Not Defined By Time

Dog's Train Home
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Documentary
  • Updated Biweekly

Unfiltered conversations about life after prison, re-entry, and the dog-training programs inside prisons that transform lives. Each episode amplifies voices often missing from public dialogue, formerly incarcerated people rebuilding their lives, dog trainers and mentors working inside and outside the system, and families impacted by incarceration seeking understanding beyond the headlines. This podcast offers a grounded, human look at rehabilitation, second chances, prison reform, and the power of purpose and community. If you’re searching for real stories that challenge assumptions, inspire

  1. 4d ago

    E13 Rudy Escamillia

    In this episode, host Vix Little welcomes Rudy Escamilla back to the podcast to share his journey of life after prison, addiction recovery, and rebuilding after incarceration. Rudy gives an honest update on how he is staying sober, building financial independence, finding stable employment, and creating a new career helping others overcome some of the same challenges he once faced. After experiencing incarceration, addiction, poverty, and reentry firsthand, Rudy is now using his lived experience as a peer support specialist working with individuals and families in permanent supportive housing. He talks about helping people experiencing homelessness, supporting families as they rebuild stability, and why lived experience can be such a powerful tool in behavioral health and addiction recovery. Rudy also shares how a career development program helped him transition into the behavioral health field and discusses his path toward becoming a certified substance use counselor.  The episode also looks at the everyday realities of prison reentry and life after incarceration — finding employment, transportation, housing, managing money, rebuilding relationships, making new friends, and creating a sense of belonging in a new community. Rudy talks openly about his daily commute, getting his own car, future housing plans, family, dating, and the discipline required to keep moving forward. This is a real conversation about prison reentry, addiction recovery, homelessness, behavioral health, peer support, sobriety, rehabilitation, and second chances. Rudy’s story shows that successful reentry isn't one dramatic moment of transformation. It's built through accountability, meaningful employment, supportive relationships, structure, and making better decisions one day at a time. DogsTrainHome.com #DogsTrainHome #notdefinedbytime

  2. Jul 15

    E12 Lia Marques

    This episode explores how prison dog training programs are changing lives—both for the incarcerated men who train the dogs and the rescue dogs learning to trust again. The conversation examines how structured dog training inside correctional facilities helps build discipline, patience, emotional regulation, and personal responsibility. Through real stories from trainers and program leaders, you'll hear how working with dogs can become a turning point for people serving time, helping them develop practical job skills, rebuild confidence, and prepare for life after prison. The episode also explores the challenges of prison culture, including racial divisions, identity, and the impact that compassion and shared purpose can have inside an environment often defined by conflict. Dogs become more than training partners—they create opportunities for trust, communication, and personal growth in places where those qualities are often difficult to find. Together, the stories highlight how prison rehabilitation, dog training, and mentorship can reduce barriers to successful reentry while giving rescue dogs a second chance alongside the people training them. This is a thoughtful conversation about prison reform, second chances, and the powerful relationship between people and dogs. It shows how rehabilitation is built through consistency, accountability, and meaningful work—and why investing in people can strengthen families, communities, and the lives of the dogs they help. Lia Marques A Dogs Life with Lia

  3. Jun 17

    E11 - Book's with Melvin Jones, Oscar Rodriguez

    In this episode, host Vix Lyttle, guest Melvin Jones and Oscar Rodriguez reflect on how reading, faith, and self-awareness became powerful tools for personal transformation during and after incarceration. Melvin shares how reading while in solitary confinement changed the way he viewed anger, patience, accountability, and grace. And Oscar opens up about finding clarity through Buddhist teachings, introspection, and learning how to process emotions in healthier ways. Together, they discuss how spiritual growth and education inside prison created the foundation for lasting change.

  4. Jun 3

    E10 - Nikk Sena

    In this episode, host Vix Little sits down with Nikk Sena, returning citizen, formerly incarcerated, and healer to discuss how childhood trauma, addiction, and seven years of incarceration shaped his path toward recovery, faith, and spiritual healing. He shares how early experiences of instability, unworthiness, and unresolved trauma contributed to addiction and destructive patterns long before prison. After spending years incarcerated, including time in county jail, he began confronting the deeper emotional and spiritual roots behind his behavior and started rebuilding his life from the inside out. The conversation explores addiction recovery, life after prison, trauma healing, and the role of faith, prayer, and personal accountability in lasting transformation. He also discusses how practices like energy work, belief system shifts, and emotional regulation helped him move beyond survival mode and into purpose-driven healing. This episode touches on the realities of prison life, racial and political dynamics inside incarceration, and how prison can either deepen pain or become a turning point for change. Through honest reflection, he explains how spiritual awareness, discipline, and self-understanding became essential tools in breaking cycles of addiction and rebuilding trust in himself. This is a powerful conversation about second chances, recovery, and learning that true healing starts by addressing what happened long before prison ever began.

  5. May 20

    E9 - Carlos Simental

    In this episode, host Vix Little sits down with Carlos Simental, a formerly incarcerated entrepreneur, community advocate. From incarceration to studying at Pepperdine University, he reflects on how access to education, mentorship, and community support can completely change the path of someone returning home. The conversation explores prison reentry, education inside prisons and out. Carlos also shares how his work with Homeboy Industries shaped his understanding of impact investing, social entrepreneurship, and long-term community healing. A unique part of this episode dives into the importance of water, health, and environmental awareness. From mineral-rich artesian water to the deeper connection between wellness, balance, and how we care for ourselves and our communities. Carlos explains how health, education, and opportunity are all connected in the work of rebuilding lives. This episode is a powerful conversation about second chances, prison reform, social justice, and investing in people instead of punishment. It highlights how education, practical skills, and meaningful support can create real transformation and not just for individuals, but for entire communities.

  6. May 6

    E8 - Blake Lyttle

    In this special episode, host Vix Little sits down with 8-year-old Blake Lyttle for a lighthearted and honest conversation about dogs, patience, and the simple lessons behind good dog training. This episode also gives a fun look into Blake’s dream of becoming a dog trainer one day, showing how early experiences with animals can shape confidence, responsibility, and compassion. It’s a warm and genuine episode for dog lovers, families, and anyone who believes the best lessons often come from the simplest voices.

  7. Apr 22

    E7 - Robert Palomo

    In this episode, host Vix Little speaks with Robert Palomo about how a road rage incident led to court involvement — and ultimately to mentorship, accountability, and personal redirection through community support. Robert shares what was happening beneath the surface before the incident, the consequences that followed, and how being connected to structured guidance changed the direction of his life. The conversation explores anger management, decision-making under pressure, and the importance of early intervention before small moments become life-altering mistakes. Through mentorship, routine, and working alongside dogs, Robert began rebuilding discipline, communication skills, and emotional regulation. This episode highlights how community-based intervention programs, mentorship, and dog training can support personal growth and prevent deeper system involvement. Robert’s story is an honest look at consequences, second chances, and the power of accountability when someone is willing to change. DogsTrainHome.com

  8. Apr 8

    E6 - Troy McVay

    In this episode, host Vix Little sits down with Troy McVay a returning citizen whose path has taken him from the U.S. military to incarceration, prison dog training programs, and ultimately into firefighting. He shares what life was like growing up, his transition into military service, and the choices that led to prison. Inside, he found structure through education in sociology and psychology, and discipline through working with dogs. The conversation explores how prison dog training programs build communication, accountability, and emotional regulation — skills that directly translate to life after release. After incarceration, he rebuilt his life through rescue dog training and eventually transitioned into firefighting, finding a renewed sense of service and purpose. This episode dives into life after prison, second chances, mentorship, and how discipline learned through dog training can support long-term rehabilitation and career transformation. Through stories of grit, setbacks, and rebuilding, this conversation challenges the idea that your past defines you — and shows what’s possible when resilience meets opportunity.

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5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Unfiltered conversations about life after prison, re-entry, and the dog-training programs inside prisons that transform lives. Each episode amplifies voices often missing from public dialogue, formerly incarcerated people rebuilding their lives, dog trainers and mentors working inside and outside the system, and families impacted by incarceration seeking understanding beyond the headlines. This podcast offers a grounded, human look at rehabilitation, second chances, prison reform, and the power of purpose and community. If you’re searching for real stories that challenge assumptions, inspire

Information

  • Creator
    Dog's Train Home
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    14
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Dog's Train Home
  • Show Website
    Not Defined By Time