EP 50 "What is Your Dream?" Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary:

Do you have a dream? I did. I had one as a child and I have had some in prison and in my life since prison. In prison I began writing my dreams down and have seen more fulfillment of those dreams.

Our family has a vision/dream board as well as Forgiven Felons. What is your dream? While in prison, the book The Dream Giver helped me out so much in my finding out what my dream was and how to pursue it. It also helped me understand that not everyone in my life wants me to pursue my dream. Some want me to stay in my comfort zone because if I leave mine, then their comfort zone is shook up a little.

In this episode I talk about some things you can do to foster and facilitate an atmosphere in which dreams can be fulfilled better.

Hope you enjoy it and leave a comment here or give us a review on apple.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Shelley’s facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelleyg5769

Shelley’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelley.goad/

Vista Taos Renewal Center: https://www.vistataos.com/

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 49 "Anybody but Shelley" Shelley Goad, LCDC

Show Summary:

In this episode of Background Check, with talk with Shelley Goad, LCDC. Her story begins with her parents being divorced while she was still young and her mom working her butt off to make it. 

Then she was introduced to Crown Royal in junior high and then later in life, meth. Her life began to spin out of control because of her addiction. When she drank, she drank to get drunk, and she wanted to be anywhere but where she was, and she wanted to be anybody but Shelley. 

While going to see her dad who was dying of cancer, she was arrested in 2007. The car she drove was stolen. She says the best thing her family did was NOT bail her out of jail. 

We talk about her going back to school and just doing anything that was put in front of her so that she could help as many people as possible. Now, she's an LCDC in Taos, NM. 

Memorable Quotes: “It was the most incredible thing my family ever did for me, was not bail me out of jail.” -Shelley Goad

“Your rock bottom is when you stop digging.” - Shelley Goad

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Shelley’s facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shelleyg5769

Shelley’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shelley.goad/

Vista Taos Renewal Center: https://www.vistataos.com/

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 48 "April 18th" Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary:

Dates are important. 

April 18th is very important to me, Jay Dan. In 2006 that's the day I got out of prison. In 2008 that's the day I married the most awesome women in the world. 

In this episode I talk a little about these dates and what they mean to me. I also encourage you to celebrate your dates. What dates are important to you? April 9, 2003 is my sobriety date. 18 years now. 

To find out more about Forgiven Felons, visit the links below.

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Watch the proposal video: https://youtu.be/umNklZplhSY

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 47 "Family of Choice" with Kenneth Prewitt, Jessa, and Jemma

Show Summary:

In this episode, Jay Dan sit downs with one of his best friends, Kenneth Prewitt. Kenneth went from being kicked out of his home because of drugs, to prison, to getting help from a couple in Texas, to the man that he is today. We start the podcast off with Jessa and Jemma, my daughters, telling some jokes and making Kenneth laugh. 

He will be 13 years clean this September and we are so happy for him. As he states in the interview, he's never going back. 

We call him our family of choice and Uncle Kenneth. Our girls love him and so do we. He's an avid Cowboys fan and I'm a die hard Steeler fan. So when he comes to town I make it uncomfortable for him. lol

For Kenneth's social media links and more pics of me making him dress and be around Steeler stuff, check out below.

Memorable Quote: “You can have the best intentions, but you know what, you better change something! Your scenery, your surrounding, your people.”- Kenneth Prewitt

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Kenneth’s facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevecloward1

Kenneth’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kprewitt4/

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 46 "Life After Addiction and Indictment" Steve Cloward

Show Summary:

 Jay Dan talks with Steve about his journey from opiate addiction, to prison, to where he is now. Read more about Steve below and check out his links to purchase his course programs.

After getting sober from 14-year battle with opiate addiction, Steve found himself facing a federal indictment that sent him to prison. After he lost his freedom and was released, he realized he had also lost his identity, confidence and purpose and he wasn’t sure if he’d end up losing his 20-year marriage.
Steve spent most of the past decade and over $100,000 on coaches, courses, events and masterminds searching to find out why his past kept popping up poisoning his future that held him back from reclaiming his life.
Steve is a "serial entrepreneur” and has grown several businesses to seven figures over the past 20 years. Steve has a huge heart and is extremely loyal. Steve is a people person, great networker who loves to bring people together.

Steve has top ranked podcast, Life After Addiction and Indictment to help those who continue to scream at their past and keep tripping over their future reclaim their life through entrepreneurship. Steve knows what It’s like to lose your confidence, have doors slammed in your face or lack the knowledge to chase your entrepreneurial dreams. Steve has the experience, knowledge and relationships to help you take control of your life and secure your future.

 After 24 years of "co-existing" in his marriage, Steve knows what it takes to create a happy and fulfilling relationship. Steve celebrates his 31-year anniversary later this year to his beautiful wife Ann. Together they have four boys and one girl, ages 16-28. 

 When he's not working, Steve loves to spend time with his family in Lake Powell, Sunday night game night, golfing, traveling, riding motorcycles with his four boys and creating memories.

Memorable Quote: “My grandmother said, when I was growing up, ‘When your values are in check, decisions are easy.’”

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Life After Addiction and Indictment website: https://lifeafteraddictionandindictment.com/

Get Steve’s Ebook: https://www.mindsetisthekey.net/mmebook

Get Steve’s Course: https://www.breakthroughproductions.co/btp-enter-my-mindset

Steve’s facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevecloward1

Steve’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swcloward/

Steve’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevecloward/

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 45 "Volunteering in Prison" Mark and Tina Wage

Show Summary:

Mark and Tina met by chance in a hallway and it was love at first sight. Then, Tina got invited to go to a closing for Kairos prison ministry and that led to a new love for both of them. It’s now been 16 years and they are more in love with prison ministry and each other, now more than ever. Today we do a background check on prison ministry volunteers, Mark and Tina Wage.

Mark and Tina live in Gun Barrell City, TX by Cedar Creek Lake. Tina teaches a class at the Beto unit, Battlefield of the Mind, while Mark mentors and writes as many inmates as possible. 

Mark and Tina share how they met, how they got started in prison ministry, and why they still do it. We talk about challenges along the way, how covid has affected their efforts, and how long they plan on serving. 

For more information on becoming a volunteer with Kairos, visit the link below.

Memorable Quotes: “I don't think there's anybody that can't be saved that really wants to be saved.”- Tina Wage

“The secret to a long lasting marriage is you have to continue to grow together.”- Mark Wage

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Kairos website: https://www.kairosprisonministry.org/

Mark’s facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008919576640

Tina’s facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Martina.Richardson.wage

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 44 "Second Look Bill Means A Second Chance" Deanna Luprete, Founder- Epicenter Ministries

Show Summary:

In this episode, Jay Dan sits down with Deanna Luprete to talk about her work at Epicenter and the Second Look Bill.

Deanna Luprete is the Founding Executive Director of The Epicenter Initiative and runs the Aftershock Reentry program for Second Lookers. A native Californian, Deanna relocated to Houston and most recently settled in Austin to have easier access to the Capitol and Second Look advocacy efforts. Deanna grew up in a household that was centered on restorative justice, as her father was a Los Angeles parole officer turned pastor. 

She has been involved in Texas prison ministry since 2005. Little did she know that eight years later her son would become incarcerated in California. It was during his incarceration that Deanna began to understand how broken the criminal justice system is both in California and Texas. 

Soon thereafter, she fully devoted herself to rehabilitative programs within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. While facilitating a program in 2016, Deanna met Chon Dimas, Jeremy Gartrell, and Jorge Vasquez. All three of them were given extreme sentences in adult prisons as children (now known as “Second Lookers”). Through these three Second Lookers, she became aware of 1,300 other individuals serving sentences they were given as children during the “Texas Tough” era.

With a renewed sense of hope, she established The Epicenter Initiative with a small social media presence that quickly grew. In 2017, TEI had 100 members during the 85th legislative session for the introduction of SB 556/HB 1274. At that time, Deanna partnered with Texas Criminal Justice Coalition and Lone Star Justice Alliance to compile Second Looker stories for The Second Look Book. This publication was then introduced at The Second Look Summit in Austin in November of 2017.

In 2019, TEI had 1,000 members for the introduction of SB 155/HB 256. Today, The Epicenter Initiative has 2,000 active members in the free world and 1,300 TDCJ residents that are diligently working to advocate for a “Second Look” be given to youth who are serving extreme sentences in adult prisons. Deanna is dedicated to educating and encouraging residents of TDCJ, as well as equipping and empowering those returning to society.

Memorable Quote: “I was shocked, that our society would take a child, and take their whole life away from them for a bad decision, or being charged with law of parties.” - Deanna Luprete

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Second Look’s Website: https://www.secondlooktexas.org/

Epicenter Initiative’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecondLook2021/

Private Prayer Warrior’s Epicenter Family Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1274014795968940/

Deanna’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deanna.luprete

To get the book, A Word To My Younger Self: https://www.secondlooktexas.org/shop

Watch Edwin Debrow’s Documentary Short: https://youtu.be/UhflM8zIRKY

Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/secondlooktexas2021/

Twitter Page: https://twitter.com/secondlook2021

To give to Epicenter Ministries: https://www.secondlooktexas.org/donate

To read more about the law of parties: https://www.secondlooktexas.org/law-of-parties

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 43 "New Name Ministries" Jon Cordeiro, Executive Director

Show Summary:

Jon is a dear friend and we plow in the same space of reentry. He's the Executive Director of New Name Ministries and has transitional, or transformational, homes in Fort Worth and Psalm 40 Ranch in Boyd, TX. 

In these home and on the ranch, live are changed, recidivism is reduced to almost zero. 

Pastor Jon is a graduate of Victory Bible Training School and former Graduate Peer Consultant for Supervised Community Treatment of Portland, Maine. His former volunteer activities have included being a volunteer chaplain at the Maine Correctional Center through Gideon's and long term involvement with the Sexual Violence Collaborative of Southern Maine.

Jon is ordained in the State of Texas through Apostolic Servant Ministries and provides education and consultations with churches and national organizations on issues of residential re-entry for sex offenders, policies and procedures for sex offenders in the church and public education presentations on "Sex Offender Sense." Jon is currently on the Board of Directors of Texas Voices for Reason and Justice, and also on the National Admin Team of Reform Sex Offenders Laws Inc. He has given testimony twice for civil commitment trials as an expert on sex offender reentry for the state of California.

He is co-author of Unprecedented - How Sex Offender Laws Are Impacting Our Nation.

For the website information and more about Jon and New Name Ministries, and to see pics of Psalm 40 Ranch, visit the links below.

Memorable Quote: “Every perversion is just the wrong VERSION of the right thing that’s already in you. You cannot pervert something that’s not there.” Jon Cordeiro

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

New Name Ministries Website: https://www.newnameministries.org/

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 42 "Flight, The Dance of Freedom" Susan Slotnick

Show Summary:

In this episode, Jay Dan talks with Susan Slotnick. We talked about her teaching dance in prison and how it was birthed out of a painful experience in her life. Read more about Susan below and check out the links.

For the past 25 years, Susan Slotnick has gone behind the walls at correctional facilities every week to bring the joy of modern dance to incarcerated men and boys.  Her choreography dealt with serious themes geared to inspire audiences and students toward social justice activism. 

Susan was born to a mother with a borderline personality and a distant autistic father; not the best nurturing environment for a gifted child, so she rebelled, flunked out of school, and befriended those her mother would have considered undesirables.  She basically lived a life completely at odds to the one that would have ordinarily been expected.  Early experiences showed Susan how difficult life was for so many and it instilled in her a passionate zeal to help the marginalized, the forgotten and the disenfranchised. 

Her life work and dance company, named "Figures In Flight," has garnered much critical and professional acclaim. Numerous feature articles about her have appeared in dance magazines, she received the Dance Studio Magazine's "Caring Heart Award," celebrated for Women's History Month as Huffington Post's "Greatest Woman of The Day," featured in two radio documentaries and featured in the documentary "The Game Changer" that won Best Documentary Short at both the Harlem and Cannes film festivals. Susan is also the author of the book Flight: The Dance of Freedom.

Memorable Quote: Laws are passed to enforce a change in behavior; art exists to inspire change in the heart.” - Susan Slotnick

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Susan Slotnick’s Website: https://www.susanslotnick.com/

Susan’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/confirm.us

Prison Dance Video: https://www.susanslotnick.com/prison?wix-vod-video-id=86007817fa0245b4b09f2b583697b60e&wix-vod-comp-id=comp-jdkmpu3r

Watch more prison dance videos here: https://www.susanslotnick.com/prison

Buy “Flight The Dance Of Freedom” on Amazon Smile: https://smile.amazon.com/Flight-Dance-Freedom-Susan-Slotnick/dp/1079554904/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=susan+slotnick&qid=1614947590&sr=8-1

See more of Susan’s Paintings: https://www.susanslotnick.com/paintings

Watch The Game Changer Documentary: https://www.susanslotnick.com/thegamechanger

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 41 "Black History Month School Projects" Richard Miles, Jay Dan and the Gumm Family

Show Summary:

In this episode we honor Black History Month by talking about our daughter's school projects. Jessa did her project on Frederick Douglass, and Jessa did her's on Jackie Robinson. My wife and helped them so we learned a lot while doing the project with them. 

We also have special guest Richard Miles from episode two and he talks about how his exoneration fits into black history as well. 

For more information on Richard Miles, Miles of Freedom, Frederick Douglass, and Jackie Robinson please check out the links below.

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Miles of Freedom’s Website: https://milesoffreedom.org/

Richard’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.miles.925059

Miles of Freedom Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=miles%20of%20freedom

More Info about Frederick Douglass: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/frederick-douglass

More info about Jackie Robinson: https://www.jackierobinson.com/

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 40 "$750,000 to Keep Pigs Cooled?" Casey Phillips with Texas Prisons Air-Conditioning Advocates

Show Summary:

I thought we’d take a break from our love stories and share what’s going on in our Texas prisons as a result of the Winter Storm of 2021 and talk with Casey Phillips from Texas Prisons Air-Conditioning Advocates (TPAA).

But as we are talking, I realize that the reason she started TPAA was because of love for her husband. Since then it’s grown into a large group over 2600 members on social media. For the last three years Casey and others, advocate for air conditioning in our prisons. So many men and women die each year from heat exhaustion because there’s no air conditioning in most of the units.

Casey talks about the AC in the units and we also talk about the rally’s they do where they set up a mock prison cell where people can sit in it and feel the actual heat the men and women feel in prison during the summer. She also talks about the bills they are working on.

We also discuss the affects of covid on visitation and how lack of visitation has had an impact on the mental health of the inmates. We also throw a little Covid vaccination talk in there too.

For pics and links to info please check out the information below.

Memorable Quote: “The pigs, the livestock with TDCJ, they spent $750,000 to get them air conditioning.”

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

TPAA’s Website: https://www.texasprisonsacadvocates.com/

TPAA Documents: https://www.texasprisonsacadvocates.com/documents

TPAA’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TexasPrisonsAcAdvocates

TPAA’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/TPAA8

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 39 "Our Valentine's Love Story" Jay Dan, Jessamy, Jessa, and Jemma Gumm

Show Summary:

Throughout February we will air love stories that have great redemptive power and where at least one of the persons have been impacted by addiction or incarceration. 

Today's episode is Jay Dan and Jessamy's love story. They walk you through the ups and downs, challenges, and sweet moments since the day they began courting each other. 

Check out the proposal video below.

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Watch the proposal video: https://youtu.be/umNklZplhSY

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 38 "Forgiven Felons Core Values" Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary:

Jay Dan shares the core values of Forgiven Felons. Core values help us set goals, make decisions, and keep us on track instead of making decisions on emotions. 

Forgiveness, Education, Love, Overcome, New Life, Serve. 

To hear Jay Dan expound on these values and what they mean to the organization, listen to the full episode. 

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 37 "My Covid Chronicles" Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary:

Covid hit my family hard this time. Two days before I turned 50 I tested positive and my wife eventually did too. It was a hard time to trying to balance work from home for my wife, school for the kids, and the devastating affect it had on me. 

I talk about my journey and what got me through it as well as how some of our men's experiences in prison. 

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Watch the “No Way Out” video: https://youtu.be/QsE1A6C3Lhs

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 36 "The Gift of Sobriety" Cheri Garcia, CEO Cornbread Hustle

Show Summary:

I’ve known Cheri for a few years now and I’ve enjoyed watching her grow her company and her life. She has a heart to see people bounce back from addiction and anything else in their past. Here’s a little more about her.

Cheri Garcia is the Founder of Cornbread Hustle, a staffing agency for second chances. Cheri is passionate about helping people with criminal backgrounds and individuals in recovery find transformation through employment or entrepreneurship.

As someone who has re-invented her own life, Cheri wanted to create a company to help others do the same. Before starting Cornbread Hustle, Cheri found her first transformation and recovery through inventing a tanning bed and starting a career in the TV news industry. She later found recovery a second time, but through faith and a sober lifestyle.

With a strong background in marketing and PR, Cheri uses the skills she acquired to help individuals getting out of prison re-brand themselves to become the person they want to be and get noticed by the people they want to meet.

Please check out the links below to learn more about Cheri and Cornbread Hustle

Memorable Quote: “THAT is transformation! When people you’ve wronged start to say good things about you.”- Cheri Garcia

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Cheri’s Website: https://www.cherigarcia.com/

Cornbread Hustle’s Website: https://cornbreadhustle.com/

Cheri’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cherigarcia/

Cheri’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luminous_cheri/

Cheri’s Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/cheri.c.garcia

Cheri’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/Luminous_Cheri

Cheri’s Book Recommendations:

This Naked Mind: Control Alcohol, Find Freedom, Discover Happiness, and Change Your Life, by Annie Grace

The Power of a Praying Woman, by Stormie Omartian

Turn Your Love On, by Danny Silk

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 35 "From Wrongfully Convicted To Being A Lawyer" Jeff Deskovic- Deskovic Foundation

Show Summary:

This interview was eye opening. You should check the links below, get Prime Video, and watch the documentary short as well. Jeff is a great guy and to know that he was wrongfully convicted and treated this way breaks my heart and pisses me off. Here’s a short bio of Jeff.

The Deskovic Foundation is a New York based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to exonerating the wrongfully convicted both in DNA and non-DNA cases, as well as wrongful conviction prevention. The Foundation was established as a result of Jeffrey Deskovic’s own wrongful conviction at the age of 17 of the rape and murder of a 15 year old girl. Authorities knew his DNA did not match that of the actual perpetrator – who, three years later, went on to murder another young woman and mother of two – but rogue police officers, prosecutors, and other law enforcement personnel knowingly and maliciously accused, prosecuted, and eventually secured his conviction. After his exoneration and release after sixteen years in prison, Deskovic successfully sued the authorities responsible and used a substantial portion of the compensation he was awarded to start the Deskovic Foundation. Deskovic has dedicated himself to helping the wrongfully convicted, and recently graduated from the Elizabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University with a law degree.

Jeff’s Awards and Accomplishments:

Advocate of the Month- Wrongful Conviction News

Glenn Martin Advocate of the Year- Citizens Against Recidivism

Servant of Justice- It Could Happen To You
Sobrie-Pasternack Award [given to the law student who contributed the most to Civil Rights]

2018 Distinguished Alumn Award- The John Jay College of Criminal Justice

The Conquest Award by Unlabled Awards

Agent of Change- Hudson Valley Re-Entry Network

Humanitarian of the Year- New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce

New Yorker of the Week (New York 1 television station)

For you free trial of Audible and to help out our ministry, click here: audibletrial.com/backgroundcheck

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary

Watch Jeff’s TEDx Talk Here: https://youtu.be/NDSvbm1NX_o

Documentary Short “Conviction”: https://www.amazon.com/Conviction-Jeffrey-Deskovic/dp/B08F9XPHB4/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=amazon+prime+deskovic&qid=1610170342&sr=8-3

Deskovic Foundation: https://www.deskovicfoundation.org/

Jeff’s Public Figure Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Jeffrey-Deskovic-1111976308978510

Deskovic Foundation Crowd Source Page:https://www.patreon.com/Deskovic

Deskovic Foundation Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thejeffreydeskovicfoundation

Jeff’s LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreydeskovic/

Jeff’s Instagram Page: https://www.instagram.com/jeffreydeskovic/?hl=en

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 34 "3 Minutes that Saved a Life" Jesse Paul Smith

Show Summary:

This episode was one of the most fun episodes. Having met Jesse at Maxwell conference, and seen him perform on stage, it made his journey that much more exciting to listen to.

We talk about his childhood when he describes himself as a band geek, his battle with depression that almost ended his life, his rubbing shoulders with other celebrities, and his latest creation, World Wide Dance Challenge. Check out his bio below as well as his links to everything.

Jesse is an established dancer, recording artist and entrepreneur.  Getting his start in the entertainment world when he moved to L.A. in 2005 as a dancer with McDonald Selznick Associates.  There he got an opportunity to work with artists like Justin Timberlake, Rhianna, Mario and more.  Since then he has been using his talents to perform and speak all over the world on stages in front of over 100,000 people in his career.

Now Jesse continues to help creatives turn their passion into a thriving business that can make a positive impact on the world through his business My Creative District.

Through My Creative District, Jesse cofounded WorldWide Dance Challenge – An online Dance Show/Competition where they bring dancers from around the world and all different styles to compete head to head live online in front of a live audience for a chance to be named the worlds best.

For you free trial of Audible and to help out our ministry, click here: audibletrial.com/backgroundcheck

Resources Mentioned in the Show:

Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary:

World Wide Dance Challenge:  https://www.worldwidedancechallenge.com/

John Maxwell IMC 2018 video: https://youtu.be/Gz-xKBGypeA

World Wide Dance Challenge Episode 1: https://youtu.be/0D17HbcA1gc

Jesse’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imjessepaulsmith

Jesse’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessepaulsmith/

Jesse’s Podcast My Creative District: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/my-creative-district/id1525890194

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 33 "We Made it OUT of 2020" Happy New Year- Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary:

If you're reading this, you made it out of 2020. Congratulations. 

The Gumm family and Forgiven Felons had some hard times because of the virus, but we pivoted (this word is the word of the year) and made it through. 

I talk about 3G, not the data speed from 12 years ago, but how I live my life. 

1. Get Right

2. Get Out

3. Give Back

Some great things happened for the organization in 2020 and we are expecting even greater things to come. We've had some amazing guests and we have even greater guests coming. 

Hang on tight! Happy New Year from the Gumm's and Forgiven Felons. 

As always, thanks for listening and spreading the word. 

“Never let go of the hand of the mentor ahead of you, and never let go of helping other who are behind you.” - Jay Dan Gumm

Watch the Forgiven Felons documentary on ROKU TV: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/5c40f7221c025695a3ba2321dc322db0/forgiven-felons-s1-e1-the-consequences-of-crime

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.

EP 32 "Family Christmas Traditions" The Gumm Family and Mama

Show Summary:

Jay Dan, Jessamy, Jessa, and Jane (Jay Dan’s mom) talk about family christmas traditions, favorite Christmas drinks, movies, and songs.

A few funny and touching moments in this episode.

EP 31 "Covid Christmas" Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary:

Today on the show I talk about Christmas in prison and how Covid19 has turned our prison system into a huge mess. 

I reminisce about my holidays in jail and prison and how my family was impacted deeply by the decisions I made. I list some stats about the current positive cases and death toll among inmates and staff. The staff are put in the middle of all this. If they don’t do their job, they’ll lose it but if they do their job, they could die. The inmates are treated poorly as well. We can do better as a system. 

Below is a link to a recent investigative video of what is going on in our Texas prisons. The mayor of Palestine, TX had some blunt things to say about our system. You should watch it. It has a list of all the inmates and staff who have died during this pandemic because of the virus.

Resources mentioned during the show:

Investigative Video from Channel 8: https://youtu.be/QsE1A6C3Lhs

Watch the Forgiven Felons documentary on ROKU TV: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/5c40f7221c025695a3ba2321dc322db0/forgiven-felons-s1-e1-the-consequences-of-crime

How to get more involved with Forgiven Felons:

Leave a review and subscribe on iTunes:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/background-check-podcast/id1515831127

Learn about our Future Plans:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/future-plans

Give to our organization:
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support

Shop our merchandise:
https://forgivenfelons.org/shop

FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, AND TWITTER.