#62 Dr. John Graham: Civil Rights...

#62 Dr. John Graham: Civil Rights Movements Then Vs. Now, Redemption, and Hand Ups, Not Handouts

Explicit
Going in Blind with Zach Tidwell by Zach Tidwell
E62
Dec 15, 2025
01:21:16

Episode notes

Dr. John David Graham has worn many hats, the latest of which include being an award-winning author and founder of Good Samaritan Home. At 53, John and his wife purchased a home to create a shelter that has since served over 2,500 people transitioning from prison back into society.

John shares his journey from a childhood marked by "quiet desperation" through decades of professional detours—from truck driver to construction worker to minister—before finding his calling in prison rehabilitation. His novel "Running As Fast As I Can" has won 48 literary awards and sold 22,000 copies, using fiction to advocate for second chances.

This episode explores growing up without guidance in post-Depression America, the intersection of faith and criminal justice reform, Why 60-80% of incarcerated individuals struggle with addiction, how Good Samaritan Home provides "a hand up, not a hand out”, the challenges and successes of reentry programs, the power of community transformation.

Connect with John:

Good Samaritan Home: https://goodsamaritanhome.org/staff/

John’s website: https://johndavidgraham.com/

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Podcast theme music by Transistor.fm.