Background Check Podcast

EP 93 ”The Change Agent” with Best Selling Author Damon West

Show Summary . Damon West, M.S. Criminal Justice, is a college professor, nationally known keynote speaker and best-selling author (with best-selling author and motivational speaker Jon Gordon) of The Coffee Bean: A Simple Lesson to Create Positive Change. His first book and autobiography, The Change Agent: How a Former College QB Sentenced to Life in Prison Transformed His World, was published just three years after his release from a Texas maximum-security prison. . At 20 years old, he was a Division 1 starting quarterback at the University of North Texas, when he suffered a career ending injury. He turned to hard core drugs to cope with the disappointments of life. After graduation, he worked in the United States Congress, was a national fundraiser on a U.S. Presidential campaign and eventually trained to be a stock-broker for United Bank of Switzerland (UBS). One day at UBS, he was introduced to methamphetamines; he became instantly hooked—and the lives of so many innocent people would forever be changed by the choices he made in order to feed his insatiable meth habit. . After a fateful discussion during his incarceration with a seasoned convict, Damon had a spiritual awakening. He learned that, like a coffee bean changing with the application of heat and pressure, he was capable of changing the environment around him. Armed with a program of recovery, a renewed faith, and a miraculous second chance at life, Damon emerged from over seven years of prison a changed man. His story of redemption, grit and determination continues to inspire audiences today. . Today, Damon lives a life of recovery and service, going to meetings and sharing his story all over the country with schools, churches, athletic teams, corporations, conferences and inside correctional facilities. Over the past few years, he has been sharing the Coffee Bean lesson with dozens of college football teams such as Clemson, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas, and countless schools and businesses. His #BeACoffeeBean message has inspired thousands from Walmart to the US Army to the NBA. . Damon’s story has been featured both nationally and globally. His second book, The Coffee Bean, co-authored with best-selling author Jon Gordon, became an instant best-seller and a part of Forbes’ “Top Twenty Books You Need to Read to Crush 2020.” Damon is passionate about the Coffee Bean message and loves sharing how it changed his life and how it can change yours, too. . His latest book (with coauthor, Jon Gordon), The Coffee Bean for Kids, is the genesis for Coffee Bean Clubs being started by students at schools all over America. . Of all the hats Damon wears, the two most important to him are being a husband to Kendell and a stepfather to Clara. One of his greatest fears upon re-entry was wondering if he would be able to find someone who found him worthy of love and a family of his own. Like most fears we all have in life, this one was unfounded. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . Damon’s website: https://damonwest.org/ . Follow Damon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-west-685168152/ . Follow Damon on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/damonjosephwest . Follow Damon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonwest7/ . Follow Damon on Twitter: https://twitter.com/damonwest7 . Buy The Coffee Bean book: :https://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Bean-Simple-Lesson-Positive/dp/1119430275/ref=pd_bxgy_img_1/142-7511727-4409935?pd_rd_w=237qC&pf_rd_p=c64372fa-c41c-422e-990d-9e034f73989b&pf_rd_r=VN9BYSC46J2RPNTY9RXJ&pd_rd_r=918f401c-412e-44b5-a360-97407de8bc0d&pd_rd_wg=FiYui&pd_rd_i=1119430275&psc=1 . Buy The Coffee Bean for Kids: https://www.amazon.com/Coffee-Bean-Kids-Simple-Positive/dp/B09ZLYV627/ref=sr_1_1?crid=33C5D35GT042L&keywords=coffee+bean+for+kids&qid=1653654048&s=books&sprefix=coffee+bean+for+kids%2Cstripbooks%2C108&sr=1-1 . Buy The Change Agent: https://www.amazon.com/The-Change-Agent-Damon-West-audiobook/dp/B07W682QT7/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2OASEVTFBVKWT&keywords=the+change+agent+damon+west&qid=1653654302&s=audible&sprefix=the+change+agent+damon+west%2Caudible%2C95&sr=1-1 . Buy The Locker Room: https://www.amazon.com/Locker-Room-Great-Overcome-Adversity/dp/111989784X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=23WI8FP2VBLDR&keywords=the+locker+room+damon+west&qid=1653654373&s=audible&sprefix=the+locker+room+damon+west%2Caudible%2C118&sr=1-1-catcorr . Learn about Coffee Bean CARES: https://beacoffeebeanfoundation.org/coffee-bean-cares/ . 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 92 ”Working with the Warden” with Darren Wallace- Retired TDCJ Warden/Criminal Justice Consultant, Cornbread Hustle

Show Summary . Darren Wallace served the State of Texas for more than 28 years in various positions with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. He began his career working on Death Row as a Correctional Officer, and worked his way up to the role of Senior Warden at one of Texas’ largest prisons, housing over 3,000 inmates. Shortly after his retirement, one of Wallace's previous inmates reached out to him to encourage him to apply at a staffing agency for second chances, owing to his leadership inside prison. Wallace is now the Criminal Justice Consultant to Cornbread Hustle, which helps people coming out of prison find meaningful employment. . In this episode I ask Darren about his perspective on inmates when he first started and how that compares to his perspective now. We talk about everything from how and why he got started in corrections, to faith based dorms, to high tax appraisals, to death row, and how he coped with one of his officers being murdered. . Check out the links below to learn more about Darren and what all he’s doing in retirement. .  Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . Cornbread Hustle website: https://cornbreadhustle.com/ . Follow Darren on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-wallace-800296217/ . Darren Wallace’s Consulting:http://www.correctionalops.com/ . Watch the Introduction to Darren Wallace by Cornbread Hustle: https://youtu.be/qYg8MtbNr20 . 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 91 ”Escaping The Odds” with Aaron Smith

Show Summary . Aaron Smith, founder of Escaping The Odds, grew up in public housing on the south side of Chicago. It was there that he got involved in a heroin drug operation that produced up to $15,000 a day. As a result of his crimes, he was later indicted for conspiracy to distribute heroin and fentanyl resulting in death. . He was sentenced 12 years in federal prison. While serving nearly a decade in jail, Aaron had a drastic mindset shift. He decided, with God's help, that it was time to switch hustles from selling dope to chasing dreams. As an entrepreneur, podcast producer, and mentor, Aaron continues to contribute to the ever changing narrative of the formerly incarcerated. He escaped the odds and seeks to empower anyone who desires to do the same. . In this episode, we talk about how Aaron is helping people not by giving them a fish, or teaching them to fish, but by buying the whole pond. . Check out the website below and if you are interested in starting your own box truck company, check out his course that shows you exactly how to do that. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . Escaping The Odds website: https://www.escapingtheodds.com/ . Follow Aaron on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-smith-3b2492181/ . Escaping the Odds facebook: https://www.facebook.com/escapingtheoddsmedia . Start Your Own Truck Company: https://www.escapingtheodds.com/basic-01 . 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 90 ”Mother’s Day Podcast Highjack” with Jessa and Jemma

Show Summary . Shhhhhhhh. My daughters are taking over this show. They were too lazy to do this part so I still have to do it. lol . My daughters are cute as they recite poems and sing songs and honor their mother. . Happy Mother’s Day to all the mother’s out there. You are the real heroes. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . 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 89 ”Arrested At Six Years Old” the John Levitt Story

Show Summary . My new friend John Levitt, from Arizona, was arrested at six years old. I didn’t even know that could happen. That kind of set the stage for the rest of his life. He spent about 22 years in prison but has been out 16, has a family, and has become an amazing citizen. . He talks about how he needed to rewire his brain and how he did it. He and his wife own a car dealership and other businesses. . He has definitely rewired his brain for success. Check him out on tiktok at Xfelon55 . His car dealership is below too if you’re in the that area and in the market for a new vehicle. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . John’s Car Dealership: https://www.everydaycarsllc.com/ . 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 88 ”I Did It For My Son” A&E ’60 Days In’ Star, Johnny Ramirez

Show Summary . Exposed to violence, guns and gangs at an early age, Johnny had to grow up fast. During his sophomore year of high school, Johnny formed his own gang with his friends who had collectively decided this was their only option while living in the ghetto, and he was the formidable leader. When he was 17 years old, his son was born, and Johnny decided to change his life in order to protect his new family. . Despite Johnny’s efforts, his son got involved with the wrong crowd while living with his mother and is currently serving out a 12-year prison sentence. Johnny wants to join the program in order to show the other inmates—and his son—that gang life, drugs and jail does not need to define them, and it certainly does not dictate what their future needs to look like. He chose to leave gang life, and so can they. He wanted to show his son that jail and prison is simply situational. . We talk about why he wanted to do the show, the affects the show had on himself and his family, sports, politics, and then he flipped it and asked me some questions. . We don’t talk about it on the show but his daughter started a Honey company called American Bee Solutions. We ordered some bottles and want to give three away to the first three people who leave a review on Apple. Screenshot your review and send it to us by text or email. Our contact info is on the contact page at forgivenfelons.org. Check out the website below to order your own. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . American Bee Solutions: https://americanbeesolutions.com/ Tell them you heard about them on Background Check Podcast. . Johnny’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnny.ramirez3/ . 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 87 ”April is Second Chance Month” with Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary . Second Chance Month, April 2022 . Have you ever gotten a second chance? I know I have. Have you ever been able to give someone a second chance? I have been in that position too. We declare each morning that our house will be a house of second chances. . April is National Second Chance Month so I’m talking about second chances in this episode. I talk about our Bible heroes who got a second chance. I talk about all mine and some of our residents. . We may not deserve that second chance we get, but we can use it to propel us forward, or to cause us to go backwards. Society gives and asks for second chances a little different than Christians do. Or at least they are supposed to. . If you’re in need of a second chance, we are praying it comes for you at the right time. If you are in a position to give a second chance, I pray you get the right person to cross your path. . Happy Second Chance Month . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . Second Chance Staffing Company: https://cornbreadhustle.com/ Tell them you heard about them on Background Check Podcast. . 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 86 ”Time Is What You Did, Not Who You Are” with Kerry Thomas, Idaho State Prison

Show Summary -My time at the Idaho State Prisons was amazing. I learned so much and saw so much that I wish my home state of Texas, where I did time, would do some of these things. -I’d like to thank my friend Travis Richey with Accomplished Ventures for making this trip a reality. I spent all day inside prison talking with students about their stories and the A/V education they’re getting there in prison. I sat down with two inmates personally, Kerry and Lawrence. Time is what you did, not who you are. -I love how Kerry Thomas words this. Kerry is a smart man. There are many a smart and educated man behind bars. How and why do they end up there? For some it’s easy. They made horrible decisions and did horrible things. -Kerry talks about how hard it was for him to get there and what all he had to push away to get there. He also talks about what he’s done while inside and what his plans are when he gets out, hopefully later this year. -My time at the Idaho State Prisons was amazing. I learned so much and saw so much that I wish my home state of Texas, where I did time, would do some of these things. -My friend Travis Richey is the one who made my trip to Idaho happen. You can learn more about Travis by visiting the website below. Resources Mentioned in the Show: Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 Travis Richey’s website: https://www.accomplishedventures.org/ 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 85 ”From Prison Life, to Death, to the Sobr Life” with Peter Meyerhoff

Show Summary . Entrepreneur. Podcast Host. Motivational Speaker. . Peter Meyerhoff is a very rare type. You could say he had the world in his palm as a kid from athletics, to modeling, and even starring in a movie as a child. Once he hit high school everything changed. He got involved in using drugs, which started out with just weed then came the hard drugs. . His life spiraled downhill extremely fast and got arrested multiple times, from stealing cars to robbing houses. He was sent to prison for 12 years at the age of 18 and didn’t get out until after his 30th birthday. Being the alpha male Peter is he ended up getting swallowed up by prison politics and ended up being the shot caller in there. . When Peter got out of prison he hit the streets running. He ended up becoming successful transferring his pains from prison to drive for success out in the world. He made a couple million dollars his first 5 years out with only an 8th grade education. . He moved on to his podcast to help motivate people, as well as telling his story across prisons and jails across the country, and now owns a sober clothing company. Peter’ goals now are to motivate people when he speaks using the mental strength he acquired in solitary confinement, helping people get sober, and change the recidivism rate by showing people what’s really possible with the right drive and no excuses. . History has a way of repeating itself but with his guidance and experiences he’s helping the younger generation not go through the rough pitfalls of life. . Check out Peter’s links and follow him on social media. . Resources Mentioned in the Show: . Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary: https://therokuchannel.roku.com/details/7abf5e84134e54a394b5b42544c08caa/forgiven-felons/season-1 . Peter’s Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008245219126 . Peter’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peter_meyerhoff/ . Peter’s Website: https://petermeyerhoff.com/ . Roll Call With Chappy Podcast: hhttps://petermeyerhoff.com/pages/podcast . 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 84 ”Don’t Ignore the PULL” with Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary Don’t Ignore the Pull We’ve all had that little sign that our car needs an alignment. That little pull one way or the other. The pull we all ignore till we notice that half our tire is showing steel and the other is full tread. This episode talks about what happens if you ignore that pull too long. You know that pull on your life to make some changes in your health, your finances, your anger, drinking, drugging. Eventually, bad things will happen. Sometimes God pulls us out of danger, or more danger, by sending us to prison (ME). But He would rather you listen to that pull, that whisper, that text, that phone call, that sign, that says, “I have better for you, just trust me.” 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.