Life of a Lifer

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Life of a Lifer | Vernon Evans Oct 24, 2020

Show notes

Today we are speaking with Vernon Evans, a wrongfully convicted man from California. In 2015 Vernon was found guilty by association, he was convicted of first-degree murder and was given a life sentence. Vernon was 35 years old.

Since his incarceration, Vernon has started a podcast called Wisdom From Underground that can be found on Instagram and Spotify. In the podcast, he tackles tough issues such as self-love, fear, healthy relationships, and toxic masculinity. Vernon hopes to use his experience and story to help reach others who might be struggling with the same issues he has faced in his life!

Vist us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Life of a Lifer - Do You Know How Much Your Spending Housing the Incarcerated? Oct 17, 2020

Show notes

Did you know that Washington, like many other states, does not offer prisoners parole? There are no chances offered to those who have been rehabilitated to get their freedom and become a member of society. Bryan, like many people, was unaware of this fact. Taylor and Bryan discuss how a major problem wrong with our society is that people are simply unaware of these issues, they have no idea that it costs 30-70 thousand per year to house a single inmate across the United States, and it's us, the taxpayers that are paying for this. They go on to elaborate on what could possibly change by spreading awareness to the masses and a better way to spend our tax dollars on our prisoners that will approve the prisons, society and cost taxpayers less and less instead of costs consistently increasing. Taylor has a documentary in the works, it will help spread awareness in hopes that like Bryan when people become aware, they will be happy to support reform which will lead to positive changes. Hear more episodes at www.lifeofalifer.com

Life of a Lifer - Struggle Jennings Supports the Incarcerated Oct 10, 2020

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In this exciting interview, Taylor Conley interviews musical artist Struggle Jennings. For those who aren't familiar with Struggle, he is a Nashville born rapper, his music draws inspiration from his grandfather's outlaw sound, Waylon Jennings, and modern hip-hop, rock, and country traditions. Struggle has been through it, serving time in prison himself, he can relate to those that are incarcerated and exemplifies the type of person who deserves a second chance at life. He has left his life of drug abuse behind him and has turned into a successful artist and family man, with nine children at home he is caring for. Taylor and Struggle touch base on his family life, what he has been through, where he is now and where he is going. He talks about the time he spent in prison and how he altered his mindset to make his dreams come true. Listen to the full interview on www.lifeofalifer.com

Life of a Lifer - Wrong to Strong, J.C. Alamanza Oct 03, 2020

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Taylor speaks to J.C. Almanza of the fitness program Wrong to Strong. J.C. is also a popular YouTuber with over 22 thousand subscribers, telling stories of his life experiences.

J.C. grew up in Southside Chicago becoming involved in gang activity at a young age. He went on to work for the cartel. J.C. ended up spending four years in a Mexican prison. After his release, he went on to continue a life of criminal activity and ended up in and out of prison. It was during one of his times in prison he became involved with a program led by a man that helped him see he wasn't living his life the way he should.

JC changed his life and founded “Wrong to Strong” a fitness program that helps people change both physically and mentally. He is in the works of creating a non-profit for people coming out of prison to help them become physical trainers and mentor them, helping them to live their best possible life.

This is a really cool interview you don’t want to miss. They discuss different topics related to prison and touch base on how important the power of staying positive is.

Life of a Lifer - Zeke Caligiuri Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

Today we are talking with Ezekiel Caligiuri, Ezekiel was convicted for second-degree murder and aggravated robbery, he was sentenced to 35 years, he is now 42.

In 2016 Zeke published a memoir through the University of Minnesota Press about growing up in a particularly violent period in South Minneapolis, he was also involved in creating the Stillwater Writer’s Collective, the only full time writing program in the State at Stillwater Penitentiary created and run solely by incarcerated people.

Life of a Lifer - Taylor Conley Collaborates with Seth Anthony Sep 26, 2020

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Taylor Conley an artist, songwriter, and entrepreneur is currently serving a life sentence in prison. He has collaborated with up and coming musician Seth Anthony to create an EP. Seth also has a history serving time in Florida prisons. After turning his life around he found his passion for music. A country style with hip hop vibes, Seth's music is growing more popular by the day. This EP will be featuring familiar artists such as Bubba Sparxx. Listen to this podcast and learn more about the collaboration between these two and the music that they will soon be releasing.

Life of a Lifer - White Collar Criminal to Author and Advocate Sep 19, 2020

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Taylor interviews Mark Jackson, a man that spent almost 5 years of a 15-year sentence in 2 of Colorado's most violent prisons. Mark got arrested at the age of 55 for being involved in a Ponzi scheme where he made millions of dollars in the stock market illegally. After a near-death experience caused by flesh-eating bacteria during his sentence, Mark realized it was time for a change. That's when he started writing his book called “Greed. Survival. Redemption. How Dying in Prison Saved my Life”. Mark is now a keynote speaker and talks to audiences across the country advocating for the incarcerated.

Podcast Home Page: https://www.lifeofalifer.com/

Life of a Lifer - John Aslin Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

Today we are talking with John Aslin, a member of the Ojibwe Nation and the longest-serving nonviolent offender in the Michigan penal system. John was convicted of first-degree murder for essentially scaring a woman to death during a home break-in back in 1984. The victim suffered from a heart attack after John had left the home. John was given a life sentence at the age of 21 and has since served 36 years.

In 2009, the Michigan Parole Board recommended that John be released but the governor denied his application to have his sentence commuted. John says that he has come to the conclusion that he is still imprisoned because there is something that he still needs to do. He has become a Gimma, a term for leader. He leads the Native American religious ceremonies and has done so by-election of the Native inmates at three prisons. He works to bring Pipe Ceremonies, sweat lodges, ghost feast celebrations and he teaches traditional drumming and singing. He works with the communities and administration to assure that the Native American men get the things they need, to pray as they were taught and he helps teach the men to give back to the communities through art, crafts, and donations.

Life of a Lifer - Na'im Al-amin Sep 12, 2020

Show notes

Na’im Al-amin is a well educated formerly incarcerated man who is the founder of SWAGG Inc. SWAGG INC known as Serve Witness And Give Guidance Inspiration Never Ceases.

It’s a non-profit that advocates for criminal justice reform, ending mass incarceration, successful re-entry of formerly incarcerated citizens, and youth mentorship. SWAGG INC does this by providing access to employment, marketable training, entrepreneurial development, growth and development workshops, and support from our sponsor’s UPS, Beyond The Conviction, Strategic Work Force Development and Determination Incorporated, as well as MOVE and LOVE organizations, in pursuit of community reciprocity in perpetuity and business-led opportunities organizational development.

Listen to Taylor interview Na’im; learn how went from a man in prison to a successful entrepreneur.

Life of a Lifer - Sara Bennett, Photography of Women Serving Life in Prison Aug 29, 2020

Show notes

She's a daughter, mother, a sister. She loves, she laughs, she cries. She is a person. She doesn't deserve to be forgotten.

Sara Bennett a former criminal defense attorney found a way to humanize women who are serving life in prison. The incarcerated are typically seen as just a criminal, another statistic. Those who don’t have ties to incarcerated people don’t often think about the millions of men and women who are locked up in the U.S. That are treated like are less than human, the barest of their needs met. No one to witness their struggle and the way they are often mistreated. Out of sight, out of mind.

Sara has been doing several projects revolving around these women. One project followed women who were released from their life sentences. Over 5 years she followed them through their reentry process. This exhibit shows people the struggles the ex-incarcerated go through to try to get on their feet. It shows that even though they’re free from prison, they are still far from free.

Listen to this intriguing interview with Sara Bennet, learning more about her work and our incarcerated nation.

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