Episode Outline:

(00:00:00) Tara Trask introduces Gio Hernandez Romero and his wrongful conviction case.
(00:03:17) Growing up in Los Angeles and his family background.
(00:08:39) How police label young people as gang members.
(00:14:19) Being tried as an adult and facing a 50-years-to-life sentence.
(00:16:47) Spending six years in jail before conviction and sentencing.
(00:18:00) Adjusting to life in prison and the loss of hope.
(00:19:00) How his sister and family kept him motivated to keep learning.
(00:23:12) Loyola Law School’s Juvenile Innocence and Fair Sentencing Clinic takes his case.
(00:25:00) The Conviction Integrity Unit’s role in reopening and exonerating his case.
(00:29:14) Broader discussion on wrongful convictions and needed criminal justice reform.
(00:33:00) Joining The Last Mile and learning to code while incarcerated.
(00:35:30) How coding and education restored his purpose and self-worth.

(00:37:49) Returning to freedom and facing culture shock after 17 years.
(00:40:12) Learning to live as an adult for the first time and gaining independence.
(00:49:10) Sharing a message of hope and perseverance with others inside.
(00:55:06) The cell phone evidence that proved his innocence.
(00:57:00) Closing thoughts on gratitude, healing, and the power of reform.

The Last Mile Radio is a production of The Last Mile and Sirius XM Radio. The show's executive producers are Chris Redlitz and Beverly Parenti at TLM and Liz Aiello at Sirius XM. The show is produced by Robert Roche at TLM, with technical production by Greg Sahakian, James Bilodeau at Sirius XM. Original music by Maserati-E. For more, visit www.thelastmileradio.org

April Bosworth is a graduate of The Last Mile program and now a Website Specialist at Televerde, where she previously served as a teaching assistant inside of prison helping other incarcerated women learn coding. Michelle Cirocco is the Chief Social Responsibility Officer at Televerde and the Executive Director of the Televerde Foundation, organizations that for nearly 30 years have pioneered employment and reentry models for incarcerated women. Under their leadership, Televerde has grown into a global B2B sales and marketing firm whose clients include Microsoft, Adobe, Dell, and SAP, offering incarcerated women the opportunity to build careers that lead to long-term success after release. Their work has supported thousands of women, resulting in a 95% post-release employment rate and less than 2% recidivism.

In this conversation, April shares how she discovered coding through The Last Mile, overcame self-doubt, and built confidence by learning problem-solving and resourcefulness—skills that carried her into a corporate role while still incarcerated. Michelle reflects on her own journey through prison and describes how programs like Televerde and The Last Mile provide not just training but also financial independence, dignity, and a bridge to meaningful careers after release. Together they explore critical issues such as imposter syndrome, the stigma of incarceration, and the transformative power of being able to earn a fair wage behind bars. For those interested in criminal justice reform, this episode offers a compelling look at scalable models that reduce recidivism, break generational cycles of poverty, and prove that second chances create value for individuals, families, and businesses alike—making it essential listening for advocates, employers, and policymakers.

Episode Outline:

(00:00:00) Introduction and Guest Backgrounds

(00:01:20) April’s Journey from The Last Mile to Televerde

(00:03:20) Learning Resourcefulness and Problem-Solving in Coding

(00:06:00) Building Confidence Through Asking Questions and Making Mistakes

(00:07:00) Michelle on the Power of Safe Learning Environments in Prison

(00:09:00) The Origins and Growth of the Televerde Model

(00:11:30) Proven Success: Employment, Salaries, and Reduced Recidivism

(00:13:00) Bridging the Gap Between Incarceration and Reentry

(00:14:30) The Role of Loyalty, Gratitude, and Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

(00:16:30) Televerde’s Culture of Belonging and Encouragement

(00:17:30) Messages to People Still Incarcerated – Using Time to Transform

(00:20:00) Michelle’s Personal Story and Life-Changing Advice from Prison

(00:23:00) Explaining Televerde’s Business Model and Client Partnerships

(00:26:00) Televerde Foundation, Employment Rates, and Low Recidivism

(00:28:00) April on Financial Independence While Incarcerated and Beyond

The Last Mile Radio is a production of The Last Mile and Sirius XM Radio. The show's executive producers are Chris Redlitz and Beverly Parenti at TLM and Liz Aiello at Sirius XM. The show is produced by Robert Roche at TLM, with technical production by Greg Sahakian, James Bilodeau at Sirius XM. Original music by Maserati-E. For more, visit www.thelastmileradio.org

In this interview, Shelley shares her extraordinary journey from growing up in a home shaped by addiction to battling her own struggles with substance abuse, incarceration, and federal charges before finding sobriety and purpose. She recounts the turning point of discovering she was pregnant while incarcerated, her persistence in seeking treatment despite systemic barriers, and the faith-driven mindset shift that became the foundation of her recovery. Shelley details the challenges of reentry, including her fight against discrimination during Microsoft’s hiring process and the pivotal role of San Francisco’s Fair Chance Ordinance in securing her first job in tech.

Episode Outline:

(00:00:00) Introduction and Shelley’s Early Life in a Home Shaped by Addiction
(00:04:00) Bartending in North Dakota and Returning to Drug Use
(00:06:00) Entering the Drug Trade and Federal Investigation
(00:09:00) Sting Operation, Surveillance, and Arrest
(00:14:00) Jail Time, Detox, and Facing Withdrawal
(00:16:00) Pregnancy, Sobriety, and Turning Toward Treatment
(00:19:00) Fighting for Admission into a Faith-Based Program
(00:21:00) Surrender, Mindset Shift, and Beginning Recovery
(00:24:00) Transition to Reentry and Dreams of Working in Tech
(00:25:00) Microsoft Job Application and Background Check Challenge
(00:28:00) Invoking the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance
(00:31:00) Securing the Job and Excelling at Microsoft
(00:33:00) Rising to Top Sales Rep and Winning Microsoft’s Gold Club Award
(00:35:00) Microsoft Changes Hiring Policies and Launches LEAP Program
(00:37:00) Advocacy for Fair Chance Hiring and Broadening Opportunities
(00:41:00) Founding Winner’s Circle: Mindset, Literacy, and Sales Training
(00:44:00) Message to Incarcerated Listeners: Hope, Programs, and Change
(00:45:00) Expanding Winner’s Circle to 25 Prisons Nationwide
(00:46:00) Closing Reflections on the Power of Stories and Programs

The Last Mile Radio is a production of The Last Mile and Sirius XM Radio. The show's executive producers are Chris Redlitz and Beverly Parenti at TLM and Liz Aiello at Sirius XM. The show is produced by Robert Roche at TLM, with technical production by Greg Sahakian, James Bilodeau at Sirius XM. Original music by Maserati-E. For more, visit www.thelastmileradio.org