A Second Chance

What if you were only known for the worst thing you've ever done? For millions of Americans, this isn't just a hypothetical nightmare. Not only does the United States have the highest rate of incarceration in the world, it also makes certain that the stigma of a felony conviction follows people who have already served their time. After she came to understand both the frustrations and untapped potential of the incarcerated, Catherine Hoke founded Defy Ventures, a revolutionary organization devoted to transforming the lives of people both inside and outside prison walls. A Second Chance is the story of how Defy came to be and how it works to heal families, break the cycle of mass incarceration, and create jobs—as well as how all of us can help in our own way. Part memoir, part chronicle of Defy's community-building efforts, this unabridged audiobook follows one woman’s vision and her relentless effort to make it real. By sharing her sometimes difficult personal story and those of the people she serves, Cat helps us understand why Defy is necessary, how to persevere in the face of daunting odds, and what it means to lead from within. For anyone who wants to create positive social change from the ground up, A Second Chance presents a wealth of pointers and inspiring, teachable stories. A Second Chance is about coming together in community to build life anew—a story of painful changes, fresh starts, forgiveness, reckoning with shame, and the power of possibility. Your life shouldn't be defined by your mistakes. After all, doesn't everyone deserve a second chance?