Podcast appearances and mentions of andre norman

There are plenty of rags to riches stories, that while I honor greatly, don't specifically stand out to me. But this one…this one did. Andre Norman wasn't just in prison. And maximum security prison at that. He ran the prison. He was king of the inmates and ran gang activities from within the prison walls. He was granted immunity from most all the rules and regulations by the guards. Then on his way to yet another of 10+ attempted murders, he got a wake up call and realized he was king. King of…nothing. Thus began his journey to educate himself, work out of a 100+ year prison sentence, and become an acclaimed motivational speaker on hope. That is a dramatic life transformation to me. An incredible identity shift. And I wanted to understand the dynamics of his experience. Most of my guests are authors, but I seldom read the books completely. Andre's book, Ambassador Of Hope: Turning Poverty And Prison Into A Purpose Driven Life, I read cover to cover. His childhood story…I just broke my heart with. He went from prison king to Harvard. Literally. But even amongst the success he pursued, he still struggled. I dig into his story and he brought me to a discussion on the salvation he cites of accountability. And our propensity as humans to get involved in a pursuit out of a strong why, but then lose it to the what of what we are doing. And get lost, or as he did, come back to the why. I think you'll find this discussion convicting and sobering, as I did. Find Andre at andrenorman.com Sign up for your $1/month trial period at shopify.com/kevin Go to shipstation.com and use code KEVIN to start your free trial. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Episode 16 of the SCU Podcast, host Andre Norman sits down with Sherri White, a resilient entrepreneur and founder of Early Achievers Preschool Academy. From becoming a mother at 14 to building a thriving childcare business and launching her bold new TV series, Childcare Cartel, Sherri shares her journey of perseverance, transformation, and business insight. This powerful conversation dives into her early struggles, the impact of her family, her mission to empower others, and how she's helping formerly incarcerated individuals build careers in childcare.

In Episode 15 of the SCU Podcast, host Andre Norman is joined by his personal trainer, Austin Blackwell, for a candid and inspiring conversation on transformation — both physical and mental. They dive into Austin's journey of healing from past trauma, redefining his self-worth, and building a meaningful fitness career. Together, they talk about consistency, structure, and how working out can be a form of therapy, especially for those rebuilding their lives after prison. This episode is packed with motivation, real talk, and lessons on discipline, growth, and second chances.

Episode 14 of the SCU Podcast with host Andre Norman is a heartfelt and motivational shoutout session honoring incarcerated individuals across the country. Andre acknowledges dozens of listeners by name and facility, shares his gratitude for their letters, and emphasizes the power of accountability, healing from past mistakes, and the importance of mental health. Through personal stories and raw truths, he encourages listeners to take responsibility for their actions, seek resolution, and prepare for a real, lasting freedom — not just release from prison, but freedom from the emotional and psychological weight of the past.

In Part 2 of the SCU Masterclass, hosted by Andre Norman and featuring nonprofit expert J. Hackett, listeners are taken on a powerful, real-world journey into the art and strategy of nonprofit grant writing. From breaking down the types of grants—federal, state, city, corporate, and foundation—to explaining the mindset and tools needed to access funding, this episode offers practical knowledge, insider tactics, and inspiring stories that equip aspiring changemakers to build sustainable programs that truly impact communities. Whether you're starting from scratch or scaling your nonprofit, this session delivers the exact guidance you need to secure funding and take action.

In Part 1 of this powerful SCU Masterclass series, Andre Norman—founder of Second Chance University—sits down with fundraising powerhouse J. Hackett to unpack the essentials of grant writing for non-profits. Whether you're starting from a prison cell or just passionate about launching a purpose-driven organization, this episode delivers real-world strategies on how to turn your vision into a funded reality. Learn how J. Hackett raised over $62 million, created funding lanes from scratch, and built a system that empowers formerly incarcerated individuals to make real change through non-profits.