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Shawn returns for his third and final appearance on the Circle of the Panda podcast to share what comes after transformation—how he’s intentionally building his next chapter after prison through faith, service, and entrepreneurship.

In this episode, Shawn explains how his story has moved from “I went through all this, but…” to “I went through all this, and here’s what I’m doing now,” emphasizing growth, ownership, and forward motion. He talks about honestly assessing what he’s done well and not so well, then using those lessons to shape a purposeful life going forward.

While incarcerated, Shawn wrote multiple books, including Saving Souls (youth mentorship and keeping kids out of gangs and prison), Credit to Freedom (beginner financial literacy and credit building), Rise Above (motivational speeches, poems, and quotes), In God’s Presence (prayers, spiritual poems, and scriptures with life application), and Broke into Breakthrough on men’s mental health with his “knit brothers” Charles and Sine. All of his books are available on Amazon under the name Shawn Robert Johnson, and he also shares his content across social platforms under the handle “ShawJohn1222.”

Now home, Shawn is pursuing three lanes at once—public speaking, preaching, and an apparel company he co-founded with his wife called Saving Souls (SNS Synergy)—refusing to narrow his calling to one lane when he believes he’s been blessed to do multiple things. He shares a powerful sermon theme, “God Rescue Me,” drawn from 2 Kings 6:8–14, and offers business advice rooted in faith, consistency, and persistence: what you plant is what you will harvest, many people quit too early, and what we often call “failure” is really just learning ways that don’t work yet.

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace

How do you stay motivated when you might still have decades left behind bars?

In Part 2 of my conversation with Shawn Johnson, we go straight to the heart of what kept him moving forward while facing a 60-year sentence. Shawn shares how his relationship with God became the foundation for endurance, how he learned to pray with honesty (not performance), and why being “used” by God mattered as much as being set free.

We talk about praying through disappointment, what it means to be “ready” for the next chapter, and how encouragement often comes from realizing your gifts can strengthen someone else—even in the darkest environment.

This episode is for anyone who feels stuck, exhausted, or like the timeline isn’t moving. Shawn’s message is simple and powerful: it’s not about being perfect—it’s about staying faithful.

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace

In this powerful episode, JD reconnects with Shawn Johnson, a man he first interviewed while Shawn was still incarcerated and serving what was effectively a life sentence. Nearly two years later, Shawn is home—his entire sentence commuted through executive clemency.

Shawn shares the extraordinary journey that led to his release: the reality of being sentenced to 60 years for a self-defense case, the long road of incarceration, and the unexpected opportunity created by New Jersey’s clemency process. He opens up about the discipline of praying every night at the same time with a small group of men inside the prison, the unwavering expectation that God would answer, and the transformation that happened along the way.

This conversation goes deeper than a legal victory. Shawn talks about choosing to grow instead of giving up, helping change the culture inside a maximum-security prison through faith, leadership, and service, and how one committed group of men can shift an entire environment.

This episode kicks off a multi-part series catching up with Shawn and exploring what life looks like after freedom, faith under pressure, and the power of consistency, community, and hope when the odds are stacked against you.

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace

In this episode, JD sits down with Colonel Tom Kelly, a retired U.S. Army officer with over 30 years of service who found an unexpected second calling as a professional dog trainer. After transitioning out of the military, Colonel Kelly turned a growing interest in canine behavior into a purpose-driven business, Contented Canines.

The conversation explores leadership, transition, and purpose—drawing powerful parallels between military experience, human growth, and dog training. Colonel Kelly shares how relationship-based training focuses on trust, relevance, and communication rather than control, and why understanding a dog’s nature is essential for helping dogs and humans live better lives together.

Listeners will hear insights on finding your “why” after major life transitions, the importance of structure and calm leadership, and how modern society has unintentionally created challenges for both dogs and people. This episode is thoughtful, practical, and grounded in real-world experience, offering lessons that extend far beyond dog training.

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace

In this powerful and deeply honest conversation, JD sits down with Athena Dean Holtz, founder of Redemption Press and author of eight nonfiction books, to explore what it truly means to guard your heart in a world full of competing voices.

Athena draws from her personal journey out of New Age spirituality and years of experience in Christian leadership to unpack how subtle deception, unresolved wounds, and spiritual counterfeits can quietly influence our decisions, relationships, and faith. Together, JD and Athena discuss discernment, suffering, surrender, and why Scripture—read in proper context—must be the plumb line for every believer.

This episode tackles hard but necessary topics, including:

• How unhealed wounds make us vulnerable to the wrong voices
• The difference between surrendering to God and simply giving up
• Why suffering is often essential to spiritual maturity
• Filtering spiritual input through Scripture, not emotion or experience
• Generational patterns, responsibility, and personal accountability
• Leadership, emotional health, and spiritual warfare in everyday life

If you’ve ever struggled to discern God’s voice, felt overwhelmed in a season of suffering, or sensed the need to recalibrate what you allow into your heart, this conversation will challenge and steady you.

🎧 Listen in and be reminded: guarding your heart isn’t optional—it’s essential.

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace

JD Ross concluded the Fight the Good Fight podcast series (Episode 12).
Key themes included:

• Spiritual warfare as a daily battle that requires discipline and consistency.
• Reliance on God’s word, spirit, and promises as equipment for victory.
• Biblical references: 2 Timothy 4:7 (“fight the good fight, finish the race, keep the faith”) and Romans 12:2 (“be transformed by the renewing of your mind”).
• Encouragement for listeners to stay strong in their spiritual journeys.
• Practical applications:
  • Regularly review lessons learned.
  • Stay accountable with others.
  • Walk daily in the armor of God.
  • Keep eyes on Christ for spiritual growth and victory.

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace

In this episode of Circle of the Panda, JD Ross unpacks the power of worship as a weapon in spiritual battles. Drawing from Psalm 22:3, Acts 16:25, and Psalm 28:7, JD explains how worship shifts our focus to God, invites His presence, and breaks chains of fear and discouragement. More than just singing, worship becomes the sword of the Spirit—building faith, bringing joy, and causing the enemy to flee. Listeners are encouraged to make worship a daily practice, sing scripture over difficult situations, and gather with others for corporate praise. Worship, JD reminds us, is a powerful weapon available in both our highs and lows.

JD here. Just click this link to get a message to me. Peace

In this episode of Fight the Good Fight, JD Ross unpacks how faith overcomes fear. While fear paralyzes and focuses on problems, faith moves us forward by holding onto God’s promises. JD shares four powerful ways to conquer fear: speaking scripture, replacing “what ifs” with “God is” affirmations, surrounding yourself with voices of faith, and remembering God’s past faithfulness. With personal testimony and encouragement, JD reminds listeners that fear never has the final word—God does