A short conversation with Duan, who chose to continue his journey with Men of Valor Knoxville after his release from the Knox County Jail.
After completing the Men of Valor program while incarcerated, Duan could have walked away. Instead, even while on enhanced probation, he chose to stay focused on the work in front of him.
For Duan, this season isn’t about fear — it’s about focus. He talks about getting clean and sober, learning new ways to cope, and why turning to God changed how he handles life’s problems.
This conversation is part of The Redemption Project, a podcast about real people, real consequences, and the ongoing work of change.
I am a retired detective and criminal justice / government educator based in Tennessee. I am a commentary write for Tennessee Lookout and a weekly columnist with Knox TN Today. My work examines public policy, public safety systems and civic responsibility. My reporting and commentary have also appeared in Governing, The Arizona Capitol Times, South Florida Sun Sentinel, Police1, among other state and regional outlets.
