Lessons from Matthew Bowyer’s Sentencing
I’ve been to more than 1,500 sentencing hearings since 2009, and I still get nervous at every one. Friday was no different. […]
Dignity In Prison: The Men I Admired
A New Morning Habit I’ve been testing myself to start each morning differently. For years, my habit was automatic: get up, head […]
Why Crediting Mentors Makes You Stronger in a Federal Case
Earlier this week on Ian Bick’s Locked In Podcast in Danbury, CT, I said something I avoided for years: “I am not a prison […]
Sunny Boy: What Will You Do With the Gift Someone Gives You?
Our last webinar focused on persuasion: essentially, we must have trust from stakeholders before making a request. I’ve continued to study pre-suasion […]
Watching Vision Quest in Hawaii Brought Me Back to Federal Prison
I’ve been in Hawaii with my family since last Saturday. For years after I came home from prison, I didn’t travel unless […]
Why Nietzsche Wrote for People Going To Federal Prison
“Who else you got?” a friend asked. “What do you mean?” I responded. “What other lessons can you share from dead philosophers?” […]
Robert Greene And The Men Who Wait
A few days ago, I was hitting golf balls with my son when I got a text from someone I hadn’t spoken […]
Action Solves Everything. But Can You Handle the Reaction?
“Did you read them?” a friend awaiting sentencing asked after sending me fifteen Rockefeller quotes last month. “Thank you for sending them. […]
What I Learned Re-Reading The Stranger—16 Years After Federal Prison
I first read The Stranger by Albert Camus in federal prison after my late friend Andrew Altchuk introduced me to it. I tried to […]
Atlas Shrugged, The Prince, and What I Learned from Michael Santos
Someone in our community said to me, “Dude, that Plato allegory story really stuck with me. Got any more?” That question changed how I […]
You’re Not Ready for Sentencing Or Prison If You Haven’t Answered These 7 Questions
When I was in prison, I wanted to be a better reader. But early on, when I told Michael Santos I’d read […]
You Don’t Rebuild a Reputation by Hiding—Here’s What Works Instead
I’m always grateful when people reach out after a webinar. But Monday’s generated more replies than usual. Some shared what they learned. […]