Course

Earning Freedom

This memoir chronicles my journey, starting from the day of my arrest on August 11, 1987. Readers get an inside look at the judicial process—the trial, conviction, and the lessons I learned while serving a 45-year sentence. Follow along as I navigate the challenges of confinement, moving from high-security penitentiaries to minimum-security camps. Discover strategies to create an effective adjustment plan. It led to university degrees, a powerful support network, and a body of work that led to income opportunities upon release. The adjustment strategy paved the path for a successful career. It shows how to live as the CEO of your life.

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People going into a difficult situation sometimes have a hard time find the way out. It's helpful to learn from others who've through difficult journeys, but came out successfully. Such stories can bring a person hope.

When I was 23, I needed that hope. Authorities had charged me with crimes related to the distribution of cocaine. I did not have violence or weapons in my case, but a combination of the quantity and the organizational structure exposed me to a severe sentence.

Fortunately, I read about others who had gone through struggles of long-term confinement. Those stories helped me. In Earning Freedom: Conquering a 45-Year Prison Term, I hope to help others.

I wrote Earning Freedom to share my personal journey of transformation and to inspire others facing adversity. By the time a federal judge sentenced me, I had served about one year in solitary confinement. While there, I read about Socrates, Nelson Mandela, Viktor Frankl, Frederick Douglass. Those men gave me hope. They inspired a conscious decision to grow, learn, and contribute positively during the time that I served.

I structured Earning Freedom in three distinct sections, modeled after Julius Ceasar:

Veni (I came):

I describe entering prison and facing the harsh reality of my sentence.

Vidi (I saw)

In this section, I show the process of observing my surroundings and making deliberate plans to educate myself, build relationships, and create opportunities.

Vici (I conquered).

Reveals how I conquered the adversity of prison life, how academic degrees contributed to my building a strong support network, and ultimately preparing myself for a meaningful life after incarceration.

Readers will gain practical insights into setting clear, achievable goals, maintaining relentless discipline, and developing resilience in the face of significant challenges.

Through this story, I show how anyone can turn setbacks into stepping stones, using structured strategies to prepare for success and create lasting positive change. I aim to empower others to believe in their ability to transform their lives, regardless of their circumstances, and to provide them with a clear blueprint for personal growth, achievement, and freedom.

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Supporting videos & Podcast EPISODES

Silicon Valley Ted
Corporate Events
Pioneer Industries
Fund Raisers
California Wellness
Keynotes
Prison Presentations
Prison Presentations
US Berkley 2013
Universities

Principles we teach

The origins of our self-directed courses began with readings of Socrates, Frederick Douglass, Nelson Mandela, and modern leaders who teach us how to live as if we're the CEO of our life. To overcome any crisis, or build solutions, follow the principles of our Straight-A Guide.

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Attitude
Attitude
By adopting a values-based, goal-oriented mindset, I could more easily navigate the complexities of confinement. Instead of seeing all that was bad around me, I could find ways to conquer adversity and work toward a brighter future. It opened a better attitude, empowering me along the way. Attitude influences success.
Aspiration
Aspiration
During my sentencing hearing, I remember Judge Tanner telling me that I'd be an old man before I got out of prison. He sentenced me to 45-years. Life could have seemed bleak. Yet I returned to my solitary cell with a new vision. Leaders had taught me to focus on what I could control. Through reflection and aspiration, I found a path to purpose.
Action
Action
We should expect obstacles, but we can't allow them to define our path or limit our pursuit of success. The Straight-A Guide became my framework for persevering through challenges and obstacles, helping me focus on the action steps I could take each day, regardless of what adversity I had to endure. Take bold action steps to build success.
Accountability
Accountability
To transform our lives, we need tools that allow us to measure progress. Those tools, which we call our accountability metrics, empower transformation. While serving 26 years, accountability tools helped me take full ownership of my actions. They kept me moving toward the milestones I had to work toward each day.
Awareness
Awareness
To climb through adversity, we've got to keep our head in the game, staying aware of every opportunity around us. The more we think about what we're striving to build, the more aware we become of action steps we can take. Others become aware of our commitment, too, which creates a virtuous cycle of growth. Awareness opens opportunities to succeed.
Authenticity
Authenticity
To empower ourselves while climbing from adversity to success, we've got to be authentic. We don't grow confidence by talking. We have to take meaningful steps, adhering to a plan we established on our pathway to success. If we prioritize our actions, then develop our tools, tactics, and resources, our commitment becomes self-evident.
Achievement
Achievement
Incremental achievements can help anyone climb out of adversity and into a life of meaning, relevance, and dignity. We start by defining success, then lay out the plan with incremental steps. As we reach milestones, we grow our self-confidence. This strategy helped me grow stronger while serving 26 years in prison. Celebrate little achievements.
Appreciation
Appreciation
Adversity is part of life, and there will always be more. The 26 years I had to serve helped me learn how to appreciate the blessings of my life. Living in gratitude is a powerful tool for transformation. Even when living amidst challenges, we can open doors to hope and opportunity. Gratitude creates space for growth, resilience, and success.

Book reviews

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“The tone and his focus on other inmates' experiences rather than his own lend the book weight and authenticity, opening a window onto the corrupt, violent and ultimately counter-productive society of American prisons.”

Edward Humes
Edward Humes
Los Angeles Times Sunday Book Review
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“ Inside is actually two books. The red meat of the book is a collection of more than 100 prisoners' accounts, including every gruesome detail… But between shocking tales of inmate misbehavior are Santos' convincing theories about what it all means.”

Sean Bosker
Sean Bosker
New York Post
Read customer stories

Who we serve

We offer resources that people who are going through a crisis or challenge can use to recalibrate. It's never too early or too late to begin building pathways to a better outcome. Each individual can build a body of work that opens opportunities for the next phase, empowering them to live meaningful, contributing lives.

Incarcerated Learners

Get access to our lessons, books, or self-directed courses. Regardless of what staff do, you grow.

Correctional Facilities

Improve the culture of your facility, inspiring people to learn. Be the change you want to see.

Defense Attorneys and legal profession

Offering resources to help people develop assets for self-advocacy, building mitigation stories.

Family, loved ones, & Friends

Download daily lessons to inspire people in custody. Help them build self-confidence and prepare.

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