Gramercy

What happens when belief systems, ideological worldviews, or long-held opinions you've defended as truth your entire life bump up against contradictions that prove those prior concepts as fallible? How do you deal with that tension? How do you explain it to yourself? These are just a few of the questions I tackle as I contemplate what each guest this season has taught me.

Today I am going to introduce you to one of the most driven, strong women I have ever met: Elizabeth Randall Hebert. As you will learn from her story, she is factually innocent. She had no reason to believe the system would not work for her. Yet she ended up behind bars. Elizabeth is now a fierce advocate for the formerly incarcerated, helps with re-entry programs, and speaks out f

It's not everyday you meet incredibly happy, optimistic, loving people who actively live what they believe...but today is your lucky day. Sithy Bin came to the US as a refugee at 4 years old. Sadly, Sithy was introduced to gang life in 6th grade. He has some very enlightening things to share about the lies and brainwashing kids experience in this lifestyle. In his early 20s he was

The young David Shirley - before his transformation - is a person you love to hate. You are not cheering for him; you are actually glad he ends up behind bars and hopes he learns his lesson. He found the wrong side of the law at a very young age. For 10 years in prison he continued with his negative mindset and behaviors despite all the punishments the prison threw at him until ult

The story of Laura Hernandez is a hard one to hear. She is the survivor of every type of abuse you can imagine. Living in a nightmare is the best way to describe Laura's formative years. Violence, chaos, and loneliness are also littered throughout her horrific memories. In her early 20s, Laura found herself serving a 27to life term in prison. However, while there she spent her time

This is a compelling story you won't soon forget. Andy Lopez grew up in New York City as a first generation American from a tight-knit Dominican Republic family. He adores his mother, who single-handedly raised him and his 5 brothers. Gang life was the only life. He lived by the street code. Andy paints a vivid picture that gives us deeper insight into what attracts kids on the str

My guest today is Darlene Luca. Not only is she the Southern California Career & Re-entry Program Manager for Defy Ventures, she also has 3 years of incarceration experience. This is a woman with a genuine heart of compassion for those hurt, broken souls on the street, in the prisons, and those newly released from prison. She understands the allure of gang life because she used

Today you will meet Nhut Thanh Vo from Westminster, CA . He is a dog trainer, mural and portrait painter, tattoo artist, and devout Buddist. After meeting him it is unfathomable to visualize this gentle, considerate man as a former gang member charged with murder and given a life w/o parole sentence. Nhut speaks thoughtfully with raw honesty about his past intentions, mindset, and

Today I am visiting with Melissa O’Dell, the Executive Director of Defy Ventures Illinois. Melissa has been on the Defy Ventures team for the past six years, most recently in the role of Vice President of Programs nationally. Although currently residing in Chicago, she originally grew up in New York. Melissa is a person driven by fulfilling her sense of purpose in this world and

When you grow up with domestic violence, housing instability, and no parental direction how do you have the tools to be a healthy, functioning, contributing member of society? You don't. My guest today, Jose Vargas, had no one in his corner as a child. His understanding of what a normal life was like was skewed by a life experience filled with violence, hopelessness, and fear. Take