Locked In with Ian Bick

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I Was an NYPD Homicide Detective & Federal Agent — The Dark Side of the Job | Peter Forcelli Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

Peter J. Forcelli, a recently retired Deputy Assistant Director of the ATF, joins the show to break down his career inside some of the most dangerous criminal investigations in the country. From working as an NYPD homicide detective and surviving the 9/11 attacks to leading federal investigations targeting armed gangs and violent criminal organizations, Forcelli shares what the job actually looks like behind the scenes. He talks about developing complex cases, executing hundreds of search warrants, making over a thousand arrests, and the personal toll of dedicating a life to law enforcement. The conversation also explores accountability within the justice system, investigative excellence, and the responsibility that comes with holding power — including his role in uncovering wrongful convictions and fighting for justice when the system gets it wrong.

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#TrueCrime #LawEnforcement #FederalAgent #ATF #CrimeStories #BehindTheBadge #RealStories #youtubepodcast

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Thank you to PRIZEPICKS for sponsoring this episode:Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IANBICK and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!

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Connect with Peter Forcelli:Website: https://www.peterjforcelli.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterforcelli/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092203516682Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/pete_force/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Path-Operation-Furious-Lawyers/dp/B0CCMMQKCQ

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Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop

_____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 From NYPD to Federal Agent: Inside a Life of Law Enforcement 07:00 Growing Up and Choosing a Career in Policing 14:00 Early Years as an NYPD Officer on the Streets 21:00 Becoming a Detective and Joining Federal Task Forces 28:00 Freeing the Innocent and Working Major Federal Cases 37:00 When the Justice System Gets It Wrong 42:00 PTSD, Burnout, and the Toll of Major Investigations 51:00 9/11 as a First Responder: What He Saw That Day 01:00:00 Leaving the NYPD and Moving to the ATF 01:07:00 Life as a Federal Agent and National Investigations 01:13:00 Cartels, Phoenix, and the Fast and Furious Era 01:23:00 Fallout, Consequences, and Career Crossroads 01:29:00 Leading ATF Teams and Responding to Mass Shootings 01:36:00 Cancer, Survival, and Facing Mortality 01:41:00 Retirement, Legacy, and Lessons From a Life in Law Enforcement

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My Mom Got Me Hooked On Drugs At 13 — Then I Went To Prison | Justin Roark Jan 11, 2026

Show notes

Justin Roark grew up in Tennessee in a home shaped by addiction. By the age of 13, he was already using drugs, pulled into a cycle of instability that led to group homes, juvenile detention, and eventually jail. In this episode, Justin shares how his childhood set him on a path toward crime, how that path ended with a five-year federal prison sentence, and what life was really like behind the walls. More importantly, he breaks down the moment things finally changed—getting sober, taking responsibility, and rebuilding his life after prison

_____________________________________________ #truecrime #prisonstory #addictionrecovery #childhoodtrauma #realstories #lifeafterprison #lockedin

_____________________________________________ Connect with Justin Roark: TikTok: @thehustledaddy Instagram: @hustletalkhd Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop

_____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Childhood Trauma and Growing Up Too Fast 01:56 Growing Up in Tennessee With Addiction at Home 05:47 A Mother's Addiction and Early Exposure 07:13 Smoking Cr*ck at 13 Years Old 09:21 Teenage Anger, Violence, and Chasing the Drug Life 13:13 Group Homes, Juvenile Detention, and Rebellion 20:12 Life at Wilder and the Power of Mentorship 27:02 Rehab, Relapse, and Florida's Pill Mill Era 33:50 Living in Hotels While Deep in Addiction 39:41 Robberies, Risk, and Hitting Rock Bottom 41:54 The Crime Cycle and the Road to Federal Prison 54:47 Inside Federal Prison and Trying to Get Sober 01:00:26 Relapse, Probation Violations, and Second Chances 01:04:03 Discovering Business and Entrepreneurship After Prison 01:14:48 Adoption, Loss, and Learning Responsibility 01:20:11 Faith, Giving Back, and True Life Change 01:29:23 Losing Loved Ones and Finding Gratitude 01:34:45 Building Stability, Family, and Fatherhood 01:36:55 Purpose, Redemption, and a New Direction 01:38:49 Final Lessons and Helping Others Break the Cycle

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Saigon: How I survived New York State Prison Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

Saigon sits down with Ian Bick to tell the full story of his upbringing, how getting pulled into the streets and gangs led him down a path that ultimately landed him in New York State Prison, and the crime that changed his life forever. Saigon opens up about what surviving prison really took, how incarceration reshaped his mindset, and why he refused to glorify crime after his release. He breaks down how music became his way out, eventually signing with Atlantic Records, and working with Mark Wahlberg on Entourage. This is an honest conversation about prison survival, accountability, hip-hop, and building a future that doesn't lead back behind bars.

_____________________________________________ #prisonstory #truecrime #prisonlife #statesprison #prisonsurvival #lockedin #realstories #rap

_____________________________________________ Thank you to PRIZEPICKS for sponsoring this episode! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IANBICK and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!

_____________________________________________ Connect with Saigon: https://www.instagram.com/saigontheicon/?hl=en Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________

Timestamps: 00:00 Prison vs the Streets: The Mindset That Changes Everything 02:00 Growing Up in New York: Family, Pressure & Environment 09:00 Music, Identity & Early Dreams 16:00 Teen Years in the Streets: How It Starts 24:00 First Arrests & Real Consequences 32:00 Chasing Reputation: Violence, Gangs & Image 39:00 Life on the Run & Finally Getting Caught 44:00 Inside the System: Rikers, Rockland & Prison Notoriety 50:00 Prison Reality: Gangs, Politics & Survival 58:00 The Turning Point: Mentors, Books & Mental Shift 01:04:00 Life After Prison: Music, Temptation & the Industry 01:13:00 Rejecting Gangster Rap & Choosing a Different Message 01:18:00 Acting, Entourage & Breaking Into Hollywood 01:23:00 Modern Rap, Violence & Where the Industry Went Wrong 01:32:00 Building a New Life: Music, Tech & Purpose 01:39:00 Final Advice to the Next Generation

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How I Survived Inside America's Most Dangerous Prisons | Eric Van Buren Jan 07, 2026

Show notes

Eric Van Buren grew up in Washington, DC in a stable home with hardworking parents and a strong family foundation, but his life took a turn after high school when fighting and drug dealing pulled him into the streets. After being arrested on a state murder charge and beating the case, Eric thought the worst was behind him — until the federal government indicted him on a major drug conspiracy. The feds sentenced Eric to life in prison, and he went on to serve 19 years inside some of the most dangerous federal prisons in the country, fighting to survive both mentally and physically. In this episode, Eric breaks down how a good kid ended up with a life sentence, what day-to-day survival in high-security federal prison is really like, and how he ultimately got his sentence reduced after nearly two decades behind bars. This is a raw, unfiltered story about choices, consequences, and redemption inside the federal prison system. _____________________________________________

#prisonstory #lifeinprison #truecrime #federalprison #survivestory #prisonlife #lockedin #realstories

_____________________________________________ Connect with Eric Van Buren: TikTok: @ericvanburen4senate Facebook: vanburenforwashingtoncounty Instagram: @vanburen_statesenate Website: https://believe-community.org/

_____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________

Timestamps: 00:00 Sentenced to Life: Inside USP Lewisburg 00:42 Eric's Early Life, Ambition & Missed Opportunities 03:53 Growing Up Between DC & Maryland's Drug Culture 05:48 Family Support, Stability & Early Choices 09:30 School Fights, Identity & Anger 12:00 Gambling, Temptation & Entering the Streets 17:40 First Drug Deals & Learning the Game 23:34 Building Connections & Escalating the Operation 27:39 Life in the Drug Trade: Danger, Paranoia & Survival 33:01 Run-Ins with Law Enforcement & Family Fallout 36:46 County Jail Reality: Violence, Power & Fear 43:06 Release, Reentry Struggles & Going Back to the Streets 47:57 Federal Indictment: How the Feds Built the Case 56:09 Federal Trial, Conspiracy Charges & System Pressure 01:01:05 Hearing "Life in Prison" From the Judge 01:06:12 Surviving a Federal Penitentiary: USP Lewisburg 01:13:54 Prison Politics, Violence & Staying Alive 01:24:00 From Life Sentence to Freedom: What Changed 01:33:34 Adjusting to Life After Prison 01:41:41 Rebuilding Family Trust & Healing Trauma 01:52:06 Creating Purpose After Prison & Giving Back 02:03:31 Final Reflections, Second Chances & Advice

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How I Survived A Kentucky Federal Prison In The 90s | Anthony Page Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

Anthony Page grew up in West Virginia and was raised by his grandparents before getting involved in selling drugs, a path that eventually led to federal charges. In this episode, Anthony breaks down how the feds caught him, what it was like being sentenced, and serving five years in a Kentucky federal prison camp. He shares real insight into federal prison life in the 1990s, the mental shift that prison forced on him, and how that experience changed his outlook for good. After completing his sentence, Anthony rebuilt his life, stayed out of trouble, and today runs a merchandise company created to support and represent formerly incarcerated people, proving that you don't have to go back to prison to move forward.

_____________________________________________ #FederalPrison #PrisonStories #TrueCrime #PrisonLife #LifeAfterPrison #RedemptionStory #KentuckyPrison #90sPrison

_____________________________________________ Connect with Anthony Page: Buy his merch: https://www.8at208.com/ AirBnB: https://thepalaceoncharles.com/ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop

_____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Arrested: The Bust That Changed Everything 07:45 Raised by Grandparents & Meeting My Father 14:10 Teen Years, High School & Bad Decisions 18:10 Drugs, Crime & the 1990s Street Life 23:00 On the Run: Getting Caught & Arrested 29:00 Facing Trial & Federal Prison Sentencing 32:40 Inside Federal Prison: First Days & Survival 36:00 Prison Camp Life: Sports, Hustles & Commissary 44:20 Prison Food, Jobs & Contraband Culture 50:00 Getting Released: Halfway House & Reentry 53:40 Life After Prison: Kids, Stigma & Reality 57:00 Turning My Life Around: Building Felony Certified 01:03:00 Lessons Learned & Advice for the Next Generation 01:04:50 Final Thoughts, Gratitude & Redemption

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The Feds Busted Me For A Drug Ring — Then Sent Me To Prison For 5 Years | Leo Leonardo Jan 05, 2026

Show notes

Leo Leonardo is a Rhode Island native who got caught up in the system at a young age, facing repeated arrests that pushed him out of school and into the workforce—before turning to selling drugs when legitimate options fell apart. His path led to a federal drug case, time in both state and federal prison, and some of the harshest consequences behind the walls, including segregation (SEG) and maximum-security prison after continued trouble inside. After his release, Leo struggled to stay straight and was hit with additional gun charges, showing how hard it is to break cycles once the system has its grip. In this raw true-crime interview, Leo breaks down how the feds built their case, what life is really like in max prison and SEG, and the long-term consequences of early choices—an unfiltered look at crime, punishment, and life after prison.

_____________________________________________ #PrisonStory #DrugRing #TrueCrimePodcast #FederalPrison #LifeAfterPrison #CrimeStory #ExCon #redemptionstory

_____________________________________________ Thank you to PRIZEPICKS for sponsoring this episode: Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/IANBICK and use code IANBICK and get $50 in lineups when you play your first $5 lineup!

_____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 From Rhode Island Streets to Federal Prison 00:53 Growing Up in Rhode Island: Meet Splurge 02:42 Family, Childhood & the Environment That Shaped Him 05:16 Troubled Youth, Violence & Early Arrests 08:26 Juvenile Detention and Growing Up in the System 13:02 School Struggles, Dropping Out & Getting a GED 15:34 Trying to Go Straight: Trade School & Real Life 18:59 Back to the Streets: Drug Dealing & Survival 22:41 The Raid: Arrest, Indictment & Federal Charges 26:05 Facing the Judge: Court, Sentencing & Reality 28:08 State Jail vs Federal Prison: The Real Difference 31:57 Federal Transfer & Learning Prison Politics 37:20 Life Inside FCI Berlin: Isolation, Alliances & Trust 41:43 Prison Hooch, Contraband & Survival Tactics 43:00 Constant Transfers: Brooklyn, Oklahoma & More 47:08 Oxford Medium: Programs, Pressure & Prison Fights 51:12 Assaults, Box Time & Prison Discipline 56:41 COVID Lockdowns: Isolation & Mental Breakdown 01:03:04 Max Security at Kanan: Violence & Daily Routine 01:06:48 Prison Politics, Gangs & Loyalty Tests 01:13:00 Release, Relapse & Going Back to Prison 01:16:46 Education, Self-Improvement & a Decision to Change 01:18:39 Tattoos, Identity & Prison Regret 01:20:22 Making Amends & Breaking the Cycle 01:21:27 Final Advice & Hard Lessons Learned

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I Drank Myself To The Edge Of Death — Then Went to Prison | Joseph De Gregorio Jan 04, 2026

Show notes

Joseph De Gregorio was raised in a good family and built a successful career on Wall Street, but the 2008 market crash derailed everything. After losing his footing, he started his own business, which eventually turned into a fraud scheme—a decision he ultimately took responsibility for by coming clean and turning himself in to authorities. At the same time, Joseph was battling a severe alcohol addiction, drinking himself to the point of needing a liver transplant. He was later sentenced to federal prison, where he faced harsh conditions and medical challenges while serving time in a federal medical center prison. After his release, Joseph reinvented his life, dedicating himself to helping others navigate the justice system through prison consulting and sentence mitigation work, turning his darkest chapter into a mission to help people avoid the same mistakes.

_____________________________________________ #IAlmostDied #PrisonSurvival #AddictionRecovery #TrueCrimeStories #LifeAfterPrison #RedemptionStory #PrisonLife #survivorstory

_____________________________________________ Thank you to FRONTLINE HEALING FOUNDATION for sponsoring this episode: Visit https://frontlinehealingfoundation.org/ to donate or share their mission.

_____________________________________________ Connect with Joseph De Gregorio: Website: https://www.jnadvisor.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jnadvisor-joseph/ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop

_____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 From Wall Street Success to Federal Prison 02:40 Who He Was Before Everything Fell Apart 11:10 Childhood, Ambition & the Drive to Win 19:16 Inside Wall Street: Money, Power & Pressure 30:08 The 2008 Financial Crash That Changed Everything 39:47 Addiction, Burnout & Losing Control 47:32 Liver Failure, Transplant & Near-Death Hospital Battle 01:03:53 Getting Sober: AA, Accountability & Truth 01:11:20 Turning Himself In to Federal Authorities 01:22:13 Federal Prison While Medically Compromised 01:35:48 Release, Home Confinement & Supervised Release Reality 01:40:58 Life After Prison: Education, Purpose & Reinvention 01:52:00 Beating the System: Mitigation Strategy Explained 02:01:53 Legal Tech, Consulting & The Future of Defense 02:09:40 Final Lessons, Advice & How to Contact Him

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I Was Shot & Paralyzed — Then Survived Arizona's Most Dangerous Prisons | Ernie Leon Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

Ernie Leon shares a story of survival, violence, and redemption. Growing up in Arizona, Ernie fell into addiction and gang life at a young age, which led to an armed robbery conviction and time in the Arizona prison system. After getting into trouble behind the walls, he was sent to maximum-security prison, where survival became a daily battle. Following his release, tragedy struck when Ernie witnessed his brother get shot and killed, and Ernie himself was shot and paralyzed. Despite everything, he was later sent back to Arizona max prison on another armed robbery case. In this conversation, Ernie breaks down the realities of Arizona maximum-security prisons, the consequences of street life, and what it takes to keep going after losing everything.

_____________________________________________ #PrisonSurvival #TrueCrimeStories #MaximumSecurityPrison #ArizonaPrison #LifeAfterPrison #SurvivalStory #PrisonLife #RedemptionStory

_____________________________________________ Connect with Ernie Leon: YouTube Channel: @ErnieLeon-vh9eu Facebook: Ernie Leon Instagram: erni.eleon1983 TikTok: @ernie.leon07

_____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro: Ernie's Life, Crime & Consequences 03:34 Growing Up in South Phoenix: Violence, Poverty & Survival 06:00 Family Trauma, Addiction & Early Warning Signs 09:17 Gang Life, Street Loyalty & Losing Loved Ones 13:13 First Prison Sentence: Entering the System 17:38 Racial Politics & Survival Inside Prison 22:00 Prison Gangs, Violence & Daily Threats 25:45 Life in Special Management Units (SMU) 30:36 Release From Prison, Family Pressure & Relapse 35:35 Trying to Save His Brother & Returning to the Streets 40:44 The Night Everything Changed: The Shooting 45:39 Aftermath of the Shooting: Loss, Paralysis & Trauma 50:07 Arrested Again: Facing the System Once More 54:48 Going Back to Prison While Paralyzed 01:01:41 Identity, Loyalty & Reality Behind Bars 01:07:02 Hitting Rock Bottom & Finding Faith 01:11:20 Getting Sober & Choosing a Different Life 01:14:34 Life After Prison: Recovery, Setbacks & Struggles 01:16:43 Lessons Learned & Advice to His Younger Self 01:17:38 Final Thoughts, Redemption & Closing

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I Was A Probation Officer For 20+ Years — This Is The Dark Side Of The Job | Paul Collette Dec 31, 2025

Show notes

Paul Collette spent years working inside the criminal justice system as a New York probation officer before leaving to become a federal probation officer. In this episode, Paul pulls back the curtain on what probation really looks like, sharing real stories from the job while breaking down the biggest myths and truths the public gets wrong. He talks about supervising violent criminals and sex offenders, handling high-risk situations, and the daily pressure of balancing public safety with rehabilitation. From the differences between state and federal probation to the realities of working with dangerous individuals, this conversation offers an unfiltered, insider look at life behind the badge and what it truly means to work inside the probation system.

_____________________________________________ #ProbationOfficer #CriminalJustice #TrueCrimePodcast #LawEnforcementStories #PrisonSystem #JusticeSystem #BehindTheBadge #realcrimestory

_____________________________________________ Connect with Paul Collette: https://sapservicesct.com/about Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop

_____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Intro: Supervising High-Risk Offenders on Probation 02:00 Meet Paul Collette: Life After 20+ Years in Probation 05:00 Therapy, Family & Rebuilding After Law Enforcement 07:00 Growing Up in a Military Family & Constant Relocation 11:00 Early Influences That Shaped His Career Path 14:00 Social Work vs Law Enforcement: Choosing Probation 17:00 First Jobs & Breaking Into the Probation System 20:00 Becoming a New York Probation Officer 24:00 The Reality of Probation Work: Stress, Risk & Responsibility 29:00 Probation Officers vs Police: Power, Authority & Limits 33:00 Supervising Dangerous Offenders: Daily Risks on the Job 38:00 Empathy vs Enforcement: How the Job Changes You 40:00 Transitioning From State to Federal Probation 44:00 Inside Federal Probation: Reports, Caseloads & Pressure 48:00 Judges, Sentencing & the Flaws in the Justice System 53:00 How Much Power Does a Probation Officer Really Have? 58:00 Transfers, Burnout & Career Turning Points 01:02:00 Becoming a Federal Sex Offender Specialist 01:09:00 Supervising Sex Offenders: Monitoring, Limits & Reality 01:17:00 Recidivism: Why the System Struggles to Prevent Reoffending 01:23:00 Restitution, Supervision & Overlooked System Details 01:28:00 Cooperators, PSI Reports & Prison Outcomes 01:34:00 Mental Health, Trauma & the Hidden Cost of the Job 01:41:00 Why He Finally Left Probation After 20+ Years 01:48:00 Advice for Returning Citizens & People on Supervision 01:53:00 Life After Probation: Therapy, Teaching & Helping Others 01:57:00 Final Thoughts on the Justice System & Closing

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Max B: Sentenced to 75 Years — How I Survived Prison & Got Out Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

Max B sits down with Ian Bick for a raw, open & honest conversation about his life, music, and surviving more than 15 years behind bars. He opens up about growing up in Harlem, his first prison sentence at Rikers Island and in New York State prison, and how he initially got into music and rose to fame. Max B then breaks down his second arrest, being sentenced to 75 years in prison, and what it took to survive New Jersey State Prison while continuing to put out music from behind the walls. He also shares how his sentence was eventually reduced, the mindset that kept him going, and what it's been like finally getting out of prison and moving forward with his life.

_____________________________________________ #MaxB #PrisonStory #NewJerseyStatePrison #PrisonSurvival #HipHopStories #LifeAfterPrison #TrueCrimeStories #redemptionstory

_____________________________________________ Connect with Max B: https://www.instagram.com/maxb140/?hl=en Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop

_____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Max B Speaks Out After Prison Release 03:10 Growing Up in Harlem, New York 05:10 Family Life, Values & Early Influences 08:00 School, Youth Trouble & Street Life 11:50 First Time in Prison: Jail Experience & Finding Music 17:40 Discovering Music as a Way Out 21:30 First Release & Breaking Into the Music Industry 25:00 Back on the Streets & Second Arrest 29:00 Facing a 75-Year Prison Sentence 32:00 Making Music While Incarcerated 34:40 Life Inside New Jersey Maximum Security Prison 39:00 Violence, Survival & Prison Hustles 44:20 Social Media, Fame & Cultural Impact 47:40 Family, Children & Time Lost Behind Bars 50:00 Sentence Reduction & Getting Released 54:30 Prison Food, Cookbooks & Hustling Inside 01:00:00 Life After Prison: Freedom & Reentry 01:06:00 Building New Memories & What's Next 01:08:40 Advice for the Next Generation & Final Thoughts

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