Best Michael Shares Strategies That Empowered Him Through Struggle Podcasts (2025)

Do you have a solid, actionable plan to build financial stability or prosperity in your future? That’s a question that relatively few Americans ask themselves. Those who want to do more than ask questions take action. It’s never too early, and it’s never too late to put yourself on the path to prosperity. I’m Michael Santos with Alternative Investm…

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Audry Spade Interview 40:34

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7+ y ago40:34

40:34

Questions from Audry Spade So Michael, you were in your early 20’s when you were convicted and sent to prison. I'm curious about your childhood and the influences you had growing up. How did you arrive at the decision to pursue crime? What kind of technology do you remember people using back before your arrest in 1987? You were arrested for drug tr…

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276: Police Officer Rebounds After Criminal Charge 28:18

8+ y ago28:18

28:18

Federal authorities charged Brett with federal crimes. Since he had worked for several years as a police officer, the criminal charges derailed his life. He decided to cooperate with authorities in exchange for leniency at sentencing. Brett talks about how he has rebounded with a new career since being dismissed from the police force.…

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275: Conquering Life in Prison, Part 3 30:20

8+ y ago30:20

30:20

Luis Rivera succeeded in being released from federal prison, even though a judge sentenced him to serve a life sentence plus 140 years. Learn how his adjustment in prison contributed to his early release and his success.

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274: Conquering Life in Prison, Part 2 30:24

8+ y ago30:24

30:24

A federal judge sentenced Luis Rivera to life in prison, plus 140 years. In Part 2 of Luis's story, we learn how Luis adjusted in a high-security federal prison and we learn how he positioned himself for early release from federal prison.

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273: Conquering Life in Prison, Part 1 30:26

8+ y ago30:26

30:26

In 1995, a federal judge sentenced Luis Rivera to a term of life in prison, plus 140 years. In this episode on Earning Freedom, Luis describes his early adjustment. From his appearance on the Earning Freedom podcast, we know that Luis was released from prison and he now lives as law abiding citizen. Learn how he got out after 30 years in prison.…

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272: Drug Addiction to Prison to Success 22:58

9y ago22:58

22:58

Derek Sauceda began using drugs when he was 10. His drug addictions led him into crime. His crime led him into a series of prison terms that kept him locked in cages for more than 24 years. Now he is a successful case manager with Fathers and Families of San Joaquin Valley. From Derek's story we see that a path exists to overcome struggle.…

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271: Released after 20 Years in Pennsylvania Prisons 23:09

9y ago23:09

23:09

Big D was drawn to the streets as a young man. He looked up to drug dealers and gangsters. Authorities arrested Big D and after his trial, he was sentenced to a term that required him to serve more than 20 years in Pennsylvania prisons. Big D said that he wasted his first 10 years of confinement. Instead of adjusting positively, he lived in prison …

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270: From Violent Offender to Contributing Citizen 30:50

9y ago30:50

30:50

Today I spoke with Billie Gomez, a man who shared a story about his transformation. Billie spoke about growing up in a violent neighborhood and being influenced by gangs. By the time he was 18, he went to prison with a five year sentence. His adjustment in prison led to his receiving additional time. Upon his release from prison, Billie reverted to…

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269: Earning Freedom for Corporate 52:17

9y ago52:17

52:17

Lessons that powered me through 26 years of imprisonment apply to anyone. In today's podcast, I share those strategies with the sales force at Resort Advisory Group.

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268: Preparing Prisoners for Jobs 28:03

9y ago28:03

28:03

Today's episode on Earning Freedom features an interview with Jeff Mould, founder of Second Chance Jobs for Felons. More than 60,000 people who returned to society after time in confinement rely upon his website each month. His website: Second Chance Jobs For Felons Focuses on helping people with criminal backgrounds. By adhering to his advice, peo…

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267: Prison to Successful Businessman 37:45

9y ago37:45

37:45

Weldon Long made some bad decisions as a young man. He went to prison. While incarcerated he struggled until he found education. Once he discovered the power of education, he applied himself fully. Weldon earned an undergraduate in prison and he earned a master's degree in prison. Then, Weldon used his education to build extraordinarily successful …

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266: President Commutes Life Sentence 39:47

9y ago39:47

39:47

President Obama commuted Israel Torres' sentence. A federal judge sentenced Mr. Torres to life in prison. While serving the life sentence, Mr. Torres kept hope alive and focused on steps he could take to prepare for success upon release--he always believed release would come. As a consequence of his successful adjustment, the President granted Isra…

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265: Sharing Stories From Prisoners 30:04

9y ago30:04

30:04

Malik King offers more insight about people serving lengthy sentences in prison. He is an advocate who works to end mass incarceration.

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264: Gambling Addiction Leads to Prison 35:04

9y ago35:04

35:04

Donald Gridiron is on his way to prison. It's a big challenge for anyone, especially for a well educated man who didn't have any previous experience with the criminal justice system. In today's Earning Freedom episode, Donald describes how a gambling addiction led him into the criminal justice system. He also talks about help he received from Justi…

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263: Preparing for Federal Prison 31:46

9y ago31:46

31:46

Scott Clark had been a successful businessman. Some decisions he made regarding raising capital led him to the crosshairs of prosecutors. Soon after agreeing to plead guilty, Scott contacted Justin Paperny of White Collar Prison Advice. That call brought Scott hope. In today's Earning Freedom podcast, Scott speaks about the strategies he learned fr…

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262: From Prostitution to Prison to Success 16:51

9y ago16:51

16:51

Alexis shares her inspiring story on the Earning Freedom podcast. She describes being abused by a pimp as a young woman. After years of prostitution, authorities sentenced her to a lengthy prison term. Upon being separated from her family, she made a commitment to transform her life. While in a prison cell, Alexis stayed away from trouble and focus…

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261: Gang Member to Prison to Professional Actor 24:36

9y ago24:36

24:36

Today's show on Earning Freedom podcast features an amazing success story. Richard Esteras (@RichardEsteras) got involved in crime as a young man. Bad decisions led him to prison. While in prison, he made a decision to change his life. In this episode, he describes how he found strength while locked inside of a solitary cell. Then, he used lessons …

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260: Malik King Inspires People in Prison 22:05

9y ago22:05

22:05

I met Malik King at an event that celebrated FAMM's 25th anniversary in Washington DC. When I met Malik, I asked if he was formerly incarcerated. He told me that he had never been to prison, but he corresponded with more than 200 federal prisoners. He is an inspiration, showing people that even though they may have made bad decisions in the past, t…

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259: From prison to Ph.D--Dr. Michael Endres 38:20

9y ago38:20

38:20

Michael Endres is an amazing man. He went to prison as a young man without much in the way of direction. A violent crime resulted in his receiving a lengthy sentence. While incarcerated, however, Michael realized that he wanted to change his ways. He saw education as being the best opportunity to build a new life. Michael enrolled in school. He ear…

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258: Returning to Society after Decades in Prison 33:58

9y ago33:58

33:58

Today I interviewed Marcus White for the second time. He talks about his adjusting in society after decades in prison. Below is a brief bio he wrote. At nineteen years old the penal system had nearly captured the rest ofmy natural life for gang violence. Sitting in a jail cell paralyzedwith this gripping fear that i'd die in a prison I found myself…

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257: John Thomas and Success after three times in prison 32:12

9y ago32:12

32:12

Success After Three Times in Prison John Thomas started making bad decisions as a young man. He sold drugs and went to prison. While in prison, John continued making bad decisions. Those decisions resulted in his serving many years longer than he had to serve. He could’ve been released after five years. Yet his adjustment in prison resulted in his …

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256: Transformation from State Prison in New York 37:49

9y ago37:49

37:49

Shakoure Char Carpenter grew up in a tough, New York environment. As a young boy, leaders from the streets influenced him. He got sucked into their lifestyle. The friends he chose led him into deeper problems than he could imagine. At 18, authorities arrested him for felony murder. A judge slammed Shakoure with a life sentence. He served 23 years i…

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255: Conquering Prison to Become Success 34:49

9y ago34:49

34:49

Conquering Prison Rodney White is a native of Richmond Virginia and served 15 years of an 18-year sentence for drugs and firearm charges. He tells his inspiring story on the Earning Freedom podcast. After release from prison, Rodney became an award winning sales person, motivational speaker, facilitator, community college academic adviser, and radi…

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254: Gang Leader Transforms in Prison, Becomes Author 35:12

9y ago35:12

35:12

Gang Leader Transformation: Becoming Published Author I interviewed Abner Garcia, a remarkable young man who transformed his life while serving lengthy prison terms. He is an inspiration to anyone in prison, showing that at any time, a man can become more than past bad decisions. He grew up in a gang infested neighborhood and become a product of th…

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253: Former Prison Gang Leaders Becomes Judicial Expert, 2 37:25

9y ago37:25

37:25

Dr. Jesse De La Cruz: Prison Gangster to Community Leader, part 2 So proud to feature part two of my interview with Dr. Jesse De La Cruz, a formerly incarcerated prisoner who emerged incredibly successfully--as a doctor of education and judicial expert. Check out his resume. Listen and watch his amazing two-part story on Earning Freedom, at Michael…

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252: Former Prison Gang Leader Becomes Dr. Jesse De La Cruz 32:43

9y ago32:43

32:43

So proud to feature Dr. Jesse De La Cruz, a formerly incarcerated prisoner who emerged incredibly successfully--as a doctor of education and judicial expert. Check out his resume. Listen and watch his amazing two-part story on Earning Freedom, at MichaelSantos.com Dr. Jesse De La Cruz JSD Consultations P.O. Box 1993 Stockton, CA 95201 Cell: 209-423…

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251: From Decades in Prison to Business Success 33:01

9y ago33:01

33:01

Michael E. Jordan transformed his life while serving multiple decades in prison. He's become a role model for others who aspire to lives of meaning and relevance after struggle. Michael E. Jordan, CEO and Co-Founder |Managing Business Partner - Folsom, CAMichael E. Jordan, was a career Medical Imaging Technologist with over 20 experiences; Mr. Jord…

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250: High School Student Andrew Kang Asks About Prison 27:04

9y ago27:04

27:04

High School student Andrew Kang called to ask about prison. We recorded our conversation to inspire others and to show steps we can talk to improve outcomes of our nation's prison system.