Thoughtful Human exists to help people connect and communicate within challenging relationships and circumstances. We are eager to invite more men into these conversations and support programs and pathways to healing and harm reduction.
We've teamed up with Success Stories Program to support their mission to build safer communities by delivering feminist programming to people who have caused harm.
We invite you to watch and share the documentary below, engage in conversations with men in your life, and consider a donation to support the important work they are doing.
We've teamed up with Success Stories Program to support their mission to build safer communities by delivering feminist programming to people who have caused harm.
We invite you to watch and share the documentary below, engage in conversations with men in your life, and consider a donation to support the important work they are doing.
“...we all have pain, we all have a past, we all have stuff we are carrying around, we all have dark secrets that we think nobody else is going to understand. And, as soon as we start talking about it, somebody else who doesn’t look like us or talk like us… gets it. And, by opening up that unhealed wound someone else is getting free with me.”
– Benjamin
Participant, CTF
Success Stories Interview Series
Success Stories Program is opening up conversations with men around feminism, toxic masculinity, patriarchy, and transformative justice. Hear their impactful stories and how they are inspiring other men to pursue whole, integrated lives.
NOTE: The biographies below are not meant to degrade nor define the subjects. The histories expressed are meant to highlight the theme of transformation, and to provide evidence of the stark contrast in character that authentic transformation can produce.
EPISODE 6:
CHRIS JOHNSON
Chris Johnson was raised as the only child of a single mother. Plagued by insecurity about masculinity and race, he pursued the appearance of wealth and donned an attitude of violence. Though he worked in professional spaces, he ultimately was convicted of many counts of armed robbery and sentenced to 65 years in prison. In response to these consequences, he found ways to transform his beliefs and values, receiving recognition for his efforts and ultimately being released from prison. He currently works for Success Stories Program as a Transformational Coach and Growth Coordinator.
EPISODE 7:
GRAHAM FINOCHIO
Graham grew up in a household that was held hostage by an abusive father whom he loved. He was placed in foster care where his past experiences of modeled manhood coincided with patriarchal cultural expectancy, inviting him to choose a path to masculinity that involved becoming a skinhead. He buried past traumatic experiences via a multitude of licentious behaviors that ultimately landed him in prison, where his habits persisted. It was after a final term in the “hole” (segregation unit) that clarity finally came, and with it a willingness to be wrong about his perspective. He became open to new information, and over time began to eschew his former way of being. He currently works for Success Stories Program as a Transformational Coach and Coach Coordinator.
EPISODE 8:
MANNIE THOMAS III
Mannie grew up as the youngest (by far) of four children, the closest in age being eight years older. He bought into ideas of manhood that linked power to violence and grouped himself with others that felt similarly. After an altercation at a party he was ultimately convicted of attempted murder, receiving a sentence of 32 years to life. During his incarceration he transformed himself through formal and informal education, earning five degrees with honors. His choices caught the attention of the Governor of California, who commuted his sentence and sent him home after serving 15 years in prison. He currently works for Success Stories Program as Co-Executive Director.
Success Stories Card Collection
Selections of Thoughtful Human cards that may support conversations related to incarceration, accountability, and care.
want to talk?
in my life
temporary
sticking around
differences
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