#2353 - Shaka Senghor

Overview

This episode features Shaka Senghor, who shares his transformative journey from serving 19 years in prison for murder to becoming a writer, entrepreneur, and resilience expert. Senghor discusses the systemic issues within the prison system, the power of personal accountability, and the importance of gratitude, vulnerability, and self-reflection in achieving personal freedom and growth.

Notable Quotes

- I was incarcerated before I ever stepped foot in a prison cell. I was free before I ever got out of solitary. – Shaka Senghor, on the power of mindset and internal freedom.

- Gratitude is one of the greatest keys to freedom. If you can lean into being thankful for all of it—the challenges, the wins, the losses—you can live a life rich in fulfillment. – Shaka Senghor, on the transformative power of gratitude.

- You will never live a happy life if you seek joy in other people's failure. – Joe Rogan, on the importance of celebrating others' success.

🛑 The Brutality of the Prison System

- Senghor recounts harrowing experiences in solitary confinement, including 23-hour lockdowns, shit wars between inmates, and the psychological toll of isolation.

- He describes the inhumane practice of food loaf, where leftover food is baked into an inedible brick as punishment.

- The lack of mental health support in prison exacerbates trauma, with many inmates suffering from untreated PTSD and other psychological issues.

- Senghor highlights the systemic flaws, including exorbitant costs for phone calls and the prison-industrial complex's profit-driven motives.

📖 The Power of Journaling and Self-Reflection

- Senghor credits journaling with helping him process his trauma, confront his anger, and rediscover his humanity.

- Writing allowed him to ask hard questions about his life, such as, How did I end up here? and to take accountability for his actions.

- He emphasizes the importance of brutal honesty in journaling as a tool for personal growth and self-awareness.

- Journaling also helped Senghor repair relationships with his parents by fostering vulnerability and understanding.

💡 Resilience and Transformation

- Senghor shares how he structured his days in solitary confinement like a university, studying philosophy, history, and literature to keep his mind sharp.

- He wrote his first novel in 30 days using a makeshift pen, a pivotal moment that gave him a sense of purpose and hope.

- His resilience was further tested when he faced systemic barriers after his release, such as being sued by the prison for the cost of his incarceration.

- Senghor's journey underscores the importance of grit, adaptability, and finding meaning even in the darkest circumstances.

🌍 Systemic Change and Second Chances

- Senghor advocates for a more rehabilitative approach to incarceration, citing examples from countries like Germany and Norway, where prisoners are treated as citizens deserving of dignity.

- He criticizes the U.S. penal system for its focus on punishment over rehabilitation, noting that 90% of incarcerated individuals will eventually re-enter society.

- Senghor calls for investments in education, mental health, and community support to address the root causes of crime and reduce recidivism.

🙏 Gratitude and Freedom

- Senghor explains how gratitude became a cornerstone of his personal philosophy, helping him find joy in small things like cold orange juice or a bar of soap.

- He believes that true freedom comes from appreciating life's moments and not being imprisoned by anger, shame, or societal expectations.

- Senghor's gratitude practice involves identifying three small things each day to be thankful for, a habit he credits with transforming his outlook on life.