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Beyond the Bars

Beyond the Bars

By: Josh Young
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About this listen

 Beyond the Bars is hosted by Josh Young, a dedicated mental health counselor with firsthand experience in the correctional healthcare field.
Beyond the Bars dives deep into the transformative stories of help and hope emerging from behind the walls of correctional facilities. Each episode, Josh invites listeners into the often-overlooked world of correctional healthcare, interviewing a diverse array of guests—from seasoned professionals to reform advocates—who are all working to change lives and heal minds within the corrections system, and ultimately make a greater impact in the field of corrections.

Whether you're a professional in the industry, someone with personal experience in the system, or a listener eager to learn about a hidden side of society, this podcast will enlighten, inspire, and challenge your thinking regarding what redemption and support truly mean in the context of the justice system.

Tune in to "Beyond the Bars" to discover the stories of resilience and reform that are reshaping the future of correctional healthcare.Sophos Media Productions Personal Development Personal Success Philosophy Social Sciences
Episodes
  • From Gangs to Grace: Alfonso Gilbert’s Journey of Hope and Redemption

    From Gangs to Grace: Alfonso Gilbert’s Journey of Hope and Redemption
    Aug 25 2025
    In this powerfully moving episode of Beyond the Bars, host Josh sits down with Alfonso Gilbert, Chief Education Officer at Men of Valor, to uncover one of the most compelling stories of transformation and hope you’ll hear all year. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in prison ministry, overcoming trauma, and the life-changing power of redemption and recovery.

    🔑 What You’ll Discover in This Episode:
    • Alfonso’s harrowing upbringing in a cartel-affiliated family near the Mexican border, his immersion in gangs and drugs, and the deep trauma that shaped his early years.
    • The powerful moment that turned his life around—an unexpected invitation to church that led to a profound encounter with faith.
    • How Alfonso went from homelessness and gang involvement to earning advanced degrees in theology and leading life-changing ministries for men leaving prison.
    • The real challenges of reentry, healing from childhood trauma, and why true recovery demands both faith and professional support like therapy and behavioral health.
    • The mission and impact of Men of Valor, a pioneering organization equipping formerly incarcerated men with the resources and community they need for lasting transformation.
    • Actionable advice for anyone looking to make a difference in the lives of those affected by incarceration, addiction, and generational trauma.
    Why You Should Listen:
    This episode isn’t just another story—it’s living proof that hope and a new future are possible, no matter how dire the circumstances. Whether you work in corrections, ministry, behavioral health, or simply want to understand the intersection of trauma, redemption, and social impact, Alfonso’s journey will inspire you.


    Sponsored by Freedom Behavioral Health
    Learn more about correctional healthcare solutions at freedom-bh.com

    Have questions or want to get involved?
    Email Josh at josh@freedom-bh.com.

    Your support fuels these powerful stories—help us spread hope!

    #PrisonMinistry #Redemption #TraumaRecovery #FaithBased #CriminalJusticeReform #Inspiration #Hope
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    41 mins
  • From Ministry to Corrections: Dr. Jermaine Gordon’s Path to Helping and Healing

    From Ministry to Corrections: Dr. Jermaine Gordon’s Path to Helping and Healing
    Jun 11 2025
    In this inspiring episode of Beyond the Bars, host Josh Young sits down with Dr. Gordon, Deputy Director at Kershaw County Jail in South Carolina, to uncover the powerful intersection of ministry, corrections, and transformation. Journey with Dr. Gordon as he recounts his path from the church pews of St. Petersburg, Florida to the forefront of correctional leadership. Discover how an early calling to ministry shaped his compassionate approach to inmate rehabilitation, and how his belief in treating corrections like a “mission field” is driving real change behind the walls.

    Listen as Dr. Gordon shares moments of hope and redemption—stories of inmates who found faith and purpose during incarceration, and how corrections staff can bridge security with care. Explore why bringing a counselor’s heart and a servant’s mindset is essential for evolving corrections from punitive to therapeutic, and learn about the innovative, continuity-of-care programs Dr. Gordon and his team are championing for successful reentry and lasting transformation.

    This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about criminal justice reform, faith-driven leadership, and the transformative potential inside our nation’s jails. Sponsored by Freedom Behavioral Health.

    For more information, visit Freedom-bh.com.

    Timestamps to Key Moments:

    [00:00:03] – The dual role of care and security in corrections
    [00:00:40] – Meet Dr. Jermaine Gordon: From St. Petersburg to corrections leadership
    [00:01:22] – Fifteen years in Florida DOC: Lessons from both men’s and women’s prisons
    [00:03:37] – How a career in corrections began with a “mistaken identity”
    [00:05:26] – Early years in ministry and the call to help others
    [00:08:24] – Understanding the “tug” of a calling to ministry
    [00:09:43] – Merging faith, ministry, and correctional work
    [00:12:28] – Real stories of inmate transformation through care and faith
    [00:14:13] – Why incarceration leads people to reflect, change, and seek higher purpose
    [00:16:01] – The need for merging therapeutic and correctional approaches
    [00:18:18] – Shifting from “what’s wrong with you?” to “what happened to you?”
    [00:20:19] – Advice for new corrections professionals: The importance of wanting to help
    [00:21:45] – Building a continuum of care at Kershaw County Jail
    [00:24:15] – Ministry inside and outside the jail walls
    [00:25:16] – Closing remarks and a powerful final prayer

    For more information and to join the conversation, visit freedom-bh.com.
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    27 mins
  • From the Frontlines to the Front Row: Dr. Bill Dennis’s Journey of Faith and Medicine

    From the Frontlines to the Front Row: Dr. Bill Dennis’s Journey of Faith and Medicine
    Mar 18 2025
    In this compelling episode of Beyond the Bars, we delve into the extraordinary journey of Dr. Bill Dennis, a former Navy lieutenant and now Chief Medical Officer at Advanced Correctional Healthcare. Discover how Dr. Dennis transitioned from a military career, where he was thrust into high-stakes medical planning for war, to finding his true calling in correctional medicine. Listen as he shares his transformative journey from atheism to Christianity, spurred by a pivotal church service in Montana, and how this newfound faith reignited his passion for medicine. Dr. Dennis opens up about his struggles with PTSD, stemming from years in emergency medicine, and how he found solace and purpose in serving the underserved inmate population. This episode is a testament to resilience, faith, and the power of second chances, offering listeners a unique perspective on the intersection of healthcare, spirituality, and correctional reform. Tune in to be inspired by Dr. Dennis's story and learn how his work is making a profound impact on the lives of those often forgotten by society. Don't miss this opportunity to explore the transformative power of hope and healing beyond the bars. For more insights and to join the conversation, visit us at www.freedom-bh.com.
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
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