Background Check Podcast

EP 62 ”It Was That 9th Felony”- Shannon Teague

Show Summary:   Shannon had to grow up fast after his parents separated. His mom suffered abuse at the hands of the men in her life and Shannon pulled them off of her at an early age.   At 13 he ran away from home and that began his journey to brushes with the law, and his addiction to drugs. He ran away to California at one point and that’s where he was introduced to meth which changed the course of his life for the next two decades. Shannon’s addiction to meth took him all the way to shooting it in his veins.   His first eight felonies were all slaps on the wrist with short time in prison, but it was that 9th felony that led him to an 18 year sentence in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. It was there on his sixth time down that he realized something needed to change, but he didn’t know how. So he asked the one who does, God, to show him the way.   He struggled with not being allowed to parole home and did not want to go to a halfway house. But then he go to Forgiven Felons and all that changed. He spent over three years at Forgiven Felons where he developed his leadership skills that still serve him today. He saved, paid off all his fines and surcharges and was given a vehicle.   Shannon also co-starred in the Forgiven Felons Documentary Series which can be seen on Roku and Tubi Tv.   Check out the links below to know about Re:generation, the recovery program he took, as well as the pics on the show page.   Memorable quote: “I couldn’t change for my mother, father, myself, I couldn’t change for nobody, that wasn’t in the cards. Only one I’ve ever been able to change for is God Almighty” - Shannon Teague   Resources Mentioned in the Show:   Freedom Heating and Air Website: https://freedomcooling.com/   Shannon’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shannon.teague.16   re:generation: http://www.regenerationrecovery.org/   Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary on Roku: Forgiven Felons: A Documentary Series   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   Shop our merchandise: https://forgivenfelons.org/shop   Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 61 ”Meth, Mowers, and Mita’s” Nick Pomeroy, CEO- PR Equipment

Show Summary:   Nick was a pretty good student through middle school. But then in high school he had his first taste of drugs. His entrepreneurial mind took over and he began selling drugs. From there it was a downward spiral.   His recovery journey includes lots of ups and downs, jail and prison time, and even went into his marriage. But after the judge had said it was time to go to prison, Nick knew it was time to take a look inward.   His journey led him to a job that was all God. It also took him to Texas where he met his beautiful bride April. She runs Mita’s Coffee House in downtown Corsicana, while Nick runs PR Equipment just east in Kerens, TX.   Together they serve their community here and anywhere else they’re needed, like their most recent mission trip to the border where they ministered to so many in need.   Whether you’re in the market for a new mower or just a great cup of coffee, check them out if you’re in their area. Tell them you heard about them on Background Check.   Check out the links below for more information on their farm equipment shop and the coffee shop. Follow them on social media and let them know their story touched you in some way.   Memorable Quotes: “You know, just one thing at a time. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just do the next right thing, that’s a huge thing.” -Nick Pomeroy   Resources Mentioned in the Show:   PR Equipment Website: https://www.prequipmentsales.com/   Mita’s Coffee House: https://mitascoffeehouse.com/   Nick’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nick.pomeroy.3   PR Equipment Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/prequipmentsales   Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary on Roku: Forgiven Felons: A Documentary Series   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   Shop our merchandise: https://forgivenfelons.org/shop   Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. You may write to the show at: Forgiven Felons Background Check Podcast PO Box 4283 Cedar Hill, TX 75106

EP 60 ”From Crips to Christ” with Yuri Luckette

Show Summary:   Yuri’s mother and grandmother worked hard to instill Jesus and good principles into his life at a young age. But when he went to spend some time with his dad, he was introduced to a lifestyle  that would set him on a course to receive 50 years in prison. But it was during that prison time that Yuri ran into the love of Jesus through prison volunteers, and traded in Crips for Christ.     This interview was fun knowing that we were right next to the Frio River on seven beautiful acres with lots of wildlife. We even saw some deer on the property. At one time I got a pic that had a hummingbird, a squirrel, several deer, and a regular bird as well.   To talk to Yuri now, it’s really hard to see in him the dark past he shares with us in this episode. You can just feel the anointing of God on his life. You can see the joy, humility, and favor of God all around him. I got to meet his beautful bride and his awesome father-in-law.   Yuri is another example of how God can take our broken lives and turn them into something powerful for his Kingdom. God can redeem our past and use it to help turn others around.   Check out the links below to hear some of Yuri’s music and to see more pics. Check out his youtube channel and follow him on facebook. Tell him you heard his awesome story on the podcast.   Resources Mentioned in the Show:   Yuri’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yuri.luckette.5   Yuri’s Youtube Channel: Yuri's YouTube Channel   Yuri and Michael Music YouTube Channel: Yuri and Michael's Music Channel   Yuri and Michael’s “Come Together” Cover: Beatles Cover "Come Together"   Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary on Roku: Forgiven Felons: A Documentary Series   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   Shop our merchandise: https://forgivenfelons.org/shop   Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Want to contact us to let us know this episode has impacted your life in some way? Write us at:   Forgiven Felons PO Box 4283 Cedar Hill, TX 75106

EP 59 ”Lost Identity, Finds True North” Paul Beam, CEO & Founder, True North Man

Show Summary:   Paul Beam is a proud veteran who served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2000 -2004. His family includes three sons, two step-daughters, and his wife. Most of Paul's career has been in management and human relations.   In 2013, Paul decided to make some changes and finish his studies. During his course of studies, Paul founded Man Camp in 2015 and would later form the True North organization in 2016. In 2017, Paul graduated from Concordia University where he obtained his B.A. in communications, religious education, and psychology.   He has since obtained credentials in life coaching, creates an instructs courses for men, hosts the True North Man podcast, speaks on vision, identity, purpose, and life change, and is also an ordained minister.   Paul's childhood and life choices have led him down a path where he now feels it is his duty to come in to a higher standard of living lives with purpose and intentionality; lives of service to others rather than service to self.   In this episode we talk about those challenges he faced as a child and how they impacted his adult life. We also talk about MMA, the Marine Corp, whether or not code reds do exist, anxiety, depression, and so much more.   But mostly we talk about getting your identity back from our creator. After you listen, please forward to someone you know can benefit from Paul’s message.   Check out the pics and links below for more information on the upcoming Man Camps.   Resources Mentioned in the show:   True North Man website: truenorthman.com   Paul Beam’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paulbeamofficial/   Paul’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PaulBeam81   True North Man Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/373076503507408   True North Man’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/true.north.man/   Watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary on Roku: Forgiven Felons: A Documentary Series   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   Shop our merchandise: https://forgivenfelons.org/shop   Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 58 ”Hangover Cure and Upload vs Download” Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary:   Have you ever had a hangover and tried to get it to go away? Hangover’s usually come because of excess of something, yes most of the time alcohol, but we can hangovers from anything.   Have you ever wondered why upload speeds are disproportionately slower than download speeds? No? Just me?   In today’s episode I talk about how to manage your hangover from anything and how to increase your upload speeds.   Just listen. Thank you. Oh, and share this with someone today.   “When you’re trying to manage your hangover, drink more.” -Jay Dan Gumm   “Download speed is all about us consuming; upload speed is about us sending.” -Jay Dan Gumm     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   Shop our merchandise: https://forgivenfelons.org/shop   Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. If you're in prison or jail please write us for information or to let us know the podcast impacted you in some way.  Forgiven Felons PO Box 4283 Cedar Hill, TX 75196

EP 57 ”Safe at Home” David Weyand

Show Summary:   Have you ever had people you’ve never met send you encouraging messages? David has been sending me facebook messages since 2017. He’s encouragement has helped me get through some of the toughest of seasons.   Well, on August 2, 2020, his son Adam was killed by a drunk driver, while the rest of the family was on vacation in Florida. When David sent me this message, my heart sank. “Did he know what I went to prison for?” was what I was asking myself. I wondered if the messages would continue if he knew I had five DWI’s.   They did, in fact they were more frequent. David let me walk his grief journey out with him. I’ll admit, I didn’t know exactly how to do that with my past. I started trying to encourage him. But still wondered if he knew.   One day his message read, “My constant prayer is for strength to share my faith out of my suffering and it seems to kept happening! Credit to God for sure ! Thanks for your continued prayers!”   I felt compelled to ask him to share his story on our show but was so nervous about asking him. I felt like I didn’t deserve to have a man on the show whose son had been killed by a drunk driver, after having five DWI’s myself.   But I asked, and he accepted. We only met face to face for the first time the week before this episode aired. We’ve had some great conversations even outside this interview. He is an awesome man, he has an awesome family, and his son Adam was a great guy.   Adam had the idea, just a couple months before he died, to open up a bake shop with his mom. After he died they weren’t sure if they could go through with it, but David shared with his wife that they had to. They did and it’s the most wonderful little shop. It’s in Ovilla, TX. If you’re near by, you need to visit.   In this episode you’ll hear my ask David for forgiveness. The drunk driver also died, but I wanted to stand in the gap for him and ask forgiveness for him. I also wanted to ask forgiveness for all of my drunk driving which could’ve ended up killing a lot of people. David stood in the gap and forgave me.   Please share the episode with anyone who is struggling with addiction, grief, and forgiveness. Visit the links below for more information and to follow David on facebook.   The day this episode airs, David and I are also attending a Ranger’s game that night. He’s a joy to hang out with.   Rest in worship Adam.   Memorable Quotes: “David, you got a choice, you can either be bitter or better.” - David Weyand. “I pray for those that need christ in their life, Lord, that’s what’s missing. It’s not found in a bottle, it’s found in the Bible.”- David Weyand   Resources Mentioned in the show:   Tiverton Bakeshop website: https://www.tivertonbakeshop.com/   Abiding Father’s website: https://www.abidingfathers.org/   David’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.weyand   Grief Share website: https://www.griefshare.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   Shop our merchandise: https://forgivenfelons.org/shop   Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 56 ”Happy Birthday Background Check” Jay Dan Gumm

Show Summary: Happy Birthday. We are one year old!!! Background Check Podcast has been around for a year now and in this episode we celebrate some things.  We celebrate past guests, talk about future ones, celebrate milestones, and the fact that we are about to be in prisons and jails across America.  We have a very special Father's Day weekend episode coming up on the 18th and I talk about that a little bit. You don't want to miss that.  For all the show notes and pics visit our show's webpage: forgivenfelons.org/backgroundcheck  If you're in prison listening and this show has impacted you, even one episode in the least bit, write us and tell us about it: Forgiven Felon PO Box 4283 Cedar Hill, TX 75106 If you're out of prison and the show has impacted you, please share it with someone you know.  Thank you for listening. 

EP 55 ”Forever Faith: The Abe Cruz Story” Part Two- Abe Cruz, CEO and Founder- Forever Faith

Show Summary: This episode is part two of a two-part series. Please listen to part one before you listen to this episode.  Abe Cruz is a successful businessman, renowned athlete, and motivational speaker. He is the founder and president of Forever Faith, a company through which he carries his message of hope and inspiration through fitness products, clothing and events, reaching millions of people around the world. Like a scene from a movie, Abe Cruz was living a life of luxury, cars, clubs, and women one day and the next was busted, broken, and facing a 30 year prison sentence. Raised by a single mother in a drug-and-gang infested neighborhood of Los Angeles, Abe found his ticket out in competitive sports. All American by his teens he believed in his destiny to become a professional athlete. When an injury ended that dream, a downward spiral of events led to the worst decision of his life. But hitting rock-bottom on the hard concrete of a prison cell proved the ultimate blessing. Flat on his back, all Abe could see was up. There he discover the true mindset of champions – faith. Not just faith in your own strength, smarts, and talents, but faith that puts God first and self second. In these two episodes Abe shares his journey to zero and back to let listeners know there's a way through the tough times, tragedies, disasters, even their own mistakes and failures, to an incredible God blessed future. That's living the mindset of champions. That's forever faith! Memorable Quote: “You can’t develop the mindset of a champion until you put God first and yourself second.” - Abe Cruz RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW: Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary Watch the the Forever Faith Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/1cB3DWCGOw8 Forever Faith’s website: https://www.foreverfaith.com/ Abe Cruz’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abe.cruz.56 Abe Cruz’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealabecruz/ Forever Faith’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foreverfaiththebrand/ Forever Faith’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamForeverFaith Get Your Copy of the book Forever Faith: https://www.foreverfaith.com/shop/book 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 Shop our merchandise: https://forgivenfelons.org/shop Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 54 ”Forever Faith: The Abe Cruz Story” Part One- Abe Cruz, Founder and CEO- Forever Faith

Show Summary: This episode is part one of a two-part series. Abe Cruz is a successful businessman, renowned athlete, and motivational speaker. He is the founder and president of Forever Faith, a company through which he carries his message of hope and inspiration through fitness products, clothing and events, reaching millions of people around the world. Like a scene from a movie, Abe Cruz was living a life of luxury, cars, clubs, and women one day and the next was busted, broken, and facing a 30 year prison sentence. Raised by a single mother in a drug-and-gang infested neighborhood of Los Angeles, Abe found his ticket out in competitive sports. All American by his teens he believed in his destiny to become a professional athlete. When an injury ended that dream, a downward spiral of events led to the worst decision of his life. But hitting rock-bottom on the hard concrete of a prison cell proved the ultimate blessing. Flat on his back, all Abe could see was up. There he discover the true mindset of champions – faith. Not just faith in your own strength, smarts, and talents, but faith that puts God first and self second. In these two episodes Abe shares his journey to zero and back to let listeners know there's a way through the tough times, tragedies, disasters, even their own mistakes and failures, to an incredible God blessed future. That's living the mindset of champions. That's forever faith! Memorable Quote: “You can’t develop the mindset of a champion until you put God first and yourself second.” - Abe Cruz To get more information about Forgiven Felons please visit our show page at : forgivenfelons.org/backgroundcheck   RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW: Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary Watch the the Forever Faith Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/1cB3DWCGOw8 Forever Faith’s website: https://www.foreverfaith.com/ Abe Cruz’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/abe.cruz.56 Abe Cruz’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealabecruz/ Forever Faith’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foreverfaiththebrand/ Forever Faith’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamForeverFaith Get Your Copy of the book Forever Faith: https://www.foreverfaith.com/shop/book 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 Shop our merchandise: https://forgivenfelons.org/shop Follow Forgiven Felons on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

EP 53 ”From Cocaine to CATALYST” Charlie Leavitt-Metro Relief Catalyst

Show Summary: Charlie Leavitt is a Catalyst for Metro Relief. Metro Relief provides much needed supplies and resources to the homeless in the DFW metroplex. Charlies story has many ups, downs, twists, and turns, but through it all, one thing wins, LOVE. We talk about addiction, recovery, 12 steps, and how his wife loved him through his relapses. We also talk about the time he was told to take his Bible back to his room before group therapy started. Charlie is a perfect example of not giving up on yourself or others who might be struggling with addiction. You can listen here or on any of your favorite platforms. Check out Metro Relief at the links below, follow Charlie on Facebook, and tell him you heard his story on Background Check Podcast. “I moved to Texas to get away from cocaine. I get to my apartment in Irving. I go out front to smoke a Marlboro. The guy in the apartment next to us comes out, AND HE SLINGS COCAINE. I got away from cocaine for three hours and fifteen minutes. ” — Charlie Leavitt RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THE SHOW: Watch Forgiven Felons on Roku TV: Click here to watch the Forgiven Felons Documentary Metro Relief website: https://metrorelief.org/ Metro Relief’s Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MetroRelief Charlie’s Facebok: https://www.facebook.com/charlie.leavitt.5 For more pics and other information check out the show page: forgivenfelons.org/backgroundcheck