Podcast Episodes
Back to SearchWhy do case managers sometimes dismiss your plan on day one—and why is that a test?
In this episode, I share what I learned about prison friendships, documentation, and credibility. Some people surrender with a plan, only to have a c…
10 months, 4 weeks ago
What is the U-shaped Curve of Prison—And Why Does It Trap So Many People?
In this episode, I share what I learned inside federal prison about how people adjust, why so many regret their time, and how the U-shaped curve expl…
10 months, 4 weeks ago
Why Do So Many Defendants Treat Their Lawyer Like a Nanny—And Stay Quiet Even When It Hurts Them?
A year ago, we spoke with an executive whose lawyer told him to "get off the internet and wait." No plan. No preparation. Just bills piling up. Meanw…
10 months, 4 weeks ago
What Does the Prosecutor's Playbook Actually Look Like Behind the Scenes?
I had to be blunt with someone in our community this week. He'd proffered, cooperated, paid restitution, hired good lawyers—and still thought that me…
10 months, 4 weeks ago
What's the Biggest Mistake People Make Before Surrendering to Federal Prison—And How Do You Avoid It?
In this episode, I move beyond the story of surrendering to prison lost and confused, and focus instead on how to prepare for a successful journey be…
11 months ago
Why Did I Eat Like It Was My Last Meal on Earth the Day I Surrendered to Prison?
On April 28th, 2008, I surrendered to the Taft federal prison camp, three years to the day after the FBI came to my door. I wasn't ready. I stuffed m…
11 months ago
What Hidden Excuses Creep Into Letters, Even When You Think You're Accepting Responsibility?
I admire when people try to create assets—letters, statements, narratives—for sentencing. But if you send the wrong message, it can backfire. In this…
11 months ago
Why Will a Federal Judge Be More Inclined to Listen If They See Their Own Values in You?
When I stood in front of Judge Steven Wilson, I never thought about his values—or how mine compared. Looking back, I should have. Judges, prosecutors…
11 months ago
What Do Judges Mean When They Say, "Show Me How You're Fixing It, Not That You're Sorry"?
We can't change the past. But if you're under investigation, you can absolutely influence what happens next. Too many defendants keep their heads dow…
11 months ago
How Can One Page, Written Early, Influence a Judge More Than Any Courtroom Apology?
When UBS fired me in 2005, I wasn't thinking about a government investigation. I was worried about my job, my clients, and how to spin a story. Three…
11 months ago