Matthew Melvin is the author of Bullied Behind Bars: A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes to Prison. It is his memoir that chronicles his lonely childhood, being misunderstood in large part due to his adult diagnosis of autism, being a gay Christian Trump supporter, and the events that led him to a stint of federal prison.

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Guest Resource

Bullied Behind Bars – A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes to Prison.

3 Value Bombs

1) A mental health court would prevent somebody from actually going to prison, provided they show up on a weekly basis and provided they don’t pick up any additional charges.

2) If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying, stand up for it. Get other people to help you get rid of it. Don’t let the bully bully everybody, and don’t let the bully force everybody out of the community.

3) People with autism have problems with social communication and interaction; repetitive behaviors occur quite often.

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Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

Today’s Audio MASTERCLASS: Lack of Mental Health Help in the Federal System

[1:12] – Matthew shares something that he believes about becoming successful that most people disagree with.

Every decision we make has both positive and negative consequences.
What other people think of you is none of your business.

[2:16] – Matthew talks about mental health.

He has autism. He is on the Autism Asperger’s spectrum.
He was institutionalized for 18 months when he was working for a car dealership. They didn’t pay him, so he decided to take a car.

[3:33] – Where does the federal system come up short, and what steps need to happen over the next years?

In the federal system, there is no mental health court.
A mental health court would prevent somebody from actually going to prison, provided they show up on a weekly basis and provided they don’t pick up any additional charges.

[4:43] – Matthew talks about homosexuality.

He was ostracized from many church organizations because he’s gay.
The pastor in one church he attended wanted him to take conversion therapy to become a straight person.
He also found a pastor that was dead set against homosexuality and asked him to leave when he found out he was gay.

[5:35] – The definition of conversion therapy.

It is when you take a person that is attracted to one sex and force them to be attracted to the opposite sex.

[6:46] – The experience Matt had when he was in federal prison.

He was booked on identity theft and money laundering charges.
His experience was a nightmare.
He was put in solitary confinement and was threatened to stay there for the rest of his time there.

[9:49] – A timeout to thank our sponsors!

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[12:20] – What is autism?

People with autism have problems with social communication and interaction; repetitive behaviors occur quite often.

[13:14] – Autism’s role in Matt’s book and the message he’s trying to send the world.

He doesn’t want anybody else to have to go through the horrible experience he did.
If you have a son or a daughter, and you’re engaging in small little stints breaking the law, it will compound itself and become worse if you don’t put a pin in it.

[14:34] – Matt’s life experience being bullied.

When they moved to Vermont because of bullying from their neighbor, he became isolated. He was bullied through middle, high school, and through a lot of college as well.
Make it known right away. Don’t let the bully get away with it.
Most bullies are cowards. If you stand up to them, they will back right down.

[17:15] – The reason Matt wrote the book “Bullied Behind Bars.”

One small mistake can lead to monumental consequences.
It’s a story that is like no other, that will captivate you from beginning to end. There’s never a dull moment.

[18:16] – Matt’s key takeaway and call to action.

Bullied Behind Bars – A Gay Christian Trump Supporter Goes to Prison.
If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying, stand up for it. Get other people to help you get rid of it. Don’t let the bully bully everybody, and don’t let the bully force everybody out of the community.

[18:24] – Thank you to our Sponsor!

HubSpot: HubSpot CRM’s powerful tools will help marketers WOW prospects, sales teams lock in deals, and service teams improve response times and overall service. Get started for free at HubSpot.com!

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Lack of Mental Health Help in the Federal System with Matthew Melvin

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