How does a kind young man get involved with a hate group and how does he get out and build a life of compassion and empathy?
Our guest this week is Hayden Gebler. A “normal kid” growing up in Northern AZ, Hayden had a huge need for connection and belonging. His journey toward that belonging took a dark turn that resulted in Hayden spending several years in a white supremicist gang. Now at 26, his life is radically different and his heart is filled with love and understanding instead of hate and bigotry.
In this episode, Hayden talks very frankly and openly about what caused him to veer off and what brought him back.
Trigger warning: In this episode we talk about drug use, self-harm, suicide attempts, and violence. We don’t dwell on any of it, nor glorify it, but you might want to choose the right time to listen to this podcast.
References:
The Harvard Implicit Bias Study
White Supremacist Prison Gangs in the United States