Watch Our New Start Here™ Video. White Collar Support Group™ 400th Meeting, Mon., Feb. 19, 2024, 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT
Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc., the world’s first ministry devoted to serving people prosecuted for white collar crimes and their families, will hold its 400th weekly White Collar Support Group™ meeting online on Zoom this Monday, February 19, 2024, 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT. It is open to those directly justice-impacted only. Newcomers should register at prisonist.org/contact.
I enjoyed a bunch of them, for sure, but there was one that struck a chord.
That it struck a chord speaks to one of our deepest human desires, and that desire connects to living authentically.
I have terrible eyesight and have since the 1st grade.
I’m grateful and fortunate that my eyesight isn’t so bad that lenses can’t correct it, though.
In my life, I’ve only met two people who have stronger eyeglass prescriptions than me.
Anything beyond 5 inches past my nose is a complete blur.
I wouldn’t leave my house without my contact lenses or glasses, especially when I lived in NYC – it would be too dangerous.
I’ve tried for years to explain to people what it’s like to experience life through a complete blur, and no one understands.
Lately, my wife and I have been discussing how bad my vision is.
She’s one of the most empathetic people I know, but no amount of descriptive language could connect her with the experience.
When the Google Pixel commercial popped up on our TV in its blurry glory, I was immediately in awe.
The commercial captured what it’s like when I remove my glasses or my contacts, and I pointed to the TV and said,
“This is what my vision is like without help; this is how I see the world.”
Her jaw dropped, and she said,
“I had no idea; that’s terrible. I’m so sorry.”
I smiled, and she said,
“Do you feel seen and heard?”
And that’s when it hit me: I felt seen, heard, and understood.
Which is one of our deepest human desires and one of our deepest fears.
Because we want to be seen and heard for who we authentically are, and we’re terrified we’ll be rejected.
When we can connect with anything that makes us feel seen, heard, and understood for who we truly are, it unlocks our potential – even if it is just a TV commercial.
The key to begin the journey of living authentically and unleashing our potential is to seek the small and sublime moments in our lives where we feel seen, heard, and understood.
We must be open to the moments that are given to us, and we must seek opportunities to expand instead of diminish.
The more of these moments we string together, the more we’ll be willing to expand into the areas of our lives that we’re afraid to expand into. This is how you’ll craft your remarkable second half-life story.
Craig Stanland is a Reinvention Architect & Mindset Coach, TEDx & Keynote Speaker, and the Best-Selling Author of “Blank Canvas, How I Reinvented My Life After Prison.” He specializes in working with high-achievers who’ve chased success, money, and status in their 1st half, only to find a success-sized hole in their lives. He helps them unleash their full potential, break free from autopilot, draft a new life blueprint, and connect with their Life’s Mission so they can live extraordinary lives with purpose, meaning, and fulfillment.
WEST PALM BEACH, FL, February 13th: Progressive Prison Ministries, Inc., the world’s first ministry devoted to serving people prosecuted for white collar crimes and their families, will hold its 400th weekly White Collar Support Group™ meeting online on Zoom this Monday, February 19, 2024, 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT. It is open to those directly justice-impacted only. Newcomers should register at prisonist.org/contact.
Co-founded by husband and wife, ordained minister and white collar attorney, Jeff Grant (Jeffrey D. Grant, Esq.) and Lynn Springer in Greenwich, CT, the White Collar Support Group™ held its first meeting online in 2016. Since then, over the past 8 years, the support group has had over 900 participants from the United States, Canada, Mexico, Europe, Israel, South America and the Caribbean.
Progressive Prison Ministries’ goal is to provide practical information, and spiritual and emotional support, to those who are feeling alone, isolated, and hopeless while navigating the white collar criminal justice system. Its objective is to provide guidance in finding a path to a healthy, reinvented life on the other side of what may seem like insurmountable problems.
Meetings are held online weekly on Mondays on Zoom beginning at 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT and last approximately 75 minutes. Each meeting is centered on a relevant topic such as preparing for prison, family issues, finances, careers after prison, conquering fear, mental health and substance abuse, etc. Members are given the opportunity to reflect on and share their experiences, to ask questions, and are encouraged to embrace group newcomers. The support group continues to grow with each weekly gathering.
“The White Collar Support Group™ ’s purpose is bring people out of the isolation that is destroying them, and into a supportive community that provides solutions. At the end of the day, if we can help people untangle themselves from their myriad problems and find a clear path to a successful, productive and joyous life, that’s a success story,” said Grant. “We have found that things go much easier, and better outcomes can be reached, when people with white collar criminal justice issues reach out to us early in their journeys – when they make us their first call – before they’ve made too many mistakes and used up too much of their precious resources. It’s the reason why, to celebrate our 400th meeting and the beginning of our ninth year, our new outreach initiative is called, ‘Start Here™’,” Grant added.
White Collar Support Group™ Deputy Director William Livolsi (Bill) agrees. Livolsi pointed out, “we don’t give advice; we share our collective experience. We have hundreds of support group members who give of themselves freely and share their time and resources with each other. It’s a beautiful, and extremely helpful, way to learn, grow, and get through the most difficult times of families’ lives.”
The support group and community have been featured in many national and regional media, including the New Yorker, Entrepreneur,Reuters, Forbes and Greenwich Magazine, as well as major podcasts such as The Rich Roll Podcast. Grant has also been a Main Stage presenter at prestigious conferences such as The Nantucket Project. In addition to being a popular interviewee, Grant has helped thousands of his community members navigate their past and push towards re-establishing themselves as productive contributors to society.
With both Law and Master of Divinity degrees, Grant provides a unique perspective of understanding about what community members are coping with and facing ahead of them. Grant himself spent almost 14 months in a Federal prison for a white collar crime he committed in 2001. In 2021, Grant’s law license was reinstated by the New York Supreme Court (GrantLaw.com).
According to Evan Osnos, writer/reporter for The New Yorker, “Jeff Grant is the real deal… I can’t imagine there is a lawyer in this country more qualified to consider the complex issues facing people prosecuted for white collar crimes and their families.”
Former Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, who served time in a Federal prison and is a member of the White Collar Support Group™ , said, “the group is a network of welcoming, non-judgmental, and understanding men and women who share their similar experiences in an open and nurturing environment.”
Complementing the weekly meetings is a blog on the ministry’s widely regarded site, prisonist.org, where materials are published for community members to learn more about white collar criminal justice issues. Its White Collar Week podcast has also become a critical source for this community, providing a platform for sector experts and for those that have gone through the journey. Guests have included current and former politicians, financial executives, white collar criminal defense attorneys, federal agents, judges, Hollywood producers and more.
About Progressive Prison Ministries: Established in 2013 in Greenwich, CT, Progressive Prison Ministries is the world’s first ministry devoted to serving people prosecuted for white collar crimes and their families. More information is available on its website at prisonist.org. Start Here™.
Jeff Krantz is a member of the Ministry’s White Collar Support Group that meets every Monday evening on Zoom. Jeff is also a member of the ministry’s planning team. Read Part One of Jeff’s post HERE.
No one seemed enthusiastic to have me receive a custodial sentence. The prosecution put up a half hearted, pro forma argument for why they believed justice would be served in my spending at least a minimum of time within a low security federal prison. In the end they raised no objection to my receiving a sentence of probation. The prosecution had what it most needed, a successful conviction, a dramatic press release and the advancement of careers and reputations of the participants in my case.
The most jarring aspect following my walk as a conditionally free man from the Hartford courthouse was the immediate switch that came after my sentencing. It was a curious moment where I went from being the focus of ongoing, intense scrutiny on the part of the government and the subject of near continuous urgency on the part of my legal representation; to becoming a closed case with a bit of cleanup to follow along. Everyone moved onto the next pressing item on their agendas. I was on my own to sort out the aftermath.
Strange as it might seem and as much as bringing the matter to a swift resolution was at the forefront of everyone’s thoughts while the ordeal lasted; I was suddenly left with a distinct emptiness in my sense of purpose. The removal of the three year fight to prevail in battle; the adapting of strategic imperatives and formulating tactical responses to each move on the part of the government had now abated into a sudden and despairing sense of my being at loose ends.
In conjunction with the sudden and distressing winding up of the three year fight for survival was the surprising way in which those outside of my wife and children saw my sentence as an outcome that seemingly would have no lasting implications upon my future. The Judge at my sentencing was the first to voice this perception. Having seen the PSR, the pile of letters of support from friends, prominent community and business leaders and a detailed view of my personal finances at the time of my sentencing, he stated confidently from the bench that I was “going to do just fine”.
He may have overstated the case.
No one, no place, no where, tells you to prepare for your supervised release. Everyone who knows the drill has thoughts about how one should prepare for prison and how one can transition back to community and family after incarceration. No one as far as I know has thoughts about how you should prepare if you get to walk.
White Collar Support Group™ 400th Meeting Video Reflection, Lynn Springer. Start Here.
400th Meeting, Online on Zoom, Monday, Feb. 19th, 7 pm ET, 6 pm CT, 5 pm MT, 4 pm PT. Open to those directly justice impacted only. Please join us for the reunion and feel free to share with clients, colleagues, friends, family members or anyone in need.
White Collar Week Tuesday Speaker Series: Mike Morawski, Multi-Family Real Estate Investment Expert on Zoom, Feb. 13, 2024, 7 pm ET, 4 pm PT.
We were honored to have Mike Morawski as the February speaker in our White Collar Support Group Tuesday Speaker Series.
Is there business life after white collar criminal justice issues. You bet! Mike took us through how he was able to restart his hugely success real estate investment business after his difficult journey.
Mike, is a 30+ year real estate investment veteran. He has controlled over $405,000,000 in real estate transactions. Mike is an entrepreneur, author, real estate trainer, public speaker, personal coach and the Chief Investment officer of Resilience Equity a multifamily hedge fund.
With a strong, personal resilience, and deep desire to help others live an extraordinary life, he has coached hundreds of real estate investors to fulfill their dreams.
Mike’s, background began as a general contractor in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago with $5 mm in annual revenue he sold his company. He entered the real estate industry as a sales agent, building a team and selling over $20 mm per year in production. In 2005 Mike started a private equity firm, raising $18 mm in private equity, and acquired $60 mm in multifamily apartments 4,000 units in five different US markets.
Today Mike’s passion is giving his knowledge and wisdom away to others for their gain. Mike is the host of the Insider Secrets Podcast and the co-host of Multifamily Unplugged Podcast. He has built a training and coaching platform for real estate investors and industry professionals. His core principle is to teach his clients how to create “short term cash flow and long-term wealth.”
Mike shares his story of success, loss and redemption to help others find hope and inspiration. One single focus of Mike’s personal journey is to others see that their past does not dictate their future.
Gregg J is a member of the Ministry’s White Collar Support Group that meets every Monday evening on Zoom.
In August 2021, I pleaded guilty to wire fraud & was sentenced to 27 months in Federal prison.
Naturally, I was concerned about where I would be assigned to serve my sentence; I wanted to be close to home in Minneapolis, MN and assigned to a camp. Through my attorney I requested the camp in Duluth, MN. And while the judge does not control the final designation (the BOP does), the judge’s recommendation does carry some weight.
On September 10, 2021, my probation officer contacted me with good new. I was assigned to the camp in Duluth, MN. I felt some relief; Duluth is 150 miles north of Minneapolis, so visiting for my family would not be a hardship. Being assigned to a camp was also good news as folks I talked to through the While Collar Support Group said the camp was my best option.
I was thrown a big curve ball 2 weeks prior to my report date.
My PO contacted me to say that I would not be going to Duluth because of my medical condition (I had a pacemaker implant). It was frustrating this issue had not come up sooner. Here I was ready to report to Duluth and suddenly, the fact I have a pacemaker is going to impact where I would serve my time. For a week, I didn’t know where I would be reporting to and that created significant anxiety! Duluth is a Level 2 BOP medical facility, because of my pacemaker implant, the BOP determined I needed a Level 3 care facility.
Within a few days I was told by my PO I was designated to FMC Rochester, in Rochester, MN. This was a relief; Rochester is closer to my home than Duluth! Unfortunately, Rochester is not a camp, it is a medical facility, one of six in the BOP system. As my attorney said, Rochester has walls, fences, and razor wire. The camp in Duluth, as goes for all Camps, does not. I was fortunate to connect with someone who served their time at Rochester and was assured the facility was as good as any in the BOP (which isn’t saying much).
I reported to FMC Rochester on September 29, 2021, during the height of COVID. I was placed in isolation (with another guy) until I was able to present proof of having had my COVID shot. It was odd they didn’t check that prior to my reporting or inform me to bring proof with me. Within 8 days I was given the OK to enter the normal population.
During my time in Rochester, I did receive excellent care for my pacemaker, which was provided by the Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic is recognized as one of the leading health care facilities in the world. Many world leaders, politicians, entertainers, and other well recognized people have traveled to Mayo Clinic for treatment.
I have had my pacemaker since 2002 and have experienced zero issues. It did help me feel better, more stamina and less dizziness. One of the issues with a pacemaker is the battery needs to be checked quarterly. In Rochester, a tech from The Mayo Clinic would come to the BOP facility and perform the battery check. It was exactly like the process I had on the outside!
On my 2nd pace check in March 2022, the Tech noted that the battery life was rapidly deteriorating and would soon need replacement. On the outside, I had it replaced once and my doctor recommended replacement when the battery reached 6 months of life. BOP policy however dictates that the battery life must reach zero before they will replace it.
I was told by a doctor in the BOP my pacemaker had a 90-day reserve built into it. My doctor on the outside never told me this. This was unsettling. Would the BOP really gamble with my life to squeak a few more months from my pacemaker, when they knew the battery was about to expire?
The Cares Act added more uncertainty to my situation. I became eligible for home confinement under the Act in April 2022, but because my pacemaker battery needed to be replaced, I was put on a “medical hold”. When an inmate has a medical hold, they cannot be transferred or released until the medical hold is resolved.
It was a Catch-22. I wouldn’t be released to Home Confinement until I had my pacemaker battery replaced, and I couldn’t have my battery replaced until my current battery life registered zero.
Almost 2 months later, on June 2, I was taken to the Mayo Clinic and my pacemaker battery was finally replaced. I had a retired guard with me throughout the process (I guess so I wouldn’t try to escape, even though I was set to be released in 2 weeks)!
The BOP doesn’t tell you ahead of time when outside medical procedures will be performed. If you are lucky, you may find out the night before, or in the early morning, when they post the days “call outs”. I couldn’t tell my family when the procedure would take place and I couldn’t have any family or friends present at the Mayo Clinic. Although it’s a straightforward procedure, it would have been comforting to have family or friends there for me.
The after-care process was much less complicated. I believe the BOP, once they knew I was being released, paid less attention to my medical situation. On June 22, 2022, 3 weeks after my battery replacement, and 9 months since I had reported to FMC Rochester, I was released to home confinement..
We highly recommend Brent Cassity’s podcast, Nightmare Success, in which he interviews justice-impacted people from all walks of life. He is a White Collar Support Group member with a mission to be of service to our community. Please check it out on Spotify at or on your favorite podcast platform.
There is little doubt that Nike’s tag line, Just Do It, has been an incredible success. There is hardly a person in any corner of the world that doesn’t recognize it, identify it with Nike, and relate it to a healthy, athletic lifestyle of hard work, sweat and dedication to better themselves.
For a few years, our ministry and White Collar Support Group™ have used the tag line, We Can Help. Similar to Nike, our branding has been an overwhelming success – reaching out to people and families navigating the white collar criminal justice system and offering them a safe space where they can move from the isolation that destroys us, into the solution of community. Where they could be welcome with no judgment, get accurate information about their criminal justice journey, find sanctuary to share, learn, network and make important relationships, laugh at ourselves a little, and grow together to find new lives of dignity, joy and success. All freely offered by our volunteers.
And we knew that the key to this move was to be the first call, the point of entry, for people who have white collar criminal justice issues and lead them to the promised land on the other side of their legal issues. Before they made the mistakes that we all made. Before they ran through their precious resources that they desperately needed and need to navigate these shark-infested waters. To be the first call.
This was a revelation that things had changed, and we had to change along with them. We’d grown up, we have more experience than anybody, and we are now universally recognized as the leading authority in this sector. The world, and Google, recognize us as owning the term “White Collar Support Group™”. Of course they do. We are the first, the longest running, the biggest and the most helpful. And in order to be of service to our community, and consistent with our mission to reach out to others like us suffering in silence, we felt compelled to move from the passive voice of the branding of We Can Help, to one that is stronger, more powerful, and more authoritative.
We knew we needed to stand up, be bold, and be proud of all we’ve accomplished together. To take important positions, to advocate for them, and to dedicate ourselves even more to changing the world. And we wanted to just do it in conjuncture with our 400th White Collar Support Group™ meeting that we will host on Feb. 19, 2024 (Please join us).
I was psyched. We all were.
So, while lunching a few days ago at a new Asian Fusion restaurant here in West Palm Beach, I was explaining this concept to Lynn (for those of you who don’t know, Lynn Springer is my wife, partner, and co-founder of our ministry) and I could hardly control myself. My arms were waiving, the Pad Thai was flying everywhere. Lynn listened attentively (as she is wont to do) and then confidently, knowingly leaned forward (as she is wont to do) and told me she had it! She had our new tag line and branding.
Start Here™.
That was it! Start Here™. Hard stop. It was such a powerful statement. In two words it encapsulated everything we stood for, everything we wanted, everything we needed, everything we worked our butts off to achieve over the past eight years. And in the spirit of less is more, boiling it down to two words was masterful. A stroke of genius. Start Here™ was it!
We finished up our lunch, drove quickly home, and I got on the phones. We have it, we have it! And every single group member I spoke with agreed. Start Here™ was perfect.
So, my dear friends and Fellow Travelers, there you have it. Start Here™ is our new tag line and branding. Start Here™ is us. Start Here™ is what we believe in. Start Here™ is our big, bold statement of how we aspire to be of highest, best use to our white collar community. And Start Here™ is our vision for a bright, successful future for us all.
And, to get to this future full of hope and promise, all we have to do is one simple, but critical, thing: Start Here™.
*PS, thank you Lynn, thank you Nike and thank you to all of you for eight wonderful years.
Drew Chapin and Brent Cassity are members of our White Collar Support Group that meets on Zoom on Monday evenings.
In this episode, host Brent Cassity interviews Drew Chapin, a tech entrepreneur who faced legal troubles and imprisonment. Drew shares his journey from childhood to becoming a tech CEO and the challenges he faced in the startup world. He discusses the pressure to succeed, fundraising struggles, and the ethical dilemmas he encountered. Drew also opens up about his arrest, the plea deal he took, and the waiting period before reporting to prison. The episode highlights the emotional and mental toll of facing legal consequences and the uncertainty of the criminal justice system. In this conversation, Drew Chapin shares his experience of going to prison and his journey of rebuilding his life after release. He discusses the disorientation and nervous system reaction upon arriving at the prison and the support he received from fellow inmates. Drew emphasizes the importance of setting goals and finding ways to cope with hard days in prison. He also talks about the challenges of the halfway house and the need for more thoughtful and intentional decision-making. Drew’s biggest takeaway is the importance of being mindful and acknowledging the interconnectedness of all individuals.
