17 Winters Podcast

In episode 45 of the 17 Winters Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Shaneva McReynolds, President & CEO of FAMM (Families Against Mandatory Minimums), for a powerful conversation about family, incarceration, leadership, and the fight to transform America's legal system.

Dr. McReynolds shares her personal journey, including the devastating impact of losing her cousin to incarceration, her first husband to murder, and the fight to free her husband Jeffery from his mandatory sentence.

This episode was about more than sentencing reform. It's about the families left behind, the voices too often ignored, and the responsibility we have to turn lived experience into meaningful change.

17 Winters Podcast - Changing the Narrative, One Story at a Time...

In Episode #44, I step behind the camera and take full ownership of the entire production—from the cameras and audio to the set, topic, promotion, and distribution.Is it perfect? Nope. Am I like a professional production crew? Not yet. But that’s the point: DO IT ANYWAY!!!I reflect on my summer street outreach work with Hood 2 Hood, my journey into Community Violence Intervention (CVI) and reentry work, and some of the unique struggles that come with being a formerly incarcerated person building a platform and podcast from the ground up.I also get into the music—comparing and contrasting the new Skilla Baby and Pooh Shiesty albums and what they bring to the conversation.This episode is about more than podcasting. It’s about starting before you’re ready, learning as you go, embracing the imperfections, and continuing to move forward.You may not have it all figured out. You may not be a pro yet.DO IT ANYWAY...

In this episode of 17 Winters Podcast, it’s just me—no guest, no script, just a camera and an honest conversation.I share pieces of my origin story, reflect on my personal reentry journey, and wrestle with what it means to be a formerly incarcerated person stepping into the role of “podcaster” while gaining traction and finding my voice.At times, I’m vulnerable. At others, I’m reflective. And throughout, I explore the importance of formerly incarcerated leadership and the responsibility that comes with telling our own stories.This is one of many conversations to come. I’m practicing, learning, and figuring it out in real time—because practice makes perfect.So come on the journey with me. #FreeTheReal

In this episode of 17 Winters Podcast, I sat down with longtime friend and fellow formerly incarcerated leader Nate Johnson, Co-Founder of Next Chapters Solutions.Meeting more than 20 years ago at MTU, we reflect on our journeys from incarceration and transformation to becoming leaders in Michigan’s reentry movement. They discuss Nate’s work with Fresh Coast Alliance, Reentry United, and Next Chapters Solutions, the need for stronger statewide collaboration, and why formerly incarcerated people must be trusted to lead the work of reentry.A powerful conversation about second chances, coming home, and helping others write their next chapter.

The Road to 50 starts here.

For Episode #41, I'm joined by Adam Grant, Executive Director & CEO of A Brighter Way, for an honest conversation about leadership, sacrifice, and building a new vision for reentry in Michigan.

Adam shares why he made the difficult decision to take a pay cut at the beginning of the year, what it means to lead a mission-driven organization, and why A Brighter Way made the commitment to transition its Lansing office from part-time to full-time service for the community.

We also take a deeper look at A Brighter Way's philosophy of Reentry. Reintegration. PEERS. and discuss how the organization is working to create long-term support for people returning home from incarceration—not just surviving the first few months after release, but building lives rooted in stability, purpose, and community.

This conversation goes beyond programs and services. It's about what it takes to build organizations that truly believe in second chances and are willing to invest in people long after they come home.

This is the first stop on the Road to 50—a special series highlighting the people, organizations, and ideas shaping the future of reentry, justice reform, and formerly incarcerated leadership.

FREE THE REAL.

Episode #40 of the 17 Winters Podcast dives into the painful and often overlooked reality of generational incarceration. In this powerful conversation, we sit down with author Alexis Devon Smith to discuss his impactful book, Momma Does My Daddy Still Love Me, and the emotional toll incarceration takes on our women, children and families across generations.

Together, we explore the trauma, abandonment, confusion, and resilience experienced by children with incarcerated parents, while shedding light on the importance of healing, accountability, and breaking destructive cycles. Alexis shares his inspiration behind the book, his personal passion for advocacy, and why these conversations are necessary for both families and communities impacted by the justice system.

This episode is a must-listen for returning citizens, parents, advocates, educators, and anyone committed to changing the narrative surrounding incarceration and family restoration.

🎙️ 17 Winters — Reducing recidivism through community support, accountability, and real conversations that inspire change. #FreeTheReal

In this episode of the 17 Winters Podcast, the roles are reversed as Sidney Black steps in as the interviewer to walk me through the story behind the name.We go back to the days, weeks, and months leading up to the moment that changed everything—the decisions, the environment, the mindset, and the reality of what I didn’t yet understand. This is a raw conversation about how I caught my case, what led to that path, and the sentence that ultimately gave me the name “17 Winters.”This isn’t just about the past—it’s about perspective. It’s about how quickly life can shift, how systems respond, and how a young man becomes a statistic…or something different.If you’ve ever wondered what really leads someone to that moment—and what it feels like when it all comes down—this is that story.From prison to purpose. This is where it started.

Episode 38 was completely unplanned—and that’s what made it special. Local artists Tugg and Reaff pulled up to the studio just to kick it, and the conversation turned into something worth sharing.

Fresh home after serving 7 years in the MDOC, Reaff opens up about his bid, the realities of incarceration, and what he’s focused on now that he’s back in the free world. Tugg, while never incarcerated himself, adds a powerful layer to the discussion as we talk about generational incarceration—his father, uncles, and close friends having served time in both state and federal prisons.

We also get into one of my favorite topics: music—how it shapes identity, survival, and storytelling, especially for those coming from communities most impacted by the system.

This episode is honest, reflective, and entertaining—three different paths, two generations, one conversation. And trust me, this won’t be the last time we do this.

Tap in. 🎙️

This episode is a milestone for 17 Winters.

For the first time, I sit down with a TV star from BET+’s American Gangster: Trap Queens (Season 4, Episode 7), and for the first time ever, we feature a formerly incarcerated woman with the camera rolling—telling her story on her own terms.

Episode 37 is a real, unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, reentry, and survival. We talk honestly about what support actually looks like for women while incarcerated, and how those experiences shape the path home. We dive into the FELONY Girls movement, what it represents for women returning from prison, and why it matters for reentry efforts across Michigan.

This wasn’t just an interview—it was a moment of connection, truth-telling, and relationship-building in the ongoing work to end mass incarceration. Another bond formed. Another story amplified. Another step forward.

 Tap in for a conversation about resilience, accountability, and rebuilding—told by someone who lived it.

#FreeTheReal #EndMassIncarceration #FELONYGirls #TrapQueen

In this powerful episode, I sit down with Dr. Yusef Bunchy Shakur and Tony Gant for a necessary, honest conversation about the past, present, and future of criminal legal reform.

We reflect on the changes in Michigan over the 25 years since Dr. Shakur’s release, the 10 years since Tony and I have been home, and what those timelines reveal about progress, power, and persistent gaps in the movement. From policy shifts to culture changes, we examine what’s moved the needle—and what hasn’t.

This episode goes deep into:

• Building real power with formerly incarcerated people

• The evolving (and essential) role of directly impacted leadership

• Hard truths and missteps within the movement that must be addressed to move forward

• What success must look like as we head toward 2026 and beyond

This is real talk, grounded in lived experience, strategy, and love for the people. Hands down, one of the best conversations I’ve had yet.

 Tap in, reflect, and be part of shaping what comes next.

#freethereal #endmassincarceration