Hi, I’m Coach James Short, host of the Leading and Growing Your Real Estate Business podcast. Each week, I sit down with inspiring leaders, changemakers, and everyday heroes who’ve turned challenges into catalysts for growth.

In this deeply moving episode, I speak with Connie Palaniti — an Australian woman whose extraordinary life journey spans immigration, success, addiction, incarceration, and redemption. From building a thriving events business and organizing celebrity galas to losing everything through a gambling addiction that led to a $6 million theft and prison time, Connie’s story is raw, real, and ultimately redemptive.

After serving her sentence, Connie rebuilt her life from the ground up. She returned to university, became a bestselling author of From the Shadows Into the Light, and now dedicates her life to advocacy and education—breaking stigmas around addiction, incarceration, and second chances. This conversation is a masterclass in courage, vulnerability, and transformation.

✨ Key Takeaways:
✅ Addiction can affect anyone — it’s the hidden battle beneath success.
✅ True rehabilitation begins with empathy, education, and empowerment.
✅ Families are often the silent victims of addiction and incarceration.
✅ Reintegration requires systemic support — not judgment or rejection.
✅ Storytelling is a powerful tool for healing and societal change.
✅ Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Connie’s message is one of hope: no matter how dark life gets, it’s never too late to step back into the light. 🌟

👉 Listen now, subscribe for more weekly episodes, share this story to inspire others, and leave a review to support the show.

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