Background Check Podcast

EP 103 ”Hope Lost, Hope Gained” with Paul and Hope Lin

Summary of Show: This is my second interview with Paul. As I sat down to edit the first interview last fall I noticed the audio was garbled in some areas and I didn’t know why. I was crushed to tell him I wouldn’t be able to use it but that we would record again at a later date. Well, it’s better this time because we had the honor of interviewing his wife as a part of his story. This episode was a lot of fun to do but I was also just in amazement most of the time because there’s so many miracles in it. Paul was defending his friend outside a club one night and what he thought would end up as a case of self defense or defense of a third party, ended up being turned into a murder charge. But God worked it all for His good and Paul’s story din’t end hopeless. In fact, married Hope. Literally. Check out the pics on the show page and the links below for the prison ministry and church they are involved in. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary on Roku: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 Joseph Company Prison Ministry: https://www.jcprisonministry.org/ Dwelling Place Church: https://www.dwellingplace.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 Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 102 Its a Win-Nguyen Relationships Business and Life with Tuan Nguyen

Summary of Show: On episode ten we interviewed Tuan Nguyen and heard him tell his story from three time inmate to sharing the stage at a John Maxwell IMC. Round TWO is all about the business he is growing with his friend Corey, the relationship his building with Olevia, and life in general. Tuan shares tips for all three areas and you will want to write them down, whether you’re starting a business, starting a relationship, or still in prison. Check out the links below to find out more about Tuan and Premier Excel and follow him social media. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary on Roku: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 Tuan’s facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/Kingdomcoach21 Tuan’s Instagram profile: hhttps://www.instagram.com/kingdom.impact21/ Million Dollar Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1902193643226660 Tuan’s Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kingdom_coach?fbclid=IwAR3r8Y0lwyS-2SBFrRDUDbi-A915hlmnAO2eApyYnw2RDpOXY5885hdkO-s 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 Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 101 ”Marriage and Misfits Missions” with Tyler Bothne

Summary of Show: . On episode 11 we interviewed Tyler “Coleman” and we talked about her employment at Eyes On Me as a backyard missionary in an apartment complex. Tyler “Bothne” shares her whole testimony which you should listen to before listening to this episode. It will give you context. . Two of the things that Ty talked about as dreams was to be working Misfits as a full time ministry, and to have a husband. Both of those things have come true. . We talk about starting full time ministry and the challenges she’s faced through it all, but also about God’s favor along the way. She takes the fitness ministry into women’s rehab facilities and transitional houses also shares the story in how she met Leif, who’s incarcerated, and ending up marrying him. . To find out more about Tyler and Misfits Missions visit the links below. To see more pics visit the gallery below. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary on Roku: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . Website for Misfits Missions: Misfits Missions . Tyler’s facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/tyler.coleman.7 . Tyler’s Instagram profile: https://www.instagram.com/inked_n_fit/ . 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 . Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 100 100th Episode Celebration and Challenge with Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary . 100 is a special number. We celebrate anyone who has lived to be 100, hollywood celebrates the 100th episode of a show, it’s the number of completion by which we measure all percentages. 100%. Our girls schools celebrate the 100th day of school each year. . Today, this week, we celebrate our 100th episode of Background Check Podcast. . In this episode I talk about some fun facts surrounding the number 100. One of them is that there are 100 sweat glands for every square inch of our skin. There’s more and better ones. lol . We are giving away a $100 gift card to the winner of our drawing to celebrate you the listener for helping us reach this milestone. We couldn’t have done it without you. Believe me, I’ve wanted to give up so many times. But because of the letters, texts, emails, we keep going. . We celebrate the guests, they have been amazing. We sure couldn’t do it without their stories. . I also challenge you to give 100% in whatever you do. . How is the number 100 present in your life right now? 100 days from birth? 100 days before you close on a house, business deal? What are you not giving 100% to that you should? . Goal of the contest: . To bring more awareness to the show by having you share the show on your social media feeds. . Details of the contest: . From 7/16-7/21 midnight we need you to post about the show. . Go to wherever you listen to podcasts, click on your favorite episode, click the share button and copy the link for that episode. If you have never listened before, share this one or the very first episode. . Then go to Facebook, or LinkedIn and paste that link into a post. Share what that episode or the show has meant to you. Encourage your friends to listen to that episode and enter the contest as well. If posting on Instagram, just take a screen shot of the episode in your podcast platform and use that as your picture. If you want to put link in your bio for the week you can. . Most important part. Follow us, on all platforms and TAG Jay Dan Gumm on Facebook and LinkedIn. TAG Forgiven Felons on Instagram. You can also just repost or share our original promo post that has the details in it and post your link to your episode. . You can post on all three sites and get three entries, each day. On Thursday July 21 at midnight, the contest ends and the winner is announced on all three platforms Friday morning July 22. . If you have questions please message me on one of those platforms. you can follow us below. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . 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 . Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 99 ”Thoughts On Roe vs Wade (Trigger Alert) with Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary . I’ve not posted on social media my thoughts on the overturning of Roe vs Wade because I knew I wanted to do an episode on it. So these are my thoughts. . To summarize: . It's a huge victory for anyone who believes abortion is wrong.  . I’m not just the pro-life that’s focused on only unborn babies. I’m pro-life that’s also focused on the innocent people on death row. . I’m pro-life for the innocent people who lose their lives at the hands of drunk drivers. That’s murder too even though we call it manslaughter. . I’m pro-ETERNAL LIFE. I don’t want to just see laws changed, I want to see hearts changed. . Abortions will still happen illegally, laws won’t change that. Prayer that the hearts of these doctors and pregnant women will stop abortions. And we’ll see more people in heaven. . This isn't the end. Churches have done a lot, but we will need to do more now. We should have a budget for helping the women who want to keep their baby and a curriculum to show them how to become strong single or married mothers.  . Ok that’s all I’m saying. Listen to the episode for my full thoughts. . Jay Dan Gumm . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . 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 . Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 98 ”Murder, Cancer, CrossFit, Basketball, and Life Lessons” with Charles ”Chas ”Roberts

Show Summary (This episode took place behind the walls at the Kyle Unit, in Kyle, Texas) . I met Chas at the Hughes unit several years ago and if you had told me then that I’d be interviewing him on the Kyle unit for a podcast that is listened to all over the world, I would’ve laughed.  . I watched Chas play and he was pretty good. Then I watched the behavior of the players on the court, especially when a call didn’t go their way. It was remarkable. Then after the game I watched as the players went into a room to recover, got something to drink, and heard a devotional. Then I had heard that some of the spurs organization was involved.  . David Robinson sent these guys a video message about the tournament. That’s awesome. . I knew then that God had a huge call on Chas’s life.  . Then one day out here I ran into two guys at a conference and one of them was Chas’s father. Incredible. Chas was also instrumental in bringing a CrossFit competition to the Hughes unit. Tim Tebow also visited and was going to compete against Chas in a push up contest but Chas offered another guy in his place.  . Chas’s story is a tragic one, but as you’ll hear in the interview, God has and still is  turning it into something beautiful. His young life was torn apart by divorce, then he was driving home one day and hit someone. He lost his mother to cancer while in prison, BUT God. . When I heard Chas was part of a unique inmate counselor program and was placed a the Kyle unit and wanted some speakers, I jumped. Then I asked permission from Warden Luna if could interview Kyle for the podcast. He said yes.  . This interview takes place in the visitation room at the Kyle unit. There’s absolutely no sound absorbing areas in there so the audio is as good as we could get it. You’ll hear prison doors opening and closing in the background. And right after the interview I got to witness something amazing. I got to see Chas present a certificate to men who had completed the Pillars class and were about to be free men. Some of them may already be out but I wanted to shout out to some of the men who I had the honor of meeting that day.  . Big thanks to Warden Luna and his staff at the Kyle unit as well as MTC for making this happen.  . Chas, you impressed me when I first me you man and you’re still going strong. Prison isn’t breaking you like it does some, it is absolutely making you. Making you into the man of God you were always meant to be. It was an honor to interview you and hear your story. I know we didn’t get to talk about everything but we will do a round two. I love they way you honor God and all the people in your life like your mom, your kids, their mother, your dad, your aunt. I’m proud to know you and be your friend bro. It was fun breaking bread (cookies) with you guys and It was great getting stuck in count with y’all at the end. Stay strong my friend.  . And oh, you caught me off guard with your presentation to me. I wasn’t expecting that. Y’all, I’m a sports fan. I love my teams, but I’m a sports fan first. Chas was given three game nets from the Spurs playoffs. He gave one to his son, the other to his daughter, and then that day he gave the third one to me. It was on the east goal against the Grizzlies in 2016. Craziest best gift I’ve ever received. I’ll post of pic on the show page. Thank you Chas. It’ll be proudly displayed on my sports wall in my gym.  . Check out the videos below of Tim Tebow’s push up contest, the winning shot from the basketball tournament against some of the Spurs players, and the Brute Strength CrossFit competition. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Tim Tebow’s Push Up Contest at the Hughes Unit: https://people.com/sports/tim-tebow-push-up-contest-inmates-texas-prison/ . Brute Strength’s CrossFit at the Hughes Unit: https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&ei=UTF-8&p=brute+strength+prison+crossfit+games+youtube&type=E211US1079G91649#id=1&vid=69a7e5d305fb83fc872a2f4002b67542&action=click . The Winning Shot, Chariots of Fire Tournament: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=24692881595183 . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . 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 . Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 97 ”You Die Looking Like Your Decisions” with Craig Long

Show Summary . I met Craig Long on Instagram. I’ve followed him for a while now and enjoy his content. One day he posted something about young kids and not having a father figure in their life due to incarceration. . I made a comment on his post, he replied, and we became friends. . Craig went down a bad path when he was younger after experiencing divorce first hand. Eventually his wrong decisions landed him in prison with some of the worst of the worst people. . It was in prison where he decided to make a change and vowed to never go back to being that old person again. . Craig is an outspoken conservative on social media, loves our country, and is not ashamed to say who his favorite president is. . Follow Craig at the links below and subscribe to his youtube channel. If you would like to book Craig to speak at an event you can email him at realcraiglong45@gmail.com . Resources Mentioned in the Show: Craig’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialcraiglong45/ . Craig’s Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/CraigLong45Show . Craig’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@craiglong45?lang=en . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: . https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . 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 . Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 96 A Fathers Day Story-Generational Forgiveness with Jim Buffington COO-Bridges To Life

Show Summary . This by far is one of the most intriguing, impactful, interviews I have ever done. There are so many surprises along the way. You’ll want to listen to the whole thing. Check out the pic below to see Jim’s dad’s old cell mate at Jim’s son’s wedding. They are holding a picture of Jim’s dad. . Jim Buffington is the Chief Operating Officer for Bridges To Life and resides in Grand Prairie, Texas. He is a native Texan and is a graduate of the University of Arkansas with a BSBA degree in Marketing Management. Jim's 30-year business career was in Financial/Legal Services. Jim started volunteering with Bridges To Life in 2004 and then joined the staff as COO in 2016. . Bridges To Life is a restorative justice program which connects communities to prisons to reduce the recidivism rate (particularly that of violent crimes), reduce the number of crime victims, and enhance public safety. Since inception, more than 65,000 men and women have graduated from the faith-based program with the help of over 3,200 volunteers in 16 states and 7 countries. Most recently, the Bridges To Life Self-Study Program received Texas Governor Abbott's Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Award for the Most Innovative Program in 2020 in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. . When Jim was 12 years old, his mother was found murdered in the back seat of her car. A year later, his father and two other men were arrested, convicted, and incarcerated for the crime. Jim traveled a long road of pain and betrayal that could have led to a life of bitterness, but instead he chose another path: one of healing and forgiveness. . He volunteers as a Victim Impact Panel Speaker for: Texas Department of Criminal Justice Victim Services, Dallas County Probation, Texas Youth Commission, Dallas County Juvenile Justice Department and Tarrant County Juvenile Services in Fort Worth. . Jim is a Royal Family Kid's camp counselor and is a Board Member for Trinity Kids, Inc., Lillian Smith Family Violence Foundation, Brighter Tomorrows, and One CommunityUSA Pathway’s to HOPE reentry program. He volunteers with Bill Glass Prison Ministry, Prison Entrepreneurship Program, and is an active member of Fielder Church in Arlington, Texas. . Jim received the Texas Governor’s Criminal Justice Volunteer Service Pathfinder Award for his contributions to the welfare of crime victims in 2019, the Texas Governor’s Criminal Justice Carol S. Vance Volunteer of the Year Service Award in 2008, and the Dallas Cowboys Community Quarterback Award for Volunteer Service in 2007. . Jim and his wife, Marilyn, who is an Arlington ISD elementary special education school teacher, have one son, Bryce, who is also a Bridges To Life volunteer.  . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . Watch the documentary Jim and his brothers are in: https://www.shalomworld.org/episode/forgiving-their-mothers-murderer . Watch video about Bridges To Life: https://www.shalomworld.org/episode/when-were-you-in-prison-lord-bridges-to-life . Bridges To Life website: http://www.bridgestolife.org/ . Bridges To Life Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgestolife . Bridges To Life LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridges-to-life . Our Sponsor’s Information: RP Media, robprice6@gmail.com 214-354-6364 Tell them you heard it here. . 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 . Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 95 ”From Friend, to Fiancé, to Advocate” with Jennifer Gross

Show Summary . I met Jennifer at an event in Dallas in 2021. Since then I’ve gotten to know her business journey as a realtor, but what’s intrigued me the most is her prison and criminal justice reform journey that she’s on. . She’s had to overcome a lot in her life as you will hear in the episode but now she’s trying to help her fiancé prove his innocence. She’s learning first hand that no matter how much evidence there is to prove his innocence, it is much harder and takes way more time to undo a wrongful conviction. . Her passion is contagious. Her community is strong. If you want to know more about her and Rob, you can follow her on Instagram at the link below. You can also use that link to inquire about real estate as well if you’re in her area. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Jennifer’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer.gross.yourrealtor/ . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . 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 . Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 94 ”2 Years Strong, Uvalde, Memorial Day, and Dads at the Door” with Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary . On today’s episode Jay Dan talks about the Uvalde shooting, Memorial Day, Dad’s at the Door, and his time at the Juvenile Justice Alternative Education Program school. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . 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 . Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.