The Inside Job - Life After Prison

Welcome to Inside Job—a podcast by offenders, for offenders. I'm your host, Cleve Bell, and today I'm joined by my good friend, John M., Director of Celebrate Recovery at Calvary Chapel in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.  In this episode, our guest, John M., shares a raw and powerful conversation about redemption, recovery, and new life. John shares his journey growing up in a Caribbean family where alcohol, partying, and destructive behaviors were normalized and even encouraged. Surrounded by substance use from an early age, John began drinking and selling drugs around the age of nine. He reflects on generational patterns within his family—how the lifestyle of his grandfather and the environment he was raised in shaped his own struggles with addiction and identity. Through honesty and faith, John opens up about breaking generational cycles, finding recovery, and discovering hope through Christ. His story is one of transformation and resilience, offering encouragement to anyone wrestling with addiction, past choices, or the belief that change isn't possible. This episode is a reminder that no matter where you come from—or what you've done—recovery, redemption, and a new beginning are possible.  

Welcome to Inside Job—a podcast by offenders, for offenders. I'm your host, Cleve Bell, and today I'm joined by my good friend, Don T.  In this episode, our guest, Don Thompson, shares his powerful story of transformation. From growing up without a father and falling under the influence of negative role models, to serving time in the Dade County Jail in the 1970s, Don's early life was marked by trouble, crime, and incarceration. But a surprising assignment to the Chaplain's department while in prison planted a seed that would change everything. Today, Don is a retired Metro Dade Solid Waste employee and a dedicated community volunteer with a heart for outreach, family, and the lost. His journey from selling drugs to serving others is a testament to redemption, faith, and the power of second chances. Cleve and Don's connection goes back decades — and this candid conversation will leave you both challenged and inspired.   Reach out to Riverside House: Would you like to be featured on a future episode of Inside Job? We would love to hear from you! Please go to riverside house.org, click the media tab then podcast. There you will find an application to submit your request.

Welcome to Inside Job—a podcast by offenders, for offenders. I'm your host, Cleve Bell, and today I'm joined by my good friend and fellow Celebrate Recovery member, Don. In this powerful episode, Don opens up about his journey through childhood trauma, addiction, and the life-altering challenges he faced along the way. He shares how the support and structure of Celebrate Recovery played a key role in his healing, redemption, and restoration. Now celebrating 9 years of sobriety and addiction-free living, Don reflects on the strength he's found through a solid community of support and accountability. You won't want to miss this honest and inspiring conversation. Reach out to Riverside House: Would you like to be featured on a future episode of Inside Job? We would love to hear from you! Please go to riverside house.org, click the media tab then podcast. There you will find an application to submit your request.  

Welcome to Inside Job—a podcast by offenders, for offenders.  In this powerful episode of Inside Job, host Cleve Bell steps into the spotlight to share his personal story of transformation—from incarceration to leadership. For over three decades, Cleveland Bell III has served as the Executive Director of Riverside House, a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to helping returning citizens rebuild their lives. Once incarcerated himself, Cleve's journey of redemption has inspired countless individuals and organizations across the country. A respected advocate for second chances and community reentry, Cleve is nationally recognized for his leadership in offender rehabilitation. He has been featured on numerous television and radio programs, as well as in print media, where he speaks passionately about criminal justice reform, prevention, and reintegration services. Under Cleve's leadership since 1977, Riverside House has grown from a modest 12-bed facility with a $20,000 budget to a thriving 120-bed center with an annual budget exceeding $2 million. In March 2024, the organization launched a new Emergency Shelter Program in partnership with The Homeless Trust, providing 30 beds to homeless men and offering a pathway to long-term stability. In just six months, the shelter has already served 70 individuals in need. Beyond Riverside House, Cleve's impact extends nationwide. He's a founding member of Kairos Prison Ministry International, a contributor to the Second Chance Act of 2007, and an active member of both the International Community Correctional Association and the Miami-Dade Homeless Trust. Tune in to hear Cleve's deeply personal testimony—and the purpose that drives his lifelong commitment to transformation, justice, and hope. Reach out to Riverside House: Would you like to be featured on a future episode of Inside Job? We would love to hear from you! Please go to riverside house.org, click the media tab then podcast. There you will find an application to submit your request.

Welcome to Inside Job—a podcast by offenders, for offenders. I'm your host, Cleve Bell, and today I'm joined by Alan Oria.   Welcome to Part 1 of a powerful two-part series on Inside Job. In this episode, we sit down with Alan and Marlen Oria, a married couple whose journey is marked by redemption, restoration, and the healing power of Christ-centered recovery. Together, they candidly share their experiences with childhood trauma, life challenges, and addiction—and how Celebrate Recovery played a pivotal role in transforming their lives. Alan serves as a Celebrate Recovery Ministry Leader and the Florida State Representative for Celebrate Recovery. He also leads as the point of contact for Broken Chains JC—a dynamic group of bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts who have found freedom through Jesus Christ and are now committed to helping others realize that lasting change is possible. You won't want to miss this heartfelt conversation filled with hope, healing, and the reminder that no one is beyond redemption. Reach out to Riverside House: Would you like to be featured on a future episode of Inside Job? We would love to hear from you! Please go to riverside house.org, click the media tab then podcast. There you will find an application to submit your request.