About this episode
What if the biggest transformation in your life didn't start with a clean slate, but with a criminal record? What if the thing meant to crush you became the very pressure that cracked you open and released something new—something powerful, something irresistible? In this UNCOMMODiFiED Podcast conversation, Tim Windsor sits down with Emily O’Brien to explore what it takes to reframe your worst moment into the best story you can write. Emily’s story. From being arrested at Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Canada, with over two kilos of cocaine to building Comeback Snacks, a wildly successful mission-driven popcorn brand, Emily has turned rock bottom into a launchpad. Emily’s story isn’t just about popcorn—it’s about redemption, reintegration, and refusing to be defined by the lowest moment in your life. We explore how she built a brand behind bars, why she employs the formerly incarcerated, and the launch of her Comeback Catalyst program—training other second-chancers to create their own businesses. She shares the mindset shift that turned prison into her personal MBA, how trust can endure betrayal, and why listening to someone’s full story—not just reading their rap sheet—can change everything. If you’ve ever felt stuck—in a job, a relationship, a poor decision, or just in your own head—Emily’s story will inspire you to stop waiting for permission and start creating your next chapter right now. This isn’t a soft-focus redemption tale. It’s raw, genuine, and incredibly motivating. And by the end, you’ll be asking yourself one question: What’s the comeback you’re ready to make? Tim Windsor the UNCOMMODiFiED Podcast – Host & Guide tim@uncommodified.com https://uncommodified.com/ PRODUCERS: Alyne Gagne & Kris MacQueen MUSIC BY: https://themacqueens.ca/