Coley Gates Episode 3: What does it take to come back from a 999-year sentence—and not just survive, but transform?

In this powerful third installment of YANA: You Are Not Alone, host James Trice continues his deeply moving conversation with Coley Gates, a man whose story defies logic and redefines faith, brotherhood, and purpose. After spending 25 years incarcerated, Coley opens up about the emotional weight of reconnecting with family, the unbreakable bond of the “Seven Mighty Men,” and the spiritual foundation that carried him through the darkest seasons of his life. This episode dives deep into what real brotherhood looks like—men who prayed together, cried together, held each other accountable, and ultimately helped one another survive and thrive against impossible odds. Coley shares what shocked him most about the world after his release—the disconnect in community, the shifting dynamics of family, and the tension between opportunity and temptation. With raw honesty, he speaks on navigating freedom, resisting old paths, and stepping into his calling as a voice of hope for others still trapped—physically and mentally. From mentoring youth and serving the homeless, to returning to prisons to uplift those still inside, Coley is living proof that transformation is real—and that no one is beyond redemption. The episode closes with a gripping spoken word performance, “Oh Say Can You See,” challenging listeners to reflect on justice, identity, and unity in today’s world.