so an old man walks into a bar that’s me and there’s a note from my favorite
and there’s a note from my favorite
and there’s a note from my favorite Russian not Putin his name is Egor
Russian not Putin his name is Egor
Russian not Putin his name is Egor Rostov he’s a former software developer
Rostov he’s a former software developer
Rostov he’s a former software developer and strategic thinker I’ve he’s worked
and strategic thinker I’ve he’s worked
and strategic thinker I’ve he’s worked for me in the past and he says I need to
for me in the past and he says I need to
for me in the past and he says I need to check out something called defy ventures
check out something called defy ventures
check out something called defy ventures de FY actually he’s more insistent he
de FY actually he’s more insistent he
de FY actually he’s more insistent he says there’s an event happening on July
says there’s an event happening on July
says there’s an event happening on July 23rd 2016 and then I’m required to be
23rd 2016 and then I’m required to be
23rd 2016 and then I’m required to be there and when your favorite Russian
there and when your favorite Russian
there and when your favorite Russian says you have to do something of course
says you have to do something of course
says you have to do something of course you do and that begins the tale of how I
you do and that begins the tale of how I
you do and that begins the tale of how I ended up in prison give you a little
ended up in prison give you a little
ended up in prison give you a little background I’ve been as she said I’ve
background I’ve been as she said I’ve
background I’ve been as she said I’ve been the CEO or co-founder of eight
been the CEO or co-founder of eight
been the CEO or co-founder of eight different technology companies over 25
different technology companies over 25
different technology companies over 25 years I’m currently a small-time venture
years I’m currently a small-time venture
years I’m currently a small-time venture capitalist which means that I write
capitalist which means that I write
capitalist which means that I write checks and then run companies into the
checks and then run companies into the
checks and then run companies into the ground I serve on boards of directors I
ground I serve on boards of directors I
ground I serve on boards of directors I spend additional time mentoring young
spend additional time mentoring young
spend additional time mentoring young entrepreneurs I go to pitch fest some on
entrepreneurs I go to pitch fest some on
entrepreneurs I go to pitch fest some on panels and I find this work somewhat
panels and I find this work somewhat
panels and I find this work somewhat satisfying but I’m also be set by the
satisfying but I’m also be set by the
satisfying but I’m also be set by the nagging suspicion that many of my young
nagging suspicion that many of my young
nagging suspicion that many of my young charges and entrepreneurs don’t really
charges and entrepreneurs don’t really
charges and entrepreneurs don’t really listen very well but they really want is
listen very well but they really want is
listen very well but they really want is just money and they seem to be afflicted
just money and they seem to be afflicted
just money and they seem to be afflicted with a disease of personal entitlement
with a disease of personal entitlement
with a disease of personal entitlement this room is excluded from that of
this room is excluded from that of
this room is excluded from that of course so Igor challenges me to do
course so Igor challenges me to do
course so Igor challenges me to do something harder mentoring inmate
something harder mentoring inmate
something harder mentoring inmate prisoners inmates people behind bars you
prisoners inmates people behind bars you
prisoners inmates people behind bars you know go spend some time in a level for
know go spend some time in a level for
know go spend some time in a level for maximum security prison and do your
maximum security prison and do your
maximum security prison and do your mentoring there it’s easy to do it with
mentoring there it’s easy to do it with
mentoring there it’s easy to do it with your favorite PhD computer scientist
your favorite PhD computer scientist
your favorite PhD computer scientist from UCSD but see if you can make a
from UCSD but see if you can make a
from UCSD but see if you can make a difference with a more challenging group
difference with a more challenging group
difference with a more challenging group of individuals and as I pointed out Igor
of individuals and as I pointed out Igor
of individuals and as I pointed out Igor can be very direct so welcome to defy
can be very direct so welcome to defy
can be very direct so welcome to defy ventures the five ventures is a program
ventures the five ventures is a program
ventures the five ventures is a program developed by a woman named Katherine
developed by a woman named Katherine
developed by a woman named Katherine Hoch she has an amazing story you can
Hoch she has an amazing story you can
Hoch she has an amazing story you can see it online go to defy ventures org
see it online go to defy ventures org
see it online go to defy ventures org she brings entrepreneurship training and
she brings entrepreneurship training and
she brings entrepreneurship training and principles into the prison before they
principles into the prison before they
principles into the prison before they get out it’s currently in 21 prisons in
get out it’s currently in 21 prisons in
get out it’s currently in 21 prisons in California New York and just started in
California New York and just started in
California New York and just started in Nebraska now as a nice lady said I write
Nebraska now as a nice lady said I write
Nebraska now as a nice lady said I write a column on entrepreneurship every week
a column on entrepreneurship every week
a column on entrepreneurship every week it runs on the front page of the
it runs on the front page of the
it runs on the front page of the business section of the local rag the
business section of the local rag the
business section of the local rag the San Diego union-tribune but I’m sure
San Diego union-tribune but I’m sure
San Diego union-tribune but I’m sure that nobody in this particular audience
that nobody in this particular audience
that nobody in this particular audience gets the paper
gets the paper
gets the paper but it is online and I’ve been doing
but it is online and I’ve been doing
but it is online and I’ve been doing this column for almost five years so I
this column for almost five years so I
this column for almost five years so I decide that I’ll interview Katherine
decide that I’ll interview Katherine
decide that I’ll interview Katherine Hoch before I agree to go up and schlep
Hoch before I agree to go up and schlep
Hoch before I agree to go up and schlep to the prison in the middle of nowhere
to the prison in the middle of nowhere
to the prison in the middle of nowhere which is in Lancaster California at a
which is in Lancaster California at a
which is in Lancaster California at a minimum I’ll get a good column out of it
minimum I’ll get a good column out of it
minimum I’ll get a good column out of it I do the interview and she is in fact
I do the interview and she is in fact
I do the interview and she is in fact the real deal she is compelling
the real deal she is compelling
the real deal she is compelling charismatic convincing you can read
charismatic convincing you can read
charismatic convincing you can read about her she is truly a force of nature
about her she is truly a force of nature
about her she is truly a force of nature and so I agree that I will go to
and so I agree that I will go to
and so I agree that I will go to participate in the defy program in
participate in the defy program in
participate in the defy program in California State Prison in Lancaster on
California State Prison in Lancaster on
California State Prison in Lancaster on July 23rd but when the interview ends
July 23rd but when the interview ends
July 23rd but when the interview ends she tells me directly that after my day
she tells me directly that after my day
she tells me directly that after my day in prison she’s going to ask me for
in prison she’s going to ask me for
in prison she’s going to ask me for money and my headed to DES let’s be fair
money and my headed to DES let’s be fair
money and my headed to DES let’s be fair I’m a venture capitalist people do it
I’m a venture capitalist people do it
I’m a venture capitalist people do it every day
every day
every day and I’m good at also being able to say
and I’m good at also being able to say
and I’m good at also being able to say no now to do these adventures you need a
no now to do these adventures you need a
no now to do these adventures you need a wingman common so I call a pal of mine
wingman common so I call a pal of mine
wingman common so I call a pal of mine named Marc Bowles he’s easy to Google
named Marc Bowles he’s easy to Google
named Marc Bowles he’s easy to Google he’s a guy with some hard knocks a few
he’s a guy with some hard knocks a few
he’s a guy with some hard knocks a few failures but he recently crushed the
failures but he recently crushed the
failures but he recently crushed the ball with a company called ecoATM he
ball with a company called ecoATM he
ball with a company called ecoATM he sold it for over 300 million and so he’s
sold it for over 300 million and so he’s
sold it for over 300 million and so he’s all-in goes down like a stone and so the
all-in goes down like a stone and so the
all-in goes down like a stone and so the two of us are set for some prison time
two of us are set for some prison time
two of us are set for some prison time commencement speakers you’re going to
commencement speakers you’re going to
commencement speakers you’re going to have one in a couple weeks I gather they
have one in a couple weeks I gather they
have one in a couple weeks I gather they will always tell you to wear sunscreen
will always tell you to wear sunscreen
will always tell you to wear sunscreen it turns out on July 23rd the
it turns out on July 23rd the
it turns out on July 23rd the temperature in Lancaster was a sunny 109
temperature in Lancaster was a sunny 109
temperature in Lancaster was a sunny 109 degrees but you can forget the sunscreen
degrees but you can forget the sunscreen
degrees but you can forget the sunscreen you’re going to be in prison
you’re going to be in prison
you’re going to be in prison next problem how to get to Lancaster
next problem how to get to Lancaster
next problem how to get to Lancaster from San Diego it is 180 miles in a car
from San Diego it is 180 miles in a car
from San Diego it is 180 miles in a car with bowls for three hours not going to
with bowls for three hours not going to
with bowls for three hours not going to happen so we decide to rent a private
happen so we decide to rent a private
happen so we decide to rent a private plane now this is really an important
plane now this is really an important
plane now this is really an important moment got to get real here these two
moment got to get real here these two
moment got to get real here these two bums are going to spend the day in
bums are going to spend the day in
bums are going to spend the day in prison and they’re arriving to do their
prison and they’re arriving to do their
prison and they’re arriving to do their good deeds in a private plane this is
good deeds in a private plane this is
good deeds in a private plane this is called disconnect city and later we will
called disconnect city and later we will
called disconnect city and later we will noodle on that marvelous word privilege
noodle on that marvelous word privilege
noodle on that marvelous word privilege but for now we’ll go to prison so on
but for now we’ll go to prison so on
but for now we’ll go to prison so on this day we go there are 55 inmates they
this day we go there are 55 inmates they
this day we go there are 55 inmates they are called IITs entrepreneurs and
are called IITs entrepreneurs and
are called IITs entrepreneurs and training that’s how they’re addressed
training that’s how they’re addressed
training that’s how they’re addressed and there’s if a 55 of them and 19 of us
and there’s if a 55 of them and 19 of us
and there’s if a 55 of them and 19 of us then 11 men and eight women they come
then 11 men and eight women they come
then 11 men and eight women they come mostly from Los Angeles the two of us
mostly from Los Angeles the two of us
mostly from Los Angeles the two of us came from San Diego who are the
came from San Diego who are the
came from San Diego who are the volunteers it’s fascinating they’re all
volunteers it’s fascinating they’re all
volunteers it’s fascinating they’re all over the map technologists some work in
over the map technologists some work in
over the map technologists some work in nonprofits summer school teachers summer
nonprofits summer school teachers summer
nonprofits summer school teachers summer lawyers summer religious practitioners
lawyers summer religious practitioners
lawyers summer religious practitioners the range is broad there is no easy
the range is broad there is no easy
the range is broad there is no easy pattern just people who feel the need to
pattern just people who feel the need to
pattern just people who feel the need to give back to connect to make a
give back to connect to make a
give back to connect to make a difference and we’re not quite all in
difference and we’re not quite all in
difference and we’re not quite all in yet but it’s a good thing to get out of
yet but it’s a good thing to get out of
yet but it’s a good thing to get out of your comfort zone after all it’s a
your comfort zone after all it’s a
your comfort zone after all it’s a Saturday if we didn’t go to prison I
Saturday if we didn’t go to prison I
Saturday if we didn’t go to prison I would have played golf and he would have
would have played golf and he would have
would have played golf and he would have surfed so we’re going to reset some
surfed so we’re going to reset some
surfed so we’re going to reset some personal priorities now before you go to
personal priorities now before you go to
personal priorities now before you go to prison or more accurate before they let
prison or more accurate before they let
prison or more accurate before they let you get into prison
you get into prison
you get into prison there are rules lots of rules you need
there are rules lots of rules you need
there are rules lots of rules you need to fill out forms you need to get a
to fill out forms you need to get a
to fill out forms you need to get a clearance I’m going to tell you it might
clearance I’m going to tell you it might
clearance I’m going to tell you it might be easier to get it if you just rob the
be easier to get it if you just rob the
be easier to get it if you just rob the bank no cell phones no electronics no
bank no cell phones no electronics no
bank no cell phones no electronics no nothing except your keys and as for
nothing except your keys and as for
nothing except your keys and as for clothing very clear rules here they tell
clothing very clear rules here they tell
clothing very clear rules here they tell you what to wear black and white no blue
you what to wear black and white no blue
you what to wear black and white no blue no jeans no blue so of course one of the
no jeans no blue so of course one of the
no jeans no blue so of course one of the volunteers shows up in a blue blazer but
volunteers shows up in a blue blazer but
volunteers shows up in a blue blazer but what do you expect he was a lawyer from
what do you expect he was a lawyer from
what do you expect he was a lawyer from Los Angeles so we’re sitting in the
Los Angeles so we’re sitting in the
Los Angeles so we’re sitting in the waiting room the waiting room before you
waiting room the waiting room before you
waiting room the waiting room before you go into the prison and the warden comes
go into the prison and the warden comes
go into the prison and the warden comes in and welcomes us and explains the
in and welcomes us and explains the
in and welcomes us and explains the rules again the one I like the best he
rules again the one I like the best he
rules again the one I like the best he says no hostages I mean what do you mean
says no hostages I mean what do you mean
says no hostages I mean what do you mean if you’re taken hostage we don’t do
if you’re taken hostage we don’t do
if you’re taken hostage we don’t do anything for you they don’t negotiate
anything for you they don’t negotiate
anything for you they don’t negotiate oh so you’re somewhere between oranges
oh so you’re somewhere between oranges
oh so you’re somewhere between oranges the new black and NCIS Los Angeles you
the new black and NCIS Los Angeles you
the new black and NCIS Los Angeles you can see some twitching in the room
can see some twitching in the room
can see some twitching in the room they’re a bunch of good-looking very
they’re a bunch of good-looking very
they’re a bunch of good-looking very buffed out guard standing there it seems
buffed out guard standing there it seems
buffed out guard standing there it seems pretty safe but when you get inside the
pretty safe but when you get inside the
pretty safe but when you get inside the prison this is the best part so the
prison this is the best part so the
prison this is the best part so the event takes place in a big room like the
event takes place in a big room like the
event takes place in a big room like the the you know a basketball court there’s
the you know a basketball court there’s
the you know a basketball court there’s a sign on the wall in English in Spanish
a sign on the wall in English in Spanish
a sign on the wall in English in Spanish there’s a parapet it says no warning
there’s a parapet it says no warning
there’s a parapet it says no warning shots fired I didn’t really understand
shots fired I didn’t really understand
shots fired I didn’t really understand it what that means is shoot to kill no
it what that means is shoot to kill no
it what that means is shoot to kill no warning shots so welcome to their world
warning shots so welcome to their world
warning shots so welcome to their world program runs all day we meet we talk
program runs all day we meet we talk
program runs all day we meet we talk they do personal statements resumes we
they do personal statements resumes we
they do personal statements resumes we review and discuss their business plans
review and discuss their business plans
review and discuss their business plans it’s a five month program one of the key
it’s a five month program one of the key
it’s a five month program one of the key themes of défi is to guide the EITS to
themes of défi is to guide the EITS to
themes of défi is to guide the EITS to develop those personal elements to have
develop those personal elements to have
develop those personal elements to have them begin to think like entrepreneurs
them begin to think like entrepreneurs
them begin to think like entrepreneurs and it’s fascinating it’s moving it’s
and it’s fascinating it’s moving it’s
and it’s fascinating it’s moving it’s compelling it is scary and what you
compelling it is scary and what you
compelling it is scary and what you think is you’re going to change their
think is you’re going to change their
think is you’re going to change their lives but in fact it changes yours
lives but in fact it changes yours
lives but in fact it changes yours program runs for five months there’s
program runs for five months there’s
program runs for five months there’s lectures video lessons plans whatever
lectures video lessons plans whatever
lectures video lessons plans whatever now I want to tell you about the most
now I want to tell you about the most
now I want to tell you about the most powerful event of the day it’s called
powerful event of the day it’s called
powerful event of the day it’s called walk the line so let’s do a line here
walk the line so let’s do a line here
walk the line so let’s do a line here so what happens is the volunteers stand
so what happens is the volunteers stand
so what happens is the volunteers stand five steps back from the line and the
five steps back from the line and the
five steps back from the line and the EITS they stand five steps behind on
EITS they stand five steps behind on
EITS they stand five steps behind on their line I’m going to tell you that
their line I’m going to tell you that
their line I’m going to tell you that this little program they have reduces
this little program they have reduces
this little program they have reduces you too emotional puddle of confusion
you too emotional puddle of confusion
you too emotional puddle of confusion and feelings you have not experienced
and feelings you have not experienced
and feelings you have not experienced ever so what happens is Miss Hoke reads
ever so what happens is Miss Hoke reads
ever so what happens is Miss Hoke reads certain sentences like I dropped out of
certain sentences like I dropped out of
certain sentences like I dropped out of high school the I tease they’re all on
high school the I tease they’re all on
high school the I tease they’re all on the line volunteers no one and so the
the line volunteers no one and so the
the line volunteers no one and so the the sentences go on you begin to see
the sentences go on you begin to see
the sentences go on you begin to see things about each other says I’m a
things about each other says I’m a
things about each other says I’m a natural born hustler kind of 50/50 I
natural born hustler kind of 50/50 I
natural born hustler kind of 50/50 I regularly feel judged by others for skin
regularly feel judged by others for skin
regularly feel judged by others for skin or economic status lots of EIT is on the
or economic status lots of EIT is on the
or economic status lots of EIT is on the line I grew up in poverty and this is
line I grew up in poverty and this is
line I grew up in poverty and this is boom Shakalaka time my buddy Bowles
boom Shakalaka time my buddy Bowles
boom Shakalaka time my buddy Bowles stands on the line so what you begin to
stands on the line so what you begin to
stands on the line so what you begin to see is you don’t know a lot about the
see is you don’t know a lot about the
see is you don’t know a lot about the other people it’s kind of interesting my
other people it’s kind of interesting my
other people it’s kind of interesting my parents paid for braces when I was a
parents paid for braces when I was a
parents paid for braces when I was a child
child
child no EITS so you can begin to see these
no EITS so you can begin to see these
no EITS so you can begin to see these are serious stuff I’ve been arrested
are serious stuff I’ve been arrested
are serious stuff I’ve been arrested several the volunteers are on the line
several the volunteers are on the line
several the volunteers are on the line this is pretty interesting and I’m
this is pretty interesting and I’m
this is pretty interesting and I’m telling you you can you’re only five
telling you you can you’re only five
telling you you can you’re only five steps from each other you can see this
steps from each other you can see this
steps from each other you can see this here’s the heartbreaker
here’s the heartbreaker
here’s the heartbreaker I’ve lost a child lots of people stand
I’ve lost a child lots of people stand
I’ve lost a child lots of people stand on the line so I had my thoughts about
on the line so I had my thoughts about
on the line so I had my thoughts about the EITS but but surprise me as I told
the EITS but but surprise me as I told
the EITS but but surprise me as I told you is the volunteers you never know
you is the volunteers you never know
you is the volunteers you never know what lurks in the past of your friends
what lurks in the past of your friends
what lurks in the past of your friends when you see them step the line and it
when you see them step the line and it
when you see them step the line and it reminds you deeply of your shared
reminds you deeply of your shared
reminds you deeply of your shared humanity there’s some darkness in all of
humanity there’s some darkness in all of
humanity there’s some darkness in all of us and we exorcise those demons in many
us and we exorcise those demons in many
us and we exorcise those demons in many ways one of them is to give back to the
ways one of them is to give back to the
ways one of them is to give back to the least among us which these gentlemen are
least among us which these gentlemen are
least among us which these gentlemen are so you get the message here this is real
so you get the message here this is real
so you get the message here this is real stuff and when you look across the line
stuff and when you look across the line
stuff and when you look across the line at the other person you realize they’re
at the other person you realize they’re
at the other person you realize they’re not going home tonight
not going home tonight
not going home tonight and there are some other things and some
and there are some other things and some
and there are some other things and some tears and some hugs and it moves you now
tears and some hugs and it moves you now
tears and some hugs and it moves you now I like to quote Warren Buffett Buffett
I like to quote Warren Buffett Buffett
I like to quote Warren Buffett Buffett said I won the ovarian lottery when I
said I won the ovarian lottery when I
said I won the ovarian lottery when I was born white male healthy smart and
was born white male healthy smart and
was born white male healthy smart and growing up in America and it tends to
growing up in America and it tends to
growing up in America and it tends to remind you about gratitude and good
remind you about gratitude and good
remind you about gratitude and good fortune and privilege so the day ended
fortune and privilege so the day ended
fortune and privilege so the day ended and as promised miss hope comes up to me
and as promised miss hope comes up to me
and as promised miss hope comes up to me and says she
and says she
and says she what’s each of us me and Bowles to give
what’s each of us me and Bowles to give
what’s each of us me and Bowles to give her $500 they’re a nonprofit they need
her $500 they’re a nonprofit they need
her $500 they’re a nonprofit they need money they ask for it their biggest
money they ask for it their biggest
money they ask for it their biggest contributors are Google Microsoft and
contributors are Google Microsoft and
contributors are Google Microsoft and other Silicon Valley venture funds and
other Silicon Valley venture funds and
other Silicon Valley venture funds and miss Hoke is shameless
miss Hoke is shameless
miss Hoke is shameless and you gotta love her for it so she
and you gotta love her for it so she
and you gotta love her for it so she says I want the 500 bucks and we say no
says I want the 500 bucks and we say no
says I want the 500 bucks and we say no but this is what she’s not used to
but this is what she’s not used to
but this is what she’s not used to getting that I know so my quick response
getting that I know so my quick response
getting that I know so my quick response though is tell you what I’ll do if
though is tell you what I’ll do if
though is tell you what I’ll do if you’re willing to bring the program to
you’re willing to bring the program to
you’re willing to bring the program to Donovan Donovan is the state prison in
Donovan Donovan is the state prison in
Donovan Donovan is the state prison in San Diego at the border if you bring it
San Diego at the border if you bring it
San Diego at the border if you bring it to San Diego I’ll raise you $100,000 my
to San Diego I’ll raise you $100,000 my
to San Diego I’ll raise you $100,000 my assessment is simple I care about my
assessment is simple I care about my
assessment is simple I care about my community and these guys at Donovan it’s
community and these guys at Donovan it’s
community and these guys at Donovan it’s a level 4 maximum-security federal
a level 4 maximum-security federal
a level 4 maximum-security federal prison and when they get out they’re
prison and when they get out they’re
prison and when they get out they’re going to be my neighbors in this city so
going to be my neighbors in this city so
going to be my neighbors in this city so if I’m going to write a check I’m going
if I’m going to write a check I’m going
if I’m going to write a check I’m going to do it in my town it’s a little
to do it in my town it’s a little
to do it in my town it’s a little parochial I’m not totally proud of it
parochial I’m not totally proud of it
parochial I’m not totally proud of it but you know think local so here’s the
but you know think local so here’s the
but you know think local so here’s the next big connect me and goals we get in
next big connect me and goals we get in
next big connect me and goals we get in the plane we fly home 54 minutes later
the plane we fly home 54 minutes later
the plane we fly home 54 minutes later I’m on the ground 12 minutes later he
I’m on the ground 12 minutes later he
I’m on the ground 12 minutes later he land at Montgomery I go to Emerald
land at Montgomery I go to Emerald
land at Montgomery I go to Emerald seafood I’m sitting there with my wife
seafood I’m sitting there with my wife
seafood I’m sitting there with my wife and I have the WTF moment let’s see now
and I have the WTF moment let’s see now
and I have the WTF moment let’s see now you want to spend the day in prison you
you want to spend the day in prison you
you want to spend the day in prison you fly home at a private plane you’re
fly home at a private plane you’re
fly home at a private plane you’re having dinner and these guys go back in
having dinner and these guys go back in
having dinner and these guys go back in their cells that little epiphany took a
their cells that little epiphany took a
their cells that little epiphany took a little time to digest if you will so
little time to digest if you will so
little time to digest if you will so Sunday afternoons the next day I get a
Sunday afternoons the next day I get a
Sunday afternoons the next day I get a call from the executive vice president
call from the executive vice president
call from the executive vice president of defy lives in New York and he says
of defy lives in New York and he says
of defy lives in New York and he says blah blah blah I’m interested in
blah blah blah I’m interested in
blah blah blah I’m interested in discussing blah blah blah and I’m not a
discussing blah blah blah and I’m not a
discussing blah blah blah and I’m not a blah blah guy so I say I tell you what
blah blah guy so I say I tell you what
blah blah guy so I say I tell you what if I promise to raise you a hundred
if I promise to raise you a hundred
if I promise to raise you a hundred grand will you or will you not come it
grand will you or will you not come it
grand will you or will you not come it you know it’s like a prosecutor will you
you know it’s like a prosecutor will you
you know it’s like a prosecutor will you come to San Diego because they weren’t
come to San Diego because they weren’t
come to San Diego because they weren’t planning to come on San Diego so he gets
planning to come on San Diego so he gets
planning to come on San Diego so he gets this hesitation kind of you can hear
this hesitation kind of you can hear
this hesitation kind of you can hear this on the phone kind of like oh you’re
this on the phone kind of like oh you’re
this on the phone kind of like oh you’re sort of like no hatton have all hat and
sort of like no hatton have all hat and
sort of like no hatton have all hat and no cattle like you’re really going to be
no cattle like you’re really going to be
no cattle like you’re really going to be able to do this now but I make him a
able to do this now but I make him a
able to do this now but I make him a promise I said you give me 60 days 100
promise I said you give me 60 days 100
promise I said you give me 60 days 100 grand and you promise to do a two-year
grand and you promise to do a two-year
grand and you promise to do a two-year program at Donovan
program at Donovan
program at Donovan told you I write a column in the local
told you I write a column in the local
told you I write a column in the local newspaper so I write the column about my
newspaper so I write the column about my
newspaper so I write the column about my day in prison and it ends with a little
day in prison and it ends with a little
day in prison and it ends with a little last paragraph you were interested in
last paragraph you were interested in
last paragraph you were interested in participating in
participating in
participating in Adventure here’s my email my email is
Adventure here’s my email my email is
Adventure here’s my email my email is easy to find now I have a secret weapon
easy to find now I have a secret weapon
easy to find now I have a secret weapon I have a wife her name is Barbara Bree
I have a wife her name is Barbara Bree
I have a wife her name is Barbara Bree she’s actually the city council person
she’s actually the city council person
she’s actually the city council person for district 1 which is your district
for district 1 which is your district
for district 1 which is your district it’s neither here nor there I happen to
it’s neither here nor there I happen to
it’s neither here nor there I happen to think she’s gorgeous smart and beloved
think she’s gorgeous smart and beloved
think she’s gorgeous smart and beloved by all that cannot be said necessarily
by all that cannot be said necessarily
by all that cannot be said necessarily about her husband but it turns out that
about her husband but it turns out that
about her husband but it turns out that three years ago she was picked through
three years ago she was picked through
three years ago she was picked through one of the local heroes she was a big
one of the local heroes she was a big
one of the local heroes she was a big shot for Women’s History Month watch the
shot for Women’s History Month watch the
shot for Women’s History Month watch the event was sponsored by KPBS it was
event was sponsored by KPBS it was
event was sponsored by KPBS it was underwritten by Union Bank I write the
underwritten by Union Bank I write the
underwritten by Union Bank I write the article in the paper and the lady three
article in the paper and the lady three
article in the paper and the lady three years earlier who had given my wife the
years earlier who had given my wife the
years earlier who had given my wife the award her name is Kathy Pat off she runs
award her name is Kathy Pat off she runs
award her name is Kathy Pat off she runs the foundation at Union Bank she says
the foundation at Union Bank she says
the foundation at Union Bank she says I’m in you’re in for $50,000 turns out
I’m in you’re in for $50,000 turns out
I’m in you’re in for $50,000 turns out that prison education recidivism
that prison education recidivism
that prison education recidivism entrepreneurship seems to be one of
entrepreneurship seems to be one of
entrepreneurship seems to be one of their things so now I’m halfway home
their things so now I’m halfway home
their things so now I’m halfway home then I wrote the article so I start to
then I wrote the article so I start to
then I wrote the article so I start to get emails I get 57 emails from tip L
get emails I get 57 emails from tip L
get emails I get 57 emails from tip L I’ve never heard from Joe Dokes Betty
I’ve never heard from Joe Dokes Betty
I’ve never heard from Joe Dokes Betty Boop and they agree that they will
Boop and they agree that they will
Boop and they agree that they will contribute somewhere between and this is
contribute somewhere between and this is
contribute somewhere between and this is the truth 25 dollars was the least 2000
the truth 25 dollars was the least 2000
the truth 25 dollars was the least 2000 was the most and from the 57-38 people
was the most and from the 57-38 people
was the most and from the 57-38 people put up $27,000 me and my bums a couple
put up $27,000 me and my bums a couple
put up $27,000 me and my bums a couple of my pals we put a forty grand if you
of my pals we put a forty grand if you
of my pals we put a forty grand if you add that to the 50 of Union Bank lo and
add that to the 50 of Union Bank lo and
add that to the 50 of Union Bank lo and behold I call up the character in New
behold I call up the character in New
behold I call up the character in New York and I say time to deliver a deal’s
York and I say time to deliver a deal’s
York and I say time to deliver a deal’s a deal so sure enough this is the nature
a deal so sure enough this is the nature
a deal so sure enough this is the nature of entrepreneurship you sort of love
of entrepreneurship you sort of love
of entrepreneurship you sort of love exceeding expectations I didn’t think he
exceeding expectations I didn’t think he
exceeding expectations I didn’t think he thought that I thought that he thought I
thought that I thought that he thought I
thought that I thought that he thought I got him so angelee on January 27th this
got him so angelee on January 27th this
got him so angelee on January 27th this year they launched their program at
year they launched their program at
year they launched their program at Donovan and the first 55 guys are in the
Donovan and the first 55 guys are in the
Donovan and the first 55 guys are in the program now I’m going to push you a
program now I’m going to push you a
program now I’m going to push you a little bit it’s easy to give money it’s
little bit it’s easy to give money it’s
little bit it’s easy to give money it’s going to prison though just to be a
going to prison though just to be a
going to prison though just to be a volunteer for a day it’s a little like
volunteer for a day it’s a little like
volunteer for a day it’s a little like going down to father Joe on Thanksgiving
going down to father Joe on Thanksgiving
going down to father Joe on Thanksgiving you serve turkey you take your children
you serve turkey you take your children
you serve turkey you take your children it feels good you go home you watch
it feels good you go home you watch
it feels good you go home you watch football you have a beer so what you
football you have a beer so what you
football you have a beer so what you can’t do is you can’t that’s
can’t do is you can’t that’s
can’t do is you can’t that’s the the trick in this prison
the the trick in this prison
the the trick in this prison entrepreneurship business is repetition
entrepreneurship business is repetition
entrepreneurship business is repetition for effect
for effect
for effect no drive-by shooting hello and goodbye
no drive-by shooting hello and goodbye
no drive-by shooting hello and goodbye you got to commit
you got to commit
you got to commit the first time I teach I now teach at
the first time I teach I now teach at
the first time I teach I now teach at Donovan twice a month and the first time
Donovan twice a month and the first time
Donovan twice a month and the first time I came back the second time I got a
I came back the second time I got a
I came back the second time I got a standing ovation and the reason is
standing ovation and the reason is
standing ovation and the reason is nobody comes back a second time so if
nobody comes back a second time so if
nobody comes back a second time so if you do it you’ve got to be all-in so me
you do it you’ve got to be all-in so me
you do it you’ve got to be all-in so me and Bowles go to the next event in
and Bowles go to the next event in
and Bowles go to the next event in Lancaster this is the graduation
Lancaster this is the graduation
Lancaster this is the graduation it occurs in September now they got 55
it occurs in September now they got 55
it occurs in September now they got 55 volunteers and they got some big shots
volunteers and they got some big shots
volunteers and they got some big shots from the venture firms in Los Angeles
from the venture firms in Los Angeles
from the venture firms in Los Angeles two people that I love Mark Suster and
two people that I love Mark Suster and
two people that I love Mark Suster and Brad Feld and it’s quite a day they
Brad Feld and it’s quite a day they
Brad Feld and it’s quite a day they pitch there’s business plans it’s a
pitch there’s business plans it’s a
pitch there’s business plans it’s a shark tank and it ends with a real
shark tank and it ends with a real
shark tank and it ends with a real competition and a graduation and there’s
competition and a graduation and there’s
competition and a graduation and there’s some winners they get the money when
some winners they get the money when
some winners they get the money when they get out there’s a cap and gown
they get out there’s a cap and gown
they get out there’s a cap and gown graduation ceremony and it crushes you
graduation ceremony and it crushes you
graduation ceremony and it crushes you in terms of the enormity of the feelings
in terms of the enormity of the feelings
in terms of the enormity of the feelings because their families are there and the
because their families are there and the
because their families are there and the families are going to go home but they
families are going to go home but they
families are going to go home but they don’t so what I’m going to tell you is
don’t so what I’m going to tell you is
don’t so what I’m going to tell you is it reminds you deeply of the shoes you
it reminds you deeply of the shoes you
it reminds you deeply of the shoes you walk in I’m always struck by one comment
walk in I’m always struck by one comment
walk in I’m always struck by one comment from all of the prisoners that I’ve ever
from all of the prisoners that I’ve ever
from all of the prisoners that I’ve ever interacted with everyone 100% say that
interacted with everyone 100% say that
interacted with everyone 100% say that when I get out I will never do that
when I get out I will never do that
when I get out I will never do that stupid thing again I’m not ever coming
stupid thing again I’m not ever coming
stupid thing again I’m not ever coming back and the answer is statistically 32
back and the answer is statistically 32
back and the answer is statistically 32 percent of them do come back it must be
percent of them do come back it must be
percent of them do come back it must be for the food they can’t seem to stay
for the food they can’t seem to stay
for the food they can’t seem to stay away but the people who take the defy
away but the people who take the defy
away but the people who take the defy ventures program their rate of
ventures program their rate of
ventures program their rate of recidivism is 4 percent 4 so you can’t
recidivism is 4 percent 4 so you can’t
recidivism is 4 percent 4 so you can’t argue with numbers data scientists
argue with numbers data scientists
argue with numbers data scientists something must be working now they have
something must be working now they have
something must be working now they have another thing they say we’ve all done
another thing they say we’ve all done
another thing they say we’ve all done things that were illegal that could have
things that were illegal that could have
things that were illegal that could have landed us in jail but we didn’t get
landed us in jail but we didn’t get
landed us in jail but we didn’t get caught drugs drunk driving shoplifting
caught drugs drunk driving shoplifting
caught drugs drunk driving shoplifting maybe worse without luck or a good
maybe worse without luck or a good
maybe worse without luck or a good lawyer we’d be the inmates not the
lawyer we’d be the inmates not the
lawyer we’d be the inmates not the volunteers it’s important to remember
volunteers it’s important to remember
volunteers it’s important to remember those kind of things so I got a couple
those kind of things so I got a couple
those kind of things so I got a couple of final stories and then I’m done I end
of final stories and then I’m done I end
of final stories and then I’m done I end up going all-in at Donovan I now teach
up going all-in at Donovan I now teach
up going all-in at Donovan I now teach as I said twice a month I teach to CGA
as I said twice a month I teach to CGA
as I said twice a month I teach to CGA everybody knows but that is criminal
everybody knows but that is criminal
everybody knows but that is criminal gangs Anonymous of course that’s the
gangs Anonymous of course that’s the
gangs Anonymous of course that’s the equivalent for gang members of
equivalent for gang members of
equivalent for gang members of Alcoholics Anonymous and I also written
Alcoholics Anonymous and I also written
Alcoholics Anonymous and I also written a couple books you can find them online
a couple books you can find them online
a couple books you can find them online and I want to point out that I am now
and I want to point out that I am now
and I want to point out that I am now currently the best-selling author in
currently the best-selling author in
currently the best-selling author in prison
prison
prison take that John Grisham
take that John Grisham
take that John Grisham so here’s the final story in the
so here’s the final story in the
so here’s the final story in the afternoon there’s an exercise where the
afternoon there’s an exercise where the
afternoon there’s an exercise where the volunteers stand in a circle facing out
volunteers stand in a circle facing out
volunteers stand in a circle facing out and the EITS go around us so you stay
and the EITS go around us so you stay
and the EITS go around us so you stay seated you stay standing and and the
seated you stay standing and and the
seated you stay standing and and the EITS the inmates and you get four or
EITS the inmates and you get four or
EITS the inmates and you get four or five six minutes with each of them so
five six minutes with each of them so
five six minutes with each of them so over the next 45 minutes you meet eight
over the next 45 minutes you meet eight
over the next 45 minutes you meet eight or nine different people you talk to
or nine different people you talk to
or nine different people you talk to them you understand what they’re up to
them you understand what they’re up to
them you understand what they’re up to the final guy arrives the last guy stops
the final guy arrives the last guy stops
the final guy arrives the last guy stops right in front of me he’s about 60 he’s
right in front of me he’s about 60 he’s
right in front of me he’s about 60 he’s black
black
black most of the prisoners of course are
most of the prisoners of course are
most of the prisoners of course are either black or Hispanic there’s a few
either black or Hispanic there’s a few
either black or Hispanic there’s a few white the natural diversity of a prison
white the natural diversity of a prison
white the natural diversity of a prison I won’t go into that now here’s what you
I won’t go into that now here’s what you
I won’t go into that now here’s what you got to grab he’s got one tooth one tooth
got to grab he’s got one tooth one tooth
got to grab he’s got one tooth one tooth one tooth right in the front he begins
one tooth right in the front he begins
one tooth right in the front he begins to tell me about himself he’s been in
to tell me about himself he’s been in
to tell me about himself he’s been in prison 32 years but he makes a point of
prison 32 years but he makes a point of
prison 32 years but he makes a point of thanking me I’d been called out as one
thanking me I’d been called out as one
thanking me I’d been called out as one of the promoters of de5 he thanks me for
of the promoters of de5 he thanks me for
of the promoters of de5 he thanks me for this chance for bringing defi to the
this chance for bringing defi to the
this chance for bringing defi to the prison he’s really grateful really
prison he’s really grateful really
prison he’s really grateful really grateful and then he looks me hard in
grateful and then he looks me hard in
grateful and then he looks me hard in the eye you cannot turn away from this
the eye you cannot turn away from this
the eye you cannot turn away from this guy and here’s what he says word for
guy and here’s what he says word for
guy and here’s what he says word for word I pray for you every night Wow stop
word I pray for you every night Wow stop
word I pray for you every night Wow stop the madness pal I live in a million
the madness pal I live in a million
the madness pal I live in a million dollar home in the top of a hill in La
dollar home in the top of a hill in La
dollar home in the top of a hill in La Jolla and you’re praying for me there’s
Jolla and you’re praying for me there’s
Jolla and you’re praying for me there’s something going on so needless to say at
something going on so needless to say at
something going on so needless to say at that moment I had a bit of trouble
that moment I had a bit of trouble
that moment I had a bit of trouble keeping my balance I my world was
keeping my balance I my world was
keeping my balance I my world was spinning and I was looking at myself in
spinning and I was looking at myself in
spinning and I was looking at myself in a hall of mirrors and distortions and
a hall of mirrors and distortions and
a hall of mirrors and distortions and wonderment at the nature of the ovarian
wonderment at the nature of the ovarian
wonderment at the nature of the ovarian Lottery and there it was be grateful my
Lottery and there it was be grateful my
Lottery and there it was be grateful my friends because there but for the grace
friends because there but for the grace
friends because there but for the grace of God go I always there but for the
of God go I always there but for the
of God go I always there but for the grace of God
”
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