Life of a Lifer

Latest Episodes:

Life of a Lifer - Allen Richarson Feb 11, 2021

Show notes

Today Cecilia interviews Allen Richarson who submitted his application, he has been incarcerated since he was 18, below is the transcript of his letter.

My name is Allen. I am about to turn 35 in February. I’ve been incarcerated since I was 18. Prison has been both a gift and a curse. A gift because I’ve learned some priceless lessons about things such as the ripple effect, one seemingly small decision can have on one’s life. This time has also been a curse because life is short, and I’ve spent almost two decades of my short life in here. I have no kids, I haven’t had a chance to establish much, and tomorrow is not promised. I just beat Covid-19. The great thing is that I’ll be released in 2022, next year. I’ve waited a long time to be able to say, “O go home next year” and it feels good! Upon release I plan to continue my education and complete the two bachelor’s degrees I’ve started. I’ll continue school while I’m here but to double major I’ll need two semesters after I get home. I plan to start a nonprofit organization to introduce youth to the many opportunities available to them outside of their neighborhoods and cities. I also plan to do quite a bit of traveling. In prison I have my up’s and down’s as one might expect. I’ve literally grown up in prison. I’ve been teased twice with the possibility of early release, to no avail obviously. A goof majority of my time has been spent building character and combating institutionalization! I think I’ve done a decent job at both. In closing, I want to say that I would love to be a part of something positive such as Designed Conviction. There are so much more accomplishments and how much of an asset I am. I’ve recently started my own media LLC. I am a music producer and I have a ton of documentary ideas. Thank you for your time.fer, Allen tells us about his life in prison.

Life of a Lifer - FRESH OUT BY MARCUS TIMMONS "BIG HERC" Jan 28, 2021

Show notes

Taylor interviews Marcus Timmons's "Big Herc"

As of 2016, 2.3 million people were incarcerated in the United States. These numbers are continuing to grow each year as our prison system has a revolving door of individuals that aren’t being properly rehabilitated, given the proper job skills or education to get by in life. The demands of the reentry process can be difficult to follow all its requirements. People give up and go back to their old ways, and back to prison. How do we change this? By advocating for the incarcerated, by educating our communities and showing compassion and encouragement for those who need help finding the right path. Former inmate, known as Marcus “Big Herc” Timmons and his partner Anthony M. are doing that and more. They are keeping it real, showing what people have to deal with after they are released and branded a felon. Big Herc and Anthony created a series called Fresh Out: Life after the Penitentiary. This YouTube series boasts over a half-million subscribers viewing his content, seeing that a couple formerly incarcerated men can bring a positive presence and message in our society, as well as plenty of education.

Life of a Lifer - Jolyn Armstrong - La FOTA Project - Families Of The Accused Jan 07, 2021

Show notes

Today we have Cecilia Conley @wifeofalifer interviewing Jolyn Armstrong, founder of La FOTA Project - Families Of The Accused.

Jolyn’s son went from being a respected soldier in the military to an accused felon overnight. Their business, their relationships, and nearly every other aspect of their lives suffered through the experience of supporting her son through his trial and ultimate conviction and prison sentence.

It wasn’t until going through this experience themselves that they discovered the intense trauma that is inflicted on the families of people who have been incarcerated or have been accused of a crime, how little is known about it, and how much need there is for support for these families. That’s why they took their training and skills in coaching and launched The FOTA Project (Families Of The Accused).

FOTA’s mission is to provide emotional counseling, support, and guidance for the families of people who have been incarcerated or accused of a crime. Jolyn works one-on-one with family members of the accused, helping them work through the grieving process and deal with the trauma, fear, and shame involved with having a family member accused of a crime.

Jolyn's techniques are very helpful and she has offered a special promotion to our listeners, please go to https:/thefotaproject.org/lifeofalifer to learn more.

Please follow us, like us, and visit us on www.lifeofalifer.com

LIFE OF A LIFER | First days of my life in prison serving LWOP Dec 31, 2020

Show notes

Take a walk through the first days of Taylor Conley's incarceration as he was locked up on serious charges and faced the rest of his life in prison in. this exclusive insight you will only hear here, directly from the source. the struggles he faced, and how the situation impacted him. Taylor the host of the "Life of a Lifer" podcast speaks about his journey through trials and tribulations unimaginable to most, yet today he is a man serving life in prison though wrongfully convicted owns his past mistakes, and has a positive outlook on life. as he is the founder of Designed Conviction, a social enterprise.

To support this podcast, go to www.lifeofalifer.com

Thank you and until next time.

Life of a Lifer - James Nelson Dec 17, 2020

Show notes

Hello, this is Wife of a Lifer and today I have James Nelson "Prison Peacemaker" on the "Life of a Lifer". he comes and talks about all the positive programs he has been involved in, which sadly have been put on hold due to the pandemic.

Visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

James describes himself as:

My name is James Drannon Nelson II. I'm currently incarcerated in Ohio at Ross Correctional Institution, serving a sentence for vehicular assault, failure to comply, but also waiting to be sentenced to life for aggravated murder. I have been incarcerated since 2016. I'm 41 years old and I have been in and out of the system since I was a kid 11 or 12 years old. A lot of childhood trauma. Broken Fatherless home, a mother addicted to drugs. I knew very young that my life was different from most kids I went to school with, and I started out acting out and rebelling against any kind of authority figure. I came in contact with mostly just running away and using drugs and trying to be accepted by the wrong crowd. I did a few years in juvie, then graduated to the adult system. I made my way into a Level three prison at 18 or 19 years old. Everything revolved around my addiction and my wanting to be accepted By the time I was 34 I had spent almost half my life incarcerated and I was being released from prison yet again, my fourth number for drug charges of some kind. And I felt deep down in my very core, I was done with that life. My irresponsibility left me in serious debt and a criminal history that almost certainly no employer would hire on and trust. I was really not ready for what society had in store for me. Because of my past behaviors and actions, I had made things too difficult from my maturity At that time to handle. I fell again victim to my own emotions and ended up involved in the worst possible crime ever facing the death sentence. It happened in an instant, and it has changed me forever. I was arrested and started this time in the state of New Mexico. I was there for 2.5 years before being extradited back here. I have spent my time doing all I can to reach out to the younger inmates and hope that I can reach them with my testimony and share what my life experience has been. I'm in a program block here called Going Home for Good and my position and role is a residential advisor and mentor. I am an inmate facilitator and facilitate several different programs, such as Conflict Resolution, TOPUCU which is an acronym for the Only Person U Cheat is U. The psychology of incarceration, forklift simulation training. And I started a spiritual awakening program for those who wanted to get in touch with their higher power. I was also a dog handler for a program called Elite Detection K9 on and did the basic dog training for puppies that go on and become dogs That search for explosives and guns. Covid has stopped everything As of now. There's nothing I could ever do to make up for the pain I caused but I refuse to add to it and cause anymore. I know that for the rest of my life, my purpose will be spent being a positive example to others instead of misleading them into negative ways to handle things, trying to be a peacemaker in an environment where violence is normal is not normal and a lot of times it gets you a target on your back, especially coming from someone that was involved in the prison gang, like for years and took it upon myself to cover up my gang tattoos and speak out against it. It leaves you dealing with serious problems. But I believe in order for others to take you seriously you have to lead by example and be serious....

Life of a Lifer - Bubba Sparxxx Dec 03, 2020

Show notes

Taylor interviews Bubba Sparxxx. Bubba Sparxxx is a rapper from Georgia who was first influenced by the sounds of 2 Live Crew. His song featuring the Ying Yang Twins, Ms. New Booty reached number 7 on the Billboard top 100.

Bubba was recently featured on Taylor’s new EP and is very supportive of Taylor’s movement to show the world that the incarcerated deserve a second chance.

Taylor and Bubba discuss the early roots of Bubba’s career and what he is doing now. Keep an eye out for Bubba’s new album coming out, The King of Crap. And don’t forget to check out the Free Taylor EP by Seth Anthony. https://open.spotify.com/album/0BwhkxCeKkdvYWJLAzrlz6?si=BBeK7RhBT0K1ZD4_VQ1jcw

Life of a Lifer - Lucy - Life on the Outside Nov 26, 2020

Show notes

In this episode of Life of a Lifer, Lucy tells us about her amazing life and podcast.

Life on the Outside is a podcast that shares stories about returning to society after decades of incarceration. For many, the process of reentry is complex and they navigate a society that is in many ways very different from the one they left decades earlier.

You can check out her podcast here

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-on-the-outside/id1331255622

You can support her podcast here

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46136647&fan_landing=true

Thanks for Listening, please visit www.lifeofalifer.com and subscribe! Until next time

Life of a Lifer – Jose Lugo – We Are All One Story Nov 14, 2020

Show notes

Today we have Jose Lugo, who is thirty-three years old. He would join a L.A. street gang when he was sixteen and would be convicted and sentenced to five years in prison at the age of eighteen. When he paroled from prison, he vowed to himself that he would never go back and dreamed of one day telling the stories of his peers.

Jose Lugo currently travels the U.S. listening to and sharing peoples stories as the founder and lead creative of We Are All One Story (https://weareallonestory.net )

Jose, why are you doing this?

“I believe that the only things that matter in this world are people and the impact we leave on their hearts. When I re-found the value in my own story, I knew that I would have to help others do the same. This is the dream of my dreams; there is no other way for me."

Visit www.lifeofalifer.com and follow us on social media to support this podcast!. Thank you

Life of a Lifer - Susan Ruth - Hey Human Podcast Nov 07, 2020

Show notes

"Hey human" podcast host, Susan Ruth joins Taylor Conley on Life of a Lifer.

Life of a Lifer’s host Taylor Conley talks with artist, singer, songwriter, and podcast host of Hey human podcast, Susan Ruth, after growing up in Seattle, Washington, Susan sets out to pursue her music career, moving to Nashville and got into songwriting for other artists as well.

Some of her most well-known cuts include Reba McEntire and Lone Star. She now lives in Los Angeles, California, and is doing her podcast while making new music and getting into the screenwriting game, a true artist and authentic person valuing human life on all walks. Be sure to check out her new video.

I can't fuck you. If you don't vote. ..

https://youtu.be/GL6GqoLUGhA

Life of a Lifer - Interview with Brian Dolinar, Ph.D, Mass Incarceration Specialist Oct 31, 2020

Show notes

Taylor speaks with Brian Dolinar, Ph.D. an independent, experienced journalist who specializes in mass incarceration, prison, jails, and police brutality. Similar to Taylor, his goal is to give a voice to those currently and formerly incarcerated as well as their families.

This is a very informative and enlightening discussion that touches base on topics that many are simply unaware of. Many people are uninformed of what is going on pertaining to our laws concerning the incarcerated, especially if they are not connected to anyone in the justice system. We feel that if more people are aware, there will be an outpouring of support that can help influence change.

You can learn more about Brian on his website http://briandolinar.com/. We thank him for being on Life of a Lifer, and to all of your for listening and helping us build a community of support for Taylor and those like him who are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole, who deserve a second chance at life. Check out this interview and don’t forget to go to www.lifeofalifer.com

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