x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos

Michael Santos is an advocate, author, speaker, and consultant. Through Ear

Earning Freedom offers insight into strategies that empower people through struggle. Michael Santos went to prison as a consequence of bad decisions he made as a young man. While serving a 45-year prison term, he learned lessons that inspired him to prepare for success. Through Earning Freedom, Michael shares those lessons and shows how they led to his success upon release. He also interviews others who successfully overcame struggle.

education

All Episodes

30:48

101 Returning to society after 30-Year Prison Term

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/21

We learned about Miguel Zaldivar's conviction for drug trafficking that led to a 30 year prison term in yesterday's podcast. He helped us understand an initial adjustment that included an attempted escape attempt and his transfer to the high-security penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas. While in the penitentiary, Miguel made a commitment to educate himself. In today's podcast, Miguel continues with his story. He tell us what it felt like to transition from a federal prison to an open halfway house

en

32:34

100 Adjusting through 30-Year Prison Term

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/21

In the late 1980s, a federal judge sentenced Miguel Zaldivar to serve a 30-year prison term. Today's podcast is the first of five episodes. Miguel tells us how he felt to begin serving such a lengthy sentence when he was only 25. Initially, he made an escape attempt. Then, after authorities transferred him to the high-security penitentiary in Leavenworth, Miguel took a fresh look at life. He made the decision to transform his life. From Miguel we learn that an individual who makes the choice can

en

29:18

098 At-Risk Youth in Santa Ana

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/16

As a prison consultant, I speak with a lot of people when they’re in challenging times. People contact me when someone they know has been arrested and they worry that they, too, may face arrest. Other people contact me when they’re further along. They’ve been arrested, or they’ve been charged, or they’re preparing for trial, or they’re preparing for a sentencing hearing and imprisonment. In addition to working with those types of clients, I devote time speaking to students. It’s my hope that

en

31:07

097 Values and Goals

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/15

Prison consultant teaches importance of values and goals What does it take to succeed in prison? A lot? As a prison consultant, I provide resources to people at every phase of the journey. Some people reach out for assistance before they’ve even been indicted. Others reach out for guidance after they’ve concluded their obligation to the prison system. I provide guidance to anyone, at any stage of the journey. It’s never too soon and it’s never too late to begin sowing seeds for a better

en

01:17

Keith Laszlo's Students in Santa Ana

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/14

Going to inspire the students of Keth Laszlo in Santa Ana.

en

26:31

096 CEO of DECO Lighting

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/14

As a prison consultant, I teach and prepare individuals who’ve been indicted. When they face criminal charges, they need guidance on how to position themselves for the lowest possible sentence. I also help them strategize so they can serve their sentences in the best possible prison. In addition to those services, however, I strive to create opportunities for those who return to society after a prison term. The Earning Freedom podcast is one of the resources I use for both ends. Through the

en

33:08

095 Preparing Formerly Incarcerated for Success

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/13

I earn a living by providing prison-consulting services to people who’ve been indicted. I prepare those people to position themselves for the lowest possible sentence, and to serve those sentences in the best possible environment. But my work is much more than serving as a prison consultant. I also work to improve outcomes of our nation’s criminal justice system. Many people who’ve been charged with a criminal offense struggle with reentry once they return to society. I admire Katherine Katcher, a

en

30:17

094 Surrendering to Prison

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/12

Beth is a married, 45-year old woman who built her career working for a technology company. She worked with senior executives at Fortune 500 companies. Complications in her personal life led to her crossing a line that brought severe consequences. Prosecutors targeted her. She pleaded guilty to wire fraud. Now, she prepares for a sentencing hearing and her eventual time in federal prison. Hiring a Prison Consultant Beth tried to gather information from her defense attorney about what she could

en

34:32

093 Families Against Mandatory Minimum Sentences

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/11

Today’s Earning Freedom podcast features an interview with Julie Stewart, founder of FAMM—Families Against Mandatory Minimum Sentences. I first heard about FAMM in 1991. At the time, our nation was ramping up prison population levels with the War on Drugs. I already had served the first four years of my prison term and I was scheduled for 22 more years of confinement. In FAMM’s work, I found inspiration. Like many Americans, Julie Stewart didn’t give much thought to criminal justice issues until the

en

33:56

092 We're All Criminals

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/10

Our nation’s commitment to mass incarceration has had devastating consequences. We incarcerate more people per capita than any other place on earth. According to Emily Baxter, our guest on today’s Earning Freedom podcast, the system doesn’t treat everyone fairly. Emily served as a public defender in Minnesota. She became frustrated because her work revealed that poor people of color were more likely to be charged, convicted, and exposed to time in custody. They were not necessarily more likely to

en

30:45

091 45-Year Prison Term

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/09

On August 11, 1987, DEA agents pointed guns at my head and arrested. A grand jury had indicted me for trafficking in cocaine. I was 23. At the time, the only thought I had was to get out of jail. The charges I faced carried a possible sentence of life without parole. I proceeded through trial and perjured myself on the witness stand. The jury saw through the lies that I told and convicted me on every count. During the awkward transition between my conviction and sentencing, I began to see the world

en

29:25

089 The Gang Expert

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/07

Today I spoke with Douglas James Forte, criminologist and expert witness in drug, urban, and gang culture. Although Douglas has the academic credentials that lawyers and law enforcement respect, he also has the street credibility that allow to serve urban communities across America. Douglas tells a story of growing up in East Palo Alto, a community that has been rife with violence, drug trafficking, and inner city crime. Douglas grew up in that community. As a young man, he ran the streets, selling

en

32:50

088 Surrendering To Federal Prison

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/06

Ever wonder about the anxiety of surrendering to prison? In today’s Earning Freedom podcast I speak with David Foley. David was convicted of a white-collar crime for decisions related to his business. Unfortunately, those decisions resulted in prosecutors charging David with federal crimes. After prolonged litigation, David began preparing for prison. He hired Justin Paperny, of Federal Prison Consulting, to prepare him for the challenges ahead. David spoke with me today on the Earning Freedom

en

33:44

087 White Collar Prison in Canada

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/05

Michael Patrick several prison terms in a white-collar prison in Canada. He shared his story on the Earning Freedom podcast. Until he learned his lesson, Michael said that he routinely engaged in both credit card fraud and identity theft. He said that he wasn’t a sophisticated criminal, but he had a lifestyle that required a big expense account. Since he couldn’t afford to pay those expenses on his own, Michael engaged in white-collar crimes. Over the course of 20 years, he served many separate

en

31:10

086 Felony Friday host

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/04

086 Felony Friday John Odermatt is a community leader. He works together with Marc Clair in spreading news about how we can improve our nation’s democracy. They produce the top rated “Lions of Liberty” podcast. In addition, John hosts Felony Friday, a show that he dedicates to helping more Americans understand the injustices associated with mass incarceration. John wasn’t always interested in spreading news about the consequences of imprisonment. He spoke on Earning Freedom about the start of

en

38:23

085 Sex Offender in Hiding

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/03

085 Sex Offender When an individual is convicted of a sex offense, he will face an ongoing series of problems. In today’s Earning Freedom podcast, Steve tells his story. He contacted me after his release from federal prison. With 12 years of Supervised Release hanging over his head, Steve said that he continues to face many challenges in establishing his life. Steve said that authorities targeted him after he downloaded three songs from an online service. Those songs, he said, were transmitted

en

32:51

084 Women in Prison

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/02

Women in Prison Our nation confines more people per capita than any other nation on the planet. What adjustment strategies work best for women who must endure years—or decades—in prison? In today’s episode of the Earning Freedom podcast, I spoke with Dana Cheatum. Dana tells her story of growing up with numerous challenges. While still in her teens, she began abusing drugs. Her drug abuse led her into a vortex of crime. When she was 18, authorities arrested Dana for second-degree murder. After

en

35:21

083 CEO of New Relic

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/06/01

CEO of New Relic Offers Hope and Guidance to Formerly Incarcerated Some may find it strange that the CEO of a publicly traded company would speak with a man who served 26 years in federal prison. But Lew Cirne, founder and Chief Executive Officer of New Relic, took time out of a busy Friday to meet with me in his office. He shared perspectives on leadership, citing the Book of Matthew, verse 25. As a corporate leader, Lew wanted to improve society in every way, including offering guidance to

en

32:45

082 Prison to Inside-Out Writers

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/05/25

Jimmy Wu grew up in prison. When he was 16 he stole a car. Prosecutors chose to charge Jimmy as an adult—a “direct file” —exposing him to many years in prison. While locked inside of a juvenile prison, a mentor inspired Jimmy. He developed a love of learning, writing, expressing ideas in ways that would show he was more than the criminal charges for which he served time. That mentoring transformed Jimmy’s life. On Jimmy’s 18th birthday, authorities transferred him from the juvenile system to a

en

32:35

081 Profit Pathways Founder

Earning Freedom with Michael Santos ·

2015/05/24

081: Profit Pathways Founder Adam Farmer is an entrepreneur. He wasn’t always. Like many African-American men who grew up in the inner city, gangs and street criminals influenced his thoughts. He gravitated to the streets, and in time, dabbled in theft. To shape his thoughts, Adam’s father would drive him around Chicago’s rougher neighborhoods and expose him to the consequences of criminal decisions. Adam graduated from high school and went on to attend a four-year university. While in college,

en

300 results

Similar Podcasts

Science Talk

Albert Einstein College of Medicine

五分钟心理学

柠檬心理

Daily Facts

Amalia Dupray and Montgomery Jones.

Les dents et dodo

BFMTV

Veterinary Clinical Podcasts

The Royal Veterinary College