Bullied Behind Bars – Matt  Melvin’s Journey from Prison to Purpose

Episode Overview Matt Melvin, author of Bullied Behind Bars, joins hosts Sharmin Prince** and Mitzy Dadoun to discuss his life-changing journey, including his lonely childhood, a late autism diagnosis, two prison experiences, the benefits of journaling, men’s work, and his growing relationship with God. Matt shares how he transformed impulsive behavior linked to "shadow-of-autism" into positive activities, emphasizing that vulnerability leads to freedom and outlining practical steps for rebuilding after personal failure. --- ## ⏰ Show‑Notes & Timestamps | Time | Segment | Highlights | |------|---------|------------| | **00:00 – 02:00** | **Intro & Breathing Exercise** | Charmin leads a guided inhale/exhale to center listeners. | | **02:01 – 04:30** | **Guest Intro** | Matt’s memoir *Bullied Behind Bars* is introduced; quick bio recap. | | **04:31 – 07:45** | **Why He Wrote the Book** | Writing as catharsis; four‑year process of turning thousands of journal pages into a readable memoir. | | **07:46 – 11:20** | **Early Life & First Crime** | Bullying in school, impulsive car‑sale scheme at a dealership, first 18‑month sentence. | | **11:21 – 14:55** | **Managing Impulsivity** | Journaling, talking, vulnerability; why bottling struggles hurts. | | **14:56 – 18:30** | **Reaching Out & Finding Tribe** | Social media’s double‑edge; importance of neuro‑divergent friends; men’s work groups. | | **18:31 – 22:10** | **The Four‑Year Memoir Journey** | Selecting highlights, creating early connection with readers, dealing with family stoicism. | | **22:11 – 26:00** | **Autism/Asperger’s Diagnosis** | Validation from psychiatrist; “no box can contain me.” | | **26:01 – 30:45** | **Near‑Death Experience & Faith** | 495 highway crash, turning point toward God, deeper spiritual fire. | | **30:46 – 35:20** | **Second Prison Stint (2016‑2018)** | Background‑check fraud, multiple facilities, grievances, solitary confinement. | | **35:21 – 38:50** | **Coping in Prison** | Journaling, prayer, Bible study, listening to others. | | **38:51 – 42:15** | **Surprising Prison Realities** | Decent guards, unexpected church community, few decent inmates. | | **42:16 – 45:40** | **Message for Readers** | Early intervention, mental‑health support, men’s groups to stop the downward spiral. | | **45:41 – 48:30** | **Paradigm Shift – Men’s Work** | March 2022 men’s weekend; vulnerability, silence, letting go of control. | | **48:31 – 51:00** | **Protecting the Inner Self** | Surround yourself with positive, like‑minded people; reading (Covey, Bible). | | **51:01 – 53:45** | **Book Highlights & Takeaways** | “I’m still here,” faith forged in prison, purpose to minister. | | **53:46 – 56:20** | **Advice to Younger Self** | “I love you. You’re enough. You’re worthy.” | | **56:21 – 58:55** | **Conclusion & Call to Action** | Reach out, join men’s groups, practice daily self‑love, forgive yourself. | | **58:56 – 01:02:30** | **Rapid‑Fire Questions** | One‑word descriptors, daily prison routine, biggest misconceptions, source of strength, etc. | | **01:02:31 – End** | **How to Connect & Buy the Book** | Email, website, Instagram, Facebook, X (Twitter), Amazon link. | --- ## 📚 Resources Mentioned | Resource | Link | |----------|------| | **_Bullied Behind Bars_ (Amazon)** | https://www.amazon.com/dp/… | | **Matt’s Website** | https://BullyBehindBars.com | | **Email** | [e-mail] | | **Instagram** | @BullyBehindBars | | **Facebook** | Matthew.Melvin.5621 | | **X (Twitter)** | @xBarsBully | | **Men’s Groups (search “men’s weekend” + your city)** | Google “men’s weekend + [your location]” | | **Big Bill’s Book (addiction recovery)** | (Title not specified – ask Matt for details) | | **Stephen Covey – *The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People*** | https://www.franklincovey.com/the-7-habits.html | | **Bible (any preferred translation)** | https://www.biblegateway.com/ | --- ## 🎧 Why You Should Listen * **Raw, unfiltered truth** – Matt doesn’t sugar‑coat the pain of bullying, prison, or mental‑health struggles. * **Practical tools** – Journaling, men’s work, daily Bible reading, and honest self‑reflection. * **Hope & transformation** – A powerful testimony that faith and vulnerability can rewrite a life story. * **Actionable steps** – From admitting a problem to finding a supportive tribe, Matt gives a clear roadmap for anyone feeling stuck. --- ## 📢 Call‑to‑Action 1. **Grab the book** – Get *Bullied Behind Bars* on Amazon or your favorite retailer. 2. **Connect with Matt** – Reach out via email or social media for mentorship, men’s‑group recommendations, or a listening ear. 3. **Start journaling today** – Write down one thing you’re grateful for and one challenge you’re facing. 4. **Join a men’s group** – ...