Earning Freedom with Michael Santos

I met Seth Ferranti when I was confined in Fort Dix, New Jersey. He was in his first decade of a term that would keep him in prison for 20 years. Our mutual interest in preparing for success upon release led to our forming a friendship. With family support, Seth enjoyed a productive journey through prison:

If Seth was able to accomplish so many goals while serving 20 years in federal prison, just think what you can achieve.

We have lessons to learn from people who refuse to allow challenges to block them from success. Seth Ferranti entered prison while still in his early 20s. In today’s Earning Freedom podcast, Seth described some challenges in the early phase of the sentence. Yet by making a full commitment to education, Seth succeeded in triumphing over the challenges that derail progress for so many others who served lengthy terms in prison.

You may ask the key to his success?

In today’s Earning Freedom podcast, Seth spoke about wanting to use his time effectively. He spoke about a commitment to earning academic credentials and developing a skill set that would allow him to live a life of meaning and relevance while in prison. The more confidence Seth developed in his ability to string words and sentences together, the more value he was able to create. He interviewed other people in prison and wrote their stories. By investing of himself, Seth was able to fuel a support network that wanted to invest in him.

If you’re facing challenges, the time is now to begin preparing for success. Learn lessons from Seth Ferranti, a man who triumphed over 20 years of imprisonment to build a life of meaning and relevance.

Website: Gorilla Convict

In today’s extra podcast, I describe how I transitioned from a man who served 26 years in federal prison to become an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University. There are lessons in that story that anyone can use to prepare for success.

As I’ve described at length through various articles and news reports that are available on MichaelSantos.net or through a simple Google search, my transformation began during that awkward phase between the day the time that a jury convicted for trafficking in cocaine and the time that my judge sentenced me to serve a 45-year term. I made a commitment to work toward reconciling with society for bad decisions I began making in my late teens. My focus was to: 

1.     Educate myself.

2.     Contribute to society.

3.     Build a support network.

That three-pronged strategy would guide every step I took through federal prisons of every security level. By earning university degrees, I would develop a skill set that would allow me to contribute to society by writing. In publishing, I could transcend prison walls and introduce ideas to others on steps we could take to improve outcomes of America’s prison system. By transcending prison walls through writing, I could bring more people into my support network.

I documented my journey in prison through journaling. Those journals led more people to become aware of my work. When I concluded my prison term, after 9,500 days, an editor from the San Francisco Chronicle contacted me with a request to publish a story about the journey. That front-page story resulted in more people becoming aware of me. I used that story to reach out to universities. I responded to an invitation to visit San Francisco State University. It was my first time stepping foot on a university campus. While there, Dr. Jeff Snipes offered me a position as an adjunct professor. 

If you want to become sowing seeds for success, you need to plant them early. You too can overcome challenges that you’re facing right now.

Many people listening to the Earning Freedom podcast serve time in prison. Others face challenges that can feel like a prison. With the Earning Freedom network, we present insight that can empower anyone through challenge. In today’s episode, we’re featuring Luis Congdon. He tells our audience about his challenging journey, loosing his mother to drug addiction, being homeless, and then being adopted. In this episode Luis Congdon tells us about the strategy that helped get off drugs, resolve his childhood issues, and transform his life.

Luis was born in Colombia to a mother who suffered from cocaine addiction. When he was only five years old, his mother’s drug problems resulted in her murder. As a consequence, Luis was homeless, living on the streets for several years. Eventually, an orphanage became his home. Then, when he was only eight, an American family adopted him and Luis began his life in the Pacific Northwest. 

Luis didn’t speak English when his adopted parents took him and they did not speak Spanish. He had a hard time coping and described a difficult childhood. Drugs became his solace. In retrospect, Luis said that some of his actions could have led to his imprisonment. Early teachings in religion gave him strength. Then he discovered a love of poetry and martial arts. Through these disciplines, Luis built meaning and relevance in his life. 

Luis launched the Lasting Love Connection, his business as well as his podcast with the same name.  Through these mediums, Luis helps others bring lasting love into their life. He counsels couples that want to reignite their love. Listeners of the Earning Freedom podcast will appreciate Luis’s wisdom. Those who want more information may find him at the following locations:

Facebook

Twitter: @wholesomeunion

Website: LastingLoveConnection.com

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/lasting-love-connection-podcast/id980249562

Climbing through 26 years in prison required fuel. I found that fuel by reading. Todays Earning Freedom podcast offers insight into 10 books that empowered me through the journey. They include:

1.     The Bible

2.     The Republic, Plato

3.     The Autobiography of Malcolm X, Alex Haley

4.     Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl

5.     Long Walk to Freedom, Nelson Mandela

6.     An Autobiography, Ghandi

7.     A Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich, Aleksandr Slozhenitsyn

8.     The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey

9.     Good to Great, Jim Collins

10.What Got You Here Won’t Get You There, Marshall Goldsmith

If you’re facing challenging times, you may find some value through reading. In my book Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-year Prison Term, I offer insight into the specific strategies that empowered me as the days turned into weeks, the weeks turned into months, the months turned into years, and the years turned into decades. I read with a purpose. I read hundreds of books, and a strategy I teach made sure that each book related to the man I aspired to become. That strategy included a book report that followed a format: 

I encourage others who face challenge in their life to pursue this same disciplined, deliberate approach. It led me through 26 years in prison. By adhering to this same approach, I’ve succeeded in achieving goals since I returned to society that few would’ve thought possible for someone with my background.

Many people in prison hear rumors related to professional licensing. Earlier guests on the Earning Freedom network upset the myth that a felony conviction would preclude an individual from achieving professional licenses and credentials. We heard several inspiring stories about former prisoners who attended law school and became lawyers despite their felonies. In today’s podcast, we listen to another inspiring story, as Ron Dupard shares his experiences.

Ron Dupard and I share a common history. We’re both from the Pacific Northwest. Back in the mid-1980s, both of us made the bad decision to sell cocaine. Although we were not indicted in the same case, we both stood as defendants in the Western District of Washington. Following our convictions, we both served lengthy sentences. Ron lived in federal prisons for longer than nine years. It was the second time he served a prison term.

Despite serving two prison terms, Ron emerged successfully. His success didn’t materialize by accident. Rather, he describes how the conscious choices he made while inside led to his success.

While incarcerated, Ron rebuilt his life. He made the decision to prepare himself in every way so that he could overcome the challenges he anticipated upon release. Rather than complaining about the challenges of serving time, Ron used each day of his term to develop skills that would facilitate his earning capacity.  He attended school and earned an undergraduate degree. He educated himself on the law, not so he could be a lawyer but so that he could better position himself for challenges in the business community.

After nine years, Ron returned to the Seattle area. He began working as a licensed real estate professional, using his education to facilitate sales and commissions. Some may wonder how Ron succeeded in working as a licensed real estate agent so soon after emerging from prison. You’ll find the answer to that question by listening to the wisdom he shares through today’s Earning Freedom podcast.

In today’s Earning Freedom podcast, I introduce readers to Tim Ufkes. He is my brother-in-law and I’m happy to share his story. I didn’t know Tim when I began serving my prison term, in 1987. He began dating my sister, Julie, while I proceeded through trial in Tacoma. After a jury convicted me and Judge Jack Tanner sentenced me to serve a 45-year sentence, Tim became an influential role model that inspired me throughout the decades that I served.

Tim encouraged me to read books that would lead to my becoming a better communicator. He worked together with my sister to support me in every way possible. While he built his career in real estate, Tim and Julie invested their time and resources to contribute to my growth. Despite their not having much in the way of financial resources of their own, they regularly contributed to fund my education. As a consequence of their commitment, I emerged from prison with a master’s degree, with a wonderful wife, and with opportunities to live as a contributing citizen.

In this episode, Tim talks about his approach to building a successful career. Despite his not having a university degree, Tim has risen to the top of his profession as a sales professional. Over the past 25 years, he has sold commercial properties with a combined valuation in excess of $2 billion. He attributes his success to the same strategy that we teach in the mastermind program that we offer through the Earning Freedom network:

As a master of such fundamental principles, Tim has lived a full life. In this interview, he describes how others who adhere to a values-based, goal-oriented strategy can do the same. 

To learn more about these strategies for success, sign up for Earning Freedom’s mastermind course. We’d love to work with you in creating personal plans to build:

Chris Poulos is a leader in his community. Currently he works to complete his law degree at the University of Maine. In addition to the demanding responsibilities of law school, he also is Chair of the Mayor of Portland’s Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion Program Subcommittee. He also serves as President of the American Constitution Society (ACS) at Maine Law and volunteers as a mentor and motivational speaker at local juvenile correctional facility. In a rare honor for a law student, ACS recently published an article Chris wrote about the policy work he is pursuing. The work has recently gained front-page news coverage as well. Further, Chris will soon move to Washington DC in order to begin working at The Sentencing Project on national criminal justice policy reform initiatives. Without a doubt, Chris is a leader.

I asked Chris to participate on the Earning Freedom podcast because he inspires me. He is the embodiment of self-help, resourcefulness, and a role model for anyone who aspires to become more than past bad decisions.

Despite the distinguished roles Chris now holds in society, during our interview on the Earning Freedom podcast Chris revealed a challenging background. He struggled substance abuse and troubles with the judicial system. Yet rather than allowing those troubles to damage his future permanently, he turned over a new life. Anyone can learn from the example that Chris Poulos has set.

In our episode today, Chris discusses the importance of education and persistence. He exemplifies leadership. In his story, I hope that those who listen will realize that with hard work and persistence, anyone can sow seeds that will lead to a life of contribution and relevance.

President Obama commuted prison sentences for 22 people on Tuesday, March 31. As a consequence of those commutations, those federal prisoners will return to society much sooner than they otherwise would have returned. Many of the prisoners had been serving life sentences, meaning that they never would have been released from prison. Since federal law does not provide parole opportunities for prisoners who were sentenced for crimes committed after November 1, 1987, executive clemency is the only mechanism for relief.

In today's episode of the Earning Freedom podcast, I offer insight with regard to my personal experience with executive elemency. I served 9,500 days as a federal prisoner, which was longer than any of the people who served sentences that President Obama commuted. I don't know how hard they worked to earn those commutations, but I am convinced that our country can do better than incarcerating nonviolent people for multiple decades and I'm extremely happy that those people will return to their families and communities soon.

It's my hope that others will find hope in this message. Despite the challenges that exist today, we all can position ourselves for a better outcome. The seeds we sow each day put us in a position to reap a lifetime harvest. That is what we teach through the Earning Freedom program. Visit MichaelSantos.com today and sign up for our Mastermind program so that you too can reach your highest potential, regardless of what external challenges you face right now.

Marc Clair leads a popular podcast known as the Lions of Liberty. Politician Ron Paul inspired Marc to work toward bringing more awareness to America’s political system and the influences government has on the lives of each citizen. In 2011, Marc collaborated with several like-minded friends to establish his Lions of Liberty platform on iTunes and other networks. Through his regular podcasts, Marc has built an audience that sometimes exceeds 2,000 people per day. Listeners can follow Mark through the following locations: 

Listeners of Earning Freedom podcast may recognize a pattern that Marc shares with other leaders. He sees a problem. He visualizes a better solution. He sets a plan in place. He takes action by executing his plan every day.

What are you doing today to lead you closer to your vision for success tomorrow?

Shon Hopwood, author of Law Man: My Story of Robbing Banks, Winning Supreme Court Cases, and Finding Redemption is the embodiment of Earning Freedom. I’m proud to call him a friend.

While confined inside the Taft Federal Prison Camp, I received a manuscript from Shon’s editor at Random House. The editor asked whether I would write an endorsement for Law Man. Although I’d never endorsed a prison book before, I happily wrote a blurb for Shon because his inspiring story impressed me like no other. In today’s Earning Freedom episode, Shon and I had a conversation about steps necessary to emerge strong after a decade in prison.

As a young man, Shon made some bad decisions. He used drugs and robbed banks. While incarcerated, he taught himself the law through independent study. Each day he read books that were available in the federal prison’s law library. Other prisoners approached Shon and asked for his help. One friend requested assistance in filing a Writ of Certiorari  to the United States Supreme Court. The Supreme Court agrees to hear only a fraction of cases each year from the thousands of white-glove law firms requesting review.  In 2010, only 1.8% of all cases that applied for Supreme Court review received a hearing, according to Supreme Court Press. 

Against all odds, the highest Court in the nation agreed to listen to the eloquent, but novel argument that Shon articulated in his brief.

Needing a lawyer to represent the case at the U.S. Supreme Court, Shon reached out to Seth Waxman, the former U.S. Solicitor General and current partner at the elite WilmerHale law firm.

Mr. Waxman agreed to represent the case—without charge—that Shon initiated. Then Mr. Waxman became a friend and mentor to Shon during the remaining years that he had to serve in federal prison.

Upon Shon’s release, blessings continued to flow his way. He earned his undergraduate degree. Then Adam Liptak of the New York Times published an article on Shon’s story, bringing more attention to his amazing journey.

Shon later lectured at Harvard. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gave Shon a full scholarship to the University of Washington Law School. And Random House issued him an opportunity to publish his story in a book.

Shown graduated last spring from the UW Law School and he now works as a clerk for the DC Circuit Court, the second highest court in the United States—arguably the second highest court in the world.

Shon continues his amazing journey, as he is about to begin two-year fellowship at Georgetown Law School. When he concludes, he will have earned his LLM degree, opening further opportunities for him to contribute . He plans on continuing his journey of servant leadership, working to represent the indigent and building a better judicial system.

I’m incredibly proud to share the amazing store of Shon Hopwood’s redemption with the Earning Freedom network. I encourage you to subscribe to our program on iTunes so that we can inspire more people to pursue excellence and earn freedom.