In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy sit down with Patrick Arney, Executive Director of Weld — a Seattle-based reentry organization helping people transition out of incarceration with dignity, support, and purpose.

Patrick brings a rare combination of lived experience and sharp insight to the table. Once caught in the same systems he now works to reform, Patrick shares how he rebuilt his life and became a leader within one of the region’s most respected reentry programs. The conversation explores the deep flaws of the criminal justice system, the stigma surrounding people with records, and the real ingredients needed for long-term change.

What does true support look like for someone coming out of prison? Why are so many reentry programs set up to fail? And how does someone go from being behind bars to building better systems from the outside?

Patrick’s story is not just about second chances — it’s about what happens when the people most affected by broken systems lead the way in fixing them.

This one is full of honesty, heart, and hard truths.