Zack Bonnie “graduated” from Rocky Mountain Academy at age sixteen, and then attended regular high school to fill the gaps in his education. He went on to college, an acting career in New York, tournament gambling, and adventures around the world. He is now an activist for the human rights of teens confined in residential facilities. Zack makes his home near the Blue Ridge Mountains of Central Virginia, where he loves to hike. Author of the Dead, Insane, or in Jail book series, Zack takes readers into the inner workings of the facility where he lived, and the impact the school had on his hyper-stimulated young mind. Incarcerated at age fourteen at a school for troubled teens in Northern Idaho, Zack has crafted a fast-moving, plot-driven memoir, with vivid characters and telling details, where even simple English words take on sinister meanings. In this first half of their two-part conversation, Zack explains to Rachel the struggles and epiphanies he had in writing his first book. Together they discuss the difficult feelings that arise from reliving his time in an abusive "Troubled Teen" institute as well as the healing it has brought for him as well as his readers. He explains the complex relationships he and his peers had with staff and shares how his perspective has shifted over the years. Before You Go: Rachel explains how too often parents will unnecessarily send their children to residential treatment centers simply for typical teenage behavior. She offers advice to parents on how to thoroughly vet organizations to ensure the safety and well-being of their children in both the long and short term. Find Zack's book on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/2hznZVR More information on Zack at: www.deadinsaneorinjail.com If you'd like to support Zack's work directly please consider becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/ZackDIJ Thanks to all of our newest Patreon supporters: Sarah Hinds, Anna Stanuch, Caitlin Benson, Fiona Jeyachandran, George, Atiya Wahab, Rene Steelman, Angela Marie, Ietseatapples, Anita Lehn, Deena, Lindsey, Roxanne, Megan Miller, Bobbie Andrews To help support the show monthly and get bonus episodes, shirts, and tote bags, please visit: www.patreon.com/indoctrination Prefer to support the IndoctriNation show with a one-time donation? Use this link: www.paypal.me/indoctrination You can help the show for free by leaving a rating on Spotify or Apple/ iTunes. It really helps the visibility of the show!