Portia Louder
| Portia Louder | |
| Nationality | American |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Author, speaker |
| Known for | Memoir Living Louder |
| Website | portialouder.com |
Portia Louder is an American author and speaker based in Utah, known for her memoir Living Louder, an account of the kindness, faith, and friendships she discovered during her incarceration in federal prison.[1][2] She speaks widely on redemption and second chances following her own journey through the criminal justice system.[2]
Before her writing career, Louder worked as a wedding photographer and in real estate. She was investigated and indicted for mortgage fraud and received a seven-year federal sentence, of which she served four and a half years in prisons in California and Minnesota while her husband and five children remained in Utah.[1] The letters and journal entries she recorded during that period became the basis of Living Louder.[1]
Early life
Louder grew up in Utah, one of seven children; her mother was a self-described hippie and her father was a Vietnam veteran, and her childhood was chaotic.[3] She became pregnant at seventeen, followed by a brief marriage, and after her divorce she moved to Salt Lake City as a single mother of two.[3] During a second marriage she placed her third child for adoption.[3] She developed an addiction to Percocet, lost her job, and later found recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous before a back surgery led to a relapse and the illegal activities that drew the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.[3]
Career
Photography and real estate
Louder began her career as a wedding photographer, building a photography business that served clients in Utah and surrounding states.[1] She entered real estate in 2004.[1]
Living Louder and later writing
Living Louder grew out of the letters and journal entries Louder kept while serving her sentence in prisons in California and Minnesota.[1] The memoir is downloadable free of charge in several U.S. state prison systems, and paperback copies are donated to prisons without tablet access; through the efforts of supporter Travis Richie, the book has been made available to roughly 500,000 incarcerated people in the United States.[1] Her second book, Born to Be Brave, addresses resilience of "mind, body & spirit."[1]
Speaking
Louder speaks on redemption, accountability, hope, and second chances, including appearances at The Other Side Academy.[1] Her talk "Beautiful Journey Through Federal Prison," subtitled "Rising from the Ashes: The Portia Louder Story of Redemption and Resilience," was featured on her website as a TEDx talk in January 2024.[3] She has appeared on podcasts including Bump in the Road and has been featured in recovery-focused media.[1] She was a panelist at the 2024 White Collar Conference, appearing on the session "Healing Through a Supportive Community."[2]
Related biographies
- Daniel Pink — Author
- Jeff Grant — Attorney, Minister & Support Group Founder
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 "Portia Louder". portialouder.com. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Portia Louder". White Collar Conference. Retrieved 2026-09-29.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 "Portia's TEDx Talk — Beautiful Journey Through Federal Prison". portialouder.com. Retrieved 2026-09-29.