Podcast Summary
From Prison to Jazz Violin Legend: Resilience and determination can lead to personal growth and success, even in the face of adversity.
No matter the circumstances, whether it's facing incarceration or pursuing a dream, resilience and determination can lead to personal growth and success. Christian Howes, a renowned violinist, shares his journey from being a talented musician to serving time in prison and eventually becoming a jazz violin legend. His experiences, both before, during, and after prison, shaped him into the creative and inspiring artist he is today. During this conversation, Louis, the host, also shares his personal experience of playing in the New York City handball tournament against world-class players. Despite some mistakes, he cherished the opportunity to be on the court and learn from the best. This episode offers a unique blend of raw stories, emotions, and insights, encouraging listeners to embrace their own journeys and transformations.
From Convict to Jazz Violinist: Overcoming Adversity: Despite facing challenges and setbacks, including imprisonment, it's possible to transform your life and find success through determination and resilience.
The experiences of overcoming adversity and finding success, even after facing significant challenges, can be incredibly powerful and inspiring. The interview with Christian House, who went from being a convict to a renowned jazz violinist, provides unique insights into this idea. House shared his experiences during and after prison, highlighting the lessons he learned and how they applied to his subsequent success in his career. This interview serves as a reminder that no matter the obstacles, it's possible to turn things around and create a fulfilling life and career. Tune in to the School of Greatness podcast to hear the full story.
Using drug connections for social status: Making drug connections in college can lead to social status and bulk purchasing discounts, but dealing can result in severe legal consequences.
During college, the speaker had easy access to drugs due to older acquaintances and used his connection to gain social status among his peers. When asked to acquire acid for someone, he made a call to his supplier and was able to purchase it in bulk at a discounted price. The cost of one hit was around three to five dollars, but buying a sheet with 100 hits could cost up to $150. The speaker's small-time dealing allowed him to obtain the acid and distribute it to his friends, but the sentencing guidelines at the time meant that selling even a small quantity of acid could result in significant consequences.
Mandatory minimum sentences for drug sales resulted in lengthy prison terms: During the war on drugs, mandatory minimum sentences for drug sales led to unjustly long prison terms, disproportionately affecting individuals based on the type and quantity of drugs involved.
During the war on drugs, the sale of large quantities of drugs, such as "super bulk," led to mandatory minimum sentences of 15 to life in prison. These sentences, which were indefinite, meant that once a person was in prison, they could face additional time due to various circumstances. The speaker, who was found guilty of selling such a quantity, received a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 to life, but was able to negotiate a lesser sentence of six to 25 years. The speaker's situation highlights the potential for inequity and disproportionality in the criminal justice system, particularly when considering the significant difference in the street value and quantities of different drugs.
A difficult experience leads to personal growth: Even during challenging times, one can reflect, learn, and make positive changes for personal growth
Even during difficult times, personal growth and change are possible. The speaker, who was a young classical musician and college student when he was indicted, spent four years in prison after being set up in a drug sting operation. Despite this major setback, he used the time to reflect on his life and make positive changes. During the nine months before his arrest, people close to him had expressed concerns about his lifestyle and academic performance. The speaker recognized the need to turn his life around and made efforts to be more responsible. The undercover cop and his team primarily used their encounter with the speaker as a means to gather information for their larger investigation, and the speaker was unaware of the extent of the operation. This experience served as a catalyst for the speaker to reassess his priorities and make important personal improvements.
The Traumatic Consequences of Breaking the Law: Breaking the law can result in severe consequences, even for those with legal representation and good intentions.
The legal system can be traumatizing and unforgiving, even for those who may not fully understand the consequences of their actions. The speaker's experience of being arrested and sentenced to prison for dealing drugs was shocking, depressing, and violating. Despite having a lawyer and being on a scholarship, the speaker was still subjected to a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 to life. The uncertainty and waiting during the legal process was also traumatic. This experience taught the speaker a valuable lesson about the importance of knowing and respecting the law, and the potential severe consequences of breaking it.
Experience of Going to Prison: The loss of freedom and personal belongings in prison can lead to depression, vulnerability, and a sense of isolation.
Losing one's freedom and undergoing the experience of being incarcerated can be a devastating and overwhelming experience. The speaker shares how getting his hair cut before going to prison left him feeling depressed and checked out during his junior year of college. In the county jail, he faced harsh conditions, scary characters, and a sense of vulnerability. The initial excitement of the new experience was soon overshadowed by the harsh reality of being treated as a number and losing all personal belongings. The speaker spent time in solitary confinement during reception, further isolating him from the outside world. Overall, the experience of going to prison was a terrifying and humiliating ordeal that left a deep impact on the speaker's mental and emotional well-being.
Days of Isolation and Monotony in Solitary Confinement: Prisoners endure long waits, rigid routines, and a sense of isolation in solitary confinement, with limited personal belongings and comforts.
Life in solitary confinement involved long periods of waiting in lines for meals and movement between cells, with limited time to eat and scarcely any personal belongings. Conditions improved slightly when the speaker was transferred to a new dorm with a cellmate, but the routine remained rigid and monotonous. Every day followed the same schedule, with prisoners expected to work and adhere to strict rules. The commissary provided some comfort, allowing prisoners to purchase basic necessities and small luxuries with limited funds. Overall, the experience was marked by a sense of isolation, uncertainty, and time-pressured survival.
Navigating the financial complexities of prison life: Prisoners face unexpected financial challenges, leading to reliance on family and unconventional methods for exchanging goods and services.
Starting life in prison comes with unexpected challenges, including financial dependency and unfamiliar social dynamics. The speaker recounts his initial struggles to access money in prison, leading him to rely on his parents for support. He also shares an experience of losing money in a card game and owing a debt, which added to his financial hardships. Prisoners often used unconventional methods for exchanging goods and services, such as cigarettes or favors. The speaker's mistake of confusing two individuals led him to unknowingly pay off the wrong debt, causing further complications. This anecdote highlights the complexities and uncertainties of navigating prison life, even for those who enter with some degree of privilege or outside connections.
Prison's Music Program: A Path to Rehabilitation: A forward-thinking warden's music program in a prison offers inmates opportunities for rehabilitation, skill development, and personal growth through education and music.
The prison's vocational music program, led by a forward-thinking warden named Ron Edwards, provided inmates with opportunities for rehabilitation, skill development, and personal growth. Ron's passion for music extended beyond himself, allowing inmates to learn and play various instruments, receive high-quality equipment, and even earn college degrees through Pell grants. This unique environment allowed inmates, many of whom came from disadvantaged backgrounds, to engage in academics and find solace in their education. The experience was transformative for the speaker, who met a mentor and discovered a passion for liberal arts education. The warden's band became a safe haven for learning and personal growth within the prison walls.
My time in the prison band was filled with challenges and inspiration: Learned valuable lessons about diversity, resilience, and understanding different backgrounds and music genres despite facing humiliating experiences in a predominantly African-American band
My experience in the prison band was both enlightening and challenging. I was inspired by my mentor's articulate communication skills and was eager to improve myself. However, being the only white and well-educated member in the predominantly African-American band created tensions. Some band members resented me, and I struggled to fit in as they wanted the music to sound exactly like the record. Rehearsals were chaotic, and I was often asked to play percussion instruments or sing background vocals, despite my expertise on the violin. Despite the humiliating experiences, there were perks such as performing outside the prison grounds. This experience taught me valuable lessons about diversity, resilience, and the importance of understanding different backgrounds and music genres.
Prison band: A mix of privilege and resentment: Incarcerated musicians faced privilege and resentment while performing in a prison band, highlighting the intricate power dynamics in the prison system
The speaker's experience of playing in a prison band during his incarceration was marked by both privilege and resentment. The warden's progressive approach to rehabilitation allowed the band to perform at community events and even in other prisons, but this came with backlash from some of the rural, white guards. The guards resented the special treatment given to the band members and saw it as a breach of prison protocol. Despite the political tensions, the speaker expressed deep gratitude to the warden for the opportunities provided and the trust extended to him during his time in prison. The experience was a complex mix of privilege and resentment, highlighting the intricate dynamics of power and race in the prison system.
Misunderstandings in Prisons Lead to Unjust Consequences: Prison rules and misunderstandings can lead to unjust consequences for inmates, as shown by the speaker's experience of being falsely accused and sent to solitary confinement.
Strict prison rules and misunderstandings can lead to unjust consequences. The speaker shared his experience of being sent to solitary confinement for two weeks due to allegations of inappropriate affection towards his girlfriend during visits. Despite their adherence to the rules, they were accused of displaying inappropriate affection, leading to his punishment. However, it was later revealed that guards may have been trying to create problems for the warden, potentially using the speaker as a pawn. The situation escalated when guards found pictures of the warden's family, leading to the speaker being accused of blackmail. This situation put the warden in a difficult position and ultimately led to the speaker being transferred to another prison. Overall, this experience highlights the potential for miscommunications and misunderstandings within the prison system, which can result in unjust consequences for inmates.
Living with 250 convicts in a medium security prison: Living in a dorm with a large number of convicts can be as intimidating and dangerous as being in a maximum security cell due to power plays, constant infringements on personal space, and the absence of freedom and trust.
While being alone in a prison cell may seem like the most terrifying experience, living in a dorm with 250 convicts can be even more vulnerable and scary. Prison violence emerges from the absence of freedom, trust, and intimacy, and the constant infringements on personal space can lead to a feeling of constant danger and fear. The violence is not always physical, but can manifest in small power plays and everyday interactions. Prisoners must navigate these situations carefully, as fighting can result in further consequences. Overall, living in a medium security prison with a large number of convicts can be just as, if not more, challenging and intimidating as being in a maximum security cell.
Navigating personal challenges in prison: Facing challenges and adversity can lead to personal growth and the development of resilience.
Experiencing constant encroachments on one's personal space and facing physical and emotional challenges can lead to significant personal growth. The speaker shares his experience of being in prison and how he had to learn to navigate through various situations, drawing inspiration from women's experiences in the free world. He mentions that one can rebuff people with humor, appear crazy, ignore things, or respond with aggression as strategies to deal with such encroachments. The speaker also emphasizes the importance of staying strong, both physically and mentally, and standing up for oneself, even if it means being reckless at times. Through his experiences, he became callous and even dangerous, but also strong and "jacked up." The takeaway is that facing challenges and adversity can lead to personal growth and the development of resilience.
The power of adversity to shape us and make us stronger: Adversity can make us stronger and more resilient, shaping us in unexpected ways. Remember these lessons even when life is easy.
Adversity can bring out the best in us. The speaker shared a story from his time in prison, where he was ready to fight an adversary but ultimately didn't have to. He had been training and was prepared, but the other person never showed up. Despite this, the speaker learned a valuable lesson: when faced with hardship, one can become tougher and more resilient. He vowed to never forget this ability to endure and remain grateful for the freedom and simplicity that comes with it. This experience in prison was a turning point for him, leading him to apply these lessons in his life as a successful jazz violinist and businessman. Adversity can shape us in unexpected ways, and it's essential to remember these lessons even when we're no longer in challenging situations.
