Welcome to Direct Connect Milwaukee’s (DCMKE) Episode 8, where we dive deep into the realities of searching for a job and getting that coveted first break. This episode features the candid and powerful story of James Morris, a Milwaukee native with more than 40 years of lived experience in the workforce, whose journey spans triumphs, and transformations.

Meet James Morris James grew up in Milwaukee, attended Dominican High School, and spent four decades working across industries—from counseling and administration to manual labor and job development. His journey, as he shares, is “unique unto him,” but he hopes it will serve as both inspiration and caution for job seekers at any stage.

A Tale of Two Chapters James chronicles his employment history in two striking parts: “BC (Before Cocaine)” and “Durin ...