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Latest episodes from JOURNEY OF HOPE WITH RODNEY MATHERS (mathersrodney@yahoo.com)

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (229)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2023 26:03


Hello! Dr. David Jobes is my guest on this episode. Our discussion centers around that ugly word, suicide. Dr. Jobes provides expert-level information about the treatment of incarcerated individuals in this area. Please check out his impressive background and current affiliations. Dr. David Jobes For more information on CAMS Click! David's Books - Click! See ya'll soon!

mathers jobes
Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers 228

Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 20:53


Welcome! Ever thought about starting your own business? My guest this week thinks it's a good option for ex-offenders and we discuss that on this episode.  Lifeline to a Soul is a book written by my guest, John McLaughlin. The book is about John's experiences teaching entrepreneurship to inmates.    Check our discussion on this episode!

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (227)

Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 20:57


Hello ! Welcome to the podcast. My guest this week is Frank Dimaio. Frank's latest book, A Promise Made, a Promise Kept, caught my attention. The book is a study on how to deal with grief. What does grief have to do with serving time in prison? Short answer - a lot! There are an incredible amount of "professionals" in the state prison systems. Now, it is not the majority or even close to it, but there are a surprising number of people with white collar backgrounds. Men and women that hold degrees and had a career in their chosen field of study are often overlooked in my view. Still, what does learning about grief have to do with this? Men and women who have come from white collar backgrounds and have spent substantial periods of time in prison no longer have the life they had prior to prison. These men and women are released into a world where those previous lives no longer exist.  My guest this week lost his wife to breast cancer and has dealt with the grief that stems from such a tragedy. We spoke about grief and how things learned from his experience may help us deal with grieving our former lives and help us to move forward.

Journey Of Hope With Rodney Mathers (226)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2022 24:35


    Hello! John Mandala did twenty years flat. Once out, he wrote a couple of books. One of these books in particular, After Prison A Way To Succeed, caught my eye. While looking to explore the book,  I also learned quiet a bit about John. The book addresses ways to approach various things we need for the best chance at a successful life after incarceration. In addition, John fills us in on his experiences. Join us for our discussion! Just a little side note - I've been doing this podcast since May of 2010. Twelve years. If God is for you, who can be against you?

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (225)

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 21:05


Hi there! I think reintegration is is two things. First of all, it is overcoming adversity. Secondly, it is having reasonable expectations. Both of things are big time difficult! Whenever I find someone that has achieved these two things, I want to pick their brain for ideas.   This episode takes a look at such a person. Steve Borys is such a person and I speak with him about his book and his successful life. If God is for us, who can be against us?  

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (224)

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 13, 2022 11:29


Greetings! Quick extra episode -  More and more, I'm finding it more satisfying and informative to share the tidbits I've learned about the reintegration of offenders. In addition, although I receive many requests to be interviewed on the podcast, I'm not finding the guests that are beneficial to our quest. I have several topics I'd like to throw out there for contemplation anyway so the timing  is actually good! On this episode, I suggest the idea of "Restorative Justice". This, in my view, is the way some convictions could be handled so that the victim, offender, and society at large can move forward in a safe and productive way.  Join me as I talk about what Restorative Justice is and how it works. If God is for you, who can be against you?  

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (223)

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2021 8:16


Hi there! I hope everyone is well!  It has always disappointed me to see people get out of prison and go right back to their old, destructive behaviors. Frankly, I think for some of us it's really easy to fall back into that trap . I haven't personally had to deal with that however and I think, for me,  it comes from prison and parole being a punitive experience - for me.  I don't want to go back! Last week, there was an incident in Houston that was a reminder to me of how easy it can be to allow yourself to create a detrimental thought life. We should never forget that behaviors begin with thoughts. Those thoughts can start so very easily!!  This guy, Travis Scott, the rapper who put the fatal Astroworld music festival together is the topic of my discussion on this episode of the podcast. I basically posit that we, as people who have lost years of life and suffer the enduring consequences of being a convicted felon, should be careful about what we allow to enter our thought life. I further believe that rebellion and violence laden song lyrics, running as the backing track to our daily lives is very dangerous. Why would we allow a thug like Travis Scott any where near our lives in any capacity? Remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?  

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (222)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 30, 2021 21:52


Welcome! My guest this week has dealt with and is dealing with a level of adversity that should give us all cause to reflect on what we are doing to deal with the adversity associated with reintegration. Terry Tucker has cancer and has been fighting it for over 9 years. His attitude and determination inspire me and when we started the interview I wanted to find out how he achieved his positiveness. Terry explains his methodology as we chat on this episode. As always, I am sure there is something in his story that you can use in your struggle.  You can check out more about Terry Tucker here: motivationalcheck.com  If God is for you, who can be against you?   

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (221)

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2021 20:04


Hello and welcome! My guest this time is Pete Cossaboon. Pete did a little bit of federal time and because of his conviction had to reinvent himself.  He's done a a fantastic job of turning his adversity into a successful and satisfying way of life. Pete is a life coach and has several on-line courses which look great and I recommend you take a look at what he has to offer. However, our paths cross with Pete at the point where he turned his situation around. Join me as I talk with Pete about what it took to do that.  I think you'll find there are helpful ideas in his story. If God is for you, who can be against you.

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Play Episode Listen Later Aug 25, 2021 21:12


Hello Everyone! I seldom have repeat guests on the podcast. I've always figured that once someone shares their ideas with us it's time to move on and see what else we can learn. Despite the fact that this podcast is tiny I have never had a problem getting guests. In fact, I turn down many more than I consider and eventually book. My guest this week, Bracha Goetz is an exception to the rule. A Harvard grad, Bracha can go deep on fighting addictions. Addictions are one of the leading causes of recidivism and if you're struggling, Bracha just may have some ideas that can ease your struggle. If God is for you, who can be against you?

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (219)

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2021 15:49


Welcome! In this episode I take a look at a Harvard study on what is needed for a successful re-entry. At first it seems to be the same old stuff but there is a surprise addition to this particular study. It's something I've been saying for a long time! Check it out.... Also, I've got some information on a telephone scam that targets felons. You should be aware of this. The scammer almost got me! If God is for you, who can be against you?

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (218)

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2021 35:03


Welcome! Throughout the time I've been doing this podcast, I've stayed away from looking backwards. Things like prison conditions, abusive guards, sentencing, and other topics related to being in prison are not the purpose of the podcast. I want to put prison behind me and move on with life in a way that proves I am worthy of the second chance I've been given.  However, that 7 years and 11 months I did, is a reality that can not be denied. I think about it all the time. I think maybe I've been a little too harsh about staying away from all that on the podcast.  My guest on this episode is Shane Flemmons. Shane did a few a years and has written about his experiences in two books: Conviction and Deep Convictions. The books are evidence of the disfunctionality of prison and the lessons learned from the experiences and stories of other inmates. Join us as we chat with Shane about these things and more on this episode. If God is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2021 22:19


Hello! Sometimes I think it's good to focus on ourselves. We' are not being overly self-centered when we think about, consider, and execute strategies to improve "anything" about ourselves.  By the word "anything" I mean aspects of our physical and mental health. As we all know, the hurdles to be jumped to achieve successful  reintegration are very, very, tall. In my opinion, taking inventory and addressing our physical and mental health is an important part of life after incarceration.  My guest this week, Jenny Mannion, has some ideas on how to address these rough spots  - whether they be physical or mental. This is the focus of my chat with Jenny and I think you will find what she has to say insightful and worth exploring. Jenny Mannion ( click for more info. on Jenny) Remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?

god mathers jenny mannion
Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (216)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2021 18:50


Hello! Let's do some thinking about expectations.  Is it possible to expect too much from ourselves? Is there a difference between expectations and goals? How about our expectations of other people? How do we keep our expectations reasonable?  My guest on this episode, Ben Winter, helps us figure out how to manage our expectations. He wrote a book about this, What To Expect When Having Expectations. Check out my interview with Ben Winter. If God is for you who can be against you?  

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (215)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2021 9:51


Welcome! I hope you're doing well! I've been thinking for quiet some time that doing an episode on sex addiction would probably be a good thing to do but frankly, actually going about doing it has seemed a little awkward. I've looked at guests to interview and there are some experts in recovery with professional credentials that I may still try to interview. But ultimately,  I decided to share some facts, look at the negative issues that arise from sex addiction, and share some resources for getting help.  As we work to become productive citizens, we don't need something like this getting in our way! Bottom line: Sex addictions are a very bad thing. Nothing good comes from porn in general and I'm convinced it's a one way street that goes nowhere.  If you need help,  it's available for free. I've included three resources below. If God is for you, who can be against you? SAA -  12 Step S anon - for familiy members of addicts sexhelp.com - povides a self evaluation and therapist search tool    

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (214)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2021 27:00


Hello! I hope everyone is safe and warm. It has been a rough week here in the Houston area! Three has been record cold, ( 11 degrees a couple of nights ago),  major power outages,  water outages,  and empty grocery store shelves. All of this is on top of Covid. Wow! My heart goes out to people walking out of prison into this mess because while freedom feels great, there is a reality here that can make getting restarted even tougher.  My guest this week, Lois Hollis will help us to address some the emotions we feel while getting ourselves going again. Namely, we will be talking about guilt and shame.  Lately, I've been turning down interview requests because I just haven't seen anything we haven't covered before. I can not recall however devoting an entire show to a discussion on how guilt and shame can adversely affect our progress as we reintegrate. Lois talks about the importance of eliminating shame and guilt and how to go about doing that. Lois Hollis Remember, if God is for you, who can be aginst you?    

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Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2021 15:37


Hello Everyone! I came across a really good article on overcoming adversity I wanted to share. Overcoming adversity is a topic this podcast will always put front and center. Ultimately,  that's what getting out of prison and successfully getting what cased that to happen in our rear view window. How do we get from prison and the action that resulted in prison turned into an experience we can use to propel us forward into a clean life we can be proud of?  That's what overcoming our adversity is. Hopefully there is something in this week's podcast that helps you on your journey to achieving that. Click HERE  for the article. If God is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Jan 18, 2021 19:15


Hello and Happy New Year! Hello everyone! I hope this year brings wonderful things to you!  I wanted to spend some time talking about the National Institute of Corrections. The National Institute of Corrections is an arm of the Justice Department and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. I'm sure they do great work...except for issues of reintegration. Inconsistent data and kicking the can down the road are immediately apparent when it comes to this government agency caring about what happens to people when they leave prison. Their general philosophy, appears to me, to pass the buck to an issue of public policy instead of addressing reintegration in any meaningful way for prisoners on their way out. They give lip service, in my view, to the issue to avoid political incorrectness and to keep from appearing to have no empathy. They aren't getting it right and it doesn't appear to me that they really much care to. I point out some things I've noticed about these guys on this episode. I also wanted to spend a little time talking a little bit about dealing with stress. I hope there is something in that discussion that you can use! As always remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?  

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Play Episode Listen Later Dec 1, 2020 25:31


Hey there! My guest on this episode is Dr. Aimee Harris Newon. Dr Aimee is a board certified integrative psychologist, author, speaker, and success coach. We tapped Aimee's knowledge on PTSD, and addiction and suggestions on how to identify and get help with those issues.  Dr. Aimee can be heard on her weekly radio show in Chicago on WCPT 820 AM.  Join me for my discussion with Dr. Aimee Harris and look for that tid-bit of information that will help you as you you work toward reintegration. If God is for you, who can be against you?

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (210)

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2020 24:04


Hello everyone! My guest this week has an interesting story about about overcoming devastating adversity. I've been doing this podcast for 10 years now and it always amazes me what some people go through in their lives! More than that, I continue to see over and over again how strong we human beings are. I like to feature these people and their stories from time to time because there is always at least a tidbit of knowledge we can identify in these struggles that can help us in our own journey. Nipples To Kneecaps: To Die Or Not To Die With Cancer My guest on this episode is Mandy Brown. Mandy tells her amazing story which includes her partner's diagnosis of cancer in which he was given three months to live. That was 10 years ago...... Check out what she's learned along the way and how her knowledge might be applied to the hurdles you face in your return home.  Remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?  

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Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2020 25:22


Hi There! My guest on this episode is Lisa Kohn. Lisa has great a great story about getting past the unresolved childhood issues that have, unknowingly in many cases, resulted in harmful behaviors as adults. Lisa's story involves judges, drugs, sex, rock and roll, and the Moonies. How could you possibly not want to hear this?  It's all detailed in her book To The Moon And Back A Childhood Under The Influence  You'll hear in our discussion the issues that arose during a rather wild childhood and how Lisa overcame those issues to go to Cornell, graduate school at Columbia University, and to experience success in her life. It is my hope that you can find something in Lisa's story that will be useful to you in your journey. If God is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2020 19:46


Hello! I'm always looking for people to interview that have some ideas on overcoming adversity. I was lucky to come across this episode's guest through my friends at Radio Guest List.  This week I interviewed  Michael Stawicki on a phone call from Poland Michael has 17 book titles to his name and and most of his books focus on techniques in overcoming adversity. Join for my chat with Michael. If God is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Aug 11, 2020 22:13


Hello there! You ever have a night in which no matter what you do, you can't fall asleep? I do.  Occasionally I'll find myself ruminating about whatever issue has popped up (as issues do) and it keeps me from getting any sleep. We've all been there. Reintegrating into society is alone enough to cause the kind of anxiety that results in restless nights let alone all the other pressures of life.  My guest today, Sondra Kornblatt, has a rather unique way of approaching these nights and I hope by listening to her you can find a way to get some rest on those nights when you're tossing and turning. One of the books she's written, Restful Insomnia, addresses this issue and and Sondra shared some of her techniques with us in our interview. Check out my chat with Sondra Kornblatt on this episode. If God is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2020 24:21


Hello ! My guest today, Rhonda Farrah, is said to have many years experience as an educational counselor and psychotherapist. Rhonda is now an empowerment coach that has the kind of perspective we seek when looking for help with our reintegration. She's a felon. Rhonda knows exactly what we're going through because she's been there.  Join me for my chat with Rhonda as we discuss life after prison. I'm sure you'll find something you can use in your reintegration. If God is for you, who can be against you?

god mathers rhonda farrah
Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (205)

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2020 16:26


Welcome! My Guest this week is Bracha Goetz. Bracha is most known for the dozens of children's books she's written. I think there are 36 of them. However, we're going to be speaking to Bracha about addictions. She has written a book for adults called (click for Bracha's book) Looking For God In The Garbage. Bracha addresses beating a food addiction and and explains that the way she did it can be useful in addressing all sorts of addictions. This is where our path crosses with Bracha Goetz. If God is for you, who can be against you?  

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Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2020 21:48


Hello! I hope your're coping with whatever strangeness has come your way because of our new....whatever this is. Transitioning from incarceration to the real world is challenging enough without this bizarre Covid 19 curve ball. Let's keep moving forward! Sometimes, problems we experience can have their roots in our childhood. If we can find the trauma,  we can address it and work through it. My guest this week is retired psychiatrist Anne Redelfs. Anne has very important information for us to consider regarding past trauma and the way that trauma, when left unaddressed, can affect us in adulthood. Join me for my conversation with Anne on this episode of the podcast. If God is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2020 13:53


Welcome, Despite this bizarre time, we still need to pay our bills and buy groceries. In fact, there are ex-offenders that were in the middle of a job search when this all began. So, I thought we could talk a little about job searches on this episode.  Covid-19 and the riots don't stop our lives! We have to keep moving forward.  I found a great site that has some very good job related information for ex-offenders. The site is called Career One Stop. The site is sponsored by the United States Department of Labor.  On this episode I point out a few items that jumped out at me and i encourage you to look at the site and read through their excellent material.  If God is for you, who can be against you?  

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Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2020 21:03


Hello! I hope everyone is staying safe. My guest this week is gentleman by the name of Nelson Dacier. In Nelson's story we find a man who went from being an attorney to a convicted felon. Today, he's turned it all around and he is a counselor and an author. What we want to know is if there are any tidbits of his overcoming adversity we can use in our journey to overcome the adversities we face. Join me for my chat with Nelson Dacier.  Google Nelson to learn more about him and find his book. If God is for you, who can be against you?  

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Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2020 21:09


Hello! On this Episode, Robert Galinsky calls in from New York. Robert was on the show back in 2017 and it was certainly time to catch up.  Robert has a long list of achievements and accomplishments in theater, as an author, and is active in speaking out on justice related causes. The latter is where our paths cross. Robert has a lot of good information available with a simple google search! Since he's experiencing the nightmare that is currently happening in New York, we spent a little bit of time talking about that as well. Join me for my conversation with Robert Galinsky on this week's episode. If God is for us who can be against us? 

god new york mathers robert galinsky
Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (200)

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 30, 2020 16:22


Hello Everyone! Hopefully you're staying safe! On this episode I take a look at our situation and pass on a few thoughts I have about it all. There were 3 major pandemics in the 20th century. The 1918 Spanish Flu, the 1957 Asian Flu, and the 1968 Hong Kong Flu took a huge toll on life in the United States. These numbers are approximate but generally agreed upon to be close: Spanish Flu - 195,000, Asian Flu - 116,000, Hong Kong Flu - 100,000. I had no idea that many lives were lost in the United States to those pandemics. It looks like this could be a pandemic that has those kinds of numbers in the United States. Wash you hands 15 times a day! Social Distancing! Stay Home as much as possible!  Remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?  

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Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2020 23:50


Welcome! Faust Ruggiero is my guest this week. Faust is an author and a therapist and has worked in a variety of therapeutic settings over a 40 year period. In this episode, I spoke with Faust to get his ideas on integration and how we as ex-offenders can work through the adversity in ways in which we experience peace and being content.  Check out my interview with Faust! Faust Ruggiero If god is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2020 22:43


My guest this week, Kam Knight, has written several books in the area of mental performance. He calls himself a "mind expert", and is going to be giving us his thoughts on how we can control our thoughts and decisions. Being able to do this in various situations under a variety of stress factors is obviously important. But honestly, can you say you're able to do this 100% of the time? Join me for my conversation with Kam Knght on this week's episode. If God is for you who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Feb 16, 2020 22:08


Hello Everyone! My guest today is named Melissa Snow. Melissa Snow is a life coach that has a lot to say on the topic of relationships. More specifically, Melissa Snow is versed in relationships in which one partner has a felony conviction. These relationships have an extra bit of strain on them. Melissa speaks from experience and identifies what these strains are and how to handle them. This is an important episode for those of us dealing with the ongoing processes involved with reintegration.  I really liked the things Melissa had to say in our interview and I'm positive you'll get something out of our chat. Remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?  

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Play Episode Listen Later Jan 27, 2020 21:40


Hello! I came home from prison in 2008. I was gone for 7 years and 11 months. There were instantaneously recognizable changes along with some surprise about things that hadn't changed. I've been home 12 years and off paper since 2010 when my sentence discharged.  This journey after incarceration is ever changing and hopefully an ever growing experience. Even after these 12 years, I'm still learning how to adjust. Every once in a while the big "x" on back turns neon and flashes in new situations for which I hadn't really anticipated. I had one of those experiences recently and I want to share it with you in the hope that it's something you can relate to.  I was certain that I was being screwed with by the DPS worker that was supposed to be renewing my driver's license because of my felony conviction. Turns out, I was wrong.... Join me as I discuss this experience and how it has changed me for the better. Remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2020 30:44


Happy New Year everyone! On the podcast this time around I interview David Essel. David loves to share his ideas and in our chat he was able to convey his thoughts about moving forward after incarceration. He has a long history as a successful life coach and author. After the interview, be sure to check out David's internet presence and to locate his books on all of the popular platforms. Remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Dec 21, 2019 26:11


Hello and Merry Christmas! Over the years, I've had many, many, many people ask to be on my little podcast. Out of the 190 whatever episodes, only a handful don't have a guest. The reason for that has always been the abundance of people wanting to come on the podcast. It is for that reason that I have almost never had anyone on twice. It's happened before but only a couple of times.  My guest this week is an exception to the rule. John Vespacian is a returning guest. He has an excellent point of view and applies his life experiences to describe how to navigate life's hurdles. He's the author of several books and he presents his information in a concise manner that simply makes sense.  John called in from the Netherlands for our chat so there is a minor delay in our question/answer. Check out my interview with John Vespacian on this week's podcast.  If God is for you, who can be against you?   

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Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2019 19:35


Hello Everyone!  My guest this time around is Aquarius Abye. Aquarius contacted me about a book he's writing and his desire to share the things he's learned since doing 14 years state time in California. He's got a great story about how he was able to put his destructive past behind him and work toward a full and productive future.  Remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2019 15:48


Welcome to this week's podcast! My guest this week is Tina Yeager. Tina uses her platforms as an author, podcast host, life coach, and therapist to address issues like unresolved anger, shame, forgiveness, and bitterness. Do any of those seem familiar?  Check out my interview with Tina Yeager and be sure to check out the links she mentions at the end of the interview. If God is for you who can be against you?  

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Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2019 23:18


Hello Every One! My guest today is Josh Schmude. Josh has a great story to tell and is an excellent example of getting a conviction in the rear view mirror. I think you'll enjoy our chat! Be sure to check out more on Josh after the interview. click here I want to take a moment to say hello to everyone that contacted me over the past year. The by-pass surgery went perfectly and I feel great! If God is for me who can be against me?    

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Play Episode Listen Later Sep 17, 2018 20:25


Hi There! Dr. Clete Bulach comes from a career in Education and has spent most of that time on the administrative end. He now has a company called Professional Development and Assessment Center. One of the services offered by this company is providing traing in conflict resolution and management. This is where Clete and my paths have crossed. When comining home from long periods of incarceration, the former offender must learn to rid themslves of the survival/prison mentality. Society does not work the way prison does. Settling conflict with violence will simply get someone locked up again. These behaviors must be unlearned. Join as Clete describes how this can be done. You can find out more about Clete here: Clete Bulach. If God is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2018 22:42


Hello everyone! In this week's episode we take a look at a study done by the Justice Policy Center of the Urban Institute. From 2001 to 2006, the Justice Policy Center did a study to determine what challanges men and women face upon returning home from incarceration. When I compare my experince to their high end research, there are a lot of "duhs" along with some strange outcomes. However, everyone's experience is unique even though there are undoubtedly some common issues. So we take a look at the study to see what we can learn for loved ones coming home or formerly incarcerated individuals looking for validation of their struggles. There are no answers here this week and that really is my point. It takes high end research scholars to tell us that ex-offenders have a hard time finding a job? Hey scholars - where are the answers? You can see the entire study here : Justice Policy Center Study Remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?

god urban institute mathers justice policy center
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Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2018 7:58


Hello and welcome! In this week's episode I take a look at the phases of reentry. Preparation, transitions, and stabalization are ideas that can be worked on prior to release and of course after. The preparation stage can be attacked while awaiting release. In this weeks episode I look at these three phases. You can find out even more about these phases of reentry by clicking here. As always remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2018 18:08


Hello! It's just a fact that someone coming home from prison is going to need some help. It's not just about financial and job issues. Dealing with the changes that have taken place while someone has been incarcerated can be a strange experience! Believe me, I know about this! Within the first 48 hours of being paroled there were several things that jumped out at me. Slang had changed: people were saying, "really?" and "seriously?" People were eating chicken on a biscuit for breakfast. Where did all the Ekard drug stores go? These changes might seem ridiculous to most but to me, they were glaring! Ex-offenders will also need help in dealing with the way society treats them. Rejection is probably the most intense of these behaviors of people toward ex-offenders.  We will discuss these things and several other things that ex-offenders could use a little help with upon returning home on this episode of JOH. If God is for you, who can be against you?

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Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2018 16:06


Hi everybody! My guest this week is author Everett De Morier. Everett writes for 543 magazine and his book, Thirty-Three Cecils, won the top prize for fiction at the London Book Festival in 2015. One of the people he writes about in this book is an ex-offender and Everett explores his post incarceration life. Join me as we discuss Everett's take on all of this. You can check out Everett's book and his upcoming book as well by clicking HERE. Remember: If God is for you, who can be against you?

mathers london book festival
Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (185)

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2018 25:19


Hello Everyone! My guest this week has had drug dealers talking about where to burry his body and hit men tring to kill him. Merle Temple has been a deputy sheriff, an agent for the Mississippi Bureau of Narcatics (captain), a campaign chairman, an author, and an inmate in a federal prison. Merle discusses his life, how he reintegrated, and how his books are being used to help people. Check out my interview with Merle Temple and afterwards, check out his web page: Merle Temple Remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?

god mathers mississippi bureau merle temple
Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (184)

Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2018 18:05


Hello everyone! It's always good to have a guest on the show that has actually experienced incarceration and reintegration. My guest this week, Carl Route, has done just that. He has additional experience in helping with the reintegration process for ex-offenders. So on this episode, we pick Carl's brain in search for ideas to help us with our own reintegration. I want to thank you for the get well emails I've recieved. Double bypass surgery is rough and the recovery is not easy but your concern has indeed helped my raise my spirits! Thank youu. Remember, if God is for you who can be against you?

Journey of Hope With Rodney Mathers (183)

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2018 25:59


Hello Everyone! Finally, we're back! My first guest of the new year is John Kennedy. John has worked with the Marines in the context of PTSD and when I was first corresponding with John about appearing on the show, it was the PTSD that jumped out at me. Any time I see a potential guest that has worked with individuals suffering from PTSD it peaks my intrest.  Here's why: It is my belief that in some cases, released offenders can have mild to serious PTSD. Some people that are incarcerated in prison (not county jail....PRISON) are intermingling with persons of the same street mentality they left prior to prison. There are other individuals that prior to prison had been in professional careers, are college educated, and had never been in trouble before. This is much more common than the general public realizes. It is these individuals I think will benefit from John Kennedy's techniques. These individuals are not wise to ways of "the street". They spend each day of their incarceration trying not to show the weaknesses that WILL result trouble. The courtesies of professionalism don't translate to prison culture. These individuals suffer from PTSD after release in my view. If you have to worry about your personal safety every day for years while coming from a sheleterd background, I really don't see how anyone can argue this point. John's technique adresses this and other conditions by physically changing the brain to be more efficient at the processing level. After the interview, check out John Kennedy's web page: click here On a different note, check out my new video:  https://youtu.be/2VQJiIQp-gM Remember, if God is for you, who can be against you?        

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