Who I Became

When we think of the word “gang,” we associate it with a particular group of people. And this image we almost automatically create in our head is rarely positive. Crime and violence in gangs, as well as illegal affairs, always come into the picture. But behind these stereotypes are real, dynamic people—often young teenagers—who have no choice but to embrace this way of life. To truly understand the violence in gangs and how they work, you first have to humble yourself and set foot in their reality. In this episode, Dr. James Densley shares the story behind how he became an expert in street gangs. He describes his experience of immersing with gang members while simultaneously building trust in the community throughout his research. Dr. James also talks about his practice and the work they do at The Violence Project. Through his account, we get a better grasp of the realities of violence in gangs and the lessons surrounding the gang members. Tune in to the episode to learn about the violence in gangs and what it’s like to build relationships with young gang members. 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Get a glance at the real picture of the demographic and life of a gang member. Learn the importance of leveraging networks in doing violence and crime-related research studies. Discover the biggest lessons around working with street gangs. Resources Connect with Dr. James: https://www.jamesdensley.com/ (Website) | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdensley (LinkedIn) https://www.theviolenceproject.org/ (The Violence Project) https://youtu.be/UyaYMOCt_Ug (TEDx Talk: Violence in the Age of Social Media - JamesDensley) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CLO15LQ/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0 (How Gangs Work: An Ethnography of Youth Violence) by Dr. James Densley https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B4HK6Y8/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i4 (Scotland’s Gang Members: Life and Crime in Glasgow) by Dr. James Densley About Dr. James Dr. James Densley is a Professor and the Department Chair of Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University. He is also the co-founder and co-president of The Violence Project, a non-partisan and nonprofit violence research center. Through this project, they developed the most comprehensive Mass Shooter Database, funded by the National Institute of Justice. As an expert on street crimes, he has authored several highly acclaimed books on street crime and violence. Dr. James has spoken in numerous speaking events, including TEDx. He is also a writer for several publications, such as CNN, The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, LA Times, and USA Today. In 2017, the UK Prime Minister awarded Dr. James the Points of Light Award for his outstanding community volunteerism. If you want to reach out to Dr. James, you can visit hishttps://twitter.com/FigenMurray ( )https://www.jamesdensley.com/ (website) and https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesdensley (LinkedIn). Don’t forget to visit https://www.theviolenceproject.org/ (The Violence Project) to know more about his work. Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, then leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will inspire them to learn from whomever they can and shift their perspective on the violence in gangs. Have any questions? You can connect with me onhttps://www.facebook.com/simonosamoh1 ( Facebook),https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh ( Twitter), orhttps://www.instagram.com/simonosamoh/ ( Instagram). Thank you for tuning in! For more updates, visit myhttps://www.simonosamoh.com/ ( website) orhttps://mailchi.mp/79a93fb461d9/simonosamoh ( join) the community. You may also tune in onhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-i-became/id1514104061 ( Apple Podcasts) orhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmu-CaQ10DJk7Y1uAfk_f_MJkwt1m2441 ( YouTube).

What is it like living in America with a multi-cultural family? And when you first arrive here as an immigrant, how are you treated?   In part 2 of my conversation with Dr. Sammy Wanyonyi, he shares his experiences living in modern America as a man of color and it might not be what you think. Also as the husband to a white American, you will hear how Sammy is perceived back home in Kenya for marrying a western woman.     Dr. Sammy Wanyonyi is the founder of Merge Twin Cities, a nonprofit organization bringing cultures together to create positive change in Minnesota and beyond.     Connect with Simon   Podcast: http://apple.co/3nnvSxm   IG: https://instagram.com/simonosamoh/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/   YouTube: http://bit.ly/3d52vKN   Simon's Books: https://amzn.to/3icJ8D0   Connect with Sammy Wanyonyi   Merge Twin Cities: https://www.mergetwincities.org/  Shine: https://www.shineintheworld.org/our-story  Merge YouTube: http://bit.ly/388lJjd

Have you ever wondered how God chooses people to do His work? Often, you'll find that the ones He chooses are ordinary people living mundane lives. They are selected precisely for this reason—it allows them to become available to heed the call. Today, we'll hear from a person who answered God’s calling and experienced the touch of the Holy Spirit. In this episode, Dr. Sammy Wanyonyi joins us for part one of our conversation about discovering his purpose through God. He speaks about the work he does as an evangelist and leader of two ministries. Dr. Sammy shares the miraculous story of how he started speaking perfect English and how this all played into God's calling for him. He talks about the faith that led him on a path of self-discovery to Minnesota and becoming a world evangelist. Tune in to the episode to learn how you can fulfill God’s calling with unconditional confidence and faith. Three reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Discover what it means to listen to God’s calling. Learn about the underlying reason behind non-believers. Find out why God uses ordinary people to spread His word. About Dr. SammyDr. Sammy Wanyonyi is the founder and lead communicator of Shine in the World Ministries. He is also the founder and lead evangelist of Merge Twin Cities, a nonprofit organization bringing cultures together to foster positive change in Minnesota and beyond. Dr. Sammy has a degree in cross-cultural studies, a master's degree in divinity, and a doctorate in global and contextual leadership. He is an accomplished world missionary leader with a track record in movement mobilization and evangelism leadership and adept in diplomatic leadership, adult education, curriculum development, volunteer management, and public speaking. As a keynote speaker, Dr. Sammy has spoken at various gatherings worldwide, from university campuses to stadiums. If you want to reach out to Dr. Sammy, you can visit his https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-sammy-wanyonyi-09330a17/ (LinkedIn),https://www.facebook.com/Dr.Sammywanyonyi ( Facebook), andhttps://twitter.com/sammywanyonyi ( Twitter). You may also visithttps://www.mergetwincities.org/ ( Merge Twin) Cities andhttps://www.shineintheworld.org/ ( Shine in) the World. Enjoyed this Episode?If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, then leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will inspire them to listen to God’s calling and make a positive change in this world. Have any questions? You can connect with me on https://www.facebook.com/simonosamoh1 (Facebook),https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh ( Twitter), or https://www.instagram.com/simonosamoh/ (Instagram). Thank you for tuning in! For more updates, visit my https://www.simonosamoh.com/ (website) orhttps://mailchi.mp/79a93fb461d9/simonosamoh ( join the community). You may also tune in onhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-i-became/id1514104061 ( Apple Podcasts) orhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmu-CaQ10DJk7Y1uAfk_f_MJkwt1m2441 ( YouTube).

When I reflect back on the podcast, today's episode is the most honest, emotional, and raw conversation I have ever had with a guest. Today we are going to tackle the difficult conversation of the trauma caused by those that suffer sexual abuse as a child. I’m joined today by Dr. Raj who is a professor of Criminal Justice at Metropolitan State University, nationally known for his work on bias, a victim of sexual abuse as a child, and a dear friend.   Raj shares his experiences as a victim of sexual abuse as a child which led to a suicide attempt. But you will hear his recovery, transformation, how he now forgives his abuser, and how this life-changing experience has inspired his work in criminal justice.    Suicide Prevention Hotline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ (https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ ) Connect with Simon   Podcast: http://apple.co/3nnvSxm (http://apple.co/3nnvSxm )  IG: https://instagram.com/simonosamoh/ (https://instagram.com/simonosamoh/  ) Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh (https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh) Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/ (https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/ )  YouTube: http://bit.ly/3d52vKN (http://bit.ly/3d52vKN)   Simon's Books: https://amzn.to/3icJ8D0 (https://amzn.to/3icJ8D0 ) Connect with Raj   LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-sethuraju-a0161ba4/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-sethuraju-a0161ba4/) Teaching: https://www.metrostate.edu/about/directory/raj-sethuraju (https://www.metrostate.edu/about/directory/raj-sethuraju)

There are over 2.2 million people incarcerated in the United States alone. When these people finish serving their sentence, over 75% will re-offend within five years. Are some people just inherently bad and dangerous? No, our guest reminds us that we are all children of God who deserve a second chance. When we give opportunities to the incarcerated, we can turn reoffend rates from 75% to as low as 8%. But we must first provide them with the proper mentoring. Prison ministries offer just the right programs and training sessions to help end this cycle of crime. In this episode, Shug Bury shares her advocacy to help women live victoriously through HIM4Her Ministries. She shares that incarcerated people often get judged and turned away from opportunities like housing and employment, leading them to a vicious cycle of hardship and criminality. We can stop this from happening by becoming more compassionate and following God’s example.  Tune in to the episode to learn what it’s like to help and minister to the incarcerated! 3 reasons why you should listen to the full episode: Learn why the incarcerated often re-offend and end up back in prison. Discover HIM4Her Ministries’ initiatives to help women everywhere, especially those in prison. Understand how we can help the incarcerated and become more compassionate to on another.  About ShugShug Bury is the founder and President of HIM4Her Ministries, a nonprofit organization aiming to empower women of all walks of life to rise in Jesus Christ and equip them to live victoriously. The Ministry's initiatives include radio, speaking engagements, prison ministry, mentoring, and housing. Shug's ministry has taken her to some of the most spiritually troubled corners of the globe, yet she continues to spread the Gospel and help others. Through HIM4Her Ministries, she inspires women to heal and find redemption beyond the walls of a prison. You can learn more about HIM4Her Ministries on their https://www.him4herministries.org/ (website), https://www.facebook.com/HIM4HerMinistries (Facebook), https://www.instagram.com/him4herministries/I (Instagram), https://twitter.com/H4H_Ministries (Twitter), https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChBNbGJntjPNnCToi43xdIA (Youtube), https://www.linkedin.com/company/him4herministries/ (LinkedIn) and email ([email protected]), Connect with Shug on https://www.linkedin.com/in/shug-bury-3923a05b/ (LinkedIn), https://www.facebook.com/Shugbury (Facebook), https://www.instagram.com/ShugBury/?hl=en (Instagram), and https://twitter.com/shugbury?lang=en (Twitter).       Enjoyed this Episode? If you did, be sure to subscribe and share it with your friends! Post a review and share it! If you enjoyed tuning in, then leave us a review. You can also share this with your friends and family. This episode will inspire them to follow their calling, start a new life, and use what they have to do good in the world. Have any questions? You can connect with me onhttps://www.facebook.com/simonosamoh1 ( Facebook),https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh ( Twitter), orhttps://www.instagram.com/simonosamoh/ ( Instagram). Thank you for tuning in! For more updates, visit myhttps://www.simonosamoh.com/ ( website) orhttps://mailchi.mp/79a93fb461d9/simonosamoh ( join) the community. You may also tune in onhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/who-i-became/id1514104061 ( Apple Podcasts) orhttps://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmu-CaQ10DJk7Y1uAfk_f_MJkwt1m2441 ( YouTube). Thank you for tuning in! For more updates, visit my website or join the community. You may also tune in on Apple Podcasts or YouTube.

Lewis Conway Jr. is a civil rights and criminal justice leader known nationally for his work with the American Civil Liberties Union. He is formerly incarcerated for voluntary manslaughter where he stabbed a man who died, he spent over 6,000 days in prison and on parole. In 2018 he challenged the state law in Texas making him the first formerly incarcerated to have his name on the electoral ballot.  Connect with Simon     Podcast: http://apple.co/3nnvSxm   Instagram: https://instagram.com/simonosamoh/   Twitter: https://twitter.com/SimonOsamoh   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhoIBecame/   YouTube: http://bit.ly/3d52vKN   Simon's Books: https://amzn.to/3icJ8D0    Connect with Lewis Conway    YouTube: http://bit.ly/3asUkcj   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ispeaktruthtopower/