051 – Live not Loathe with Jevon Wooden

051 – Jevon Wooden is a veteran, information security expert, motivational speaker and coach who empowers high achievers to design a life they don’t need a vacation from. Jevon has an incredible life story and he has leveraged resilience, positivity and an incredible can-do attitude to weather a number of adverse life events and psychological traumas. In this episode, Jevon speaks from the heart about growing up in a polygamous household, watching his father be arrested, navigating the criminal justice system, his activism as an adult  for sentencing reform, processing childhood traumas as an adult, his service with the US Army in Afghanistan, reintegrating into society after the military, and how men can carry themselves with grace and compassion . His book published in August 2021 is called Own Your Kingdom: How To Increase Your Confidence, Build Your Self-Esteem, And Control Your Destiny

Timestamps:
1:30- Jevon’s background and places he’s lived, early musical influences,
4:30 – Turning point in Jevon’s life 
8:00 – Jevon’s reflections on growing up in a polygamous household; brave or tough conversations 
18:00 – Jevon hanging with his Dad and the SWAT team arresting his dad 
23:30 – Navigating the criminal justice system & Jevon’s activism 
35:00 – the experience of going to the middle east with the Army having the background of a Muslim upbringing 
41:00 – reintegrating into society after warfare 
51:00 – it’s hard to get upset if you manage the physical reactions 
55:00 – Jevon’s book recs 

  • The Obstacle is the way – https://www.amazon.com/Obstacle-Way-Timeless-Turning-Triumph-ebook/dp/B00G3L1B8K/ref=sr_1_1?crid=OB96JFECF9UV&keywords=the+obstacle+is+the+way&qid=1650496723&s=books&sprefix=the+obsta%2Cstripbooks%2C146&sr=1-1
  • The body keeps the score – https://www.amazon.com/Body-Keeps-Score-Healing-Trauma/dp/0143127748
  • What happened to you – https://www.amazon.com/What-Happened-You-Understanding-Resilience/dp/1250223180
  • Own Your Kingdom – https://www.amazon.com/Own-Your-Kingdom-Confidence-Self-Esteem/dp/B09CRSP73X

56:00 – Spark by Seek Discomfort Conversation Game 

  • Jevon’s Question – what are the 3 things that make someplace home? 
  • Thomas’ question – how have your views on religion changed over time? 

Jevon’s Website
The Sentencing Project