#92 - Shaka Senghor: From Prison Cell to MIT Fellow

Watch on YouTube → What does it take to transform your life from inside a prison cell? Shaka Senghor spent 19 years in prison, seven in solitary confinement for a murder he committed at 19. Instead of letting it destroy him, he turned his cell into a university, wrote four books, and discovered a purpose that would change everything. In this raw conversation, Shaka takes us from running away at 14 and being seduced into the drug trade, to the night he pulled the trigger that changed his life forever. He shares what solitary confinement really does to the human mind, the two letters that transformed him (one from his son, another from his victim's godmother offering forgiveness), and the unflinching truth about what's broken in America's criminal justice system. We also discuss his brother's murder in 2021, fatherhood, and the hidden prisons we all carry. Shaka Senghor is a New York Times bestselling author ("Writing My Wrongs," "How to Be Free"), criminal justice reform advocate, and former fellow at MIT. Since his release in 2010, he's spoken on stages from TED to Oprah's Super Soul Sunday, advised presidents and corporations, and become one of the most powerful voices on redemption and second chances in America. This conversation challenges everything you think you know about crime, punishment, and whether people can truly change. His message: “Never settle for mediocrity when greatness is available.” His books include: Newest release → How to Be Free: A Proven Guide to Escaping Life's Hidden Prisons Writing My Wrongs: Life, Death, and Redemption in an American Prison Letters to the Sons of Society Book Recommendations from Shaka: "As a Man Thinketh" by James Allen "The Hard Thing About Hard Things" by Ben Horowitz "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou "Atomic Habits" by James Clear Organizations Mentioned: Anti-Recidivism Coalition (ARC) Syncopated Ladies (Chloe and Maud Arnold) CHAPTERS: 00:00 Trailer 00:59 Meet Tim Green 01:35 Introducing Shaka Senor 02:30 The Power to Change Your Life 04:38 The Need for Safety 06:43 The Path from Abuse to the Streets 11:58 The Impact of Gun Violence 15:54 Inside Solitary Confinement 18:59 The Journey of Self-Improvement 21:30 The Road to Redemption 32:46 The Power of Forgiveness 33:26 The Three Miracles and Mentorship 34:03 A Father's Turning Point 34:47 The Power of Writing in Prison 36:37 Feedback and Growth as a Writer 37:59 Exploring Faith and Spirituality 40:57 Conversations with My Sons 44:05 Reforming the Incarceration System 52:20 Personal Reflections and Achievements 59:39 Final Thoughts and Recommendations 01:01:02 Rapid Fire Questions SPONSORS: ElevenLabs: Thanks to ElevenLabs (https://elevenlabs.io) for supporting this episode and powering Tim’s voice. SOCIAL: Website: https://nlupod.com/ X: https://x.com/nlutimgreen Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NLUpod Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nlupod LISTEN ON OTHER PLATFORMS: Apple Podcasts: Apple Podcasts Audible: Audible Castbox: Castbox Overcast: Overcast iHeartRadio: iHeartRadio PERSONAL: Tackle ALS: https://www.tackleals.com Tim Green Books: https://authortimgreen.com Tim's New Book - Rocket Arm: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0062796895/ Legal Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the guests and hosts and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Nothing Left Unsaid or its sponsors. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices