The Road Less Traveled

On this episode I explain what my time was like working at the Governor's Mansion during my incarceration. I mentioned that one of the things we did was do the decorations seasonally... I failed to add what it's like trying to add holiday garland and lights to an entire mansion's balconey and railings. A worthwhile nightmare. Enjoy the various stories and ramblings on this weeks episode and as alw...

I feel this episode is a must listen. I start by venting about my day but I believe that I make a few great points and self-realizations. We're all going through something because we all live on the same planet. Be kind to one another and thank you for being respectful. - db

This episode is a transitional episode with stories from my time in the Buildings and Grounds department as well as the Governor's Mansion (and plenty of stories in between) during my incarceration. Thanks for listening and being respectful. -db

I start this episode off with a minor rant on some of the difficulties felons face immediately out of prison: where to find suitable housing that isn't in an area riddled with crime. I also discuss in the second half of the episode my fortuitous transition from wildland firefighting to a job with the buildings and grounds department taking care of the state buildings and such. Thank you for tuning...

I had a small revelation while in the shower (where most great epiphanies happen) and realized that I generally inherit the role of a leader whether it's in groups in school or an eventual work promotion (but without the pay it seems). This happened while I was incarcerated and I might say that this is a "special episode" in the beginning, it's just a standard episode. The story I elude to in the...

Going to prison forces you to confront yourself and take stock of who you are and who you could be. This episode focuses on gratitude and the act of being grateful even when faced with adversity. Thank you for listening and being respectful. - db

You'd be surprised of easy it was to get drugs in prison and how often I was around them. While I might joke or be sarcastic about the subject matter since it's my own personal experience/story, keep in mind that doesn't mean I'm insensitive to addiction. Quite a few people I did time with got out and immediately went back to drugs; some of them overdosed, and while I wasn't friends with them, it'...

What do inmates do during the off-season when they aren't fighting wildfires? Did you even know that some prisoners fight wildfires? There's also flood calls, emergency services and forestry services to name a few. As always, thank you for listening and being respectful. - db

This episode is all about the pen pals that wrote me while I was in prison! I'm so thankful to have had even a single person write me while I was incarcerated. Having something to look forward and be able to take the time to write back to people outside prison ws invaluable to my mental state and to keep me going. Thanks again guys. -db

The entire purpose of this podcast is to help work through the trauma my being incarcerated and my journey moving forward. This episode covers a few of my thoughts and realizations that stem from my current and past situations. I enjoyed this one and cover quite a bit of ground. Thank you for listening and being respectful. -db

On this episode I talk about a couple of my wildland firefighting experiences while in prison, but I also ramble a fair amount for the second half. Sorry! Still a fun episode, I promise. Thank you for tuning in and being respectful.

This special episode of The Road Less Traveled podcast is meant to be a sleep tape: Listen, relax, and fall asleep. I don't want you to make it to the end of the episode, I want to send you to dreamland. Rest easy listeners.

This unexpectedly became the second part of last episode due to the length of the story. I was dispatched to the Mendocino Complex fire in California in 2018 while I was part of an inmate wildland firefighting crew after only a week of "training." Nearly died in the beginning. Exciting!

I never would have expected that I'd be conscripted to be a wildland firefighter while I was in prison. The training left a lot to be desired, but I did get my certifications! Find out what that experience was like in the first part of a multi-part firefighting episode. Thanks for listening and sharing.

Being at a minimum security "prison camp" was a lot more exciting and violent than I thought it would be. Join me on my podcast as I recount the surreal experience of that first week. Thank you for listening and being respectful. - db

The day finally arrived that I'd go from a maximum security prison to a minimum security "camp". This episode details what some of those thoughts and emotions are like when your fate is completely out of your hands. It got weirdly better and also worse from there. Thank you for listening and being respectful.

Ever wonder about some of the more interesting aspects of prison like how people smuggle in drugs or what boredom drives people to? I didn't, until I experienced it firsthand. This episode is a medley of things I found interesting when I first got to prison. Thank you for listening and being respectful.

Today's episode focuses on "proximate cause" of an incident, who's at fault, and who's responsible. I also pick out some major headlines to tie my examples together from school shootings to open murder. Hard topics. Hard questions. No anwers. Thank you for being respectful.

Not sure how I forgot this jail story... probably because it's pretty gross, given the content. This one isn't for the squeamish. Thanks for listening.

Today's special episode is topical: I discuss three news articles involving driving, DUI's, and a special law to help curb accidents and deaths. As always, thank you for tuning in being respectful.

I had a couple close calls in prison and thankfully made it through unscathed. Join me for a few of those stories and experiences on today's episode. 

I never thought I'd find myself headed to prison. Simple, straightforward advice got me through. Here's an idea of what the day looks like when you're on your way on your way to prison. Thank you for listening.

Hate being sick? Try being sick in prison. I'm just thankful I made it through.

The day I was sentenced to prison was one of the lowest points in my entire life, even if it was deserved. I was ashamed of my actions and what had led me to where I was and I tried to address the court honestly, humbly and with genuine remorse. Thank you for listening and being respectful.

New Years Resolutions are generally an afterthought for most people, but when I was incarcerated, it was a meaningful way for me to compartmentalize large projects and self-improvement. (I know, what NY resolutions are usually for, but when you're incarcerated you have to get more creative with less.) Thanks again for tuning in and following. See you in the New Year. - db