Nightmare Success In and Out

What happens if your worst fear becomes your reality? Brent Cassity was a successful CEO working in a family business that grew to a national company that was recognized by the media of being the pioneers in their industry. Brent had it all and lost it all. He found himself standing at the gates of Leavenworth Prison to serve a 5 year sentence. Brent’s podcast explores the stories of inmates who were in and now out of prison. What was life like before they went in, life inside prison, and life now that they are back home. These conversations are deep, sad. often funny, but always interesting.

Latest Episodes:

Actor, FBI, and Leader of Reentry Community - Charlie Grady Mar 14, 2024

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Is it possible to be a 20-year accomplished actor, Specialist for the FBI, and a leader of the reentry community? Yes, Charlie Grady does all those things and very well. Charlie Grady shares his experiences of living two lives as a law enforcement officer and an actor. Charlie discusses his childhood and family background, growing up with a parent in law enforcement, and his journey into acting. The conversation also highlights Charlie's role as a pioneer in the justice impacted world, creating programs to support individuals and reduce gun violence. The episode provides insights into the challenges and successes of Charlie's unique story. Charlie Grady shares his journey from working in the U.S. Attorney's Office to joining the FBI and eventually creating Hangtime, a program for individuals who have been incarcerated. He then expands Hangtime to include Her Time, a program for women affected by incarceration. Charlie also discusses the creation of the Connecticut Hall of Change, which honors individuals who have turned their lives around after incarceration. He emphasizes the importance of empathy, understanding, and building bridges between different communities. Charlie's ultimate goal is to expand the Hall of Change to all 50 states and create positive change within the criminal justice system. Wow.

Escape the Odds Man of Impact. Aaron Smith Mar 07, 2024

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How do you escape the odds from a bad neighborhood and a long prison sentence? Aaron Smith runs the organization Escape the Odds and he is teaching people a new hustle to escape. The news media has recognized his good work. In this episode of the Nightmare Success podcast, host Brent Cassity interviews Aaron Smith, a former drug dealer who spent 12 years in prison. Aaron grew up in a tough neighborhood in Chicago and got involved in the drug business at a young age while going to college getting a business degree. However, while in prison, he made a mindset shift and focused on personal growth and education. He used his time to prepare for a better future and became an inspiration to others in prison. Aaron's story highlights the importance of resilience, determination, and the power of second chances. Aaron Smith shares his journey of incarceration, preparation for release, and the challenges of reintegration. He emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and creating opportunities for second chances. Aaron's work with Escape the Odds aims to bridge the gap between corporate America and the impacted community. Aaron is the owner of U-Turn Trucking Company that employs justice impacted people. He highlights the need for reentry programs and the impact of going inside institutions to inspire and educate. Aaron's biggest takeaway is to never sell yourself short and to add value to yourself.

The Man Who Survived Bridgegate - Bill Baroni Feb 29, 2024

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In this episode, Brent Cassity interviews Bill Baroni, a former politician who survived the nightmare National Media story of the Bridgegate scandal and served time in federal prison. His case went all the way to the United States Supreme Court, and he won. Bill was appointed by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie as Deputy Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The national story originated with lane closures on the George Washington Bridge. They discuss Bill's background in politics, his journey through the criminal justice system, and his advocacy for the justice-impacted community. Bill shares his experiences of going to prison, the importance of humility and letting go of control, and the support he received from the White Collar Support Group. The episode highlights the challenges and strategies for overcoming adversity and finding support in difficult times. In this conversation, Bill Baroni shares his unusual journey of getting released. Bill also discusses his current work as a Law Professor at Seton Hall University Law School and the significance of teaching prison law. Bill is a two-time recipient of the "Professor of the Year" award. He is passionate about being able to teach prison law to help future lawyers and policymakers understand the criminal justice system more comprehensively. He emphasizes the need to help others and make a positive impact in their lives. Bill is the Cofounder of the Prison Visitation Fund and is a leader in the area of health and fighting obesity. After losing 130 pounds he coauthored Fat Kid Got Fit, and So Can You. Nightmare Success is sponsored by the White-Collar Support Group prisonist.org. Start Here. Autoplaza Direct your personal car concierge autoplazadirect.com.

Changing lives for the Justice Impacted after prison- Jay Jordan Feb 22, 2024

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I lost my mind but found myself. That is what Jay Jordan said about spending 2 years in solitary confinement. He asked the question "Who am I?" The Nightmare Success In and Out podcast explores the journey of Jay Jordan, who went from being in prison to becoming a successful entrepreneur and community advocate. Jay's story highlights the flaws in the criminal justice system and the challenges faced by individuals reentering society after incarceration. He shares his experiences of starting a vending machine business and a youth mentoring program, as well as his involvement in politics and community organizing. Despite facing setbacks and homelessness, Jay's determination and resilience led him to overcome obstacles and create a positive impact in his community. Jay Jordan shares his journey of overcoming adversity and making a significant impact in criminal justice reform. He recounts his struggles with homelessness, incarceration, and how he found a place to live and built a community. He discusses his work at California Alliance Safety and Justice, leading the Second Chances program, and driving a culture shift in California. He shares the story of launching the Time Done campaign and organizing a concert to raise awareness. He explains how they changed the expungement system in California and his plans to expand the movement globally. Throughout his journey, Jay emphasizes the importance of value extraction and finding value in every situation. Follow Jay Jordan @misterjayjordan. Get involved with Time Done.

Two years of Solitary Confinement to National Leader of Reentry Feb 15, 2024

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What would you do in 2 years of solitary confinement? Jay Jordan did a 180 and changed his life. Jay Jordan is the founder of Time done. He is responsible for passing 50 laws in the last 10 years in California that have benefited the justice impacted community. In this part 1 interview, he shares his journey from a troubled childhood to his arrest and sentencing, leading to his time in prison. He discusses the challenges he faced, including a debilitating stutter, peer influence, and a lack of guidance. Despite these obstacles, Jay was determined to turn his life around and make the most of his time in prison. He shares his experiences in the reception center and his transfer to Solano State Prison during a period of intense conflict. The prison was at war. Through it all, Jay remains focused on personal growth and resilience. In this conversation, Jay Jordan shares his experience of being in prison and spending two years in solitary confinement. He discusses the challenges of being locked down for an extended period and the impact it had on his mental state. Jay also talks about the moment he had an identity crisis and realized that he needed to find himself..."Who am I?" He describes how he turned to writing and learning as a way to cope with his situation and how he developed a plan for his future. In our part 2 Interview next week, Jay gets out and can't find a job and becomes homeless because of his conviction. He takes matters into his own hands and becomes the Jay Jordan who leads the change for the justice impacted community. Follow Jay @misterjayjordan . Show sponsors autoplazadirect.com, Prisonist.org

From Foster Care to Forbes Magazine Ryan Stream Feb 08, 2024

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How does someone go from foster care to Forbes Magazine?Ryan Stream shares his incredible journey from foster care homes to Forbes Magazine. He overcame a difficult childhood, struggled with mental health, PTSD from two tours of duty in Afghanistan, addiction, incarceration, and eventually found success as a motivational speaker and entrepreneur. Ryan's story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of self-belief. He emphasizes the importance of taking accountability for one's life and offers five steps to success: self-evaluation, accountability, honesty, planning, and action. In this conversation, Ryan Stream shares his journey of overcoming challenges and finding success. He emphasizes the importance of getting help, taking accountability, believing in oneself, making a plan, and taking action. These steps have helped him transform his life and achieve his goals. Ryan's story serves as an inspiration for anyone facing adversity and seeking personal growth. Go to ryanstreamlive.com Check out Ryan's TEDx talk https://youtu.be/rRt17N8ipDw?si=YBmppGCC8UlD9hxw Ryan's book: Conquering your Colosseum https://a.co/d/aztAPlO

Master Barber in prison resilience in reentry Feb 01, 2024

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How many times can you get knocked down when you know you are good enough to make it. Meet master barber Lowell Newsome. Lowell grew up as an only child. He lived two different worlds. He was a responsible student with perfect attendance. His high school counselor continued to visit him in prison because he saw promise in Lowell. Lowell was drawn to the street life out of curiosity and acceptance by the older kids who were living on the wrong side of the law. Lowell goes to college and is still drawn to street life. He eventually received a federal conviction for selling drugs. He shares his story how he learned the trade of cutting hair in prison. When Lowell was released he struggled getting licensed as a barber because he was an ex-felon. Lowell discusses how he eventually became a licensed barber. He now is a successful barber with his own business. Nothing has been easy for Lowell but he finally made it doing what he loves to do...being a master barber.

A transformational story with a life prison sentence Jan 25, 2024

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Would you lose hope if you were sentenced to life in prison without parole at 16 years old? In this episode of the Nightmare Success In and Out podcast, host Brent Cassity interviews Jessica Hicklin, a transgender woman who spent 26 years in prison for taking a life. Jessica shares her childhood experiences of abuse, her struggles with drugs and alcohol, and the tragic incident that led to her imprisonment. Despite the challenges she faced, Jessica never lost hope and embarked on a journey of personal transformation while in prison. She found solace in Buddhism, developed compassion for others, and became an advocate for inmates on death row. This powerful story highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the potential for redemption. Jessica Hicklin shares her journey of working with death row inmates, transitioning to hospice and education, and learning coding in prison. She discusses the founding of Unlocked Labs and the impact it has had on justice-involved individuals. Jessica also talks about her legal battles, including a landmark case that led to her parole hearing. She emphasizes the importance of taking action and making a difference in the world.

Takeaways

Childhood abuse can have a profound impact on a person's life, leading to struggles with addiction and mental health issues.
Even in the face of adversity, it is possible to find hope and transform one's life.
Compassion and understanding can help individuals break free from cycles of violence and make positive changes.
Prison can be a place of personal growth and redemption, where individuals can find purpose and make a positive impact on others. Working with death row inmates and providing legal support can be a challenging but rewarding experience.
Transitioning to hospice and education allows for a focus on reducing suffering and making a positive impact.
Learning coding in prison and gaining access to technology opens up opportunities for personal growth and skill development.
Teaching restorative justice and GED programs can help individuals prepare for reentry and reduce recidivism rates.
Building a restorative justice television station in prison provides educational resources and promotes rehabilitation.
Self-education and access to technology can empower individuals to pursue their passions and make a difference in the world.
Legal battles and advocacy work can lead to significant changes in policies and rights for justice-involved individuals.
Transitioning and advocating for trans rights can be a challenging process, but it is essential for personal growth and societal progress.
Winning landmark court cases can have a profound impact on the lives of justice-involved individuals and set important legal precedents.
Life after prison can involve starting and growing impactful organizations, such as Unlocked Labs, that provide education and employment opportunities for justice-involved individuals.
Taking action and making a difference in the world requires a combination of good intentions, hard work, and collaboration with others.

Drew Chapin Young Tech CEO from Peak to Valley Jan 18, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, host Brent Cassity interviews Drew Chapin, a tech entrepreneur who faced legal troubles and imprisonment. Drew shares his journey from childhood to becoming a tech CEO and the challenges he faced in the startup world. He discusses the pressure to succeed, fundraising struggles, and the ethical dilemmas he encountered. Drew also opens up about his arrest, the plea deal he took, and the waiting period before reporting to prison. The episode highlights the emotional and mental toll of facing legal consequences and the uncertainty of the criminal justice system. In this conversation, Drew Chapin shares his experience of going to prison and his journey of rebuilding his life after release. He discusses the disorientation and nervous system reaction upon arriving at the prison and the support he received from fellow inmates. Drew emphasizes the importance of setting goals and finding ways to cope with hard days in prison. He also talks about the challenges of the halfway house and the need for more thoughtful and intentional decision-making. Drew's biggest takeaway is the importance of being mindful and acknowledging the interconnectedness of all individuals.

Mastermind Ian Bick-Epic Parties-Nightclub Owner at 17-Prison-New Success Jan 11, 2024

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How does a teenager having epic house parties, and grows with a investors, owning a nightclub by 17...end up in prison? This episode features Ian Bick, who shares his journey from being an ambitious and entrepreneurial teenager to facing legal troubles and serving time in prison. Ian's story begins with his early childhood and his knack for organizing events and parties. He quickly scales his business and takes on investors, but financial troubles and lies lead to his downfall. Ian faces the federal government, goes to trial, and ultimately serves time in prison. Throughout his experience, Ian maintains his optimism and resilience, finding ways to navigate the prison system and learn from his mistakes. In this conversation, Ian Bick shares his experiences in prison and his journey of reentering society. He discusses the initial impressions of prison and the surprising support he received from fellow inmates. Ian also talks about his plans for reentering the workforce and his eventual transition into creating content on social media. He shares how he started his podcast and the success he has achieved. Finally, Ian reflects on the lessons he has learned and his determination to keep pushing forward.

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