Peak Performance with Justin Danforth, Episode 55

As we close out the year, Eldra Jackson III returns to a theme that has surfaced again and again—in his own life, in Inside Circle's work, and across the communities we've sat with: fear, and the choices we make when it shows up. In this reflective year-end episode, Eldra looks back at conversations with guests like Ari Rosen, Felix Mickens, and Ian Manuel—three powerful stories of courage, accountability, and transformation. Their journeys offer living examples of what it means to move toward healing, community, and purpose even when uncertainty or danger looms large. Through their experiences and his own, Eldra invites listeners into a simple but essential inquiry: In the face of fear… how do you show up? Join us for a grounded, heartfelt close to the year—and a call to step into 2026 with intention, openness, and hope. Learn more at insidecircle.org

In this episode of the Inside Circle Podcast, host Eldra Jackson III speaks with Nick Jonsson, global keynote speaker and bestselling author of Executive Loneliness, about the hidden cost of success and the healing power of vulnerability. After reaching the top of his corporate career, Nick's life began to unravel—leading him through isolation, addiction, and loss before discovering the courage to speak his truth. Through that journey, he learned that real strength isn't found in status or control, but in honest connection and community. Together, Eldra and Nick explore how breaking silence, sharing our stories, and showing up authentically can transform not just individuals, but entire systems of leadership. It's a conversation that embodies Inside Circle's mission: turning pain into purpose and isolation into connection. Connect with Nick Jonsson: nickjonsson.com Learn more about Inside Circle: insidecircle.org

This month's Inside Circle Podcast takes a different turn. Host Eldra Jackson III shares a personal milestone: just last summer, he learned to swim for the first time—side by side with kids half a century younger. That experience sparked today's conversation with Cori Myka, founder of Calm Within Adult Swim, who specializes in helping adults face their fear of water. Together, Eldra and Cori explore how learning to swim is about more than strokes and breathing. It's about panic and calm, trust and mistrust, and the lifelong journey from fear to freedom. Tune in for a vulnerable and inspiring conversation that reminds us it's never too late to learn—whether in the pool, in life, or in love.

In this episode of the Inside Circle Podcast, host Eldra Jackson III sits down with chef, restaurateur, and Inside Circle facilitator Ari Rosen. Ari shares his journey from growing up in Northern California with loving parents, to navigating bullying, building successful restaurants, and ultimately finding himself burned out and disconnected from his emotions. A pivotal moment came in 2017, when Ari entered New Folsom Prison for an Inside Circle weekend intensive—an experience that cracked open years of numbness and showed him the beauty and raw humanity that exists even within prison walls. Today, Ari continues to bring that same work back inside prisons and into his own life as a father, husband, and community leader. With honesty and humility, he speaks about the costs of always "handling everything," the lessons learned from his children, and the transformative power of stepping into vulnerability. This conversation is an invitation to all who long for connection, safety, and freedom to feel. Learn more about Inside Circle's work—or make a donation to support their mission at insidecircle.org  

In this episode, host Eldra Jackson III sits down with entrepreneur, author, and former inmate Rick Culleton to explore what it really means to change from the inside out. Rick shares how he moved from addiction and anxiety to building a thriving business and a mindful life—one rooted in peace, clarity, and discipline. Together, they unpack what it takes to transform habits, embrace ADHD as a superpower, and discover that true success isn't about chasing more, but about finding calm within. Listen in for powerful reflections on healing, daily practices for "waking up happy," and why personal change ripples out into our communities. Visit MyMorningStack.com to access Rick's newsletter, videos, and a free copy of his book Messed Up Like You. For more episodes, visit insidecircle.org.

In this episode of The Inside Circle Podcast, Eldra sits down with social activist and founder of The CUT Project, Aaron Johnson, about the need for holistic, platonic touch in the lives of Black and BIPOC men. Drawing from personal experience and his work, Aaron explores how unaddressed trauma and chronic under-touching affect nervous systems, relationships, and communities — and how healing practices rooted in intention and connection can bring transformation. Aaron introduces his short documentary Dark and Tender, which follows 10 Black men on retreat as they navigate grief, touch, and connection. He reflects on dismantling the "Black brute" stereotype, building personal touch plans, and creating spaces grounded in consent, connection to the earth, and care. Whether you're raising a young Black man, working in healing spaces, or seeking deeper connection in your own life, this episode is an invitation to listen, reflect, and begin again. Learn more: https://cutproject.org More episodes and info: https://insidecircle.org/podcast  

In this powerful conversation, host Eldra Jackson III sits down with Ian Manuel—activist, poet, and author—whose life was irrevocably changed after being sentenced to life in prison at age 13. Ian shares his remarkable journey from solitary confinement to the national stage, where his poetry and voice are transforming narratives about justice and healing. With raw vulnerability and grace, Ian recounts his friendship with the woman he harmed, the struggle to rebuild life after release, and how art helped him survive two decades in isolation. A moving exploration of restorative justice, resilience, and redemption.  To learn more about Ian Manuel, you can follow him on Instagram at @ianmanuelofficial and on Twitter at @ianmanofficial. His memoir, My Time Will Come, is available from Penguin Random House wherever books are sold. To learn more about the work of Inside Circle, visit www.insidecircle.org.

Felix Mickens joins host Eldra Jackson III to reflect on a life shaped by early loss, decades of service in juvenile justice, and a profound journey of healing. From his childhood in East St. Louis and New Jersey to his leadership in bringing Inside Circle into New Jersey's juvenile justice system, Felix shares moving stories of grief, disconnection, growth, and the quiet power of second chances. Now cancer-free after a decades-long battle, Felix embodies the resilience and compassion he offers to the young people he serves.

After a devastating rugby injury left him paralyzed from the neck down at just 25, Wayne Forrest could have given up. Instead, he tapped into something deeper. In this moving conversation with host Eldra Jackson III, Wayne shares how he transformed trauma into triumph, rediscovered purpose, and now helps others access their inner warrior. Tune in to hear how this farmer, father, and coach turned adversity into fuel for a powerful new life. Learn more about Wayne at https://www.wayneforrest.com/ Connect with Inside Circle at https://insidecircle.org/

Therapist Thomas LaGrave Jr. joins Eldra Jackson III to explore the loss and reclamation of identity through addiction, the healing power of nature, and the role of strong male mentors in shaping lives. Drawing from his work in the prison system and the Honor Bound Academy, Thomas shares raw insights on accountability, transformation, and what it truly means to heal. Learn more at thehonorboundacademy.org