This Daily Habit Saved His Life: Shaka Senghor on Journaling, Healing & Choosing a Higher Narrative
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Freedom isn’t just about walking outside prison walls, it’s about breaking free from the invisible prisons of shame, anger, and limiting beliefs. In this Hol+ episode, Dr. Taz sits down with Shaka Senghor, bestselling author and inspirational speaker, to uncover how solitary confinement, journaling, and vulnerability became the keys to his transformation.
Together they explore how trauma shows up in daily life, why shame keeps us disconnected, and how to rewrite the narratives that hold us back. From books that sparked healing to the hidden prisons we all carry, this is a masterclass in resilience, authenticity, and the power of owning your story.
Dr. Taz and Shaka discuss:
- Growing up in Detroit and the path to incarceration
- How books and journaling transformed solitary confinement
- Anger, shame, and the healing power of reflection
- Invisible prisons of doubt, shame, and limiting beliefs
- The shock of reentry into a changed world
- Why vulnerability attracts vulnerability
- Breaking cycles for family and community
- Choosing joy, love, and higher narratives
- How to build authentic connections as men and women
- Practical tools for rewriting your life story
Topics Covered:
- Trauma, anger, and their hidden impact
- Journaling, mindfulness, and self-study as survival
- The importance of vulnerability in healing
- Internal narratives vs external ceilings
- Invisible prisons in everyday life
- Joy, love, and higher purpose after hardship
- Redefining strength and resilience
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About Shaka Senghor:
Shaka Senghor is an inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, and author of the New York Times bestselling books Writing My Wrongs and Letters to the Sons of Society. A sought-after resilience expert and recognized "Soul Igniter" in Oprah's inaugural SuperSoul 100, Senghor has captivated and transformed global audiences with his extraordinary journey from incarceration to influence. Through raw authenticity and profound insight, he doesn't just share his story—he equips others with the exact resilience practices that fueled his own remarkable transformation, proving that reinvention isn't just possible—it's within everyone's reach.
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Connect with Shaka Senghor
Host & Production Team
Host: Dr. Taz; Produced by Rainbow Creative (Executive Producer: Matthew Jones; Lead Producer: Lauren Feighan; Editors: Jeremiah Schultz and Patrick Edwards)
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Chapters
00:00 Introduction
03:44 Shaka's Early Life and Descent into Crime
06:15 The Turning Point: Solitary Confinement and Self-Reflection
07:09 The Power of Mentorship and Literacy in Prison
09:33 Journaling: A Path to Healing and Self-Discovery
19:51 Reintegration: Challenges and Triumphs
27:28 The Power of Vulnerability
29:37 Understanding Anger and Shame
31:13 Navigating Masculinity and Vulnerability
34:11 Overcoming Hidden Prisons
40:45 Breaking Free from Life's Prisons
51:15 Final Thoughts and Reflections
