What does it really take to change your life after prison?

In this powerful episode of Dreaming Big. Working Hard., host David Alvarez sits down with Dr. Alberto “Beto” Vasquez, whose life journey defies every statistic. Raised in Barrio Logan, incarcerated as a teenager, and cycling through the prison system throughout his early adulthood, Beto’s story could have ended there — but it didn’t.

Today, Dr. Vasquez is a biologist, educator, and director of STEM outreach at UC San Diego, dedicating his life to helping young people — especially those from marginalized and formerly incarcerated communities — see what’s possible.

This conversation goes far beyond inspiration. We talk honestly about:
Life inside the criminal justice system


Juvenile incarceration and homelessness


Mass incarceration and recidivism


Why punishment doesn’t equal rehabilitation


How education can change the trajectory of a life


What “second chances” actually require — from individuals and society



If you or someone you love is navigating reentry, struggling to find purpose, or wondering if it’s ever too late to start over — this episode is for you.

👉 Subscribe for more conversations about resilience, justice, and real transformation.

Here are some notables moments from the episode:

00:00 – Intro: Second Chances & Why This Story Matters

01:38 – Meeting Beto Vasquez: From Barrio Logan to Prison

03:12 – Growing Up Around Violence, Drugs, and Normalized Trauma

07:33 – Kicked Out, Homeless, and Introduced to the System at 15

10:13 – First Time Locked Up: Juvenile Hall Reality Check

14:50 – Trying to Go Straight While Playing Both Sides

19:19 – Life Inside State Prison & Being Dehumanized

21:20 – Riots, Isolation, and the Moment Everything Changed

23:57 – Mass Incarceration & Why Prison Isn’t the Answer

28:56 – Recidivism, Policy Failures, and What Actually Works

32:19 – Fire Camp, Education, and Choosing a Different Future

34:02 – Community College Changed My Life

36:20 – Imposter Syndrome, College, and Earning a Doctorate

38:48 – Why Representation in STEM Matters

42:27 – “If You Can’t See It, You Can’t Be It”

44:29 – Advice for Anyone Needing a Second Chance

49:49 – Final Reflections: Dignity, Worth, and Belonging

 

#SecondChances #PrisonReform #MassIncarceration #FromPrisonToPhD #RedemptionStory #LifeAfterPrison #CriminalJusticeReform #FormerlyIncarcerated #EducationChangesLives #CommunityCollege #STEMEducation #DreamingBigWorkingHard #Reentry #SocialJustice #Inspiration #RealStories

What does it really take to change your life after prison?
In this powerful episode of Dreaming Big. Working Hard., host David Alvarez sits down with Dr. Alberto &ldquo;Beto&rdquo; Vasquez, whose life journey defies every statistic. Raised in Barrio Logan, incarcerated as a teenager, and cycling through the prison system throughout his early adulthood, Beto&rsquo;s story could have ended there &mdash; but it didn&rsquo;t.
Today, Dr. Vasquez is a biologist, educator, and director of STEM outreach at UC San Diego, dedicating his life to helping young people &mdash; especially those from marginalized and formerly incarcerated communities &mdash; see what&rsquo;s possible.
This conversation goes far beyond inspiration. We talk honestly about:
<ul>
<li>Life inside the criminal justice system </li>
<li>Juvenile incarceration and homelessness </li>
<li>Mass incarceration and recidivism </li>
<li>Why punishment doesn&rsquo;t equal rehabilitation </li>
<li>How education can change the trajectory of a life </li>
<li>What &ldquo;second chances&rdquo; actually require &mdash; from individuals and society </li>
</ul>
If you or someone you love is navigating reentry, struggling to find purpose, or wondering if it&rsquo;s ever too late to start over &mdash; this episode is for you.
👉 Subscribe for more conversations about resilience, justice, and real transformation.
Here are some notables moments from the episode:
00:00 &ndash; Intro: Second Chances &amp; Why This Story Matters
01:38 &ndash; Meeting Beto Vasquez: From Barrio Logan to Prison
03:12 &ndash; Growing Up Around Violence, Drugs, and Normalized Trauma
07:33 &ndash; Kicked Out, Homeless, and Introduced to the System at 15
10:13 &ndash; First Time Locked Up: Juvenile Hall Reality Check
14:50 &ndash; Trying to Go Straight While Playing Both Sides
19:19 &ndash; Life Inside State Prison &amp; Being Dehumanized
21:20 &ndash; Riots, Isolation, and the Moment Everything Changed
23:57 &ndash; Mass Incarceration &amp; Why Prison Isn&rsquo;t the Answer
28:56 &ndash; Recidivism, Policy Failures, and What Actually Works
32:19 &ndash; Fire Camp, Education, and Choosing a Different Future
34:02 &ndash; Community College Changed My Life
36:20 &ndash; Imposter Syndrome, College, and Earning a Doctorate
38:48 &ndash; Why Representation in STEM Matters
42:27 &ndash; &ldquo;If You Can&rsquo;t See It, You Can&rsquo;t Be It&rdquo;
44:29 &ndash; Advice for Anyone Needing a Second Chance
49:49 &ndash; Final Reflections: Dignity, Worth, and Belonging
&nbsp;
#SecondChances #PrisonReform #MassIncarceration #FromPrisonToPhD #RedemptionStory #LifeAfterPrison #CriminalJusticeReform #FormerlyIncarcerated #EducationChangesLives #CommunityCollege #STEMEducation #DreamingBigWorkingHard #Reentry #SocialJustice #Inspiration #RealStories

Dreaming Big | Working Hard with David Alvarez is a podcast about people, policy, and the power of opportunity. Hosted by California Assemblymember David Alvarez, each episode dives into the issues shaping our communities, from housing and education to economic and environmental justice. Through candid conversations with policymakers, community leaders, and everyday changemakers, David explores how dreaming big and working hard can create real, lasting progress.

Dreaming Big | Working Hard with <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/alvarezsd/">David Alvarez</a> is a podcast about people, policy, and the power of opportunity. Hosted by California Assemblymember David Alvarez, each episode dives into the issues shaping our communities, from housing and education to economic and environmental justice. Through candid conversations with policymakers, community leaders, and everyday changemakers, David explores how dreaming big and working hard can create real, lasting progress.

Dreaming Big | Working Hard

Dreaming Big | Working Hard with David Alvarez is a podcast about people, policy, and the power of opportunity. Hosted by California Assemblymember David Alvarez, each episode dives into the issues shaping our communities, from housing and education to economic and environmental justice. Through candid conversations with policymakers, community leaders, and everyday changemakers, David explores how dreaming big and working hard can create real, lasting progress.

To know more visit: http://davidalvarez.com/

Dreaming Big | Working Hard with David Alvarez is a podcast about people, policy, and the power of opportunity. Hosted by California Assemblymember David Alvarez, each episode dives into the issues shaping our communities, from housing and education to economic and environmental justice. Through candid conversations with policymakers, community leaders, and everyday changemakers, David explores how dreaming big and working hard can create real, lasting progress.
To know more visit: http://davidalvarez.com/