045 | Contract With God: Memoir of a Juvenile Killer

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45 Contract With God: Memoir of a Juvenile Killer

Mario Bueno is a published scholar, transformational speaker, and reform expert. Mario was released from prison on January 22, 2014. He graduated from Wayne State University in 2016 with a Bachelor in Business, and then spent time as a legislative aide for the Michigan House of Representatives. Today, his non-profit LUCK, Inc. employs certified, formerly incarcerated men to train and mentor at-risk youth and returning citizens in an attempt to safeguard the community.

Today we discuss the transformational power of pain. Mario shares his experiences in prison that helped him surrender to God and how he has transformed his life. We talk about the impact trauma has on children and how that trauma changes people's perspectives. We also talk about how young men are disconnected from their communities and the cornerstone of criminality. We also discuss the importance of being able to adapt and accept the corrections God sends us. 

“When the student is ready the teacher will appear.” Mario Bueno

“People want a testimony, but they don’t want a test.” Mario Bueno

This week on Shepherd & the Shrink:

  • The impact of traumatic events on children

  • Being forgiven in the eyes of God vs being forgiven by society

  • How young men are becoming disconnected from their community

  • What it means to be “born again”

  • The deal Mario made with God when in prison

  • Becoming the best version of yourself 

  • How God uses the people around us to help correct us

  • Mario’s experience transitioning from prison to the real world

  • The transformational power of pain

Resources mentioned

Connect with Mario

Thanks for tuning into this week’s episode of Shepherd & the Shrink Podcast with your hosts Dr. Matt Hook and Dr. Martin Fletcher, the show where theology meets psychology. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review wherever you get your podcasts.

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Martin Fletcher