Lifeline to a Soul: The Life-Changing Perspective I Gained While Teaching Entrepreneurship to Prisoners by John K. McLaughlin | Book Review ~ Guest Post by Author ~ $25 Starbucks Gift Card | @iReadBookTours
A book blog tour from iRead Book Tours.
Thank you to the author, publisher, & Lauren at iRead for providing me with the information for this tour. 
Book Details
Lifeline to a Soul: The Life-Changing Perspective I Gained While Teaching Entrepreneurship to Prisoners by John K. McLaughlin
Published by Lifeline Education Connection on April 4, 2023
Genres: Adult Non-Fiction 18+, Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs
Format: Audiobook, eBook, Paperback
Pages: 244
Source: iRead Book ToursThe Victories and Challenges One Man Faced as a First-Time Teacher in the Strange World of Prison Life
After devoting half of his lifetime transforming his start-up business into a multi-million dollar industry leader, author John McLaughlin set out in a new direction: to teach what he had learned to others.
Due to a lack of teaching experience, his only job offer was to teach entrepreneurship to prisoners at a minimum-security camp in North Carolina. John gradually builds an effective program until a scandal involving prison officials blindsides his progress and threatens to bring his teaching career to an unceremonious end.
Lifeline to a Soul takes the reader inside the fence and chronicles the victories and challenges one man faced as a first-time teacher in the strange world of prison life.
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Purchase Links for Lifeline to a Soul
Amazon-OneLink for all countries BookShop/IndieBound
Lifeline to a Soul: The Lif...Shop on Amazon
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My thoughts on Lifeline to a Soul
In “Lifeline to a Soul: The Life-Changing Perspective I Gained While Teaching Entrepreneurship to Prisoners,” John K. McLaughlin takes us on a remarkable journey from the corporate world to the uncharted territory of teaching entrepreneurship to incarcerated individuals. This autobiographical account is a compelling narrative of triumphs and tribulations, unveiling the remarkable potential for change when individuals are given the right opportunities and encouragement.
The story begins with McLaughlin’s successful business career, where he transformed his start-up into a multi-million dollar industry leader. However, he soon realizes that his calling lies beyond the boardroom as he sets out to share his knowledge and experience with others. Despite his lack of teaching credentials, his path leads him to the unlikely setting of a minimum-security prison in North Carolina.
Within the confines of the Palisade Correctional Center, renamed for anonymity, McLaughlin, known affectionately as “Mr. Moose” to his students, embarks on his teaching journey with unwavering dedication. What unfolds is an eye-opening exploration of the world behind prison walls, a place where human potential often remains untapped.
McLaughlin’s storytelling is as captivating as it is thought-provoking. He skillfully immerses readers into the lives of his incarcerated students, revealing the hidden talents and aspirations that lie dormant within them. Through his experiences, he reminds us that, given the right guidance and encouragement, the innate goodness in all individuals can shine through, regardless of their circumstances.
Its power to inspire sets “Lifeline to a Soul” apart. McLaughlin’s journey challenges conventional perspectives on incarceration, personal responsibility, and the societal structures perpetuating the crime cycle. As a white man who narrowly escaped a different fate in his youth, he candidly reflects on his own privilege and the transformative impact of his teaching experience.
The book raises crucial questions about the need for comprehensive support systems to facilitate successful reentry after incarceration and reduce recidivism. It reminds us that we all have a role to play in offering opportunities for growth, redemption, and positive change.
In “Lifeline to a Soul,” John K. McLaughlin’s remarkable narrative serves as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the profound impact one individual can have when they believe in the potential for transformation. This book is a compelling and inspiring read that challenges us to see the good in all people and emphasizes the importance of providing the proper encouragement for that goodness to flourish.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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I love to read books through my Amazon Kindle Unlimited subscription.
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About John K. McLaughlin
John K. McLaughlin spent half his life bootstrapping his start-up business to an industry leader. His desire to teach what he spent his career learning led him on a remarkable journey through the gates of a minimum-security prison, where he taught entrepreneurship for almost three years.
John has an MBA, a teaching certificate, and a marketing management certificate from Harvard Extension University. John enjoys riding a tandem bicycle with his wonderful wife, Reba on the greenways of Charlotte, North Carolina where they live with two extremely spoiled cats, Moe and Joe.
You can learn more about John’s current teaching program at: https://www.lifelinetoasoul.com/
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Guest Post from the author of Lifeline to a Soul
“Hayden”
I’m no poet, but I wrote this the day after I met one of my former students begging for money in a grocery store parking lot:
Clear blue sky with white flat bottomed clouds on the distant horizon. Wasting time until my 7:30 all clear. Don’t go early. 7:30 no sooner, no later. Enjoying the freedom of the clear summer night. Time that is mine.
On cue, the glass doors magically part, a nod of my head to young girl on the left. Her bored eyes barely noticeable above her blue paper mask. She nods back. “Thank you for coming” her trained body language says with no sincerity.
Scanning the black asphalt for the place I left my car, seems like a long time ago that I left its sanctuary.
“Hey big man” strong voice and a stride that is quickly cutting off the space between me and my destination, instantly taking me out of my comfort zone and demanding that I make a decision. “How about helping a Vietnam Vet?
Instant recognition. I call him by his last name which hits him like a thunderbolt. His eyes widen, he seems to briefly go limp as he recognizes me and deals with his sudden grasp of the uncomfortable reality. “Not you” he says his chin touching his throat.
Wet eyes laser locked on the ground. A silent tear. I can briefly feel the power of his regret.
“Not you” barely audible this time.
“Great to see you” I am genuinely excited to see an old friend.
He stares off into the distance, possibly thinking of all that had passed since our last time together. My confusion at his lack of exuberance gradually becomes too big of a barrier to not be addressed.
“You believed in me man, I’m sorry I let you down”
Guest Post from John K. McLaughlin from a previous post.
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Purchase Lifeline to a Soul online from your local bookstore.
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Easy Amazon Links
Amazon-OneLink for all countries
If the above link does not take you to your country, here are a few more:
Please send me a note if your country isn’t listed and you would like to purchase using my links. Using my link does not change the price you pay. Amazon pays me a minimal amount out of their share.
Lifeline to a Soul: The Lif...Shop on Amazon
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Giveaway!
$25 Starbucks Gift Card courtesy of the author of LIFELINE TO A SOUL (two winners) (USA only) (ends Oct 2)
Please visit more stops on the tour for extra chances to win!
Official Tour Page for Lifeline to a Soul
LIFELINE TO A SOUL Book Tour Giveaway
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Book Title: Lifeline to a Soul / The Life-Changing Perspective I Gained While Teaching Entrepreneurship to Prisoners by John K. McLaughlin
Category: Adult Non-Fiction (18+), 234 pages
Genre: Memoir
Publisher: Lifeline Education Connection
Release date: April 2023
Tour dates: Sep 5 to Sep 25, 2023
Content Rating: PG: A handful of expletives.
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This sounds like an interesting book!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Lifeline To A Soul, this sounds like an excellent book for me to read
I’ll need to read this soon, it sounds like a good book
Sounds very interesting.