Sponsors & Partners Freedom Scholars Academy (FSM) My Story Matters / Captain Your Story - mystorymatters.org The Other Side Academy (TOSA) - theothersideacademy.com 00:00 - Ryan 01:30 - Sponsors 02:44 - Younglife 04:40 - Didn’t Fit In 07:20 - Sexual Trauma 10:20 - The Substance Spiral 12:50 - Broke His Dad’s Ribs 14:00 - 20 Years of Relapse 19:40 - A New Kind of Addiction 22:00 - Mapping Out a New World 22:50 - My Story Matters 25:50 - Finding Vision 29:35 - We Attract What We Are 33:00 - Y...
Jun 17, 2025•51 min
A Double Lifetime Sentence Sponsors & Partners The Other Side Academy - theothersideacademy.com My Story Matters / Captain Your Story - mystorymatters.org Freedom Scholars Academy Timestamps 00:00:00 George Smith 00:01:38 Sponsors 00:02:39 Young Life 00:08:38 Back to Compton at 16 00:15:08 Filling a Need 00:23:00 Double Life Sentence at 18 years old 00:30:35 A Moment of Reflection 00:47:40 Discovering Miracles 00:50:30 Being an Agent for Change 01:01:50 From Life-Sentence to Free 01:08:34 Ad...
Jun 11, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Sponsors & Partners Freedom Scholars Academy (FSM) My Story Matters / Captain Your Story - mystorymatters.org The Other Side Academy (TOSA) - theothersideacademy.com 00:00 - Travis Richey 01:39 - Sponsors 03:17 - Positive Adolesence 03:40 - Working in Finance 09:40 - “You should’ve known better.” 11:00 - No Smoking Gun in His Case 13:45 - A 2 Year Sentence for an Oversight 16:10 - A Bizzare Disparity in the Judicial System 22:00 - “jail was the worst part of the experience” 27:18 - Finding O...
Jun 03, 2025•57 min
Sierra’s Story & The Other Side Academy Sponsors & Partners Freedom Scholars Academy (FSM) My Story Matters / Captain Your Story - mystorymatters.org The Other Side Academy (TOSA) - theothersideacademy.com Time Stamps 00:35 - Sponsors! 01:50 - Her Story 03:50 - High School 05:00 - DUI at 15 07:16 - Heroine & the Domino 09:40 - Running from Withdrawls 12:00 - Losing Trust 13:00 - Jail at 18 19:00 - Trying to Get Back on Her Feet 26:50 - Moving into a Trap House 28:40 - Starting to Wak...
May 28, 2025•46 min
Manny Lopez LevelupIOP.com Levelup Instensive Outpatient Programs Youtube & Tik Tok: SL Manny Boy Sponsors & Partners Freedom Scholars Academy (FSM) My Story Matters / Captain Your Story - mystorymatters.org The Other Side Academy (TOSA) - theothersideacademy.com Time Stamps 01:45 - Sponsors! 03:38 - Manny’s Story 09:15 - A Bad Deal 11:00 - Learned Love 18:00 - Bonnie & Clyde 23:40 - The Hail Mary 25:40 - The Eleventh Time 13:00 - Self Elevating 35:00 - “Don’t give up on people.” 50:...
May 20, 2025•53 min
Sponsors & Partners Freedom Scholars Academy (FSM) My Story Matters / Captain Your Story - mystorymatters.org The Other Side Academy (TOSA) - theothersideacademy.com 00:00 - Andrew Lewis 01:37 - Sponsors 2:50 - Younglife 5:30 - Early Influences 11:00 - Young Kid Under Pressure 13:31 - Diagnosed with Cancer 14:30 - Drug Store Candy Shop 15:15 - “I wanted to die.” 22:45 - The Other Side Academy 33:15 - Growing with the Company 42:15 - Healing with His Family...
May 14, 2025•45 min
Sponsors & Partners Freedom Scholars Academy (FSM) My Story Matters / Captain Your Story - mystorymatters.org The Other Side Academy (TOSA) - theothersideacademy.com 00:00 - Jeff Allred 01:36 - Sponsors! 02:40 - His Young Life 05:10 - The Rebellious Kick 10:38 - Married at 18 13:20 - Cut Off at 21 18:29 - Arrested for Domestic Violence 20:20 - “All About Me” 24:00 - “Functional Family Man” 26:40 - Losing the Function 29:50 - Losing the Family 32:00 - Rock Bottom 34:15 - The Other Side Academ...
May 06, 2025•47 min
Double Lifetime Sentence + George Smith Sponsors & Partners The Other Side Academy - theothersideacademy.com My Story Matters / Captain Your Story - mystorymatters.org Freedom Scholars Academy Timestamps 00:00:00 George Smith 00:01:38 Sponsors 00:02:39 Young Life 00:08:38 Back to Compton at 16 00:15:08 Filling a Need 00:23:00 Double Life Sentence at 18 years old 00:30:35 A Moment of Reflection 00:47:40 Discovering Miracles 00:50:30 Being an Agent for Change 01:01:50 From Life-Sentence to Fre...
Apr 29, 2025•1 hr 11 min
Born to an addict mom, Savannah Bushman spent her early life living with her aunt and uncle and in spite of their care, she was molested by her cousin over several years. Returning to live with her mother for a short time, she couldn’t fathom how her mom could choose drugs over her own daughter, but even so, her mom had her try meth at age 14. Savannah was immediately addicted. In and out of juvenile detention and several foster homes, she found herself in kiddie prison first, and then at age 18...
Apr 22, 2025•59 min
Welcome to Part 2 of Dave Duroucher's episode of the All My Friends Are Felons Podcast. Dave describes his childhood self as "Dennis the Mennis on steroids." He came from a solid home but by age 12, he started committing crimes which led him down the path of drug addiction and time behind bars. In prison, he became a shot caller for his gang, but eventually realized that his life was on a horrible trajectory. Through hard work and self-reform, Dave sought therapy and was able to turn his life ar...
Apr 08, 2025•1 hr 23 min
I'm joined by Dave Duroucher on this episode of the All My Friends Are Felons Podcast. Dave describes his childhood self as "Dennis the Mennis on steroids." He came from a solid home but by age 12, he started committing crimes which led him down the path of drug addiction and time behind bars. In prison, he became a shot caller for his gang, but eventually realized that his life was on a horrible trajectory. Through hard work and self-reform, Dave sought therapy and was able to turn his life aro...
Apr 01, 2025•58 min
Chris Robertson's story is one of being all in. His mother describes his personality as being able to go from zero to a hundred in nothing flat. As you listen, you'll see why. When he commits to something, good or bad, he goes full throttle. Perhaps that's why, at his last arrest, he went on a three-hour high-speed chase. His prison stint started at 18 and he found himself in and out of federal or state prison for nearly 20 years. During another federal prison term, he started to realize he was ...
Mar 18, 2025•1 hr 9 min
Drew Wilson was born and raised in Cottonwood, California. He grew up in a home that was safe and stable with two parents who with nothing but good intentions almost loved him too much. Protecting Drew from ever experiencing consequences on a small scale when the stakes were low ended up having serious consequences in the long run. Listen as Drew shares a cautionary tale for all of us and as he tells how taking accountability, changing his attitude, and finally finding his own self-worth out of ...
Mar 11, 2025•52 min
Elizabeth Myers emotional story begins in the suburbs of California. Graduating early from high school, she was quickly drawn into the gangs of the nearby ghetto. There her life took dives into places she can barely describe. After several prison stints there, she comes to Utah to escape that world that soon finds her here. She, “never thought about not getting high”. Finally, after 2 prison stints in Utah and an amazing mother in law, she gets 5 years clean. Thinking she was on her way, she did...
Mar 04, 2025•57 min
Sy Snarr and her husband and four children were your typical all-American family living a completely normal life. Crime and addiction had no part in their story. Then, on August 28, 1996, everything changed. Listen as Sy shares her incredible story as the mother of an 18-year-old son who was murdered by a stranger and how she and her family went from seeking the death penalty for the offender to fighting for forgiveness. Sponsors & Partners Freedom Scholars Academy My Story Matters / Captain...
Feb 25, 2025•50 min
Ron Williams life began in Montana. The son of alcoholic parents, he found himself alone and unsupervised most of his young life. He describes how he felt uncomfortable with the mainstream kids. At 12 he spent the night in an adult drunk tank. At 13 he stole his first car. The only love and belonging he felt through his youth was one summer he spent at a youth ranch where momentarily he felt love belonging and security. Ron learned to run at an early age. He ran away from home, from the law, fro...
Feb 18, 2025•45 min
Laura Ostler’s life was saved by The Other Side Academy in Salt Lake City. Born into a family where her parents were preoccupied, she found herself alone feeling she was never enough. Settling became a part of her life. Pregnant and married at a young age, life overcame her as she found herself, after a surgery, addicted to Lortabs. Drugs soon became her solution to any problem, that and a new boyfriend. Though she has always had deep religious leanings, her struggles with identity and drugs con...
Feb 11, 2025•48 min
The first feature you see when you meet Chris Nelson is his baby blue eyes. He grew up in California under the thumb of an alcoholic step dad. At a young age his athleticism stood out and he was deeply involved in football, basketball and baseball. However over time, he gravitated towards the “stoners” and started down that slippery slope. Turning his back on the sports he loved, by the age of 22 he found himself a meth addict. His sister told him how the light had left his beautiful eyes. 14 ye...
Feb 04, 2025•49 min
Brandon Nelson’s story comes from inside the Central Utah Correctional Faacility in Gunnison Utah. Thanks to the UDS for allowing us access to the facility. Brandon he relates the good, the bad and the ugly of prison life. He talks about how, after 7 years of living the cesspool of prison politics, he came to realize that he could do and be better. How he became an integral part of UPrep, a grassroots postsecondary education program started by inmates for inmates rising to be the leader in that ...
Jan 28, 2025•57 min
Collin Carter grew up in Utah. Without a father in the picture and a mother who struggled with her own demons, it wasn't long before bad influences led him down a path that ended in a 27 year prison stay. It was there, fifteen years into his incarceration that Collin caught the vision of his true potential. Whether you're struggling with a child that is making poor decisions, struggling to discover your own potential, or are just wanting to witness the true power of education and hope, you're go...
Jan 21, 2025•51 min
Sponsors & Partners Freedom Scholars Academy My Story Matters / Captain Your Story - mystorymatters.org The Other Side Academy (TOSA) - theothersideacademy.com 00:00 - Patrick 01:36 - Freedom Scholars Academy 01:47 - My Story Matters / Captain Your Story 02:00 - The Other Side Academy 03:10 - The Beginning 12:30 - Missing Guidance 16:30 - Juvenile System 23:04 - First time in Jail 30:00 - “The small things are holding me back.” 42:15 - The Seeds of a New Life are Growing 44:00 - Captain Your...
Jan 17, 2025•56 min
Known by her “new” brothers as their “Palangi” sister, Paige Norton is an incredible advocate for those incarcerated in the prison in Salt Lake City. Though small in stature, she stands tall amongst the men and families she serves in her non-profit, Paige Norton Advocate. A little farm girl whose family has deep roots in her faith, Paige has found herself deep in a world she could never imagine and that she would never turn away from. Victor Hugo’s favorite motto was, Aimer c’est Agir. (to love ...
Jan 07, 2025•57 min
Robbie Simpson spent much of his young life in a rural community. Problems at home mixed with struggles to fit in sent him down a rabbit hole of self-doubt and insecurity. Sadly, he learned to cope by escaping into pornography which really messed with his ability to engage in authentic relationships at any level. 3 marriages, 2 prison terms and a lot of infidelity later he finally decided he wanted to be truly happy and realized he need a new path. Now, he has come to himself and with the base o...
Dec 17, 2024•1 hr 5 min
Matt Harward’s story is a bit of an anomaly. In spite of finding himself in the punk rock world at a young age, Matt never got involved in the drug or alcohol scene. Married at a young age, he did his best to provide for his wife and young son. Then anxiety set in and mix that with the counter culture popularity of his band, he found himself on his way to prison. Serving a 0 to 5 sentence, he describes some of the crazy parts of prison life. Soon, he finds himself in a privileged section and is ...
Dec 10, 2024•59 min
Asia Willis grew up in a strong middle class family with caring parents. She was very active in sports and was a standout on the basketball court. After a stint at college, she returned to her old neighborhood and found herself choosing to go after the fast money. Those decisions found her in trouble with the law for the very first time followed by a 7 year prison sentence. There, rather than finding politics and gangs and racism, she tells her unique story of find nurturing, caring women in pri...
Dec 03, 2024•37 min
If I were to describe Justin Kruger, I would say he is, “the most interesting man in prison” and now on the streets. Arrested at 16 and incarcerated for over 20 years, his entire education was acquired by his own efforts on the inside. His young life turned to turmoil as his mother passed away when he was 14 and he was abandoned by his father. He quickly learned to adapt and survive. That skill followed him into prison. Articulate, thoughtful, well rounded, Justin lives a very productive life st...
Nov 26, 2024•47 min
Morgan Dimmitt grew up in a fairly normal world. Though his parents were divorced, he felt cared for and nurtured. Finding his place on a football field, he was a standout on his high school football team, even headed for college. Problem was, he couldn’t control his aggression and found himself fighting, again and facing charges. That aggression was likely greatly enhanced because of the use of weed and alcohol. His life began to spiral soon becoming addicted to about every drug on the market. ...
Nov 19, 2024•55 min
Jay Alexander’s young life was anything but stable. Always on the move, he struggled to find a place in the world. While stumbling through high school, an assistant principal identified his difficulties and brought him and gave him the assignment of helping other students who struggled to learn math and English. Little did he know that would reappear later in life has he worked as a recovering addict in the First Steps rehabilitation facility in Salt Lake City. Throughout his life, Jay had peopl...
Nov 12, 2024•50 min
Sponsors & Partners The Other Side Academy (TOSA) - theothersideacademy.com My Story Matters / Captain Your Story - mystorymatters.org 00:00 - Brittany Blake 01:38 - The Other Side Academy 01:52 - My Story Matters / Captain Your Story 03:21 - Early Life 13:30 - Criticism and Frustration 15:45 - Finding Acceptance 18:00 - A Close Call 20:15 - Her High School Experience 24:00 - Surgery and Opiates 29:50 - Telling Her Parents about the Abuse & Starting Therapy 36:00 - The Importance of a Su...
Nov 05, 2024•49 min
Nate Williams started gang banging at a very early age in Compton California. He stole his first car, a low rider, from a rival gang at age 13. By 17 he was arrested and eventually sentenced to 25 to life in prison. After 32 years down, he now spends his life as an advocate for cultural reform. For the past 11 years, as the founder of Choices For Freedom, Nate spends his time working in the juvenile detention facilities in California, his life is dedicated to helping other youth avoid the path h...
Oct 29, 2024•46 min
