659: Ed Kressy | Relationships Can Save Your Life

We all know relationships are important, but in some cases, 'who you know' can even save your life. Ed Kressy went from being arrested by the FBI, to being recognized with a community service award by the FBI Director.
Ed's 20-year drug addiction led to stints in jails, rehabs, and homeless shelters. Thanks to relationships astonishing in their spiritual depth, Ed became a volunteer entrepreneur coach inside maximum-security prisons, delivered a guest lecture at MIT, and wrote for the Washington Post. He now volunteers helping law enforcement better serve communities affected by addiction and incarceration, and fulfils his lifelong dream of writing.
Let’s dive deep into Ed’s incredible story, where he came from and how he got to where he is, and learn how relationships can save your life.

Things you will learn in this episode: 
[00:01 - 06:18] Opening Segment  

I introduce today’s guest, Ed Kressy

Ed gives us some background on his story

A love for reading and writing 

A struggle for self-worth and discipline 

The start of the addiction 

[06:19 - 22:47] Relationships Can Save Your Life

 Ed shares about his journey of escapism 

You choose what you focus on

Escaping from yourself 

From a good life to addiction 

Ed talks about the snowball effect into harder drugs 

The real problem is not the drug 

The effects of the drugs 

How intervention saved Ed’s life 

Friends and family stepping in 

Taking responsibility 

Instilling spiritual relationships 

The wake up call 

Ed’s story of a rude awakening 

Reaching out for a lifeline 

A word from our sponsor

[22:48 - 38:11] Ed Kressy on Building Your Network

The importance of community and spirituality

The need for a purpose 

Letting go of material satisfaction

The only choice left 

Maintaining a beginners mind

Who you know or what you know? 

Both and neither 

Guiding principles (3 S’s) vs. Connections 

Wisdom is better than knowledge

Who has instilled the most wisdom in you?

Ed’s thoughts on God

The two groups who impact Ed the most 

Behind bars and badges

Ed’s work with law enforcement

There needs to be more resources for mental health 

Relationships are the gateway to healing

Solving the incarceration crisis

[38:12 - 44:54] Closing Segment

Ed talks about becoming an author 

The journey 

How it connects to Ed’s work

Accomplishments 

The impact of a network

ThE RaNdOm RoUnD

How to engage with Ed

Links below 

Final words 

Tweetable Quotes: 
“We can choose what to focus on. We don’t necessarily have control over our circumstances, yet we have a high degree of control of what we focus on.” - Ed Kressy 
“People believed in me, I never believed in myself.” - Ed Kressy
“Drugs and drinking are not the problem, they’re an attempt at a solution.” - Ed Kressy
Resources Mentioned: 

Ed’s Book - My Addiction & Recovery

Connect and engage with Ed on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter. Check out http://authoredkressy.com/ to get Ed to speak in your area.
Did you love the value that we are putting out in the show? LEAVE A REVIEW and tell us what you think about the episode so we can continue putting out great content just for you! Share this episode and help someone who wants to connect with world-class people. 
Jump on over to travischappell.com/makemypodcast and let my team make you your very own show!
If you want to learn how to build YOUR network, check out my website travischappell.com. You can connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Be sure to join The Lounge to become part of the community that’s setting up REAL relationships that add value and create investments.
Check out FranBridge Consulting for premier non-food franchise opportunities: travischappell.com/franbridgeOur Sponsors:* Check out Kinsta: https://kinsta.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices