The Road Less Traveled

What's the best way to go about something? Is it plan? Is it research? Is it process? Is it think so much about it that you never actually get to the action part of things? There is only so much you can do before deciding to do something before you have to recognize that all the careful consideration you're putting into something is actually preventing you from accomplishing what you intended. Som...

This episode is more intended for me as an audio diary (much like a majority of episodes I guess) but I do relate a few statistics and facts that I learned recently that I found eye opening. I'm in a very positive head space even if life is on a slightly downward trend. I'm moving forward and keeping my head up. Thanks for joining me on this journey. -Denis Baldwin

I'll be honest guys, this episode meanders and doesn't quite go in any particular direction. There are times when you simply need to get a task done because you made a commitment to doing so. This is one of those times. I still appreciate you listening and joining me today. As always, thank you for being respectful. - Denis Baldwin

On this week's episode I'm proud to say that I am back on track. I feel like a train that was close to derailing but is now on it's way to a better destination. It was certainly a close thing. I'm very thankful for the person that I am and that I can recognize better habits, better routines, and the the incremental work that needs to be done daily in order to add up towards a life that I want. As...

On this episode I talk about adjusting back into a life of sobriety and the reality of what "normal" looks like after a period of drinking. I also was going to sing a few songs, but I absolutely cut that portion out because it sounded like hot garbage. I'm not sure what I was thinking. I can't sing very well. Thank me later. As always, thank you for listening and being respectful. -Denis Baldwin

On today's episode, I finally open up about the one major life event that led me to prison. It wasn't easy decising that I wanted to do this episode, but I feel like I am at a point in my life where I can finally be honest and put it out there. This is my personal experience: It is not meant to shame, hurt, or slander anyone involved. I've been very angry and resentful over how things unfolded, bu...

Currently going through one of the hardest times of my life. It is especially difficult being self aware and introspective yet you make terrible decisions that have long term effects. I understand and recognize that I'm going through the stages of grief right now. It has helped me to sit with my emotions and try not to act on them, but it also feels like it's tearing my mind and heart apart at the...

Recovery isn't an easy road, especially when you've hurt the person or people you love the most. It makes you feel like you aren't worth living, deserve to be harmed or have the worst done to you, and makes you want to give up or give in. I'm currently going through all of it. I relapsed with alcohol and destroyed my engagement to my fiancée and there's no desire for reconciliation on her part eve...

Raw and unfiltered: I betrayed the trust of my fiancée when I relapsed with alcohol. I hurt her so deeply and shattered her trust to the point where we are no longer engaged and it feels like all hope is lost. I'm afraid, confused, sick to my stomach, and utterly hate myself for doing it. It doesn't help to understand that it was because of my addiction, my dependency on alcohol which changed my m...

On this week's episode, I rehash the past when I was doing film festivals last year... turns out the guy that backstabbed me has been doing it to other people and is now in hot water. Curious to see how that all turns out. I also am going into a slow work season so I'm ready to get back on track with my health, my wealth, and working on me. If you have something you've been putting off, I suggest...

On this episode I was going to rant and rave about the terrible customer service I've been getting lately. I probably could have gone on and on about poorly trained or inexperienced people, but instead I found myself going with a different tact and exploring the jobs I've been in and the service I've given. I do still let off a little steam near the end because it is incredibly frustrating when yo...

I'm officially a home owner! What a journey. After spending over 5 years in prison I could never imagine being where I'm at currently. It has been a long process and a lot of hard work but entirely worthwhile. On this episode, I catch everyone up on what that process looks like, although I entirely forgot to describe how awful the move itself was... It had just rained in Vegas so it was 105 degree...

Happy 4th of July everyone! I've been in the process of closing on a house and getting ready to move. It's been a great time to reflect on my time in prison compared to how great life is now. I'll never forget what I did, even if it was an accident, but it really makes me appreciate the people in my life and the things that I have. I'll always regret that I took that away from someone else, but I...

On this weeks episode, I talk about "imagination." It served me well while I was in prison, got me through some hard times, and has also confused me in ways I never thought possible, since I've generally been able to see outside myself and relate to other people. I tell a couple stories from my past, and I ramble as per usual. As always, thank you for listening and being respectful. - db

I will never say that bad things have to happen for us to appreciate the good, nor will I say that things happen for a reason, in the sense that there is a bigger picture or grand design. A terrible thing happened because I made the worst decision of my life, and someone lost their's because of it. Now, after working hard and trying to be the best person I can be, not just for myself but for my fa...

Thought I'd look up a few prison facts and relate them to my own personal experience in prison. I've always been torn on the idea that incarceration is such a big business and money maker in America. Like all businesses, there's no incentive to reducing/stopping crime, since you're eliminating your product at that point. I should do a follow up and see where these companies are spending there mone...

There is a thing to be said of about timing... and that it's everything. It's funny how things are and aren't working out, but I'd that is timing, too. I've unfortunately been having more prison related dreams, and the last one was quite telling about my disappointment in not getting the job I had applied for and had been given an acceptance letter for. I tried not to get my hopes up and start cas...

Unfortunately, not good news on this episode. It's not confirmed that I didn't get hired for my felony, but it is basically exactly that. I understand that every denial is okay because of what I did; I have perspective and have been immensely humbled by the hurt that I have caused. Still, doesn't make the pill any easier to swallow. -db

Wow. I don't know when I went over two thousand listens, but thank you for everyone that has given this podcast a chance. I was away for a few weeks because depression is a bitch and comes in many forms. It doesn't have to be surface level, and there are many times when you won't even recognize it because everything is going well in your life. Life has been especially good for me lately, which is...

Apologies upfront for the poor sound quality. I think a lot of it was my allergies and how my whole head feels like it's underwater right now, but there may have been a loose connection as well. I finally settled in to the new place after the move so I'll hopefully feel better soon and will look into my sound issues. It's perfectly understandable, but it doesn't have the usual gusto that I give. T...

On this week's episode I reminisce a bit since I'm currently in the middle of moving (again!). It seems I've moved around quite a lot in my life, yet each time has presented new opportunities and new beginnings in my life. I'm openly looking forward to this next one even if it might have some challenges with it. As I've been packing boxes, I've been going through old photos, notes and story ideas...

On this weeks episode I spiral down the rabbit hole and talk about ethics. I try to talk in mostly broad terms, but I do cite a few examples that have stood out to me recently and got me on this line of thinking. Join me as I lose my sanity, stay with me after you've lost yours. Cheers! As always, thank you for listening and being respectful. -db

This episode is incredibly personal to me even though it isn't centered around my experiences in prison. Clark County School District (Las Vegas) is currently facing a $50 million deficit and the people in power are sitting on a mountain of money, refusing to help, even though we are nearly dead last in education. I spent time with hundreds of people in prison who never had the opportunities that...

I've always been observant, and it's helped me navigate living in prison by learning the customs and who to avoid or respect, but it also continues to help me in my day to day life. These are some of the things that have been on my mind lately in regards to what I've noticed. As always, thank you for listening and being respectful. - db

On this weeks episode of The Road Less Travel, I rave about the movie "Shot Caller." If you're looking for a movie about prison that is authentic, well written, incredibly accurate, and maybe a little too close to home (for me), this would be the one. I relate it to my own personal experiences and count my blessings that only some of what is depicted in the movie was what I went through because I...