I met Juan Berganzo very early during my federal prison term. He was beginning a 15-year prison sentence and I was beginning a 45-year prison sentence. We exercised together and we became friends when we were locked inside the United States Penitentiary in Atlanta. He reached out to me and I invited him to share his story on the Earning Freedom podcast.
Those who want to try Juan's baked goods may reach him at the following contact numbers:
Email: brazogitanoberganzo@gmail.com
Phone: 787-324-3652
The injustices of mass incarceration influence every American citizen. That’s why I feel passionately about working to help. As Justice Anthony Kennedy said to the members of the American Bar Association, far too many people serve sentences that are far too long. Further, as recidivism rates show, the longer we expose someone to corrections, the less likely those people become to function as law-abiding citizens after release.
People released from prison frequently face challenges. To start, people with prison records have hard time finding a job. Many employers resist hiring the formerly incarcerated. Valid reasons may exist for not hiring people with prison records. Rather than questioning those reasons, I advise formerly incarcerated people to chart their own path to a paycheck. They must succeed in spite of the challenges they will face. By anticipating obstacles and objections from prospective employers, formerly incarcerated people can prepare themselves to overcome.
If employers won’t hire the formerly incarcerated, then the formerly incarcerated can take a different tactic. In an effort to help, I’ve made it my mission to reach out to entrepreneurs who can offer guidance. That strategy carried me through 26 years in prison and it has led to a successful transition into society. Anyone can do the same.
I cold called Brandon Lucero, CEO of Sold With Video. He’s a leading expert on teaching business owners how YouTube marketing can bring in more customers. After explaining challenges the formerly incarcerated face in finding employment, I asked Brandon to be a guest on my Earning Freedom podcast. During our 30-minute podcast, Brandon taught our listeners strategies he used to launch his business without having any money at all.
Brandon advised that anyone, including the formerly incarcerated, could use YouTube to create an income from nothing more their phone and the willingness to try. If they had a talent, skill, or commitment, they could find all the customers they wanted by following the same steps that he used to build Sold With Video.
The first step, Brandon advised, was to consult the Google Keyword Planner Tool. It’s free! After signing in with Google, they could begin searching for the types of “keywords” that people use to find specific products or services they need. For example, Brandon advised, if a person became an expert in fitness while in prison, and wanted to work as a personal trainer, Brandon suggested the person could type personal trainer into the search bar. The Google Keyword Planner tool would offer ideas for other search terms that visitors might use.
By researching keywords, Brandon advised, a person could find problems people were struggling with and wanted to solve. Then, with nothing more than a smartphone, a person with a commitment to succeed could create a video. The Video would show people how to solve the problem. Rather than using the video to give the “why” for the problem, he suggested that the video should be direct—offering answers for the problem that the customer wants to solve. If it’s a recipe for gluten-free cookies, Brandon urged listeners to film a video showing the recipe rather than explaining the benefits of gluten-free cookies.
After making the video, Brandon explained the next step would be to publish the video on YouTube. To make sure that viewers would find the video, Brandon advised people to use the keyword in the title. He suggested that the video description include the keyword. To give an added boost, he advised people to include a keyword-rich transcript into the video as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqYOjxiCjw0 (steps to ranking videos/how to rank videos)
Brandon used that same strategy, he said, to launch his business. Without having any financial resources, he walked into local businesses and offered a value proposition. For $1,000, he would film a video and make sure the video ranked on the first page of Google. At the time, he said that he didn’t even have a camera. When a business owner recognized the value, Brandon landed his first customer. He used the first payment to purchase the necessary camera and went to work. Since then, he has repeated the strategy over and over again to build a business that has generated six-figure revenues.
Instead of asking for a job, Brandon suggested that the formerly incarcerated should use the same strategies he used to build a successful business. By showing others how he could create value for them, he has thrived. And when selling services to help business owners generate more customers, no one asks about criminal background checks.
The formerly incarcerated can learn a great deal from successful entrepreneurs like Brandon Lucero. I know that I have!
Prison consultant Justin Paperny discusses ideas that defendants should consider. Many of those defendants hire lawyers blindly. Then, uninformed defendants make decisions that expose them to harsher sanctions. Listen and learn how to prepare.
Since concluding my 26-year journey through federal prison, I've been working toward prison and sentencing reform. The majority of work that I do doesn't generate any revenues. My strategy? I create revenues through other ventures, including real estate investing. Today's podcast shares a strategy that has been working for me.
Austin will soon stand before a federal judge for a sentencing hearing. He pleaded guilty to selling synthetic drugs. That guilty plea resulted in expectations of a federal prison sentence of between seven and nine years. He contacted me in search of information that would help him prepare. Since Austin didn't have the resources to retain me so that we could work together, I invited him on to the podcast so that I could provide some guidance he may consider in preparation for sentencing.
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Today I spoke with Chelsey for the first time in my office. We discussed bringing on a team of interns that she will oversee. I'm very excited to advance this process. Together we will get back on track to producing a new podcast every day.
Isaac Torres started off on the wrong track. He described himself as hanging out with bullies as a child. By the time he was 17, he dropped out of school and faced his first felony. He didn’t learn his lesson. A few years later his activities resulted in his being charged with another felony. Then he met a young woman who mentored him, convincing Isaac to pursue an education. After attending community college to earn his GED, Isaac advanced to earn an undergraduate degree and then a master’s degree. Now he is enrolled in a program that will lead to his earning a Ph.D.
Isaac created a program to reverse the trends of poor people. Through his group known as TheSeedsProgram.org, Isaac mentors young people who were in trouble with the law. He helps those people grasp the power of language. Those who’d like to learn more should visit Theseedsprogram.org. Or they can watch on YouTube by searching for Isaac Torres Poet. Write him directly at TheSeedsProgram@gmail.com.
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I'll be delivering a keynote presentation soon for prison administrators. The Washington State Department of Corrections invited me to make this presentation for prison administrators in several Western states. In today's podcast I did a reversal. The graphical slides that will accompany the presentation are available on my webiste at the following link:
Mastermind Course for Corrections--Keynote Slides
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Today I spoke with Melissa O’Dell. She gave me an inspiring story about why she works to help people in prison succeed.
Melissa works with the leadership team at Defy Ventures, a nonprofit organization that helps people with criminal backgrounds. They’ve created a program that teaches participants about the principals of entrepreneurship, matches participants with business mentors, and helps successful participants raise funding to launch their business ventures. One successful candidate, Seth Sundberg, made such a powerful presentation that he has received thousands of dollars in funding to launch Prison Bars. Check out his company:
I encourage listeners to get involved with Defy Ventures. Google has backed the organization with substantial funding. Defy Ventures serves thousands of people with criminal backgrounds, helping them to emerge as law-abiding, contributing citizens. Defy Ventures currently operates in several prisons and jails across the United States.
If you’re inclined to become involved, visit DefyVentures.org and learn how you can participate.
If your loved one is in prison and he wants to participate, reach out to the organization through Recruiting@defyventures.org and someone will respond with news on how to participate.
Facing a federal indictment? Then the time is now to begin learning how to master the journey ahead. That is why I created a webinar called:
I created a slide show to accompany the podcast. It's available at the following link:
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In November of 2013, teams of federal law enforcement officials stormed Holli Coulman’s home. She lived in one of the gated communities of Southern California and didn’t have any prior warning that the had become the target of a criminal investigation. In today’s Earning Freedom podcast, Holli helps our listeners understand what it is like to face federal criminal charges for the first time. For example, she learned the high cost of hiring a defense attorney. The entry point for hiring counsel was $50,000—and that was to plead guilty. If Holli would’ve gone to trial, her attorney told her to expect to pay significantly more.
Despite the amount she paid, Holli didn’t feel as if her attorney prepared her well for the challenges to come. She didn’t know anything about what would follow as the government’s investigation advanced. In time, she hired federal prison consultant Justin Paperny, of FederalPrisonAdvice.com. Through Holli’s work with Justin, she was able to develop a strategy that would help her prepare for the 21 month sentence she must serve. Holli is scheduled to surrender to federal prison in less than two months.
If you haven't done so yet, please subscribe to the Earning Freedom podcast. Rate and review Earning Freedom so we can help more people understand America's prison system--and how to thrive through it.
In November of 2013, teams of federal law enforcement officials stormed Holli Coulman’s home. She lived in one of the gated communities of Southern California and didn’t have any prior warning that the had become the target of a criminal investigation. In today’s Earning Freedom podcast, Holli helps our listeners understand what it is like to face federal criminal charges for the first time. For example, she learned the high cost of hiring a defense attorney. The entry point for hiring counsel was $50,000—and that was to plead guilty. If Holli would’ve gone to trial, her attorney told her to expect to pay significantly more.
Despite the amount she paid, Holli didn’t feel as if her attorney prepared her well for the challenges to come. She didn’t know anything about what would follow as the government’s investigation advanced. In time, she hired federal prison consultant Justin Paperny, of FederalPrisonAdvice.com. Through Holli’s work with Justin, she was able to develop a strategy that would help her prepare for the 21 month sentence she must serve. Holli is scheduled to surrender to federal prison in less than two months.
If you haven't done so yet, please subscribe to the Earning Freedom podcast. Rate and review Earning Freedom so we can help more people understand America's prison system--and how to thrive through it.
Lazaro went to prison as a teenager. A judge sentenced him to 18 consecutive life sentences. He served that time in maximum-security prisons in the state of Florida. While inside, Lazaro said that he adjusted in the way of the prison system. He didn’t find his way until after he had served many years in prison. Then, he found reason to reject the criminal life style and start preparing for success. Lazaro changed his mindset. Judicial relief finally came, enabling Lazaro to return to society as a law-abiding citizen.
Lazaro currently aspires to help other people who return to society from long prison stays. He wants to assist them in security employment. Lazaro now operates his own business, and I encourage those in our audience to check him out.
Listeners can reach Lazaro at the following contact information:
highendlaborpros@yahoo.com email
highendlaborpros.com website
786-587-6271
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Help spread the word on why we should reform our prison system by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the Earning Freedom podcast on iTunes.
Today I spoke with Jared Rudolph, Executive Director of the Prison Reentry network, a nonprofit based in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Jared is an attorney who has been called to helping more people emerge from prison successfully. Through his research, he recognzied that more than 90 percent of the people in prison return to society. To have an impact on creating a better soceity, Jared launched an organziation to help those people overcome the challenges they meet. For most, those challenges include finding housing and finding employment.
With aspirations of helping those individuals, Jared creates programs, spreads awareness, and offers assistance to community based organizations that provide direct services. Those interested in learning more should contact Jared directly. His email address follows:
jared@prisonerreentrynetwork.org
www.prisonerreentrynetwork.org?
Also, please visit his webest at PrisonReentryNetwork.org. You will see a series of videos that are well worth watching. The portray individuals who've been released from prison after multiple decades.
Name
URL
Cherri Frazier
EJ House
Clinton Thomas
Michael Matlock
Cynthia Jeter
Mianta McKnight
Brandy Giggey
Glen Holden
Tyrone Turner
Engelbert Perlas
Lou Gary
Sou Thao
Charles David Jones is a former lawyer and financial advisor. Some bad decisions in his career led to problems. In today’s podcast, he told me that he diverted more than $8 million from his clients into accounts that he controlled. When the heat got too hot, he contacted a defense attorney. Knowing that he didn’t have many options, Charles said that he decided to turn himself in. First he met with a prosecutor from the United States Attorneys Office. Then he met with lawyers from the SEC. The wheels of justice can move slowly, as nearly two years past before Charles was able to resolve his judicial problems. His judge imposed a six-year sentence. Charles contacted Justin Paperny, of Federal Prison Advice, to seek guidance. He surrenders to prison soon.
Those who want to write to Charles may reach him at the following address:
Charles David Jones
Registration Number 46990-380
Federal Prison Camp, Bastrop
1341 TX-95
Bastrop, Texas 78602
Mark Bernstein was the COO of a manufacturing company with $20 million in revenues. Unfortunately, decisions on the job led to his being indicated for money laundering and various fraud offenses. Despite his cooperation with authorities, and and a recommendation for probation, his judge imposed a six month prison term.
Mark spoke about his ordeal of facing federal charges. He also described why working with FederalPrisonAdvice.com and participating in the reputation management course we’ve created has brought new meaning to his life. Listen to Mark talk about the value he found in working with prison consultant Justin Paperny and why he wishes that he had begun working with FederalPrisonAdvice.com much sooner in the process.
If you’re facing time in federal prison, then contact us today to learn more about steps you can take to position yourself for the lowest possible sentence, and the best possible experience in prison.
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:
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.
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.
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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.