The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

Sharp, a former Las Vegas pimp turned popular podcaster, sits down with Johnny Mitchell to reveal the harsh realities of pimping and the lessons he's learned from his time in the game. From growing up in poverty to navigating the complexities of street life, Sharp shares the untold truths of pimping, its misconceptions, and how he transitioned into podcasting with Sharp Tank on the No Jumper Network. Today, he uses his platform to support at-risk youth and victims of human trafficking. Watch as he reflects on his past, discusses stereotypes, and talks about his new purpose.

Go Support Sharp!

Podcast: SHARP TANK on @NoJumper

YouTube: @THASHARPONE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/tha_sharp_one/

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In this episode we dive deep into the extraordinary life story of Ian Heinisch, a professional UFC middleweight fighter and crypto investor with a past that sounds like a Hollywood movie. Before becoming a top-ranked fighter, Ian was involved in international drug trafficking and spent years on the run, crossing paths with dangerous criminals across the globe.

Join us as Ian shares his journey from growing up in a middle-class family in Denver, Colorado, to becoming one of the most wanted men in Europe, smuggling drugs for Colombian cartels, and surviving in some of the most dangerous prisons in Spain. Discover how he turned his life around, embracing MMA while behind bars, and rapidly climbing the ranks in the UFC after his release.

In this candid conversation, Ian opens up about his past mistakes, the lessons he learned along the way, and his redemption through fighting and investing. This is a story of resilience, transformation, and the power of second chances.

Go Support Ian!

YouTube: @CryptoKings888

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ianheinischmma

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George Christie, a long-time member and former chapter president of the Hells Angels in Ventura, California, discusses his experiences with the club, including surviving rival clubs, internal beef, and numerous federal indictments. George debates whether the Hells Angels are a criminal organization or just a motorcycle club with some problematic members. He discusses internal power struggles within the Hells Angels, particularly with Sunny Barger, and reflects on the challenges law enforcement faces in prosecuting the gang due to its complex structure and autonomous operations. Now retired, Christie has distanced himself from the club and reflects on his past, emphasizing that while the Hells Angels engaged in criminal acts, they also sought to maintain a certain code and order within their ranks.

Go Support George!

Website: https://www.georgechristie.com/

YouTube: @GeorgeGusChristie

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/georgechristie

IG: https://www.instagram.com/georgechristiejr/

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Chris Arevalos came home to Southern Indiana after his service in the military feeling directionless. He quickly fell into the vicious cycle of opioid addiction that plagued his hometown. Now in the dark world of drugs, he began a life criminal activity and before long was sentenced to federal prison time. Chris was sent to Big Sandy, one of the most notorious prisons in the federal system. He was immediately recruited by La Eme-- The Mexican Mafia. He describes life inside La Eme and his experiences as a member. Chris was fortunate enough to get out of the gang and turn his life around. This is the story of Chris overcoming addiction, surviving prison gang life, and his story of redemption by not letting his mistakes define his future.

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Sammy "The Bull" Gravano is one of the most famous and notorious mafia figures in history. He was John Gotti's right hand man. He helped Gotti become the boss of the Gambino Crime Family and did PLENTY to get his hands dirty. When him and John were arrested by the FBI, Sammy made the decision to cooperate and help put the Teflon Don in prison for good. This is his story.

Go Support Sammy!

YouTube: @officialsammythebull

IG: https://www.instagram.com/officialsammythebull/

Podcast: https://www.ourthing.tv/

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Andrew Bustamante is a well known retired CIA spy. He gives us insight on how the CIA operates from an insiders perspective. He breaks down how intelligence is collected both inside and outside the boundaries of international law. Andy and Johnny have some heated debates over the concept of "The Deep State", international tensions, and the ethics of US involvement around the world.

Go Support Andrew!

Website: https://everydayspy.com

Podcast: @EverydaySpyPodcast

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Dr. Hal Bradley is a pastor in the Pacific Northwest. But before he joined the ministry and became a counselor he was a lieutenant in the Sinaloa Cartel during the 70s and 80s. Fresh out of the marines, he reconnected with friends he made on a trip to Mexico when he was a teenager, only to find out they were now part of a major crime syndicate. He joined up and became responsible for their operations in the Northwest United States. But the realities of this life and the people he was involved with made him rethink the path he had chosen. He then turned himself in and spent 20 years helping the federal government dismantle the organization he was once working with. Today he helps people struggling with addiction as a way to further combat the sins of his past. His story of redemption is an inspiring one.

Go Support Dr. Bradley!

https://www.hostingauthors.com/authors/DrHal

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Despite growing up in a strict military home in Houston, Texas, Rex Holloway became a troublemaker at a young age. Falling into the wrong crowd, he quickly found himself in the world of drugs, burglary and armed robbery. This lifestyle caught up with him when he was arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison. Once inside, he continued a path of destruction and joined the Aryan Brotherhood of Texas gang. Rex quickly built a name for himself in the gang and became a shot caller. He spent a lot of his time in and out of solitary confinement and giving orders to other members in the prison. Then one day after an attempted hit gone wrong, Rex began to rethink his life and the decisions that held led him there. He decided to quit the gang and turn his life around. Since he has gotten out of prison he helped other people, become a successful businessman and has a great family life. This is the story of Rex's incredible redemption from gang leader to health coach and philanthropist.

Go Support Rex!

Executive Powerbuilding: https://a.co/d/ie8tbDo

The Wolf And The Lion: https://a.co/d/60jOLDr

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rexholloway

Website: https://rexhollowaywriter.com/

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This is the story of the Saltwater Cowboys; a group of backwoods hippies that became the largest pot smugglers in American History and changed the course of trafficking in not only South Florida, but the entire United States. The surviving members tell us how the operation began and the massive federal takedown that landed them in prison, plus the aftermath of everything once it was done. This is a glimpse into a piece of American History as well as the people involved and how they changed their lives after being one of the most clandestine criminal organizations ever.

Go Support Tim and Craig!

Tim's Book: https://www.amazon.com/Saltwater-Cowboy-Rise-Marijuana-Empire/dp/1250051282

Tim's IG: https://www.instagram.com/originalsaltwatercowboy/?hl=en

Tim's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southwestfloridaoutlaw/

Craig's Boat Tours: https://www.captaincraigsadventures.com/

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Jay Dobyns was an ATF agent looking for undercover work. When he was told he was being sent in to infiltrate the notorious Hell's Angels gang he apprehensive to say the least. The gang was known for drug smuggling and being extremely violent. He reluctantly took the assignment and quickly ingratiated himself with one of the biggest motorcycle gangs in history. As he moved up and got closer to being "patched in" he learned more about the inner workings. His years of being undercover led to a massive RICO case that took down numerous members of the organization. He's here to tell us all about it.

Go Support Jay!

Website & Books: https://jaydobyns.com/index.html

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David Packouz's life started as a fairly normal one. When he was 23 he began working with his childhood friend Efraim in his new arms business. They began securing government contracts to supply arms to the US military during the second Gulf War. To increase their revenue and contracts they began sourcing ammunitions from China via Albania which was illegal to do. When the US Government caught on to what they were doing, it resulted in federal indictments, betrayal and prison time. David's story was told in the Hollywood blockbuster movie WAR DOGS. He's here today to tell us exactly how everything went down!

Go Support David!

Courses: https://wardogsacademy.com

Music Company: https://www.singularsound.com/

InstaFloss: https://instafloss.com/

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Cavario Hodges was raised in Harlem, New York. His entire family was involved in the illegal drug business in NYC for generations. He grew up around notorious figures like Nicky Barnes and Frank Lucas. Naturally, being surrounded by such activity led him down a similar path. He eventually starting running his own dope operation in Baltimore. His activities here was the foundation for the popular show The Wire. Seeing his future ending with either prison or death, he was saved by a spiritual awakening and left the criminal life for good. He tells us all about his road from kingpin to finding a higher and healthier purpose in life. Cavario also gives incredible insight and history of the drug trade in the Eastern United States. He is now an accomplished author and journalist and even conducts interviews for platforms like VladTV.

Go Support Cavario!

Website (all books available here): https://themindplugacademy.com/

YouTube: @Cavario.Online

IG: https://www.instagram.com/themindplug/

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Tony Hernandez grew up surrounded by the Mafia in Queens, New York. In fact, his uncle was one of the leaders of the French Connection. As a kid, Tony would hang out in the bars and social clubs that his uncle ran for the other wise guys. But for some reason, Tony went the other way. He became a New York City cop, where he worked for ten years down in the subway system. Despite having grown up around the criminal element, Tony says that crime in NYC NOW is out of control!

Go Support Tony!

YouTube: @CorruptionConnection

IG: https://www.instagram.com/corruptionconnection

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Mikki Mase quickly made a name for himself on the Las Vegas scene by being one of the youngest and most successful high rollers in the city. He's been featured in the World Series of Poker and made MILLIONS at the tables. He got so successful that he eventually became banned throughout all of Vegas. Today he's exposing the cheating tactics that not just the casinos use, but the online gambling sites, who he claims are even more corrupt. We get a glimpse into the life of a young high roller and peek behind the curtain of a multibillion dollar industry full of scams.

Go Support Mikki!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dirtygothboi

Mikki's Business Venture: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeqo3YBNmgvKJtmBcrnMvCDbegeZ1LjBBpsvpXkIMtrzb_GCg/viewform

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Joseph Barone Jr was raised with mob ties; his father was a hitman for the Genovese crime family. So it wasn't long before Joe started running with the same type of people. He got close with the Bonanno Family and started working for them. One day he was pinched by the Feds and when they revealed the truth about his father's death he agreed to flip. He spent the next 18 years giving the FBI information on the inner workings of the mob that led to countless takedowns. He's here to tell us all about it!

Check Out Joe's Podcasts!

Mafia Roundtable: https://www.youtube.com/@mafiaroundtable

The Goodfellow Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TheGoodfellowPodcast

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Martin Mejias, known on the streets of New York City as Chango, grew up in Harlem after his family immigrated from Puerto Rico. At a young age he was quickly exposed to the illegal drug game in his neighborhood and before long became a part of it. It wasn't long before he was full-on selling and manufacturing crack cocaine and swiftly became a young kingpin with an entire crew working for him. He tells us about his days in the illegal drug market, the bust that landed him in prison, the destruction he caused on his community and family, and decisions that led to him turning his life around.

Go Support Chango!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chango_cp5

Chango's Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CHANGO842

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Investigative journalist, Chris Todd, discusses his research and findings about the infamous OJ Simpson murder case that led to him writing a book about it. He dives into the evidence he found, including a confession, of a second killer, OJ's ties with the mafia and a ring of crime involving drug trafficking that all lead back to the murder itself. Believe him or not, there are some fascinating revelations in this one!

Support Chris!

Books:

Ron's Revenge: https://www.amazon.com/RONS-REVENGE-Chris-Todd/dp/B08KTWGY64

Forest For The Trees: https://www.amazon.com/Forest-Trees-Indiana-murdered-teenage/dp/B0BKFKS1BL

Email: [email protected]

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Ali Siddiq is a famous standup comedian that headlines and sells out comedy clubs and theaters around the world. But his path to success in comedy is not a common one. He grew up in Houston's Third Ward surrounded by drug use and crime. At a young age he began selling drugs and quickly built an illegal empire, reaching kingpin status. He was busted by law enforcement and served time in some of the worst prisons in Texas. It was in these prisons that he discovered his talent for speaking and making people laugh. He turned his life around, got out of prison and has created a wildly successful career for himself as a standup. Ali joins the show to talk about his experiences as well as his regrets and lessons learned from his earlier life as a criminal and how he's encouraging people now to live a more positive life.

Go Support Ali!

YouTube: @AliSiddiqComedy

Website: https://alisiddiq.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/alisiddiq/

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Chris George ran one of the most successful and notorious "pill mill" pharmacies in Florida at the height of the oxycontin opioid epidemic in the late 2000s. He began his criminal career as a teenager buying a selling illegal steroids and eventually ran it through a business front with his brother. In his late 20s he entered the burgeoning pain management industry and quickly Chris and his brother were running the largest pain pill mill company in the state; South Florida Pain Clinic. His entire family entered the business with him and soon he caught the attention of the feds and was eventually served 10 years in prison. Today he runs a legitimate successful business and has been featured in numerous documentaries, television series', and news shows telling his story.

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Chris Curtis grew up in Orange County, California in area rife with addiction and crime. As a child he was not protected from this reality and in fact was encouraged to be a part of it. Struggling with addiction and turning to a life of crime, Chris ended up getting sentenced to life in prison as a result of California's Three Strikes law. There he found himself in some of the most dangerous institutions in the state. He's on the show to talk about how he ended up getting out of prison with a life sentence, cleaning up and overcoming his addiction, and becoming a mentor of hope for kids just like he was.

Go Support Chris!

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Orange-County-Dark-Christopher-Curtis/dp/1644565935

IG: https://www.instagram.com/octhedarkside8083/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@octhedarkside8083

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Barry Minkow is one of the most infamous financial scam artists in American History. By the age of 21 he was running a ponzi scheme worth a billion dollars. He made history by being the youngest person to take a company public with his carpet cleaning business. But what people didn't know was that Barry was using money from the mafia to help fund this business. He ran bank and wire fraud, embezzled money from investors, and much more. Barry was so committed to running scams that he's been convicted more than once- one of these convictions came down WHILE he was helping the feds in fraud cases. He ended serving time in federal prison and turned his life around. He works now with the federal government go after companies that are committing fraud just like he used to.

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Oscar Castro grew up in New Jersey to a loving family. When he dropped out of high school he immediately got a job and met someone that talked him into being a drug mule for a Colombian organization. As law enforcement began cracking down in Colombia the operations moved to Ecuador. One on pickup Oscar was arrested in Ecuador by Interpol and the DEA. From there he spent 7 years in some of the most horrific jails and prisons in Ecuador where death, drugs, and riots lasting for weeks were common occurrences. He's here to tell us all about his experiences and his journey to turning his life around and wanting to help others avoid going down the path he did as a young man.

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Dominick Cicale grew up in the Bronx burrow of New York City. Surrounded by criminal activity he quickly started associating with mafia and eventually became a "Made Man" with the Bonanno Crime Family. Before long he was made a captain and had over 20 soldiers working for him. He was involved in racketeering, illegal gambling, and even murder. After a particular hit went down he ended up cooperating with the Federal Government to help take down other associates, served time in federal prison, and eventually left the life of crime. Today he is a successful business man and living a fulfilling life with his family. He joins the show to tell his incredible story of going into the deepest depths of organized crime and coming out the other side a changed man!

Go Support Dom!

EG Vodka: https://egvodka.com/

Preorder The Book: https://theperfectcrimefamily.com/

Podcast: @mafiaroundtable

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Garet McLendon shares his story of going from addiction and prison gangs to sobriety and recovery.

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Garet grew up in Palmdale CA. At a young age he was exposed to the drugs that were rampant in his community. He quickly found himself not only addicted to drugs, but selling them to support his habit. This life led him to spending time in and out of some of America's most dangerous prisons. While in prison he joined gangs and even became a shot caller. Garet is here to share his stories of not just surviving maximum security prison, but his path to sobriety and recovery and how he's helping others get off drugs and avoid the mistakes and lifestyle choices he made as a young man.

Go Support Garet and contact him if you need help with addiction recovery!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/garetmclendon/

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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6mc4qAxpztC6D20wzeS91C

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Myron Gaines is the well known and very controversial host of the Fresh And Fit Podcast. What a lot of people don’t know is before he became a famous podcaster and fitness coach, he was a special agent with Homeland Security. After attending Northwestern University, Myron started working with HSI in Loredo, Texas. He was involved with Mexican Cartel stings, wiretaps, undercover operations, and immigration. He joins the show today to tell all about his time as a federal agent, how that field ACTUALLY works, and ultimately that caused him to leave.

Go Support Myron's Channels!

Fresh And Fit Podcast: @FreshFitMiami

Fed Reacts: @FedReacts

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Steve James learned the power of money at a young age. In rural Georgia during the 1950s he discovered the basics of business by watching his grandfather hustle ranchers for cattle. He took these lessons and applied them to crime. By the age of 13 he was smuggling in pot from Panama and became the main distributer in his town. He continued scaling his business which eventually led to him trafficking seeds from Afghanistan and starting the first indica grows on the island of Jamaica. He's here to tell us all about his life story; crime, addiction, betrayal and a federal case that landed him the crosshairs of the FBI.

Go Support Steve!

Website: https://indicathebook.com/

Book On Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Indica-Steven-Person-Marijuana-Jamaica-ebook/dp/B09HHNSM4Z

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Matthew Cox shares the details that led to him becoming one of the most wanted men in America by the FBI and the Secret Service. He started as an honest insurance salesman and quickly found himself committing fraud as a mortgage lender. It wasn't long before he found himself creating and stealing identities, forging real estate documents, opening credit lines, faking deaths and borrowing more than 11 million dollars from banks all across the country.

Go Support Matt!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/insidetruecrime/

TikTok: tiktok.com/@matthewcoxtruecrime

YouTube: @InsideTrueCrime

FaceBook: https://m.facebook.com/MatthewCoxTrueCrime/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Shark-Housing-Pool-Matthew-Cox/dp/B0851KBYCF

Art: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CoxPopArt

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Understanding multi-layered news like government corruption is easier with Ground News. Go to https://ground.news/theconnect to get 30% off their unlimited access Vantage plan.

Jeff Turner is a brilliantly talented designer and printer. Little did he know that those skills would help feed a drug addiction by printing some of the most realistic counterfeit bills that the Secret Service has ever seen. He has been described as the Picasso of counterfeit money. Jeff joins the show to detail how he taught himself the art of printing fake money, the rise of his scam, and the moment he was caught by the federal government and sent to prison. His work was so legendary that the Feds praised him for his sophistication and even had him film tutorials for them on his process. Today he is running a legitimate printing business, sober and being a positive influence for his kids!

Go Support Jeff!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/j.turner727/

Website: https://graphicalwarehouse.com/

YouTube: @jeffreypatrickturner

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Matty Boy hails from California’s Bay Area. As a young kid he was exposed to the criminal life by his parents who were both affiliated with the Hell’s Angels and CA prison gangs. It wasn’t long before he joined the life and started selling huge amounts of meth. In this time he started a street gang called FAIM- Family Affiliated Irish Mafia. This path sent him straight to federal court where he was looking at potentially life in prison. He’s here to talk about his life in the criminal world, starting a white prison gang, and how he turned his life around and started his new chapter as a well known rapper!

Go Support Matty Boy!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/mattyboy1417/

YouTube: @mattyboymusic4020

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Criminal Defense Lawyer, Nicholas Rosenberg, has defended some of the most dangerous people in the criminal world of Los Angeles. He walks us through the unconventional road he took to criminal law. He goes into detail about how the criminal justice system works, the corruption, and the tips he has for anyone that gets caught up in the law. Plus a discussion about a current case he’s working that is on the path to become an historical case in the state of California!

Go Support Rosenberg!

Documentary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XANVDdM0IcE

IG: https://www.instagram.com/attorneyrosenberg/

Website: https://losangelesdefenders.com/

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JD Delay spent much of his life in and out of prison. So much so, that he eventually found himself as the shot caller for the Irish Pride prison gang in Oregon’s maximum security prison. He explains how he climbed the ranks, the politics on the inside, the horrors he witnessed and the ones he partook in. He also describes the moment he chose to turn his life around, get sober, and help others in recovery when he got out to make sure no one goes down the same path he did. It’s a must listen!

Go Support JD!

YouTube: @JdDelay5150

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jddelay5150?lang=en

Clothing Brand: https://convictclothing.net/

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Vidal Guzman was a troublemaker as a young kid in Harlem. His knack for stick-ups and robberies landed him in Rikers Island at the age of 16. When he went back at the age of 19 he was a member of the Bloods Gang. While he spent years in Rikers before serving his time in prison he was subject to inhumane conditions by not only the other inmates but by the faculty and the state of the facilities. Once he got out for good he became an organizer working to shut Rikers down for good. He’s here to tell us about his experience on the island and the SUCCESSFUL campaign he’s been a part of!

Go Support Vidal!

Organization: https://www.americaontrialinc.org/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/iamvidalguzman/?hl=en

To donate to AOT visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/AmericaOnTrialFundraiser/donate?ucdirect=1

00:00:00 - Surviving Rikers Island

00:07:34 - Criminal Upbringing and Family Influence

00:14:51 - Living in Washington Heights 

00:22:40 - From the Hood Vikings to the Bloods

00:30:19 - The Beginning of Neighborhood Protection

00:37:56 - Growing Up in a Dangerous Neighborhood

00:45:39 - Introduction to Rikers Island

00:53:27 - The Rocking Spots and Gang Violence at Rikers Island

01:01:12 - Survival in the Violence of the Streets

01:09:25 - Surviving In Jail

01:16:46 - Facing Harassment and Trouble with the Law

01:24:30 - Life in the Hood and Joining the Bloods

01:32:11 - Bloods and Street Organization

01:40:12 - Discussing parole and probation violations

01:48:17 - The Phone Business in Prisons and its Dangers

01:56:00 - Violent Incidents on Rikers Island

02:04:06 - Life in Gangs and Solitary Confinement

02:12:08 - Losing Good Time and the Impact on Parole

02:19:56 - Violations and Dangers of Rikers Island

02:27:45 - Closing Rikers and the Impact

02:35:46 - Sponsorship Announcement

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Gene Borrello was part of the last generation of NYC’s wild wise guys. He joined the Bonnano Crime Family at a young age and quickly got close with the family’s boss. His reputation of violence and brutality made him a name that everyone in the city feared. After being indicted on RICO charges he eventually flipped on his former crime associates and entered witness protection. He’s here to tell us all about the final days of the mob as the world knew it!

Go Follow Gene!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/geneborrello/

Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcEOVWzV1YqvHd0vn94aeFLJrLgntzqP

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Born-LIfe-Borrello-Ex-Bonanno-Enforcer/dp/1667805576

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Ray Trapani is one of the minds behind Centra Tech; a cryptocurrency company that defrauded HALF A BILLION DOLLARS from investors. He and two friends created the business selling the idea of a new tech that didn't actually exist yet. His story has trauma, wild parties, addiction, an imaginary CEO, faked deaths, Floyd Mayweather and so much more!

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IG: https://www.instagram.com/raytrapani/

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Anthony Ruggiano was quite literally BORN into the mafia. His father was Fat Andy Runggiano, one of the most notorious capos for the Gambino Crime Family. It didn’t take long for Anthony to follow his father’s footsteps and start earning for the mob. He came up with John Gotti and the two became close friends and associates. Living a life of extortion, burglary, murder, and drug addiction took its toll on Anthony landing him in and out of prison. Then one he was picked up by the FBI in a RICO indictment that eventually led to him becoming a federal witness, landed him in witness protection, and eventually turned his life around. Today, he is sober, legitimate, and coming to terms with the regrets and guilt of his prior life. He’s here to talk all about it!

Go Support Anthony!

Website: https://www.anthonyruggiano.com/

YouTube: @AnthonyRuggiano

IG: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyruggianojr/

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Freeway Ricky Ross has one of the most infamous drug dealer stories in the world. He is undoubtedly a part of American history and by far one of the most requested guests on The Connect. Rick joins the show to discuss his time as one of the lynchpins of the crack epidemic in the 1980s, his regrets and lessons learned, finding out he was a pawn in an illegal CIA operation and how he got out from under a life sentence in prison. He also discusses his new life after prison, how he’s helping others learn from his mistakes, and his new business ventures!

Go Support Rick!

Books and Merch: https://b7eab896-adc4-474a-9ab1-56ec7dd1576a.godaddysites.com/shop

YouTube: @FreewayRickyRoss1

New Shop In LA: https://www.instagram.com/freewayrickys/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/freewayricky/

Website: https://freewayrickyross.com/

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Tegan Broadwater joins the show to explain exactly how he, a touring musician, became a cop in Fort Worth, Texas and ended up going undercover and infiltrating one of the most notorious Crip gang sets in all of Texas. He gives details of how he climbed the ranks, was almost found several times, had close encounters with death, and eventually took the set down in a 51 man roundup.

Go Support Tegan!

Life In The Fish Bowl Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0578661624

YouTube: @UncommonSouls

IG: https://www.instagram.com/teganbroadwater/?hl=en

Website: https://teganbroadwater.com/

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Rich Laferrere was a simple dispatcher and driver for a transportation company in a small Connecticut town. Before too long he found himself putting those skills to use smuggling pot all across the eastern seaboard. This new found business eventually scaled to the point of having connects across the country and eventually landing him in the spot as the top logistics person in the US for the most notorious crime family in Canada. He was making millions, powerful and respected...until one day it all came crashing down and he was face to face with the federal government. Today he consults with the DEA and lives a prosperous life running his own business, a far cry from his days as a smuggling kingpin!

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This week we bring you a completely exclusive interview with a migrant smuggler who has asked to remain anonymous. He spoke with us at the El Paso/Juarez border. He goes into detail about how he got involved in helping migrants cross the border, the organizations and cartels that run the operation, how and why migrants are coming over, as well as insight into the treatment of these on both sides of the border and the direction he believes this is all headed. It’s a one of a kind, fascinating conversation with a perspective you won’t get anywhere else!

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Mikki Mase went from being homeless and addicted to drugs to a sober life running several small businesses. Within a couple years he found himself making big money at the tables in Vegas and quickly became one of the cities’ most notorious high rollers. He joins the show to discuss how he discovered the casino industry cheats its customers, how he flipped the tables on the house, and the work he’s doing now to help people recover from gambling addictions!

Go Support Mikki!

The Innocence Project: https://innocenceproject.org/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/dirtygothboi/

Mikki’s Recovery Project: https://www.instagram.com/shakenhearts/

YouTube: @dirtygothboi

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Ed Calderon grew up in Tijuana, Mexico. At a young age he was a rebel committing petty crimes until one day he found himself as part of an elite squad of Mexican law enforcement, tasked with taking down the cartel. He came on the show to talk about being front line in one of the most notorious cartel wars in Mexican history, the current and future state of Tijuana, and the existential crisis that both Mexico and the U.S. are facing together.

Go Support Ed!

Website: https://www.edsmanifesto.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/manifestoradiopodcast/

YouTube: @manifestoradionetwork3191

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Germano Tomassetti was living in a homeless shelter in Winnipeg, Canada as a young adult when he befriended a high ranking member of the Canadian mob. He soon found himself collecting debts, blackmailing wealthy business owners, and running scams all around the globe. He was making millions of dollars until one day it all came crashing down. He's here today to tell us about his days as an international criminal and what led him to leave it all behind and change his life.

Go Support Germano!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/therealgermanotomassetti/

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Journalist, Luis Chaparro, sat down at the U.S.-Mexico border in Juarez to discuss the current immigration crisis. He explains how Ciudad Juarez has become the number one crossing point for migrants getting into the United States, how criminal organizations AND government officials have profited, and toll it's taken on the citizens on both sides.

Go Support Luis!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/luiskuryaki/

YouTube: @luischaparro  

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Gary Heyward started as a normal jail guard fresh out of the marines. But after financial struggles and exposure to corruption from other corrections officers he soon began running a smuggling ring bringing in tobacco, drugs, and women to the inmates. This behavior eventually landed him in the role of inmate, completely changing his life.

Go Support Gary!

Book: https://a.co/d/bd09oab 

YouTube Channel: @garyheyward  

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Ian Bick, a kid from a gated community in Connecticut, started throwing parties for other kids his age. He quickly found a calling in promoting and by his late teens he was booking concerts for some of the biggest artists at the time. His investors were promised big returns on their money as his business was booming. Little did they know, not only was he not making their money back, but he was spending on a lavish lifestyle...

Go Support Ian!

Website: https://www.ianbick.com/

YouTube Channel: @ianbickCT  

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Charlie Webster, renowned journalist and host of the successful Surviving El Chapo series, joins the show to discuss the Flores Twins. She spent years interviewing them and getting deep insight to the two brothers that became some of the largest kingpins in the world and then making the shocking decision to work with American feds to take down one of the most wanted men on the globe. 

Go Support Charlie!

Surviving El Chapo Podcast: https://lionsgatesound.com/shows/surviving-el-chapo 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/charliewebster/ 

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Larry Rolla started out as a young kid in Queens surrounded by the tough life of 1950s NYC youth gangs and wise guys. He went from stickups to finding a passion and calling in horse training and racing. After a corrupt racetrack owner sent him into the grips of poverty his legitimate, reformed life quickly turned into fixing races for the mob and a gripping gambling addiction. Larry joins the show to tell us all about his odyssey. 

Go Support Larry!

Book: amazon.com/Against-All-Odds-Larry-Rolla/dp/1729108598

Website: https://larryrolla.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RollasCorner 

YouTube: @LarryRolla

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Crip Mac is a member of the dangerous 55th Street Crips in Los Angeles. He has spent his life in and out of county jail and state prisons. Mac joins the show to describe how life works in the Crips organization, on the deadly streets of South Central, and the violent rules of gangs in prison.

Check Out Crip Mac!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/55thstreet_/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@therealcripmac

YouTube: @55thstreet_ and @macventures  

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Mike Dowd, a former NYPD officer, explains how shortly after becoming a cop in Brooklyn’s 75th Precinct, he started taking dirty money and eventually became a drug dealer himself. He was taken down in one of the most notorious federal cases against police corruption in American history and served time in federal prison. Mike tells us his entire story from young hopeful police officer to reformed criminal.

Check Out Mike On Social Media!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/themikedowd/ 

X: https://twitter.com/TheMikeDowd 

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As a teenager from Yonkers, Lillo Brancato was discovered by Robert De Niro to shot to fame starring in the critically acclaimed A Bronx Tale. A decade later he found himself addicted to drugs, struggling to work, and facing a second degree murder charge in the fatal shooting of a police officer. He joins us to talk about his road from actor, to inmate, to community leader.

Check Out Lillo's Recovery Work And IG!

More Life Recovery Center: https://moreliferecoverycenter.com/ 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/lillo_brancato/

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As a young immigrant child in New York City's Chinatown, Jimmy "Bighead" Tsui quickly became immersed in the gang world of the Lower East Side. He quickly rose the ranks and soon became an associate of the Chinese Mafia in Hong Kong moving drugs in and out of the country. He joins the show to breakdown exactly how Chinese gangs operated in the US and Hong Kong before he left the life of crime, became a volunteer police officer, and started being a positive influence on the youth in the neighborhood that raised him.

Check Out Chinatown Gang Stories!

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/ @chinatowngangstories  

IG: https://www.instagram.com/chinatowngangstories/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/ @chinatowngangstories 

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David "Chicky" Cicchetelli was a young man in Springfield, Massachusetts when joined a mafia boss from the infamous Genovese Crime Family. What started as petty loan sharking quickly turned into a multimillion dollar illegal bookie business for Chicky. Years after doing time for that, he ended up getting rolled up in the biggest indictment in East Coast history... 

Follow Chicky!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chickycecchetelli_/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Chicky-Cecchetelli/pfbid02AG6oPPw2cim9VecbiAA7p32Ya1M3oRRChi2hw3jATmttUpjMzRkFUZFmYbNZ83x4l/

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Cristina Cruz grew up in a notorious gang territory of Northeast Los Angeles. At a young age she was jumped into the gang and slipped into a life of crime and drug addiction. It wasn't until she was indicted in a RICO case with over 70 other individuals that she got sober, turned her life around, and became a successful podcast host. Her story is one of loss and redemption.

Support Cristina's Podcast And Teeth Whitening Business!

YouTube Channel: @IndictedTV  

Spotify: http://bit.ly/IndictedTvSpotify

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thelatoothfairy/

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Brandon Novak became a household name in the early 2000s after becoming a fixture on the hit shows Jacka$$ and Viva La Bam. But despite the success of fame and professional skateboarding he lived a dark life full of crime and drug addiction. After two decades he's gotten clean and found his calling in life; helping others. Brandon joins the show to tell us all about his life and road to recovery.

Support Brandon's Work and Recovery Homes!

Website: https://brandonnovak.com/

Novak's House: https://www.instagram.com/novakshouse/?hl=en

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Cookie Hood grew up in both the US and Nicaragua. At a young age she was a socialite and became close with the people that would not only fight in Nicaragua's revolution, but also traffic drugs to help the CIA fund a proxy war that ended in one of the biggest scandals in American history. When she became a journalist for CBS during the Iran-Contra conflict, those old contacts came in handy to help expose secrets of both the American and the Nicaraguan governments!

Subscribe to Cookie's Platforms 👇👇👇 

https://journalistapodcast.com/

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Salvatore Polisi was a young kid in New York City when we started doing jobs for the Colombo mafia. He came up with guys like John Gotti and ACTUAL characters from the classic film GoodFellas. He went from loan sharking to dope dealing before really taking off planning heists. He tells us all about his time in the mob, the moment he knew he wanted out, and how he was able to take down a corrupt judge as a state witness.

Check out Sal's book: https://a.co/d/5RttFuQ

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This is a full release of a previously Patreon exclusive episode! Roger Reaves grew up as a small town farm boy in the south. After discovering a passion for flying and a need for money he quickly fell into the world of international drug smuggling, leading him to work directly with Pablo Escobar. His life story is a wild one, including being shot out of the air twice and several prison escapes!

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Before he was a standup comedian, Richard Villa grew up in Compton where at the age of 8 years old he worked his dad as a drug dealer. Richard joins The Connect to talk about his upbringing in Los Angeles, the trauma of being involved in crime at such a young age, and how he turned his life around and became a successful comedian.

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Explore the mysteries of humanity's origins, the construction of the pyramids, the influence of the occult, and the fascination with extraterrestrial life in this deep-dive with Esoteric Eddie. Tracing the path of human evolution, societal control, and the role of consciousness, this video challenges commonly held beliefs, sharing thought-provoking theories from ancient civilizations to modern times. Eddie, a multifaceted artist, and mystic historian share his views on aliens, inter-dimensional entities, and future-human warning theorists. 

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As a young man in college, Eric Canori, quickly built an empire that landed him directly in the belly of the smuggling underworld. He devised a sophisticated network that brought thousands of pounds of bud from Canada into upstate New York. Despite having hubs all across the eastern seaboard and making millions of dollars a month, he remained anonymous to almost everyone he worked with, allowing him to operate for over a decade. His downfall involved famous athletes, paying the feds in gold bars, and a famous mob lawyer. Eric is here tell us about his transformation, the lessons he's learned, and the path that has led to living a clean life, free of crime, and writing a book. Support Eric! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericcanori/ Book: https://a.co/d/evFprat Support our sponsors! Hellofresh: https://www.hellofresh.com/ Promo Code: CONNECT50 Mood: hellomood.co Promo Code: CONNECT20, CONNECTFREE Support the Patreon: patreon.com/theconnectshow

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Chad Marks shares his incredible journey from a 40 year prison sentence to becoming a jailhouse lawyer and running a successful paralegal business that helps inmates reduce their sentences. Chad discusses the need for rehabilitation in the prison system and his contributions to federal prison reform. He delves into the challenges Chad faced before and after his imprisonment, including his strained relationship with his drug-addicted father and the poverty and crime in his neighborhood. He also discusses the changes in sentencing laws and their impact on his own case. Join us in hearing Chad Marks' remarkable story of transformation and his dedication to helping others in the criminal justice system. Support Chad! YouTube Channel:  @bloodontherazorwiretv  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chadmarks101/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/Blood-Razor-Wire-journey-through/dp/B08N9DP62B Legal Work: https://www.freedomfighterspc.com/ Support our sponsors! Mood: hellomood.co Promo Code: CONNECT20, CONNECTFREE Support the Patreon: patreon.com/theconnectshow

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In this captivating video, we hear from Fernando Puente, a former member of the Tijuana Cartel who turned his life around to become a music producer for narco corridos. Fernando shares his experiences, giving us a firsthand account of the cartel wars in Tijuana. From growing up in the 90s when crossing the border was easy, to witnessing the militarization of the streets during the cartel wars, Fernando provides valuable insights into the world of cartels. Follow Fernando! IG: https://www.instagram.com/elbordomx/ Podcast:  @ElBordoMx  Support our sponsors! Mood: hellomood.co Promo Code: CONNECT20, CONNECTFREE Support the Patreon: patreon.com/theconnectshow Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6mc4qAxpztC6D20wzeS91C

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Tim McBride, a man out of South West Florida, went from working odd jobs and crab fishing, to leading the largest pot smuggling business on American soil from for a decade. He joins the show talk about his humble beginnings, his rise to the top of a criminal empire, and how he turned his life around after his eventual fall. Support our sponsors! SURFSHARK: Get an exclusive Surfshark deal! Enter promo code CONNECT for an extra 3 months free at https://surfshark.deals/CONNECT Join The Patreon For Bonus Content: https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow

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Gil Carrillo, the homicide detective that solved the Night Stalker case, talks about his love for hunting murderers, the effects it had on his mental wellbeing, his relationships, and how dark his investigation got. He breaks down the life of a murder cop and how the force has changed since he has retired. Support our sponsors! FREEZE PIPE: https://thefreezepipe.com/ Promo Code: CONNECT for 10% OFF!! Mood CBD: hellomood.co Promo Code: CONNECT20, CONNECTFREE Support The Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow

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The world’s top expert on narcos in Latin America, Luis Chaparro, drops in to give some of the biggest news in organized crime that NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT. From the current state of Mexican Cartels and the most active war zones throughout to country, to a potential all out fracture of Sinaloa, and shocking news about mega cartels taking over in Colombia and Spain (and it’s not who you think it is)!

Follow Luis!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luiskuryaki/ 

YouTube: 

Website: https://www.lchaparro.com/ 

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A California surfer bro tells Johnny about his days running a cocaine smuggling operation from Southern California to Australia. Starting off as a small-time pot dealer, he graduated to selling cocaine on college campuses and the finally, to smuggling whole kilos to Australia, where he made millions of dollars and eventually, got caught in a federal sting and spent 4 years in an Australian prison. Support our sponsors! Mood CBD: hellomood.co Promo Code: CONNECT20, CONNECTFREE Support the Patreon: patreon.com/theconnectshow

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Former hustler and drug dealer Coss Marte comes on the podcast to tell his epic story of going from small-time corner boy to making $5 million a year delivering high-end cocaine all over Manhattan.

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Al Lindbloom comes on the show to talk about his years as an associate of a Detroit mafia family. He breaks down all of his rackets from selling weed to heroin to steroids, boat theft, burglary , and extortion, and finally- robbing a bank and taking Detroit PD on a wild high speed chase that landed him in prison for 13 years. SUPPORT OUR SPONSOR- "HELLO MOOD" : https://hellomood.co/ Promo code: CONNECT, CONNECTFREE Support the Patreon: patreon.com/theconnectshow

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Johnny interviews JC of the  @wrongtostrong  network on YouTube about growing up as a gangbanger in Chicago, trafficking pot for a Mexican Cartel and spending 4 years in a brutal Mexican prison, getting released and starting his own interstate pot empire, serving time in the Feds in America, and finally-- changing his life and becoming a legitimate businessman. Subscribe to JC's page! https://www.youtube.com/@UC-oR-qYEcpN1LocXRm0dHSQ FB: https://www.facebook.com/wrongtostrong Support our sponsors! manscaped.com/products/performance-package PROMO CODE: CONNECT hellomood.co PROMO CODE: CONNECT20, CONNECTFREE Support the Patreon: patreon.com/theconnectshow

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Johnny interviews Hector Bravo, a former California prison guard. He describes life working on a level 4 prison yard in one of the most dangerous and corrupt prison systems in the country. He talks about witnessing stabbings, riots, and administrative cover-ups, and reveals the reason that he had to walk away and speak out.

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Johnny visits the Haitian communities of Overtown and Allapattah, interviewing local rappers and documenting the history of the Zo Pound and their influence on the Miami Drug Trade.

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Johnny interviews Apache, a Cuban-American who moved tons of kilos for the Colombians from the late 80's to the mid-90's. He talks about going from small-time dealer to major middleman, and working with Raul Castro and the Cuban government to help him smuggle his cocaine loads to Miami.

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Alex Montenez talks about what it was like growing up as narco royalty in Miami, getting into the game himself and then going to prison, and finally-- becoming the first legitimate millionaire in his family.

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Johnny interviews Alex Montenez, the nephew of Rafa Salazr, the top general for the Medellin Cartel in Miami in the 1970's and 80's. He talks about what it was like to grow up in cocaine royalty, and tells the true story of being an insider during Miami's coke boom.

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Johnny visits the Polo Grounds, east Harlem's most notorious housing projects, and gives a history of the violence of the crack era along with Unique Mecca, the former drug kingpin who was responsible for much of that violence.

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Johnny describes what it's actually like being released from prison, the difficulties of navigating in the free world, and how he moved to Los Angeles after he was released to pursue his dream of being a stand-up comedian.

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Johnny returns to the Dominican neighborhood of Washington Heights, New York City- to explore the culture of drug trafficking and to pay homage to the place that made him rich.

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Former Harlem kingpin Unique Mecca takes Johnny through Harlem and Washington Heights, and explains how he was able to take $100 he had left to his name  and turn it into a crack empire worth $50 million a year.  He was then sentenced to Life in prison under the CCE kingpin act, but was released in 2020 under the new "compassionate release" rules for federal inmates.  

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Johnny meets up with an OG Harlem crack Kingpin  @uniquemeccaaudionyc  to discuss the history of hustling in New York City, as well as Unique's rise from Jamaican immigrant to street hustler in Brooklyn and the South Bronx, where he worked a trap house that made millions of dollars a year when he was still a teenager.

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Johnny breaks down the slang he used in the streets as a small-time hustler, big time drug trafficker, and then inmate.  

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Johnny talks about America's new illegal cannabis kingpins-- the Chinese, the spy balloon and the fact that China might be gearing up for war.  And finally, he interviews a former enforcer for the Detroit mafia. 

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Johnny Mitchell explains how drugs are smuggled throughout the world, how he smuggled them, and the best ways to smuggle in order to reduce your time spent in prison or get away with it altogether.  

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Johnny visits the Tenderloin neighborhood of San Francisco to witness firsthand the affects of fentanyl on the drug trade in one of the worst slums in North America.  He interviews drug dealers and drug users to get a firsthand account of what life is really like in this infamous district.

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Johnny dissects exactly how to make money selling cocaine, who the players are, and how he made a killing selling coke in college.  

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Former inmate Johnny Mitchell talks about almost getting caught smuggling a balloon in prison, getting drunk off prison wine and almost dying, plus the craziest stories he heard from his cellmates.  

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Youtube celebrity Big Herc joins the show to talk about his life in the 90's adult film scene, robbing a bank and taking the cops on an insane high-speed chase, and then spending the next 9 years inside one of the most violent federal prisons in America.

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Johnny talks about his trip to Culiacan and goes in depth on how the most famous drug cartel in the world actually operates today, including the new "boss of bosses," the difference between drug trafficking organizations and the Cartel, and why and how the Cartel is now stronger than the government in Mexico.

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Johnny spends a week in Culiacan, stronghold of the world famous Sinaloa Cartel, to view their new dispensary pot operations and interview bodyguards for El Mayo Zambada, the world's most wanted drug trafficker. 

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Ex gangbanger Chad Marks describes getting locked up for 17 years in an extremely violent federal prison, becoming a jailhouse lawyer, and then helping other inmates get released and win their appeals.  

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Johnny answers fan questions like what the future of drug trafficking looks like, what are his biggest regrets, and the state of his former cellmate Jimmy. 

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Johnny describes fighting his case from inside the belly of the beast- county jail.  He breaks down the broken bail system and explains the difference between paid lawyers and "dumptrucks," talks about his first jail fight, taking a plea deal, and finally- gives tips on how to stay sane in the midst of the madness.  

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Johnny describes the day he got arrested-- a high-speed chase with the Portland Police, trying to bribe the cops, and getting interrogated by the DEA.  Finally, he gets charged with federal drug charges.  

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Johnny describes his time living in Colombia, where he flourished selling coke to tourists, paid off the police, rubbed shoulders with the most powerful drug cartel in the world, and fell in love. 

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Johnny breaks down day-to-day life in a maximum-security prison, including shot-callers and their function on the yard, how drugs get smuggled in and the underground drug economy, the types of weapons used in shankings and killings, prison riots and how they occur, and his cellmate Jimmy who protected him from being killed by the Aryan Brotherhood.  

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Johnny describes his first day inside of a maximum-security prison, including a brutal fight that ended in death- as well as meeting his cellmate Jimmy, a top shotcaller at the Two Rivers Correctional Facility. 

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Johnny breaks down from A to Z the modern cocaine business, from street sales to mid level trafficking to the new kingpins of Europe and the power of the Sinaloa Cartel.  He also tells his own story of traveling to Colombia and getting connected to the Cartels. 

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Johnny breaks down exactly money laundering works, describes his failures as a drug money launderer, and explains the best ways to launder money and the ultimate goal of being a gangster.

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Johnny breaks down exactly how he smuggled pot across the country, from picking up product from the Cartel growers in Northern California, to transporting it on the highway back up to Portland, and finally- the ways that he moved it to the his buyers on the East Coast. 

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Johnny talks about getting his start in the marijuana business back in 2004 and his ascent through the ranks of the game until he finally made a million dollars before getting arrested and sent to prison in 2010.  He goes in depth about the industry and how things have changed since legalization.

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