🕯️ A story of transformation, education, and radical community care
In this powerful episode of Claws Out, we sit down with James Barr—a man whose journey defies every expectation. Sentenced to five years in prison on his fourth number, James chose not to waste a moment. While confined, he earned an Associates of Arts degree, a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, and a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Development—all through Ashland University. He graduated Summa Cum Laude, ranked in the top 1% of his class, and was inducted into both the National Communication Association and the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Now just four months out, James is putting his education to work in the heart of Athens County, Ohio. As a Peer Recovery Supporter with Recovery Connections, he dedicates his time to harm reduction outreach, peer mentorship, and community education. He’s also a proud member of Leadership Athens County, a program funded by the Athens Foundation that cultivates local changemakers.
James’s passions—connection, self-growth, and helping others achieve their dreams—are more than words. They’re the foundation of his vision: to launch a nonprofit that centers the underserved, the justice-impacted, and those navigating mental illness or substance use disorder. His story is a testament to what’s possible when education meets purpose, and when recovery is rooted in community.
This episode explores:
• 📚 The emotional and academic grit it takes to earn multiple degrees behind bars
• 🤝 The power of peer support and harm reduction in real-world recovery work
• 🧠 How leadership, advocacy, and lived experience intersect in rural Ohio
• 🔥 James’s vision for a nonprofit that uplifts the most marginalized
Whether you’re justice-involved, in recovery, or simply seeking proof that growth can happen anywhere—this episode will move you.