Running Toward Second Chances - John David Graham : 175

What if the finish line you’ve been chasing keeps moving because life isn’t a race at all?

John David Graham joins us at 77 with a story that rewrites the rules on success, failure, and second chances. After years bouncing between jobs, counsellor, truck driver, fireman, contractor, journalist, even pastor, he and his wife bought a beat-up house, fixed it themselves, and opened the door to someone few communities welcome: a man coming home from prison.

That first “yes” sparked Good Samaritan Home, now a network of 21 houses across three counties, designed for low-risk reentry with real accountability and a clear path forward.

We dig into what actually helps people rebuild: safe, independent housing; steady local partnerships with parole. John explains why they focus on one clear promise, housing, while the community handles the rest, and how this approach saves public dollars compared with incarceration while increasing long-term stability.

He shares hard truths about change: not everyone is ready the first time, effort matters, and boundaries protect dignity. You’ll hear how small skills, applying for work, showing up, cooking your own meals, become major turning points when shame and isolation have been the norm.

Threaded through the episode is a powerful theme: hope as a habit. John’s debut novel brings that idea to life through a character born behind the starting line, a story many readers recognize as their own. We talk about family resilience, useful ageing, and the quiet heroics of curiosity, like his wife, in her late 70s, learning home repairs on YouTube and helping keep 21 houses running.

If you’ve ever felt behind, boxed in by labels, or unsure how to help, this conversation offers a map: start small, stay accountable, and keep going, one practical step at a time.

If this resonates, follow the show, share it with someone who needs a nudge of hope, and leave a review to help others find stories that move them.

https://johndavidgraham.com/

Award-winning novel RUNNING AS FAST AS I CAN.

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