Love at the Edge: Turning Point for One, Lifeline for the Others
In these four conversations, love clearly turned a life around only for KGB illegal Jack Barsky. For veteran Kelsi Sheren it kept her alive until treatment helped, for smuggler Roger Reaves it waited out a career that prison ended, and for fraudster Brett Johnson it was first an excuse for crime and later one of several lifelines, alongside responsibility and therapy.
What finally settled Jack Barsky's decision to stay in the US rather than return to the KGB? Show answer
A dead drop on Staten Island meant to give him money and a passport turned up empty. Love for his daughter was already making him stall.
How did Barsky describe falling in love with his daughter Chelsea? Show answer
As his "re-entry into the human race."
What does Barsky call his great regret about staying? Show answer
Betraying the German wife he loved.
According to Kelsi Sheren, what role did her husband Brady play? Show answer
He kept her alive and made her feel worthy until she knew she was worthy of being alive.
What does Sheren credit for actually helping her turn a corner? Show answer
Treatment: her psychiatrist, cannabis in place of pharmaceutical drugs, and an ayahuasca program by Heroic Hearts Project with preparation, integration coaching and peer support.
What happened when Roger Reaves's wife Marie asked him to stop smuggling? Show answer
He said he couldn't yet. Her request did not stop him, and 33 years in prison eventually ended his smuggling.
What did Marie call Roger while he was away? Show answer
Her homing pigeon: he had to fly, but he always came home.
According to Brett Johnson, why can't love help someone who is addicted? Show answer
If you're addicted to something, whether drugs, crime or gambling, you cannot love anything except the addiction.
What does Johnson name as his "first turnaround"? Show answer
His sister Denise driving seven hours to see him for ten minutes and tell him she loved him.
Whose response helped Johnson get into legitimate work after prison? Show answer
FBI agent Keith Mularski, who replied to his LinkedIn message within two hours and took him under his wing.
What warning does Johnson pair with giving people second chances? Show answer
You have to know when to cut somebody off, because people won't change until they decide to change.