Today, Mel sits down with one of the most extraordinary guests to ever appear on this podcast. If you’ve ever asked yourself: What’s my purpose? How can I make a difference? How do I stay hopeful when the world feels broken? This is the conversation that will change the way you think about your own power to lead a life that matters. Bryan Stevenson is Mel's personal hero, and what he shares in this episode will change how you see yourself. He is a world-renowned civil rights lawyer and author of Just Mercy, one of the most powerful books of our time which was turned into a movie in which Michael B. Jordan played Bryan. Bryan is the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative and has argued and won cases before the United States Supreme Court. He has saved over 140 people from death row, many of them who were wrongly convicted, and his work has fundamentally transformed the conversation about justice, mercy, and human dignity. His life’s mission is proving one powerful truth: You are not defined by your worst mistake. And neither is anyone else. This episode will shake you, open you, and move you to action. You’ll learn: – 3 life-changing lessons from the lawyer who’s saved 140 lives – The mindset that will help you stay hopeful, even in the darkest moments – Why compassion is courage — and how to practice it daily – How to live a life that reflects what you truly believe – Why the smallest actions often create the biggest change If you’re feeling overwhelmed, discouraged, or unsure how to make a real difference, this episode is for you. For more resources related to today’s episode, click here for the podcast episode page: https://www.melrobbins.com/episode/episode-295/ Follow The Mel Robbins Podcast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themelrobbinspodcast I’m just your friend. I am not a licensed therapist, and this podcast is NOT intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional. Got it? Good. I’ll see you in the next episode. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 07:15 What Justice and Mercy Really Means 19:05 How a Prison Visit Changed The Course of Bryan's Life 24:26 Why Proximity Is the Most Powerful Force for Change 33:20 Becoming a Stonecatcher: How to Lead With Compassion 41:15 You Are Not the Worst Thing You’ve Ever Done 01:02:09 The Walter McMillan Story: The Case That Inspired Just Mercy 01:15:24 How to Stay Hopeful When Everything Feels Broken — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah