For two decades, William “Bishop” Bell lived in chaos — cycling through prison, addiction, and homelessness. Sleeping in cars, chasing his next fix, and losing nearly everything, Bishop hit rock bottom again and again… until he found the courage to surrender.
In this unfiltered conversation, Bishop opens up about growing up without his mother, finding his identity in gangs, and surviving six overdoses before turning his life around through The Other Side Academy. Now, he’s a barber, mentor, and advocate — helping the very people he once stood beside on the streets.
This is a story of redemption, accountability, and faith.
“At the end of the day, if you’re willing to do whatever it takes, have faith, and trust the process — nothing should get in your way.” — William “Bishop” Bell
⏱️ Key Moments
00:00 — Opening line: “If you’re willing to do whatever it takes…”
00:56 — Host intro: Welcoming Bishop to The Philanthropic Podcast
01:40 — Childhood: growing up without knowing his real mother
04:55 — Discovering the truth — and losing trust in family
06:06 — Becoming a father at 14 and catching his first charge
07:00 — Joining a gang and entering prison at 18
09:20 — The Other Side Academy: a new way to live
12:54 — Leaving, relapsing, and returning stronger
13:30 — The DUI that changed everything — “Teach me.”
14:50 — Spiritual awakening: watching The Chosen and finding God
15:16 — The power of opportunity and rebuilding life
16:59 — Life on the streets: surviving by crime and addiction
19:02 — The night Bishop almost ended his life
20:42 — Realizing the comfort of chaos — and finally letting go
21:47 — Why tough love and closed doors saved his life
23:10 — To families: stop enabling, start educating
25:30 — What real accountability looks like inside The Other Side Academy
27:07 — Learning to communicate, grow, and take criticism
29:00 — “If we survived the streets, we can survive recovery.”
31:27 — Cutting hair for the homeless — meeting people where they are
33:59 — Why most people aren’t ready to change — and how to tell
34:33 — The meaning of surrender
35:15 — Faith, family, and keeping the fire alive
38:22 — Service as healing — “If you want to be a beast, do what beasts do.”
39:39 — Bishop’s message: be bold, share your story, hold each other accountable
41:07 — Closing remarks and thanks to Five Star Legacy Foundation
