Sat, 07 Mar 2026 19:49:57 -0500 https://kickinitoffthegrid.buzzsprout.com en-us © 2026 Kickin it Off the Grid yes 32bd9aae-e4ac-50f4-90ab-55448bd9845f Rocky DeYoung episodic false Over 600,000 people are released from prison each year. Over 2/3 return to prison within 3 years. Why is this and what factors contribute to these insane numbers? I'll introduce you to the people on the ground trying to make a difference by working with the individuals coming out of prison and the correctional systems looking for better outcomes. We'll learn about both sides' internal and external barriers and how the Recovery world is now integrating with reentry through Peer support. This is how the private sector can bring about real reform. Buckle up!

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Rocky DeYoung https://storage.buzzsprout.com/cz5bsbt34vhf0i324m022jlsc9cr?.jpg Jason Valleen Adaptability Another great interview with my friend Jason Valleen. Jason is in the process of developing curriculum for pre-release and has tapped into some valuable concepts not being addressed by corrections.

]]> Another great interview with my friend Jason Valleen. Jason is in the process of developing curriculum for pre-release and has tapped into some valuable concepts not being addressed by corrections.

]]> Rocky DeYoung Buzzsprout-18106255 Thu, 30 Oct 2025 12:00:00 -0500 2108 2 6 full false Jason Valleen "Relationships" This is part 2 of our interview with Jason Valleen where we dive into the complex world of managing relationships after being released from prison. This area just might be one of the greatest contributors to recidivism and yet probably the most neglected.

]]> This is part 2 of our interview with Jason Valleen where we dive into the complex world of managing relationships after being released from prison. This area just might be one of the greatest contributors to recidivism and yet probably the most neglected.

]]> Rocky DeYoung Buzzsprout-16884296 Sun, 30 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0500 3004 2 5 full false Justin McNeal Executive Director of Begin Anew Justin and I are partners in training! We've been collaborating, writing, and facilitating for the past 5 years and have developed a number of trainings to meet the needs of the recovery and reentry community as well as the general public. You can check out our work here  https://reentrytrainingsolutions.com

]]> Justin and I are partners in training! We've been collaborating, writing, and facilitating for the past 5 years and have developed a number of trainings to meet the needs of the recovery and reentry community as well as the general public. You can check out our work here  https://reentrytrainingsolutions.com

]]> Rocky DeYoung Buzzsprout-16773131 Tue, 11 Mar 2025 10:00:00 -0500 2345 2 4 full false Understanding Responsivity The last "R" in the RNR model is often neglected. In fact, it seems to be the last thing we pay attention to when working with individuals coming out of incarceration. Improve your KOG skills by listening to this episode!

]]> The last "R" in the RNR model is often neglected. In fact, it seems to be the last thing we pay attention to when working with individuals coming out of incarceration. Improve your KOG skills by listening to this episode!

]]> Rocky DeYoung Buzzsprout-16671587 Wed, 26 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0600 1193 2 3 full false Jason Valleen: Prison culture and reentry challenges Jason and I met many years ago in prison (MCF Rush City) and spent a few years together in a program setting (MCF Lino Lakes) so we know each other well. Jason has been out for years now and has decided to invest his time and energy into the reentry and recovery work here in Minnesota. This first interview is focused on the issues and contrast one faces when leaving incarceration and jumping back into the flow out here.

]]> Jason and I met many years ago in prison (MCF Rush City) and spent a few years together in a program setting (MCF Lino Lakes) so we know each other well. Jason has been out for years now and has decided to invest his time and energy into the reentry and recovery work here in Minnesota. This first interview is focused on the issues and contrast one faces when leaving incarceration and jumping back into the flow out here.

]]> Rocky DeYoung Buzzsprout-16664914 Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0600 3671 2 2 full false Season 2 Intro to Kickin it off the Grid Start here! Get a feel for what this is about and what we are focused on. I'll be interviewing people and organizations I've known and worked with over the past 3 decades.

]]> Start here! Get a feel for what this is about and what we are focused on. I'll be interviewing people and organizations I've known and worked with over the past 3 decades.

]]> Rocky DeYoung Buzzsprout-16671418 Fri, 21 Feb 2025 16:00:00 -0600 335 2 1 full false Interview with Wyatt Lim-Tepper #2 Executive Director of A Curiae. Wyatt has been busy since our first interview (episode 6) and has recently started a nonprofit called A Curiae (short for Amicus Curiae, Latin for “friend of the court”).  Wyatt informs us about the pressure of starting a nonprofit and also the rewards that come with creating something that you've thought about for years.

]]> Wyatt has been busy since our first interview (episode 6) and has recently started a nonprofit called A Curiae (short for Amicus Curiae, Latin for “friend of the court”).  Wyatt informs us about the pressure of starting a nonprofit and also the rewards that come with creating something that you've thought about for years.

]]> Rocky DeYoung Buzzsprout-12409139 Tue, 14 Mar 2023 00:00:00 -0500 2186 1 12 full false Carly Weingart, Minnesota Court of Appeals An in-depth look at the track a 24 year old is taking to make a difference in the criminal justice world. Carly has already been on the inside of some pretty interesting and challenging programs that have enabled her to see first hand the ups and downs of working with individuals coming out of prison.

]]> An in-depth look at the track a 24 year old is taking to make a difference in the criminal justice world. Carly has already been on the inside of some pretty interesting and challenging programs that have enabled her to see first hand the ups and downs of working with individuals coming out of prison.

]]> Rocky DeYoung Buzzsprout-11037463 Tue, 02 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -0500 2015 1 8 full false KOG Skills - "5 Steps to a better employment path" Here are 5 steps you can use to improve the employment experience for the individuals you are working with and the employers you collaborate with. It's not enough to just send someone to a job. There's a lot of preparation and strategy to use if we are going to strive for employment retention.

]]> Here are 5 steps you can use to improve the employment experience for the individuals you are working with and the employers you collaborate with. It's not enough to just send someone to a job. There's a lot of preparation and strategy to use if we are going to strive for employment retention.

]]> Rocky DeYoung Buzzsprout-10733427 Fri, 03 Jun 2022 14:00:00 -0500 2487 1 5 full false KOG Skills - Institutional Change and Recidivism This is the first episode of KOG Skills. These episodes will center on issues related to the criminal justice systems and the skills needed to maintain some level of sanity if you hope to make some progress and improve outcomes. We take a basic look at what recidivism is and how it's defined. We also look at the reality of change happening within the institution.

]]> This is the first episode of KOG Skills. These episodes will center on issues related to the criminal justice systems and the skills needed to maintain some level of sanity if you hope to make some progress and improve outcomes. We take a basic look at what recidivism is and how it's defined. We also look at the reality of change happening within the institution.

]]> Rocky DeYoung Buzzsprout-10588011 Mon, 09 May 2022 15:00:00 -0500 1447 1 4 full false Ken Ehling / Businessman, Mentor, Entrepreneur Ken Ehling has been involved with business for the past 50 years. He has used this platform to bring services and education to countless individuals who need help or are looking to advance both personally and professionally. Ken started Montage Reentry Solutions in 2018 and works closely with the criminal justice systems here in Minnesota.

]]> Ken Ehling has been involved with business for the past 50 years. He has used this platform to bring services and education to countless individuals who need help or are looking to advance both personally and professionally. Ken started Montage Reentry Solutions in 2018 and works closely with the criminal justice systems here in Minnesota.

]]> Rocky DeYoung Buzzsprout-10474190 Wed, 20 Apr 2022 14:00:00 -0500 1550 4 full false Civil legal assistance from the Pro Bono Institute We interview Eve Runyon on our first full episode. Eve is the President and CEO of the Pro Bono Institute in Washington D.C. Hear how the D.C. based nonprofit came to Minnesota and started an impactful project focused on reentry.

]]> We interview Eve Runyon on our first full episode. Eve is the President and CEO of the Pro Bono Institute in Washington D.C. Hear how the D.C. based nonprofit came to Minnesota and started an impactful project focused on reentry.

]]> Rocky DeYoung / Eve Runyon Buzzsprout-10420841 Mon, 11 Apr 2022 18:00:00 -0500 2447 Reentry, Recidivism, Prison reform, Equal Justice 2 full false