Background Check Podcast

After five DWI’s landed me prison, something had to change. One day I got into a fight and I spent eight days in solitaire confinement thinking about my life and the decisions I had made that led me to that dark place, literally. I came out of the hole a different man with a different heart, mind, soul, direction, and outlook on life. I got mentored by a couple of inmates who eventually made parole but within a year they were both back in. This confused me and ticked me off. I wondered how I was going to make it out there. Since my release in 2006 we’ve opened up a transitional house for men, with another ”ranch” coming, launched a documentary, been on the Mike Huckabee Show, launched this podcast, and it goes into prisons all over the nation.

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Episodes

3 days ago

During announcements Jay Dan and Jessa talk about Easter, shout outs, sports, 2nd Chance Month, and upcoming prison trips. 
 
Round Two with Dr. Letitia Scott Jackson from Keeping Families Connected. 
Speaker, author, playwriter, and so much more, Dr Jackson sits down with Jay Dan again and talks about all she's been doing since the last interview. 
From toy drives, school backpack drives, to writing a movie, and of course writing more books, she's been busy. 
Visit her on the web at:Keepingfamilyconnected.org
Check her out on all social media platforms under Letitia Scott Jackson or Keeping Families Connected. 
Check out her latest book on Amazon:
Queen: Come On With Your Money Making Self
Grace and Favor: From Prison to Paid
Sponsors: Mention Forgiven Felons, Background Check, Jay Dan or Jessa when you contact them. They all donate to Forgiven Felons when you do.
 
First Option Mortgage
Jessamy Gumm Loan Originator- NMLS #2252597
jgumm@myfirstoption.com
972-897-5476
 
Favor Legal
https://www.favorlegal.com/
(469) 466-2335
 
From On High Roofing and Construction
Reginal Reed
469-922-0047
info@fromonhighroofing.com
To partner with us please click here: https://www.forgivenfelons.org/support
Forgiven Felons and Background Check Merchandise
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/shop

Friday Apr 04, 2025

At 13 years of age, Fresh and his friend stole a pair of clippers from Minyards. The reason they stole them is because their families couldn’t afford a hair cut at the time.
Fresh and his friend cut each other’s hair, but then started cutting all the kids hair in the neighborhood.
Coming from a broken home, Fresh did his best along the way to avoid getting into gangs but couldn’t altogether avoid them. He ended up in juvenile detention for a few months and eventually ended up in prison, after being on the run for two years.
When they saw his clipper’s tattoo he was encouraged to apply for intake barber. From there, he turned his skill into life. His skill gave him protection, finances, and confidence. He cut inmates and correctional staff’s hair.
When he got out of prison he hustled to try to regain all the business he started with. Now, he’s in many dealerships across the Dallas area.
One of the quotes that kept him going on the road to forever change is “What’s so wrong with change, if where you are and what you are, has got you where you’re at?”
One of my favorite lines from our interview is “When I had to choose between God and a women, I chose to lean into God over a woman.”
Fresh has truly shown what it means to not let his background hold him back, but make it pay him back.
 
Sponsors: Mention Forgiven Felons, Background Check, Jay Dan or Jessa when you contact them. They all donate to Forgiven Felons when you do.
First Option Mortgage
Jessamy Gumm Loan Originator- NMLS #2252597
jgumm@myfirstoption.com
972-897-5476
 
Favor Legal
https://www.favorlegal.com/
(469) 466-2335
 
From On High Roofing and Construction
Reginal Reed
469-922-0047
info@fromonhighroofing.com
 
Forgiven Felons and Background Check Merchandise
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/shop
 
Song "The Club" by ASAP used with permission.

Friday Mar 28, 2025

PRODUCTION NOTE: This podcast is friends with Background Check Podcast and we will air their episodes from time to time. While the mission and vision of both podcasts are the same, the methods and people may be different. As on our show, BCP, if you have any questions about the topics, please feel free to message Jay Dan at jaydangumm@forgivenfelons.org
We love SAR and think you will too. Tre9 and the team also serve at Eyes On Me and DTS, Disciple the Streets, and are impacting the Kingdom of God in a mighty way. Visit their website at: https://www.eyesonmeinc.com/
Tre9 is challenged by his co-hosts for not having his wife with him hardly ever, leaving his family behind for ministry purposes and bowing down to the Black Community due to White Guilt. Somethin' Ain't Right and we are going to get to the bottom it!

Wednesday Mar 26, 2025

PRODUCTION NOTE: This podcast is friends with Background Check Podcast and we will air their episodes from time to time. While the mission and vision of both podcasts are the same, the methods and people may be different. As on our show, BCP, if you have any questions about the topics, please feel free to message Jay Dan at jaydangumm@forgivenfelons.org
We love SAR and think you will too. Tre9 and the team also serve at Eyes On Me and DTS, Disciple the Streets, and are impacting the Kingdom of God in a mighty way. Visit their website at: https://www.eyesonmeinc.com/
 
Something Ain't Right
Our first episode takes a personal dive to challenge Co-Hosts Witeout & Jessica.  From working in a strip club to dressing provocatively as a Christian woman, Jessica gets challenged by Tre9 (host).  In addition, Witeout has to answer for walking away from a booming podcast that he once co-hosted called "Lets Chop It Up!"  Was the shows fall a direct result of Wipeout's fall as a leader? When Somethin' Ain't Right, you can rest assure we are going to get the full story.
 

Thursday Mar 20, 2025

This is the second time we've had John on the show and there are some life updates. 
On December 31, 2024, John started having a heart attack while walking his dog in his neighborhood. He called his wife and his so came to get him. When he was on the operating table, it was found he had 100% blockage in his widowmaker. 
Life, family, prison ministry, diet, and exercise has all been different since that day. He's fully recovered and back in the prison dorms each month. 
We talk about sports, family, ministry, his church (Gateway), and so many other things. He gives some shout outs to some Texas prisons. 
Jessa and I make quick work of the announcements and we play Jessa's short sermon. 
 
Visit Think Twice's website:
https://www.thinktwiceministries.org/
Follow John on Social Media:
https://www.facebook.com/john.earle.775
Sponsors: Mention Forgiven Felons, Background Check, Jay Dan or Jessa when you contact them. They all donate to Forgiven Felons when you do.
First Option Mortgage Jessamy Gumm Loan Originator- NMLS #2252597 jgumm@myfirstoption.com 972-897-5476
Favor Legal https://www.favorlegal.com/ (469) 466-2335
From On High Roofing and Construction Reginal Reed 469-922-0047 info@fromonhighroofing.com
Forgiven Felons and Background Check Merchandise https://www.forgivenfelons.org/shop
Song “Help” used with permission from ASAP Preach

Wednesday Mar 05, 2025

EP 201 “Take Your Shots”
 
In this episode we do some shout outs and show art. We pray over some units that were hit by tornadoes, and we honor Eve from Real Vida.
 
Then we sit down with Damon West and share all that’s happened since his last time on the show, which was three years ago.
 
We talk about his new book “Six Dimes and a Nickel: Life Lessons to Empower Change” You can PRE-ORDER this book NOW on Amazon. It releases on July 29, 2025. https://a.co/d/aRCkk1L
 
We talk about the five variables that increase someone’s chances of going to prison, how he got engaged, and so many life impacting topics.
 
If you are incarcerated, formerly incarcerated, have a loved one on the inside, or just love a great story combined with impactful life lessons, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU.
 
Have a great week and don’t let your background hold you back, make it pay you back.
 
Visit Damon’s website:
 
https://damonwest.org/
 
Follow Damon on Social Media:
 
IG: @damonwest7
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/damonjosephwest
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-west-685168152/
 
Write Damon:
PO Box 1451 Nederland, TX  77627
 
Sponsors: Mention Forgiven Felons, Background Check, Jay Dan or Jessa when you contact them. They all donate to Forgiven Felons when you do.
 
First Option Mortgage
Jessamy Gumm Loan Originator- NMLS #2252597
jgumm@myfirstoption.com
972-897-5476
 
Favor Legal
https://www.favorlegal.com/
(469) 466-2335
 
From On High Roofing and Construction
Reginal Reed
469-922-0047
info@fromonhighroofing.com
 
Forgiven Felons and Background Check Merchandise
https://www.forgivenfelons.org/shop
 
Song “Another Chance” used with permission from Herb Addison

Wednesday Feb 26, 2025

Our interview with Brian "Head" Welch, from Korn
Also available on our YouTube channel
https://youtu.be/IGE7x_OGkp8?si=UMeGMfu5t8NWRScW
 
Have a great week and don’t let your background hold you back, make it pay you back.
 
Sponsors: Mention Forgiven Felons, Background Check, Jay Dan or Jessa when you contact them. They all donate to Forgiven Felons when you do.
First Option Mortgage Jessamy Gumm Loan Originator- NMLS #2252597 jgumm@myfirstoption.com 972-897-5476
Favor Legal https://www.favorlegal.com/ (469) 466-2335
From On High Roofing and Construction Reginal Reed 469-922-0047 info@fromonhighroofing.com
Forgiven Felons and Background Check Merchandise https://www.forgivenfelons.org/shop

Tuesday Feb 18, 2025

What are you weighting for?  Are you carrying around weights you shouldn't be?  Jay Dan talks about Hebrews 12:1 and laying down those weights that slow us down.    Sponsors: Mention Forgiven Felons, Background Check, Jay Dan or Jessa when you contact them. They all donate to Forgiven Felons when you do. First Option Mortgage Jessamy Gumm Loan Originator- NMLS #2252597 jgumm@myfirstoption.com 972-897-5476 Favor Legal https://www.favorlegal.com/ 469-466-2335 From On High Roofing and Construction Reginal Reed 469-922-0047 info@fromonhighroofing.com Forgiven Felons and Background Check Merchandise https://www.forgivenfelons.org/shop

Wednesday Sep 04, 2024

This episode is optimized for video.    James was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and is the youngest of 8 children in his family. Despite both of his parents working, his family was always involved in illegal activity. At a very young age, James began selling drugs. He saw the benefits it brought to those who did it. He was arrested at the age of 20 for this very behavior. By the time he was 21, James was convicted by a jury and was sentenced to 40-years in Federal Prison.  His life changed in his first year of incarceration. He heard about the Lord and committed his life to Christ in 2000. He spent the next almost 21 years growing in his faith and relationship with God and changing his perspective on what is good in this world. Miraculously, 10 days shy of 21 years, his sentence was commuted. This was done on the last day of Trump’s presidency with the support of about 30 other people he didn’t know.  As he looks back on his experiences, he’s humbled by how God orchestrates people’s lives, and he’s grateful. “You never know whose life you are going to change” - James Cruz We do a few shout outs and announcements then a devotional on being blinded by darkness. We honor Dalton on his last weekend with a trip to the Ranger game. Don’t forget to have your family subscribe out in the world. Make sure you are subscribed on Pando. To learn more about Forgiven Felons or to buy merchandise visit forgivenfelons.org/shop T ell your loved one in prison or jail to watch on the Pando app on Forgiven Felons channel or listen on the podcast app on their tablet. Please like, share, and subscribe. "Your background shouldn't HOLD you back, it should pay you back"

Monday Aug 19, 2024

In this episode, Jay Dan and Jessa talk about the Ranger game they went to, do some shout outs, discuss FI-5’s in Texas, show off some drawings and do a devotion about not going back to the old you. Then we get to hear from Dalton and Dakota. Dalton came to us from the Way Back connection which he talks about. After they got married, they both were on their own meth journey. They have kids of their own, as well as adopted kids, and they lost custody of them during their journey. Dalton’s dad was in prison too and he’s the one who connected Dalton to us. Since Dalton has been at Forgiven Felons and Dakota got out of jail, they have leaned into Jesus and their lives, marriage, and journey to get their kids back have taken an amazing turn. We can’t wait for you to hear this story. Let your loved ones inside prisons and jails know they can watch this episode on our Pando App channel Forgiven Felons Have a great week. Zoom Call information coming soon. Tell your loved ones to follow Forgiven Felons or Jay Dan Gumm on Facebook for all the information. If you're interested in joining us for Breakfast Bible Study, we have it every two weeks at the Forgiven Felons house. email us for more information, jaydangumm@forgivenfelons.org To buy our Forgiven Felons or Background Check merch visit https://www.forgivenfelons.org/shop

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