In this special Christmas Day episode of Workforce Skills, John sits down with Kenny Austin to share a powerful story of transformation, accountability, and second chances.

Kenny opens up about his journey through addiction, prison, recovery, and rebuilding his life through hard work, mentorship, and structure. From graduating the New Freedom program to rising through the ranks at PHP Commercial Painting, Kenny explains how trusting the process, asking for help, and surrounding himself with the right people changed everything.

This conversation dives into life inside a halfway house, the realities of recovery during the holidays, leadership through accountability, and what it truly means to earn a “hand up” instead of a handout. If you or someone you know is struggling, this episode is proof that real change is possible.

In this episode of Workforce Skills, John Morris delivers a blunt but necessary message as the holidays approach: slow the f* down**. From costly estimating mistakes and rushed jobsite work to emotional decisions that derail careers and lives, John explains why speed is often the enemy of success.

Drawing from real experiences in business, leadership, recovery, and workforce development, John breaks down the importance of quality over quantity, logic over emotion, and patience over pressure—especially for those rebuilding their lives after incarceration or addiction.

This episode is a reminder that real growth doesn’t happen overnight, mistakes multiply when we rush, and the best outcomes come when we take our time and do things the right way.

In this episode of Workforce Skills with John Morris, John sits down with Sarah Gehrt, a graduate of his workforce and life skills classes who once came through his reentry program after serving six years in prison.

Sarah opens up about a lifetime of addiction, the moment everything caught up with her, and what it took to finally decide, “If I want to be something different, I have to do something different.” She shares how John’s “beast mode” mindset, accountability, and real-world workforce skills helped her go from angry and resistant to applying for 60 jobs in a week, pursuing education, and rebuilding her life.

Today, Sarah is a Walden University graduate (summa cum laude), the first recipient of a full-ride Bridges Reentry scholarship, and a Student Success Advisor supporting hundreds of students. She now mentors other women coming out of incarceration, advocates for stronger vocational and soft-skills programs, and proves that your past doesn’t have to define your future.

If you’re coming out of prison, in recovery, hiring second-chance employees, or you just need a reminder that change is possible, this conversation will hit home.