Chris Johnson

09/20/21 • 84 min

When we sat down to talk, he had this awesome lion as his zoom background. He named him Wayne. After visiting with Chris, I learned that it couldn't have been a more perfect representation of who he is. It represents the strength of character and resilience he now possesses. Join me as Chris reveals with profound vulnerability the story of his life.

Chris' insight into the human condition astounds me. He's so perceptive, intelligent, and humble. I LOVE how he said, "People have opened up to me about a lot of stuff, because I make myself safe for them." Right there. That's the key. There's no judgement.

Chris brings such wisdom to our conversation. He's an avid reader and life long learner. And it shows in how he's educated himself. I was deeply convicted by his observation of Schopenhauer's supposition that pride is having the conviction that you are something w/o it needing to be confirmed by anybody outside of you while vanity is trying to get to that conviction about yourself through other people. I just love how Chris spouts off such profound thoughts like it's nothing. We both share the same yearning for deep waters. I felt like we were geeking out together on all the great books we read and our shared love of learning.

There were two particular phrases Chris said (amongst the multitude he dropped on us), that really caused me pause and made me want to spend time meditating about, and they were: "The biggest courage is the acceptance of self and risking the rejection of others." And, "If the dissonance hits hard enough, you'll push past the shame into reconstruction." What impresses me is not only his recollection of quotes from what he reads, but how he created new quotes of his own from lived experience and observation. Man! Chris is a quote machine and an excellent teacher.

Chris, you have the courage of a lion now, my friend. St. Augustine says, "The truth is like a lion. You don't have to defend it. Let it loose. It will defend itself." May we all have the courage to speak the truth with as much clarity and humility as Chris has.

Chris' Quote:

A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything. - Anonymous

and

If everybody likes you, it's because you haven't stood for anything - Winston Churchill

Social Media:
Instagram: @xhrisjohnson7

Success Stories - the organization Chris now works for

Defy Ventures
Instagram: @defy_ventures

Chris' Quote:

A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything. - Anonymous

and

If everybody likes you, it's because you haven't stood for anything - Winston Churchill

Social Media:
Instagram: @xhrisjohnson7

Success Stories - the organization Chris now works for

Defy Ventures
Instagram: @defy_ventures

Previous Episode

Quan Huynh

Quan works as the Senior Post Release Program Manager for Defy Ventures, a non-profit helping those with a criminal past transform their lives through the journey of entrepreneurship. After spending twenty-two years in and out of correctional institutions, Quan was paroled from a life sentence in 2015 and created his first company six months later. The following year, he received the Peace Fellowship Award for his work with the Alternatives to Violence Project. Quan has been featured in Entrepreneur, PBS Newshour, Talks at Google, and numerous other publications and podcasts.

Quan is genuine. He is the real deal. He did so much hard internal work and is intentional in how he lives now. His desire to give back, serve, and encourage is evident in his life. At the bottom of his email Quan has a quote from Khalil Gibran, author of The Prophet that succinctly describes how suffering can ultimately change us. "Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars." May we all have the courage to see our past, current, and future struggles as gifts to our character as Quan has.

Social media:

FB, IG, Twitter, LinkedIn: @quanxhuynh

Quan's Website

Defy Ventures
FB - DefyVentures
IG - @defy_ventures

Next Episode

Erik Andersson

Erik was not shy in naming his problem and the root of his choices...he cared deeply about what others thought of him. Haven't we all been in those same shoes? Yet ,at the time, he didn't have the tools to handle that fear and insecurity with mental clarity. How many of us would be so forthcoming in telling others where we lacked character and understanding in our youth...most of the time we prefer to chalk it up to stupidity instead of our own ignorance. I'm deeply impressed by the level of character Erik shows now that he understands his mindset and the vastness of all it affects.

Erik certainly inspired me to look to the people in my life who have made me a better person and honor them the way he did. I love how he said, "I always thank my friends for giving me parts of them that I can instill into my character." Most of us want to take the credit for the good in us and blame others for the bad in us. Not Erik. His honesty and humility impress me. He's the real deal!

The Swiss psychiatrist, Carl Jung, aptly advises that, "We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses." Erik took this advice to heart by calling out his past behavior without any excuses or justification. He sees clearly how he used to be a thief, a liar, a master manipulator. But no more. All of us need to do the uncomfortable work of recognizing our shadow selves because the sooner we acknowledge this part of ourselves we despise, the less power it holds over us. May we all learn to accept the good and bad in both ourselves and others...as Erik has.

Erik's Favorite Quote: "Be the change you want to see in the world." Gandhi

Social Media:
Instagram: @Erik928Andersson
Facebook: @Erik928Andersson

California Justice Leaders - Impact Justice Americorp - The Organization Erik works with

Defy Ventures