Earning Freedom With Michael Santos

Success After Prison!How I Built Assets Worth $1 million Within Two Years of Release from 26 Years Inside (And How You Can Succeed, Too)My name is Michael Santos and I’m writing this book in a conversational style, wanting to share the story of my return to society after 26 years as a prisoner. This book isn’t about prison. It’s about overcoming struggle, or more precisely, about strategies I used to overcome challenges associated with long-term confinement. I’m convinced that we all face struggles or challenges at some point. Anyone can use the same strategies that empowered me to conquer struggle in their life. I’m sure of it. Before I get into the strategies, let me explain why I’m writing this book so soon after finishing my prison sentence. Judge Charles Pyle, a federal judge from Arizona reached out to me in early 2015. I didn’t know Judge Pyle, but he had heard about my journey and my work to improve outcomes for people who’ve been to prison. The judge and his team were coordinating the Ninth Circuit J

John Odermatt is the host of Felony Fridays, a podcast that appears each Friday on the Lion's of Liberty Show. I'm happy to feature an interview that John did with me yesterday on his show. Also, I urge people to visit Lions of Liberty and Felony Friday. They work together to bring more awareness to injustices within our justice system.

Andrew Crowe started getting in trouble with the criminal justice system when he was a child. He served longer than a year in custody when he was 14. Then he made a series of bad decisions that brought him through various jails and prisons on more than 15 separate occasions. After serving a four-year term, he managed to stay free for 20 years--but not because he wasn't violating crimes. Andrew just avoided getting caught. Recently, he was released after serving a lengthy period of time in prison. Andrew discusses how his adjustment in prison is contributing to his prospects for success upon release.   Help spread the word on why we should reform our prison system by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the Earning Freedom podcast on iTunes. Click this link to subscribe, rate, and review.  

I received a message from Ambassador Mounouni Dieguimde. Somehow, he had found the Earning Freedom podcast. Stories of other people who overcame challenges with the criminal justice system inspired him. He told me how authorities once targeted him for a bribery offense and charged him in federal court. Despite those charges, he has risen to become a successful leader. He is now an ambassador representing multiple West African countries. Listen to his story on Earning Freedom.

Christina McDowell led a charmed life before authorities arrested her father, a prominent securities lawyer. As a consequence of her father's misdeeds, Christina found her life in total disarray. She was a freshman in college. Yet her father had taken out credit in her name, leaving her with more than $100k in debt. She had to drop out of school and join the workforce. In today's podcast, she discusses her strategy for overcoming. She authored a best selling book: After Perfect Now Christina works toward the building of a better society. Contact her at the following locations: ChristinaMcDowell.com Christina.McDowell1016@yahoo.com  

Jimmy Hamilton served 30 years in federal prison. While incarcerated, he made a decision to live a life of meaning and relevance. He educated himself, earning a university degree. Jimmy's successful adjustment resulted in his being transferred to lower-security prisons. While confined at a federal medical center in Lexington, Jimmy provided hospice care to dying prisoners. His life shows that regardless of what bad decisions an individual has made in the past, it's never too early and it's never too late to begin preparing for success.

Life in Prison, Episode 2 Authorities convicted Jimmy Hamilton of a serious crime when he was 20. As a consequence of a conviction for murder, a judge sentenced Jimmy to life in prison. He began serving his sentence in high security penitentiaries. While serving a life sentence, Jimmy transformed his thoughts and adjustment. Those decisions he made while serving his life sentence resulted in his being transferred to lower-security prisons. He talks about how opportunities opened as he moved into a better environment.

Life in Prison, Episode 1 Jimmy Hamilton went to prison with a life sentence when he was 20 years old. Initially, he adjusted to the ways of the high security penitentiary. He engaged in misbehavior, used drugs, participated in violence. Then, an encounter with his grandmother resulted in his change. Jimmy tells his story on episode 1 of a multi-episode series about returning to society after a life sentence.

Marisa Feil is an immigration attorney in Montreal. She has a specialty practice that serves people with felony backgrounds in the United States. If those individuals want to travel to Canada, they need to coordinate permission from Canadian authorities. Marisa and her team have built a practice to help. In today's podcast, Marisa talks about challenges individuals with felony backgrounds must overcome if they want to obtain permission to travel to Canada. Ideally, those people will have completed their prison and probation sentence. They also will have achieved a number of accomplishments that will reflect the individual's commitment to live as a law-abiding life. Listen to Marisa's episode on Earning Freedom if you have a felony background and you want to learn how to position yourself for permission to travel to Canada. You may contact Marisa at the following locations: Info@FWCanada.com duicanadaentry.com Canadianimmigration.net FWCanada.com Twitter: @fwcanada

Kenyatta Leal continues his story of transforming while serving life in prison. As a result of his adjustment in prison, Kenyatta changed his mindset. Instead of surrounding himself with gang members and those who embraced the criminal lifestyle, Kenyatta focused on success. He educated himself. He introspected. He participated in programs that would condition him for success. Those decisions led to actions. His actions brought him to the attention of people who believed in him. When he concluded his prison term, Kenyatta had an internship waiting for him with Rocket Space, a premier company in San Francisco that serves the technology industry. Listen to Kenyatta tell his inspiring story on the Earning Freedom podcast.   Help spread the word on why we should reform our prison system by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the Earning Freedom podcast on iTunes. Click this link to subscribe, rate, and review.  

Kenyatta Leal overcame a life sentence. He grew up around gangs and crime. As a young man, he was convicted for armed robbery. While serving a five-year sentence, he earned his GED but didn't do much to change his life. After less than four years in prison, authorities released him. When Kenyatta returned to society, he resumed the same type of behavior that led him to prison the first time. He was only free for five months. Then, an officer pulled his car over. As a consequence of Kenyatta's criminal record, the officer searched Kenyatta's car. The search revealed a firearm and an arrest followed. Although Kenyatta thought he would be proceeded through the system for violating a condition of release, he faced new charges. After a conviction, the judge sentenced Keyatta to a term of 25 years to life in prison. In this first of two episodes, Kenyatta reveals how he transformed his life.

Antonio Hernandez grew up in a crime-infested area of New York. He sold drugs and became a member of the Latin Kings street gang before he was a teenager. In time, he built a name for himself within the gang as King Tone. As a consequence of his actions, he served decades in prison, always in high-security. While serving time in special housing units, he transformed his life. Now he contributes to society in positive ways, speaking in schools and prisons to help reform gang members into productive citizens.

Dan went to prison for convictions related to pharmaceutical drugs. He served a 42-month sentence. As a consequence of his participation in a drug-treatment program, the Bureau of Prisons released him 12 months early. He is now in a federal halfway house and he shares his story. You can read more about Dan by visiting his website at RDAPDan.com   Help spread the word on why we should reform our prison system by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the Earning Freedom podcast on iTunes. Click this link to subscribe, rate, and review.  

I've been recording an audio version of Success After Prison. Today I made a mistake and recorded one episode on audio, but not the video. So I had to redo the episode. Rather than throw away the audio, I decided to publish it as a draft. Let me know if the presentation works for you.   Help spread the word on why we should reform our prison system by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the Earning Freedom podcast on iTunes. Click this link to subscribe, rate, and review.  

In January I returned to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The warden of the United States Penitentiary in Atwater invited me. My purpose in going was to speak with the men about the Earning Freedom Mastermind Course. I'm really excited to announce that the men at USP Atwater will receive the Earning Freedom Mastermind Course, and also a library of Earning Freedom Mastermind episodes. I recorded those episodes to show people in prison how their behavior in prison would relate directly to their prospects for success upon release.   Help spread the word on why we should reform our prison system by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the Earning Freedom podcast on iTunes. Click this link to subscribe, rate, and review.  

Andres Lopez grew up in a rough part of Chicago. He described it as being filled with gangs and violence and crime. When he was a young boy, his brother was murdered in a gang-related incident. Rather than shying away from such behavior, Andres participated. He went to juvenile hall. Then he went to prison. While incarcerated, Andres made a commitment to transform his life. He said the first step was to earn his GED. Then he enrolled in a correspondence program to earn a paralegal certificate. He developed writing and typing skills. And he learned how to avoid interactions with prisoners who fed into the negativity. Instead, Andres focused on success. In today's podcast, Andres describes how his adjustment in prison resulted in his success upon release.  Help spread the word on why we should reform our prison system by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the Earning Freedom podcast on iTunes. Click this link to subscribe, rate, and review.  

Glen Smith sold more than $50 million worth of real estate in 2015. He is the most successful sales professional for the company that sponsors Earning Freedom. I asked Glen to share the strategy he used to develop strong skills as a sales professional. He said that he continues to develop his sales skills by learning from leaders like Ryan Stewman, the Hardcore Closer. Ironically, I featured Ryan on the previous episode. I will use this episode as a resource to teach people in prison how they can develop skills that will translate into success upon release. But anyone can learn from a man who has closed more than $50 million in sales! Help spread the word on why we should reform our prison system by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the Earning Freedom podcast on iTunes. Click this link to subscribe, rate, and review.  

Ryan Stewman emerged from prison to build multi-million dollar businesses. How did he do it? He lived a life of discipline and integrity. His work ethic reflected a commitment to be the best in the world at what he does. On today’s Earning Freedom podcast, we learn from a true mastermind of overcoming struggle and adversity. Ryan reveals techniques he used to become the Hardcore Closer.   Help spread the word on why we should reform our prison system by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the Earning Freedom podcast on iTunes. Click this link to subscribe, rate, and review.  

Ryan Stewman made bad decisions as a young man. He went to prison on two separate occasions. While inside, however, Ryan developed his skillset and prepared himself to emerge successfully. Exceptional communication skills resulted in Ryan becoming a leader in every venture he pursued. He became a leader working in carwashes, in mortgage banking, in sales, and in real estate. Today is an entrepreneur, earning millions through training and technology programs he offers. If you’re interested in sales, check out TheHardcoreCloser.com or like his Facebook page.   Help spread the word on why we should reform our prison system by subscribing, rating, and reviewing the Earning Freedom podcast on iTunes. Click this link to subscribe, rate, and review.