Earning Freedom with Michael Santos

Dr. Jeffrey Perrotte Describes Transformation in Prison

Yesterday's podcast introduced listeners to Jeffrey Perrotte. In the early 1990s he was a promising businessman. Then, a decision to drive after drinking derailed his life. He collided with a vehicle that Jilly Rizzo was driving, and Jilly died in the crash. As a consequence of Frank Sinatra's fame and influence, authorities escalated charges against Jeffrey. He went to prison with a life sentence. Rather than sinking into depression, Jeffrey chose to make the best possible use of his time. He educated himself, earning an undergraduate degree, a master's degree, and a doctoral degree. In today's episode Dr. Perrotte describes how he uses his education to contribute to the making of a better society.

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Drunk Driving Leads to Murder Conviction

Today's Earning Freedom Podcast features Jeff Perrotte. As a young man, Jeff succeeded in business. He became so successful that he believed laws of drinking and driving didn't apply to him. After being convicted of one drunk-driving offense, he repeated his behavior. Unfortunately, while driving under the influence, his car collided with a car driving by Jilly Rizzo, one of Frank Sinatra's best friends. The high level of publicity associated with the case influenced Jeff's prosecution. He tells his story on the Earning Freedom podcast today.

Help spread the word on why we should reform our prison system by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the Earning Freedom podcast on iTunes.

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While browsing through iTunes I saw four new reviews of the Earning Freedom podcast. Really great to see that students from Dr. Nancy Lewis’ class at the State University of New York are using the Earning Freedom podcast as a resource. I read reviews from Kim G, Danitza Mendez, and from Natalie Solano. JR also left a review. JR asked whether I thought whether we should require formerly incarcerated individuals to share their stories with others who were going through the system. In today’s podcast, I responded, letting JR know that I thought people were most effective when they were authentic. If we required people to spread a message, we may find that many people less than truthful.

I hope that more innovative educators will follow Dr. Lewis’ example and use the Earning Freedom podcast as a tool to help more people understand prisons, the people they hold, and strategies to improve outcomes of our nation’s prison system.

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Thanks to Professor Nancy Lewis of SUNY Potsdam, criminal justice are being assigned work from the Earning Freedom podcast. The students will learn from people who've gone through the criminal justice system. I'm hopeful that they'll leave reviews of the podcasts on iTunes. If they have questions, I'll respond directly.

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On August 12, 2013, I concluded 26 years in prison. Two years later, I controlled assets worth more than $1,000,000. How did that happen? Today's podcast announces a new book that I'm going to begin writing. The book describes the specific path that I took. It also will show how others can employ these strategies to lift themselves from struggle to prosperity.

Paul Wright, founder of Prison Legal News, inspired me to write the book. We were having dinner one night in Sacramento. Both of us were in Sacramento to contribute to a judicial seminar in the fall of 2015. He suggested that I purchase an advertisement in Prison Legal News for books that I've written. After talking more about his readership, I concluded that in addition to offering books I've written about mastering the prison system, I should write a book about success after release. 

Today's podcast outlines the book. I purchased the ad space and now I'm going to write the book. Those who would like a copy may read updates through my website at MichaelSantos.com

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Savage Eliquid

Today I interviewed to extraordinarily successful entrepreneurs who overcame struggle. Chris Wheeler and Matt Winters didn’t have much of a formal education. Problems with substance abuse led them into other challenges, including time in institutions. Despite those setbacks, they put their heads together to build a Savage Eliquid, a vape company that generates more than $2 million in revenues.

How did they do it?

Turns out that building a successful business requires the same type of principled, deliberate decisions that we teach in the Earning Freedom mastermind course. Chris and Matt tell us that if they can do it, anyone can do it.

If you’d like to learn more from Chris and Matt, contact them at SavageEliquid.com

When I emerged from prison after 26 years, I wanted to build a career around my journey. Michael Port, author of numerous books helped me. While running in the early morning, I listened to an audio version of his mega bestseller Book Yourself Solid. His books offered actionable guidance that I appreciated. With an aim of sharing his wisdom with the Earning Freedom audience, I reached out and invited him to spend 30 minutes with us. I’m grateful to Michael for agreeing to his wisdom with our listeners.

Michael’s books include: Book Yourself Solid, Beyond Booked Solid, The Big Manifesto, and Steal the Show. He also hosts the popular podcast Steal the Show and, together with his wife Amy, founded Heroic Public Speaking. Together, Michael and Amy use Heroic Public Speaking as a resource to help people develop and master the art of public speaking. At MichaelPort.com, they offer an abundance of free content that anyone can use.

In my research to prepare for the podcast today, I found many strategies that we teach through the Earning Freedom Mastermind Course. Our listeners in prison receive the gift of listening to Michael Port directly through today’s podcast. To the extent that they incorporate his actionable strategies that include:

They will find opportunities to advance their prospects for success. Since people in prison will face challenges when it comes to navigating their way back into society and into the job market, they can learn a great deal from Michael’s books.

I purchased five copies of Steal The Show because that book will help listeners prepare for success. I’ll send one of those books to each listener who writes a review of today’s podcast on Apple’s iTunes. Send me a copy of your review, along with your mailing address, and I’ll send a book.

Help spread the word on why we should reform our prison system by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the Earning Freedom podcast on iTunes.

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Today I spoke with renowned film producer and TED talk leader Louis Schwartzberg and film producer Lara Everly. They lead a number of entities that inspire people to appreciate the beauty in our world. Their work has reached tens of millions of people around the world. Some of their businesses include BlackLight Films, Moving Art, and Gratitude Revealed.

Through Gratitude Revealed, they produce short films that help people grasp strategies to grow through struggle. Lara Everly produced the short film called Creativity. It's one of 16 short films they use to teach others how they can live lives of gratitude. They partner with leading entertainment companies, including Oprah's OWN network and Disney to spread a positive message.

Lara directed the movie Creativity to help women who were int transition after serving decades in prison. I'm hoping their work will show more people who live in struggle that they they tap into the power within to build lives of meaning and relevance. For those who'd like to see their work, I encourage you to visit the following website:

GratitudeRevealed.com

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Many people who contact my partner Justin Paperny and me mistakenly believe that we’re defense attorneys. We’re not. Instead, we provide guidance to help people who anticipate that they may spend time in prison.

We launched Etika Connect as a service for defendants who visit our various websites. When we feature a defense attorney, we’re validating that attorney. We’re also giving our listeners an opportunity to learn more about the attorney’s expertise and honesty.

Today we feature David Rosenfield, a partner at the distinguished firm Herrick Feinstein.

From our conversation today, I learned that David attended undergraduate school at Ohio State University. He advanced to The University of Pennsylvania to earn his law degree. After graduating from Penn in 1982, David began his career working in government. He has worked as a Staff Attorney in the Division of Enforcement with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further, prior to becoming a defense attorney, David earned numerous awards for his work as a prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s office.

From our conversation today, listeners will learn about David’s commitment to honesty. He advises our listeners to communicate openly and honestly with the defense counsel they choose. The defendant can then work closely with the lawyer to choose the best possible scenario given an individual’s particular circumstances. David and I spoke about the influence cooperation can have on the eventual outcome of a case. For those who are convicted, David spoke about the importance of preparing for the presentence investigation, the sentencing hearing, and the journey through prison.

A lawyer like David has the knowledge and experience to help defendants understand all options ahead. That’s why we’re proud to introduce him to our listeners through the Earning Freedom podcast.

If you’re facing a criminal charge, take advantage of the invaluable guidance that David Rosenfield offered.

You may contact David at the following numbers:

Phone: 212-592-1513

Email: [email protected]

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Martin McNair is a mastermind for a lot of reasons. I admire him because he trained his mind to overcome struggle. As a young man, Martin struggled with addiction and a criminal mentality. Authorities sent him to prison when he was in his mid 20s. Rather than allowing the prison to define him, Martin took fate into his own hands. He educated himself. He disciplined himself. He created a plan to ensure that when he returned to society he would return strong, with his dignity intact.

The first of Martin’s plan was to remain sober. Then, he focused on earning a sustainable income. He cleaned for a living. Then he launched a series of business that brought more financial stability. For the past several years, however, Martin has been living as the change that he wants to see in the world. By building the nonprofit “Mi Casa Su Casa,” he helps people who’ve served multiple decades in prison. Martin and his team providing housing and wrap-around services that include anger management, substance abuse, and job training.

He’s an impressive guy, showing that anyone can overcome struggle. They simply must have a plan, and follow the path of masterminds.

At Martin’s facility, he advocates for leadership, which his team defines as follows:

Those who would like to connect with Martin can reach him through the organization at the following addresses:

Mi Casa Su Casa

411 Millington Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21223

Phone: 443-219-7855

[email protected]