When you grow up with domestic violence, housing instability, and no parental direction how do you have the tools to be a healthy, functioning, contributing member of society? You don't. My guest today, Jose Vargas, had no one in his corner as a child. His understanding of what a normal life was like was skewed by a life experience filled with violence, hopelessness, and fear. Take a minute to imagine what that must feel like. This does not excuse the choices and behavior he made as an adult, but it does explain how he got to that point. We internalize the messages our peers, parents, and communities tell us verbally and non-verbally. Most of us only live with our parents for a short time but their impact is felt life long - for good and for bad. Dependending where you live and who you live with can change the trajectory of your life. We all need someone to believe in us - most of the time that someone is our parents. But what happens when you never get that? This is the story of what that looks like in Jose's life.