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:

Wrongfully Convicted: Bruce Bryan Lost 29 Years — But Never Lost Hope | Nightmare Success Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Imagine being 23 years old and suddenly facing the possibility that you may never come home.Bruce Bryan wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. He would spend more than 29 years inside maximum-security prisons across New York State, including Sing Sing, for a crime he did not commit.In this powerful episode of Nightmare Success In and Out, Bruce joins Brent Cassity to share how he survived nearly three decades behind bars without allowing bitterness to define him. Through education, personal development and mentoring others, Bruce transformed his mindset from victim, to survivor, to “thriver.”Remarkably, while still incarcerated at Sing Sing, Bruce competed against approximately 200 other incarcerated men and was selected to deliver a TEDx talk, using his voice to address the often-overlooked impact incarceration has on children and families.His clemency application ultimately grew to nearly 500 pages documenting his case, education and accomplishments. After receiving clemency and finally walking free, Bruce turned his experience into purpose. Today, he is a human justice advocate and change strategist using his voice to fight wrongful convictions and advocate for criminal justice reform.This is an unforgettable conversation about wrongful conviction, prison, resilience, mindset, clemency, freedom and what it means to go from victim—to survivor—to thriver.Your circumstances may imprison your body. They don't have to imprison your mind.🎙️ Nightmare Success In and Out with Brent CassitySubscribe for powerful conversations about incarceration, wrongful conviction, redemption, second chances, resilience and what happens when people survive their worst nightmare—and find a way to thrive.

Show sponsors: Navigating the challenges of white-collar crime? The White-Collar Support Group at Prisonist.org offers guidance, resources, and a community for those affected at prisonist.org. Protect your online reputation with Discoverability! Use code NIGHTMARE SUCCESS for an exclusive discount Visit Discoverability.co. Auto Plaza Direct "Your personal car concierge!" Let them handle every detail to find your perfect car autoplazadirect.com. Author Saffron Gustafson www.mynameissaffron.com, "My Name is Saffron." Author Nevin Shetty, "Second Chance Economics: How Hiring The Formerly Incarcerated Can Unlock $1 Trillion in GDP." www.secondchanceeconomics.com

The FBI Knocked—and This Attorney Opened the Door | Stuart Anderson Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

Stuart Anderson spent more than two decades building a successful career in law and business. Then federal investigators knocked on his door and said they only wanted to talk. Believing he had nothing to hide, Stuart invited them inside—a decision that marked the beginning of a nightmare he never imagined.

After becoming involved in a federal investment fraud investigation connected to escrow transactions, Stuart pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He received a 48-month federal prison sentence and lost the law license and professional identity he had spent years building.

Stuart joins Brent Cassity to discuss the FBI interview, the pressure of the federal plea-bargaining system, hearing a judge sentence him to four years, and entering prison during the isolation of COVID. He also describes the punishment that continued after his release, including applying for more than 600 professional positions while facing the stigma of a fraud conviction.

Today, Stuart serves as Vice President of Research, Education & Programs at the Justice Restoration Foundation. He is using his legal education, business experience, and firsthand knowledge of incarceration to advance justice reform, government accountability, and second-chance opportunity.

This is a story about losing a career, rebuilding an identity, finding faith and purpose, and learning that surrender does not mean giving up.

The Judge Who Sentenced Him to Life Fought to Set Him Free | Chris L. Young Story Aug 06, 2026

Show notes

Chris L. Young was only 22 years old when a federal judge sentenced him to two mandatory life sentences without the possibility of parole under federal drug laws.

Most believed his story was over.

Instead, Chris transformed his life from inside a prison cell through education, discipline, and an unshakable belief that "Your mentality equals your reality."

Then something almost unimaginable happened.

The very judge who sentenced Chris—Judge Kevin Sharp—came to believe the punishment was unjust. Judge Sharp resigned from the federal bench and became one of Chris's strongest advocates, working alongside attorney Brittany K. Barnett, Kim Kardashian, and others to help secure executive clemency.

In 2021, President Donald Trump granted Chris executive clemency, ending more than a decade behind bars.

Today, Chris is a bestselling author of The Wound Is Where the Light Enters, an SMU graduate, entrepreneur, speaker, and nationally recognized advocate for criminal justice reform.

He Wore the Badge. Then Went to Prison. | Kent McGowen's Story Jul 30, 2026

Show notes

In this unforgettable episode of Nightmare Success, Brent Cassity sits down with former Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Kent McGowen to hear the story that has defined more than three decades of his life.

Kent shares how his dream of serving in law enforcement led to a career as a police officer before everything changed following the fatal shooting of Susan White while serving an arrest warrant. His first conviction was overturned on appeal because of legal error, but after a second trial in 2002, another jury convicted him of murder.

Throughout the conversation, Kent explains why he continues to maintain his innocence, why he believes rumor and innuendo overshadowed the facts, and how he survived years of public scrutiny, prison, and the loss of his career. He also discusses his book, Reasonable Doubts: How Rumor and Innuendo Convicted Deputy Kent McGowen of Murder, and why he believes it's important for people to hear his perspective.

This episode explores far more than a criminal case. It is a conversation about justice, resilience, identity, faith, perseverance, and what it takes to rebuild a life after everything you've worked for has been stripped away.

Former Arkansas State Senator Jeremy Hutchinson: Federal Prison, Presidential Pardon & Finding Purpose Again Jul 23, 2026

Show notes

What happens when your entire life changes overnight?

Former Arkansas State Senator Jeremy Hutchinson appeared to have it all—a successful legal career, a respected position in public office, and a future in politics. Then a federal investigation changed everything.

In this powerful episode of Nightmare Success In and Out, host Brent Cassity sits down with Jeremy to discuss the personal journey behind the headlines. Jeremy opens up about growing up in one of Arkansas' most prominent political families, serving in the Arkansas Legislature, facing federal prosecution, making the difficult decision to plead guilty, serving time in federal prison, and eventually receiving a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump.

But this conversation isn't about reliving the past.

It's about what happens after it.

Jeremy shares the emotional toll prison took on his family, the unexpected brotherhood he discovered behind bars, the lessons he learned about identity and purpose, and why he now dedicates his life to criminal justice reform as Director of Strategic Initiatives for Unify.US.

This episode is an honest conversation about accountability, resilience, redemption, and discovering that your worst chapter doesn't have to define the rest of your story.

If you've ever faced failure, loss, public judgment, or wondered whether people truly deserve a second chance, this episode is for you.

The Hidden Cost of Gambling Addiction: Dr. Julie Howell opens up about surviving prison Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

How does a respected university professor lose everything?

Dr. Julie Howell spent decades building a successful career in higher education, earning the respect of colleagues and mentoring future educators. From the outside, she appeared to have it all.

But behind the success was a lifetime of hidden trauma, overwhelming personal challenges, and a gambling addiction that quietly became an escape from reality.

Eventually, those choices led to a federal conviction, a year in federal prison, and the loss of the career she had spent decades building.

In this deeply honest conversation, Dr. Howell shares the story behind the headlines—including childhood trauma, raising a daughter through addiction and sex trafficking, facing the consequences of her own actions, and learning how accountability became the first step toward rebuilding her life.

This isn't a conversation about excuses.

It's a conversation about addiction, responsibility, forgiveness, and the possibility of redemption after public failure.

If you've ever wondered how successful people can quietly struggle—or whether it's possible to rebuild after losing everything—this episode is for you.

From Future Baseball Star to 27 Years in Prison: The Two-Time Exoneration of Jimmie Gardner Jul 09, 2026

Show notes

Exonerated twice. Jimmie Gardner was living his dream as a professional baseball prospect with the Chicago Cubs when a wrongful conviction stole 27 years of his life. After decades behind bars, relentless legal work, and unwavering faith, he finally proved his innocence and walked free.

But his nightmare wasn't over.

In this deeply personal conversation with Brent Cassity, Jimmie shares the emotional, spiritual, and legal journey of surviving wrongful imprisonment, rebuilding his life, and facing another false accusation after his release.

This episode explores justice, resilience, forgiveness, hope, and the extraordinary strength required to overcome unimaginable adversity.

If you've ever wondered how someone survives losing everything—and still chooses purpose over bitterness—this is an episode you won't forget.

Irvin Mayfield Jr.: Grammy Award, Federal Prison & The Comeback Story Nobody Saw Coming Jul 02, 2026

Show notes

Grammy Award-winning jazz trumpeter Irvin Mayfield Jr. joins Brent Cassity for an unforgettable conversation about success, public failure, federal prison, and rebuilding a meaningful life.

Once celebrated as New Orleans' Cultural Ambassador and one of the world's premier jazz musicians, Irvin reached the highest levels of artistic success before finding himself facing federal prosecution and incarceration.

Rather than focusing only on the headlines, this episode explores the deeper questions: What is success? What happens when your identity is stripped away? How do you recover after public failure?

Irvin shares powerful lessons on resilience, radical responsibility, mentorship, humility, purpose, and why prison ultimately changed how he sees life.

This is a conversation about music, leadership, forgiveness, and discovering that your greatest accomplishment may come after your greatest setback.

Death Row to Bestselling Author | Damien Echols on the West Memphis Three, Freedom & Life After Death Jun 25, 2026

Show notes

For nearly eighteen years, Damien lived inside a prison cell waiting for the state to execute him.

Most people know the story of the West Memphis Three. They know the headlines, the documentaries, the controversy, and the legal battle that ultimately led to Damien's release in 2011.

But this isn't just a story about a murder case. It's a story about survival. About finding purpose inside a six-by-nine-foot cell.

About holding onto hope when the world has already written your ending. About refusing to let bitterness define your future.

While sitting on death row, Damien immersed himself in books, spirituality, meditation, and personal growth. He built a mindset strong enough to survive one of the harshest realities imaginable. And when freedom finally came after nearly two decades behind bars, he faced a challenge many never consider—how do you learn to live after surviving death row?

Since his release, Damien has reinvented himself as an artist, speaker, spiritual teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. His memoir, Life After Death, gave readers an intimate look at surviving prison, reclaiming freedom, and rebuilding a life that many thought had been lost forever. Today, he continues to inspire people around the world through his writing, teaching, and advocacy.

Now, with his new book, Alchemy of the Blade, arriving this September, Damien is continuing his exploration of transformation, resilience, and the extraordinary power of the human spirit.

Today, Damien Echols joins us to talk about life on death row, freedom after prison, the lessons that kept him alive, and what happens when your worst nightmare becomes the foundation for a remarkable second act.

From Federal Prison to Fortune 500 Speaker | Rashmi Airan's Incredible Comeback Story Jun 18, 2026

Show notes

Rashmi Airan had it all—an Ivy League education, a successful law career, and a bright future.

Then everything changed.

After becoming entangled in a mortgage fraud scheme during the housing boom, Rashmi faced federal prosecution, prison, and the public collapse of the life she had spent decades building.

But prison did not become her ending.

Today, Rashmi is a globally recognized keynote speaker who has spoken for companies including Coca-Cola, Deloitte, Merck, Comcast, Caesars Entertainment, Hershey's, and GE Healthcare. Through her Rise Through It® framework and her new book ALL RISE, she helps leaders transform adversity into courage, accountability, and growth.

In this unforgettable conversation with Brent Cassity, Rashmi shares her journey from ambition and success to failure, prison, and ultimately purpose.

This is a story of owning your mistakes, rebuilding trust, and discovering that your worst moment does not have to define your future.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Nightmare Success In and Out

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected