The Field with Zoe Paliare

On the final episode of season 1 we sit down for an incredible conversation with Jason Wang. Jason shares openly about growing up in poverty, in a neighbourhood where he was exposed to drugs and violence from a very young age. He shares about being subjected to abuse as a child, and about the impact that all of these things had on his life and trajectory. It's easy to see how the result of it all was an aggravated robbery charge that left 15 year old Jason with a 12 year prison sentence.  What is so remarkable about Jason and his story is his resilience and determination throughout his life. Ultimately, this has led him to become entrepreneur in residence for Schmidt Futures. He has created and leads Freeworld, an organization with a mission of bringing high wage careers to millions of returning citizens across America so they can live fulfilling positive lives, prison-free. For more information on Jason: Check out: Freeword Twitter: @JasonWaang For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

This week we sit down with Louis L. Reed. Louis and his story are remarkable, as is the work he does currently as Sr. Director of Membership & Partnerships at Reform Alliance. In this episode, Louis and I discuss the significant childhood trauma he faced, that led to his involvement in criminal activity and ultimately to his arrest and incarceration. We talk about the importance of education and mentorship on his journey to re-entry and the successful career he has built rebuilding the broken systems that he himself experienced. For more information on Louis: Check out: reformalliance.com Instagram: @heinspires4real Twitter: @LouislReed Website: thefieldpodcast.com For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon Also check out Peacebuilders! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

This week we sit down with Chris Courchene. Chris comes from Manitoba, one of Canada's prairie provinces. Growing up, his mother, an Indian Residential Schools Survivor, was in and out of incarceration. Learning from his surroundings, and doing what he needed to do to survive, Chris spent much of his adolescence in and out of incarceration as well. It was when he had his son that he ultimately determined to turn his life around. He shares about his experience of gang culture in Winnipeg in the 90's, about the impact of residential schools on his mother, and in turn on his upbringing; and about what it meant for him to get the chance to turn his life around, and to have a positive impact on the community he came from. For more information on Chris: Check out: buildinc.ca For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon Also check out Peacebuilders! And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

Richard Bronson was living the life on Wall Street, a partner of the infamous Stratton Oakmont firm depicted in the Wolf of Wall Street, until he was arrested for securities fraud and lost everything. After spending 22 months in prison, he was determined to dedicate his life to helping formerly incarcerated people overcome the largest obstacle he himself experienced - employment. He has since founded 70 Million Jobs and Commissary Club, to support returning citizens to gain community and employment. For more information on Richard: Check out Commissary Club Twitter: @Richard_Bronson For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

This week we sit down with Ky Peterson, a transgender man who was recently released from a women's prison in Georgia. Ky was charged, convicted, and sentenced to 20 years in prison for defending himself against a sexual assault. In 2011, while walking home one night Ky was attacked. In self-defense, he shot his assailant with a gun he carried for protection. This person ultimately died. A rape kit corroborated Ky's story, but nonetheless his claim of self-defense didn't stand, and he was sentenced to 20 years in prison. It was only after significant media attention and community outrage that Ky's sentence was reduced, and he was released. Ky shares about the challenges he faced as a trans man in the system, and also how his gender identity added an additional layer of challenge in his re-entry journey.  For more information on Ky: Support Ky on Patreon Twitter: @KyPeterson5 For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

This week we are so excited to have Tiniesha Johnson here in The Field. Tiniesha is a single mother of four. A number of years ago, having lost her job and desperate to support her family, she agreed to participate in an armed bank robbery with her brother - a decision that altered the trajectory of her life. After spending 10 months in incarceration, she was able to return to her family and spent months trying to find a job. Eventually, she ended up in Florida and now works with the Florida Restoration Rights Coalition, an organization you heard about in Episode 1 with Desmond Meade, it's executive director. For more information on Tiniesha: Work Website: floridarrc.com, DONATE HERE! Tiniesha's Business: Tini's Soulfood & Sweets, Instagram For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

This week we have Joseph Lauren here in The Field. Joseph was the first Canadian ever to be criminally convicted and serve a federal prison sentence for insider trading. A former Bay Street lawyer, Joseph's insider trading career lasted for many years, during which he made millions of dollars. The scheme cost him more than 3 years in prison, and cost the life of his best friend and co-accused. After his release, he struggled to find employment, being turned down repeatedly due to his criminal record. Ultimately, he landed at Restorative Justice Housing Ontario, where has dedicated his life to housing formerly incarcerated people. For more information on Joseph: Restorative Justice Housing Ontario Collared Consulting For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

This week we are so excited to have David McCallum here in The Field. David was arrested at 16 years old, and served 29 years in prison for a kidnapping and murder he did not commit. In October 2014, he was finally exonerated. One of the things that struck me when speaking with David was that so many of the same challenges that plague people who have been incarcerated, apply equally to those who are exonerated. The layers of stigma and the societal barriers remain. For more information on David: Documentary: Fight For Justice: David and Me For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

This week we are so fortunate to have Chris Wilson here with us. Chris grew up in a community where he was exposed to extreme poverty, drug addiction and gun violence. At the age of 17, he was charged, convicted, and sentenced to spend his natural life in prison. While he was incarcerated, he became determined not only to get out and turn his own life around, but also to make a difference in the lives of others growing up in circumstances like he did. In this episode, we discuss the events that led him to be sentenced to spend his life in prison, the mercy ultimately shown to him by a judge, and using his experience to better his community. For more information on Chris: Instagram: @chriswilsonbaltimore Website: chriswilson.biz For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

In 2009, at the age of 23, Coss Marte was arrested as the leader of a multi-million dollar cocaine operation. At the time, he was grossly overweight and was warned by his physician that if left unchecked, his lifestyle was likely to kill him. Faced with this prognosis, Coss started to get in shape using the tools he had, his prison cell and his own bodyweight. He has since turned this formula into CONBODY, a prison-style boot camp that hires formerly incarcerated individuals to teach fitness classes. In this episode, we discuss how growing up in poverty led to the hustle, the importance of mentorship through re-entry, and the impact of employment on recidivism. For more information on Coss: Instagram: @cossmarte Twitter: @CossMarte Website: conbody.com For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

Glenn Martin was convicted of armed robbery in his early 20's and sentenced to seven years in prison. He has gone on to become a champion of criminal justice reform, with so many notable wins including founding the successful #CLOSErikers campaign. In this episode, we discuss how the things that help you succeed in prison set you up to fail in society, the fines, fees and restitution that returning citizens are saddled with when released and so much more. Glenn is President and Founder of GEMtrainers.com, a social justice consultancy firm that partners with non-profits from across the United States and internationally to assist with fundraising, organizational development and marketing.  For more information on Glenn: Instagram: @glennemartin Twitter: @Glennemartin Website: gemtrainers.com For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

Desmond Meade, one of Time Magazine's 100 Most Influential People of 2019, spent a number of his younger years in and out of incarceration. In this episode, we discuss the criminalization of addiction, homelessness and poverty. How addiction and hopelessness led Desmond to the brink of taking his own life. And the challenges he still faces, all these years and many accolades later, as a result of his conviction. For more information on Desmond: Instagram: @desmondmeade44 Website: floridarrc.com And to support the fines and fees fund, click the link below, all donations are so appreciated: Amendment 4 Fines and Fees Campaign A Project of FRRC Education Fund. For more information on the Field: Instagram: @the.field.podcast Website: thefieldpodcast.com Support the show on Patreon And if you enjoyed this episode, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe!

Sharing the stories of formerly incarcerated people and inspiring a future where they are seen for their humanity, not judged for their past. Welcome to The Field.