felony inc podcast

Deciding "never, never to go back (to prison)", our returning guest Meg Thibodeaux was a single Mom when she entered the prison system with a son 18 months old staying on the outside. She began her criminal career as an entrepreneur, doing a bad job of choosing a dating partner and being dazzled with the huge profit margins selling Ecstasy drugs. Her involvement put her in the circle of organized crime families in the New York area and also in the crosshairs of law enforcement. Feeling disconnected and lacking confidence, being a dealer made her feel wanted and empowered; she was now in control. Of course, it ended with incarceration in 2003 in Federal, then transferred to County jail in the same county where she had previously imported and sold her drugs. The irony here is when she was arrested, she had been clean and sober for three years and had a two-month old son. Fast forward: She, her son and new partner have taken her love of yoga, art and clean living to help people manage their lives and have transformed a tavern into a beautiful part of the world. But it's not your usual tavern; alcohol is not a focus, the focus is using the tavern as an entryway to Forest Park, the largest urban park in the US. Meg urges her customers to enjoy art, good organic food and beverage or to go for a hike - they even sponsor runs in the Park. She has come full circle and turned her experiences and triumphs into inspiration for all, especially ex-felons.

Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Mark Gailey

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

Anything that can keep an inmate from returning to prison benefits everyone - society, the taxpayers, the inmate's family, and the inmate - says Dan Bielenberg, founder of Business In A Box. A return guest, Dan was a hands-on home builder and designer before the housing downturn. He decided to work for the State for the job security and wound up being fascinated by reforming law offenders. He has seen change, even in the words used, toward the attitude of reformation. For one thing, the word "inmate" does not exist as of this year, replaced with the tag "adult in custody" - AIC. So his programs allow AICs to start a real business while institutionalized, the idea being they will have a way to make a living and be in charge of their own destiny upon being put back into society. Now four years old, the program has developed high standards; you're either serious or you're out, and the AICs know it. Anyone who runs with the prison gangs or does anything against the guidelines is out for at least a year. Being part of a special program is a privilege and Dan will not allow any individual AIC to bring down the standards.

Felony Inc Podcast with your hosts Dick Hennessy and Mark Gailey

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

"Fresh Out - Life after the Penitentiary" is Marcus' series of YouTube shows to help ex-felons stay out of prison for the next phase of their lives. Born to a young mother, Big Herc never got the full story on his father, and spent most of his youth growing up with his grandmother. His step father was in the military and he moved around a lot, but ended up living in the Bay Area for a time when being a "BMX" on a skateboard was pretty cool. But a divorce caused a move to a tough, crime-ridden neighborhood and with his Mom working two jobs, he let go of his athlete/good student routine and started selling drugs. He loved "Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous" TV shows, so he always dreamed of getting out of the hood and living well and even sent shoe designs to NIke, trying to get out legitimately. But getting out of the trap wasn't easy and, even though he was in college, he got caught and put in the system. A body builder, he actually won a contest with a special decision from the warden. He took his build to the porn industry, where he got the nickname "Big Herc". But back in the system after a slip up, he put together a crew to help other inmates with their legal troubles and that was a real business. It turned into a business brainstorming group and after getting out, he started "Fresh Out".

Felony Inc Podcast with your host Mark Gailey

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

What's happened to CrimAnon since our last interview? Criminon was a true startup in the sense Bear and Zane had just begun their meetings outside of their institution. It was a real test of seeing who would show up, who would be taking the steps and who would acknowledge their addition to crime. Beginning on the same night at the same church, they began with a handful of people for an audience. In a matter of weeks, it has become a standing-room-only affair and they have added a second location on a different night. And they have moved into the local prison system. Meetings start with reading their original 12 steps and 12 precepts. There are wristbands for clean time and child care is available for those who need it. The person who chairs the meeting gives their story to inspire others. And in this episode, Zane chairs a "meeting" in the studio, giving his story.

Felony Inc Podcast with your host Mark Gailey

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

Darrell Buchholz started his prison career early, pre-18 years old. Intrigued by learning more about crime from other criminals, he got right back into the same cycle after serving his sentence. To feed his habit of getting high, random burglaries were his routine until, of course, he got caught again. Then 10 years in the Federal system woke him up. He had a family at that time and decided he wanted a career that gave back to the community and provide a living for his family. His brother suggested he get a tow truck, offer lower-cost tows to the blue collar people who didn't have a lot of money. Since those were many of the people Darrell had targeted in his burglaries, is seemed a natural way to give back.

Felony Inc Podcast with your host Mark Gailey

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 South Florida, Marq Mitchell heads an organization that helps those unfairly impacted by the criminal justice system by providing support, education and assistance re-entering society at a successful level. Marq knows the criminal justice system well, having "entered" it at age 13. Lots of challenges and deficits to work through and when he tried to re-enter society, had no support. Once he got himself on his feet, he decided that he wanted to help others facing the same situation. Having never had an advocate as a youngster, he tended to lash out at most everyone as a defense reaction. With every decision based on survival, his choices were not always good and was in and out of incarceration through his 20's. Out of the prison system, he got involved in pushing a bill to allow ex-felons to vote after their debt to society is paid. The bill passed by Marq lost his job over it, so he started his own organization, Chainless Change. The difference between his organization and others? CC does more than just trying to place ex-incarcerated in a job. They help those people address their immediate needs to prepare them to take a job and be a good citizen.

Felony Inc Podcast with your host Mark Gailey

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

During the day, Dave always took some of his Killer Bread with him when he went and spoke to groups. But since he sold the company and doesn't run it anymore, he now takes his wisdom, words of encouragement and personal love, not the love contained in his recipes. He talks about his big fall from grace which landed him in prison, more than once, and how he decided to get it right and founded his bread company. That's part one. Part two has started after his second big fall from grace. Company sold, millions in his pocket and Dave went bonkers, going on a tirade that ended when he crashed into three police cars in his hometown, Portland, Oregon. That put him at the top of the humility chart and on to part two of his life, inspiring others and trying to do the right thing every day. He's helped many people stuck in that black hole of depression and guilt to rethink their lives and do the right thing as well.

Felony Inc Podcast with your host Mark Gailey

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

Just turning 40, Dick reflects on his current life, and putting on events constantly in his stripclub industry. Dick promotes heavily and even his one-night, "Miss Exotic Oregon" is five months in the making. But he has been doing this long enough that he does have it down to a business science and all the steps are predictable. He has learned how to artfully dodge the stigma of being in the adult entertainment business while providing the service his audience demands. For instance, donating to charities has been difficult, as some feel they can't take "tainted" money. And following the law; even the term "nude" must be interpreted correctly for him to keep staging his events successfully. And he's even been able to heal up his past by making it a family business: Mom is the company's CPA!

Felony Inc Podcast with your host Mark Gailey

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

Growing up in the tougher parts of North Portland, Oregon, Jay Eakin turned to dealing drugs and wound up becoming one of his own customers, an addict. Then, to support his own habit, turned to robbing banks out of desperation for cash and served time for four bank jobs. In prison, he needed cash - again - but with no banks in prison to rob, he turned to art. And tattooing was his medium, and he was good. Eight to ten hours a day he worked on being excellent; "When you do a tattoo for someone who'd killed a person, you want to get it right..", Jay laments. When he got out, he continued a grinding work ethic. Moving to the south US to be near his son, Jay worked a week of 12-hour shifts at a drilling rig, then a week at the tattoo parlor, then repeated the cycle. Eventually, his debts paid off, he moved back to Portland and opened up his own shop.

Felony Inc Podcast with your host Mark Gailey

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

It's a 12-step fellowship for men, women, youth, survivors and their families who are committed to supporting and living a crime-free life. Both Zane and Bear spent almost their entire incarcerated time studying the criminal life style and the causes and incentives to keep doing it. They made a science out of it by studying addiction and discovering that when you diagnose addiction, you find that gambling, drugs, alcohol and any other addiction mirrors the high that criminals get when committing crime. So, why not treat crime as an addiction and help criminals overcome that addiction? That's the question they answered by taking pages from Alcoholics Anonymous and mixing it with Eastern philosophies and religions to come up with their own mission statement and start their organizations. And they organization treats the entire person, including their friends and family. Turning the recidivism needle back is their goal, and it's working.

Felony Inc Podcast with your host Mark Gailey

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