At 16, Sean Pica made a decision that landed him in a maximum security prison. Now he holds multiple master's degrees and serves as president of Hudson Link - the nonprofit whose prison education programs once gave him a reason to believe his life wasn't over. In this episode, Sean shares his story and tells us why fewer than 2% of Hudson Link's graduates return to prison. 

ARMY ACTIONS

Subscribe to the podcast and rate & review us!

Signup to join the Army, visit NormalFolks.org

Join or start an ANF local service club at https://normalfolks.org/service-clubs/

Take The 10 Level Challenge, "the hero's journey for service" at 10LevelChallenge.org

Record a testimonial or recommend a guest - https://army.storytap.com/906/start/anf-listeners?epdescription

Follow us on all socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armyofnormalfolks/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@armyofnormalfolks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmyofNormalFolks

X: https://x.com/armynormalfolks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/an-army-of-normal-folks/

At 16, Sean Pica made a decision that landed him in a maximum security prison. Now he holds multiple master's degrees and serves as president of Hudson Link - the nonprofit whose prison education programs once gave him a reason to believe his life wasn't over. In this episode, Sean shares his story and tells us why fewer than 2% of Hudson Link's graduates return to prison.&nbsp;
ARMY ACTIONS
Subscribe to the podcast and rate &amp; review us!
Signup to join the Army, visit <a href="https://normalfolks.org/#newsletter-cta">NormalFolks.org</a>
Join or start an ANF local service club at <a href="https://normalfolks.org/service-clubs/">https://normalfolks.org/service-clubs/</a>
Take The 10 Level Challenge, "the hero's journey for service" at <a href="https://normalfolks.org/10-level-challenge/">10LevelChallenge.org</a>
Record a testimonial or recommend a guest - <a href="https://army.storytap.com/906/start/anf-listeners?epdescription">https://army.storytap.com/906/start/anf-listeners?epdescription</a>
Follow us on all socials:
Instagram:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.instagram.com/armyofnormalfolks/">https://www.instagram.com/armyofnormalfolks/</a>
TikTok:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@armyofnormalfolks">https://www.tiktok.com/@armyofnormalfolks</a>
Facebook:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArmyofNormalFolks">https://www.facebook.com/ArmyofNormalFolks</a>
X:&nbsp;<a href="https://x.com/armynormalfolks">https://x.com/armynormalfolks</a>
LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/an-army-of-normal-folks/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/an-army-of-normal-folks/</a>

Our country’s problems will never be solved by a bunch of fancy people in nice suits talking big words on CNN and Fox, but by An Army of Normal Folks just deciding “hey, I can help.” Hosted by Coach Bill Courtney from the Oscar-winning Undefeated, this podcast is building the Army and celebrating its extraordinary members. New episodes are released every Tuesday and Friday.  

Our country&rsquo;s&nbsp;problems will never be solved by a bunch of fancy people in nice suits talking big words on CNN and Fox, but by&nbsp;An Army of Normal Folks just deciding &ldquo;hey, I can help.&rdquo; Hosted by Coach Bill Courtney from the Oscar-winning Undefeated, this podcast is building the Army and celebrating its extraordinary members. New episodes are released every Tuesday and Friday.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Army of Normal Folks

HIGHLIGHTS: He Went to Max Prison at 16 and Came Out With a Master's Degree

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/40b6c90b-ebc8-4c74-8c2e-b4da013da090/transcript

He Went to Max Prison at 16 and Came Out With a Master's Degree

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/a713e7aa-80ae-4665-8e99-b4da01426018/transcript

In this Shop Talk, Bill and Alex take on the nine million self-help books promising to fix your life, from 4:17 a.m. ice baths to journaling and cutting carbs, and go back to the one that has stuck around for decades: Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Bill walks through all seven, from quitting the complaining about what you can't control to learning to listen to someone without preparing a rebuttal. His case is that your calendar is a more honest statement of your priorities than your mouth. That opens a bigger conversation about being a good neighbor: why generosity is a habit and not one check, why curiosity is becoming a radical act, and why character gets built in ordinary decisions, not giant moments. Plus Alex's idea for a yearly seven-habit scorecard and why he's heading to Vegas to sharpen the saw.

ARMY ACTIONS

Sign up for the newsletter: https://normalfolks.org/#newsletter-cta

Join or start a local service club: https://normalfolks.org/service-clubs/

Take the 10 Level Challenge, "the hero's journey for service": https://normalfolks.org/10-level-challenge/

Have an idea for a Shop Talk or a guest for the show? Write Bill anytime at bill@normalfolks.us

Follow us on all socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armyofnormalfolks/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@armyofnormalfolks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmyofNormalFolks

X: https://x.com/armynormalfolks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/an-army-of-normal-folks/

—

0:00 Welcome to the Shop: 9 Million Self-Help Books

0:32 What Are Stephen Covey's 7 Habits?

1:25 How to Stop Worrying About What You Can't Control

3:03 Why Your Calendar Shows Your Real Priorities

6:24 How Small Habits Build Character

9:29 How to Avoid Burnout and Sharpen the Saw

In this Shop Talk, Bill and Alex take on the nine million self-help books promising to fix your life, from 4:17 a.m. ice baths to journaling and cutting carbs, and go back to the one that has stuck around for decades: Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Bill walks through all seven, from quitting the complaining about what you can't control to learning to listen to someone without preparing a rebuttal. His case is that your calendar is a more honest statement of your priorities than your mouth. That opens a bigger conversation about being a good neighbor: why generosity is a habit and not one check, why curiosity is becoming a radical act, and why character gets built in ordinary decisions, not giant moments. Plus Alex's idea for a yearly seven-habit scorecard and why he's heading to Vegas to sharpen the saw.
ARMY ACTIONS
Sign up for the newsletter: <a href="https://normalfolks.org/#newsletter-cta">https://normalfolks.org/#newsletter-cta</a>
Join or start a local service club: <a href="https://normalfolks.org/service-clubs/">https://normalfolks.org/service-clubs/</a>
Take the 10 Level Challenge, "the hero's journey for service": <a href="https://normalfolks.org/10-level-challenge/">https://normalfolks.org/10-level-challenge/</a>
Have an idea for a Shop Talk or a guest for the show? Write Bill anytime at <a href="mailto:bill@normalfolks.us">bill@normalfolks.us</a>
Follow us on all socials:
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/armyofnormalfolks/">https://www.instagram.com/armyofnormalfolks/</a>
TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@armyofnormalfolks">https://www.tiktok.com/@armyofnormalfolks</a>
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArmyofNormalFolks">https://www.facebook.com/ArmyofNormalFolks</a>
X: <a href="https://x.com/armynormalfolks">https://x.com/armynormalfolks</a>
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/an-army-of-normal-folks/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/an-army-of-normal-folks/</a>
&mdash;
0:00 Welcome to the Shop: 9 Million Self-Help Books
0:32 What Are Stephen Covey's 7 Habits?
1:25 How to Stop Worrying About What You Can't Control
3:03 Why Your Calendar Shows Your Real Priorities
6:24 How Small Habits Build Character
9:29 How to Avoid Burnout and Sharpen the Saw

Forget the Life Hacks. These 7 Habits Actually Matter

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/385dbf3d-7894-4b01-895b-b4d600f166d6/transcript

In this episode, Bill sits down with Rob Maaddi, senior NFL writer for the Associated Press and host of Faith on the Field, who partied with the athletes he covered and was divorced by 30, empty, broke and broken. After 36 straight days of drinking, a woman who told him she wasn't meant for him walked him to the front of Times Square Church. Today he plays softball in prison yards with the Deacons Prison Ministry, where an inmate who threatened to shank him came back to thank him. That opens a bigger conversation about where purpose comes from: why Super Bowl champions ask "now what" two days after the parade, why a pastor told him to take Jesus to his marketplace instead of quitting the AP, and what John Harbaugh's 95-5 rule teaches anyone raising kids. Plus Tony Dungy, the Hall of Fame coach who ushers at his church.

—

ARMY ACTIONS

Sign up for the newsletter: https://normalfolks.org/#newsletter-cta

Join or start a service club: https://normalfolks.org/service-clubs/

Take the 10 Level Challenge, "the hero's journey for service": https://normalfolks.org/10-level-challenge/

Listen to Rob's show, Faith on the Field: https://faithonthefieldshow.com/

Have an idea for a Shop Talk or a guest for the show? Write Bill anytime at bill@normalfolks.us

—

Follow us on all socials:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armyofnormalfolks/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@armyofnormalfolks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArmyofNormalFolks

X: https://x.com/armynormalfolks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/an-army-of-normal-folks/

In this episode, Bill sits down with Rob Maaddi, senior NFL writer for the Associated Press and host of Faith on the Field, who partied with the athletes he covered and was divorced by 30, empty, broke and broken. After 36 straight days of drinking, a woman who told him she wasn't meant for him walked him to the front of Times Square Church. Today he plays softball in prison yards with the Deacons Prison Ministry, where an inmate who threatened to shank him came back to thank him. That opens a bigger conversation about where purpose comes from: why Super Bowl champions ask "now what" two days after the parade, why a pastor told him to take Jesus to his marketplace instead of quitting the AP, and what John Harbaugh's 95-5 rule teaches anyone raising kids. Plus Tony Dungy, the Hall of Fame coach who ushers at his church.
&mdash;
ARMY ACTIONS
Sign up for the newsletter: <a href="https://normalfolks.org/#newsletter-cta">https://normalfolks.org/#newsletter-cta</a>
Join or start a service club: <a href="https://normalfolks.org/service-clubs/">https://normalfolks.org/service-clubs/</a>
Take the 10 Level Challenge, "the hero's journey for service": <a href="https://normalfolks.org/10-level-challenge/">https://normalfolks.org/10-level-challenge/</a>
Listen to Rob's show, Faith on the Field: <a href="https://faithonthefieldshow.com/">https://faithonthefieldshow.com/</a>
Have an idea for a Shop Talk or a guest for the show? Write Bill anytime at <a href="mailto:bill@normalfolks.us">bill@normalfolks.us</a>
&mdash;
Follow us on all socials:
Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/armyofnormalfolks/">https://www.instagram.com/armyofnormalfolks/</a>
TikTok: <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@armyofnormalfolks">https://www.tiktok.com/@armyofnormalfolks</a>
Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ArmyofNormalFolks">https://www.facebook.com/ArmyofNormalFolks</a>
X: <a href="https://x.com/armynormalfolks">https://x.com/armynormalfolks</a>
LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/an-army-of-normal-folks/">https://www.linkedin.com/company/an-army-of-normal-folks/</a>

What Playing Softball With Murderers Taught Him About Fatherhood | Rob Maaddi

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/65f628ad-53e7-47de-b17a-b4d30174a314/transcript

HIGHLIGHTS: He Went to Max Prison at 16 and Came Out With a Master's Degree

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