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
Thursday Nov 24, 2022
Thursday Nov 24, 2022
Show Summary . Man on the Streets: Thanksgiving Interviews . In this episode, I give the regular shout outs to the people who have written into the show and I air my “Man on the Streets” interviews with random people. . Everyone here at Background Check are thankful for each listener, no matter where you listen from. Thanks for listening and sharing with everyone you know. . Happy Thanksgiving. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: Union Houston: https://www.unionhouston.com/ . Clarity Roofing and Solar: Call Today 972-922-6434 https://www.clarityroofingandsolar.com/ . Write Background Check Podcast and Forgiven Felons: PO Box 4283 Cedar Hill, TX 75106 . 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.
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Monday Nov 21, 2022
Background Check-In . Hebrews 10:23-25 . Today on Check In I talk about just making sure we are getting together with others to encourage each other and pray over one another.
Friday Nov 18, 2022
Friday Nov 18, 2022
Show Summary . Could God still love me? . In this episode I share the interview I had with Michael Etchison, an inmate serving time at the North East Correctional Center. He was the president of an inmate organization called RJO, Restorative Justice Organization. They raise funds from other inmates who want to be a part of the organization, make things for the community, and so many other things. It’s all about taking ownership of past wrongs and giving back. . They invited me to come speak at their annual banquet. It was an NFL theme and they made a killer placemat for me. The food was amazing and the company was even better. . Before the banquet I got to sit down and hear Michael’s story. His story will be a hard one for some to listen to but it’s a story that needs to be heard so people understand the saving grace and mercy of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. . Michael didn’t hold back. Transparent and vulnerable. He owned his past, his wrongs, and wanted so bad to not do it anymore. He was so ready to not be who he was that he was willing to take his own life. . I love our God, who gives EVERYONE a chance to repent and turn from their ways. Michael did that and now is serving the Lord and giving back in so many ways. . The Asst Warden sat in on the interview and she cried. It was moving. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Union Houston: https://www.unionhouston.com/ . Clarity Roofing and Solar: Call Today 972-922-6434 https://www.clarityroofingandsolar.com/ . Write Background Check Podcast and Forgiven Felons:. PO Box 4283 Cedar Hill, TX 75106 . 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.
Monday Nov 14, 2022
Monday Nov 14, 2022
Background Check-In . Ok, each Monday I'll do a quick five minute Check In. To pray over you, speak life, read a verse, tell a story, ask you to pray for us, could be anything. I'll only be five minutes and hopefully it'll motivate us for the week. . We will still to the full length podcast episodes on Fridays, but will now have a quick check in on Monday Mornings.
Friday Nov 11, 2022
Friday Nov 11, 2022
Show Summary Waiting Sucks In this episode I talk about the waiting game. I hate waiting for anything. I’ll run through a yellow light because I don not want to wait at the red light. But there are some things we can do while we wait that help us grow during the waiting. Then there’s also some things we can do during the waiting that will hold us back too. I won’t make you wait any longer for the show. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Union Houston: https://www.unionhouston.com/ Clarity Roofing and Solar: Call Today 972-922-6434 https://www.clarityroofingandsolar.com/ Write Background Check Podcast and Forgiven Felons: PO Box 4283 Cedar Hill, TX 75106 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.
Friday Oct 28, 2022
Friday Oct 28, 2022
Show Summary Voting in the Prison Day Room This episode I talk a little about the voting laws, which states have what laws, and the two states who let inmates vote while incarcerated. I also talk about the voting process in prison. Check out the links I talk about in the show below. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Union Houston: https://www.unionhouston.com/ Clarity Roofing and Solar: Call Today 972-922-6434 https://www.clarityroofingandsolar.com/ States that allow inmates to vote: https://www.themarshallproject.org/2019/06/11/in-just-two-states-all-prisoners-can-vote-here-s-why-few-do Felony Disenfranchisement Laws: https://www.aclu.org/issues/voting-rights/voter-restoration/felony-disenfranchisement-laws-map Vote in Texas Website: https://www.votetexas.gov/register-to-vote/ Write Background Check Podcast and Forgiven Felons: PO Box 4283 Cedar Hill, TX 75106 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.
Saturday Oct 22, 2022
Saturday Oct 22, 2022
Show Summary Leave it on the Mountain Top This past week I spent time with Pastor Rod Vargas from Union Houston in Colorado Springs, hiking, fellowshipping, and growing in the Lord with 11 men from his church. It was amazing. I talk a little bit about what we did, how hard it was, but how awesome it was at the same time. Check out the pics on the show page. https://www.forgivenfelons.org/backgroundcheck Also, check out his church if you’re in the Houston area. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Union Houston: https://www.unionhouston.com/ Clarity Roofing and Solar: Call Today 972-922-6434 https://www.clarityroofingandsolar.com/ 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.
Friday Oct 14, 2022
Friday Oct 14, 2022
Show Summary 2nd Chance Mentors I sat down for round two with Shawn because he’s done some great things since our first episode. He started 2nd Chance Mentors and he’s about to open up his second gym location. We talk about the struggles of growing a non profit, the challenges that come with mentoring, adopting the highway, and Tres Dias. If you haven’t heard his first interview, go listen, it’s an incredible story. Then come back to this one. His podcast link is below too. Check out his links below to find more about Shawn, the gym, and his mentoring program Resources Mentioned in the Show: 2nd Chance Mentors website: https://www.2ndchancementors.com/ 2nd Chance Fitness: https://www.2ndchancefitcamp.com/ Shawn’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2ndchancefitcamp/ Shawn’s Podcast: Forgiven AF Clarity Roofing and Solar: Call Today 972-922-6434 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.
Friday Oct 07, 2022
Friday Oct 07, 2022
Show Summary Sober October Ok, so we are out of National Recovery Month and now into Sober October. There’s a bunch of internet challenges going on regarding staying sober during this month. I say carry it on over to November, December, you might like it. And yes, that even means you in prison too. Stay away from hooch during October. Ok, to the show. This is round two with Chas from inside the Kyle unit. We didn’t have time to cover everything last time so the next graduation I went to, we hit it again. This time we talked about life lessons from the game of basketball. Team, Self Talk, Referee, Love of the Game, and the Free Throw. After our interview we do some short interviews with the class members, asking them what they’ve learned from the class. Some great guys who have all gotten out by now or this month for sure. Thanks again to Warden Luna, Sara Duncan, and the whole program staff. The Kyle unit is ran by some really great people who actually care about seeing these men succeed. Check out the video link below to see the game winning shot that Chas was talking about and the Warden coaching up the team. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Clarity Roofing and Solar: Call Today 972-922-6434 or visit them at https://www.clarityroofingandsolar.com/ Visit DVTD: https://dvtd.com/forgivenfelons/ Write us at Forgiven Felons PO Box 4283 Cedar Hill, TX 75106 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.
Friday Sep 30, 2022
Friday Sep 30, 2022
Show Summary Recovery Report Card On this last day of National Recovery Month we review the month’s guests and I talk about our Recovery Report Card. I was listening to my daughter compare her current report card with her last progress report. She mentioned she up in some classes, down in another and the same in one. But then she did something that blessed my heart so much. She celebrated her sister for doing better in reading. Jemma struggles in reading and Jessa knows it. So instead of talking about or focusing on what Jemma went down in, she celebrated her victory!!! And that’s what recovery should look like. Acknowledge we have work to do, but dang it, celebrate those wins. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Alcoholics Anonymous: AA.org Celebrate Recovery: https://www.celebraterecovery.com/ Narcotics Anonymous: NA.org Regeneration Recovery: https://www.regenerationrecovery.org/ Clarity Roofing and Solar: Call Today 972-922-6434 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.