Michael Santos: Turning a Prison Sentence into a Life of Purpose
If I wrote, I believed that I could transcend prison walls and contribute to the making of a better world.
Imagine facing a 45-year prison sentence. What would you do? For Michael Santos, it was a wake-up call that led to an extraordinary transformation. In this episode of Real Life Resilience, Stacy Curtis sits down with Michael, who went from being a convicted drug dealer to a respected professor and advocate for social justice. His journey began with a book he found in the prison library—The Dialogues of Plato. This unexpected discovery ignited his passion for education and self-improvement.
Over the next 26 years in the Federal Penitentiary System, Michael didn't just serve time; he turned it into an opportunity for growth. He wrote his life story, authored multiple nonfiction books, and even ghostwrote stories for fellow inmates. After his release in 2013, he didn't stop there. Michael earned a Ph.D. and became an adjunct professor at San Francisco State University. But his mission extends beyond personal success.
Today, he teaches tens of thousands of prisoners how to become great citizens, showing that resilience isn't just about bouncing back—it's about bouncing forward. This episode dives into Michael's experiences in prison, his writing career, and the pivotal moments that reshaped his life. It's a powerful testament to the transformative power of education and resilience. Tune in to be inspired and learn how you can apply these lessons to your own life.