Awake Gadflies

The Person Next to You

Society EN ↓ 6 episodes

The Person Next to You uncovers the hidden stories of the one in three Americans living with a criminal history. These stories of survival, joy, pain, and transformation rarely get told, but they matter. By slowing down and listening, we dismantle stigma, replace judgment with empathy, and recognize that no neighbor, coworker, or stranger is ever just ordinary. Understanding begins the moment we truly pay attention.

Author

Awake Gadflies

Episodes

Episode 6: Practical Thoughts for Fair Chance Employers 03.05.2026 52:24

Meet Maria. She founded Awake Window & Door Co in July 2020 to meet a need. Joining together with three other owners, they recognized qualified men and women were missing out on job opportunities because they had a criminal background. They built a company to prove simply that people can be qualified to do great work despite their past… and it’s working. In just over five years, Awake Wind...

Episode 5: The Space Between Falling and Rising 28.03.2026 46:57

Meet Braden. He is a receiving technician, forklift trainer, and growth coach at Awake Window & Door Co. He gets honest about his struggle with substance use, homelessness, and a background that disqualified him from many employment opportunities. Braden breaks the mold and challenges stereotypes that suggest he would be anything less than a great addition to any team. Music by Armond “Mon...

Episode 4: Embrace not Accept 17.12.2025 54:42

Meet Erik Maloney. Erik is an author, a mentor, and a man who has served 26 years of a life sentence. Erik shares about his book, Imprisoned Minds: Lost Boys, Trapped Men, and Solutions from Within the Prison. Together, we discuss his unique perspective on how childhood trauma can shape behavior and the opportunity that fair chance employers have to be a part of the solution.----more---- LInks:...

Episode 3: Uncomfortable On Purpose 02.11.2025 43:16

Meet Lizzette. Hear her story of hope and determination as she nears the end of a 16-year prison sentence. She is one of the 70 million Americans who have a criminal background that makes it challenging to find work, support family, and rebuild after incarceration… and she’s a great hire. Lizzette invites us to join in on her journey of re-entry as it happens.

Episode 2: Being Intentional 01.10.2025 48:10

Meet Danny Hoffert. Our goal at The Person Next to You is to introduce the 1 in 3 Americans directly impacted by mass incarceration and recidivism. Danny shares his story of returning home after 8.5 years behind bars. His journey from survival, to stability, and now to thriving is why fair chance hiring makes sense for businesses and for healthy communities.

Episode 1: Potential Over Past 03.09.2025 31:11

Episode 1 of The Person Next to You sets the stage for the series by uncovering the “Why” behind the urgent need to share experiences of people who’ve lived through incarceration. With 1 in 3 Americans directly impacted by the ripple effects of mass incarceration, this isn’t a “them” issue, it’s a “we” issue. In this opening conversation, we explore resilience, struggle, vulnerability, and unexpec...