The Joe Rogan Experience #2343 - Joe Pistone
193 snips
Jul 1, 2025 
Joe Pistone, a retired FBI agent renowned for his undercover work as Donnie Brasco, shares gripping tales from infiltrating the Mafia. He reveals the intense challenges of gaining trust in organized crime, the high stakes of undercover operations, and the intricacies of loyalty and betrayal within the mob. Listeners will be captivated by anecdotes involving car theft rings, assassination attempts, and the balance of humor amid danger. Pistone also reflects on the impact of modern surveillance on traditional crime dynamics.
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Learning to Steal Cars Undercover
- Joe Pistone infiltrated a car theft crew after learning how to hotwire and steal cars.
- He earned their trust by performing real criminal acts without being discovered as an FBI agent.
Building Mafia Trust with Diamond Sales
- Pistone used backstory and slow relationship building to gain trust of mafia members.
- He hooked the mafia by offering a diamond packet at a fair street price, initiating his jewel thief persona.
Mafia Threat Test and Survival
- Mafia members tested Pistone's skills with a threatening sit down.
- He cleverly handled the threat by fighting an associate, showing respect for hierarchy and surviving the test.
