Second Chance
Second Chance is an award-winning podcast series hosted by journalist Raphael Rowe that explores the idea of getting a second chance in life. Each episode features conversations with people from all walks of life, including those who were given another opportunity and those some might consider undeserving of one. The show asks who deserves a second chance, who decides, and what a second chance really means. Rowe brings his own experience as a man wrongly convicted and freed after 12 years in prison, alongside his work as a BBC correspondent and Netflix host.
Episodes
Australia’s Unexpected Defender - Jamieson O’Reilly
Jamieson O’Reilly’s life is a gripping tale of transformation. Growing up in one of Australia’s most disadvantaged communities, he was surrounded by crime, addiction, and violence from an early age. With a family legacy tied to organized crime, it seemed inevitable that he’d follow the same path. By his teens, he was involved in petty theft and later drawn into complex cyber fraud schemes linked t
Drug Lord to Celebrated Artist - Stephen Mee
The fascinating life of former drug lord Stephen Mee really is what dramatised movies try to replicate. Originally from Northern Manchester, Stephen faced many challenges throughout his upbringing, including personal loss and family struggles. Despite discovering his artistic talent early on, he also became involved in a life of crime. It culminated in 1996, when he was given 30 years for importin
Criminal - Angela Kirwin
Angela Kirwin spent over a decade working in some of the most notorious prisons in Britain, where she documented her experiences and the stories of the men she met in her book "Criminal." On this podcast Angela told me the current prison system is failing the most vulnerable members of our society, as she discovered while working inside prisons. She believes that prison is not a separate worl
Celebrity Reputation Risk - James Modley
In today's world, where news travels quickly and public scrutiny is constant, safeguarding a celebrity's image is no easy task. Even minor missteps can have a significant impact on their reputation, particularly with the rise of social media. Therefore, it's essential to have a skilled and experienced legal representative who can handle reputation risks and navigate the complexities of reputation
Student Accused of Rape That Never Happened - Liam Allan
The collapsed trial of Liam Allan reveals a widespread problem in the legal system, which criminal defence lawyers have been warning about for some time. Liam was accused of rape and sexual assault, but his defense was that any sexual contact between himself and his former girlfriend was consensual. The Prosecution's case relied heavily on the ex girlfriends account, which is a common situation in
The Mastermind Behind Two Notorious Manhunts - Colin Sutton
Colin Sutton, a former police detective, is celebrated for his instrumental role in the capture of two of the UK's most notorious criminals. Levy Bellfield, a serial killer, and Delroy Grant, a serial rapist, were both caught thanks to his exceptional efforts. The BAFTA-nominated ITV drama "Manhunt" was inspired by the successful investigations led by Sutton. With over three decades of experience
Captive in Iran's Evin Prison - Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert
Dr Kylie Moore-Gilbert, a British-Australian academic, endured 804 days as a rebellious hostage of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) while being accused of being an agent for Mossad, MI6, or a spy for Australia. She was imprisoned in the infamous Evin prison, where she was kept in isolation from the outside world and subjected to relentless interrogations. Despite being told repeated
The UK's "Post Office Scandal" - Jo Hamilton
For the past twenty years, the UK has been grappling with the aftermath of the notorious "Post Office scandal," which has affected countless innocent individuals. In 2000, the Horizon IT system was introduced to modernise the Post Office network, but its rollout led to a barrage of wrongful convictions for fraud, theft, and false accounting. Despite technological advancements in digital payments a
Thief, prisoner, Solider, Priest - Paul Cowley
Paul Cowley's youth was marked by explosive arguments and aggression, due to his parents being alcoholics. He eventually became homeless and turned to crime, After serving in the army, which failed to provide him with the direction and purpose he craved and the subsequent death of his parents, Paul's quest for meaning led him to an extraordinary encounter with God. This encounter changed his life
Unfair Conviction to Criminal Justice Advocate - Amanda Knox
Amanda Knox, a journalist and public speaker, is best known for her wrongful conviction in the murder case of Meredith Kercher. Alongside her ex-boyfriend, Raffaele Sollecito, Knox was accused of the crime and sentenced to 26 and 25 years in prison, respectively. After four years behind bars, the Italian court acquitted them in 2011. However, Knox was again convicted in 2014 but was later exonerat
From Petty Criminal to Drug Runner - Frank Stedman
Frank Stedman, a lad from Essex was arrested at Heathrow Airport on a flight back from Thailand having fled there to escape capture for his involvement in organised crime. Driven by his greed for money, Frank became a runner for an organised drug trafficking gang. He transported and delivered large sums of money and kilos of drugs across the country until the authorities caught up with him and his
Rethink. Rehumanise. Reintegrate. - Jamie Hunt & Raphael Rowe
Jamie Hunt Interviews Raphael Rowe on the Raphael Rowe Foundation and the Importance of Improving Basic Human Rights in Prisons WorldwideThey discuss the origins of the Raphael Rowe Foundation with Raphael Rowe, following the success of the Netflix series 'Inside the World's Toughest Prisons'. Raphael emphasizes the need to improve basic human rights in prisons worldwide, including access to water
From Life Imprisonment to Yoga Instructor - Noel Moran
Noel, at the age of 23, was sentenced to life imprisonment, even though he was not responsible for the fatal stab wound that killed a man. He was released 15 years and 2 months later, at 38, refusing to let his circumstances define him. Instead, he found solace in yoga - using it as a means of promoting wellness and inner peace, not just for himself but for those around him, too. During his time i
Former Drug Addicted Lawyer’s Redemption - Nicole Obrigavitch
Nicole's once-promising career as a lawyer was eclipsed by her drug addiction, which led her down a dark path. As a result, she engaged in dishonest billing practices, took cash payments from clients, and even showed up to court under the influence of drugs. Consequently, she was disbarred by the Law Society of British Columbia, and her life spiralled out of control. She started dealing cryst
Unlocking Potential from a Troubled Past - Gethin Jones
As a child, Gethin Jones was highly sensitive and struggled with feelings of being lost and overwhelmed. He didn't know how to deal with his emotions and resorted to negative behavior. Eventually, he became uncontrollable and was taken away from his family and placed in the care system. This experience sent him spiraling down a path of self-destruction that resulted in a 20-year relationship with
The Sun Also Rises - Gina Jones
The film, The Sun Also Rises, due out later this year, portrays the life of Raye, a woman trapped in an abusive relationship, as she struggles to escape the cycle of violence and its effects on those around her. With Gina Jones in the lead role, it is a story of strength and resilience, both on and off the set. Despite losing part of her hearing and suffering from tinnitus after a car crash, Gina
Bank Robber - Domingo Reed
Reed Domingo is a charming man with an unbelievable story. Struggling to pay for the expensive costs of American IVF treatments, he found himself in debt to the tune of $250,000. When the situation became unbearable, Reed turned to bank robbery as a last resort, even going so far as to carry cyanide capsules in case he was ever caught.Having worked in a bank and undergone extensive training on how
ADHD and PTSD no longer define me - Jermaine Pennant
Jermaine Pennant is a former professional football player known for his on-field prowess and off-field controversies. After being signed for £2 million by Arsenal at age 15, he went on to play for prestigious clubs like Leeds, Arsenal and Liverpool. However, his troubled personal life, including alcohol problems and run-ins with the law, soon overshadowed his football career. Despite his succ
Killer to Entrepreneur: The Power of Transformation - Quan Huynh
It may seem unlikely, but many successful entrepreneurs have come from difficult backgrounds and turned their lives around. With the right mindset, perseverance, and willingness to learn new skills, anyone can transform their life and create a successful business. Take the story of Quan Huynh, for example. In 1999, he shot and killed another man in Hollywood in a gang-related incident and spent 22
Multi Millionaire Former Sugar Daddy finds love on his own dating website: Brandon Wade
Brandon Wade, a wealthy entrepreneur, says he was searching for love in all the wrong places, relying on his wealth to attract partners. He believed love was only for those without money until he met Dana, his fourth wife and true love. They met through his own dating website, Seeking.com in 2020.Before meeting Dana, Brandon had dated sugar babies and endured a number of painful divorces. But afte
Overcoming Gambling Addiction – Bianca Colclough
Bianca Colclough's Empowering Journey: From Gambling Addiction to Creating a Supportive Community for WomenBianca Colclough, the founder of This Girl community, has opened up about her own struggles with gambling addiction. Despite being unknown to many close to her, this addiction stemmed from years of sexual abuse by a family member and dealing with her parents' difficult divorce. She has also e
Killing Kittens – Emma Sayle
Empowering women in the boardroom and bedroom is what Emma Sayle, also known as the Queen Kitten, is all about. In 2005, she founded her company with the intention of empowering women both in the boardroom and bedroom. Her wild experiences in Ibiza inspired her to create a safe space for singletons and couples alike to explore and embrace their sexuality. Recently, Sayle's company launc
Football, Racism and Me – Anton Ferdinand
Anton Ferdinand, a well-known footballer who played for West Ham United and is the younger brother of former Manchester United player Rio Ferdinand, became involved in one of the most significant racial cases in football history involving former Chelsea captain, John Terry. After speaking out about the incident, Anton faced severe backlash and only played another 13 games in the premier league bef
Hitman or Innocent? - Kevin Lane
Kevin Lane has been called a gangster, a hitman, and a killer. He was given a life sentence for a hitman murder committed in 1994. He spent 20 years in prison. He has always claimed that he was not the perpetrator of the crime, but his conviction has never been reversed. In his book 'Fitted Up and Fighting Back,' he documents his case and continues to protest innocence. In this int
£32 Million Drug Import Conspiracy – Leiona Townsend
Our guest this week on Second Chance is Leiona Townsend, whose vibrant personality shines through as she shares her experiences with us. Leiona provides her unique perspective on the Heathrow Drug gang scandal, in which baggage handlers smuggled £32 million worth of cocaine into the UK. It's clear that her past does not define her, and she is now an advocate for helping those in prison today.Leion
Every Racing Driver has Fear – Tom Gaymor
Tom Gaymor: An Extraordinary Man in Motorsport and BeyondTom's journey to success has been far from easy. Despite experiencing a career-ending injury that left him with a broken back, he persevered and fought back to the sport he loves. He has since shared his passion for Motorsport with the world through his exceptional broadcasting and commentating skills.His injury has given him a unique perspe
Love Island is a Game - Jack Fowler
On Second Chance Podcast Jack opens up about being perceived white, despite his father being black and his mother white. He shares the story of the first time he experienced racism and the offensive comments and remarks made in his presence, by those who did not know he was the son of a black man. His perspective of racism has made Jack determined to speak up and out about racism whenever he can.H
Second Chance YouTube Channel!
This week we have a special new announcement for you.Our podcast interviews will now be available on our youtube channel ‘Second ChancePodcast’.Ahead of its launch, myself, Kabir, our videographer, and Kim, our producer at SecondChance, discussed filming our guest interviews and the value it adds to the show.Thank You for listening and I hope you enjoy Second Chance Podcast and the guestvideos to
Oxford Bullfinch Sex Abuse Ring -Girl 1
Girl 1 has been given lifelong anonymity and so we can’t reveal her true identity.She was one of a number of victims in the highly publicised Oxford Bullfinch case. She has chosen to share her story now to help other young people who may be in a similar situation. Police and social services let her down more than once and she is still picking up the pieces.She talks to me about her own dysfunction
Rape Lies Destroyed My Life - Jordan Trengove
Jordan Trengove's life turned upside down after sharing his partying activity on Snapchat, which led to a girl named Ellie joining him and his friends. The post changed his life forever. Ellie, whose real name was Eleanor Williams, made false allegations against Jordan, accusing him of Rape, GBH and other crimes. This led to Jordan's imprisonment, where his mental health deteriorated. Eleanor went
Drug Addict to Entrepreneur - Joseph Kajy
Joseph Kajy, the host of the "Let's Get Real" podcast, shares his incredible life journey from battling addiction and spending time in prison to becoming a successful entrepreneur and devoted family man. His story is a powerful reminder that it's never too late to start over and create a better future.Joseph emphasises the importance of embracing one's true self and rejecting external validation i
Escaping Domestic Abuse - Samantha Billingham
Samantha Billingham is a survivor of domestic abuse and the founder of SODA. A single parent to a beautiful daughter who has set up her own support group to help others, from being controlled for years to finding the courage to ask for help, she is now putting herself first. A second chance at living her own life! We hear Samantha’s story about raising awareness of what so many face behind closed
16 years in prison for crimes he did not commit: Jeffrey Deskovic
After being convicted of the rape and murder of a high school classmate at just 17 years old, Jeffrey Deskovic spent 16 long years in prison. However, DNA testing proved his innocence and led to the conviction of the real culprit, who was already incarcerated for another murder. While this revelation may bring some peace to the victim, Angela Correa, and her loved ones, Deskovic's nightmare w
Addiction to Advocacy - Morgan Godvin
Morgan Godvin was addicted to heroin from a young age. To support her habit she sold drugs. The sale of heroin to one of her best friends led to his death and her being imprisoned, in the USA, for 5 years. Her activism and advocacy now centre around reducing the harms associated with drug use, preventing overdose death, and improving access to higher education in prison. She has been a consum
Retake 9: Notorious
In this week’s retake we look at episode 72 - where I share the introduction and epilogue to ‘Notorious’, my autobiography. From being the story, to now telling the story.My own narrative, as many listeners will know, is not just about the dark challenges of injustice and the dehumanisation of what is experienced in prison. It’s a reflection on my weaknesses, education and self development that he
Retake 8: Love Locked Down
We revisit episode 50, with Laynara about love locked down. From her hometown in Brazil she fell in love with Aaron, who at the time was behind bars serving a life sentence in the States! She talks about their friendship as pen pals, to love, and her hopes for the future with her now fiancé who she had never met in person.Aaron has also shared his story with us on a prison phone call in two previo
Retake 7: Rethink. Rehumanise. Reintegrate.
In this week’s retake 7 we are going to episode 74 with our head of fundraising, Jamie Hunt. He asks Raphael questions about how from the success of the Netflix series ‘Inside the World’s Toughest Prisons’, the Raphael Rowe Foundation was founded. They talk about why there is a need to improve basic human rights in prisons around the world. To find out more about the Foundation’s work visit the w
Retake 6: Confined To Art
Gary Mansfield, ‘The Artful Dodger’ from episode 18 on this week's retake, agreed to transport, what he thought, was fake designer clothes labels, which actually turned out to be 4.2 million worth of class A drugs! He received a 14 year sentence in prison, and behind bars found solace through art. Gary shares with us his cathartic experience in surviving prison’s challenges, determined to cha
Retake 5: ‘Give Yourself a Second Chance’
In this retake 5 we go back to the beginning, all the way to episode 2, to explore what does Second Chance mean. Lordia Lewis-Spencer, a Lead Psychotherapist from Protea Psychotherapy Practise and Christopher Hickin, Assistant Director from Remedi who provide restorative justice services. Externally we are looking for a Second Chance, but really it comes with Self as Human Beings. To become better
Retake 4: Giving a Voice to the Voiceless
Lilly is an extraordinary individual who volunteers to help prisoners reintegrate back into society. We revisit episode 73 where Lilly talks with no judgement about helping people to give offenders and ex-offenders a voice. Through studying a law degree and working with the criminal justice charity ‘Sussex Pathways’ she encourages ex-prisoners to stop re-offending. Trying to repair some of the har
Retake 3: Humanity before Ratings
Jess Impiazzi has had such a full life from Reality TV star (Ex on the Beach/Celebrity Big brother) to now Actress (Keep Calm & Carry On/Override) who is on to bigger and brighter things. Behind the scenes she has come through domestic violence, divorce, mental health challenges, alcoholism, and even suicidal thoughts. She has managed to find in the darkest of times you can always hold on to t
Retake 2: Sex Engineering
Colin Richards takes a humanistic approach to sex and intimacy and see’s himself as a sex educator and general problem solver of sex and relationship challenges. He helps people transform their relationships and sex lives to become what they want and deserve. By combining knowledge of sexual and relationship psychology with his experience as a sensual masseur he is able to work with both the emot
Retake 1: The Mother Convicted of Killing Her Baby
Cookie, not her real name, as she wanted to protect her true identity, was sentenced to life imprisonment for the death of her 12 week old baby boy. She maintained her innocence throughout the 13 years she was held in prison. She continues to protest her innocence on the outside. Go to Episode 3, Second Chance Podcast, to listen to the full interview. Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ep
Living With Bipolar - Matthew Allman
Matthew Allman was diagnosed with Bipolar disorder after an acute episode led to his being sectioned and institutionalised in an asylum, in Barbados. Despite being held in total isolation and being medicated to manage his behaviour, he found a way out. In this interview he talks about how taboo mental illness is in his home country and incidents that led up to him bneing sectioned. He shares the m
Behind the Glamour and Glitz - Emma Guns
Emma Guns has had some remarkable experiences as a beauty editor and has worked with global brands in beauty, health, and lifestyle. She's mingled with models, TV personalities, and pop stars, attending some of the most coveted red carpet events. But Emma's personal life has been a different story. Beneath her smile and glamorous exterior, Emma has struggled with her weight, depression, anxiety, a
Strong Like Sarah - Sarah Frei
Sarah Frei is an inspirational young woman who had to have both legs amputated above the knee and was left paralyzed after a drunk driver crashed into her car on the night of July 30, 2020. Sarah, just 17 at the time, was on her way home with three friends when the incident happened. She suffered paralysis below the waist, a broken back, injuries to her spine, a broken ankle and injuries to her fa
Multi Millionaire to Federal Prisoner - John Lefebvre
In the late nineties, John Lefebvre was approaching middle age and living out an unpromising legal career in Calgary, Canada. Then he jumped on board a dot-com start-up as a founder of Neteller. As companies fortunes rose along with those of the online gambling industry, the pay-off for Lefebvre and his partners would be astronomical. But it didn’t come without a price.The firm's involvement
LGBTQ & Revenge Porn Activist - Chrissy Chambers
Chrissy Chambers was the victim of revenge porn and chose to speak out to prevent others going through the trauma she experienced being publicly exposed on social media. When Chrissy broke off her relationship with an ex boyfriend he became revengeful and induced her with alcohol before secretly filming himself having sex with her. He posted the videos on at least 30 porn websites which is when C
Livingston FC Manager - David Martindale
David was imprisoned for his part in an organised drug trafficking network. But that’s not what defines him. His self-belief and determination took him from a prison cell to the head coach and manager of Livingston FC, a Scottish premiership football team. His story is testimony to the change in direction a person can take given an opportunity. His candidness and honesty is refreshing and to the p
Stopping Ex-Prisoners Reoffending - Lilly Waters
Britain’s high reoffending rate costs taxpayers around £15bn a year. Very little of taxpayers money is spent on the important work that volunteers like Lilly do to assist prisoners reintegrate back into society. As a result 60% of released inmates go on to reoffend within a two-year period. Prisons seclude criminals from the rest of society and so naturally ex-offenders find it difficult to readju
Notorious - Biography of Raphael Rowe
In this episode Raphael reads a couple of extracts from his book Notorious. Inspiring people to think about those they would not normally consider deserving of a Second Chance. Second Chance Podcast Links:WebsiteBuzzsproutApple PodcastAudibleFacebookDonation Support:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/secondchance1Support the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Convict Criminology - Michael Irwin
Michael Irwin was arrested at Gatwick Airport in 2007 with 1.1 kilograms of cocaine hidden in the lining of a bag he’d collected in the Caribbean. At the time he was addicted to cocaine and alcohol. He was sentenced to twelve years for drug trafficking. He served six in prison and six outside on licence. Whilst in prison Michael studied criminology and psychology and upon release he completed a ma
Wicked N' Bad - Myles Harris
Myles Harris, aka Bouncer is a content creator, sports and boxing promoter and an entrepreneur who served time in prison for robbery and drug offences. He plays on his past reputation naming sports management company ‘Wicked N Bad’. Myles’s journey to success was, like many poor and marginalised families' from inner city council estates, difficult and challenging. That’s not an excuse, it’s a
Justice Denied: The Cardiff Newsagent Murder - Michael O’Brien
Michael O’Brien is a survivor of one the most emblematic miscarriages of justice in Britain. Known as ‘The Cardiff Newsagent Three’ case, it has become a key point of reference for campaigners against injustice. He spent 11 years in prison before his conviction was overturned. He lost not only his freedom but everything he'd ever had, including his wife, his child, and even his health. But he
Prison, Rehabilitation, Punishment: In conversation with David Skarbek
Raphael is in conversation with associate professor David Skarbek, author of The Puzzle of Prison Order: Why Life Behind Bars Varies Around the World. An illuminating work of much interest to students of crime and punishment. Skarbek’s book digs behind the scenes of global prisons, studying the balance of power and hierarchy behind bars and how that affects prisoners. The conversation was part of
28 years in prison protesting my innocence - Darnell Phillips
In 1991, Darnell Philips was 19 years old when he was sentenced to 100 years in prison for raping and brutally beating a 10-year-old girl in Virginia Beach, in the USA. In 2015, the Innocence Project based at the University of Virginia, found, and had tested, new DNA evidence that they say proves he was not at the scene of the crime. This crucial development led to Darnell being freed from prison
Giving Birth In Jail - Jessica Kent
In this episode, we share the inspiring story of Jessica Kent's Incredible Journey: Giving Birth in Prison, Overcoming Addiction, and Advocating for Change. Jessica Kent gave birth to her first child while serving a five-year sentence in an American prison for drug and firearm charges. After just a few days with her newborn, the authorities took the child away. But Jessica was determined to regain
Something To Say - Jeremy Indika
Word of warning, this episode contains details of sexual abuse that some listerners might find upsetting.Jeremy Indika is founder of ‘Something to Say’. His mission is to break the silence surrounding child sexual abuse and to create content that attracts the attention of everyone. Because this is everyone's concern. Jeremy was sexually abused by his child minder when he was just 8 years old.
Lady Unchained - Brenda Birungi
Brenda Birungi aka ‘Lady Unchained’ is passionate about second chances and is an important advocate for life after prison, having been sentenced to two and a half years inside at the age of 21 for a violence offence. She’s since become a poet, facilitator, mentor, and radio host for National Prison Radio. Brenda is also the founder and creative director of Unchained Poetry, an artistic platform fo
What is Sex Engineering? - Colin Richards
Colin Richards is a sex and relationship engineer and master sensual masseur. He takes a humanistic approach to sex and intimacy and see’s himself as a sex educator and general problem solver of sex and relationship needs and challenges. He aims to help people transform their relationships and sex lives to become what they want and deserve. Working full time in this field since 2005 he has discov
Risking everything for Journalism - Neil Bonner
Neil Bonner was filming a documentary about piracy off a small island in Indonesia when he and a female colleague were arrested by the authorities and questioned about what they were doing. They were held for more than five months in an Indonesian prison. They were accused and threatened with charges including being a threat to national security, which carries up to 12 years in prison. In the end,
Setting Up a Charity in Honour of Her Son - Peguy Kato
In this episode I am speaking with Peguy Kato who devastatingly lost her son in an incident where he was stabbed 11 times. Peguy has made it her mission to provide support to families who have gone through similar experiences in honor of her son. This led to her setting up the All Champions charity which aims to prevent and protect people of all ages from knife and other serious youth violence by
Student Drug Dealer Given A Second Chance - Sean Lisgo
This episode is in collaboration with the Longford Trust who provide financial and mentoring support to young serving and ex-prisoners. The Longford scholarship assists in giving them a second chance to pursue a degree at university.Up until now all of my guest interviews have been recorded remotely thanks to Covid, but on this occasion I was able to meet Sean in person.After gaining qualification
Girl Gang Member to Girl Gang Mentor - Victoria Ebun
This episode is in collaboration with the Longford Trust, who provide financial and mentoring support to young serving and ex-prisoner. It gives a second chance to pursue degrees at university. The Longford Scholarships were first awarded in 2004 and have supported more than 300 young serving and ex-prisoners. In this episode I am speaking with Victoria Ebun, who was arrested at 18 before she had
CEO of Lava Records and Champion of Justice - Jason Flom
Jason Flom is an American music industry executive and CEO of Lava Records, Lava Music Publishing, and Lava Media. He previously served as Chairman and CEO at Atlantic Records, Virgin Records and Capitol Music Group. He is personally responsible for launching acts such as Kid Rock, Katy Perry, Lorde, and Greta Van Fleet. He has been described as one of the most successful record men of the past 20
Living with Bipolar Disorder and Becoming One of the UK’s Most Popular Mental Health Speakers - Thomas Duncan Bell
Thomas Duncan Bell is a truly inspiring mental health campaigner and speaker. Growing up in an extremely volatile environment, Thomas has fought adversity and fear since he was old enough to remember it. He’s battled drug and alcohol addictions and destructive relationships in the past and is now the primary mental health champion in the UK’s Institute of Directors. Suffering from an extreme for
Contemplating Suicide In Prison To Setting Up London’s Largest Gang Exit Groups - Junior Smart
In this episode I’m speaking with Junior Smart who was arrested in his mid twenties for possession of several kilograms of crack cocaine. Junior was left homeless after his mother died of a stroke, causing him to go into depression and become suicidal, planning to kill himself. On that day, an officer slid an envelope under the door of his cell containing photos of past family get-togethers. Junio
How Restorative Justice Can Work For Victims - Clare Topcu
WARNING: This story contains details some listeners may find distressing.Clare Topcu and her young son were the victims of a burglary and vicious attack by a group of young men who broke into her farmhouse by removing roof slates and climbing into her home through the roof. Both she and her young son were beaten and bound with tape before the burglars made their escape. It was a terrifying ordeal
Cocaine trafficker to Popcorn Entrepreneur - Emily O’Brien
After being caught attempting to smuggle cocaine from St lucia to Canada, Emily O’Brien was sentenced to four years in a federal prison. Determined to make the best out of a negative situation, she created Comeback Snacks while serving her sentence: a company that was inspired by her fellow inmates’ love for popcorn and their specific flavouring choices for the snack. By being able to map out a ne
The Listeners Questions Answered
On this Episode Raphael answers questions sent to him by listeners. The questions range from how dangerous it is hosting the Netflix series Inside The World's Toughest Prisons to what were the challenges smuggling diamonds as an undercover investigative journalist. Support the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
No Guest Moment - Raphael Rowe
The host Raphael is on a short holiday break in Spain so was unable to record an in depth chat with a guest. So, recording from under a duvet and pillows in a hotel room, in this episode Raphael shares his own story on how he started his career from a chance meeting with a senior editor at the BBC.Support the show Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
An actor's tone of skin colour matters - Jessica Allain
British born actor Jessica Allain left her family and home in London to take a chance in LA. Her move was hard and at times desperate but it started to prove successful. She appears in the Netflix hit The Laundromat, alongside Gary Oldman and Antonio Banderas, a film directed by award winning director Steven Soderbergh. Yet, as a black female actor she is still having to endure shocking comments f
Prison Love - Laynara Ferreria
Falling in love with a prisoner who will never be free is not the typical fantasy of most women growing up. However, love knows no limits. When Laynara and Aaron Howerton fell in love, they knew it would change both of their lives forever. Aaron has joined us previously for two episodes, discussing his life in prison. Now we hear from his fiancee on the outside - Laynara - about the harsh realitie
Untapped Talent: Why employing people with a criminal record is good for your business - Jeff Korzenik
Jeff Korzenik is Chief Investment Strategist for one of America’s largest banks. This man is responsible for the investment strategy and the allocation of over $40 billion in assets. His insights into the economy, markets, manufacturing, and the workforce is invaluable. His book Untapped Talent is the first of it’s kind to inform and inspire business leaders to broaden their hiring to this populat
Diverting offenders away from a life of crime - Aaron Johnson
Aaron Johnson is passionate about diverting young offenders away from a life of crime because he is all too familiar with what it’s like to be criminalised. He works for Divert, a Metropolitan Police custody programme designed to help get young offenders into work or education. The project has helped change the path young offenders find themselves on by offering them alternatives. Aaron is one of
Tsunami Survivor - Andy Chaggar
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 hu
The Inside Story - Rotherham Child Sex Abuse Scandal - Sammy Woodhouse
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 c
No to Sex is not Sex, it’s Rape - Tegan Parsons
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 descriptive
The Metropolitan Police Chief Inspector - Jack Rowlands
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
Manchester Arena Bombing Survivor - Martin Hibbert
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
