The Conviction Fiction w/Antoine Rivers

In this inspiring episode of the Conviction Fiction Podcast, host Antoine Rivers sits down with Alena Patchett , a woman whose journey of recovery has transformed into a mission to help others heal in unconventional ways. Five and a half years clean, Alena is now creating a horse-based recovery program that blends her skills as a horse trainer with her passion for helping people rebuild their live...

What happens after you get a second chance at life? Is the hardest part surviving the storm—or figuring out what comes next? In this solo episode of the Conviction Fiction Podcast , host Antoine Rivers explores the emotional, practical, and spiritual journey of finding purpose after a fresh start . Whether you’re rebuilding after incarceration, addiction recovery, career loss, or a major life tran...

What if the key to reducing recidivism wasn’t just jobs or housing, but people —mentors willing to walk alongside returning citizens? In this episode of Conviction Fiction , host Antoine Rivers explores the powerful, often unseen ripple effect mentorship creates when someone comes home from prison. From the harsh realities of reentry—employment roadblocks, housing struggles, and the weight of stig...

Headlines often pit police and communities against each other, but what happens when we push past the noise and sit down for honest dialogue? In this episode of The Conviction Fiction Podcast , host Antoine Rivers takes listeners inside the divide that shapes so many headlines—and lives. Drawing from candid officer interviews, powerful community testimonials, and dialogue gathered at a recent comm...

“Quiet quitting” has been painted as the latest workplace rebellion—employees doing the bare minimum to push back against hustle culture. But what if, for some, it’s not about disengagement at all? What if it’s a survival tactic? In this solo episode, host Antoine Rivers takes a hard look at how the quiet quitting phenomenon plays out for individuals navigating life after incarceration. Drawing on...

In this powerful episode of Conviction Fiction , host Antoine Rivers sits down with Roel, a passionate advocate for change and transformation. Roel shares his inspiring journey from recovery to redemption, offering a hopeful perspective on the power of personal growth and the importance of showing the younger generation that there’s always a better way. With a focus on resilience, self-discovery,...

In this episode of The Conviction Fiction Podcast , host Antoine Rivers speaks with Bill Carlson, an ethics trainer, public speaker, and author, about the hidden forces that drive unethical behavior. Drawing from his own experience, Bill shares his journey from a successful career in the securities industry to serving time for a white-collar crime. He explores how unexamined internal pressures, co...

In this powerful episode of Conviction Fiction , we sit down with Morgan McFadden, a courageous woman who shares her journey of recovery from addiction and her path to self-discovery. After struggling with crystal meth for years, Morgan reached a breaking point where she realized she couldn’t fight her battles alone. Now in transitional housing, she’s finding strength in vulnerability, embracing t...

In this powerful episode of Conviction Fiction , Antoine Rivers explores how healing circles , community support , and entrepreneurship are transforming the lives of formerly incarcerated individuals. With nearly 70% of those released from prison re-arrested within five years, this episode dives into innovative solutions that are breaking the cycle of recidivism. Through personal stories of growth...

In this powerful episode of the Conviction Fiction podcast, we sit down with Robyn Grable , Founder and President of The ASCEND Collective and creator of Talents ASCEND , to discuss the importance of second-chance hiring and creating inclusive workforce opportunities for individuals often overlooked by traditional hiring systems. Robyn shares her incredible journey as a Navy veteran and advocate f...

In this powerful episode of The Conviction Fiction Podcast , we sit down with Derrick Warner , Founder and CEO of REACT Corporation. Derrick, a formerly incarcerated individual, is on a mission to prevent youth from falling into the traps of the criminal justice system before they’re even caught. He’s dedicated to intercepting at-risk youth, providing them with guidance, and showing them that ther...

In this powerful episode of The Conviction Fiction Podcast , host Antoine Rivers sits down with Claudia Shivers , an inspiring entrepreneur who has rebuilt her life after incarceration. Claudia shares her journey from overcoming the stigma of reentry to becoming the proud owner of Queen Coffee Bean in High Point, North Carolina. Claudia’s story is one of resilience, transformation, and giving back...

In this inspiring episode of Conviction Fiction , we sit down with Zeke Wallace, an innovator who transformed his life after spending over four years in prison. Zeke’s journey from incarceration to entrepreneurship is nothing short of remarkable. After his release in 2024, Zeke taught himself CAD, picked up a refurbished 3D printer, and created a game-changing sanding block designed for resurfacin...

In this inspiring episode of The Conviction Fiction Podcast , we sit down with Joshua Nowack , co-founder of Breaking Free Industries , a t-shirt printing business dedicated to offering second chances to formerly incarcerated individuals. Josh shares his remarkable journey of overcoming personal setbacks—including homelessness, open-heart surgery, and a tough divorce—while rebuilding his life thro...

In this powerful solo episode of The Conviction Fiction Podcast , host Antoine Rivers dives deep into the realities of relapse and the strategies for relapse prevention. With candid insights and practical advice, this episode explores the psychological, emotional, and environmental triggers that can lead to relapse and offers actionable steps to stay on track. Antoine shares personal reflections o...

In this powerful episode of The Conviction Fiction Podcast , host Antoine Rivers sits down with Travis Freeman and Matthew Stephens —two men who walked through the fire of gang life, incarceration, and personal transformation. Travis, once known for his reputation on the streets and inside, shares how a final arrest, recovery mentorship, and giving his life to God changed everything. Matthew bring...

Coming home after incarceration is often painted as a triumph—a clean break into freedom, a fresh start. But what happens when the real work begins, especially in the relationships you return to? In this episode of Conviction Fiction , host Antoine Rivers peels back the layers of post-incarceration relationships. From the awkward first dates to marriages built on years of letters and phone calls,...

What does it really take to come home after prison? In this episode of Conviction Fiction, we go beyond the headlines and statistics to explore the human side of reentry—where resilience meets reality. You’ll hear why nearly 76% of people released from incarceration are rearrested within five years, and why starting over is often far more complicated than simply “staying out of trouble.” From the...

Anger. It’s the emotion nobody talks about — but almost every formerly incarcerated person feels it. In this powerful episode of Conviction Fiction , host Antoine Rivers takes you on an unfiltered journey through the emotional challenges of reentry, focusing on the role anger plays in both survival and sabotage. From the trauma that fuels it to the moments where it threatens to undo progress, this...

What happens when the prison gates open—but the trauma stays? In this episode of Conviction Fiction , we dive deep into the unseen weight that many returning citizens carry: trauma. From childhood wounds to the emotional toll of incarceration itself, trauma can shape how we think, feel, and move through the world long after we’re released. Join host Antoine Rivers for a real, unfiltered conversati...

The gig economy is booming — but for many formerly incarcerated individuals, it's more than a side hustle. It’s a lifeline. In this episode, host Antoine Rivers explores how platforms like Uber, DoorDash, Fiverr, and Instacart are offering returning citizens a way to rebuild their lives — one gig at a time. But it’s not all flexibility and freedom. We break down the barriers, from tech literac...

In this inspiring episode of Conviction Fiction , we sit down with Michael Clark , a formerly incarcerated student and full-time worker who is rewriting his story through education and service. Michael shares how Common Good Atlanta — a powerful organization connecting Georgia’s colleges and professors with prison classrooms — helped him rediscover his purpose and build a future rooted in growth....

In this thought-provoking episode of Conviction Fiction , we sit down with educator, justice advocate, and powerful voice for change, C. Jay Tarter . Together, we explore how language shapes not only public perception of incarcerated individuals but also the policies and systems that keep cycles of injustice in motion. C. Jay breaks down the impact of labels like “offender” and “inmate,” and how r...

As part of the Starting Over series, host Antoine Rivers explores how technology is reshaping what reentry looks like for returning citizens. From that first moment of holding a smartphone behind bars to navigating online job platforms, we break down how digital literacy is no longer optional — it’s essential. Antoine shares his own journey of learning how to use tech while incarcerated and how th...

What happens when your child is sentenced—but you’re the one still doing time on the outside? In this powerful and personal episode, Antoine Rivers shifts the focus to the often unheard voices of parents and families who carry the emotional, financial, and spiritual weight when a loved one is incarcerated. From the guilt of wondering “Did I fail?” , to the sacrifices made just to maintain a connec...