The Inside Job - Life After Prison

Welcome to Inside Job, a show by offenders for offenders, I am Cleve Bell and I am accompanied today by Reconcile, who is a husband and a fellow living in Miami, where he is committed to renewal, social justice, and youth mentory. Reconcile has a strong connection to Miami Youth for Christ Organization that offers outreach programs for youth and their families.

In today’s episode, Reconcile is sharing about his mission and his music.

Key Takeaways:

[2:56] Reconcile talks about his youth and upbringing.

[6:53] Reconcile shares about his first incarceration.

[9:16] Reconcile remembers the moment where he was led to Christ.

[10:40] Reconcile talks about the point at which he started dedicating his life to God.

[12:49] What did Reconcile do when he began to make a change in his life?

[16:39] How did Reconcile go from where he was to Rice University?

[17:31] Cleve shares how he got to go to college.

[18:51] Reconcile shares how his father encouraged him to live differently than he had.

[23:47] Reconcile chose to play football at Rice University.

[27:55] Reconcile talks about the amazing relationship he had with his grandparents and all he learned from them.

[32:08] Reconcile also built a beautiful relationship with his father.

[34:01] Reconcile shares how he got involved in music.

[38:22] Reconcile talks about his role now working directly with the Department of Justice.

[39:27] Reconcile advocates through music to promote social justice.

Learn More About Riverside House:

Riverside House is a nonprofit, government, and faith community partner. We have been active agents of change and sustained progress in the Miami area for more than three decades, helping tens of thousands walk a straight path into refashioned, sober, and spiritually upright lives as free citizens.

At Riverside House, we provide a critical relief valve during the transition of offenders from confinement to community. Our teams of well-credentialed and committed professionals support each man and woman who enters our doors in their unique, personal path to rehabilitation and recovery.

We are in the business of second chances, and we know that the consideration we extend to those most in need must be holistic in nature. We address the total person — mind, body, and spirit, attuned to the moral and material needs we all share.

“… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

To learn more visit riversidehouse.org

Reach out to Riverside House:

Would you like to be featured on a future episode of Inside Job?

We would love to hear from you! Please go to riverside house.org, click the media tab then podcast. There you will find an application to submit your request.

Welcome to Inside Job, a show by offenders for offenders, I am Cleve Bell and I am accompanied today by Attorney James L. Walker who is the president and CEO of Walker and Associates, located in Atlanta Georgia. Mr. Walker grew up in Richmond, Connecticut, and graduated from Howard University and got a Master's from Yale University. He has over 25 years of experience and has represented several nonprofit organizations.

In today’s episode, we talk about Mr. Walker´s invaluable contribution to help ex-offenders getting their lives together while sharing our devotion to God’s teachings and guides to living a plentiful life.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] Mr. Walker talks about his upbringing and professional background.

[3:48] Mr. Walker shares about his faith growing up, how going to church kept him out of the streets, and his experiences as a teenager “entering the system.”

[7:54] Cleve shares his experience of getting “in the system” and how hard it was for him to get out of it.

[9:30] Cleve and Mr. Walker talk about the matter of the current prohibition from voting to the ex-felons.

[12:02] Mr. Walker encourages people not to allow the system to define them.

[14:03] Getting a college education is often not enough.

[17:00] You have to do more than vote.

[21:10] Mr. Walker talks about this clientele.

[24:07] Mr. Walker shares how he balances his career and his personal life.

[27:25] Mr. Walker talks about how grateful he is for the team he has now at Walker and Associates.

[31:06] Walker and Associates provided training for over 300 men and watched them getting their life back together.

[37:30] Cleve remembers his grandfather and the great influence his words had on him.

[38:20] Mr. Walker also talks about his grandfather.

[39:22] Mr. Walker shares his favorite Bible verses.

[41:38] Mr. Walker gives his spiritual advice to ex-offenders.

[45:58] Mr. Walker shares his words of encouragement for all the folks who like rap music.

Learn More About Riverside House:

Riverside House is a nonprofit, government, and faith community partner. We have been active agents of change and sustained progress in the Miami area for more than three decades, helping tens of thousands walk a straight path into refashioned, sober, and spiritually upright lives as free citizens.

At Riverside House, we provide a critical relief valve during the transition of offenders from confinement to community. Our teams of well-credentialed and committed professionals support each man and woman who enters our doors in their unique, personal path to rehabilitation and recovery.

We are in the business of second chances, and we know that the consideration we extend to those most in need must be holistic in nature. We address the total person — mind, body, and spirit, attuned to the moral and material needs we all share.

"… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

To learn more visit riversidehouse.org

Reach out to Riverside House:

Would you like to be featured on a future episode of Inside Job?

We would love to hear from you! Please go to riverside house.org, click the media tab then podcast. There you will find an application to submit your request.

Welcome to Inside Job—a podcast by offenders, for offenders. I'm your host, Cleve Bell, and today I'm joined again by Misty Buck.

In our last episode, we explored the power of acceptance, the role of self-help programs, and the importance of celebrating recovery.

In this episode, we take the next step—getting started. We discuss what it looks like to begin attending meetings regularly and how doing so builds one of the most valuable tools in recovery: discipline. Establishing a routine through group participation not only supports healing but also lays the foundation for lasting change.

Tune in as we unpack how small steps toward structure can lead to big breakthroughs on the road to recovery.

Key Takeaways:

[4:03] Establishing discipline in the process of recovering.

[6:53] Discipline keeps you accountable.

[8:11] The element of structure as part of recovering.

[9:15] How does one know when discipline and structure can become detrimental?

[14:04] In life, you make decisions with the tools you have available at the moment, even though you might regret those decisions later, it is important to know that at least you did make some choices.

[15:33] Accept the things you cannot change.

[17:30] Drifting from fear to accomplishment.

[18:46] The benefits of attending retreats and workshops.

[21:53] Force yourself to meet other people during workshops; that interaction can be the most valuable asset you got from that meeting.

[24:13] Practice what you are learning.

[26:25] Ninety percent of your job while recovering is on the inside.

[27:11] Why is it so difficult to ask for help?

[30:34] Without trust, it is nearly impossible to live.

[33:07] Cleve and Misty talk about the power of active listening.

Learn More About Riverside House:

Riverside House is a nonprofit, government, and faith community partner. We have been active agents of change and sustained progress in the Miami area for more than three decades, helping tens of thousands walk a straight path into refashioned, sober, and spiritually upright lives as free citizens.

At Riverside House, we provide a critical relief valve during the transition of offenders from confinement to community. Our teams of well-credentialed and committed professionals support each man and woman who enters our doors in their unique, personal path to rehabilitation and recovery.

We are in the business of second chances, and we know that the consideration we extend to those most in need must be holistic in nature. We address the total person — mind, body, and spirit — attuned to the moral and material needs we all share.

"… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

To learn more visit riversidehouse.org

Reach out to Riverside House:

Would you like to be featured on a future episode of Inside Job?

We would love to hear from you! Please go to riverside house.org, click the media tab then podcast. There you will find an application to submit your request.

Welcome to Inside Job—a podcast by offenders, for offenders. I'm your host, Cleve Bell, and today I'm joined by Misty Buck, the marketing lead at Riverside House, as I begin to reflect on a remarkable 49-year recovery journey.

Recovery is a lifelong process, and today marks the beginning of a series where Cleve shares the hard-earned lessons, experiences, and spiritual truths that have shaped his path. This first installment focuses on what he calls "the introduction"—the moment you finally acknowledge how uncomfortable you are with where you are in life, and realize that change is not only necessary but possible.

Tune in as Cleve walks you through the early steps of transformation, offering hope, honesty, and inspiration for anyone ready to start their own recovery journey.

Key Takeaways:

[1:40] The introduction: the first step towards recovery.

[3:47] How and where am I?

[4:04] What do I do now?

[4:35] Misty talks about the idea and challenges of acceptance.

[7:10] How do you keep yourself out of the "judgment bag"? Humility is the key.

[9:03] Grow where you are planted.

[10:16] Words have a tremendous impact on our lives, depending on how we use them.

[10:50] Start with yourself.

[11:46] The only one I can influence is myself.

[12:41] How to find a new source of inspiration.

[14:51] Finding the good in yourself.

[17:15] Cleve shares his perspective about self-help programs.

[20:23] Cleve shares his first experience at a AA meeting.

[21:40] Celebrate Recovery, a place where you can be both spiritual and honest.

[22:42] Misty shares her thought on the self-help format.

[23:07] Misty talks about her book: Athlete Mental Health Playbook: A guide to mental wellness for athletes

[25:43] One of the most difficult aspects of Cleve's recovery was asking for help.

[27:30] Drugs and addiction now and five decades ago.

[28:27] "Drugs were a symptom of my problem."

[29:21] "God Always had his hand on me, I just did not realize it."

[31:32] An attitude of gratitude.

Learn More About Riverside House:

Riverside House is a nonprofit, government, and faith community partner. We have been active agents of change and sustained progress in the Miami area for more than three decades, helping tens of thousands walk a straight path into refashioned, sober, and spiritually upright lives as free citizens.

At Riverside House, we provide a critical relief valve during the transition of offenders from confinement to community. Our teams of well-credentialed and committed professionals support each man and woman who enters our doors in their unique, personal path to rehabilitation and recovery.

We are in the business of second chances, and we know that the consideration we extend to those most in need must be holistic in nature. We address the total person — mind, body, and spirit, attuned to the moral and material needs we all share.

"… Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

To learn more visit riversidehouse.org

Reach out to Riverside House:

Would you like to be featured on a future episode of Inside Job?

We would love to hear from you! Please go to riverside house.org, click the media tab then podcast. There you will find an application to submit your request.