In this vulnerable and raw episode of The Endurant Show, co-hosts Neal and Samara Tricarico sit down with Sonny Von Cleveland—a motivational speaker, author, and trauma survivor who turned unimaginable pain into purpose.

Sonny opens up about his powerful journey—from surviving childhood abuse and spending 18 years in prison, to becoming an outspoken advocate for healing, personal transformation, and radical self-ownership. In his memoir, Hey White Boy: Conversations of Redemption, Sonny tells his story of courage, accountability, and the unshakable human spirit.

This episode is a beacon of hope for anyone healing from trauma, seeking purpose, or working to rewrite their story.

Don’t forget to like and subscribe anywhere you get your podcasts, and share if this episode resonates with you or someone you love.

If you or someone you love is struggling, help is available. In the U.S., dial or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Watch and Subscribe the Show: youtube.com/@EndurantMovement

Connect Our Guest Sonny Von Cleveland!

• Instagram: @sonnyvonclevelandofficial
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@sonnyvoncleveland
• YouTube: youtube.com/@sonnyvonclevelandofficial
• Website: https://www.sonnyvoncleveland.com/

Tremendous gratitude to the entire team at motionfarm.io for their exceptional audio and video editing, generously provided pro bono. José Rodriguez and team, quite simply, without your willingness to answer the call to something greater, there would be no Endurant Show and no Teen Voices.

Thank you to our Production Company Partner Rainbow Creative (https://www.rainbowcreative.co/) led by Executive Producer; Matthew “MoJo” Jones and Associate Producer; Rachel Stern

Connect with Our Hosts & The Endurant Movement

• https://www.endurantmovement.org
• Follow the Movement + Show on Instagram: @EndurantMovement
• Follow Neal on Instagram: @NealTricarico
• Follow Samara on Instagram: @Samarat

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Healing Through Pain
• 01:05 Welcome to The Endurance Show
• 02:41 Meet Sonny von Cleveland
• 04:29 Sonny's Early Life and Trauma
• 07:36 A Life of Crime and Incarceration
• 11:40 The Turning Point in Prison
• 14:24 Finding Purpose and Redemption
• 16:56 The Power of Speaking Your Pain
• 21:33 Comparative Trauma and Radical Ownership
• 39:11 The Birth of the Endurant Movement
• 41:29 Discovering YouTube During Lockdown
• 42:48 Building a Positive Community
• 43:48 Personal Struggles and Resilience
• 45:21 Finding Love and New Beginnings
• 46:16 Volunteering and Passion Projects
• 47:17 Empowering Others Through Storytelling
• 49:23 Planning a Transformative Road Trip
• 01:06:26 Fighting Human Trafficking
• 01:12:30 Conclusion and Call to Action