Turning the Tables on Life: From Addict to Advocate

Have you ever found yourself at rock bottom, wondering how to climb back up?

 I'm Brandon Caldwell, your host for The Successful Degenerate Podcast, and I've been there. I'll be sharing my raw and real journey from hopeful college graduate to homeless drug addict in Mesa, Arizona, to serving time in prison, and then transforming my life. My story is one of redemption and resilience, and I believe it can inspire and empower you, particularly if you're battling with your adversities, such as legal issues, personal struggles, financial hardships or societal prejudices.

Throughout this podcast, I'll also introduce you to business and thought leaders from a variety of industries who've hit their own lows and risen again. Their narratives will be a source of inspiration and guidance. Together, we'll redefine what success truly means and how to attain it, despite the challenges we face. Let's create a community where we share, inspire, and uplift each other, shattering stereotypes and embracing our vulnerabilities. Let's transform our lives, one authentic story at a time. I promise you, it's possible to rewrite your script of success, no matter how the odds are stacked against you. Join me in this journey of transformation.

The Successful Degenerate is produced by Brandon Caldwell and Eric Smith from Abuveground.

Make sure to connect and follow on our socials. Rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe and follow on your favorite platforms so you're notified when new episodes go live!

https://www.instagram.com/thesuccessfuldegenerate/

www.abuveground.com

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:02):
What's up everybody?
Welcome to the successfuldegenerate podcast.
I'm the host, brandon Caldwell,for those of you that don't
know me, and I'm just incrediblygrateful to everyone tuning in
to listen.
You know my life has been aroller coaster, to say the least

(00:22):
, of ups and downs, and Ibelieve that by sharing my story
I can truly inspire othersfacing similar challenges.
You know we started off as acollege graduate filled with
dreams to ultimately hittingrock bottom as a homeless drug
addict in Mesa, arizona, to thenfacing consequences of those

(00:43):
actions in prison.
My journey has been far fromconventional, to say the least,
and through this podcast I aimedto open up about my struggles
and triumphs, proving thatsuccess is possible even when
the odds may seem stackedagainst you.
This isn't just my story.
It's an opportunity to shatterstereotypes and show the world

(01:07):
that redemption and success arewithin reach for all of us
labeled as degenerates.
And by sharing my experience,and hopefully featuring some
inspirational guests along theway, we will challenge those
societal perceptions and breakdown those barriers.
Welcome everybody to thesuccessful degenerate podcast.

(01:57):
Primary purpose here, guys, isto inspire and empower those
listeners who have encounteredchallenges and setbacks in their
life.
While my journey is absolutelyprobably going to resonate with
particular to those who havefaced legal obstacles.
I firmly believe that with that, adversity comes in various

(02:18):
forms, affecting people from allwalks of life, whether you've
battled through personalstruggles, financial hardships,
mental health issues or evensocietal biases.
I hope that this podcast willbe a space where we will lead
with genuine honesty andtransparency.
I aimed to share stories ofresilience and triumph, not just

(02:42):
of my own experience, but fromreally a diverse range of guests
who have navigated their ownunique past to success.
Each episode, I aimed tohighlight the power of really
true self belief, determinationand the willingness to learn
from past mistakes, and byhearing these inspirational

(03:04):
narratives, I hope that you willfind strength and hope in
knowing that you are not alonein your struggles, regardless of
your background or circumstance.
The successful degeneratepodcast welcomes all that truly
want to find success andhappiness.
So, whether you're convictedfelons seeking a fresh start

(03:24):
like I was, you know, back inback starting July 23rd 2020, or
an individual facing life'schallenges head on, or anyone
just searching for somemotivation and encouragement, I
invite you to join us on thisjourney and ride together, I
hope, to embrace vulnerabilitiesand truly show an honest look

(03:49):
into how I overcame, you know,adversities in my life in hopes
of charting an easier course foryou forward.
My vision is to create anauthentic experience for all of
those listening.
While the guest lineup is stilltaking shape, I'm committed to

(04:09):
featuring a diverse range ofindividuals whose stories will
inspire, empower and resonatewith our audience.
But, first and foremost, I hopeto bring on family members and
mentors who have played apivotal role in my life and hope
that they will share theirperspective that will include
some valuable insights to thechallenges and triumphs that we

(04:32):
face together, offering, reallythat, a deeper understanding of
the journey.
But really, as the podcastprogresses, we'll also invite
business and thought leadersfrom various industries, hoping
that these guests will sharetheir own experience of
overcoming obstacles andachieving success, offering

(04:53):
valuable lessons and hopefullysome actionable advice to our
listeners.
But beyond that, the successfuldegenerate podcast will be a
platform for fellow degeneratesand, hopefully, other
individuals who have transformedtheir lives against all odds.
Some themes that I plan toexplore and really I think this
is where we should start is thepower of redemption through my

(05:16):
own personal journey, theimportance of self-belief and
the impact of second chances.
We're gonna dive into thesestrategies and mindset shifts
that enabled guests and as wellas myself to rise above their
challenges and achieve greatness.
But really, moreover, mentalhealth and personal growth will

(05:39):
be essential aspects of thispodcast.
I'm gonna discuss howaddressing and overcoming inner
struggles have been a pivotalpursuit of my journey to success
.
But ultimately, the vision forthe successful degenerate
podcast is to foster a truesense of community where our

(06:01):
guests and listeners alike canfind inspiration and hope.
Through epic journeys ofresilience and triumph, we're
gonna encourage others toembrace vulnerabilities, break
free of limiting beliefs andredefine what it really truly
means to lead a successful life.

(06:24):
I hope that you all will staytuned for an extraordinary
journey of self-discovery,empowerment and the relentless
pursuit of a better future, andtogether we will unveil the
triumphs and resilience that liewithin us all by being
authentic and vulnerable.
I hope that this is going to bethe very essence of the

(06:45):
successful degenerate podcastbecause, for me, I personally
commit to you to share nothingbut the genuine and honest
experience with you, mylisteners, the audience.
I will never embellish orprovide an untruthful recap of
my journey.
Along the way, and by stayingtrue to my story, I invite you,

(07:07):
the listeners, into my worldwith all of its ups and downs
and just shitstorm of craziness.
This raw and, hopefully,unfiltered look at my life.
No, this raw and what will be?
An unfiltered look at my life.
I hope to establish trust andrelatability with my audience

(07:28):
and hoping that authenticityresonates with those who may
have faced similar struggles.
I want you to know that I'm nothiding anything, and my
commitment to honesty sets thispodcast apart from all the
curated portrayals of successthat dominate today's media.

(07:49):
Vulnerability is a powerful toolin creating emotional
connection with all of you and Iplan to use that extensively.
By opening up about my past,including all of my challenges
and mistakes, I hope to showcourage and strength by
embracing that journey into whatultimately led to an enormous

(08:11):
amount of growth.
But through that vulnerability,I hope to inspire and empower
you to confront your ownexperience and embrace your own
unique story.
This podcast is gonna be a safespace where we will all reflect
on our struggles and celebrateall of our triumphs together,

(08:32):
and I believe that by being openabout my journey, I hope to
create a community of supportand encouragement amongst all of
you.
My hope is that you will findcomfort in knowing that you are
not alone and that we, togethercan rewrite the script of
success together, one authenticstory at a time.
Thank you all for tuning inthis far to the successful

(08:54):
degenerate podcast.
I cannot express enoughgratitude for all of the support
and encouragement that you allhave shown me thus far.
We're just getting going, but Ireally hope that you guys
continue to tune in and enjoythe journey along the way.
Thanks again, guys.
Talk soon.