Today we talk to Emily O’Brien, founder of Comeback Snacks, a company she launched while serving time in federal prison for drug smuggling. And if that alone isn’t enough to get you to listen, I give up.
Emily is raw, funny and vulnerable about the choices she made that landed her behind bars. She talks about the moment she saw her parents in the courtroom for the first time, the shame she carried, the strength she found, and the mindset shift that helped her recalibrate her life.
Today, Comeback Snacks is carried in over 1,100 stores across the country and employs a number of formerly incarcerated people. Everyone deserves a second chance, and Emily is proof that joy, humor, and intention can show up in the most unlikely places.
Please enjoy, Emily O’Brien.
Takeaways
- Emily’s story is a powerful reminder that no matter how far off course we get, we can still come back—and sometimes stronger than before.
- Despite growing up in a supportive household, Emily’s descent into addiction and toxic relationships shows how quickly things can unravel—no matter your background.
- Her time in prison became a personal “recalibration,” where she read 82 books, kicked substance use, and began sketching the plans for what would become Comeback Snacks.
- Emily reframes reinvention as recalibration—not becoming a new person, but returning to the good core that was there all along.
- With Comeback Snacks, she’s hired over a dozen formerly incarcerated individuals and developed a reintegration program to help others start businesses post-prison.
- Her “Comeback Blueprint” offers a framework for transformation: Commit, Own it, Be Accountable, Educate others, and Lead with Values.
Links and Resources
Comeback Snacks Website: https://comebacksnacks.com/
Emily’s instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emz.obrien
Comeback Snacks Website: https://www.instagram.com/comebacksnacks
Emily’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-o-brien-b628a4132/
Connect with Bob Mathers
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies!
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!