Standing in the Gap with Hawi James Ouma, Episode 60

Dive into a compelling episode of the Inside Circle Podcast with Eldra Jackson III, featuring guests Jason Bostic and Wesley Jeffries from Bed Stuy, Brooklyn. This episode illuminates the transformative healing journey of two former rivals, brought together by the programmatic efforts of Project Restore. Through the dedicated healing work facilitated by Inside Circle, they embark on a path of discovering commonality, embracing a new way of being, and fostering community healing. Their story highlights the crucial work of Project Restore and Inside Circle in facilitating personal transformation and reconciliation. Listen in for a powerful narrative of hope, change, and unity. This is an essential episode for those interested in the profound impact of healing and programmatic intervention on individuals and communities.

Join host Eldra Jackson III for a compelling episode of The Inside Circle Podcast, spotlighting the transformative journeys of two remarkable individuals enrolled in Inside Circle’s Young Adult Empowerment (YAE) program. Listen as they recount their histories and the profound impact of the program's holistic approach, which helped them reshape their futures by pairing emotionally supportive male role models with life skills training, addiction recovery, workforce development, and financial literacy. Through candid accounts of struggle and growth, this episode offers an intimate glimpse into the world of young men born into extremely challenging circumstances who, with deep personal commitment and the right support at the right time, found their way out.   

Join Eldra Jackson III in a powerful conversation with Manuel Ruiz, Chairman of the Board at Inside Circle. In this episode, Manuel details his journey from a 21-year life sentence to his pivotal role in the organization today and shares about how he learned to feel, the complexities of shedding his identity as a former prisoner, and how he helped bridge racial divides in prison. Reminding us all to breathe and emphasizing the value of self-reflection and reframing our internal narratives, Manuel’s story is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of Inside Circle.

In this inaugural 2024 episode of Inside Circle, host Eldra Jackson III introduces Taylor Code, an individual whose journey in restorative justice began in his youth at a Los Angeles probation camp. Taylor shares his transformative experience from gang member to empowered poet, discussing the pivotal role of vulnerability and creativity in reclaiming his identity. As a Credible Messenger Coordinator, Taylor now dedicates his life to mentorship and community restoration, reflecting on his profound evolution and commitment to change. Join us as we explore Taylor's powerful narrative of redemption and impact.  Find more about Taylor’s work at iamtaylorcode.com

In this episode, host Eldra Jackson III welcomes Robin P. Zander, an entrepreneur, strategist, and best-selling author with a unique background in management consulting and the circus. Robin, founder and CEO of Zander Media and author of the national bestseller in Japan, "How to Do a Handstand,” shares insights from his diverse career experiences, including leading the Responsive Conference on the future of work and running Robin's Cafe in San Francisco. Tune in to get inspired by Robin's resilience as he recounts his journey through abusive childhood bullying and the inner work leading to a transformative realization: sensitivity as a strength, not a weakness.

Sometimes, you must push past the voice that whispers, "I'm not the right person for this." Hawi James Ouma did precisely that when he began working with children affected by the justice system. Recognizing the need for positive male role models in the lives of young men, James founded Life Song Kenya. Join Eldra and James as they discover universal threads of trauma and redemption across the globe. Visit lifesongkenya.org/ to lean more.   

In this episode we are lucky to be joined by Dr. Nadine Burke Harris, California's first Surgeon General. Join us as we explore her pioneering efforts in addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and reshaping our understanding of health and resilience. Together, we uncover the stories of those touched by her work, hear from experts inspired by her vision, and discover how her tireless dedication is shaping a brighter, healthier future for all - including the system-impacted.  Visit Numberstory.org to learn more.   

Discover the transformative journey of Heru Enkamit, who found liberation after 27 years of incarceration. His life's tapestry is woven with poignant moments of awakening pulled from the street, prison, fatherhood, work with Inside Circle, and his journey from release to entrepreneurship. Join us for a thought-provoking dialogue that inspires deep reflection on your own life choices.

Flight instructor, life coach… felon? Sarah Hainstock trusted the wrong person and ended up serving time in the Ohio State prison system for drug trafficking. What she experienced during her 18 month sentence was marked by chaos, absurdity, and a profound sense of waste. With one in four adults in America now having a criminal record, Sarah's goal is to help those in power realize that we are failing our citizens.

Sean Wilson knew better, and fortunately, he never forgot who he was and what he was destined for. In the 17 years he was incarcerated, he dedicated himself to learning as much as he could, even finding a loophole in his prison’s  maximum book policy by requesting photocopied versions of books. Now, 6 years later, he is the organizing director of Dream.Org's Justice team, committed to working with anyone and everyone who wants to address and reduce the footprint of mass incarceration in this country.