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Doors don’t open themselves—people and policy do. We sit down with survivor and advocate Shanyeill McCloud, founder of Clean Slate, to unpack how Wisconsin’s tight expungement rules shut deserving people out and how the revived Pardon Advisory Board created a powerful path to redemption. Shanielle explains why document prep is only half the story; the other half is people preparation—coaching clients to articulate growth, take accountability, and face an intimidating hearing with clarity and courage.
You’ll hear from Dante Wren, who transformed a 2002 conviction into a mission to serve. He breaks down the fear that stops many from applying, the step-by-step coaching that rebuilt his confidence, and the life on the other side of a signature—working in corrections to mentor young people at their most uncertain moment. His story shows how a clean slate can restore not only employment and rights but also identity, purpose, and the ability to lead at home.
We also dig into the gaps: why expungement in Wisconsin often fails, how five simple pardon criteria quietly make thousands eligible, and why women—especially women of color—remain underrepresented among recipients despite critical shortages in nursing, teaching, and public safety. Shanyeill outlines plans to scale satellite help desks and launch a women-focused program in Dane County, pairing redemption with workforce needs to turn barriers into pipelines.
If you or someone you love has been off supervision for five years, has no open cases, and is not on the sex offender registry, you may qualify. Learn the process, choose a support tier—from DIY guidance to full-service prep—and get ready to present your best case. Subscribe, share this conversation with someone who needs hope, and leave a review to help more people find a real path to a clean slate.

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