“I'm sitting on a mountaintop in Vegas. I should be super happy, with all the movie stars, shooting Hangover 3. But instead I wish I had been there for that kid.”

How does someone go from producing comedy blockbusters, like The Hangover, to helping to pass landmark criminal justice reform? For Scott Budnick, it was all about taking that first step: saying ‘YES.’ He started out teaching a writing class at a juvenile hall. Now Budnick is the founder of the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, which helps people coming out of jail and prison access support. In this episode, we dig into the ways that Scott has connected with people from ALL political backgrounds and walks of life, creating allies instead of enemies, to get amazing things done. This conversation will give you insight and inspiration as you take your own next steps toward positive change.

New episodes of Uncommon Ground with Van Jones release weekly, every Wednesday.

What’s one small step you could take to make a big change–something you could say “YES” to? Call 347-770-2785 and leave Van a voicemail. Your message will be recorded, and may be played on a future episode of Uncommon Ground!

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