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:

Prison to Police Sergeant: Ameer Williams Inspiring Comeback Story Mar 20, 2025

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How does a guy go from a five year prison sentence to Police Sergeant? In this episode of Nightmare Success, Brent Cassity interviews Ameer Williams, who shares his incredible journey from a troubled childhood and drug dealing to serving time in prison and ultimately becoming a police sergeant. Ameer discusses the challenges he faced during his early life, his descent into crime, the realities of prison life, and his unexpected path to redemption through a second chance at life. His story serves as an inspiration for those seeking to overcome their fears and transform their lives to make the impossible possible. In this conversation, Ameer shares his journey from struggling struggled with people who didn't accept him in his own precinct because of his past. He chose not to quit and gritted through to make it. He now has helped over 700 people receive their own pardons. He discusses the challenges he faced in finding employment, the pivotal moment that led him to pursue a pardon, and the support he received from mentors along the way. Ameer emphasizes the importance of resilience, community support, and the transformative power of second chances, both for himself and those he helps.

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Meet The Real Divine G portrayed in Oscar Nominated Sing Sing Movie Mar 13, 2025

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Meet the real Divine G Whitfield who inspired the Academy Award nominated Movie Sing Sing. Colman Domingo was nominated for Best Actor playing Divine G in the movie Sing Sing. Divine G is just attended the Academy Awards for his movie. In this episode of the Nightmare Success Podcast, host Brent Cassity engages in a profound conversation with Divine G Whitfield and Attorney Jeffrey Deskovic, both of whom have experienced the harrowing reality of wrongful conviction. Divine G shares his journey of resilience, creativity, and the founding of Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA)while serving 25 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Jeffrey, who was wrongfully convicted for 16 years and exonerated through DNA, discusses his work in advocating for justice and helping others find freedom. Together, they explore themes of hope, community support, and the transformative power of art in healing and rehabilitation. Their stories serve as a testament to the strength of the human spirit and the importance of fighting for justice and truth. It must further be noted that Divine G is still fighting to undo this gross miscarriage of justice and currently has a Conviction Review Unit (CRU) Complaint pending in the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. This complaint has been pending in that Office for over seven years.To assist in the endeavor to free Divine G from this gross miscarriage of justice, click on the FreeDivineG.org link and sign the Petition.

Broadway to Behind Bars to Paying it Forward: The Brad Rouse Story Mar 06, 2025

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In this episode of the Nightmare Success podcast, host Brent Cassity interviews Brad Rouse, an award winning Broadway theater director and writer who shares his journey from a middle-class upbringing in St. Louis to the heights of Broadway and the depths of addiction. Brad discusses his early love for theater, his time at Harvard, and the pivotal moments that led to his struggles with addiction and eventual arrest. Through candid storytelling, he reflects on the lessons learned and the transformative power of facing one's fears and challenges. In this conversation, Brad shares his journey from addiction and incarceration to recovery and helping others. Brad now uses his creativity and talents at White Collar Advice Company to help people who have been convicted and facing sentencing. Brad assists indicted individuals with writing their life narrative to deliver to the court. He reflects on the challenges of reentry into society, the importance of support systems, and the power of storytelling in healing. Through his experiences, he emphasizes the adaptability of individuals and the potential for personal growth after hitting rock bottom.

Life without Parole for a Non violent drug charge: The Erik Burgess Feb 27, 2025

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Erik Burgess never gave up the hope he was getting out of prison. In this episode of Nightmare Success, host Brent Cassity interviews with Erik Burgess, who shares his incredible journey from being sentenced to life in prison without parole to ultimately finding freedom. Ultimately, Erik was in prison for 18 years and was set free. The conversation delves into the challenges of prison life, the importance of family support, and the strategies Erik employed to maintain hope and resilience during his incarceration. Erik discusses the legal battles he faced, the impact of advocacy groups, and the emotional rollercoaster of preparing for reentry into society after years behind bars. Erik focused on education and now has a Bachelor in Psychology. This inspiring story highlights the power of mindset and the human spirit's ability to overcome even the darkest circumstances. He emphasizes the importance of mindset, resilience, and the power of perception in overcoming challenges. Erik discusses the significance of relationships, the obstacles faced during reentry, and the role of hope and helping others in creating a fulfilling life post-incarceration. His story serves as an inspiration for those navigating similar paths, highlighting the potential for personal growth and positive change.

From Prison to Co-Founder of a College: The Karlos Harris Story Feb 20, 2025

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How does a guy go from 11 years in prison to being the co-founder of DSDT College? In this episode of the Nightmare Success podcast, host Brent Cassity engages in a deep conversation with Karlos Harris, a man who has transformed his life after serving 11 years in prison. They discuss overcoming fears, the importance of self-education, and the impact of childhood experiences on personal growth. Carlos shares his journey from a challenging upbringing to becoming a successful entrepreneur and educator in technology, emphasizing the power of resilience and the choices that shape our lives. In this conversation, Karlos L. Harris shares his journey from a life of crime to personal transformation and advocacy. He discusses the mindset that led him to criminal activities, the challenges of reentry into society after prison. Karlos emphasizes the need for support systems and the value of sharing his story to inspire others facing similar challenges. In this conversation, Karlos L. Harris shares his journey of overcoming adversity and the importance of mentorship. He reflects on his past experiences, the impact of his choices on his family, and how he has reinvented himself to help others. Karlos emphasizes the significance of chasing opportunities rather than money and the role of freedom as a state of mind in personal growth.

From Rock Bottom to Redemption: The Maggie Young Story Feb 13, 2025

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How does one go from a recovery patient to the Chief Recovery Officer of the same place, Liberation Programs?In this episode of Nightmare Success, Brent Cassity interviews Maggie Young, the Chief Recovery Officer for Liberation Programs. Maggie shares her transformative journey from a troubled childhood in Alabama, through years of addiction and incarceration, to her current role helping others in recovery. Maggie is 33 years sober, and was indicted into the prestigious Hall of Change in Connecticut. This is awarded to individuals who have made the most impact returning home from prison. She discusses the impact of her upbringing, the challenges of fitting in, and the pivotal moments that led her to seek help. Maggie emphasizes the importance of community support and the power of sharing one's story to inspire change.

Who do you call when you are in trouble? Craig Rothfeld Founder of Inside Outside Feb 06, 2025

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The New York Post Headline: Luigi Mangione hires Harvey Weinstein's Prison Consultant, Craig Rothfeld. In this episode of Nightmare Success, Brent Cassity interviews Craig Rothfeld, a former finance professional turned prison consultant. Craig shares his journey from a successful career in finance to facing 18 months in prison for investment and tax fraud. Craig says, "I coupled my 22 months defending myself and 18 months of incarceration to become an expert on New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision. I now devote my life to guiding clients and their families through the New York State prison system and beyond." When he tells his clients about how to handle Rikers, it comes from first hand knowledge. Craig Rothfeld is the founder of the powerhouse prison consulting firm Inside Outside. He discusses the challenges of reentry into society, the importance of maintaining a positive mindset, and the lessons learned from his experiences. Craig emphasizes the significance of helping others navigate the criminal justice system and reclaiming one's narrative after incarceration. The conversation highlights resilience, personal growth, and the power of transformation.

Turning the Impossible into the Possible: The Dr. Antoinette Glenn Story Jan 30, 2025

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Antoinette Glenn was told she could not have a career in education because she was a federal ex-felon. That motivated her to become Dr. Antoinette Glenn who received her Doctorate in Education and has spent over 20 plus years serving high-risk economically disadvantaged children as a teacher and principal. In this episode of Nightmare Success, Brent Cassity interviews Dr. Antoinette Glenn, who shares her incredible journey from a troubled childhood to a life-changing prison sentence and ultimately to becoming a person of purpose. Antoinette discusses the challenges she faced, including an abusive relationship, a federal raid, and the struggles of navigating the legal system. Her husband was a kingpin drug trafficker, and she was wrapped up in a RICO conspiracy as his wife. Antoinette received a 97 month federal prison sentence with a young son at home. Through resilience and determination, she transformed her life, found her purpose in education, and now inspires others with her story of redemption and hope. Her book is "Found Guilty: My 26 year Journey to Redemption."

United Kingdom Venture Capitalist indicted by USA: The Ron Bauer Story Jan 23, 2025

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In this episode of Nightmare Success, host Brent Cassity interviews Ron Bauer, an international venture capitalist and entrepreneur who shares his journey of overcoming fears and navigating through personal and professional challenges as a United Kingdom citizen indicted by the United States. Ron discusses his early life in Canada, his passion for the stock market, and his experiences living in Israel. He recounts the successful merger of his company with Africa Oil and the subsequent challenges he faced, including legal issues related to stock manipulation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of education, mentorship, and resilience in the face of adversity. Ron Bauer shares his journey from success to a sudden downfall, detailing his experiences of being a foreigner in the United States legal system, his arrest at the England airport, and the challenges he faced while navigating extradition. He reflects on the impact of his past actions, the realities of prison life, and the importance of accountability in both personal and professional realms. In this conversation, Ron shares the challenges of facing legal repercussions while managing family responsibilities, and the emotional toll of living in limbo as he awaits sentencing. He reflects on the lessons learned from his ordeal, emphasizing the importance of not cutting corners in life and taking responsibility for one's actions. This discussion highlights the complexities of navigating the United States legal system while not having the same rights once convicted as a foreigner.

The Family Struggle Battling the DOJ: The Amy Nelson Story Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

In this conversation, Amy Nelson shares her harrowing experience with civil forfeiture, the FBI raid on her home, and the subsequent legal battles against Amazon and the DOJ. Amy Nelson is the founder of Riveter, a married mom of 4 daughters, an attorney, writer, and spoken across the world on many stages including Fortune's Most Powerful Women. Amy speaks to her community of over 500,000 on social media at @amy_k_nelson. She discusses the psychological impact of battling the DOJ and Amazon on her family, the importance of advocacy, and how social media became a powerful tool in her fight for justice. The conversation highlights the complexities of the legal system, and the resilience required to navigate them. Amy Nelson shares her harrowing experience with the Department of Justice (DOJ) surrounding her husband's case. She discusses the relentless pursuit by the DOJ, the unusual vacation of pleas, and the emotional turmoil of living in legal purgatory. The conversation delves into the flaws in the legal system, including judicial conflicts of interest and the need for fairness in legal proceedings. Nelson advocates for significant reforms, particularly in civil forfeiture laws and the FBI, emphasizing the importance of equal application of laws and the impact of prosecutorial power. The discussion concludes with a hopeful outlook for change and the necessity of continued advocacy for justice.

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