Soulful Smallz: Beyond The Time

One question changed Soulful Smallz's life forever. Long before he became an R&B artist, Soulful Smallz was a little boy from East Long Beach who lost both of his parents at just six years old. Searching for belonging, he found himself caught in a cycle that led to juvenile hall, prison, and ultimately 14 years behind bars.   But it was inside prison where everything began to change.   In this deeply personal conversation, Soulful shares how music became his therapy, how one inmate's simple question—"Do you want to live life... or do you want a life?"—transformed the way he saw himself, and how Homeboy Industries helped him discover purpose beyond his past.   Today, Soulful uses his music and his story to inspire others who are searching for hope, healing, and a second chance.   This is a conversation about loss, redemption, and choosing the life you want to live.   Today’s Music Soundtrack Includes Music Artists: Soulful Smallz, Beno, and MM.   Soulful Smallz Instagram   Photographer's credit - CATHRYN FARNSWORTH   CHAPTERS   00:00 Introduction  01:39 The value of time and early life challenges 03:09 Losing both parents at age six and its impact 04:34 Childhood personality and early trauma 05:31 Memorializing parents and their influence 07:29 Imagining how to spend more time with parents 08:34 Dreams of starting a winery and creative pursuits 12:32 Life after loss and turning to the streets 14:06 Juvenile hall and rediscovery of music 15:14 Music in juvenile hall and early influences 19:10 Musical inspirations and developing a style 22:43 Moment of self-reflection and overcoming depression 23:42 Suicide attempt and divine intervention 27:29 First encouragement and stepping into music 30:41 Performing on stage after prison 32:10 Playing 'Do the Time' and its meaning 37:46 The significance of community and mentorship 43:25 The influence of Coop and life-changing questions 50:04 Discovering Homeboy Industries and its impact 54:25 The mission of Homeboy Industries 56:47 Evolving through community and faith 01:05:07 Future goals and legacy building 01:08:27 Message of hope for struggling listeners 01:09:00 What Soulful Smallz wants his life to stand for   POP CULTURE, MUSIC ICONS, & FOOD GODS - Listen More & Evolve   Catch Up With Past Shows and Your Favorite Guests - TJS MEDIA LIBRARY   Partner with The Jeremiah Show BRAND PARTNER DECK   The Jeremiah Show is brought to you by Evolve Entertainment Network www.thejeremiahshow.com https://radio-evolve.rocks   Host | Executive Producer - Jeremiah D. Higgins Senior Sound Engineer | Producer - Graham Palmer | Surprise Studio   THE JEREMIAH SHOW PROUDLY FEATURES   Cuzen Matcha Worldwide - Get $30 Off at Checkout “JEREMIAH30” Music Connection Magazine MusiCares Omad Records Nicole Sofia Voracious Records Greens First - Get 30% Off at Checkout “JEREMIAH30”   The Jeremiah Show Radio Broadcast is heard in London, Somerset, U.K., New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Los Angeles, Ontario, Canada, and Santa Barbara on Radio Candy Media. We are broadcast in London on Belter Radio and in Paris on My Indie Radio.   SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS   Jeremiah D. Higgins   Graham Palmer, Surprise Studio   Did you like the music in this episode? The Jeremiah Show Original Music Soundtracks    The Jeremiah Show Theme Song “The Ocean and the Butterfly” by The Dave Matthews Band   NEW SHOWS - Every Friday Classic TJS Shows Drop Every Wednesday