Young and desperate with no other hope in sight, Mark decided to rob a bank. In his escape, he shot a Wyoming patrolman, point-blank, five times. He didn't make it far before he was caught. He ended up spending more than 40 years in prison, but those years were years God used to completely transform his life.

Mark Corbett has resided in Wyoming since his release from prison in 2023. He is the founder and executive director of Compassion Wyoming. Mark's story appears in Victorious Living Magazine Issue 1, 2026.

Abused, traumatized, and feeling unloved, Renee' grew up uncertain of her place in this world. Even when good things happened to her, she struggled with deep depression and sorrow until God took hold of her life. At the moment of her surrender, He opened the prison gates of her mind and began to rewrite her story.

Renee' Cairns is an ordained minister who serves young women who have experienced similar trauma. She and her husband Jim founded Broken Chains, Transformed Lives, where they help hurting people find freedom in Christ. She has traveled from North Carolina to Trinidad and Tanzania, ministering the Word and seeing lives transformed by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ. Her story appears in Victorious Living Magazine, Issue 1, 2026.

Reneé Cairns is an ordained minister who ministers to young women who have suffered similar trauma. She and her husband Jim founded Broken Chains, Transformed Lives, where they help hurting people find freedom in Christ. She has traveled from North Carolina to Trinidad to Tanzania, ministering the Word and seeing lives transformed by the power of the blood of Jesus Christ.

It was just a routine traffic stop . . . until it wasn't. In seconds, Patrolman Watt's life changed forever. But it wasn't the bullets or the loss of his career that nearly destroyed him. It was the prison of hatred he locked himself into—a prison from which only forgiveness could set him and his attacker free. God's love freed Steve from a self-imposed prison of fear and resentment and redeemed his life from the pit. Steve's story appears in Victorious Living Magazine, Issue 1, 2026.

Steve Watt lives in Colorado with his wife Joyce and his service dog Sam. He lives to tell others about Jesus.

In this powerful and heartfelt conversation, Sheridan Correa sits down with Victorious Living team member Randy Claypoole to talk about trauma, healing, and the journey of transformation—especially for our incarcerated family. Together, they explore what trauma really is, why it often stays hidden beneath the surface like an iceberg, and how God brings freedom through truth, self-awareness, and identity in Christ.

Sheridan shares how healing begins with identity and revelation, why growth is always possible, and how commitment and consistency are key to lasting change. If you've ever wondered why you do what you do, or if your past feels louder than your future—this episode will strengthen you with hope.

Sheridan Correa is a trauma-informed biblical counselor who serves as the wellness program director for Victorious Living. A wife and mother of two teenage boys, Sheridan has been radically changed by Jesus.

You can read Sheridan's story "A Place to Belong" here and how she uses her transformation story to lead others to possess the same abundant life through freedom in Christ.

In this powerful and hope-filled conversation, VL Podcast host Randy Claypoole sits down with married couple Omar and Ann Calvillo, whose lives were shaped by the streets of Chicago, gang culture, trauma, and incarceration—but ultimately transformed by Jesus Christ.
Omar and Ann share what it was like growing up surrounded by gangs, family dysfunction, and survival-mode coping mechanisms that once felt "normal." They speak candidly about hardened hearts, unhealthy patterns, emotional wounds, and the deep longing for belonging and love. Omar opens up about how prison impacted him—how it taught him to shut down emotionally—and how Christ later brought healing, peace, and a restored identity.
Together, they reveal how God used their scars—not to shame them, but to redeem their story and turn pain into purpose. With honesty, humor, and tenderness, Omar and Ann reflect on what it takes to build a marriage after brokenness: faith, intentionality, healing conversations, and choosing love daily.

This episode is for anyone who feels trapped by their past, stuck in old patterns, or convinced they are "not lovable." Omar and Ann's story is found in Victorious Living Magazine Issue 1, 2026. They're living proof that God can restore what trauma tried to destroy—and that even behind bars, transformation is possible.

Ann Calvillo is the host of Her Scars Tell a Story, a podcast that gives voice to women who have found healing in Christ. She also serves at the Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago, helping the lost and hurting find their way to the Savior who restored her soul.

Omar Calvillo is the host of From Wrong to Strong, a podcast dedicated to sharing stories of transformation from gang life to grace. A former gang member turned faith-driven advocate, Omar inspires change, offers hope to those who feel lost, and proves that redemption is possible. For more information, visit https://www.fromwrongtostrong.org.

In this episode of the Victorious Living Podcast, Brooke sits down with Augie Ghilarducci, once a successful principal of a financial planning firm in the Chicago area, whose life took a drastic turn after a series of poor choices landed him in federal prison for 12 years.
Now restored and walking in purpose, Augie devotes his life to helping others rebuild theirs — teaching life skills and employment readiness to incarcerated individuals, people in recovery, and at-risk youth.
Whether you're a successful businessman, have a master's degree, a title, or money— losing your way never discriminates. But neither does God's grace. Join us for a powerful conversation about redemption, second chances that lead to opportunities, and discovering purpose in the most unexpected places.

Bruce grew up in church, but after his confirmation at 14, he figured he'd checked all the boxes and had done all he had to do to get to heaven. Bruce became a prodigal son, living the "good life" until a third DUI and a faithful friend reminded him that God's grace was his for the asking. BRUCE KETOLA serves as State Chair of Kairos Prison Ministry of Arizona. Bruce and his wife, Kim, have four children and nine grandchildren. His greatest joy and deepest prayer are for others to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Learn more at kairosofaz.org.

Kim's life was all about earning recognition and acceptance—but that quest took her to difficult places. Her perceived failures, including an abortion, caused her to give up. And then a friend told her about God's unconditional love and forgiveness, and she dared to hope again.

Kim Ketola, a chaplain and pro-life advocate, is an award-winning writer and broadcaster whose life experience ministers to those hurt by abortion. The second edition of her book, Cradle My Heart, Finding God's Love After Abortion, is available on Amazon. Learn more at cradlemyheart.org.

Bruce Ketola serves as State Chair of Kairos Prison Ministry of Arizona. Bruce and his wife Kim have four children and nine grandchildren. His greatest joy and deepest prayer is for others to have a personal relationship with Jesus. Learn more at kairosofaz.org.

"The Meaning of Grace: The Story of Bruce Ketola" and "You Are Loved, No Matter What: The Story of Kim Ketola" are found in Issue 3 | 2025 of Victorious Living Magazine.

Throughout her life, Margaret felt like she was out of place, never enough, and an overall failure. She couldn't imagine how God would ever want someone like her. But He did and He does, and today, Margaret serves Him with a surrendered, happy heart.

Margaret Mangum serves at her local church and volunteers with Victorious Living, writing letters to the incarcerated and sharing her story in jail and prison. She's a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who makes the goodness of God known to all.

Margaret Mangum serves at her local church and volunteers with Victorious Living, writing letters to the incarcerated and sharing her story in jail and prison. She's a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who makes the goodness of God known to all.

"The Faithful Goodness of God: The Story of Margaret Mangum" is found in Issue 3 | 2025 of Victorious Living Magazine.