What happens when someone refuses to let their circumstances define them?
In this deeply moving episode, Rana sits down with Denise Roman for one of the most powerful conversations ever shared on Dreams In Drive.
Denise opens up about her journey growing up in the Bronx, becoming a mother at just 15 years old, navigating foster care, surviving multiple incarcerations, and ultimately finding the courage to rebuild her life on her own terms.
From experiencing systemic failures firsthand to pursuing higher education through programs like the Bard Prison Initiative and setting her sights on political leadership, Denise shares how faith, resilience, and self-belief helped her transform pain into purpose.
In this episode, Denise and Rana discuss:
- Growing up in a difficult and isolating home environment
- Becoming a teen mother while navigating foster care
- The realities and trauma of the foster care system
- Survival, incarceration, and rebuilding after prison
- Witnessing corruption and abuse within correctional facilities
- How education became a turning point for Denise’s future
- Rebuilding her relationship with her daughter
- Overcoming shame, self-doubt, and societal labels
- Why Denise now wants to create policy change through politics
- The power of faith, confidence, and lived experience
This episode is a reminder that your past does not disqualify you from your purpose.
If you’ve ever felt like your circumstances were stacked against you, Denise’s story will inspire you to keep dreaming bigger.
FIND DENISE ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denise-roman-8887a5276/
INSTAGRAM: Emperoroman_d
Resources + Links:
- Subscribe to Dreams In Drive wherever you get your podcasts
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- Share this episode with a friend who’s questioning what’s next
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