Earning Freedom with Michael Santos

If an individual faces time in federal prison, serves time in prison, or is about to return to society after time in prison, then that individual should check out my conversation with Mike. In today's Earning Freedom podcast, Mike shared the unfortunate story his family endured when he learned that his parents were potentially going to prison. We discussed at length what  happened and the challenges his family faced as a consequence of criminal charges. This discussion brought light to the process. Today's podcast offers strategies on planning for success before and during prison as well as thinking about strategies for successful re-entry. 

If an individual faces time in federal prison, serves time in prison, or is about to return to society after time in prison, then that individual should check out my conversation with Roxanne. In today's Earning Freedom podcast, I spoke to Roxanne who is a lawyer. She indicated to me that she is preparing to surrender to federal prison. We spoke about what she did to land herself in such circumstances as well as how to prepare for what's to come. I appreciated this opportunity to converse with Roxanne. Today's episode can help those unsure of what's to come understand what they may be facing. Today's podcast has some great strategies for planning for success before and during prison. Listeners also learn the importance of thinking about strategies for successful re-entry. 

If an individual faces time in federal prison, serves time in prison, or is about to return to society after time in prison, then that individual should check out my conversation with Matthew. In today's Earning Freedom podcast, I spoke to Matthew who is a real estate investor. He sat down to tell me about the work that he does as well as sharing his personal story including past legal troubles. Matthew is a listener and fan of the podcast and it was a great chance to connect with him. Matthew and I discussed the possibility of working together to develop a course that can assist those who have been formerly incarcerated in finding jobs and getting back on their feet. Today's podcast has some great strategies for re-entry and I am excited and emboldened by the work Matthew and I can do. 

Anyone exposed to the judicial process and being arrested should learn about what it means to surrender one's Miranda rights and the consequences of doing so. In today’s Earning Freedom podcast, I spoke with Linda. Her son was charged as a sexual offender following his case being moved from the state level to the federal level. Linda spoke of how the US attorney chose to take up his case once he had given up his Miranda rights and chose to cooperate with the police. I relayed to her that many people going into processes like these do not have a full understanding of how our system operates. Linda is optimistic she can use what she learned from her family's ordeal to help others in similar situations to avoid such outcomes.

Yesterday I had the privilege of interviewing Johnny Lee Dumas of Entrepreneur on Fire. Johnny shared with our audience an inspiring story showing that anyone who chooses can plant a seed that leads to a more fulfilling life. Today I did a recap, creating the top-ten takeaways that I got from Johnny’s interview.

Again, I encourage listeners to learn from Entrepreneur on Fire. It’s a tremendous resource that I tap into every day.

If an individual faces time in federal prison, serves time in prison, or is about to return to society after time in prison, then that individual needs to listen to Entrepreneur on Fire! Today I interviewed Johnny Lee Dumas, host of the amazingly successful podcast. Anyone can learn a great deal from his inspiring story. But I especially look forward to sharing John’s message with the Earning Freedom podcast because he validates all that we strive to teach. 

In John’s story, we learn from an individual who has had success as a military officer. He then faced struggle and failure as a law student. He endured moderate success in sales. Then he pursued his passion by becoming a podcaster. That approach to life led to his building a business that has generated more than $3 million in net earnings in the past two years! 

John attributes his success to the same values-based, goal-oriented approach to living that we teach through our programs. I encourage you to visit Entrepreneur on Fire. If you’re interested in building a best-in-class brand, then learn from the program he creates and from the life he lives. I started my program after hearing about him through Lawpreneurradio. Immediately after hearing the show, I signed up for Podcaster’s Paradise—the premier podcasting training service around.

I certainly enjoyed my conversation with John Dumas. I’m convinced that you too will enjoy listening to a master media mogul.

President Obama commuted the sentence of 46 federal prisoners yesterday. Those people were serving lengthy sentences. Most were serving sentences in excess of 20 years. Some of the people didn’t have release dates. Without a commutation, they would have been incarcerated for life. They didn’t receive those sentences because they preyed on people or because they were violent. Instead, they sold drugs to consenting adults. Mandatory drug laws resulted in the Draconian sentences.

From my perspective, President Obama could’ve commuted sentences for 4,600 people, or perhaps more than 10,000 people. Our nation’s prison system confines way too many people, and they serve sentences that are way too long. We need a better system.

The Earning Freedom podcast represents one of the many efforts I make to build a better criminal justice system.  As a prison consultant, I help people who have been indicted. I work alongside them to ensure that they’re well prepared for the presentence investigation. I assist them with sentence mitigation strategies. In addition, I create programs for those who are serving sentences. Those people live in communities that extinguish hope. Through content I create, whether it’s written words, videos, or audio podcasts, each message lets individuals know how they can begin sowing seeds today for a better tomorrow. I also work to help the formerly incarcerated transition into the labor market, or I work to spread awareness so that taxpayers will know how the criminal justice system influences them.

It’s my hope that we will see more people emerge from prison successfully. We must reverse this system of mass incarceration that results in so much intergenerational failure. I’ll continue doing my part. I hope that President Obama and others leaders will do their part. Commuting the sentences of 46 people was a good start. If employers open opportunities for those people to transition into the labor market, that would help too.

David Sanders, an escaped prisoner, chooses to turn himself back into authorities so he can complete his sentence.

An escaped prisoner called Michael Santos of the Earning Freedom podcast seeking guidance.

Responsibilities on my full time job require that I suspend daily recording of the Earning Freedom podcast. I'll continue to produce new episodes regularly, though not on a daily basis. If you'd like me to present specific information, please send a message to [email protected]. Or call my office at 949-334-9119.