EP 159 "My Heart is in Corrections" State Rep Carl O Sherman
Release Date: 03/11/2024
EP 187 "Jesus Trumps Everything" James Cruz's Presidential Commutation Story
Background Check Podcast
This episode is optimized for video. James was born and raised in Dallas, Texas and is the youngest of 8 children in his family. Despite both of his parents working, his family was always involved in illegal activity. At a very young age, James began selling drugs. He saw the benefits it brought to those who did it. He was arrested at the age of 20 for this very behavior. By the time he was 21, James was convicted by a jury and was sentenced to 40-years in Federal Prison. His life changed in his first year of incarceration. He heard about the Lord and committed his life to...
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EP 183 "From Drug Addicts to Jesus Addicts" The Dalton and Dakota Hackett Story
Background Check Podcast
In this episode, Jay Dan and Jessa talk about the Ranger game they went to, do some shout outs, discuss FI-5’s in Texas, show off some drawings and do a devotion about not going back to the old you. Then we get to hear from Dalton and Dakota. Dalton came to us from the Way Back connection which he talks about. After they got married, they both were on their own meth journey. They have kids of their own, as well as adopted kids, and they lost custody of them during their journey. Dalton’s dad was in prison too and he’s the one who connected Dalton to us. Since Dalton has been at Forgiven...
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EP 167"Taco Time, Black Sheep, and 2nd Chances" with Bryan Burns, Trinity West Roofing and Construction
Background Check Podcast
In this episode, we sit down with Bryan Burns, from Trinity West Roofing and Construction to hear his story. We talk addiction, divorce of his parents, his love for the LA Dodgers, and who he thinks is the biggest crybaby in the NBA. We talk about how he got into roofing too. Jessa and I do the announcements and we talk with a newly released inmate from the Florida prison system, Jimmy Cowden. We also get some shout outs from the church I spoke at over our anniversary weekend. This episode is best watched on our youtube channel. @forgivenfelon To buy Forgiven Felons merchandise...
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EP 166 "Defining Moments" with Mark Cole, CEO- John Maxwell Enterprises, Jay Dan Gumm, Tuan Nguyen
Background Check Podcast
To wrap up the Laws of Growth series, Jay Dan and Tuan traveled to Atlanta to interview Mark Cole in the Maxwell Leadership Podcast Studio. Mark talks about leadership, defining moments, which laws of growth are the most challenging for him, how he got started in the company, and his struggles and victories since becoming CEO. Thanks to John Maxwell, Mark Cole, Jake Decker, and Kimberly Whetsell for making all this possible. Also big shout out to Tuan Nguyen for taking time out of his busy schedule, to invest in the lives of so many men and women behind the walls, by recording this series with...
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EP 165 "He Tapped the Gavel" with Ron Adkins and Judge Robert Newsom
Background Check Podcast
In this episode, Jay Dan and Jessa start things off with announcements including graduation celebrations at the Kyle, Hilltop, and O'Daniel units, jokes, prayer requests, prison recipes, and sports. Then we welcome Ron Adkins, from episode 4, back along with the Judge who handed him his five 99 year sentences. This is a conversation you don't want to miss. Please like, share, and subscribe. Let your loved ones in prison and jails know about our podcast on their tablets. You can buy merchandise or learn more about Forgiven Felons at: This episode is optimized for video and you...
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EP 164 "Think Twice" with John Earle, Think Twice Ministries
Background Check Podcast
We highlight some amazing murals done by four men at the Ellis unit and highlight a soccer game held at the Allred unit. Then we sit down with John Earle and talk about his days as a professional football player and how he got into prison ministry. You can buy merchandise or learn more about Forgiven Felons at: This episode is optimized for video and you can watch it on our YouTube channel:
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EP 179 "Faith, Family, Forgiveness, and Music" Brian Head Welch and Jay Dan Gumm
Background Check Podcast
In this episode, after a quick devotion, Jay Dan sits down with the legend, Korn guitarist, Brian Welch. They talk addiction, religion, family, forgiveness, and more. You do not want to miss this episode. If you have a loved one in prison, let them know they can watch on the tablets through Pando App. If they're in jail with NCIC tablets, they can watch through a special channel. Thank you Brian, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to hang with us and share your story to the inmate population across the nation. For Forgiven Felons and Background Check Merchandise visit our...
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"Law of the Rubberband" Tuan and Jay Dan, Law of Growth Series
Background Check Podcast
Law of Growth Series for the inmates. We put this series on our channel because some inmates want to continue the series when they get out. We talk about the Law of the Rubberband from John Maxwell's book 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth. Jay Dan meets of guy, coming out of the bathroom at church, who listened to the podcast in prison. He talks with him. We show the pictures of restricted inmates from building 12 on the Robertson unit getting baptized. You can also watch this on our youtube channel @forgivenfelon
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EP 163 "Stick with the Plan" Richard and Ashanti Smith, Trinity Restoration Ministries
Background Check Podcast
In this episode, Jessa nails the announcements, we do some shout outs to some ladies on life row in Florida, we talk sports, we read from mine and my mom's journals while I was in prison, and we do a devotional. Then we get into Richard and Ashanti's story including his past, how he got connected with TRM, how they met, and what all they are doing for the Kingdom of God today. It's truly incredible. You can visit them at and Follow them on social media too. facebook.com/trmdallas
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EP 162 "Empowering Women Out of Prison" Pam Theroe, Executive Director of EWOP
Background Check Podcast
Our interview with Pam Theroe from EWOP, Empowering Women Out of Prison. You can watch this video on our youtube channel.
info_outlineMy interview with State Rep Carl O Sherman including his journey to become a pastor and eventually in to politics.