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Earning Freedom with Michael Santos

Earning Freedom teaches strategies for those who want to lead more fulfilling, relevant lives. This show will motivate and inspire, teaching lessons that empowered Michael Santos through 26 years of imprisonment. While incarcerated he earned university degrees, published more than a dozen books, married and supported the love of his life, and emerged from prison as a taxpaying citizen. He shows how those strategies set him on track to earn a million dollars and how you can earn freedom, leading a richer, more fulfilling life by following the same strategies and principles.
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Now displaying: July, 2015
Jul 30, 2015

Today I had the privilege of interviewing Kevin Snyder for the Earning Freedom podcast. Kevin’s commitment to serving others led to his building a career as a public defender. He served in that capacity for nearly a decade. In that role, Kevin defended individuals against every type of offense, from misdemeanors to serious felonies. The experience gave him a depth and breadth of knowledge that served his clients well. Recently, Kevin launched his new practice and I highly recommend him to anyone who needs a lawyer.

In our podcast, Kevin spoke about the work did with the public defender’s office in Orange County, California. He also offered insight on criminal justice reforms that can influence the lives of people who’ve been charged with a crime in the state of California. Rather than being exposed to state prison, those individuals may serve their sanctions in county jails. Other reforms may lead individuals to change the status of their convictions from felonies to misdemeanors. Those who need to navigate the complexities of the criminal justice system will have exceptional guidance if they retain Kevin.

If any of our listeners have a need to speak with a criminal defense attorney, I highly recommend Kevin. Don’t only take my word for it. Listen to his wisdom on the Earning Freedom podcast. And check out the following links that validate him as an exceptional attorney: 

Jul 29, 2015

As a prison consultant, I’m sometimes confronted with questions about how an individual can move beyond a criminal conviction. This question comes from white-collar offenders or people who’ve been convicted of business-related crimes. They worry about what kind of life they’re going to lead after prison. They worry because search engines will always publicize their crime and those challenges may limit opportunities. They can learn something from former gang members who turned their life around.

It’s my job to teach anyone how leading a life of relevance makes all the difference. In today’s podcast, Heracio Harts helps me to convey that message.

Heracio and I sat down to talk about re-entry and what it is like for someone to have emerged from prison on multiple occasions. We discussed the challenges and limitations that are imposed by society when having to bring up prior incarceration. Heracio also talked to me about the work he is doing through Healthy Hearts Institute.

Jul 28, 2015

Scott Budnick is one of Hollywood’s most successful producers. His film credits include Starsky and Hutch, The Hangover Series, and other films that have cumulatively grossed billions of dollars. Yet Scott voluntarily walked away from Hollywood to pursue his real passion: Prison and Juvenile Justice Reform.

 

In today’s episode on Earning Freedom, Scott talks with our audience about his journey. Several years ago, Matthew Mizel, a colleague from Hollywood, invited Scott for a tour of a prison. Matthew taught a writing course inside of a California prison for juveniles. While on that visit, Scott met several young people who came from disadvantaged backgrounds. They were facing sentences that would stretch as long as 300 years. Those young people had stories to tell. Unfortunately, few people wanted to listen.

In truth, everyone who goes through the criminal justice system has a story to tell. To the extent that we can help others understand our backgrounds and the influences that led us to where we are, we advance the possibility for a better outcome. Scott began volunteering all of his Saturdays to teach writing courses to young people in Juvenile Hall. He became so passionate about reforming the system that he launched the Anti Recidivism Coalition, a nonprofit organization that serves several hundred people.

As a result of Scott’s commitment, many powerful people from across the world have become aware of our nation’s problematic criminal justice system. On the Earning Freedom podcast, Scott spoke about what he learned from touring prison systems in other countries, and touring prisons across the United States. His devotion is contagious. Scott’s relentless commitment to improving the system has had enormous influence. He not only provides guidance for the formerly incarcerated to transition into society successfully, Scott and his group at the ARC have also opened meaningful programs like a housing component, an education component, and legislative reforms that influence the lives of thousands.

It pleases me to bring more awareness to the amazing work that Scott and the Anti Recidivism Coalition do to improve outcomes of our nation’s prison system. I encourage you to visit the ARC website and you will see why our nation’s commitment to mass incarceration represents one of the greatest social injustices of our time.

Please rate and review on iTunes to help spread distribution of Earning Freedom.

Jul 27, 2015

For more than a dozen years, Samuel T. Morison served as a staff attorney in the Office of the United States Pardon Attorney. In this two-part series on the Earning Freedom podcast, Sam offered valuable insight. Anyone who has endured a criminal prosecution in the federal system and aspires to relief through executive clemency will want to listen. This first episode provides some historical context on how presidents have used their pardon power. In the second episode, Sam discusses his defense practice at PardonAttorney.com. He represents people who want to persuade the President to grant them some form of pardon.

 

Pardon Power:

As a prison consultant, I frequently hear from clients who want to learn more about what steps they can take to position themselves for the best possible outcome. Some think about early release, and certainly the pardon is an option. Those who want to position themselves for a pardon will learn a great deal by listening to the information that Sam provided.

The United States Constitution provides the president with absolute authority to forgive sentences, or even block prosecutions. Several different types of pardons exist. The president may grant a full or conditional pardon, effectively forgiving the offense as if it never happened. Or the president can issue a commutation, effectively lessening the sentence imposed by the trial judge.

 

Historically, when the federal prison system was much smaller, presidents took a much more active role in the pardon process. A right to appeal, probation, or parole did not exist. Presidents would routinely review sentences and consider whether continued incarceration was warranted. If it wasn’t, they could offer relief through the pardon power.

At the start of the 20th century, legislation brought new relief mechanisms. They included a right to a direct appeal, probation, and parole. As a consequence of those reforms, presidents did not feel compelled to grant as many pardons. Still, up until the time of President Carter, pardons were not so controversial. President Reagan’s administration changed that. We became much more punitive, and the pardon was granted far less frequently.

 

 

This podcast series will describe the process an individual should follow if he or she aspires to relief through some form of pardon.

 

See: PardonAttorney.com 

Jul 27, 2015

Through his practice at PardonAttorney.com, Samuel T. Morison advocates for people who want relief from federal sentences. Individuals who’ve been charged with a federal crime, and who have aspirations of restoring all of their civil liberties, will want to talk with Sam Morison. The sooner a defendant retains Sam, the sooner the defendant can learn about the pardon process and the steps that he or she may take to prepare for a successful outcome.

In the previous episode of this two-part series on the pardon process, Sam provided some historical context of pardons. Prior to the 20th century, presidents granted pardons much more frequently. Since Ronald Reagen’s administration, however, pardons have become much more controversial. 

Although individuals can file directly with the White House, there is a more established process. Petitioners should file with the United States Pardon Attorney. For longer than a dozen years, Sam was a staff attorney in the DOJ’s Pardon Attorney Office. He has invaluable insight with regard to how the process works.

In today’s Earning Freedom episode, Sam elaborates on the steps necessary to prepare for a pardon. It’s very similar to preparing for the best outcome at sentencing and through a journey in the Bureau of Prisons. As prison consultants, we help our clients understand how to reveal themselves much more completely during the presentence investigation. That document will have an enormous influence on the prison experience. It will also influence the individual’s exposure to community confinement opportunities and liberty upon release. Those who listen to today’s podcast will learn that the presentence investigation will also have an enormous influence on the clemency process.

Contact PardonAttorney today if you’d like to learn more about how Sam Morison can help you restore your liberties.

Jul 25, 2015

As a prison consultant, I speak with a lot of people when they’re facing challenging times. People reach out to me when someone they know has been arrested with the concern that they, too, may face arrest. Other people contact me when they’re further along. They’ve been arrested, or they’ve been charged, or they’re preparing for trial, or they’re preparing for a sentencing hearing and imprisonment.

In today’s podcast, I spoke with Angelo Pisano and learned more about his new website, Prison Survival Secrets. I sat down with Angelo as he discussed going to prison and the practices and mantras he developed throughout the process. It was good to share our experiences with each other and understand how our habits that we formed in prison has informed our work.

Jul 24, 2015

If an individual faces time in federal prison, serves time in prison, or is about to return to society after time in prison, then that individual should check out my conversation with Steve. In today's Earning Freedom podcast, I spoke with Steve Metheny. He has been dealing with the judicial system for the past 5 years.

Steve was vice president of a major aviation company. Decisions he made on the job resulted in inquiries from the criminal justice system. Steve and I talked about the difficulties and challenges he's faced throughout this entire process. We also discussed strategies to move beyond the negative aspects and focusing on how to emerge successfully.

Steve faces 10 years in prison. Our chat will provide useful information for those facing federal prosecution and those who want to avoid lengthy prison terms.

Jul 23, 2015

If an individual faces time in federal prison, serves time in prison, or is about to return to society after time in prison, then that individual should check out my conversation with Mike. In today's Earning Freedom podcast, Mike shared the unfortunate story his family endured when he learned that his parents were potentially going to prison. We discussed at length what  happened and the challenges his family faced as a consequence of criminal charges. This discussion brought light to the process. Today's podcast offers strategies on planning for success before and during prison as well as thinking about strategies for successful re-entry. 

Jul 22, 2015

If an individual faces time in federal prison, serves time in prison, or is about to return to society after time in prison, then that individual should check out my conversation with Roxanne. In today's Earning Freedom podcast, I spoke to Roxanne who is a lawyer. She indicated to me that she is preparing to surrender to federal prison. We spoke about what she did to land herself in such circumstances as well as how to prepare for what's to come. I appreciated this opportunity to converse with Roxanne. Today's episode can help those unsure of what's to come understand what they may be facing. Today's podcast has some great strategies for planning for success before and during prison. Listeners also learn the importance of thinking about strategies for successful re-entry. 

Jul 20, 2015

If an individual faces time in federal prison, serves time in prison, or is about to return to society after time in prison, then that individual should check out my conversation with Matthew. In today's Earning Freedom podcast, I spoke to Matthew who is a real estate investor. He sat down to tell me about the work that he does as well as sharing his personal story including past legal troubles. Matthew is a listener and fan of the podcast and it was a great chance to connect with him. Matthew and I discussed the possibility of working together to develop a course that can assist those who have been formerly incarcerated in finding jobs and getting back on their feet. Today's podcast has some great strategies for re-entry and I am excited and emboldened by the work Matthew and I can do. 

 

Jul 18, 2015

 

Anyone exposed to the judicial process and being arrested should learn about what it means to surrender one's Miranda rights and the consequences of doing so. In today’s Earning Freedom podcast, I spoke with Linda. Her son was charged as a sexual offender following his case being moved from the state level to the federal level. Linda spoke of how the US attorney chose to take up his case once he had given up his Miranda rights and chose to cooperate with the police. I relayed to her that many people going into processes like these do not have a full understanding of how our system operates. Linda is optimistic she can use what she learned from her family's ordeal to help others in similar situations to avoid such outcomes.

 

 

Jul 16, 2015

Yesterday I had the privilege of interviewing Johnny Lee Dumas of Entrepreneur on Fire. Johnny shared with our audience an inspiring story showing that anyone who chooses can plant a seed that leads to a more fulfilling life. Today I did a recap, creating the top-ten takeaways that I got from Johnny’s interview.

 

  1. Use avatars to understand your audience. Regardless of where you are today, if you want to make an influence in the world, think about the people you’re going to meet in the future. What can you do earn their trust.
  2. Build your business from nothing. Regardless of what you have now, take advantages of resources around you. Those resources can lead you into a better life.
  3. Go one inch wide, and one mile deep. Johnny instructed our audience to become experts in their field.
  4. Listen and learn from successful people. We can always learn from other people around us. Johnny describes a life of mediocrity and disappointment. Yet he changed his path by listening and learning from successful people.
  5. Find the right people to guide you. Be extremely careful your associates. If you surround yourself with successful people, you’ll find that more opportunities open for you.
  6. Invest in yourself. Never stop your investing. Johnny built a seven-figure business through his continuous investment in becoming the best possible leader he can be. As a leader, he contemplates the people he’s striving to influence.
  7. Take the long-term approach. Johnny said that he waited nine months before he earned a single dime from the enterprise he created. Since then, he has built extraordinary success.
  8. Start with small sums. If you have resources, use them. If you don’t have resources, invest slowly. But think through your plan and then commit with 100%. It worked for Johnny and it can work for you.
  9. Building processes. Accelerate your progress by creating effective processes to help you along the way. Johnny is able to produce an amazing amount of content because he has effective processes. I learn from him in this regard.
  10. Find your passion and do what you love. Johnny is able to ignite every day because he loves what he does. You can hear the enthusiasm in his voice. If you can find your passion, you can get through anything.

Again, I encourage listeners to learn from Entrepreneur on Fire. It’s a tremendous resource that I tap into every day.

Jul 15, 2015

If an individual faces time in federal prison, serves time in prison, or is about to return to society after time in prison, then that individual needs to listen to Entrepreneur on Fire! Today I interviewed Johnny Lee Dumas, host of the amazingly successful podcast. Anyone can learn a great deal from his inspiring story. But I especially look forward to sharing John’s message with the Earning Freedom podcast because he validates all that we strive to teach. 

In John’s story, we learn from an individual who has had success as a military officer. He then faced struggle and failure as a law student. He endured moderate success in sales. Then he pursued his passion by becoming a podcaster. That approach to life led to his building a business that has generated more than $3 million in net earnings in the past two years! 

John attributes his success to the same values-based, goal-oriented approach to living that we teach through our programs. I encourage you to visit Entrepreneur on Fire. If you’re interested in building a best-in-class brand, then learn from the program he creates and from the life he lives. I started my program after hearing about him through Lawpreneurradio. Immediately after hearing the show, I signed up for Podcaster’s Paradise—the premier podcasting training service around.

I certainly enjoyed my conversation with John Dumas. I’m convinced that you too will enjoy listening to a master media mogul.

Jul 14, 2015

President Obama commuted the sentence of 46 federal prisoners yesterday. Those people were serving lengthy sentences. Most were serving sentences in excess of 20 years. Some of the people didn’t have release dates. Without a commutation, they would have been incarcerated for life. They didn’t receive those sentences because they preyed on people or because they were violent. Instead, they sold drugs to consenting adults. Mandatory drug laws resulted in the Draconian sentences.

 

From my perspective, President Obama could’ve commuted sentences for 4,600 people, or perhaps more than 10,000 people. Our nation’s prison system confines way too many people, and they serve sentences that are way too long. We need a better system.

 

The Earning Freedom podcast represents one of the many efforts I make to build a better criminal justice system.  As a prison consultant, I help people who have been indicted. I work alongside them to ensure that they’re well prepared for the presentence investigation. I assist them with sentence mitigation strategies. In addition, I create programs for those who are serving sentences. Those people live in communities that extinguish hope. Through content I create, whether it’s written words, videos, or audio podcasts, each message lets individuals know how they can begin sowing seeds today for a better tomorrow. I also work to help the formerly incarcerated transition into the labor market, or I work to spread awareness so that taxpayers will know how the criminal justice system influences them.

 

It’s my hope that we will see more people emerge from prison successfully. We must reverse this system of mass incarceration that results in so much intergenerational failure. I’ll continue doing my part. I hope that President Obama and others leaders will do their part. Commuting the sentences of 46 people was a good start. If employers open opportunities for those people to transition into the labor market, that would help too.

Jul 10, 2015

David Sanders, an escaped prisoner, chooses to turn himself back into authorities so he can complete his sentence.

Jul 10, 2015

An escaped prisoner called Michael Santos of the Earning Freedom podcast seeking guidance.

Jul 9, 2015

Responsibilities on my full time job require that I suspend daily recording of the Earning Freedom podcast. I'll continue to produce new episodes regularly, though not on a daily basis. If you'd like me to present specific information, please send a message to Michael@MIchaelSantos.com. Or call my office at 949-334-9119.

Jul 9, 2015

Anyone exposed to time in prison should learn about how the disciplinary process works. In today’s Earning Freedom podcast, I spoke with Agustina. She is a Fulbright Scholar from Argentina who is studying at UC Berkeley. Agustina is particularly interested in the disciplinary system that exists in America’s prison system. I spoke with her on several occasions to assist her understanding of how our system operates. We discussed constitutional protections for people who are charged with violating disciplinary codes. I was not too optimistic that people in America’s prisons would receive Constitutional protections. 

Jul 6, 2015

Do you know how many people face charges in federal court each year? More than 75,000 people each year see a document that says The United States of America versus their last name. Of those 75,000 people who face a federal criminal indictment, more than 10,000 do not consider themselves criminals. They believe that they will never see the inside of a federal prison.

Unfortunately, most are deluding themselves. 

According to a Department of Justice website, more than 90% of all people charged as criminal defendants in federal court are found guilty. That means they must proceed through a presentence investigation. They proceed through a sentencing hearing. They find themselves having to say goodbye to family and serve lengthy sentences in federal prisons.

Where do they turn for guidance? 

Through the MichaelSantos.com and Prisonprofessor.com, I’ve provided an abundance of content. Recently, I established a formal partnership with my friend Justin Papery to merge my websites with both FederalPrisonAdvice.com and Etikallc.com. Together, Justin and I intend to broaden our services to reach the 10,000 people each year who need to prepare for prison. We’re going to initiate an out-bound marketing campaign that will more defendants understand the different services we provide, including prison consulting. Justin will serve as the prison consultant, while I work on more macro issues to serve the needs of our clients.

 

 

Jul 2, 2015

Authorities began investigating Paul in 2010. He didn’t do anything about it. One year later, authorities indicted Paul for wire fraud. He hired council. The lawyer wooed him for the retainer. Paul paid a substantial fee. The case dragged on for five years, culminating with a 27-month prison term for wire fraud. Paul surrenders to prison in six days—more than five years after he initially learned that he had become a target of a criminal investigation. 

 

Paul and I spoke about the importance of preparing for federal prison. As a prison consultant, I frequently encounter individuals who could’ve made better decisions. The truth, it’s never too early and it’s never too late to begin preparing for the best possible outcome. It’s like the old adage, the best time to plant an oak tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is today. 

 

It’s the same with the criminal justice system. The earlier an individual takes action by educating himself about the journey ahead, the sooner an individual can begin preparing. Paul began his search to educate himself 10 days ago. He hired my partner, Justin Paperny, at Federal Prison Advice. Justin has been coaching him, providing Paul with lesson plans, speaking with him over the phone. Now Paul knows a lot more about the journey ahead. 

 

If you’re facing a challenge from the criminal justice system, you should consider hiring a competent prison consultant. Visit Federal Prison Advice.com, or contact me. Justin and I work together. When it comes to prison consulting, sentencing mitigation, or preparing to emerge successfully, we’re the best in the world at what we do. 

 

 

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