Earning Freedom With Michael Santos

Do you have a solid, actionable plan to build financial stability or prosperity in your future? That’s a question that relatively few Americans ask themselves. Those who want to do more than ask questions take action. It’s never too early, and it’s never too late to put yourself on the path to prosperity.  I’m Michael Santos with Alternative Investment Seminars. During this 20-minute video, I’ll teach how my wife Carole and I went from literally ground zero to exceed $5 million in assets within five years. We used leverage to invest in real estate. Now we’re using leverage to own real estate in the beautiful country of Belize, and we’re making it possible for you to do the same!  Want the story without the video? Then enter your contact information on our website and I’ll send you a free digital copy of my book, Prison to Paradise.  More on that book title later!  You see, Carole and I were never on a get-rich-quick scheme. I won’t be talking about such tactics here. This video isn’t for the individual who ta

Questions from Audry Spade   So Michael, you were in your early 20’s when you were convicted and sent to prison. I'm curious about your childhood and the influences you had growing up. How did you arrive at the decision to pursue crime?    What kind of technology do you remember people using back before your arrest in 1987?    You were arrested for drug trafficking and ultimately sentenced to serve 45 years in prison. Describe that first day of your sentence.    What did your days in prison consist of years into your sentence, after that initial shock had worn away?   Describe an average day and the subculture of prison. What was the value system among prisoners? What did you eat? What was expected of you? How did other prisoners regard you?  You made a decision early in your sentence to live an accomplished life from inside prison. How does that compare to the ways in which other prisoners chose to serve their time?   Was it difficult to exclude yourself from the prison’s own inner culture, bei

Federal authorities charged Brett with federal crimes. Since he had worked for several years as a police officer, the criminal charges derailed his life. He decided to cooperate with authorities in exchange for leniency at sentencing. Brett talks about how he has rebounded with a new career since being dismissed from the police force.

Luis Rivera succeeded in being released from federal prison, even though a judge sentenced him to serve a life sentence plus 140 years. Learn how his adjustment in prison contributed to his early release and his success.

A federal judge sentenced Luis Rivera to life in prison, plus 140 years. In Part 2 of Luis's story, we learn how Luis adjusted in a high-security federal prison and we learn how he positioned himself for early release from federal prison.

In 1995, a federal judge sentenced Luis Rivera to a term of life in prison, plus 140 years. In this episode on Earning Freedom, Luis describes his early adjustment. From his appearance on the Earning Freedom podcast, we know that Luis was released from prison and he now lives as law abiding citizen. Learn how he got out after 30 years in prison.

Derek Sauceda began using drugs when he was 10. His drug addictions led him into crime. His crime led him into a series of prison terms that kept him locked in cages for more than 24 years. Now he is a successful case manager with Fathers and Families of San Joaquin Valley. From Derek's story we see that a path exists to overcome struggle.

Big D was drawn to the streets as a young man. He looked up to drug dealers and gangsters. Authorities arrested Big D and after his trial, he was sentenced to a term that required him to serve more than 20 years in Pennsylvania prisons. Big D said that he wasted his first 10 years of confinement. Instead of adjusting positively, he lived in prison just as he had been living on the streets. He used drugs and he was engaged in violence. In today's Earning Freedom episode, Big D talks about how he changed.

Today I spoke with Billie Gomez, a man who shared a story about his transformation. Billie spoke about growing up in a violent neighborhood and being influenced by gangs. By the time he was 18, he went to prison with a five year sentence. His adjustment in prison led to his receiving additional time. Upon his release from prison, Billie reverted to criminal behavior. Billie picked up a gun within two weeks of being released, and he used the gun to commit more crimes. That behavior led to his receiving a new 18-year sentence for a violent offense. Listen to Billie talk about how he reformed while in prison. He returned to society with a commitment to live as a law-abiding, contributing citizen.   Contact Billie by email: BillieGomez71@gmail.com Website: www.fromignorance2freedom.com

Lessons that powered me through 26 years of imprisonment apply to anyone. In today's podcast, I share those strategies with the sales force at Resort Advisory Group.

Today's episode on Earning Freedom features an interview with Jeff Mould, founder of Second Chance Jobs for Felons. More than 60,000 people who returned to society after time in confinement rely upon his website each month. His website:   Second Chance Jobs For Felons   Focuses on helping people with criminal backgrounds. By adhering to his advice, people can overcome some of the challenges of transitioning into the labor market. I encourage others to rely upon his website as a resource for information. He offers guidance that will others overcome the stigma of a criminal conviction.  

Weldon Long made some bad decisions as a young man. He went to prison. While incarcerated he struggled until he found education. Once he discovered the power of education, he applied himself fully. Weldon earned an undergraduate in prison and he earned a master's degree in prison. Then, Weldon used his education to build extraordinarily successful businesses upon release.   Listen to Welson'd amazing story about success through prison and beyond on today's Earning Freedom podcast. 

President Obama commuted Israel Torres' sentence. A federal judge sentenced Mr. Torres to life in prison. While serving the life sentence, Mr. Torres kept hope alive and focused on steps he could take to prepare for success upon release--he always believed release would come. As a consequence of his successful adjustment, the President granted Israel liberty. He now lives as a contributing and productive member of society. Simultaneously, Israel works to for the brothers he left behind in prison: Michael Homes, James Ortega, and thousands of others who could live in society as law-abiding citizens if reforms were possible to release them.

Malik King offers more insight about people serving lengthy sentences in prison. He is an advocate who works to end mass incarceration. 

Donald Gridiron is on his way to prison. It's a big challenge for anyone, especially for a well educated man who didn't have any previous experience with the criminal justice system. In today's Earning Freedom episode, Donald describes how a gambling addiction led him into the criminal justice system. He also talks about help he received from Justin Paperny at White Collar Prison Advice.

Scott Clark had been a successful businessman. Some decisions he made regarding raising capital led him to the crosshairs of prosecutors. Soon after agreeing to plead guilty, Scott contacted Justin Paperny of White Collar Prison Advice. That call brought Scott hope. In today's Earning Freedom podcast, Scott speaks about the strategies he learned from Justin on preparing for prison.

Alexis shares her inspiring story on the Earning Freedom podcast. She describes being abused by a pimp as a young woman. After years of prostitution, authorities sentenced her to a lengthy prison term. Upon being separated from her family, she made a commitment to transform her life. While in a prison cell, Alexis stayed away from trouble and focused on ways to prepare for success. Her story reveals the power of the human spirit, showing how anyone can become more than past bad decisions. Follow her @leckiebutterfly

Today's show on Earning Freedom podcast features an amazing success story. Richard Esteras (@RichardEsteras) got involved in crime as a young man. Bad decisions led him to prison. While in prison, he made a decision to change his life. In this episode, he describes how he found strength while locked inside of a solitary cell. Then, he used lessons from those experience to launch a successful career as an incredible actor. He stars in many films, including the following:    Year of the Snake Your Second Chance Drifted A Short Film About Execution School for Gods Hood And Many more. Check out his bio here: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm5612119/

I met Malik King at an event that celebrated FAMM's 25th anniversary in Washington DC. When I met Malik, I asked if he was formerly incarcerated. He told me that he had never been to prison, but he corresponded with more than 200 federal prisoners. He is an inspiration, showing people that even though they may have made bad decisions in the past, they can prepare for lives of success and meaning and relevance. He offers his biography and contact information below.   Malik King I was born in 1964 in Manhattan, New York; grew up in Queens and moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 1982 to attend College. I received a degree in Business Administration/Computer Science in 1987.   Growing up in New York, I had a diverse group of friends, some of whom friends got caught up in the street life and ended up in both state and/or federal prisons.   I started writing to prisoners when I moved to Atlanta and became passionate about helping disadvantaged people in numerous ways, such as donating clothing to the homeless, providing h