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08/09/2025

In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with writer and director Nyasha Hatendi—the creative mind behind Sacrilege: Curse of The Mbirwi—to explore how Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison reshaped his understanding of identity and belonging.

Nyasha opens up about the complexities of race, invisibility, and self-definition, and how Ellison’s groundbreaking novel continues to shape both his life and his work in film and storytelling.

This is a powerful conversation about the urgency of being seen and the timeless lessons of a literary classic.

🎥 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/s8SnH5yZiHw

In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with writer and director Nyasha Hatendi, the creative mind behind Sacrilege: Curs...

08/08/2025

In this moving clip from Books That Changed My Life, Robert Cain shares why John 20:28—Thomas declaring, “My Lord and my God”—is the Bible verse that transformed his faith. Just as Thomas moved from doubt to clarity, Robert reflects on the spiritual awakening he experienced in prison, a revelation that continues to guide him today.

👉 Watch the clip now: https://youtu.be/o7FhSqKpzBU

Robert Cain shares his favorite Bible passage: John 20:28, where the apostle Thomas finally recognizes the risen Jesus and proclaims, “My Lord and my God.” R...

08/07/2025

From solitary confinement to spiritual awakening.

In this powerful clip from Books That Changed My Life, Robert Cain recalls the moment he found a Bible on his prison bunk—a discovery that sparked his journey of faith. Surrounded by a Christian community and guided by a devoted chaplain, Robert was baptized in 2012, a decision that kept him grounded and full of hope through his 12-year sentence.

👉 Watch the clip now: https://youtu.be/EDbf72oRr-o

After being sentenced to nearly 12 years in federal prison, Robert Cain considered fleeing the country—but ultimately chose to turn himself in. With no bed a...

08/06/2025

A DEA raid. 40 vehicles. 11 arrests.

In this riveting clip from Books That Changed My Life, Robert Cain recalls the federal investigation that took down his drug empire and the surreal reality of prison life that followed.

👉 Watch the clip now: https://youtu.be/Saz-92yBdC0

Robert Cain recounts the dramatic DEA raid that ended his drug empire. Despite shutting down his grow operation after a close call, pressure from associates ...

08/05/2025

Half a million dollars a year. Police sifting through his trash. A marriage on the brink.

In this emotional clip from Books That Changed My Life, Robert Cain reveals the hidden cost of running a massive drug operation—from paranoia and counter-surveillance to the heartbreaking strain it placed on his family.

👉 Watch the clip now: https://youtu.be/rhyQavEKiqo

In this emotional follow-up, Robert Cain opens up about the scale of his former drug operation—pulling in nearly half a million dollars a year in cash—and th...

08/04/2025

From keg parties to a police chase from the air, Robert Cain lived on the edge for years.

In this gripping clip from Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins dives into the turning point that pulled Robert out of the black market and into a new life of faith.

👉 Watch the clip here: https://youtu.be/CQAP2CTeNXg

In this gripping segment from Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins speaks with Robert Cain about how the Holy Bible transformed his life—but not be...

08/04/2025

In this powerful episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with Robert Cain, whose life story reads like a movie script. Once a black market cannabis grower and longtime hockey goalie, Robert’s world turned upside down when he was sentenced to nearly 12 years in federal prison.

But behind bars, everything changed.

Through The Holy Bible, Robert found purpose, faith, and the strength to transform his life. While incarcerated, he completed The Keeper—a story about a goalie’s redemption that mirrors his own.

From martial arts to federal prison, and now working with Advanced Nutrients, Robert’s journey shows the power of belief, resilience, and second chances.

🎥 Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/dY2zfq8YTok

In this powerful episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with Robert Cain, a man whose life reads like a movie script—full of gri...

07/28/2025

In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with Michele Wong McSween—4th generation Chinese American, FIDM graduate, and former Old Navy designer—to explore how The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan helped her reconnect with her Chinese heritage.

The novel didn’t just shift Michele’s perspective—it inspired her to create Gordon & Li Li, a bilingual Mandarin-English children’s book series that’s now helping families across generations embrace language, pride, and cultural connection.

From a fashion career in New York to building a legacy rooted in storytelling and heritage, Michele’s journey is a masterclass in creative reinvention and cultural leadership.

🎥 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/UAs1bvFUBc8

In this episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with Michele Wong McSween — 4th generation Chinese American, FIDM graduate, and f...

07/26/2025

“Even though the world isn’t fair, I still have to work hard to get what I want…”

In this honest conversation, host Chris Collins sits down with Tony Weaver Jr. as he reflect on the wisdom he gained from his father—lessons in hard work, responsibility, and pushing forward despite an unfair world.

These insights align deeply with themes from August Wilson’s Three Plays, where personal grit and generational legacy are constant undercurrents.

🎥 Watch the clip: https://youtu.be/sxsXBIt-_CA

07/25/2025

“I was the culmination of my parents' character arc…”

In this heartfelt conversation, host Chris Collins sits down with Author Tony Weaver Jr. to discuss deep familial expectations and how they influenced his self-view and creative journey. Through the lens of his middle-grade graphic memoir Weirdo, he reflects on the burden of being your parents’ “final chapter.”

This resonates with emotional undercurrents found in August Wilson’s Three Plays—stories of identity, legacy, and self-definition.

🎥 Watch & reflect: https://youtu.be/sxsXBIt-_CA

07/24/2025

“The most excellent things can go unnoticed…”

In this compelling conversation, host Chris Collins sits down with Tony Weaver Jr.—author of Weirdo—to discuss the tough truth behind writing and recognition. Inspired by the legacy of August Wilson’s Three Plays, Tony shares how many great works go unseen simply because they weren’t backed by a major name.

🎥 Watch and share: https://youtu.be/sxsXBIt-_CA

07/22/2025

“That lady almost derailed my life…”

In this powerful episode of Books That Changed My Life, host Chris Collins sits down with Tony Weaver to discuss how a teacher’s wrongful plagiarism accusation fueled his drive—compounded by the inspiration of Three Plays by August Wilson—and led him to create Weirdo, a graphic novel blending mental health, creativity, and representation.

Tony explores how anime, self-publishing, and entrepreneurship became his path to rewriting expectations.

🎥 Watch now: https://youtu.be/sxsXBIt-_CA