial [https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial] 👉 Subscribe for weekly insights: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof [https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof]... 👉 New Books: The PRICE Method: How I Turned Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com/ [https://thepricemethodbook.com/] The Leader's PRICE: Human-centered Leadership in the Age of AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F] Thank you to our sponsors for their support! Legendary Foods – Protein Snacks https://www.eatlegendary.com [https://www.eatlegendary.com] If you've ever wondered why certain patterns keep showing up in your life, this episode may help you see yourself—and your relationships—in a completely different way. #Relationships #Healing #SelfAwareness #PersonalGrowth #Mindset #Transformation #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #GrowthMindset #CarlosVasquez #HowToBattle #CarlosUnfiltered #SelfDevelopment #Purpose #Success #HumanBehavior #PersonalTransformation #InnerWork #ConsciousLiving #Psychology

79. "Hope Had to Die So I Could Survive" | 25 Years in Prison | Brandon Baker

Some men break under pressure. Brandon Baker got forged by it. At 18, Brandon was sentenced to 75-to-life. He spent 25 years behind bars — and walked out employed, enrolled in college, published, and on a mission. In this episode, we go deep on what it really takes to survive maximum security prison at 18, why hope sometimes has to die before it can grow, and how Brandon is now training counselors at Rikers Island and performing at theaters across LA. This conversation will hit different if you've ever felt like the system wrote you off, or if you love someone who did time. We talk about: Suppressing hope to survive — then letting God resurrect it Why he says prison prepared him for society His goals: EGOT, doctorate, nonprofit, and generational wealth Why he's an abolitionist for juvenile incarceration The power of speaking things into existence 👍 Like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you never miss an episode. 📖 Brandon's book: Where I Belong — available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/09XB3iSA [https://a.co/d/09XB3iSA] 📲 Follow Brandon: @bethatsuccessful81 | YouTube: Where I Belong with Brandon J Baker 📚New Books: The PRICE Method: How I Turned Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com [https://thepricemethodbook.com] The Leader's PRICE: Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F] 👉 📬 SUBSTACK LINK: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezofficial [https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezofficial] 👉 Follow Carlos Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial [https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial] 🙏 Sponsored by Legendary Foods — high-protein snacks done right. www.eatlegendary.com [http://www.eatlegendary.com] #podcast #prisonreform #redemption #motivationalpodcast #secondchances #faith #incarceration #reentry #mentalhealth #hope #brandombaker #truecrime #purposedriven #blackexcellence #streetstosuccess

78. Loving Someone With Trauma: The Truth No One Talks About

Can love heal trauma? In this deeply personal episode of the How To Battle Podcast, Carlos opens up about the reality of loving someone after childhood abandonment, gang life, prison, violence, and years spent in solitary confinement. He shares how trauma affected his ability to trust, why isolation became his comfort zone, and what it actually takes to build a healthy relationship after a lifetime of survival mode. Together, Carlos and Shirin explore the difficult truths about healing in relationships, the impact of abandonment wounds, why trust issues don't disappear overnight, and how love, accountability, and self-awareness can create lasting transformation. This conversation explores: How trauma impacts trust and intimacy Why isolation can become a coping mechanism The connection between childhood wounds and adult relationships What healing together actually looks like Why love alone isn't enough without accountability The importance of self-awareness in healing trauma How abandonment shapes the way we connect with others Practical ways couples can support each other's healing journey Why healing is possible no matter what you've been through If this episode resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who is healing from trauma or learning how to love someone through their healing journey. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful conversations to the world. 👉 Follow Carlos & Shirin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial [https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial] https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial [https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial] 👉 Subscribe for weekly insights: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof [https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof]... 👉 New Books: The PRICE Method: How I Turned Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com/ [https://thepricemethodbook.com/] The Leader's PRICE: Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F] Thank you to our sponsors for their support! Legendary Foods – Protein Snacks https://www.eatlegendary.com/ [https://www.eatlegendary.com/] #TraumaHealing #Relationships #TrustIssues #HealingJourney #MentalHealth #PersonalGrowth #CarlosVasquez #ShirinHejazi #HowToBattle #EmotionalHealing #ChildhoodTrauma #SelfDevelopment #LoveAndRelationships #Resilience #Transformation

77. The Magic of Life: Why Some People Attract Miracles and Others Don't

Have you ever experienced a coincidence so strange it felt like the universe was trying to tell you something? In this episode of the How To Battle Podcast, Carlos explores the idea of "magic"—not the kind found in movies, but the extraordinary moments that happen when belief, energy, resilience, gratitude, and intention come together. From lessons learned through entrepreneurship and prison, to finding love unexpectedly, Carlos shares why he believes that miracles, synchronicities, and life-changing opportunities become more common when you develop the right mindset. This conversation explores: The psychology behind synchronicities Why successful people believe before they see results Michael Jordan's mindset around performance How resilience creates opportunities Why gratitude attracts more abundance How to create your own reality The role energy plays in success Why becoming your best self attracts extraordinary people and opportunities If you've ever wondered whether luck, coincidence, miracles, or manifestation are real, this episode is for you. If this episode resonated with you, like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs a reminder that extraordinary things are still possible. Your support helps us continue bringing meaningful conversations to the world. 👉 Try the “Find Your Fire” AI App (Free): https://findyourfireai.com [https://findyourfireai.com] 👉 Follow Carlos & Shirin: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial [https://www.instagram.com/carlosvasquezofficial] https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial [https://www.instagram.com/shirinhejaziofficial] 👉 Subscribe for weekly insights: https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof [https://substack.com/@carlosvasquezof]... 👉 New Books: The PRICE Method: How I Turned Pain into Purpose https://thepricemethodbook.com/ [https://thepricemethodbook.com/] The Leader's PRICE: Human-centered Leadership in the Age of AI https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GYXQ1H1F] Thank you to our sponsors for their support! Legendary Foods – Protein Snacks https://www.eatlegendary.com/ [https://www.eatlegendary.com/] Youth Champions – Youth Empowerment https://youth-champions.org/ [https://youth-champions.org/] #Mindset #Manifestation #PersonalGrowth #Transformation #CarlosVasquez #HowToBattle #SuccessMindset #Leadership #SelfDevelopment #PurposeDrivenLife #Miracles #Synchronicity #Energy #Resilience #Entrepreneurship