What does redemption look like—really? For John David Graham, it looked like a 140-year-old house, a $200 budget, and a second chance—not just for himself, but for thousands of others.
In this powerful episode of A Joyful Rebellion, James talks with author and nonprofit founder John David Graham about his journey from career detours, near-homelessness, and restless searching, to building Good Samaritan Home, a community-based housing network that’s helped over 2,500 men and women reenter society after prison.
John shares stories from the front lines of restoration: what he’s learned about second chances, the systems stacked against the formerly incarcerated, and how faith, kindness, and snowblowers can sometimes move mountains. His memoir, Running as Fast as I Can, threads through this conversation as a roadmap for hope—both earned and extended.
If you’ve ever wondered how you can make a real difference, this episode will show you how small acts of courage and kindness can ripple outward, changing everything.
Show Notes with Chapter Markers:
Episode Title: Running as Fast as I Can: John David Graham on Second Chances and Redemption
Chapter Markers:
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[00:00] Meet John David Graham: From chaos to community
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[02:00] The Seeds of Good Samaritan Home: A Victorian house and a vision
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[05:00] Life Before Purpose: Detroit, odd jobs, and instability
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[08:00] Reggie’s Arrival: The first resident and community resistance
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[11:00] Suing the City and Shoveling Sidewalks: Kindness over conflict
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[13:00] Funding Faith: How the program scaled house by house
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[15:00] Understanding Addiction & Reentry: Why people go back
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[18:00] What Returning Citizens Really Need: Listening, dignity, jobs
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[22:00] The Importance of Showing Up: Why employers say yes
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[26:00] Walking with a Limp: Rehabilitation vs. Habilitation
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[29:00] How the Book Came Together: The real stories behind the fiction
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[33:00] Why Community Still Matters: Disconnection in modern life
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[36:00] Small Acts of Kindness: What you can do today
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[41:00] Trying Something New at 76: Becoming an “actor” for a day
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[43:00] Where to Find the Book & Get Involved
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