The Inside Circle Podcast with Eldra Jackson III

Luis Manzanares spent 15 years in prison and eventually, after witnessing and participating in so much violence, something finally shifted inside him and he realized that he needed to change. Luis had long believed in the righteousness of his gang and what it stood for but through long, unglamorous years on the inside, he came to understand that there were other things that really mattered to him, people who truly cared about him and who he could live for. In this conversation, Luis tells his story of darkness and loss and how he came out the other side. Luis is now running an inspiring YouTube channel called "A Prisoner's Awakening," spreading his message that there is so much good to live for and believe in outside of gangs, violence, and anger. With love, humanity, grace, and humor, Luis is now living free and sharing what inspires him.

Raymond Garcia spent 20 years in prison. Since his release, he's become a vital part of Inside Circle, facilitating circles and participating in groups as part of his unfolding reintegration on the outside. In this special in-person interview, Raymond talks about how he found Inside Circle, the impact that sitting in healing circles has had on his life, and what he hopes to bring to others as a facilitator. Tune in to enjoy Raymond's beautiful understated wisdom that offers a guiding light to anyone seeking to change and deepen their understanding of themselves.

Join host, Eldra Jackson III, as he sits down with Dr. Curly Moloney to learn how she and her team developed The Cambridge Code, the first digital tool capable of reading and interpreting the mind's subconscious behavior. With incredible potential to support folks who might have trouble accessing therapy or other psychological support, the Cambridge Code is a powerful new tool for looking at your own mind. In today's conversation, learn about what's going on during your most difficult moments and hear all about how the subconscious mind drives your actions, how to find resilience and how to make empowered choices.

Samuel Nathaniel Brown and Jamilia Land are an inspiring duo. Sam was in prison for 24 years, and he got out 16 days before this interview. But his grace and insights in the midst of this transition are matched only by the extraordinary wisdom and strength of his wife, Jamilia. Collaborating with deep faith and commitment to the work and their community, they are working on both legislation and programs to improve experiences, education, and outcomes for system-impacted people.

Alvin Hall is an incredible historian and producer who documents the history of Black people in America through books, films, podcasts, and television - he's also a deeply warm and empathetic person. Sharing his favorite wisdom drawn from life, his family and deep study of finance, he'll pull you in to this practical, heartfelt, and fascinating conversation! And please, don't forget to check out Alvin's work at https://alvinhall.com/, you won't regret it.

An executive coach and community facilitator focused on anti-racism and peer learning, Nina Simmonds approaches her personal transformational work with rigor and compassion. Taking us right to the heart and soul of some of her most difficult work, Nina lends a gentle and powerful perspective. Tune in as she and host Eldra Jackson III discuss how to navigate through fear while guiding yourself through big life transitions.

Join host Eldra Jackson III as he sits down with Rick Misener, a formative member of Inside Circle who found himself in the healing circles Inside Circle is known for. In this dialogue, Eldra and Rick go right to the heart of vulnerability, love, and wisdom as they reveal that every drop of contentment in our lives is worth working for. This kind of community, these moments of connection, are the heart of transformation. Today, Rick shares his powerful lived-experience as a coach and facilitator for Inside Circle. You can join his virtual drop-in support group every Wednesday 6-8 pm PST. We think you'll want to after you hear this incredible conversation.

Jillian Richardson is a coach and community organizer whose work focuses on how to build and sustain nourishing relationships and communities. She curates The Joy List, a weekly email of positive community events in New York, and leads a program called "New Yorker in 90 Days." There's a depth to Jillian's work and the way she approaches her own personal growth that resonates with Inside Circle. This interview highlights unexpected connections among different types of community building and transformational work.