Clearer Thinking with Spencer Greenberg From prisoner to escaping inner prisons (with Shaka Senghor)
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Oct 1, 2025 
Shaka Senghor, a resilience expert and author, transformed his life after spending 19 years in prison. In an insightful conversation, he discusses how trauma, fear, and shame often drive violence, challenging societal narratives around crime and accountability. Shaka highlights the importance of respectful policing and community engagement, contrasts solitary confinement with productive alternatives for rehabilitation, and shares his journey towards emotional freedom. His insights pave the way for understanding and overcoming psychological barriers.
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From Detroit Streets To 19 Years Inside
- Shaka grew up in Detroit, ran away as a teen, entered the drug trade, and survived being shot multiple times.
- At 17 he fired multiple shots during an escalating dispute that later led to a murder conviction and a 19-year prison sentence.
Violence Isn’t Just Demographics
- Violence is multifactorial and often simplified into demographic narratives that ignore deeper causes.
- Childhood trauma, fear, shame, and anger are central emotional levers driving many violent acts.
Trauma Shapes Reactive Violence
- Adverse childhood experiences and unprocessed trauma shape reactive, violent behavior in youth.
- We ignore these causes when victims are disproportionately Black and Brown, turning events into punishment-first responses.
