Second Chance

Life changing experiences can make you the person you become. That’s Andy Chaggars  story. He was caught up in one of the world's most lethal natural disasters, a Tsunami. It swept through Thailand causing major damage and killing over 5000 people, including 2,000 foreign tourists. One of those was Andy’s partner. Andy Chaggar’s story is incredible, full of resilience and determination. The h...

Warning: Please be aware that this episode contains details of sexual violence and abuse that you may find distressing.  Rotherham in the UK is known for the gangs of men who abused, raped and even impregnated young girls. Their secrets came crashing down when a few brave girls stood up and told their story to the press, and the police.  Sammy Woodhouse is one of these brave women. After years of...

Warning: Please be aware that this episode contains details of sexual violence and self harm that you may find distressing. Also be aware that this episode contains explicit language.  My Second Chance podcast guest booker, Tegan Parsons, shares her own story. It’s a reminder that no matter how much you think you might know someone, or things about that someone, you never really do. Her descriptiv...

Once upon a time, when I was a teenager I wouldn't give a police officer the time of day. Now, things have changed and I find myself supporting one of their initiatives that is aimed at diverting young adults away from a life of violence and crime. Speaking with Chief Inspector Jack Rowlands of the Metropolitan Police on my podcast about his project Divert is insightful and groundbreaking. He...

For many, the Manchester Arena Islamic terrorist attacker, that took place on May 22nd 2017, was both shocking and devastating. More so for the 22 victims who lost their lives, and those who barely survived with their lives. Two of these survivors were Martin Hibbert and his 13 year old daughter Eve. Martin was left with 22 pieces of bomb shrapnel in his body, and paralysed from the waist down. Ev...

Today, Joey Barnett is an inspiration to many, guiding others away from drugs and crime; a life he once knew too well. Joey unwillingly traded most of his young life for a prison sentence, after a spree of bank robberies which allowed him to afford his expensive crack cocaine addiction. Through embracing faith, Joey found a way out.  Support the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

A follow-up episode to Episode 31: Musical Murderer. From inside Monroe Correctional Facility, Aaron Howerton talks of hope and the future, despite being given a life sentence without the possibility of parole at just 19 years old. Howerton talks about finding love from his 6-by-9-foot cell, injustice and the criminal justice system in America. Aaron sheds light on life on the inside.  Support the...

At just 19 years of age, Markie Dell was sex traficked by someone she believed was her friend. After being made to strip and have sex for money, she eventually was able to run away - in 8 inch heels - and start a new life for herself. However, trauma like that never leaves, and knowing that it continues to happen to women all over the world doesn’t make it any easier. Markie shines a light on how...

Although knife crime remains a serious issue, incidents are falling here in the UK. That is, to some extent, to do with those who share their experience. Stuart Newton is one of those individuals. He was brought back to life from the brink of death after being stabbed numerous times in an unprovoked knife attack. He wants people to know what it feels like to be stabbed, and how it affects a victim...

With a series of traumatic events in her past, Jessica Impiazzi manages to find the silver linings in each, and push herself forward. Known for her appearances on the reality TV shows  ‘Ex On The Beach’ and ‘Celebrity Big Brother’, she has also been in the spotlight for her modelling work, her marriage to a famous rugby player, and now her true passion - acting.    www.wearehoi.com Support the sho...

Gregory David Roberts was once Australia’s Most Wanted Man. The armed robber escaped from prison, fled to India and joined the Indian Mafia. On a smuggling trip to Germany he was caught and extradited back to Australia to serve out the rest of this 19 year sentence. While in prison he wrote the bestselling novel Shantaram, which is based on his own life experiences. From his home in Jamaica we tal...

A woman working in a men’s prison. From marriage proposals to stolen washing machines.. Lucy has seen it all in her work. Looking after ex offenders and those being released. Life can be difficult for those entering a new world after being locked up, but Lucy and her team are aiming to make that transition a lot smoother.  The power of consistent support and slow progress is changing the lives of...

Dr Rupy Aujla joins us in discussing overall health and wellbeing, and the ways in which our food choices can affect both our physical and mental health. Dr Rupy was diagnosed with a heart condition, which led him down a path of discovery. This discovery went on to launch The Doctor’s Kitchen and in turn gave Dr Rupy’s body a second chance.  https://thedoctorskitchen.com/ Support the show Hosted o...

Please be aware before listening to this episode, that there are in-depth talks of sexual assault, rape and other sensitive topics.  Dr Jessica Taylor has become an expert in her field of victim support, specifically looking at women who have experienced rape and sexual assault. Her work has helped many, and in this episode she gives a true insight into the problems that survivors face on a daily...

Natalie Queiroz, a survivor of one of the most appallingly brutal attacks imaginable. After being stabbed more than 20 times by her partner when she was eight months pregnant, she has rebuilt her life and inspired people with her courage and refusal to be bowed by her trauma. Natalie and her baby survived - but not without life-changing physical and emotional damage.  This episode is a truly movin...

Shannon Ainslie was just 15 when he was attacked by two deadly sharks, but in a twist of fate, got free and surfed to shore. Despite this harrowing experience, Shannon continued surfing, and has since been involved in further shark attacks, and even faced an Orca – also known as the Killer Whale. A lesson of resilience and determination. No matter what you might face, you should never give up your...

Aaron Howerton grew up in Washington, USA, with his father, and lived a life of torment from his peers as he dealt with his diagnosis of juvenile Parkinson’s disease, as well as living in a tent and showering under a garden hose. As time progressed, Aaron turned to a life of crime in order to survive, which eventually led to the robbery and murder of a 21-year-old man. And like that, at 19 years o...

Larry Lawton grew up in the Bronx, New York, and was connected to the american mafia. As a professional jewel thief he stole millions of dollars in a string of robberies before the FBI charged him with racketeering and robbery. He spent 11 years in some of the hardest federal prisons in the USA for his crimes.  In prison, Larry transformed his life, and now on the outside he has a popular youtube...

Larry Lawton grew up in the Bronx, New York, and was connected to the american mafia. As a professional jewel thief he stole millions of dollars in a string of robberies before the FBI charged him with racketeering and robbery. He spent 11 years in some of the hardest federal prisons in the USA for his crimes.  In prison, Larry transformed his life, and now on the outside he has a popular youtube...

Bulimia nervosa, an eating disorder and mental health condition is a serious, potentially life-threatening disorder characterized by a cycle of binge eating and self vomiting. It’s not a condition you manage yourself, as Courtney my guest will explain. It is a psychological and physical challenge that can be beaten over time. I hope this story of a resilient young woman will empower others who may...

WARNING: This episode contains descriptions of drug abuse and sexual violence which may may be upsetting for some listeners. The story you are about to hear on this episode is the struggles of a young middle class woman who felt ostracised by her peers, and so became a sex worker and drug addict.  As a street worker she was viciously attacked by a punter - and seen as less than a victim by the pol...

In this episode I wanted to ask you - the listener - what you think about the concept and the reality of a second chance?  In previous episodes we’ve listened to stories from individuals who have come back from the brink of death, criminals who have made good after serving lengthy prison sentences and victims that have not allowed the crime against them to define who they are. The podcast has also...

Jon Watts was 18 years old when he stabbed another young man because he was angry. He was angry because he felt society had given up on him and other young people. Society had not given up on Jon, but this is how he felt. And it added to the knife crime statistics.  Once he was shown a different path and trained as a chef he went on to work as a sous chef in one of Jamie Oliver's restaurants....

The wolf of wall street movie portrayed crooked financial traders in a way that you either loved them or hated them. My guest today was in the thick of those characters in real life.  He stole millions to finance a luxurious lifestyle that lasted many years. This man had it all, but he lived with a guilt that led him to give it all away before he was arrested and imprisoned. The private jets, lamb...

A small quantity of drugs are found by the police in a car. Three people are arrested. Fingerprints found on the wraps connect one person to the drugs, cocaine and heroin. That person is charged with intent to supply. He is convicted by a jury and sentenced to 4 years in prison. End of story. Not for Christopher James Kennedy. He asked if he could come on the Second Chance podcast to explain his s...