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:

Swallowed up in Russiagate - Sam Patten Aug 10, 2023

Show notes

Can you imagine being swallowed up in the legal hurricane of Russiagate with President Trump and Special Counsel Robert Mueller? My guest, Sam Patten, was and is here to give us front row seats of the nightmare he endured with his conviction. Sam's book, Dangerous Company: Misadventures of a "Foreign Agent" is a memoir that reads like a thriller. Sam has had his hand in historical events without the glare of the spotlight until the Mueller Investigation of President Trump. He worked for Senators William Cohen, Susan Collins, and Olympia Snowe. He ran the Presidential Campaign for George W Bush in Maine. Then he left US politics to spread democracy abroad. He became an advisor to political leaders in Iraq, Ukraine, the Congo, Nigeria, and Mexico. He was also working in Russia during the early years of Vladimir Putin. When Washington went on the hunt for anyone who could have helped the Russians elect Donald Trump as president, Patten was a "usual suspect." He was working with Paul Manafort in Ukraine before Manafort took over Trump's Campaign. Robert Mueller eventually convicted Patten for failing to register as a foreign agent under a seldom used 1938 statute. It is fascinating to hear the behind the scenes drama of how his nightmare started with the FBI and how it continued as the FBI attempted to squeeze every ounce of information out of him. All the while, the national media are opining daily with the intense real time drama. Sam is getting geared up for a second wind with his book Dangerous Company: Misadventures of a "Foreign Agent" https://a.co/d/3w5mslz. Sam writes a thought provoking column about current events for the Maine Wire.

Female Prison Artist shares dark story - Elizabeth Mikotowicz Jul 27, 2023

Show notes

Do you ever wonder what prison life is like from the female perspective? Elizabeth Mikotowicz shares all the details of her journey through the Federal Prison system. Elizabeth lived through a hard knock life of picking the wrong guys to be with that almost killed her. She shares shocking tales of inside the prison. Prison is also the place where she found her passion for her artwork. The Warden noticed her talent and began having her paint the walls in the hallways to give a more upbeat vibe to the drab prison world. Since Elizabeth's reentry to society she has been able to successfully sell her artwork, and has created her own clothing line. She is also an advocate for changing laws for women, especially those who are pregnant behind the walls. Elizabeth is very passionate about her story and her goals in life. She finally has her clothing line, EPM Clothing, in a National chain store.

Building a National Company after prison- Justin Paperny Jul 20, 2023

Show notes

Could you build a new empire off your worst life decision? Meet Justin Paperny who is the founder of White Collar advice, who has become an expert at helping 1000's of people facing challenges with the criminal justice system. Justin’s story has been featured on many national news stations, including ⁠The Washington Post⁠, ⁠CNN⁠, ⁠Fox⁠, ⁠Dr. Phil⁠ and others. Lastly, NBC Universal aired “⁠My Deal With the Devil⁠“, a 60-minute television show about Justin’s story. Justin has become a nationally recognized public speaker for corporate America. He did work with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, including lecturing at ⁠The FBI Academy⁠ in Quantico, VA. Justin grew up in an upscale suburb of Encino, California. He was a D-1 athlete that played baseball for USC. He was trained at Merrill Lynch, moved to Bear Stearns, and finally joined UBS in its Century City, L.A. office. Serving 400 days in federal prison wasn't what Justin had in mind when he became a stockbroker fresh out of the University of California. But a "focus of short-term rewards led to the rotting of the inner core," Paperny writes in his book, Ethics In Motion. He was in the seven figure signing bonus race of produce however you produce or you are out the door. He worked mostly with professional athletes and hedge funds. He knew what his client was doing and turned a blind eye to keep commissions coming, When the corporate attorney asked about it, Justin lied. When the FBI asked about it, Justin wasn't truthful again. Things went from bad to worse to prison. In prison, Justin befriended a mentor, Michael Santos (sentenced to 30+ years, who helped Justin with his comeback story of how to prepare for his second chance. You will come out of listening to this episode saying, "Wow!"

Would you go to prison for your spouse? Bill Livolsi Jul 13, 2023

Show notes

What would you do to help your spouse out of a business jam? And you are an expert in what she needs help with...Bill Livolsi, an accountant by trade, had lived the American dream life. He had climbed the corporate ladder at a New York Advertising firm. He had moved to Vegas and fell in love and got married to an investment banker. They moved to Oklahoma to assist the wife's aging dad. Then things started to unravel with her investment business. Bill, being an accountant, offered to help her out to get out of her jam. Things spiraled to where his wife gets indicted. They had two young kids while this nightmare continued to spiral out of control. The other shoe fell and Bill also got indicted. The judge allowed Bill's wife to go first to prison, so the kids would have a parent. Bill had to wait over 4 years, with each prison visit knowing he was next. Bill tells a fascinating story how things can seem great, and then it goes from worse to a living nightmare. Bill is putting his experience to good use. He is now the deputy director of the National organization Progressive Prison Ministries, along with, being a successful certified life coach.

From Prison to Reinvention Architect- Craig Stanland Jul 06, 2023

Show notes

How do you become the reinvention architect and mindset coach after hitting rock bottom in prison? Craig Stanland had it all and lost it all, and then found his new passion. He is a TEDX and Keynote speaker, and best selling author of the book "Blank Canvas", along with, being an effective mindset coach helping people cultivate the courage to pursue their calling. If you want a podcast episode to get you up and motivated to take action in your life, Craig Stanland is your guy. Listening to him talk makes you want to get up and do something for yourself. In 2012, Craig made a choice that would cost him everything. After exploiting the warranty policy of one of the largest tech companies in the world for almost a year, the FBI finally came knocking on his door. Craig walks us through his gripping moments of hitting rock bottom. A well timed prison visit from his friend of over 30 years turned his life around. Craig has rebuilt and reinvented his life from rock bottom to a life of meaning and fulfillment. This story has it all for a comeback feel good story! Follow Craig on Instagram @craig_stanland and LinkedIN - Craig Stanland - Reinvention Architect. His book Blank Canvas can be purchased on Amazon.

1st Black Philly DA to Federal Prison - Seth Williams Jun 29, 2023

Show notes

How does the first black district attorney of Philadelphia handle going through a Federal Indictment, and then received a 5-year sentence? Seth Williams story reads like a movie script. He had been a difference maker all his life. Seth was the student body president at Penn St. of 37,000 college kids, and then went on to Georgetown law school. He made a name for himself with a stellar career in the District Attorney's office with landmark cases. Seth became a darling inside the Democrat party with his name being whispered for national offices. Then his nightmare hit when he was running for his 3rd term for District Attorney with an investigation of undisclosed gifts. Seth fought through it and survived the nightmare with creative strategies. Seth has experienced the full spectrum of the criminal justice system with thoughtful opinions of how it could be better. He is out now, again, doing incredible work helping people with his knowledge and intellect. His company Second Chance Strategies contracts with companies and non-profits to create vocational training, and workforce development programs for people returning home from prison. This gives Seth so much joy and value to use his intellect and life journey creating a pipeline from prison to the job force changing lives. Contact Seth Williams at seth@secondchancestrategies.net

A family picture changed his life in prison - Mike Flaherty Jun 22, 2023

Show notes

Could a family picture while you were in the hole in prison change your life at your rock bottom moment? It did for Mike Flaherty. Mike had been living life on the edge for years. He had a good job in the real estate world, but his personal life was anything but normal. Staying out all night, drinking, drugs, partying, with multiple DWI's years of being on probation... then ending in a crazy car chase that landed him in prison. Mike received a 7 year sentence, and he was not happy. The first day in prison starts with a fight with someone stealing his stuff, and it lands him in the hole. Midway through his sentence, Mike was in the hole on Christmas eve, and he received a letter that contained pictures of his family. He knew he had been wasting his life, and he was tired of the man in the mirror. He made a hard right turn to living his life on the right path. He leaned on his faith that he had walked away from. When Mike was released from the hole, he got into the prison treatment program that was kind of like a mental boot camp for accountability. He didn't know what he would do when he was released, but he wanted a second chance at life. His sister met Rick Gray from Constructing Futures, and she gave Mike, Rick Gray's contact information. Mike found his passion working with Rick and their mission of helping guys out of prison to learn a trade with construction. Rick became Mike's mentor in life and true friend. Mike says he never thought his life could be as good as it is now.

Millionaire before 30 begins nightmare to prison- Branden Coluccio Jun 15, 2023

Show notes

How would a multi-million dollar sale of your healthcare company, before you are 30, begin a nightmare? Branden Coluccio was known as the boy wonder making deals in the investment banking world. He grew up in an entrepreneur family. Branden idolized his successful Dad. Branden carried the chip on his shoulder to show his dad that he could even be a bigger success. A client came to Branden with an ownership offer to raise money and buy in to a Healthcare Company that focused on drug treatment and recovery. Branden was enthused because he had a family member that struggled with addiction and he was always searching for better solutions. Branden was given the C-Suite title of Chief Financial Officer at the age of 26 years old. The company became a huge national success. The partners agreed to sell the company for millions, and Branden had a successful trophy before he was 30 years old. Then came a federal subpoena investigating billing practices of the company. Branden didn't give it too much thought because he was off building another multi-million company. The call came from Branden's attorney, telling him he was being indicted and being charged with healthcare fraud. How Branden handled this nightmare is what drew me to the story. He first went through the normal paralysis of depression of "why me." Then he decided to use all the negative energy to grit it out to make his situation better and use it. While he was going through the indictment and before sentencing, Branden wrote a book "Looking Forward," and licensed an online program to help others going through what he was living through. He gave it away for free to be of help. His attitude and actions positively effected the judges decision on sentencing. He is now out doing big things, with a great wife, and brand new baby girl. There are tons of nuggets of wisdom of how to handle a crisis in this episode. Follow Branden on Instagram -whitecollarsavage.

Good Samaritan Prison Visit saves a life- Brian Dion Williams Jun 01, 2023

Show notes

Could an unexpected person show up at your rock bottom moment and change your life? Brian Dion Williams had just been arrested and he felt as alone as he had ever felt. He decided it was time to end it all. A guard knocks on his prison cell door to tell him he had a visitor. When he entered the room, it was a nice lady he barely knew, but she was following the news and felt she wanted to help. Brian was ready. Up to the this point, he had lived a rollercoaster life of being in and out of trouble, being an addict, and being on most wanted posters. Just when he thought he had righted his life getting clean and finding his faith, he finds out that the government had decided to turn his state charges into federal charges and he was looking at years in prison. Brian used his prison time to become a better version of himself. He now goes back into those same prisons he lived and speaks to prisoners giving them hope not to give up. Brian is now married to a wonderful wife with a big family, and he has a great job that allows him to do his "not by coincidence ministries" being of help using his experience to help people break free to a better version of themselves. You'll love the open honesty of how Brian shares his story.

NY Attorney to Prison to Ordained Minister- Jeff Grant May 25, 2023

Show notes

Staff writer, Evan Osnos, for the New Yorker Magazine described my guest Jeff Grant this way, "Jeff Grant is the real deal; he's candid and generous with his wisdom. I can't imagine there is a lawyer in the country more qualified to consider the complex issues facing people prosecuted for white collar crimes and their families." Incredible quote and could not be more true. Jeff was a high flying successful New York real estate attorney. He became addicted to prescription opioids after a tear in in his Achilles tendon playing basketball. HIs life went into a dark spiral from dipping into his clients escrow accounts to creating loan fraud with a government SBA loan. He lost his law license and eventually received a 14 month sentence in Federal Prison. What he did with his life after getting out of prison is nothing short of remarkable and inspiring. He became an ordained minister earning a Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary, majoring in Social Ethics. After graduating from divinity school , Jeff was called to serve at an inner city church in Bridgeport, CT as associate minister and Director of Prison Ministries. He then co-founded Progressive Prison Ministries, the world's first ministry dedicated to people navigating the white collar criminal justice system. On May 5, 2021, Jeff's law license was reinstated by the Supreme Court of the State of New York. On August 10, 2022 he celebrated 20 years of continuous sobriety. He is now committed to using his legal expertise and life experience to benefit others. He is the founder of the first national White Collar Support group with over 700 members nationwide. Jeff is vulnerable and real with how he leads us through his journey of overcoming and being set free to find and serve his passion. A true nightmare success story! The New Yorker: Life After White Collar Crime, by Evan Osnos, Aug. 2021: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2021/08/30/life-after-white-collar-crime Progressive Prison Ministries website: https://prisonist.org GrantLaw, PLLC,

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