Zaki Smith

In Spite Of Podcast

Education EN ↓ 3 episodes

In Spite Of shares the stories you rarely hear—of people who were formerly incarcerated, justice-impacted, or living with a criminal record, yet rebuilt their lives and never went back. Hosted by Zaki Smith, a Youth Empowerment Activist and Social Justice Advocate with lived experience, the podcast features honest conversations about transformation, leadership, overcoming stigma, and reclaiming purpose. These are stories of growth, accountability, and what’s possible—in spite of where you’ve been. What’s your In Spite Of story? Contat Us: info@inspite-of.com

Author

Zaki Smith

Episodes

Growth Feels Lonely At First 12.01.2026 7:02

Growth doesn’t begin with relief—it begins with distance. In this reflection, Zaki sits with the quiet loneliness that arrives when familiar people, habits, and versions of yourself start to fall away. This episode explores the space between who you were and who you are becoming, and why loneliness is often a sign of alignment, not failure. A meditation on stillness, separation, and the steady str...

No More Blaming 09.01.2026 12:32

There comes a moment when blame stops protecting you and starts keeping you stuck. In this reflection, Zaki explores the quiet shift that happens when you stop defending the past and begin owning it. Not as shame, but as power. This episode sits with accountability, responsibility, and the freedom that comes when your life becomes yours again—without excuses, without deflection, and without blame.

Finding Purpose After A Life Sentence 01.01.2026 44:50

On this episode of In Spite Of, I sit down with Lester Young—a man who spent 22 years in prison and came home to build a new life rooted in purpose, leadership, and service. From incarceration to transformation, Lester’s story is a powerful reminder that redemption is real and second chances matter. We dive into his journey of resilience, the lessons he carried from prison into freedom, and how he...