Life of a Lifer (Designed Conviction)

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.

 Today we have Jose Lugo, who is thirty-three years old. He would join a L.A. street gang when he was sixteen and would be convicted and sentenced to five years in prison at the age of eighteen. When he paroled from prison, he vowed to himself that he would never go back and dreamed of one day telling the stories of his peers.

Jose Lugo currently travels the U.S. listening to and sharing peoples stories as the founder and lead creative of We Are All One Story (https://weareallonestory.net )

Jose, why are you doing this?

“I believe that the only things that matter in this world are people and the impact we leave on their hearts. When I re-found the value in my own story, I knew that I would have to help others do the same. This is the dream of my dreams; there is no other way for me."

Visit www.lifeofalifer.com and follow us on social media to support this podcast!.  Thank you

In this episode, Taylor hosts Buzzy Martin, the “Gitar man” who shares a lot about himself and the amazing initiatives he is putting in place through music to keep kids out of prison as well as to give the incarcerated a voice. He tells how his passion for his quest started in California Community schools before he moved to San Quentin State Prison where he ended up teaching music for three years. Doing this made him change alongside the kids and the incarcerated. He feels the USA as a  country should also support the growth of the art industry and stop always banking on education. It is while in this path that many assumed him to be an ex-felon and he had to explain that he is being a voice to the incarcerated but has never been incarcerated. Buzzy goes on to tell about all he has been doing with and for the incarcerated. He talks about his book and the songs he has written.

When Taylor asks him about what he thinks about Life imprisonment without parole possibility, Buzzy answers by opening his heart out to the world. He tells how he finds it all wrong to lock fellow humans up in a cage for life and forget about them. He argues that we all make mistakes and one deserves a second chance in life. He advocates for systems to look into how to best educate and not just incarcerate.

This is a “must-listen episode” as there is a lot to learn about how Buzzy Martin is being a Voice of the inmates from the outside!!

To know more about Buzzy Martin or interact with him directly please visit his website at:

http://www.buzzymartin.com/

Download Buzzy's book "Don't Shoot I'm Guitar Man"

http://www.amazon.com/Dont-Shoot-Im-Guitar-Man/dp/B005B1HF0Q/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

Here is a trailer to "Don't Shoot I'm Guitar Man", You want to see this!!

https://vimeo.com/300452976?fbclid=IwAR2w_p_24MwehJHiRP4DNXMMVcT8PRcolhRbIr9Jjtv6Jxfe3-ic15r-m5o

Watch now Buzzy Martin's song "Cold Hard Prison Game " on youtube

https://www.youtube.com/attribution_link?a=HPWEtSeZlqs&u=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dhb5de16gtFo%26feature%3Dshare

This episode takes us to Baltimore, where we met up with Chris Wilson, the man who worked his way out of a life sentence by showing he was rehabilitated. After reading his book "The Master Plan" Life of a Lifer, Taylor Conley felt compelled to reach out to him. Wife of A Lifer Cecilia Conley traveled across the country to capture the interview and make this come to life. In an exciting exchange, Chris also turns it on Taylor and asks him some questions. Chris's Story is remarkable. After growing up in a Washington D.C. project, he is a prime example of what is possible.

Take a walk through the first days of Taylor Conley's incarceration as he was locked up on serious charges and faced the rest of his life in prison in. this exclusive insight you will only hear here, directly from the source. the struggles he faced, and how the situation impacted him. Taylor the host of the "Life of a Lifer"  podcast speaks about his journey through trials and tribulations unimaginable to most, yet today he is a man serving life in prison though wrongfully convicted owns his past mistakes, and has a positive outlook on life. as he is the founder of Designed Conviction, a social enterprise.

To support this podcast, go to www.lifeofalifer.com

Thank you and until next time.

In this interview, we meet Jim Fussell an Ohio man convicted in 1979, who is serving two consecutive prison terms of 20 years to life. Jim is a self-taught artist and the Founder of Domino Deeds, an organization based on the Pay it Forward initiative. Jim has donated his paintings to silent auctions in hopes that the person who receives one of his paintings that they do something special for someone else, a small act of kindness.

Jim was also a guest speaker at a TEDx event at the Marion Correctional Facility in 2013 where he speaks about Domino Deeds and how it has impacted many lives. Jim invites people who are recipients of his work to share their stories of kindness on the Domino Deeds Facebook page in hopes that if everyone follows suit, then many lives can be touched by a mere act of kindness.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMwez7-TrR4
www.facebook.com/DominoDeeds/

Visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Today we are talking with Bobby Bostic, a 41-year-old man that was convicted at the age of 16 who is serving a sentence of 241 years in Missouri. He was given a sentence of 241 years by Judge Evelyn Baker, making him eligible for parole when he is 112. Bobby is serving the longest sentence in Missouri given to a juvenile for non-homicide offenses.
Bostic's case attracted considerable media attention in later years, due to changing laws regarding life-sentences for children, and the severity of his sentence. Judge Baker later stated she regretted giving Bobby the sentence, and actively supported his appeal to the Supreme Court of the United States, along with Ken Starr, Sally Yates, Donald B. Verrilli Jr. and over 100 current and former judges, prosecutors and law enforcement officers. In April 2018, the Supreme Court denied Bostic's appeal. He is incarcerated at Jefferson City Correctional Center.
During his first year in the Department of Corrections, Bobby obtained his G.E.D, since then he has obtained a Paralegal Diploma and has taken Victim Advocate Coursed through Adama State College. He has also completed a course in nonprofit management and grantsmanship. He has established several blueprints for nonprofit organizations for troubled teens and charities. Bobby has also written fifteen books, nine of them are books of poetry and completed over twenty-five rehabilitation classes.

Visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com
You can find more about Bobby in here

www.freebobbybostic.com/

juvenileliferswithoutparolespeaks.org/

www.nbcnews.com/video/retired-mis…997-1187615299796

www.plough.com/en/topics/justice…ice/in-the-garden

 As Taylor would put it, prison could be a one time stop for some, the ultimate destination of life for others or like a revolving door to some with an in and out movement like it was for Caleb Twidwell at some point in his life. In this interview Taylor gets Caleb to tell his story that took a wrong turn at the age of 14. This took away social life from him for quite some good part of his life. His family that was kind of dysfunctional by then could not give him the moral support he really needed at that time. It almost looked like the sky was caving down on him. It’s amazing how he manages to look past all this and still see life with a lot of positivity. His type of change that he promised the judge when he was last before the courts is a story that surely will go a long way to inspire many.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Taylor talks about a day in the life of a lifer and shares some exciting news, then Leonna Abraham Brandao, host for blog talk radio, interviews Austin Mays. In her own words:

“There were multitudes of men and women in prison today who were under the age of 25 when making their one and only mistake in life, which brought them to prison and which has since resulted in mass incarceration in America today.

Today we will have on with us Austin Mays, who is a 30-year-old individual who was sentenced at the age of 15 years and who has thus far served 15 years of a 42-year sentence”.

Today we'll be talking about Austin’s case, as well as his thoughts, after years of experiences and maturing.

Finally, Taylor returns to answer today's questions.

Visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

 Taylor tells how it feels to serve a life sentence without the possibility of parole. He refers to this sentence as a sentence to die in prison, a death sentence. Making one mistake in your early youthful life and end up losing your name, to be identified with a number for the rest of your life. Listening to this dawns the reality of how most government systems have focused more on the punishment bit of it forgetting the possibility of rehabilitation during the incarceration period especially for those who went in before clicking 25 years of age.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

 In this interview Taylor talks with Anddy about how he is coping  with life after coming out of prison. Anddy shares his inspiring story of how he used his service time to recollect himself and prepare to rewrite his own story once he was out of prison. He came out to a world where he was homeless with his mother in a coma. He worked up from skateboarding to work, to driving to work; from homelessness to owning a home through hard work in his art work to earn a legitimate living. They talk about those serving a life sentence who surely deserve another shot after so many years of service. This is one of those “must listen” testimonies that you need to hear.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Today Salty Candace interviews with Jeffrey Young, a Minnesota man who was convicted in 2002 and given a life sentence for first and second-degree murder, kidnapping, and assault.

When asked about his crime, Jeff said :

 I acknowledge and accept responsibility for my crime. I'm a member of the Restorative Justice Committee here at Stillwater prison and do what I can to the right my wrongs as much as possible. I've written apology letters and have shared my story in hopes that it prevents situations like mine in the future. My sister was attempting to exit an abusive relationship and her ex threatened her life, I responded by killing him. My childhood experience with observing domestic violence played a role in my decision making at that time. Still, over the years of my incarceration, I've acquired other response skills to intervene in domestic violence.

In October 2011, Jeffrey submitted his first commentary to the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder,the oldest continuously published African American paper in the state of Minnesota.

His following remarks became "Reaching Out From Within," a column in which he wrote about issues surrounding his incarceration, giving readers a vivid glimpse through his eyes as he reached out from the Minnesota Corrections Facility in Rush City. Reaching Out From Within was published in the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder until April 2014.

For the last three years, Jeffrey has been working as an associate editor for The Prison Mirror, where he has been able to utilize Adobe Cloud, Illustrator, Photoshop, and Indesign programs. He also conducts interviews, writes articles about domestic violence, suicide in prison, incarcerated transgender people, prison healthcare, and many other stories. 

Jeffrey enjoys giving voice to some of the issues the men in the prison are concerned about, and the chance to highlight their achievements.

Listen to what Jeffrey has to say! And Do not forget to subscribe to www.lifeofalifer.com

Taylor interviews Sha, a man who spent nearly a quarter of a century behind bars who is now out and is being successful by creating a clothing line called P.R.N.V.U.

This man was up for parole 13 times before he was released, fortunately they have parole in the state of Virginia, unlike many states such as Washington where parole isn't even an option. 

He hasn't forgotten about the people he left behind, he is another example of many who are making great strides after being incarcerated showing the world that people deserve another chance at life.  He is setting an example not only through his clothing line but through speaking out for those incarcerated who can’t speak for themselves. 

Join us on January 19th on Martin Luther King Day in Olympia Wa, while we light a candle for the 1300 sentenced to die throughout the state of Washington, and we support all the lifers out there across the world. 

Visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

 No one ever knows what life has in store for them. Taylor tells how he ended up serving a life sentence without parole at 20 years of age. He talks of his difficult upbringing moving from mother’s care to harsh behavioral modification camps, to father’s care, the drugs and street life till ending up in prison for a crime he never committed. All these led to him giving up, and hating his mother, putting all the blame on her. With time he came to learn how to forgive, as it is what he yearned for and so forgave his mom, got himself engaged in learning new stuff that helped him remain motivated and positive in life. This is one story you want to listen to over and over again.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Today we are talking with Joseph Dole. A Man serving a natural life sentence after being convicted of a double murder in 1998, via a theory of accountability (in other words, aiding others who allegedly committed the crime). It was his first felony conviction for crimes he maintains he is innocent of.

Joe is a co-founder of Parole Illinois, an organization dedicated to fighting against the over sentencing and over monitoring of people convicted of crimes, and the abolition of life without parole sentences. He has written two books; as well as been included in several anthologies, including Lockdown Prison Heart, Two Cruel, Not Unusual Enough and Hell Is a Very Small Place: Voices from Solitary Confinement. He also has been published in Prison Legal News, TruthOut, Justice, Power & Resistance, and numerous other places, including academic journals, and has written several legislative proposals. 

Mr. Dole wants to bring Illinois a fair, inclusive, and retroactive parole system.  By building a grassroots movement and working with legislators to promote parole legislation that is inclusive and that prioritizes rehabilitation and return to full citizenship.

Visit www.lifeofalifer.com

Today we have Cecilia Conley @wifeofalifer interviewing Jolyn Armstrong, founder of  La FOTA Project - Families Of The Accused.

Jolyn’s son went from being a respected soldier in the military to an accused felon overnight. Their business, their relationships, and nearly every other aspect of their lives suffered through the experience of supporting her son through his trial and ultimate conviction and prison sentence.

It wasn’t until going through this experience themselves that they discovered the intense trauma that is inflicted on the families of people who have been incarcerated or have been accused of a crime, how little is known about it, and how much need there is for support for these families. That’s why they took their training and skills in coaching and launched The FOTA Project (Families Of The Accused).

FOTA’s mission is to provide emotional counseling, support, and guidance for the families of people who have been incarcerated or accused of a crime. Jolyn works one-on-one with family members of the accused, helping them work through the grieving process and deal with the trauma, fear, and shame involved with having a family member accused of a crime.

Jolyn's techniques are very helpful and she has offered a special promotion to our listeners, please go to https:/thefotaproject.org/lifeofalifer to learn more.

Please follow us, like us, and visit us on www.lifeofalifer.com

Taylor interviews Lizzie Kommes from reality tv show Love after Lockup. Not focusing on the drama the show entails, they discuss real life after the show and what she has been doing since her release from an almost 10 year sentence in prison. Lizzie talks about her job, school and the new website she just launched www.lizziekommes.com. Also tune in for some interesting details on what motivated Lizzie to quit using, how she used to hustle and how she has turned that lifestyle into a positive one.

In this episode of Life of a Lifer, Taylor does some introspection about the past few months. From not seeing his family, modified lockdowns, testing positive on Covid 19, to going back to his unit while we all wait for the end of this pandemic. He also discusses how he enjoyed "The master plan" by Chris Wilson, who, after serving 16 years for murder (life sentence), was set free by  a judge.

Please remember to subscribe and visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com.

In this interview, Salty Candace talks with George Powell, a Texas man who at the time of this interview was still incarcerated in the Bell County Jail awaiting a new bond hearing. George was sentenced to 28 years for a string of 7-11 robberies that he insists he did not commit. His case was featured on a Netflix Original Series "Exhibit A" in June, and The Innocence Project of Texas took his case. : George Powell was released from the Bell County Jail Wednesday, September 25, 2019, after his bond was lowered from $500k to $150K.

Visit our website www.lifeofalifer.com

Out of personal experience and findings from penologists, Taylor shares his in depth knowledge of effects of long term incarceration to the nation as a whole, not only to the incarcerated or ex-felons and their immediate families. This piece points out the psychological, physical and economical impacts that long term incarceration has on the society as a whole. He shows how the systems keep pressing harsh punishments and forget the aspect of rehabilitation which all end up resulting in the growth of prisons, deterioration of rehabilitation programs due to inadequate funding and ultimate loss of hope of inmates, putting them in an in and out loop even after their release. Listening to this will give you all the reasons to join and support the course of Designed Conviction, a social enterprise founded by Taylor in an attempt to show some love and care for the inmates and ex-felons by putting out their talents to the world and giving them a reason not to lose hope.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Steve and Paul talk of the school to prison Pipeline. They discuss how the handling of some  school incidences like expulsions sometimes play a part in taking away hope from people and end up leading them into prisons. It is an interesting talk as they not only discuss the problem but also talk of some interesting ideas that can be put in place to correct the current situation. Paul says it should not only be about talking to the kids but also listening to them. Steve also notes that inmates and ex-felons are better placed to talk sense to the kids in schools about how to stay out of prison and lead a positive life as they will be talking out of experience and that could be more impactful.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Today we have our guest interviewer, Paul Thorsteinson, interviewing Matt Emerzian.

Matt Emerzian is a social innovator with the goal of transforming the world through service work. He is the author of multiple books, with the most recent publication being a book titled "You Matter." However, Matt isn't just an author, he is the founder and CEO of Every Monday Matters. His organization is based on the benefits of service work and the impacts it has on one's life.
First widely implemented in schools, Every Monday Matters has impacted millions of students lives across the country. Recently Matt has expanded his scope of impact and is branching out to develop an extension of Every Monday Matters within the country's prison systems.

Paul Thorsteinson, founding member of the Redemption Project and Restorative Justice practitioner, has been an instrument of positive change within his facility. Over his 21 years of incarceration, Paul has written and taught classes that promote growth and accountability. In addition, he has established a comprehensive re-entry system that addresses all tiers of inmate's needs and the associated resources required for successful re-entry.

Remember to go and subscribe to www.lifeofalifer.com

Taylor has a discussion with Bryan Gaver who he and his wife had recently hired to film a candlelight vigil that took place on January 20th in Washington state to support those that are serving life without parole, sentenced to die in prison.  During this event Bryan was enlightened to facts he was completely unaware of.

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 earn 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 us, the taxpayers that are paying for this.

They go on to elaborate 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 that Bryan will be filming, 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

 Leonna gives “Bill Never Never”’ an opportunity to share with the world his experience of 36 years of serving a life sentence without the possibility of parole. Bill tells how he moved  from enjoying an awesome childhood to prison. Something interesting to note about Bill’s Story is that his life sentence without possibility of parole came when he was already in prison serving a different sentence. Normally many would crumble and lose the meaning of life. But Bill tells how he forged on, all the initiatives he put in place to make a difference not only to himself but to the world outside the walls as he believes he can mentor the young and help them live positive lives.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

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

Today we're joined here with George Powell III, also known as Niccolo revolution. It's been a long ride for him. This is a follow-up interview after his release.
Eleven years later, he is finally out. An innocent man, wrongly convicted.
Find out how is adapting to this new phase of his life, his thoughts, and his plans for the near future.
Visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

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.

“I became a millionaire and then I had a mental breakdown, it was art that brought me back, art was my saving grace.” Dave Dahl.  It’s true what they say, money doesn’t solve all your problems, it usually creates new ones. Dave Dahl wasn’t ready for the extreme success he attained after creating the Dave’s Killer Bread legacy.  Fast-forward eight years into the success of his family’s bakery. The multi-millionaire was suffering from stress.  Drinking had become a way for him to cope. It was all too much and caused him to have a mental breakdown in 2013.  But in life sometimes you need to break down to build yourself back up. That is what Dave has done. It was art that brought him back to a healthy and happy state of being and what helps him cope today.  Check out more interviews, fun articles and more on https://www.lifeofalifer.com/

Hello, this is Wife of a Lifer and today I have James Nelson "Prison Peacemaker" on the "Life of a Lifer". he comes and talks about all the positive programs he has been involved in, which sadly have been put on hold due to the pandemic. 

Visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com 

James describes himself as: 

My name is James Drannon Nelson II. I'm currently incarcerated in Ohio at Ross Correctional Institution, serving a sentence for vehicular assault, failure to comply, but also waiting to be sentenced to life for aggravated murder. I have been incarcerated since 2016. I'm 41 years old and I have been in and out of the system since I was a kid 11 or 12 years old. A lot of childhood trauma. Broken Fatherless home, a mother addicted to drugs. I knew very young that my life was different from most kids I went to school with, and I started out acting out and rebelling against any kind of authority figure. I came in contact with mostly just running away and using drugs and trying to be accepted by the wrong crowd. I did a few years in juvie, then graduated to the adult system. I made my way into a Level three prison at 18 or 19 years old. Everything revolved around my addiction and my wanting to be accepted By the time I was 34 I had spent almost half my life incarcerated and I was being released from prison yet again, my fourth number for drug charges of some kind. And I felt deep down in my very core, I was done with that life. My irresponsibility left me in serious debt and a criminal history that almost certainly no employer would hire on and trust. I was really not ready for what society had in store for me. Because of my past behaviors and actions, I had made things too difficult from my maturity At that time to handle. I fell again victim to my own emotions and ended up involved in the worst possible crime ever facing the death sentence. It happened in an instant, and it has changed me forever. I was arrested and started this time in the state of New Mexico. I was there for 2.5 years before being extradited back here. I have spent my time doing all I can to reach out to the younger inmates and hope that I can reach them with my testimony and share what my life experience has been. I'm in a program block here called Going Home for Good and my position and role is a residential advisor and mentor. I am an inmate facilitator and facilitate several different programs, such as Conflict Resolution, TOPUCU which is an acronym for the Only Person U Cheat is U. The psychology of incarceration, forklift simulation training. And I started a spiritual awakening program for those who wanted to get in touch with their higher power. I was also a dog handler for a program called Elite Detection K9 on and did the basic dog training for puppies that go on and become dogs That search for explosives and guns. Covid has stopped everything As of now. There's nothing I could ever do to make up for the pain I caused but I refuse to add to it and cause anymore. I know that for the rest of my life, my purpose will be spent being a positive example to others instead of misleading them into negative ways to handle things, trying to be a peacemaker in an environment where violence is normal is not normal and a lot of times it gets you a target on your back, especially coming from someone that was involved in the prison gang, like for years and took it upon myself to cover up my gang tattoos and speak out against it. It leaves you dealing with serious problems. But I believe in order for others to take you seriously you have to lead by example and be serious....

Today we are talking with Jim Fussell, we spoke with Jim 3 months ago about Domino Deeds a pay it forward initiative that he created.

Jim is housed in the Marion Ohio Correctional Institution, the largest hotspot of coronavirus cases in the country. No other state has reported as many cases of Covid-19 behind bars as Ohio, in large part because no other states have tested as many inmates as Ohio has. As of Thursday, April 23rd, at least 12 Ohio inmates have died from Covid-19, and almost 3,800 have tested positive.

Jim has tested positive for the virus, his first symptom was a rash on his lower extremities, now he is feeling the full effects of the virus.

Come and join us to hear from him.

Please subscribe to www.lifeofalifer.com

CoronavirusCovid 19PodcastInmataPrisoners

Today Taylor interviews Adam Grant

After his release from 27 years of incarceration in the Michigan's Department of Corrections Adam Grant decided he could not simply focus on his own life.  He could not shake the fact that he had left good men (and women) behind and that Their Life Matters too. He could not shake the fact that he had hurt people over the course of his life and that Their Life Matters as well.  Not only couldn't he shake those things, he realized he didn't want to, because they have been and continue to be fuel for the positive trajectory of his life.

So, with the bliss of ignorance, he has embarked on a mission to change the world, one person at a time.  To him, people are more important than causes, thus the name of his organization; Their Life Matters.  One person at a time is how the healing will take place.  One life at a time is the only way to change the world.  Their Life Matters, no matter who "they" are at any given moment.

This mission will StartwithTroy.  This is our first campaign and the first life we are highlighting.  Troy has spent the last 36 years in the MDOC, despite completely turning his life around and positively impacting the lives of countless men and women in and outside prison.  As a human advocate, Adam will not rest until Troy is out here working with him, because Their Life Matters.  There seems to be an appetite to address over-incarceration, second-look legislation, and other "criminal justice reform", to which Adam's response is simply, "Start with Troy!"

P.S. Their Life Matters is not a moral equivalency or another version of All LIves Matter.  The plight and pain of blacks in this country is undeniable and we must acknowledge that black lives haven't mattered for much of this country's history, in the minds and hearts of many today, or in the institutions that were built on segregated structures.  Their LIfe Matters chooses to focus on one Life at a time and when that life is a black life it definitely matters.

Please visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

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 

Today Cecilia interviews Allen Richarson who submitted his application, he has been incarcerated since he was  18, below is the transcript of his letter.

My name is Allen. I am about to turn 35 in February. I’ve been incarcerated since I was 18. Prison has been both a gift and a curse. A gift because I’ve learned some priceless lessons about things such as the ripple effect, one seemingly small decision can have on one’s life. This time has also been a curse because life is short, and I’ve spent almost two decades of my short life in here. I have no kids, I haven’t had a chance to establish much, and tomorrow is not promised. I just beat Covid-19.  The great thing is that I’ll be released in 2022, next year. I’ve waited a long time to be able to say, “O go home next year” and it feels good! Upon release I plan to continue my education and complete the two bachelor’s degrees I’ve started. I’ll continue school while I’m here but to double major I’ll need two semesters after I get home. I plan to start a nonprofit organization to introduce youth to the many opportunities available to them outside of their neighborhoods and cities. I also plan to do quite a bit of traveling.  In prison I have my up’s and down’s as one might expect. I’ve literally grown up in prison. I’ve been teased twice with the possibility of early release, to no avail obviously.  A goof majority of my time has been spent building character and combating institutionalization! I think I’ve done a decent job at both.  In closing, I want to say that I would love to be a part of something positive such as Designed Conviction. There are so much more accomplishments and how much of an asset I am. I’ve recently started my own media LLC. I am a music producer and I have a ton of documentary ideas. Thank you for your time.fer, Allen tells us about his life in prison.

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.

Studies show that 50% of people who have a criminal record don’t get a callback or interview for jobs they apply to, even if they are a perfect candidate. Josh, a highly educated man with college degrees kept facing this problem after he was released from a short prison sentence. Ever determined, he continuously searched for jobs he was plenty qualified for and was turned down.

Josh decided to create his own business to help break the stigma of discriminating against people with records. Breaking Free Industries was born,a T-shirt company that exclusively hires those with a record to help them gain the confidence to be independent and therefore lower the chances of them reoffending and going back into the system.

“Our shirts are designed by someone with a record. We also sell customized shirts, masks, and caps to businesses either as promotional items, employees to wear or as merchandise to sell to their customers...” Says Josh of Breaking Free Industries. His goal is to sell to restaurants, contractors, landscapers, coffee shops, etc. anywhere to help those in need.

Tune into this interview with Taylor and Josh discussing the stigma behind hiring people with a record, what Josh is trying to do to change the narrative. He wants to help those in need of financial stability and give them confidence in themselves to succeed.

Check out more about his company at breakingfreeindustries.com/
Visit www.lifeofalifer.com and www.designedconviction.com
Thank you

Taylor interviews our friend OG of "Manifest Something Beautiful" which is an independent entertainment company that consists of Ogaudio_Omyth, Skunk [SK]Oner, Kaream [K_Most], Fif Element [Producer], Rambo Alkada, Amry Blaq
Our Goal is to Manifest the mind's beauty through many different artists with an array of talent that will captivate the mind, body, and soul of the people who get the opportunity to experience our artistic expressions thru song or visual presentations.

Please visit us at www.lifeoflifer.com

This is an interesting Interview between Taylor and Steve Bobo. Steve tells his story from “both sides of the coin” as he served both as a corrections officer and as an inmate. What he has to tell about these two point of views is something you want to hear. His experiences and lessons that he learned, how he got into prison and what he is doing with School Prison Pipeline is all in this podcast. All amazing stuff that could make just that impact to that someone who really needs this kind of an audio to affect that desired change. After listening to this you will surely be eager to read his book that will be out somewhere between November and December. Don’t skip this awesome piece.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Taylor is talking about what motivated him to do music, a journey he fully embarked on five years ago. But poetry and music has always been part of him even before then. When he first decided to do music his main aim was to create something special for his wife Celilia. Then he got the idea of using music to preach positivity even from within the walls. He tells how Caleb came in the picture and how they made it possible to do “So Cold” and a whole album. He goes ahead to invite anyone willing to sponsor what they do directly by investing in them or by buying the music they do. Listening to this will give you the impression that life is all about being positive, no matter the situation. Such an inspiring piece!

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Taylor interviews Marcus Timmons's "Big Herc"   

As of 2016, 2.3 million people were incarcerated in the United States. These numbers are continuing to grow each year as our prison system has a revolving door of individuals that aren’t being properly rehabilitated, given the proper job skills or education to get by in life. The demands of the reentry process can be difficult to follow all its requirements. People give up and go back to their old ways, and back to prison.  How do we change this? By advocating for the incarcerated, by educating our communities and showing compassion and encouragement for those who need help finding the right path.  Former inmate, known as Marcus “Big Herc” Timmons and his partner Anthony M. are doing that and more. They are keeping it real, showing what people have to deal with after they are released and branded a felon.  Big Herc and Anthony created a series called Fresh Out: Life after the Penitentiary. This YouTube series boasts over a half-million subscribers viewing his content, seeing that a couple formerly incarcerated men can bring a positive presence and message in our society, as well as plenty of education.

In this episode of Life of a Lifer, Lucy tells us about her amazing life and podcast.

Life on the Outside is a podcast that shares stories about returning to society after decades of incarceration. For many, the process of reentry is complex and they navigate a society that is in many ways very different from the one they left decades earlier.

You can check out her podcast here

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-on-the-outside/id1331255622

You can support her podcast here

https://www.patreon.com/user?u=46136647&fan_landing=true

Thanks for Listening, please visit www.lifeofalifer.com and subscribe! Until next time

It is about time that we have another episode of Story time, Taylor Conley talks a little about what's going on an the trials an tribulations faced while in prison and working on all these projects. Designed Conviction Entertainment re releases So Cold through there new distribution with universal music groups empire distribution. Life of a Lifer is giving away so cold for free this weekend, so be sure to not miss out, and Taylor announced about something big in the works with designed conviction entertainment.

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

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.

 “Can I raise my kids from within the walls?” Jim’s talk with Candace gives a very extensive answer to this question. He talks of how his incarceration in 1999 put him 500 miles away from the six kids he had by then. He had to make a request to be moved closer to them but still that wasn't enough. He still felt like he needed to get involved more in the upbringing of his kids and ensure they stayed out of prison, something he believes every incarcerated parent longs for. He shares how he got involved in a program that would help him reach out to his kids and how he even initiated the “Parent Teacher Conference” with a Supportive Superintendent just to ensure inmates had this chance to be parents for their kids. Jim takes this to be of absolute importance as he believes it takes those in prison to stop the prisons from growing. It is possible to raise your kids from within the walls.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Taylor interviews Bubba Sparxxx. Bubba Sparxxx is a rapper from Georgia who was first influenced by the sounds of 2 Live Crew. His song featuring the Ying Yang Twins, Ms. New Booty reached number 7 on the Billboard top 100.

Bubba was recently featured on Taylor’s new EP and is very supportive of Taylor’s movement to show the world that the incarcerated deserve a second chance.

Taylor and Bubba discuss the early roots of Bubba’s career and what he is doing now. Keep an eye out for Bubba’s new album coming out, The King of Crap. And don’t forget to check out the Free Taylor EP by Seth Anthony. https://open.spotify.com/album/0BwhkxCeKkdvYWJLAzrlz6?si=BBeK7RhBT0K1ZD4_VQ1jcw

Taylor has an interview with Sara Bennett, a New Yorker who is a former criminal defense lawyer turned professional photographer, the artist behind www.lifeafterlifeinprison.com. Sara photographed several women serving life in prison in a way to humanize them and bring awareness to people that these are real, relatable women which made a mistake that should not define them as a person. This has become her life’s work as she followed up with some of these women throughout the years documenting their reentry progress. Her work has been exhibited in many countries. Most recently she has been showing her exhibit called the bedroom project, which is also featured on her website, www.lifeafterlifeinprison.com, it is a riveting and emotionally moving project, definitely worth checking out.

Taylor and Sara further discuss the issue of mass incarceration, how her work helps spread awareness and what can be done to help improve our society when it comes to these issues.

Listen to the podcast and read the full transcription on www.lifeofalifer.com. Also available on YouTube.

 This is a continuation of episode 14 where Leonna and Paul talk more about the rehabilitation of the inmates. They discuss how both the federal government and the government of various states involve themselves in the rehabilitation initiatives. They talk of the inadequate programs provided for the many inmates who are willing to take part in them. This pushes the inmates who really need to rehabilitate to start their own programs. It is an interesting episode that not only brings out the problems facing inmates and society but also gives possible courses of action that can be put in place to better the situation.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

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 a 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 mind set to make his dreams come true.
Listen to the full interview on www.lifeofalifer.com

Taylor speaks with Brian Dolinar, Ph.D. an independent, experienced journalist who specializes in mass incarceration, prison, jails, and police brutality. Similar to Taylor, his goal is to give a voice to those currently and formerly incarcerated as well as their families.  

This is a very informative and enlightening discussion that touches base on topics that many are simply unaware of. Many people are uninformed of what is going on pertaining to our laws concerning the incarcerated, especially if they are not connected to anyone in the justice system. We feel that if more people are aware, there will be an outpouring of support that can help influence change.   

You can learn more about Brian on his website http://briandolinar.com/. We thank him for being on Life of a Lifer, and to all of your for listening and helping us build a community of support for Taylor and those like him who are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole, who deserve a second chance at life.   Check out this interview and don’t forget to go to www.lifeofalifer.com 

Cecilia brings this great interview with Antwann Johnson, a wrongly convicted man who is currently serving a life without parole sentence in the state of Missouri.  He has served more than 20 years and still maintains his innocence. 

Despite this fact, he is doing positive things with his time. He and Cecilia discuss his work during the Covid 19 pandemic (which you can read a detailed account of here https://sfbayview.com/2021/05/against-the-odds-for-a-worthy-cause/), wrongly convictions, and other important topics.

Thank you for listening, and please do not forget to join our mailing list at www.lifeofalifer.com. 

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

Hello friends and family,  Taylor here.  Welcome, and thank you for joining us today. We have an exciting program that I'm really thrilled about it. Today I'm going to be interviewing singer and rapper Seth Anthony, a man who has been able to overcome the odds.
This man won't stop and he's making it happen. He's an example of what change is really about, change is a state of mind.  I wrote about this in my book called The Convicted Entrepreneur. He talks about the discipline he gained through years and years of doing time and how he transformed that into a career.
What I like most about this dude is how humble he is, and yet he's got such a confident style and swag, and he's unwilling to sell out. I can't do anything but respect this man, and that's why I support everything he's doing. You'll see Seth on the cover of the next issue of Inside Designed Conviction The Magazine, which is coming out in late January.
Come and listen!
Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Today Cecilia interviews Karen Brown, a woman who was sentenced to life without parole for 25 years at the age of 21. After 35 years incarcerated and applied for parole 3 times, she was denied future hearings, making her sentence an official LWOP. 

Below some relevant information.   

The recent decision about Karen Brown is a textbook example of what is wrong with our KY parole system. Seeing the parole board for the third time, Karen was given a “SERVE OUT” on a life sentence which means she will NEVER be released from prison and can NEVER again be considered for parole.  Karen was 21 when she was arrested and she has been incarcerated for 35 years.  

Karen has labored long over her education, working her way through correspondence courses to a graduate degree in Christian counseling. She purposely found meaningful prison jobs over the years that made a difference – typing books in Braille for the blind, working in the chapel program, using her art and music to inspire others. She's built an excellent institutional record and her Christian commitment is deep.  She has packet thick with her accomplishments and stacks of letters attesting to her rehabilitation that supported her release. She had offers for meaningful employment, and many reentry groups and individuals ready to help her.   

Governor Beshear, Karen's sentence should be commuted and she should be released. 35 years is long enough!  

To support her release visit: https://www.change.org/p/governor-beshear-commute-karen-brown-s-sentence-35-years-is-long-enough 

Thank you, please subscribe and visit www.lifeoalifer.com to learn more about this podcast.

Leonna engages Paul in a very heart discussion about his life before incarceration to the present day. His story starts from a childhood of difficult upbringing due to parent separation. Bad influence from friends and limited parental guidance played some part to all the negativity he went through until he was incarcerated in 1999 at the age of 18. To date he has served 20 years of the 48 years that he is to serve. Paul talks of the mindset of making themselves better criminals that he found most inmates with, something he never agreed with. The support and care of his family gave him the positive energy to rehabilitate himself and use his maturity to help the young men in and out of prison become better persons. It is an inspiring interview that you want to hear and share with the world.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

A new venture with an old friend, remember our friend OG, one of the founders of Manifest something beautiful? 

With a similar concept and mission as Designed Conviction, Manifest Something Beautiful is an independent company whose mission statement is to display their beautiful expressions; through Music, Visuals, Spoken word, and through their clothing line PRVNU [PARVENU]. 

Taylor Conley has kept in touch with them since the first meeting back in 2019. We are now working together as Designed Conviction Entertainment is set to release their EP Titled: Certificate of Perseverance in July.

Thank you for listening. Visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com and subscribe. 

Today Cecilia interviews Jose Armendariz, a man incarcerated at the age of 16. Below is the profile he shared with us. 

My name is Jose Armendariz. I am a 30-year-old Mexican and Salvadoran-American man. I have been incarcerated since the age of 16. At 16, I was tried as an adult and sentenced to 80 years to life. While incarcerated, I have come to embrace what the late Congressman John Lewis called “good trouble.” As I have grown older, I have come to realize that simply expressing my beliefs in social justice does not create change. This motivated me to become a student, writer, and organizer. Whether it cost me my liberty or my life, I will always stand up against injustice.

I earned a paralegal certificate while behind bars. I received material in the mail, studied, and completed self-guided coursework. After earning my certificate, I helped an undocumented incarcerated person who was facing deportation apply for asylum. In 2020, I became an inside organizer with Transforming Justice Orange County (TJOC) and started working at the ACLU SoCal. My work has included reporting conditions of confinement issues, advocating on my behalf and that of others in custody, opposing jail expansion and backwards criminal justice propositions, and voter education and registration behind bars.

As an inside organizer, I have provided recommendations about the direction of campaigns and shared information with other incarcerated people. My written and audio work has been used to provide public comment at Board of Supervisor and Board of State and Community Corrections meetings to advance demands that center on the wellbeing and needs of people behind bars. My op-eds have been published by the Voice of OC, JURIST, and Chispa, and my experiences have been written about in La Opinion, Cal Matters, and LAist.

I also regularly participate in community webinars and panels and share my experiences with students, organizers, and advocates. My lived experience, commitment to racial and social justice, and interpersonal skills have allowed me to make valuable contributions to policy campaigns in OC and beyond. In 2020, I participated in TJOC’s Reimagine Justice in OC workshop series. I was a guest speaker in two workshops. In the same year, I also supported ACLU SoCal’s voter education and registration program called Unlock the Vote. I educated other incarcerated people about voting rights and helped eligible people fill out registration applications. This year, I was a speaker for the California Correctional Crisis: Mass Incarceration, Healthcare, and the COVID-19 Outbreak Symposium organized by UC Hastings Law School.

Throughout these experiences, I have developed leadership and discipline which has allowed me to support other incarcerated people in resolving conflict and raising grievances. Upon my release, I would like to pursue a degree in journalism or creative writing to expose the inhumanity of jails and prisons and uplift the experiences of incarcerated people to inform policy, legislative and organizing work.

 This is a romantic story, so unique, that started in 2015 when Taylor created an online profile to make friends with the world outside. The first person to contact him was Cecilia who actually was in another relationship that was not working out so well; and so they were just exchanging letters and emails as friends. At some point, Taylor felt the urge to put a voice through to her and they exchanged numbers and Taylor called her. That's where it all changed. They arranged a meeting and as Taylor would put it, “it was an instance of love”. They become lovers and best friends, they get married, Cecilia moves from Georgia to  Washington so as to visit more often. Cecilia tells how she finds life sentence without parole too harsh of a punishment with so little to do with rehabilitation. She believes everyone deserves a second chance and that's why she devotes so much time and resources to Designed Conviction. This talk is done on Cecilia’s birthday. Listen to it and find out the amazing gift her husband gives her. You will love it.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Hello friends and family, how are you doing? It's the first of the year but here at the Life of a Lifer got a lot accomplished, we completed our first season of the podcast created inside the pod. The real podcast that you'll ever find, according to our friend OG!

Today we have a great interview with our friend magnetic, a man that overcame a life sentence served 25 years; that's a quarter of a century behind bars and hasn't forgotten where he came from. He's doing good, and now he is sharing his message and his story with people to go ahead and make a difference.

Listen to the interview and let us know if you have any questions, please also listen to how Taylor answer some questions from you guys. 

Thank you and until the next time!

Visit www.lifeofalifer.com

With us today is Chris Cabrera, a Minnesota man who is serving a 27.5yr sentence for 2nd degree murder & 1st degree attempted murder.

Chris says he knows first hand the value of the arts in rehabilitation, and that he has moved past the stage where art is simply a personal tool. He has built programs, taught others and fights vigorously to be a voice for the fallen.

For 10 years Chris ran the only full time art program in the State at Stillwater Penitentiary, he wrote the curriculum and handled the $8,000 materials budget. He also co-founded The Stillwater Writers Collective, Deborah Appleman’s book titled “Words No Bars Can Hold” Chronicles its early development.

In Chris’ words:

“There is certainly a 'cream' that rises to the top, so to speak. There becomes a contingency of inmates that no longer represent the general population; they represent it's potential. All this happens not because of the system but despite it. The system as it stands doesn't make you better, it makes you stronger. It's up to us what we do with our strength. Unfortunately too often it's used to continue to victimize those around us because the system perpetuates pain instead of healing it.”

Hello and welcome to another edition of Life of a Lifer, brought to you by Designed Conviction, my name is Salty Candace. Today we will be speaking with Ezekiel Thomas, a man who was sentenced at the age of 16, for robbery and assault and given 50 years. Ezekiel has served 28 years of his sentence and has been busy working on a project he describes as Transformative Justice.

In 2015 Ezekiel along with Debora McMillen founded the ADAM Project A Prison Outreach Initiative. The primary mission of the ADAM Project prison outreach initiative is to provide sound information on the principles of personal change that can provide a constructive basis for honest self-evaluation by those who are incarcerated. It advocates rehabilitation through re-education. A primary feature of the ADAM Project prison outreach initiative is its conceptual framework for fostering rehabilitation described by Ezekiel as Transformative Justice.

visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Drama equals ratings, and that’s mostly what you see on the show Love After Lockup, and Life After Lockup. But the clips you see edited together for TV doesn’t accurately represent a person as a whole.

Lizzie Kommes is charming, funny, and sweet. Listen to this interview with Taylor discussing her, not about her shows, but about who she is as a person, what she has overcome, and the future she is building for herself.

Hear about how God intervened in her life and helped take her addiction, what she is up to now, and even about her crazy dreams where she visits Hell.

Tune in, you don’t want to miss this.

Check out her website www.lizziekommes.com and visit us for more amazing interviews, articles and more on www.lifeofalifer.com

If you have been following us, you must have noticed Leonna is always ready to help us interview many of our guests. But do you know why she does that? In this interview, Taylor gives Leonna a chance to share her thoughts and point of view on matters of incarceration and integration back into society after a long sentence. Her thoughts and actions she has taken and is still taking in this path will leave you wondering why you haven't joined her course. She cares for both the victims and offenders as well as the families of both parties. She is passionate about communicating rehabilitation to the inmates and forgiveness to the society and government so as to bridge the gap between society and those incarcerated. It’s an extremely inspiring and educating interview that will change how many view and think of those in prisons.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Join us today for our interview with this remarkable artist!
Thank you, Salty Candace, for this great interview

Adrienne La Faye is a Painter, an Author, and filmmaker, and a Community Social Justice Art Educator focused on chronicling the African American diaspora.

Seattle born and raised, a narrator compelled artistic-historian, a woman, an activist, same-gender married, and an African American. She's a defender of the disenfranchised, the marginalized from systemic racist judicial systems. Her exceptional skills as a COLORIST are second to none. Author middle-grade & illustrated by her book titled: “Dream Jumpers the Inheritance.”

Residency recipient of the national 2019 Civil Rights Pilgrimage project. A full-time painter/illustrator, in 2019 she received the City/Artist grant from 4Culture for PORTRAITS OF FORGOTTEN WOMEN project.

2017 honored with the prestigious 4Culture Community Fellowship award.

She established the “Renton Outside Art Gallery in 2017.” An award for exceptional contribution to Renton's Galvanizing Public Art from Governor Jay Inslee.

Also, a recipient of the 2016-17 Solo Art show of Seattle’s Mayor, Ed. Murray’s Art gallery, where she exhibited four different painting series' consisting of twenty-one original paintings.

Adrienne designed La Faye Artist Workshops,” teaching children and adults in her how to paint classes for three organizations.

In 2016 awarded the Chapala Artist residency in Jalisco, MX. She won the highly competitive 2018 4Culture Community fellowship, numerous grants and awards for painting excellence.

KING5 TV EVENING MAGAZINE since to current, has regularly featured Adrienne’s art, social justice, filmmaker and a community teaching artist on their TV station, since 2017 to current. www.king5.com/entertainment/tele…-artwork/411420890

She’s volunteered for several non-profits such as, Renton Municipal Arts Commission, five years, Onyx Arts Collective five years, a teaching artist for youth and adults ten years, Tukwila Arts Commission one year. She has served on several panels, public committees, private boards throughout her artist career.

“I believe in giving back to my community, says Adrienne, whether it be, at large or individually. I'm civically inspired to make the world around me a better place, by rolling up my sleeves and work to make a difference. My work encompasses teaching art to children K-12, volunteer for many causes, especially with social injustices, LGBTQ, and black women rights.”

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

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 from a flesh eating bacteria during his sentence, Mark realized it was time for 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. You don't want to miss this interview on www.lifeofalifer.com

Taylor talks about how he is making the most of the time, finding ways to cope while everything is taken away. Hear about the thoughts and what he has been doing. He describes a couple of pieces of art work and the inspiration behind them, one being a painting which was inspired from a Diego Rivera painting who was a famous Mexican mural painter in the early nineteen hundreds... and the other a graphite pencil drawing that was inspired by a blizzard art piece.

Torie Chisholm is a mentor and teacher for the nonprofit organization Second Chance Quest created by inmates and their families in 2015. He has been also a GED tutor.

Torie has been Incarcerated since he was 15 years old at the Virginia Department of Corrections, 17 years later,  he's now 32. He has a strong network of advocates who argue he got a harsh sentence:  his crime didn't include murder or rape, still the state of Virginia gave him 47 years in prison. 

In his wife words: "I ask could you please help him to fight his case so that he could get out of prison he has 2 kids that had to grow up without their father their whole life I feel as though the state of Virginia was too harsh on him by locking him up at 15 and trial him as an adult." 

He has started a petition and is receiving letters to the governor of Virginia from highly respected individuals, please joining the petition so his loved ones can file for clemency or as well so the governor of Virginia can look at his case! Visit https://www.facebook.com/2ndCQ to support this cause!

Thanks for listening, visit us, leave a review, and subscribe to www.lifeofalifer.com

 Darren shares how he got himself serving a life sentence without parole at the age of 22. He tells Leonna how he made a mistake out of anger and being under the influence of alcohol that led him to the courts where he owned his bad choice and was given a life sentence. What he is doing in there is a lot of positive activities that depict all the efforts he has put in to rehabilitate himself and make something out of life even from within the walls. He talks about the programs that he is involving himself in to learn life skills like anger management that have really helped him to distance himself from violence in the 28 years that he has served. His story gives you the impression that many inmates are in there because of bad choices that they made which does not necessarily mean that they are bad people.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

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/

In this episode of Life of a Lifer, Cecilia interviews David Bomber, a contributor to our magazine.

For most of the part, he wants to bring attention to his case, below his testimony:  

"In a nutshell, I am the first person to be convicted in Virginia's history of both aggravated malicious wounding and second-degree murder [of the same victim] that involved the same act - a stabbing that occurred while defending myself in my home from an assailant. In which case I am currently asking the Governor of Virginia to pardon part of my sentence, the aggravated malicious wounding conviction and resulting sentence of 25 years. 

In addition to that, I also have various pieces of my artwork posted on my website, most of which are renditions. It is also noteworthy to mention that I am currently a college student that is taking courses in General Studies through Southside Virginia Community College."

To visit his website 

www.davidmbomber.wordpress.com

To support his petition for executive clemency:

http://chng.it/MwpbTVqZ

To connect with him on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010160976893

---

Thank you for listening, please visit www.lifeofalifer.com and subscribe. 

Today we are talking with Trevor Brown, an inmate at the  Minnesota Department of Corrections.

Trevor was convicted at the age of 18 and was given a 30 years to life sentence.

Policy changes in Minnesota’s Department of Corrections, for individuals who have served 20 years of their life sentence and who are eligible for parole, is allowing Mr. Brown the opportunity to begin the process of preparing for parole. His next hearing, scheduled for 2025, will be when he finds out if he is approved for a transfer to a minimum security facility where he will be eligible for work programs in the community.

Now, Trevor is  a Student-Teacher with The Power of People Leadership Institute,is currently enrolled in a mechanical engineering and parametric modeling (CADD) program, and he is also contributing to a  book with Dr.Kim Socha, that is entitled: Sonny and Savannah: Dismantling the School to Prison Pipeline in the Age of Hip Hop.

Visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

Taylor interviews Bryan Brunton, a man who spent 11 years in a Florida prison. Almost three of those years were spent in solitary confinement. If one is not aware of solitary confinement it is when sensory stimulation and social contact are extremely limited for an inmate. The majority of research suggests a wide range of psychological and physiological effects associated with solitary confinement. It is designed as a way to break down a person mentally and most people claim that it changes them, often for the worse, causing a slew of psychological issues such as PTSD.

Bryan was able to overcome these odds and while his stint in solitary confinement did change him, he was able to focus on the positive aspects of this. Bryan used yoga as a way of getting through, mentally and physically.

Afterward, Bryan served the rest of his sentence and was released with nothing and no one to turn to for financial support, he was able to move to California and he began to try to piece his life back together.

Bryan did his best looking for work after being released but because of his felony record he found this extremely difficult, at one on point living off of eating apples, but Bryan persevered and would not give up. Today Bryan owns two businesses and is a YouTuber with over 18k fans, telling his life story and sharing his positivity towards others. Listen to the full podcast to hear more on Bryan’s life and hear him and Taylor discuss the issues we have in our society regarding the prison system.

Check out Bryan’s YouTube channel and learn more about why he was sent to jail and why he was stuck in segregation for two and a half years. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_S8-o7r0W979pS8j_7snPw

Listen to more of Taylor’s amazing interviews at www.lifeofalifer.com

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.

 The founder of Designed Conviction tells the world about this wonderful social enterprise. He talks of Designed Conviction from its formation to the delivery of its awesome initiatives on making a difference in the lives of those incarcerated and those that were incarcerated at one point in their lives. It is a talk that will give you all the reasons to join the Designed Conviction community and support its course in all possible ways within your reach.

Remember to visit us at www.lifeofalifer.com

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.

Manifest Something Beautiful is an independent entertainment company. Their goal is to send meaningful messages that resonate with their fans. The artists that make up this group are; Ogaudio_Omyth, Sk, Kaream, FiF Element, Rambo Alkada, and Shawn Kain. 

Not only do they spit powerful lyrics through their hip hop,, but they also create cinematic short videos, customize merchandise, and more.  What the gist of the world is currently outraged by,

 OG has been dealing with throughout his lifetime. He speaks an impactful message throughout this interview on Life of a Lifer that you must hear.   

For more interviews, articles and more check us out at www.lifeofalifer.com

"Hey human" podcast host, Susan Ruth joins Taylor Conley on Life of a Lifer. 

Life of a Lifer’s host Taylor Conley talks with artist, singer, songwriter, and podcast host of Hey human podcast, Susan Ruth, after growing up in Seattle, Washington, Susan sets out to pursue her music career, moving to Nashville and got into songwriting for other artists as well.

Some of her most well-known cuts include Reba McEntire and Lone Star. She now lives in Los Angeles, California, and is doing her podcast while making new music and getting into the screenwriting game, a true artist and authentic person valuing human life on all walks. Be sure to check out her new video.

I can't fuck you. If you don't vote. ..

https://youtu.be/GL6GqoLUGhA

 Taylor speaks with Brian Dolinar, Ph.D. an independent, experienced journalist who specializes in mass incarceration, prison, jails, and police brutality. Similar to Taylor, his goal is to give a voice to those currently and formerly incarcerated as well as their families.

Taylor and Brian speak about how the coronavirus is affecting prisons nationwide, restricting visitations and many facilities are in lockdown.

They go on to discuss senate bills that are coming up in Illinois, Brian’s home state, such as releasing the elderly out of prison and reinstating a parole board, and other legislative measures.

This is a very informative and enlightening discussion that touches base on topics that many are simply unaware of. Many people are uninformed of what is going on pertaining to our laws concerning the incarcerated, especially if they are not connected to anyone in the justice system. We feel that if more people are aware, there will be an outpouring of support that can help influence change.

You can learn more about Brian on his website http://briandolinar.com/. We thank him for being on Life of a Lifer, and to all of your for listening and helping us build a community of support for Taylor and those like him who are serving life sentences without the possibility of parole, who deserve a second chance at life.

Check out this interview and don’t forget to go to www.lifeofalifer.com to subscribe to our digital newsletter for weekly updates from Designed Conviction and Life of a Lifer as well as links to new podcast episodes.

Taylor talks to Dave Dahl, the founder of Dave’s Killer Bread. They discuss the healing properties of art. Dave Dahl is an avid art collector. Art helped change his life, just like Taylor is trying to with his business Designed Conviction.

Dave gave served 15 years in prison, when he was released he started working in his family’s bakery again. He introduced a new recipe for organic non-GMO bread, it became an instant hit at the Portland Farmers Market and Dave became quickly successful. He has given back to his past by hiring formerly incarcerated individuals to work in the factory, giving them a chance. It  says on the website that:

“These individuals demonstrate the commitment, the passion and the power to learn and grow, becoming some of the company’s most valued and trusted workers, filling positions from entry-level jobs to management positions responsible for hundreds of employees and critical bakery operations.”

Taylor and Dave go on to discuss more background of Dave’s story, his music and his view on Life Sentences without parole. He will also be a speaker at our event on April 17th in Longview, WA at the Columbia Theatre. For more information and to buy tickets check out https://www.designedconviction.com/freetaylorproject,

Listen to the rest of this interview and more on www.lifeofalifer.com

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.