How Owning Your Past Can Shape Your Future with Larry Miller
Larry Miller is the Chairman of the Jordan Brand at Nike and the former President of the Portland Trail Blazers. With a distinguished career spanning decades, he played a key role in expanding the Jordan Brand into a global powerhouse, helping drive its immense cultural and financial success. Before his tenure at Nike, Miller held executive roles at Jantzen, Kraft Foods, and Campbell Soup Company, proving his business acumen across multiple industries. However, what makes his story truly remarkable is his journey from incarceration to the highest levels of corporate leadership—a journey he kept secret for decades until he courageously decided to share it.
“People shouldn’t be judged for the worst thing they’ve ever done, especially if they have worked to change their lives. We all make mistakes, some bigger than others, but that doesn’t mean we should be permanently defined by them. When given a second chance, many people prove that they can contribute to society in meaningful, impactful ways.”
In this deeply personal interview, Miller opens up about his past, revealing how he was convicted of second-degree murder as a teenager and spent years in prison before turning his life around through education and relentless ambition. He discusses the impact of mentorship, the difficulty of reentering society with a criminal record, and the power of second chances. A significant portion of the conversation focuses on criminal justice reform, emphasizing the need for rehabilitation and reentry programs that provide real opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. Miller also shares his emotional meeting with the family of the man he killed, highlighting the importance of accountability, forgiveness, and making amends.
Episode Outline
(00:00:00) Introduction and Deciding to Share His Story
(00:04:00) Revealing His Past to Michael Jordan and Phil Knight
(00:07:00) Growing Up in Philadelphia and Falling into Crime
(00:10:00) Incarceration, Education, and Finding a New Path
(00:14:00) Building a Career While Hiding His Past
(00:20:00) Taking Accountability and Seeking Forgiveness
(00:28:00) Being Hired Despite His Record and Lessons from Leadership
(00:36:00) Criminal Justice Reform and the Jump Initiative
(00:45:00) The Role of Opportunity in Reducing Recidivism
(00:50:00) Final Reflections on Second Chances and Moving Forward