29. Building a Career After Incarceration with Waleisah Wilson

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Feeling like an imposter and having self-doubt are common experiences, even for individuals who have achieved significant success. In this episode, Martin Lockett, who in just a couple years transitioned from being incarcerated to earning a director role in a nonprofit organization, candidly shared his personal struggles with imposter syndrome in his career. But first, Martin shared his journey of radical acceptance, reflecting on his past experiences of incarceration and the impact it had on his self-perception. He highlighted the importance of accepting the things we cannot change and focusing on how we respond to challenging circumstances. This message resonates with the concept of radical acceptance in overcoming adversity.
Martin's experience of reintegrating into the workforce after 17 and a half years of incarceration shed light on the challenges individuals face when reentering society. The societal stigma and biases associated with having a criminal history or being incarcerated can contribute to feelings of inadequacy and imposter syndrome. Martin's reflections on being the only Black individual in senior management meetings also underscored the added pressure and social responsibility that individuals from marginalized backgrounds may feel in professional settings.
Through Martin's story, we are reminded of the importance of normalizing conversations around vulnerability and self-reflection in the workplace. By sharing his internal dialogue and struggles, Martin encourages us to acknowledge and address our own insecurities, fostering a culture of authenticity and support in professional environments.
Martin Lockett is a writer and speaker whose words have impacted thousands of people, even before leaving prison. While incarcerated, Martin dedicated his life to making amends for crimes he committed resulting in the loss of life of two people. He did this by throwing himself into reflection, education, and physical and emotional sobriety. Martin has earned his MS in Psychology and his certification as a substance abuse counselor.
As a writer, Martin has used his time behind bars to write in various forms, all with the intention of helping others with his story and life experiences. Martin has published two books, his memoir, Prison to Purpose Pipeline, and My Prison Life, a collection of essays. Now released, Lockett continues his mission and message by helping those in need of counseling for mental health and substance use disorders and sharing his powerful story at DUI victim impact panels, high schools, conferences, and highway safety classes across the country.
Get in touch with Martin at martinlockett.com and on IG @MartinLLockett.
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