Filmmaker and producer John Santilli joins Brent Cassity to share a story that goes way beyond Hollywood credits. From working on projects tied to major studio releases to building his career through grit and relationships, John seemed to be living the dream—until a complex business deal spiraled into a federal securities fraud case, a public arrest, and years of legal chaos.

In this raw conversation, John walks through what it felt like to watch his reputation collapse, how fear and isolation hit his family, and what it took to survive the mental grind of being overcharged, misunderstood, and pressured into plea deals. He opens up about the raid on his home, the harsh realities of the system, and the rare moment that changed everything: a judge who actually looked at him like a human being.

This is a nightmare-to-meaning comeback story about accountability, perspective, resilience, and rebuilding a life—one piece at a time.

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