S1 | E8 Surviving Saginaw: Gangs, Guns & Grace - The SANTIAGO ESTRADA story

The Real West Michigan

In this episode, we sit down with "Santi", Santiago Estrada, who shares his incredible journey from growing up amidst gang violence in Saginaw to finding redemption through the Marine Corps and a profound spiritual awakening. Santiago's story is a testament to the power of resilience, transformation, and faith. Join us as he recounts his engaging story including his challenging upbringing, the pivotal moments that led him to a better path, and his current mission to help others through his ministry, Healing Humanity.
Takeaway Lessons
1. Resilience in Adversity: Santiago's journey illustrates the importance of resilience when faced with life's toughest challenges. Despite numerous obstacles, he continually found ways to push forward and improve his circumstances.
2. The Power of Redemption: Santiago's story emphasizes that redemption is possible for everyone. His transformation from a gang member to a dedicated community servant shows that change is achievable with the right mindset and support.
3. Impact of Faith: Santiago's spiritual awakening played a crucial role in his recovery and ongoing mission. His deep faith provided him with the strength and direction needed to overcome his past and help others.
4. Support Systems Matter: Whether it was the structure provided by the Marine Corps or the love and guidance from his ministry, having a supportive environment was vital for Santiago’s turnaround. This highlights the importance of community and support systems in personal development.
5. Giving Back: Santiago's dedication to helping others through his ministry, Healing Humanity, demonstrates the significance of giving back. By sharing his experiences and providing support to those in need, he continues to create positive change in his community.
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: THE PALMER GROUP Real Estate Team
The Palmer Group is an enthusiastic and dynamic team within 616 REALTY, led by the experienced Eldon Palmer, who has over 20 years of expertise in guiding clients through the home buying and selling process in West Michigan. To support our channel and our inspiring guests, please contact Eldon at [e-mail]. Don't forget to COMMENT, SHARE, LIKE, and SUBSCRIBE to our podcast! Discover more about our services at [thepalmer.group](https://thepalmer.group/).
Whether you're moving to Michigan or another state, we're here to assist you. We’d love to chat over coffee or your favorite beverage—on us!
HAVE A SUGGESTION? WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE PODCAST?
Reach out to Eldon at [e-mail] or send us a DM. Your ideas and stories are what make our podcast special!

Video Podcast available here: https://www.youtube.com/@TheRealWestMichigan
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: THE PALMER GROUP real estate team. The Palmer Group is an energetic team within 616 REALTY led by Eldon Palmer with over 20 years of experience helping people navigate the home buying and selling process in West Michigan. To support the channel and all of our guests, contact [e-mail], drop a COMMENT, SHARE, LIKE or SUBSCRIBE to this podcast.
You can also learn more at https://thepalmer.group/
Whether moving to Michigan or another state, we can help and would love to chat with you over a coffee or your favorite beverage!
HAVE A SUGGESTION? WANT TO BE A GUEST ON THE PODCAST? Reach out to [e-mail] or send us a DM.
WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOUR 5-STAR REVIEW

Chapters

1. S1 | E8 Surviving Saginaw: Gangs, Guns & Grace - The SANTIAGO ESTRADA story (00:00:00)

2. Overcoming Struggles and Gang Influences (00:00:01)

3. Survival Through Gangs and Military (00:11:53)

4. Gang Involvement Leads to Marine Corps (00:18:53)

5. From Redemption to Healing Humanity (00:33:15)

6. Journey From Misfit to Janitor (00:42:09)

7. Embracing Comedy for Healing and Connection (00:47:21)