In this episode of Productivity Smarts, host Gerald J. Leonard sits down with Dr. Kim Nugent, a transformational leader, author, and mentorship expert who is changing lives behind bars. 

With three master’s degrees, a PhD, and executive coaching credentials from Marshall Goldsmith, Dr. Nugent shares how her career in hospitality, higher education, and corporate leadership led to her purpose-driven work in prisons across the country. She explains how structured peer mentorship, behavior change, and emotional intelligence can unlock a better future, not only for the incarcerated, but for anyone feeling stuck or overwhelmed.

Dr. Nugent also discusses her groundbreaking book From Prison to Possibilities: Paving Your Path, a structured mentoring program designed to reduce recidivism and prepare incarcerated individuals for productive lives post-release.

Together, Gerald and Kim explore how prison isn’t always physical; it can be a mindset. Through her alphabetized 26-topic program (A-Z), Dr. Nugent empowers returning citizens with tools to discover purpose, build resilience, and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Her curriculum is now inspiring transformation in maximum-security facilities with zero rule violations among participants.

What We Discuss

• [00:00 ] Introduction to Dr. Kim Nugent

• [4:11 ] Career journey from hospitality to higher education to prison reform

• [13:03 ] The birth of the book From Prison to Possibilities

• [21:05 ] Structure, behavior change, and the six-month model

• [28:19 ] Emotional intelligence and attitude shifts

• [31:57 ] Lifers and legacy: Purpose inside prison

• [36:42 ] Peer-led mentorship and accountability

• [41:00 ] PTSD, fixed mindset, and redefining success

• [45:28 ] Promotion Protocol: Career growth beyond incarceration

• [50:12 ] The power of saying “yes”—and learning from “no”

• [55:00 ] Advice for anyone stuck in a personal “prison”

• [59:35 ] Where to find Dr. Kim Nugent

Notable Quotes

• [6:56 ] “When you know better, you do better.” – Dr. Kim Nugent

• [12:31 ] “Even in a no, there's an opportunity.” – Dr. Kim Nugent

• [13:42 ] “ Prison doesn't have to mean you're behind bars. You could be in prison mentally.” – Dr. Kim Nugent

• [25:41 ] “We’ve had zero rule violations from participants across all prisons involved in the program.” – Dr. Kim Nugent

• [38:49 ] “If you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” – Dr. Kim Nugent
  

Our Guest

Dr. Kim Nugent is a leading mentorship expert, executive coach, and author of From Prison to Possibilities and Promotion Protocol: Unlock the Secrets to Promotability and Career Success. Her structured peer-led mentorship model is being adopted in maximum-security prisons across the U.S., where she works to help inmates rediscover purpose and live more productive lives. Her methodology blends education, coaching, neuroscience, and real-world experience into an empowering curriculum based on 26 foundational topics from A to Z. With deep expertise in leadership, mentoring, and curriculum design, Dr. Nugent is on a mission to create lasting transformation, inside and outside prison walls.

Resources

Dr. Kim Nugent

• Website: https://www.drnugentspeaks.com

• Book: From Prison to Possibilities

• Book: Promotion Protocol: Unlock the Secrets to Promotability and Career Success

Productivity Smarts Podcast

• Website - productivitysmartspodcast.com

Gerald J. Leonard

• Website - geraldjleonard.com

• Turnberry Premiere website - turnberrypremiere.com

• Scheduler - vcita.com/v/geraldjleonard

Mentioned 

• Book: Deep Work by Cal Newport

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