felony inc podcast

Jessica Katz had an opportunity to go into the New York prison system to advise inmates on their familial rights. This led to applying for a job that put her the Family Preservation Project to help understand why people are in prison as opposed to focusing on just the punishment, which doesn't help decrease the recidivism rate. So for the last 17 years, she has been in charge of the project. Never an inmate herself, Jessica realizes she is lucky that she can go in and out as she pleases, but as a mother she relates 100% to the mothers who are locked up. Visits are definitely a big part of the program, but rebuilding the humanity and dignity into the incarcerated mothers is what creates the healing and solid families after they are released. Our very own host, Meg Thibodeaux, an ex-incarcerated mother, has volunteered to mentor in the program. Mothers also participate in the rebuilding of mental health of their children, who obviously are traumatized over the separation and the shame and stigma of a mother in prison.

Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Meg Thibodeaux

We record the Felony Inc Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

Felony Inc Podcast supports City Central Concern at centralcityconcern.org

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

Listen to the Felony Inc Podcast live on-air every Friday at 10:00am pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com

While hiding under a tree in rainy Portland, Oregon, Tobias of the band Soft Kill gives this interview; very Portlandish. He grew up in the other Portland - Maine - and was raised by his Mom while his father was a musician on the road. Suspicious his parents were addicts and battling with his stepfather, Tobias gravitated to a crowd that got into trouble and the path led to doing bad stuff. He wanted to be part of an older crew and did what he needed to impress them, a typical situation. It was cocaine to heroin and all the crime that goes with keeping supplied. He was looking at 21 years of prison time. Now out, he is lead singer of Soft Kill, but that didn't happen until he confronted the fact he was an addict. It was Narcotics Anonymous that helped him to see that life could exist without drugs and alcohol and now he's out in front of the audience and creating music for all to enjoy.

Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Meg Thibodeaux

We record the Felony Inc Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

Theme music "Free" written and recorded by Dave Dahl, all rights reserved, motherfuckers

This weeks podcast brought to you in part by soap-on-a-rope, when you don't want to drop stuff

Felony Inc Podcast supports City Central Concern at centralcityconcern.org

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

Listen to the Felony Inc Podcast live on-air every Friday at 10:00am pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com

Brian Lindstrom was shaken with the story of James Chasse, a man diagnosed with schizophrenia who died in police custody in Portland, Oregon on September 17, 2006. So disturbed with the outcome after the DOJ got involved and no action seemed to be taken, he subsequently produced the film "Alien Boy: The Life and Death of James Chasse". Continuing his curiosity with the penal system and its effect on people and families, he was struck with the movement to get children into prison with their mothers to help the healing process and particularly to keep the family together after the mom's release. "Finding Normal", 2007 was his work, getting inside the prison to document three long-term addicts trying to rebuild their lives with the help of peer counselors. Lindstrom made the film on a budget of $5,000, shooting and editing himself. It was broadcast on Oregon Public Broadcasting and is the only film ever to be shown to inmates in solitary confinement at Oregon State Penitentiary.

Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Meg Thibodeaux

We record the Felony Inc Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

Theme music "Free" written and recorded by Dave Dahl, all rights reserved, motherfuckers

This weeks podcast brought to you in part by soap-on-a-rope, when you don't want to drop stuff

Felony Inc Podcast supports City Central Concern at centralcityconcern.org

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

Listen to the Felony Inc Podcast live on-air every Friday at 10:00am pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com

A former guest, Coss Mart's background in a nutshell: In lacking health, energy and shape, Coss got inspired in prison and changed his lifestyle, body and mind. And he used this inspiration to start ConBody, a physical and online fitness company. Here's the latest: Coss's small space workouts, which were designed for the prison cell, now work for all the quarantined people during the pandemic! It's a life skill to be resourceful in prison and with so much of the population staying home and operating digitally, ConBody is the answer to staying in shape in this environment. And there's a special connection here. Our co-host, Meg Thibodeaux saw Coss' company pitch as part of Defy, a program to fund and sponsor companies started up in prison by inmates. Now a going concern with a tremendous reputation, Coss has kept his company going by hiring well. First of all, he hires employees he can trust, so things can be delegated. Secondly, a great work ethic so people will show up and perform. He partners with many non-profits companies to help put potential employees through their paces prior to hiring.

Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Meg Thibodeaux

We record the Felony Inc Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

Theme music "Free" written and recorded by Dave Dahl, all rights reserved, motherfuckers

This weeks podcast brought to you in part by soap-on-a-rope, when you don't want to drop stuff

Felony Inc Podcast supports City Central Concern at centralcityconcern.org

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

Listen to the Felony Inc Podcast live on-air every Friday at 10:00am pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com

Born in Arkansas, Slink Johnson's family moved to Inglewood, California after his mother remarried. Coming up in an urban environment, he learned a lot from his upbringing which led him to rap and hip hop. He was introduced to the world of big time entertainment by his fellow performer "Short" (for short) who continues to be a great friend and considered a family member. A self-proclaimed clown of the party, Slink found comedy a natural profession and a chance encounter with a film maker gave him a chance to perform in front of the camera. That chance put him in front of Aaron McGruder and in the film "Black Jesus", which was a launching point for Slink. His career is in full swing and he gives the advice that has gotten him there: Put eight hours a day into yourself. If you have a job, put your time there, but also put the eight in for yourself.

Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Meg Thibodeaux

We record the Felony Inc Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

Theme music "Free" written and recorded by Dave Dahl, all rights reserved, motherfuckers

This weeks podcast brought to you in part by soap-on-a-rope, when you don't want to drop stuff

Felony Inc Podcast supports City Central Concern at centralcityconcern.org

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

Listen to the Felony Inc Podcast live on-air every Friday at 10:00am pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com

He married his Corrections Officer. At the moment of the taping of the show, Matt was moving from his home to New Mexico with his wife, also his former CO. Now that's a sense of humor. Their house, vehicles just happened. He was a minister months after leaving prison, has become a youth minister and has a non-profit in almost no time. Matt and his wife have a food pantry they run out of their house, giving food and clothing to anyone in need, no stipulations. They love everyone regardless of belief or no belief at all. Matt never forgot how he was released from prison with no support whatsoever and how he turned to God to to keep from going back to prison. It has worked incredibly well for Matt, so maybe someone has a plan for him, as well as a sense of humor.

Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Meg Thibodeaux

We record the Felony Inc Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

Theme music "Free" written and recorded by Dave Dahl, all rights reserved, motherfuckers

This weeks podcast brought to you in part by soap-on-a-rope, when you don't want to drop stuff

Felony Inc Podcast supports City Central Concern at centralcityconcern.org

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

Listen to the Felony Inc Podcast live on-air every Friday at 10:00am pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com

Zack Nolan has two companies, PDX Contractors and Mountain View Recovery, feed each other and ultimately help recovering ex-felons. Zack's PDX Contractors is his real estate investment company. He invests in land, builds houses and sells them in a for-profit entity. Mountain View Recovery offers housing and rehabilitation to those ex-felons who are recovering from addiction. The COVID-19 situation has impacted both companies, but surprisingly, both employees and recovering patients are proving very resilient. Zack took his own experience in rehabilitating to grow what is now a 120-bed organization he has grown from square one. And his experience is deep: He went into the penal system at the tender age of 14. But that harsh incarceration early offered him the chance to start giving back at an early age. Which means he has a long way to go and that's great news for those who need his help.

Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Meg Thibodeaux

We record the Felony Inc Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

Theme music "Free" written and recorded by Dave Dahl, all rights reserved, motherfuckers

This weeks podcast brought to you in part by soap-on-a-rope, when you don't want to drop stuff

Felony Inc Podcast supports City Central Concern at centralcityconcern.org

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

Listen to the Felony Inc Podcast live on-air every Friday at 10:00am pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com

Founded by a husband and wife duo, Charles Simpson having been incarcerated, Bridges to Change was founded in 2004 to help released inmates navigate the patch to integrating into society again. A home was set up specifically to offer ex-felons a base of operations, and then additional houses were set up to focus on recovery and mental health issues. There are now around 60 such houses in a three county area around the Portland metro area. There are programs for those who need a short term helping hand and a model for those in treatment services. Those with a higher need stay in a single family home with more staffing and there and there also is a continuum of care for those in need of a longer runway. Monta Knudson spent about 18 years in and out of incarceration, and it wasn't until he had the support to help him with his transition that he made the change. And when he was offered a chance to mentor other inmates just released, he jumped at the chance to help others. That was the Bridges to Change organization of which he is now the CEO.

Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Meg Thibodeaux

We record the Felony Inc Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

Theme music "Free" written and recorded by Dave Dahl, all rights reserved, motherfuckers

This weeks podcast brought to you in part by soap-on-a-rope, when you don't want to drop stuff

Felony Inc Podcast supports City Central Concern at centralcityconcern.org

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

Listen to the Felony Inc Podcast live on-air every Friday at 10:00am pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com

Scott Jennings has been helping inmates bring out their entrepreneurial nature with his program since the beginning of it. He addresses the drug dealers first in a group, pointing out they already have mastered the principles of supply and demand. They have recently made it into jails to do their teaching. And because of the pandemic, they have now pivoted to Zoom, which has allowed Scott to teach to amazingly expanded audiences. And he has some great lessons. How much money does it take to start a business? Scott stared Fit Tech Assembly with $75 and an old pickup truck and tools. He's now a million dollar business. The lesson? Focus and work hard and stay with your dream. And the power of Zoom in teaching? It allows more of the digital world in the videos, spreadsheets and documents that can be put on the screen while the teacher is presenting. Scott continues to evolve as a person and as a role model.

Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Meg Thibodeaux

We record the Felony Inc Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

Theme music "Free" written and recorded by Dave Dahl, all rights reserved, motherfuckers

This weeks podcast brought to you in part by soap-on-a-rope, when you don't want to drop stuff

Felony Inc Podcast supports City Central Concern at centralcityconcern.org

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

Listen to the Felony Inc Podcast live on-air every Friday at 10:00am pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com

In the time of pandemic, Meg and Dick discuss adapting, being flexible and handling the unknown. Plus, how the COVID-19 spread is so much worse in jails and prisons, with the dense living conditions, and how little the public is told about it.

Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Meg Thibodeaux

We record the Felony Inc Podcast inside NedSpace in the Bigfoot Podcast Studio in beautiful downtown Portland.

Audio engineer, mixer and podcast editor is Allon Beausoleil

Show logo was designed by Carolyn Main

Website was designed by Cameron Grimes

Production assistant is Chelsea Lancaster

Theme music "Free" written and recorded by Dave Dahl, all rights reserved, motherfuckers

This weeks podcast brought to you in part by soap-on-a-rope, when you don't want to drop stuff

Felony Inc Podcast supports City Central Concern at centralcityconcern.org

10% of gross revenue at Startup Radio Network goes to support women entrepreneurs in developing countries thru kiva.org/lender/markgrimes

Listen to the Felony Inc Podcast live on-air every Friday at 10:00am pacific time on Startup Radio Network at startupradionetwork.com