Prison saved his life and gave him a 2nd chance to make a difference in this world. Shawn has turned his life around, he now owns a successful fitness studio and runs a mentorship program for at-risk youth. The goal of this podcast is to bring motivational content but at the same time we will have hard conversations regarding our current society.
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June 10, 202654 min
Checking In with Jay Dan Gumm
In this episode of Forgiven AF, I sit down once again with my friend and mentor, Jay Dan Gumm, founder of Forgiven Felons, host of The Background Check podcast, and one of the most respected voices in the prison and reentry community.Years ago, Jay Dan gave me an opportunity to share my story on his podcast when I was just getting started. Being one of his early guests gave me the confidence to launch Forgiven AF, and I’m grateful for the impact he’s had on my journey.This episode is a simple but powerful check-in conversation. We talk about what’s been happening in our lives, ministries, businesses, and missions since we last connected. From helping men transition from prison through his halfway house and reentry programs to what’s next for Forgiven Felons, Jay Dan shares encouragement, wisdom, and insight from the front lines of second chances.Whether you’re currently incarcerated, recently released, supporting someone in reentry, or simply looking for inspiration, this conversation is a reminder that your past doesn’t have to determine your future.What’s new? What’s next? And what does it look like to keep moving forward with purpose? Tune in and find out.
May 27, 20261 hr 2 min
God Found Me in Solitary with Alex Loredo
In this powerful episode of Forgiven AF, Shawn sits down with Alex Loredo, a fellow roofing company owner, husband, father, and man who understands what it means to get a second chance. Alex shares his journey from spending seven years in prison—from age 18 to 25—to building a successful business, a strong marriage, and a life centered on faith and purpose.Together, Shawn and Alex have an honest conversation about fatherhood, marriage, self-forgiveness, and the lasting impact of the choices we make when we’re young. Alex opens up about finding God while sitting alone in solitary confinement, the lessons he learned behind bars, and how those experiences shaped the husband, father, and leader he is today.This episode is for anyone struggling to forgive themselves, rebuild after failure, or become the person God created them to be. It’s a conversation about redemption, responsibility, faith, and proving that your past doesn’t have to determine your future.Topics Covered:-Finding God in solitary confinement-Life after prison-Building a roofing business from the ground up-Marriage after hardship-Becoming the father your kids deserve-Self-forgiveness and healing from the past-How faith changes everythingA raw, honest, and inspiring conversation about second chances and the power of God’s grace.
May 21, 202641 min
Waiting on God with Paul Facchina Jr
How do you know if a decision is truly God’s will—or just something you want for yourself?In this powerful episode of Forgiven AF, Shawn sits down with Paul Facchina Jr., a board member for 2nd Chance Mentors, to discuss one of the hardest challenges people face in their faith journey: waiting on God.Together, they explore the tension between pursuing opportunities and trusting God’s timing, how to recognize the difference between God’s direction and personal desire, and what to do when you’re faced with major life decisions. Paul shares practical wisdom, biblical insight, and personal experiences that have helped him navigate uncertainty while remaining faithful to God’s plan.Whether you’re considering a new career, relationship, business venture, ministry opportunity, or simply seeking clarity for your next step, this conversation will encourage you to slow down, seek God first, and trust that His timing is always better than our own.Topics Covered:* Why waiting on God is so difficult* How to discern God’s voice from your own desires* Signs a decision may or may not be God’s will* Finding peace in uncertainty* Trusting God’s timing when answers seem delayed* Faith, patience, and obedience in everyday lifeIf you’ve ever asked, “God, is this really what You want for me?” this episode is for you.
May 6, 202658 min
A Path to Success with Warren McKamey Jr
In this episode of Forgiven AF, Warren McKamey Jr. shares his incredible journey from growing up in Waco, Texas with limited opportunities to becoming a self-made millionaire and successful entrepreneur.After joining the military, Warren learned the discipline, work ethic, and mindset that would completely change the direction of his life. Those lessons became the foundation for building multiple businesses and creating success far beyond what most people expected from his circumstances.This conversation is a powerful reminder that your past does not define your future. No matter where you come from, what obstacles you faced, or how you were raised — you have the ability to choose your path and create a different life.If you’ve ever felt stuck, overlooked, or counted out, this episode is for you.🎙️ Watch now and hear how discipline, faith, and perseverance can change everything.
April 29, 202655 min
From Atheist to Jesus with Geoff Barker
I sat down with Geoff Barker, and this one’s real. He went from fame, money, and atheism to addiction, depression, and rock bottom—then had a life-changing encounter with Jesus.We talk about his seven-year search for truth, the 40-day fast, and how God turned everything around. Now he’s helping others find freedom through Hope Is Alive.If you feel stuck or empty, this one’s for you. God’s not done with you yet.Please look up "Hope Is Alive" at hopeisalive.net
March 18, 202649 min
Your Past is Not Your Future with John Reel
Some people hear "15 felonies" and write a man off. John Reel heard it about himself and decided to prove everyone wrong — including the voice in his own head. This one hit different...John grew up in Texas, dealt with childhood trauma he buried for years, ran with the wrong crowd, joined a gang, went in and out of prison for about seven years, and got out in 2014 with nothing but a decision to change. Today he owns a seven-figure concrete construction company, is raising two boys, and is one of the most real conversations I've had on this show. What We Talked About: • The childhood trauma John Reel carried for years — and how prison is where he finally faced it • What it's like being a white dude in an all-black gang — inside and outside the walls • Getting baptized in a horse trough in prison and what that moment meant • Coming home and going right back — three DWIs, fighting parole, and finally surrendering everything to God in 2017 • Losing seven figures, hitting rock bottom again, and rebuilding from zero • Why your circle determines your ceiling — and how John Reel built his way into the right rooms • Reverse engineering your goals — starting with $500 a week and ending up with a company doing seven figures a year • What John Reel would tell his 16-year-old self Why This Matters: Your past is not your future. That's not just something we say on this show — John Reel is living proof. If you're locked up right now, just got out, or you feel like you've blown too many chances — this episode is for you. You can still build something real. All it takes is putting your back against the wall, locking in, and giving God everything — not just the parts that are easy. If you're watching this, you're loved and you're forgiven — and there ain't nothing you can do about it.
March 2, 202649 min
Purpose Didn't Wait Until We Got It Together
Me and Bryan are back and this one got real, fast.We catch you up on the Teen Summit, the D.C. mentoring conference, and the gym flood that's had me paying $10K a month on a space I can't use. I'm not pretending everything's good when it's not — that's not what this is.We also get into the lies we believed about ourselves, why your community determines everything, and what we'd tell anyone coming home: stop chasing the image, build the credit, stack the bread.Full transparency — I'm only a few weeks into complete sobriety. I’m done convincing myself a couple drinks was fine and I feel better than I have in a long time.This podcast exists for you!You're loved, You're forgiven and there's nothing you can do about it.New mailing address:8001 Valcasi Drive, Suite 131 — Arlington, TX 76001We read every letter.
February 24, 20261 hr 26 min
From South Florida Struggle to North Texas Success with Mike Wilson
He grew up broke in South Florida.Single mom. Cuban roots. Four jobs just to survive.No silver spoon. No shortcuts.Mike Wilson chose discipline over excuses.From the military…To wearing the badge as a police officer…To building a restaurant empire that now operates inside Texas Rangers Stadium.But this isn’t just a business story.It’s about resilience.It’s about service.It’s about taking every season of your life — even the hard ones — and using it to build something bigger.Today Mike is a public speaker, entrepreneur, and proof that your background doesn’t dictate your future.If you’ve ever felt behind…If you’ve ever felt broke…If you’ve ever felt like the odds were stacked against you…This episode is for you.
January 28, 20261 hr 0 min
Healthy Relationships with Richard Helen
Richard Helen is one of those people where every time he opens his mouth, you want to grab a notepad and write everything down. We met through a men's group, and I've been trying to get him on the podcast ever since.Richard's story isn't what you'd expect. He grew up in a small town in Texas, joined the military at 19, and discovered leadership in a way that completely changed his life. But it wasn't just about leading others—it was about learning to lead himself first. Through counseling, reflection, and a lot of hard work, Richard discovered how the way he was raised shaped the way he showed up in relationships. And once he understood that, everything changed.This conversation is one of the most practical episodes we've ever done. If you've ever struggled in a relationship—whether it's with your spouse, your kids, or even yourself—this episode will give you real tools to work with.Richard breaks down what a healthy relationship actually looks like, how to communicate when emotions are running high, how to rebuild trust after you've broken it, and why so many of us keep attracting the same type of person over and over again.What We Talked About:• How the military taught Richard about leadership and serving something bigger than himself• The five agreements every healthy relationship needs (spiritual, emotional, financial, sexual, and parenting)• Why emotional intelligence is the foundation of every relationship• How to communicate during conflict without tearing each other down• The rules Richard and his wife created to fight fair in their marriage• How to apologize the right way (and why most apologies don't work)• Rebuilding trust after you've broken it—and why you can't rush the process• Why counseling isn't just for broken people—it's for anyone who wants to grow• How to heal from your past so you don't keep bringing it into new relationships• Why you can't expect someone else to validate what only God canRichard has been married three times, and he's the first to tell you that his past failures made him the man he is today. He doesn't regret any of it—because without those experiences, he wouldn't be able to help the people he's helping now.If you're locked up right now and thinking about the relationships you've damaged or the ones you want to build when you get out—this episode is for you. Start working on yourself now so you're ready when the time comes.Connect with Richard Helen: Website: RichardHelen.com Books available on Amazon (search Richard Helen)If this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And remember — you're loved, you're forgiven, and there's nothing you can do about it.
January 19, 202657 min
A Change of Plans with Justin Visitacion
Justin Visitacion and I have been talking about this conversation for over a year. We actually recorded a two-hour episode a while back, but only one clip ever saw the light of day. So we sat down again—this time with clarity, intention, and no holding back.Justin’s story isn’t the typical redemption narrative you usually hear on this podcast. He’s never been incarcerated. But what he does bring is a powerful perspective on entrepreneurship, faith, and fatherhood—one that many men coming out of prison need to hear, especially when they’re trying to figure out what comes next.Justin went from being a college baseball player to becoming a father at just 19 years old. That moment changed everything. He was forced to grow up fast and make real decisions about the kind of man he wanted to be. With only one semester left, he walked away from nursing school to pursue roofing sales—a move that seemed reckless at the time, but ultimately reshaped his entire future.Today, he runs Ember Roofing, a roofing company built on integrity, experience, and treating people the right way. That decision didn’t just change his career—it gave him the freedom to provide for his family in ways he never thought possible.
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