Podcast Summary: “Called to Build Bridges”

Podcast: Called (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)
Host: Fr. Mike Schmitz
Guest: Darrell Woods Sr.
Date: October 17, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on building bridges of reconciliation, hope, and service—particularly around faith, the criminal justice system, and serving marginalized communities. Fr. Mike Schmitz welcomes Darrell Woods Sr., who spent 29 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Darrell shares his journey from troubled youth to mentor, peacemaker, and community leader, illustrating how a life transformed by faith can impact others and foster healing in society. The episode is rooted in Jesus’ command in Matthew 25: “I was in prison and you came to visit me,” and seeks to inspire listeners to live out their faith in active, radical service.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Darrell’s Early Life and Descent into Crime

• Challenging Upbringing:

  • Darrell’s father died before he was born; his mother, devastated, struggled with heroin addiction and he was raised by his grandmother alongside many cousins ([03:37]).
  • The household was loving but chaotic, and Darrell admired both the local pastor’s strength and his grandfather’s work ethic.

• Street Life and Drug Culture:

  • Yearned to be close to his mother, who was living in hardship. At age 12, ran away to Detroit’s Cass Corridor, a center of drug activity ([07:24]).
  • Caught up in Detroit’s sophisticated drug organizations as a young teen, believing he could help his mother through his earnings, but instead was drawn into the cycle of addiction and violence ([12:07]).

• Personal Trauma:

  • Shot at 14 in a drug-related conflict, survivor of significant trauma without therapeutic intervention ([17:50]).

    "I was 14 years old, traumatized, shot, about to lose my arm, and no one came to me to really wrap their arms around me." – Darrell ([17:50])

2. Wrongful Incarceration and Spiritual Awakening

• Conviction and Prison Life:

  • Wrongly implicated in a homicide at age 18; convicted as “aiding and abetting an unknown person”—not as the person who shot the victim. The actual perpetrator was never convicted ([24:57]).
  • Sentenced to life without parole, Darrell entered prison a high-school dropout with two young children.

• Turning Point and Faith:

  • In prison, received inspiration from a transcript of his grandmother’s courtroom words:

    “Don’t give up, son. Prayer changes things. God is the only judge.” ([27:35])

  • Began intensive study of the Bible, transforming faith from a ‘get out of jail free card’ to a lifeline and ultimate purpose ([28:13]).

• Spiritual Community:

  • Developed bonds among Protestant and Catholic inmates, fostering peaceful community and spiritual growth ([33:58]).

3. Ministry, Mentorship, and Lasting Impact from Prison

• Cared Straight Program:

  • Founded the “Youth Deterrent Program,” also known as “Cared Straight” (not “Scared Straight”), focusing on mentoring at-risk youth through love, vulnerability, and storytelling rather than intimidation ([31:06]).

    “We allowed them to see our wounds and our pain and identify with their struggles...They need love.” – Darrell ([32:34])

  • Gained support from figures like Sheldon Yellen and Prison Fellowship; raised funds for charitable causes, and educated his own children remotely ([36:01]).

• Choosing Purpose over Resentment:

  • Denied bitterness for wrongful imprisonment, instead dedicating his life to service within prison:

    “If I was gonna die in there, I was gonna die fulfilling my purpose. I was not going to give the devil...the power to oppress me about being in there.” ([37:58])

  • Mentored by other inmates and developed leadership in both the NAACP and prison church ministries ([41:32]).

• Personal Loss and Transformation:

  • Endured the deaths of his mother (to AIDS-related illness) and both grandmothers while inside, using their examples of courage to drive his own service ([44:11]).

    “I didn’t allow my wounds to get in my way, just like my mother didn’t allow her wounds to get in her way.” ([45:50])

4. Release and Reentry

• Legal Appeal and Commutation:
  • After being cleared, a procedural technicality reinstated his conviction—yet Darrell remained joyful:

    “[The judge] said I was wrongfully convicted... Prosecutor Kim Worthy executed appeal...was able to get my conviction reinstated on procedural grounds...But I had joy.” ([40:08]) “When we say God is good all the time, it’s true. You just say that? Yeah, I guess. Do you mean it?” ([40:28])

  • After petitions and advocacy from religious and community leaders, was granted a commutation in 2019 ([53:44]).

    “I told everybody the first would be last and the last would be first.” ([53:44]) “The son who was 1 years old became 30 years old and came out and retrieved his dad out of prison...cried on my shoulder as if he was still that one year old.” ([55:23])

5. Leadership and Bridge Building After Release

• Fighting the Good Fight:

  • Founded this organization to help returning citizens reintegrate through connection, consistency, and love:

    “It’s about consistency...If you consistently engage with people and let them know you love them...connect them to resources and opportunity...pray with them…” ([55:47])

  • Employs “credible messengers” (those who have been justice-impacted) to mentor youth and mediate family conflict.

• Better Together Initiative:

  • Partnered with author Mitch Albom, the Detroit mayor, and police to foster trust-building dinners between officers and community members—including gang members—breaking down stereotypes and creating human connection ([58:15]).

    “We have to engage on that level, not on what…divides us, but what connects us, which is the humanity.” – Fr. Mike ([60:22])

• Church Engagement in Social Issues:

  • Urges churches to adopt local schools—not just in name, but through action: providing food, shelter, mentorship, job training, and a “peace curriculum” to counter violence among youth ([64:00]).

    “If a child is truant from school, we need to go knock on the door...minister to that family...It’s a fishing rod mentality—not handouts, but hand ups.” ([64:00])

  • Stresses that the church must serve both victims and perpetrators of violence, acting as a hub of healing in the community ([62:49]).

6. Advice for Listeners: How to Start Living Out Faith

• Where to Begin:

  “Start with the Gospel, Matthew 25...If we live that humanity, the world would be a much better place.” ([68:51])

• Just Start:
  • “Just start. Do what Jesus said to do. If there’s someone hungry, feed them. If someone’s sick, visit them...get out of your own way. God makes a way.” ([69:55])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Don’t give up, son. Prayer changes things. God is the only judge.” – Grandmother, as read by Darrell in court transcript ([27:35])
• “I was 14 years old, traumatized, shot, about to lose my arm, and no one came to me...” – Darrell ([17:50])
• “We allowed them to see our wounds and our pain...[these kids] need love.” – Darrell ([32:34])
• “If I was gonna die in there, I was gonna die fulfilling my purpose. I was not going to give the devil...the power to oppress me about being in there.” ([37:58])
• “God is good all the time. And all the time, God is good.” – Darrell ([40:38])
• “Consistency. Consistency is love in action.” – Darrell ([55:47])
• “Mercy is a special kind of love: the love we deserve the least but need the most.” – Fr. Mike ([58:00])
• “We have to engage on that level, not on what...divides us, but what connects us, which is the humanity.” – Fr. Mike ([60:22])
• “We turn to each other, not on each other.” – Darrell ([60:32])
• “If you let go and let God and get out your own way, God will make a way and he’ll show you the way.” – Darrell ([68:58])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Darrell’s Early Life: [03:37] – [14:00]
• Getting Shot & Teenage Trauma: [14:00] – [19:00]
• Arrest and Conviction: [19:00] – [25:00]
• Grandmother’s Prophetic Words and Bible Study: [27:23] – [28:41]
• Creating ‘Cared Straight’ Program: [31:06] – [33:24]
• Choosing Purpose over Resentment: [37:23] – [38:44]
• Legal Battles & Unexpected Joy: [40:02] – [41:22]
• Release and Family Reunification: [51:20] – [55:23]
• Fighting the Good Fight & Community Reentry: [55:47]
• Better Together Dialogue Programs: [58:15]
• Role of the Church in Community: [61:30] – [67:40]
• Actionable Advice for Listeners: [68:51] – [70:08]

Conclusion

This episode is a remarkable testimony of redemption, faith-driven leadership, and the power of consistent, loving presence. Darrell Woods Sr. challenges both individuals and institutions—especially the Church—to rise above transactional charity and become daily, consistent agents of mercy and bridge-building. His story moves from the chaos of Detroit’s streets, through the depths of wrongful incarceration, to the heights of community service and faith activism.

“Just start. Do what Jesus said to do...Get out of your own way. God makes a way.”

Listeners are encouraged not just to be inspired, but to act—especially in accordance with Matthew 25: build bridges by showing up, serving consistently, and loving generously.

For more information or to connect with Darrell Woods Sr.:

• Email: darrellwoodssr@gmail.com
• Learn more about the ‘Better Together’ initiative at SAY Detroit
• Google “Darrell Woods Sr.” for additional stories and resources

[End of Summary]