The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

Chris Arevalos, a former soldier turned Mexican Mafia member, shares his harrowing journey from military service to the depths of addiction and gang life. He recounts his experiences in Big Sandy federal prison, the ruthless dynamics of La Eme, and the brutal realities of survival behind bars. Chris dives into the drug trade's allure and the dangers of loyalty and respect within the gang. Ultimately, he reveals his path to redemption, emphasizing the power of transformation and the strength it takes to escape a life of crime.

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/ This episode is #sponsored by the following brands:MANDOControl Body Odor ANYWHERE with @shop.mando and get $5 off your Starter Pack (that’s over 40% off) with promo MITCHELL at https://shopmando.com/ ! #mandopodMOODHead over to https://mood.com/ and use promo code CONNECT at checkout to get 20% OFF your first order PLUS a FREE 5 count pack of gummies!Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.comPodcast: @EverydaySpyPodcast This episode is #sponsored by MOOD. Head over to https://mood.com/ and use promo code CONNECT at checkout to get 20% OFF your first order PLUS a FREE 5 count pack of gummies!Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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/DrHalThis Episode Is #Sponsored By BlueChew!Visit https://bluechew.com/ and try BlueChew FREE when you use our promo code MITCHELL at checkout, just pay $5 shipping!Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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/ie8tbDoThe Wolf And The Lion: https://a.co/d/60jOLDrTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rexhollowayWebsite: https://rexhollowaywriter.com/This episode is #sponsored by Rocket Money!Stop wasting money on things you don’t use. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions by going to https://www.rocketmoney.com/connectJoin The Patreon For Bonus Content!https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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/1250051282Tim's IG: https://www.instagram.com/originalsaltwatercowboy/?hl=enTim's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southwestfloridaoutlaw/Craig's Boat Tours: https://www.captaincraigsadventures.com/This Episode Is #Sponsored By BlueChew!Visit https://bluechew.com/ and try BlueChew FREE when you use our promo code MITCHELL at checkout, just pay $5 shipping!Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.htmlThis Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following Brands:BlueChew! Visit https://bluechew.com/ and try BlueChew FREE when you use our promo code MITCHELL at checkout, just pay $5 shipping! Field Of Greens! Visit www.fieldofgreens.com and use code CONNECT at checkout for 15% OFF plus FREE SHIPPING!Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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.comMusic Company: https://www.singularsound.com/InstaFloss: https://instafloss.com/This Episode Is #sponsored By CUTS CLOTHINGRefine your style with @cutsclothing and get 20% off with code CONNECT at cutsclothing.com/connect! #cutspartnerJoin The Patreon For Bonus Content!https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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/This episode is #sponsored by Rocket Money!Stop wasting money on things you don’t use. Cancel your unwanted subscriptions by going to https://www.rocketmoney.com/connectJoin The Patreon For Bonus Content!https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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/corruptionconnectionThis episode is sponsored by MOOD! Head over to https://hellomood.com/ and use code CONNECT20 for 20% OFF your first PLUS a FREE 5ct pack of gummies!Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices