The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

Diaz Aguilar went to prison at 23 years old and spent the next 22 years inside Mississippi’s notoriously violent prison system. In this episode, Diaz sits down to tell the unbelievable story of how he survived decades behind bars while navigating gang politics, corrupt prison staff, brutal violence, and a massive underground contraband economy. Diaz explains how inmates worked with guards to bring in marijuana, tobacco, liquor, smartphones, and other contraband worth enormous amounts of money inside the prison system. He describes guards cooperating with gangs, violent conflicts between prison factions, years spent in segregation, and the abuse he says he witnessed and experienced at the hands of correctional staff. He also breaks down the case that sent him to prison. Diaz maintains that he was convicted of manslaughter despite no DNA, fingerprints, or physical evidence tying him to the murder weapon. Over time, Diaz became a powerful figure within the prison gang hierarchy and helped operate an organized contraband business that could generate more money than many street hustles. But after spending nearly half his life behind bars, Diaz eventually had to face an entirely different challenge: learning how to live in the free world again. Today, he is rebuilding his life, pursuing professional certifications, working in management, and sharing his story through his memoir, Rosecrans. This is a story about prison corruption, gang politics, survival, institutionalization, and what it takes to start over after 22 years behind bars. Go Support Diaz! IG: https://www.instagram.com/diaz_santiago_55/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@diaz_santiago75 Book: https://a.co/d/00doiiEd This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Freecash! Sign up at https://signupfreecash.com/theconnect and get a $10 bonus! Hit the link, grab your bonus, and start getting rewarded for stuff you're already doing anyway. Shopify! If you’re ready to launch your business before Black Friday, go to https://shopify.com/mitchell to start your free trial. Cloaked! See if your SSN is for sale right now. My sponsor Cloaked will tell you for free in 2 seconds at https://cloaked.com/connect Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Intro: 22 Years in Mississippi Prison 6:51 Corrupt Guards & Brutal Prison Conditions 13:22 How the Contraband Operation Worked 18:20 This Episode Is Sponsored By Freecash 19:53 Cash, Money Orders & the Prison Economy 25:14 Cell Phones, Contraband Laws & Prison Education 33:37 Growing Up Puerto Rican in Compton 39:48 Gang Life & the Road to Mississippi 44:56 Why He Stayed in Mississippi & the Vice Lords Network 49:01 This Episode Is Sponsored By Shopify 50:11 The Fight That Led to 22 Years in Prison 57:05 The Evidence, Trial & Case Against Diaz 1:03:44 Anger, Isolation & Learning to Survive 1:09:03 This Episode Is Sponsored By Cloaked 1:10:54 His First Years Inside Mississippi Prison 1:17:52 Security Threat Status & Abuse by Guards 1:24:21 Handcuffed, Beaten & Prison Violence 1:30:49 Gang Wars, Stabbings & Prison Riots 1:36:17 Spending Four Years in Solitary Confinement 1:42:05 Prison Weapons & Building Connections With Guards 1:48:03 Smuggling Contraband Through Prison Guards 1:55:44 Rising to the Top of the Contraband Operation 2:02:33 Hidden Stashes & Making Money in Prison 2:08:48 Weed Markups & the Prison Liquor Racket 2:15:57 Smuggling Contraband Through Maintenance Trucks 2:22:03 Adapting Prison Survival Skills to the Free World 2:28:13 Life After Prison, Career Plans & Final Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Scott Anthony had already lived a life most people wouldn't believe. He grew up in Chicago street gangs, robbed drug dealers, trafficked cocaine, fled the United States, lived under aliases, and eventually built a new life in Mexico. Then he discovered another business: Cuban cigars. While still on federal probation, Scott says he began traveling to Cuba, buying hundreds of boxes of cigars, moving them through Mexico, and smuggling them across the U.S. border. What started with 40 boxes eventually grew into loads of hundreds at a time. His customers ranged from wealthy businessmen and cigar dealers to some of Chicago's biggest names—including Michael Jordan. In this episode, Scott breaks down the rise of his Cuban cigar operation, the border seizures, the people who moved the merchandise, his encounters in Cuba, and why he ultimately walked away from the business and put the money into building a legitimate fitness empire in Mexico. This is the story of a career criminal who eventually decided he'd pushed his luck far enough. Go Support Scott! IG: https://www.instagram.com/scottanthonyog YouTube: @ScottAnthonyOG Website: https://www.scottanthonyog.com/ Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Preview & Scott Anthony Intro 7:12 Gangs, Prison Influence & the Criminal World 14:58 Early Scores & Blowing the Money 21:55 Police Brutality & Run-Ins With Law Enforcement 28:12 Going From Petty Crime to Bigger Scores 38:17 Robbing Dealers 45:14 The $300K–$400K Drug Score 49:40 Shootout With the Cops 56:26 What Scott Was Wanted For 58:09 Fleeing to Mexico 1:07:35 Robbing Dealers & His Cop Cousin 1:12:26 Starting a New Life in Guadalajara 1:18:25 Fake Names & Living as a Fugitive 1:26:02 The Federales Find Him in Mexico 1:34:20 The Federal Plea Deal & Eight Years Probation 1:44:35 Back in Chicago & Life After the Case 1:53:59 How the Cuban Cigar Hustle Started 1:59:09 Smuggling Cuban Cigars Across the Border 2:04:49 Buying Cigars in Cuba & Moving Them North 2:10:12 Michael Jordan & Celebrity Cigar Customers 2:17:09 Smuggling Costs, Profit Margins & $500 Boxes 2:24:05 How Big the Cigar Operation Became 2:30:16 Could the Cuban Cigar Hustle Work Today? 2:39:40 Divorce, Scott’s Books & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Hells Angel Joby Walters sits down to tell the unbelievable story of how he entered the outlaw motorcycle world at nearly 50 years old, rose through the ranks, survived one of the most infamous biker wars in American history, and eventually walked away from it all. Joby recounts meeting legendary Hells Angel Sonny Barger, earning his patch, and becoming deeply involved in the Arizona club scene during escalating conflicts with the Mongols, Vagos, Bandidos, and other outlaw motorcycle clubs. He gives a firsthand account of the deadly 2002 fight at Harrah’s Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, describing the moments leading up to the violence, the chaos inside the casino, and the death of one of his closest brothers. Joby also tells the incredible story of ATF agent Jay Dobyns infiltrating the Hells Angels, a staged murder used to gain the club’s trust, the moment Joby realized something wasn’t right, and the federal investigation that followed. Facing potentially decades behind bars, Joby fled to Mexico, where he spent years living under a new identity, riding through the mountains, hunting mountain lions and bears, and eventually beginning the spiritual transformation that would change the direction of his life. After prison, violence, betrayal, and losing nearly everything, Joby walked away from the Hells Angels and found a new purpose through faith. Go Support Joby! Website: https://www.jobywalters.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC3QQ54S This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Perplexity! Start your free trial of Perplexity Computer today at https://PPLX.ai/CONNECT and experience the next phase of AI. #ad CashApp! Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me/vFut/1ekoiacn #CashAppPod Cash App is a financial services platform, not a bank. Banking services provided by Cash App’s bank partner(s). Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. PrizePicks! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CONNECT and use code CONNECT and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Joby Walters: Hells Angels Outlaw Story 6:15 Getting Sober Before Joining the Hells Angels 11:52 The Bullhead Confrontation 18:08 Meeting Sonny Barger 25:00 This Episode Is Sponsored By Perplexity AI 26:47 From Prospect to Full-Patch Hells Angel 34:18 Expanding the Hells Angels in Arizona 41:16 Early Club Wars & Mongols Tensions 48:15 This Episode Is Sponsored By Cash App 49:25 The Laughlin Riot: How It Started 57:07 The Laughlin Shootout Explodes 1:05:03 Aftermath, Arrests & the Mongols War 1:07:15 This Episode Is Sponsored By PrizePicks 1:08:54 Two and a Half Years in Mexico 1:20:01 The ATF Undercover Infiltration 1:27:33 The Revenge Plot & Fake Murder Setup 1:35:03 Realizing They Were Undercover 1:43:31 Federal Indictments & Conspiracy Charges 1:50:43 Facing Prison & Beating the Federal Case 1:57:40 Getting Out, Probation & Faith 2:04:06 Bandidos, Sonny Barger & Old Club Wars 2:11:03 Old-School Biker Life & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matthew Handy lived through 20 years of addiction, crime, prison, paranoia, and survival before finally turning his life around. In this episode, Matt sits down to tell the wild story of how his life spiraled from early drug use in San Diego to heroin addiction, meth dealing, organized retail theft, credit card fraud, extortion, bank robbery, and cartel-adjacent chaos on both sides of the border. Matt opens up about childhood trauma, prison, the criminal mindset, life in San Bernardino, the explosion of credit card fraud, smuggling drugs from Tijuana, and the moment a bank robbery finally forced him to choose between spending decades behind bars or changing his life. Today, Matt is in recovery, runs the podcast My Last Relapse, and works in addiction treatment helping others escape the same cycle that nearly destroyed him. Go Support Matt! YouTube: @MyLastRelapse Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt.handy.17/ Rehab: https://www.harmonygrovebh.com/ Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Intro: Credit Card Fraud, Addiction & Crime 06:58 Growing Up in 1990s San Diego 13:39 Planning a Bank Robbery 18:10 Extorting Doctors & Wealthy Clients 24:14 Childhood Trauma and Early Criminality 29:56 Robberies, Drugs & Firestorm Burglaries 35:20 Prison Life and Using Behind Bars 37:42 The Baby Product Theft Scheme 43:17 Building a Nationwide Retail Theft Operation 49:27 Paranoia, Silent Tape & High-Level Shoplifting 55:22 Prison Didn’t Scare Him Straight 1:03:44 Getting Out, Relapsing & Manipulating Family 1:09:11 Back With His Uncle and Trap House Life 1:13:18 Selling Meth and Joining a Gang Circle 1:19:03 Police Surveillance and Controlled Buys 1:24:03 Major Task Force Bust 1:29:18 Addiction, Choice & Facing Serious Time 1:32:59 Moving to San Bernardino 1:37:04 The Amazon Warehouse Scam 1:42:55 Credit Card Fraud Begins 1:49:31 Running Teams and Moving Merchandise 1:56:33 Paranoia Ends the Fraud Ring 2:00:03 Returning to San Diego and Trying to Get Clean 2:04:02 Relapse, Energy Drink Theft & Street Hustles 2:09:43 Meeting His Future Wife 2:15:03 Doctors, Escorts & Blackmail 2:18:07 COVID, Fentanyl and Crime in San Diego 2:22:19 Tijuana Drug Houses and Border Runs 2:27:37 Heroin, Fentanyl and Meth Markets 2:34:31 Xanax Blackouts and Cartel Money 2:39:32 Robbing a Bank to Get Her Attention 2:44:48 Arrest, FBI Questioning & Bomb Threat Investigation 2:50:21 Delancey Street and Avoiding Decades in Prison 2:57:58 Recovery, Relapse and Building a New Life 3:00:24 Where to Find Matthew Handy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Bad Boy rapper G. Dep sits down to tell one of the most unbelievable stories in hip-hop history. Growing up in Harlem during the height of the crack era, G. Dep went from hustling in the streets and battling drug addiction to landing a record deal with Bad Boy Entertainment and becoming one of the label’s rising stars. But behind the success, the music, and the fame was a secret that continued to haunt him. In 1993, at just 18 years old, G. Dep was involved in a fatal shooting in Harlem. He was never arrested for it and eventually moved on with his life, signing with Bad Boy and building a successful rap career. But nearly two decades later, the guilt became too much. In December 2010, G. Dep walked into a New York City police precinct and confessed to the crime — 17 years after it happened. In this episode, G. Dep opens up about growing up in New York City, selling drugs, getting arrested repeatedly, discovering hip-hop, signing with Bad Boy, working around Diddy and some of the biggest names in rap, battling addiction, and the incredible decision that ultimately sent him to prison. He also explains what was going through his mind when he confessed, why he was willing to face the consequences, his trial and prison sentence, the road to clemency, and what it feels like to finally be free and making music again. This is the story of G. Dep — from the streets of Harlem to Bad Boy Records, prison, redemption, and a second chance at life. Go Support G. Deb! IG: https://www.instagram.com/gdepofficial/ YouTube: @gdepofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gdepofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trevell.g.dep.coleman Merch: https://lovethehustler.com/collections/g-dep This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Kalshi! Download the Kalshi app and use code MITCHELL to get $10 when you trade $10. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. Cloaked! See if your SSN is for sale right now. My sponsor Cloaked will tell you for free in 2 seconds at https://cloaked.com/CONNECT. Hims! To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/connect Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Intro: Why G. Dep Turned Himself In 6:24 Growing Up in Harlem During the Crack Era 12:03 Breakdancing, Early Rap & Becoming G. Dep 18:00 Selling Drugs & Early Drug Use 21:59 This Episode Is Sponsored By Kalshi 23:05 Drug Cases, Jail & Hearing About Tupac 34:20 Escaping an Undercover Arrest 42:19 This Episode Is Sponsored By Cloaked 43:50 The Song That Led G. Dep to Bad Boy 52:14 The 1993 Shooting 1:01:36 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims 1:03:13 Police Question G. Dep the Next Day 1:07:22 Living With the Secret & Growing Guilt 1:14:22 G. Dep’s Relationship With Diddy 1:19:48 Writing Lyrics for Diddy 1:26:03 PCP, Fame & Coping With the Murder 1:33:16 Bad Boy Parties & Addiction Taking Over 1:40:29 Reconnecting With Diddy After Bad Boy 1:48:54 Deciding to Turn Himself In 1:56:24 Walking Into the Precinct to Confess 2:02:07 Arrested After a 17-Year-Old Confession 2:09:53 Taking the Murder Case to Trial 2:15:27 15-to-Life, Clemency & Coming Home 2:20:34 Life Today, New Music & What’s Next Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Baltimore has always had a reputation as one of America’s toughest cities — a place shaped by poverty, violence, addiction, and survival. In this episode, Johnny travels through Baltimore to see how the city has changed since The Wire, how the drug trade has evolved from heroin to fentanyl, and why homicides have recently dropped despite open-air dealing still being visible across the city. With help from Baltimore Carl of Baltimore Recovery Alliance, we visit Lexington Market, South Baltimore, East Baltimore, and O’Donnell Heights to hear directly from people who lived the streets, worked the corners, battled addiction, and are now trying to save lives through recovery and community intervention. This episode looks at Baltimore’s past, present, and future — from kingpins and corner crews to fentanyl, treatment centers, credible messengers, gentrification, and the people fighting to bring hope back to the city. Special thanks to Baltimore Carl and Baltimore Recovery Alliance. If you're in the Baltimore area and are seeking help to get clean from addiction check out https://baltimorerecoveryalliance.com/ Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Baltimore, The Wire, and the city’s violent history 02:07 Why Baltimore has such a high murder rate 05:55 Historic drop in homicides 07:08 Community intervention and peace teams 09:44 Heroin, fentanyl, and the changing drug economy 13:51 Lexington Market and open-air drug use 16:10 Baltimore’s addiction and treatment industry 20:22 South Baltimore drug corners 25:53 O’Donnell Heights and East Baltimore 29:41 Youth programs and signs of hope 30:12 Brandon Novak on addiction and recovery 34:33 Why Baltimore is worth saving Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Black Label has one of the wildest stories we’ve ever heard on The Connect. Growing up in extreme poverty in St. Petersburg, Florida, he was surrounded by crack, violence, and chaos from an early age. By 11 years old, he was already selling drugs. By his late teens, Black Label says he was helping run a multi-million-dollar drug operation, moving large quantities of crack and cocaine while leading a crew in one of the most dangerous environments imaginable. But the money came with consequences. Kidnappings, robberies, violence, federal investigations, and eventually a massive indictment brought the entire world crashing down. Black Label ultimately spent 15 years behind bars, including 28 months in solitary confinement. In this episode, Black Label takes us inside the crack era of 1990s St. Petersburg, explains how a white kid became accepted in an all-Black neighborhood and prison environment, breaks down the mentality that allowed him to survive, and reveals what finally happened when federal agents closed in. He also opens up about his brutal childhood, his relationship with his mother, the lessons he learned in prison, taking responsibility for his decisions, and how he rebuilt his life after coming home. Today, Black Label has transformed his name into a brand, building a professional chauffeur and security business while becoming a viral social media personality and host of the Black Label Lounge. His message now centers around turning “pain into purpose” and showing people that where you start doesn’t have to determine where you finish. This is the incredible story of survival, crime, prison, entrepreneurship, identity, and reinvention — told by the one and only Black Label. Go Support Black! IG: https://www.instagram.com/black_label_services YouTube: @blacklabellounge TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blacklabel1014 Merch: https://www.stickermule.com/blacklabel1014 This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: PrizePicks! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CONNECT and use code CONNECT and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup! GLD! New customers get 40% Off with code MITCHELL at https://GLD.com Superpower! Head to https://superpower.com and use code CONNECT at checkout for $50 off your membership. Get 150+ biomarkers tested every year across two tests, plus a personalized health plan and on-demand care team. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Black Label’s Incredible Story 8:18 Growing Up White in a Black Neighborhood 15:20 Survival Mentality & Pain Into Purpose 21:11 This Episode Is Sponsored By PrizePicks 22:40 The Crack Era in St. Petersburg 28:58 His First Fight & Earning Respect 36:02 Abuse at Home & Wanting Out 40:17 This Episode Is Sponsored By GLD 41:48 Education, Entrepreneurship & Black Label Services 50:33 Kidnapped for a $60,000 Ransom 56:01 Territory Wars & Street Violence 1:00:47 This Episode Is Sponsored By Superpower 1:02:17 Turning the Crack Game Into a Business 1:09:58 Crack Houses, Cookers & Supplying the City 1:16:55 Family Conflict, Identity & Prison Politics 1:23:50 Building the Black Label Brand & Going Viral 1:31:06 Moving Money & Reinvesting Drug Profits 1:37:54 Coming Home After 15 Years & Starting Over 1:45:03 Guns, Ego & Losing the Original Purpose 1:51:52 The Federal Indictment & Refusing to Cooperate 1:59:09 Surviving & Hustling in Federal Prison 2:05:54 The Underground Prison Economy 2:13:05 His Mother, Forgiveness & Unresolved Pain 2:20:43 Pain Into Purpose & Building a New Life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Donald Trump once appeared unusually willing to confront the Jeffrey Epstein story. According to Julian Dorey, Trump reportedly cooperated with an attorney representing Epstein victims, publicly urged people to investigate Epstein and his powerful connections, and later campaigned alongside calls for greater transparency. So what changed? In this episode, Julian Dorey joins for a deep dive into Trump’s history with Epstein, the fight over the unreleased files, Elon Musk’s explosive claim that Trump appears in them, and reports suggesting Trump and Epstein were closer than casual acquaintances. They also examine why millions of pages have allegedly remained unreleased or heavily redacted, reports of senior administration officials discussing the Epstein fallout in the Situation Room, Thomas Massie publicly naming figures connected to the case, and Dorey’s belief that major Epstein developments have repeatedly landed during low-attention news cycles. The conversation eventually turns to Dorey’s most controversial theory about what Trump could be trying to protect—a theory he repeatedly emphasizes is speculation, not proven fact. If Trump was once willing to help expose Epstein, why does Dorey believe his behavior changed? This episode follows the timeline, the contradictions, the powerful names, and the unanswered questions surrounding one of the most controversial stories in American politics. Go Support Julian! YouTube: @JulianDorey Clips Page: @juliandoreyclips Podcast: @JulianDoreyDaily IG: https://www.instagram.com/julianddorey X: https://x.com/juliandorey Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Intro – What Is Trump Hiding in the Epstein Files? 5:30 Why Julian Dorey Became Obsessed With Epstein 11:45 Epstein’s Role as a Powerful “Fixer” 17:23 Epstein, Gaza, Evil & Christianity 23:05 Trump’s History With Jeffrey Epstein 30:04 Trump Accusations & the Melania Theory 35:06 Allegations About Melania’s Past 40:19 Was Trump Distancing Himself From Epstein? 45:24 Why Are 3 Million Pages Still Unreleased? 50:24 Pam Bondi, Todd Blanche & the Situation Room 56:41 The Game of Thrones Comparison to Trump 1:03:42 Epstein Stories & Suspicious News Cycles 1:10:24 Trump’s Collapse as a Master Marketer 1:17:20 The Biggest Names Connected to Epstein 1:24:53 Epstein, Intelligence Agencies & Mossad 1:30:00 The David Rockefeller Story 1:34:44 Blackmail, Politicians & the Epstein Network 1:39:00 Why Aren’t Epstein’s Victims Being Heard? 1:45:40 Could Congress Force the Files to Be Released? 1:50:28 Escaping the Republican vs. Democrat Divide 1:56:21 Julian Dorey’s Final Thoughts & Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Jimmy “Easy” Saracco lived the kind of Mafia life most people only know from movies. In this episode, the former DeCavalcante associate opens up about coming up in New York’s underworld, making serious money through bookmaking and loansharking, carrying out violent orders, and operating around the New Jersey crime family often associated with the real-life inspiration behind The Sopranos. Jimmy also tells the story of his explosive feud with John Gotti Jr., including his claim that Gotti Jr. was involved in a plot to have him killed. After surviving a brutal attack that left him stabbed and in a coma, Jimmy says he wanted revenge—but Mafia politics made Gotti Jr. untouchable. Years later, the world Jimmy had lived by began collapsing from the inside. Bosses, captains, and associates started cooperating with the federal government, leaving Jimmy facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison. Eventually, he made the decision he once thought was unthinkable: he cooperated too. Jimmy explains why he flipped, what it felt like walking out of his first proffer session, the murders and rackets he admitted involvement in, his time in witness protection, and why he says his life today is better than the one he left behind. This is the story of money, murder, loyalty, betrayal, the real-life Mafia world behind The Sopranos—and what happens when the code everyone swore to live by finally falls apart. Go Support Jimmy! Book: https://a.co/d/0iR1D8xx YouTube: @JIMMY_EASY_SARACCO This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Quince! Find your next fall favorites at Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://quince.com/connect Shopify! The only thing standing between you and your own income is getting started. Free trial at https://shopify.com/mitchell Quo! Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://quo.com/theconnect Mood! Head to https://mood.com, browse their amazing selection of functional gummies, and find the perfect gummy for whatever you're dealing with. Use promo code CONNECT at checkout to save 20% on your first order. Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Jimmy Easy: Murder, Loansharking & the DeCavalcante Family 7:03 Becoming an Earner & Entering the Mob Life 14:29 Social Clubs, Rikers Island & Early Prison Time 20:12 Vigilante Street Justice & a Brutal Mob Story 22:59 This Episode Is Sponsored By Quince 24:52 Building His Crew & the Holmdel Robbery 35:09 Bookmaking, Loan Sharking & Mob Collections 41:07 This Episode Is Sponsored By Shopify 42:18 Vinny Palermo, Mob Hits & Disappearances 49:29 The 1997 Arrest, FBI Setup & Cooperators 56:17 Mob Territory, Kickbacks & Making Money 1:00:12 This Episode Is Sponsored By Quo 1:01:22 John Gotti's Influence & Sopranos Connections 1:10:34 Extortion, Tow Trucks & Illegal Businesses 1:15:34 This Episode Is Sponsored By Mood 1:16:54 Jewelry Heists, Fences & Whitey Bulger 1:22:18 Chop Shops, Stolen Cars & Insurance Fraud 1:28:08 Courtroom Corruption & Buying Your Way Out 1:33:33 The Night John Gotti Jr.'s Crew Tried to Kill Him 1:39:32 Inside the DeCavalcante Family Structure 1:45:24 Medical Fraud, Hospitals & Massive Kickbacks 1:51:05 The World Trade Center Robbery & Ralphie Flips 1:58:45 Insurance Money, Wiretaps & the Coming Indictment 2:05:03 The Feds Close In & the Murder Charges 2:13:23 Facing Life in Prison & Deciding to Cooperate 2:20:00 Sentencing Deals, Cooperators & Witness Protection 2:27:35 Leaving WitSec & Life After the Mafia 2:30:00 Hit Man Tells All, Jimmy's YouTube & Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Could a U.S. military intervention in Mexico actually happen—and what would it look like if it did? Ed Calderon joins the show and we break down the growing tension between the United States and Mexico, the strategic importance of northern Mexico’s manufacturing base, and why a future conflict could extend far beyond the fight against cartels and fentanyl. The conversation explores the potential consequences of military intervention, including mass migration, border shutdowns, trade disruptions, economic shortages, and the possibility of cartel groups transforming into organized guerrilla forces using drones, IEDs, precision weapons, and other modern battlefield tactics. We also examine why Mexico could become an extremely difficult environment for a prolonged U.S. military campaign, how deeply interconnected Mexican and American communities are, and why recent operations against historically powerful cartel figures may signal a much larger geopolitical shift. Go Support Ed! Website: https://www.edsmanifesto.com/ Merch: https://sneakreaper-industries.com/ Podcast: @manifestoradionetwork3191 IG: https://www.instagram.com/manifestoradiopodcast/ Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Could the U.S. Go to War With Mexico? 7:46 Michoacán, Cartels & Self-Defense Groups 14:50 U.S. Pressure on Mexico’s Politicians 22:02 CIA Operations, the DEA & Iran-Contra 28:36 Mayo Zambada, Sinaloa & Political Corruption 36:12 Why a U.S.–Mexico Military Clash Could Happen 42:22 The Economic Motive for Invading Mexico 49:54 What Would a U.S. Intervention Actually Look Like? 55:55 Cartel Fighters, Snipers & Guerrilla Warfare 1:03:12 Could Mexico Turn Into a Civil War? 1:10:07 Morena, Foreign Influence & Mexico’s Sovereignty 1:15:30 The Huachicol Fuel-Smuggling Empire 1:21:52 How U.S. Fuel Gets Smuggled Into Mexico 1:28:58 Sinaloa’s Future, CJNG & Cross-Border Drug Tunnels Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices