Check out my exclusive “How I Built This” interview with NPR’s Guy Raz!
My story of transformation begins with surrender, medication, and learning a trade—in my case, computer-aided drafting and machining. This process taught me design principles, accountability, and the power of the mind to change outcomes.
That’s what excites me about organizations like Constructing Hope, which prepares people for careers in the trades and places a high percentage of graduates in jobs that result in meaningful careers. Their lives are transformed and everyone benefits including their employers, families, and communities. The effect is exponential.
Supporting Constructing Hope is a sure way of making a difference in the world.
May 9 interviews with KPTV's Stephanie Kralevich.
“I was a four-time loser before I realized I was in the wrong game.”
Watch The Dave’s Killer Bread Story.
About Dave
“After serving a total of four prison sentences for crimes ranging from burglary to armed robbery to drug dealing. Dave Dahl turned his life around during his last stint and rejoined the family bakery shortly after his release. He went on to co-create Dave’s Killer Bread.
Once sharing abandoned houses with cockroaches in Detroit, he now lives in a luxurious high rise penthouse in downtown PDX. His story epitomizes transformation.
Dave had to accept that—at least for Dave Dahl—there’s no “happily ever after”. But he finds great satisfaction in “fighting the good fight”, one day at a time. He believes that forgiveness of self and others is one of the keys to inner peace and personal growth. But it’s only one of many lessons he’s come away with through all of his struggles—and triumphs.
Dave’s Killer Bread, a family endeavor, was sold to Flowers Foods in 2015, leaving Dave with a void to fill. He spent the next 2-plus years building what is perhaps the largest collection of African tribal art in the world. During this time he lived a semi-hermetic lifestyle.
Now, with a healed heart and mind, he steps back out on a mission to help inspire others to find their own brand of success. “‘Good Seed’ is much more than a killer bread recipe. Having been a ‘bad seed’ and destroying everything in my path as a troubled young man, I finally found the path of humility and teachability. It gives me the courage to fall down 7 times, and get up 8.”
Dave’s recently-reformed band, the Killer Granddaddies, is made up of fellow reformed knuckleheads. They play blues rock covers and originals, playing parties, festivals and causes they support.
“I know what it’s like to feel down with no hope.
Now, I want to inspire people to know that there is ALWAYS hope.”
PRESS ARCHIVES
Here are just a few highlights and faves.
A FEW NEW THINGS
Central City Concern
I support many causes, but my strongest allegiance is to Central City Concern, who has been and continues to be a much-needed provider of transformative opportunities for the “underdog.” Seeing how mine and others’ success has positively affected families, businesses, communities—our world—has compelled me to support and be a part of efforts to help as many people as possible find their own amazing path… their own “Dave’s Killer Bread,” if you will. I really can’t emphasize enough how powerful this can be.
Felony, Inc.
The Felony Inc Podcast is a new weekly podcast where I interview with ex-felons that have launched their own startup companies after serving time in prison. I’m joined by my long-time friend, Ladd Justesen. The Felony Inc Podcast also airs live every Friday’s 10:00am-11:00am Pacific time.