Earning Freedom with Michael Santos

Lessons that powered me through 26 years of imprisonment apply to anyone. In today's podcast, I share those strategies with the sales force at Resort Advisory Group.

Today's episode on Earning Freedom features an interview with Jeff Mould, founder of Second Chance Jobs for Felons. More than 60,000 people who returned to society after time in confinement rely upon his website each month. His website:

Second Chance Jobs For Felons

Focuses on helping people with criminal backgrounds. By adhering to his advice, people can overcome some of the challenges of transitioning into the labor market. I encourage others to rely upon his website as a resource for information. He offers guidance that will others overcome the stigma of a criminal conviction.

Weldon Long made some bad decisions as a young man. He went to prison. While incarcerated he struggled until he found education. Once he discovered the power of education, he applied himself fully. Weldon earned an undergraduate in prison and he earned a master's degree in prison. Then, Weldon used his education to build extraordinarily successful businesses upon release.

Listen to Welson'd amazing story about success through prison and beyond on today's Earning Freedom podcast.

President Obama commuted Israel Torres' sentence. A federal judge sentenced Mr. Torres to life in prison. While serving the life sentence, Mr. Torres kept hope alive and focused on steps he could take to prepare for success upon release--he always believed release would come. As a consequence of his successful adjustment, the President granted Israel liberty. He now lives as a contributing and productive member of society. Simultaneously, Israel works to for the brothers he left behind in prison: Michael Homes, James Ortega, and thousands of others who could live in society as law-abiding citizens if reforms were possible to release them.

Malik King offers more insight about people serving lengthy sentences in prison. He is an advocate who works to end mass incarceration.

Donald Gridiron is on his way to prison. It's a big challenge for anyone, especially for a well educated man who didn't have any previous experience with the criminal justice system. In today's Earning Freedom episode, Donald describes how a gambling addiction led him into the criminal justice system. He also talks about help he received from Justin Paperny at White Collar Prison Advice.

Scott Clark had been a successful businessman. Some decisions he made regarding raising capital led him to the crosshairs of prosecutors. Soon after agreeing to plead guilty, Scott contacted Justin Paperny of White Collar Prison Advice. That call brought Scott hope. In today's Earning Freedom podcast, Scott speaks about the strategies he learned from Justin on preparing for prison.

Alexis shares her inspiring story on the Earning Freedom podcast. She describes being abused by a pimp as a young woman. After years of prostitution, authorities sentenced her to a lengthy prison term. Upon being separated from her family, she made a commitment to transform her life. While in a prison cell, Alexis stayed away from trouble and focused on ways to prepare for success. Her story reveals the power of the human spirit, showing how anyone can become more than past bad decisions. Follow her @leckiebutterfly

Today's show on Earning Freedom podcast features an amazing success story. Richard Esteras (@RichardEsteras) got involved in crime as a young man. Bad decisions led him to prison. While in prison, he made a decision to change his life. In this episode, he describes how he found strength while locked inside of a solitary cell. Then, he used lessons from those experience to launch a successful career as an incredible actor. He stars in many films, including the following:

Year of the Snake

Your Second Chance

Drifted

A Short Film About Execution

School for Gods

Hood

And Many more. Check out his bio here:

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5612119/

I met Malik King at an event that celebrated FAMM's 25th anniversary in Washington DC. When I met Malik, I asked if he was formerly incarcerated. He told me that he had never been to prison, but he corresponded with more than 200 federal prisoners. He is an inspiration, showing people that even though they may have made bad decisions in the past, they can prepare for lives of success and meaning and relevance. He offers his biography and contact information below.

Malik King

I was born in 1964 in Manhattan, New York; grew up in Queens and moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1982 to attend College. I received a degree in Business Administration/Computer Science in 1987. Growing up in New York, I had a diverse group of friends, some of whom friends got caught up in the street life and ended up in both state and/or federal prisons.

I started writing to prisoners when I moved to Atlanta and became passionate about helping disadvantaged people in numerous ways, such as donating clothing to the homeless, providing hope, inspiration and support to individuals that are incarcerated regardless of race, color, creed or religious belief. I is a Prisoner Activist and advocate who opposes mandatory minimums, cruel and unusual punishment and torture that comes in many forms, including solitary confinement or draconian sentences that do not fit the crime.

I started mentoring inmates in Atlanta through a program called Priority Male Initiative in 2014.

I has collected literally thousands of letters from inmates he has corresponded with over the years and he currently emails over 180 inmates via Corrlinks [the inmates email service]. He enjoys providing assistance in areas where inmates may need assistance regarding changes in the law, or news stories about criminal justice reform.

Numerous authors, including Piper Kerman of Orange is The New Black have donated books to me to disburse to inmates.

E.P.I.C.'s Mission:

“To aide incarcerated individuals by breaking up their monotonous routine by providing inspirational quotes, book raffles, essay and poetry contests via email which gives everyone a chance to vent and tell their story with positive, constructive, criticism. I also share noteworthy information tailored to certain individuals, be it music, sports, technology, politics, or legal news related to the Clemency Program 2014, 924c Stacking Laws, the Drugs Minus Two Amendment or the latest news coming from our Capitol.

“I’m in contact with several individuals that received clemency on December 17th, 2014 and July 13th, 2015. I believe everyone should find something that calms their spirit and allows their minds to travel outside the prison walls. Everyone should determine what they are passionate about and pursue it. I believe that all low level, non-violent drug offenders deserve a second chance and should receive clemency if they fit the Clemency Program 2014 criteria.”

E.P.I.C. stands for END PRISON INDUSTRIAL COMPLEXES

To reach me on CORRLINKS they can send an invite to - [email protected]

To reach me for anything else they can reach me at - [email protected]

Your comrade in the struggle for Freedom, Justice and Equality –

Malik