Life is full of unexpected twists and turns. Also, Life can be fraught with numerous drawbacks. However, regardless of what happens, the most critical aspect is rising again. My guest for today has a life story that is worth discussing. After developing an addiction to prescription opioids and serving nearly fourteen months in federal prison (2006–07) for a white-collar crime committed in 2001 while working as a lawyer, he began his reentry by earning a Master of Divinity in Social Ethics from New York City's Union Theological Seminary. After graduating from divinity school, he was invited to serve as Associate Minister and Director of Prison Ministries at an inner city church in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He later co-founded Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc., the world's first ministry solely dedicated to white-collar crime. Jeff Grant, Private General Counsel/White Collar Attorney at GrantLaw, joins today's episode to share the insights he has learned on his journey from prison to calling.

Jeff's First Life – Jeff tells his journey of various twists and turns, none of which he could have predicted would result in such a great life.

Being a Sober – Jeff discusses what he believes helped him stay sober when everything seemed to be collapsing around him.

Isolation and Community - Jeff provides a comprehensive explanation about his saying, "Isolation damages us, and the answer is community."

Comeback Story – Whatever the worst-case scenario occurs in our lives, we must have a story of redemption. Jeff explains how he assists someone is preparing to write their comeback story.

Jeff's advice – Jeff delivers some suggestions for individuals who self-sabotage on how to move ahead.

Resources:

Connect with Jeff:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/revjeffgrant

Website: grantlaw.com

Business Insider: A lawyer who went to prison for 9/11-related fraud just got his law license back, and became an ordained minister along the way, by Peter Coutu, July 2021: https://www.businessinsider.com/jeff-grant-lawyer-prison-minister-disbarred-911-law-license-reinstated-2021-7

Reuters: Jeff Grant 'Let Go of the Outcome': How this Felon Beat Addiction and Won Back his Law License, by Jenna Greene, May 2021: https://www.reuters.com/business/legal/i-let-go-outcome-how-this-felon-beat-addiction-won-back-his-law-license-2021-05-21/

American Bar Association Criminal Justice Magazine, "A Rising Tide Lifts All Boats: Progressive Diversion & Reentry," by Jeff Grant and Chloe Coppola, Spring 2021: https://www.grantlaw.com/american-bar-association-criminal-justice-magazine-springp21-issues-a-rising-tide-lifts-all-boats-progressive-diversion-recovery-by-jeff-grant-chloe-coppola-2/

Forbes: As Law Enforcement Pursues SBA/PPP Loan Fraud, A Story Of Redemption, by Kelly Phillips Erb, July 2020: https://www.forbes.com/sites/kellyphillipserb/2020/07/14/as-law-enforcement-pursues-sba-loan-fraud-jeff-grant-talks-redemption/#7a4f70cc4483