Inspiring stories of overcoming addiction and substance abuse to build new lives.
Charles Duke Tanner’s story is one you won’t forget. From the outside, he looked like a man on top of the world—an undefeated professional boxer, a father, and someone with a bright future. But behind the spotlight, Charles made a choice that changed everything. He was sentenced to two life terms in federal prison. What …
What happens when a successful marketing entrepreneur hits rock bottom with a prison sentence and walks out years later with a business idea that changes her life? That’s the story of Emily O’Brien, and I’m telling you, you’re going to want to hear this one. Emily O’Brien is the founder of Comeback Snacks, a popcorn …
On this episode of Nightmare Success, I sat down with Kristin Kline. Her story hits hard. She was a successful salon owner, living what looked like a great life. But behind the scenes, things were unraveling. She got caught up in a federal case involving insurance fraud, and it landed her in federal prison. Kristin’s …
On this episode of Nightmare Success, I sat down with Freya Pearson. Her story is one you need to hear. She was a successful woman working in finance. She had built a life that looked stable and strong. Then everything fell apart. Freya was indicted in a federal fraud case. She fought the charges for …
When I sat down with Dieter Tejada, I knew I was in for a powerful story. What I didn’t expect was how focused, articulate, and driven he would be. At 17, Dieter was wrongfully convicted of attempted murder. One bad moment, the wrong place, and a flawed system took seven years of his life. But …
When I sat down with Topeka Sam on this episode of Nightmare Success, I knew right away her story was going to move people. She doesn’t hold back. She went from being incarcerated to becoming a national voice for women impacted by the justice system. Her journey is proof that your past doesn’t define your …
What happens when your child becomes the center of one of the biggest financial collapses in history? Joe Bankman, Stanford Law professor and father of Sam Bankman-Fried, shares his family’s journey through crisis, resilience, and the unexpected kindnesses that sustained them.
In this extraordinary episode of Nightmare Success, Brent sits down with Joseph De Gregorio—a Wall Street trader, liver transplant survivor, and federal defendant who turned his darkest moments into a mission to help others. From surviving nine life-threatening crises to reducing his federal sentence by 75%, Joseph story is a masterclass in redemption and second chances.
In this special episode of Nightmare Success, Brent sits down with Jeff Grant and Drew Chapin to discuss the Federal Expungement Initiative—a groundbreaking effort that could provide an off-ramp for millions of people currently trapped in the federal criminal justice system.
When I sat down with Kristen Johnson, I knew I was about to hear a story that would shake the way I think about recovery and reentry. What I didn’t expect was to meet someone who had turned her own nightmare into a lifeline for others.