CCC’s podcast, They Are Us: Breaking Through Stigma, continues to shed light on the realities of homelessness and substance use in Portland, featuring voices from people in recovery and frontline experts. Hosted by Juliana Lukasik, CCC’s Public Affairs Director, the series challenges stigma by sharing stories and professional insights on the complex paths to healing and stability.
As episodes air, they will be available on our Podcast page!
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Listen to Episode 9
Also available on your favorite streaming platforms:
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Episode 9 Summary
In Episode 9 of They Are Us, host Juliana explores what it means to rebuild a life after incarceration, and the creativity, community, and courage it takes to begin again. She is joined by Shawn Fox, a self-taught leatherworker who spent more than 26 years in prison, and Brandon Morlock, founder of Past Lives Makerspace, a nonprofit that supports people returning from incarceration through creative trades and community connection.
Their conversation sheds light on the realities of re-entry, the nonlinear path of recovery, and the belief that no one is beyond redemption. Through their stories, listeners are reminded that healing is possible, purpose can be found in unexpected places, and community support plays a powerful role in helping people come home.
Finding Identity Through Craft
Shawn Fox’s journey begins with honesty: he entered prison angry, disconnected, and unsure of who he was. Spanning two decades inside, he slowly began to rebuild himself and discovered leatherworking as a way to cope, express himself, and connect with others. Making wallets, belts, and small gifts for people became a way to feel human again, a way to show care when words were hard to find. After his release, Shawn faced the overwhelming challenges familiar to many returning citizens. His craft became a stabilizing force, giving him purpose and a path forward. Through community support and spaces that welcomed him, Shawn began to rebuild not just his life, but his identity — one piece of leather at a time.
Creating Space for Second Chances
Brandon Morlock spoke candidly about the years leading up to his incarceration. Long before prison, he had dreamed of building a creative community space where people could work with their hands and learn new skills, but he never had the clarity or stability to make it real. It wasn’t until he was incarcerated, with time to reflect, confront his past, and rethink who he wanted to become, that the idea finally took shape. After his release, he founded Past Lives Makerspace as a place where people returning from prison can gain skills, rediscover their potential, and be met with the belief that a person’s past does not define their future.
Where Creativity and Community Meet
Together, Shawn and Brandon reflect on the realities of recovery: the relapses that can happen, the struggle to ask for help, and the deep importance of hope. They discuss how creativity, whether in leather, wood, metal, or design, can unlock a sense of purpose that helps sustain people through the hardest moments. And they highlight how crucial community is for those returning from prison: having people who believe in you can be the difference between giving up and moving forward.
Their stories also remind listeners that transformation doesn’t happen alone. It happens in community — in spaces where people are met with compassion, opportunity, and a belief in their potential.
Listen to the ninth episode here and stay tuned for more honest stories and discussions that break stigma and foster understanding of homelessness and substance use disorders in our community.
