Living For We

S2E4: Something Greater Than Me


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In this episode, we’re heading to church with three men who once got caught up in street life, landed behind bars, and found a new purpose. Now, they’re using their experiences to reach others who are struggling with what it really means to be a man.

Stanley Frankart shares a powerful story about a moment when his life could have gone in a completely different direction—one where he might have faced a murder charge. But he believes divine intervention stepped in. It was in prison that he was introduced to Jesus, and today, he’s one of the founders of Young Christian Professionals, a Canton, Ohio-based community organization that started behind bars and now helps others transition back into life after prison.


We also talk with Bobby Johnson, a man who became a spiritual mentor to both Stanley and our third guest, Deshawn Johnson, while they were incarcerated. Bobby had a rough childhood, but at just 8 years old, someone told him he had something greater inside of him. It wasn’t until he went to prison that he fully stepped into that calling—mentoring and ministering to other men.


Deshawn Johnson joins us, too, sharing how he’s thriving as a business owner. He runs The Experience Barber and Beauty Shop in Akron, a place where men can relax, connect, and have real conversations in a safe space. He’s also paying it forward by providing jobs for formerly incarcerated men.


The impact of Young Christian Professionals is growing—their mentoring program now reaches five prisons across Ohio. This is an inspiring conversation about redemption, purpose, and second chances.


View our full list of resources here



Have you or someone you know been impacted by gun violence? Or do you have any thoughts about what was shared in today’s episode? Share your story for a chance to be featured on the show!

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Living For WeBy Ideastream Public Media

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