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    True Crime

    The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell – Johnny Mitchell

    Former drug trafficker and standup comedian Johnny Mitchell takes you inside the world of drugs, crime, prison, and the politics of the War on Drugs.

    Advertise

    Copyright: © Johnny Mitchell

    • Apple Podcasts
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    Latest Episodes:
    The White Crack Kingpin Who Ran An All-Black Drug Crew Sep 13, 2026
    Show notes

    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


    Is Trump Covering Up Melania’s Connection To Jeffrey Epstein? Sep 09, 2026
    Show notes

    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


    Inside The New Jersey Mafia That Inspired The Sopranos Sep 06, 2026
    Show notes

    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. Intervention In Mexico Become America’s Next Vietnam? Sep 02, 2026
    Show notes

    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


    How The Sinaloa Cartel Moves Cocaine Across America Aug 30, 2026
    Show notes

    At just 18 years old, Jacob Diaz went from growing up in extreme poverty and foster care to helping manage a massive cocaine trafficking operation stretching from the Texas border to Florida.


    In this episode, Jacob explains how he started as a driver and translator before eventually handling logistics, coordinating drivers, collecting money, managing stash houses, and helping oversee the U.S. side of an operation connected to the Beltrán Leyva organization.


    At its peak, the network was moving dozens of kilos a week, with Jacob describing hundreds of kilos moving through individual customers and millions of dollars changing hands.


    Jacob breaks down how the operation stayed under the radar, how cocaine moved across the country, what life was like around cartel figures in Mexico, and the mistake that eventually brought federal investigators to his door.


    After being convicted on a federal cocaine conspiracy charge and serving more than seven years in prison, Jacob completely changed direction and built a legitimate business helping people repair their credit and access funding.


    This is the story of how a teenager went from homelessness and foster care to the center of a multimillion-dollar cocaine operation—and how it all came crashing down.


    Go Support Jacob!


    Ig: https://www.instagram.com/mycreditbuilderpros/


    This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following:


    Hims! To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/connect


    NordVPN! NordVPN! Upgrade your online protection with an all-in-one security app! Get an exclusive NordVPN deal + 4 months extra here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/theconnect. Itʼs risk free with NordVPNʼs 30-day money-back guarantee!


    Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!

    https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow


    0:00 Intro: From Foster Care to Cartel Logistics

    6:11 Growing Up in Extreme Poverty in Ocala

    11:50 Foster Care, Family Separation & His Mom Disappearing

    17:15 Learning to Let Go and Move Forward

    20:03 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims

    21:48 Selling to Eat While Homeless

    29:00 Selling Out of the Foster Home

    34:32 Meeting the Man Who Became His Father Figure

    41:54 Getting Involved In The Beltran-Leyva Organization

    43:21 This Episode Is Sponsored By NordVPN

    44:42 Becoming the U.S. Logistics Manager

    47:17 Collecting Cash, Translating & Learning the Business

    55:07 Border Routes, Checkpoints & Moving Product

    1:00:57 The 70-Year-Old Cartel Mule

    1:06:00 Moving 20 Kilos a Week Through Ocala

    1:12:36 The Dream of Retiring in Spain

    1:22:02 Cartel Security & Acapulco Nightlife

    1:27:05 Living on a $30K-a-Month Party Budget

    1:32:38 Why They Used One Distributor at a Time

    1:38:02 How His Boss Got Back Across the Border

    1:44:49 Flying Cash to Mexico

    1:50:44 The 2011 Federal Investigation Begins

    1:56:31 The Federal Case & Recorded Evidence

    2:01:33 Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

    2:06:51 Building a Credit Business in Prison

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


    How San Francisco Became A Haven For The Fentanyl Trade Aug 26, 2026
    Show notes

    Former San Francisco undercover narcotics officer Britt Elmore exposes how the Tenderloin became one of America’s most notorious open-air drug markets — and how fentanyl, street dealers, weak prosecution, addiction, homelessness, and organized trafficking reshaped the city.


    In this episode, Britt breaks down the San Francisco fentanyl crisis from the inside. After 25 years working narcotics, undercover buys, federal task force cases, wiretaps, gun deals, stolen car operations, cartel-linked investigations, and street-level drug markets, Britt explains how the fentanyl trade operates in the Bay Area and why San Francisco became a magnet for addiction, homelessness, and open-air drug dealing.


    He discusses the Tenderloin drug market, Honduran street dealers, Mexican suppliers, fentanyl economics, undercover police work, drug trafficking routes, confidential informants, cartel connections, stolen property rings, car break-ins, retail theft, rehab fraud, Proposition 47, and why many officers believe the system has stopped holding repeat offenders accountable.


    This conversation is a raw, unfiltered look at crime, addiction, policing, fentanyl, and the collapse of public order in one of America’s most iconic cities.


    Topics covered:

    -San Francisco fentanyl crisis

    -Tenderloin open-air drug market

    -SFPD undercover narcotics work

    -Fentanyl trafficking in California

    -Honduran drug dealers in San Francisco

    -Mexican cartel supply chains

    -Drug addiction and homelessness

    -Proposition 47 and criminal justice reform

    -Retail theft, bipping, and stolen property rings

    -Confidential informants and federal wiretaps

    -Undercover gun and drug buys

    -How fentanyl changed the drug trade


    Go Support Britt!


    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/britt-elmore-5641a53a


    This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following:


    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


    00:00 San Francisco’s fentanyl crisis

    01:33 Arrests, treatment, and the debate over addiction policy

    03:04 Drugs inside jails, rehabs, and nonprofit systems

    07:16 San Francisco’s tech wealth and drug culture

    11:16 Honduran dealers and the Tenderloin street market

    13:57 How Tenderloin dealers make money and avoid arrest

    15:18 Heroin, fentanyl, and changing opioid markets

    17:28 The economics of fentanyl

    20:16 Britt Elmore’s undercover narcotics career

    24:34 How Honduran dealers arrive, live, and operate in the Bay Area

    28:35 Working wires from street dealers to Mexico

    30:01 This Episode Is Sponsored By Mood

    31:37 Meth, heroin, Sinaloa links, and border corruption

    41:24 The undercover warehouse fencing operation

    49:20 Reactive policing, low-level crime, and Proposition 47

    55:01 “Bipping,” retail theft, and stolen goods networks

    1:02:13 Drug transport routes through California, Oregon, and Washington

    1:04:18 How federal wiretaps work

    1:10:45 Major seizures and hidden stash houses

    1:12:18 Prescription pills, addiction, and fentanyl recovery

    1:23:03 Narcan, overdoses, and fentanyl contamination myths

    1:29:39 Mexican trafficking groups, meth, and Hell’s Angels case

    1:32:12 Informants, federal pressure, and who flips

    1:51:42 Guns, switches, Dracos, and ATF cases

    2:00:51 Cannabis eradication and drug money in the mail

    2:18:28 Life undercover, adrenaline, and retirement

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


    How a Mormon Kid From Texas Became a Mexican Cartel Sicario Aug 23, 2026
    Show notes

    From a strict Mormon upbringing in Texas to the violent world of cartel-connected crime, Tyler’s story is one of the wildest we’ve heard.


    In this episode, Tyler explains how he went from being a high school kid making money transporting drugs to working around human-smuggling networks along the Texas–Mexico border. He describes witnessing extreme cartel violence at a young age, moving migrants through border towns, becoming involved in violent contract work in Mexico, and later building a large drug business back home.


    Tyler also opens up about the side of that lifestyle people rarely talk about—the paranoia, emotional numbness, PTSD, memory problems, prison, and the difficulty of returning to a normal life after years surrounded by violence.


    We discuss:


    • Growing up in a strict Mormon household

    • Getting recruited into drug transportation as a teenager

    • Witnessing cartel violence for the first time

    • How human-smuggling networks operate along the border

    • Coyotes, safe houses, spotters, burner phones, and cartel organization

    • His descent into increasingly violent criminal work

    • Building a drug business through Snapchat

    • His 2019 arrest and prison sentence

    • The lasting psychological effects of the lifestyle

    • Therapy, family, faith, and trying to rebuild his life


    This conversation contains descriptions of violence, drug trafficking, and other criminal activity. It is presented for documentary, educational, and entertainment purposes and is not intended to promote or encourage illegal behavior.


    This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following:


    BetterHelp! See the reviews, see what stands out, and see if BetterHelp is right for you. Visit https://betterhelp.com/connect


    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


    00:00 Intro: Mormon Kid to Cartel Hitman

    01:27 Growing Up in a Strict Mormon Household

    03:13 Rebelling Against Church Rules

    04:16 First Adventure: Driving Heroin

    06:40 Close Call: Witnessing a Chainsaw Murder

    09:07 The Psychological Aftermath

    12:32 Understanding the Cartel's Organization

    15:10 Mental Health Struggles and Trauma

    20:35 This Episode Is Sponsored By BetterHelp

    21:55 Getting Back into Smuggling

    23:23 Human Smuggling Operations and Safe Houses

    27:18 Evolution into a Hitman

    29:04 Cartel's Control and Police Corruption

    31:52 The Job: Contract, Payment, and Preparation

    36:27 The First Hit and Moral Numbing

    40:33 This Episode Is Sponsored By Mood

    42:33 Avoiding Addiction and the Double Life

    45:08 The Worst Thing Seen: Four Days of Torture

    52:00 The Drug Business and Burner Phones

    01:10:11 Getting Busted and Going to Prison

    01:17:00 Building the Snapchat Drug Empire

    01:22:26 Why Keep Doing Hits?

    01:24:07 The Last Job and Quitting

    01:27:01 Arrest and Prison Sentence

    01:30:09 Life After Prison and Redemption

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


    The Sinaloa Cartel Is Losing Control Of It's Own Territory Aug 19, 2026
    Show notes

    Katarina Szulc returns to The Connect after reporting on the ground in Sinaloa, where the cartel war has pushed Culiacán deeper into violence and uncertainty.


    In this episode, she breaks down what she witnessed firsthand, why the Chapitos are under enormous pressure, and how CJNG could emerge as one of the biggest winners if the Chapitos eventually collapse or surrender. With CJNG already providing manpower and resources to its Sinaloa allies, could the organization ultimately move in and absorb their territory?


    We also get into the escalating war inside the Sinaloa Cartel, the future of the remaining Chapitos, alleged cartel ties to Mexican politicians, the growing influence of CJNG, what daily life now looks like in Culiacán, forced recruitment, and Katarina's disturbing investigation into human trafficking in Tijuana.


    This is an inside look at one of the most important power struggles happening in Mexico's criminal underworld—and what could come next.


    Go Support Katarina!


    YouTube: @katarinaszulc

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


    Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!

    https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow


    00:00 The Cartel's Control Over Sinaloa

    02:40 Senseless Murders and Public Fear

    03:30 Governor Rocha's Indictment

    08:30 Challenges of Reporting in Sinaloa

    13:30 Inside the Daily Murders

    20:00 The War for Cartel Control

    23:30 CJNG Alliance and Mencho's Death

    28:00 Cartel Convoys and Rural Danger

    32:00 Humanizing Cartel Members

    34:00 Victims and the New Generation

    36:00 Cartel Economics and Recruitment

    39:00 Chapitos' Surrender Talks

    44:00 Political Leverage and US Influence

    50:00 Mazatlan's Strategic Value

    58:00 Human Trafficking Crisis

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices


    Baltimore Drug Kingpin Reveals Making Millions Selling Heroin For The Mafia Aug 16, 2026
    Show notes

    Steven Dixon, a former Baltimore heroin kingpin, reveals how the city’s drug trade really worked during its most notorious era—from New York suppliers and mob connections to high-purity heroin, street corners generating staggering amounts of cash, and the operation that made him millions.


    He breaks down how heroin moved from New York to Baltimore, how dealers controlled territory across West Baltimore, why trusted connections mattered, and how the drug economy seen in The Wire compared to what was actually happening on the streets.


    But the money and power came with a devastating price. After building a massive operation and owning more than 100 properties, Steven eventually became addicted to heroin himself—losing the empire, the money, and nearly everything else.


    After years of addiction, he finally got clean, returned to school, earned a master’s degree, and dedicated his life to helping others recover through addiction treatment and behavioral health programs.


    This is the inside story of Baltimore’s heroin era—from millions in drug money to addiction, recovery, and redemption.


    Go Support Steven!


    Recovery Facility: https://absolutehbh.com/


    This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following:


    Cash App! 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.


    Superpower! Head to https://superpower.com and use code CONNECT at checkout for $20 off your membership. Get 100+ biomarkers tested every year, plus a personalized health plan and on-demand care team. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod


    NordVPN! Upgrade your online protection with an all-in-one security app! Get an exclusive NordVPN deal + 4 months extra here ➼ https://nordvpn.com/theconnect. Itʼs risk free with NordVPNʼs 30-day money-back guarantee!


    Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!

    https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow


    00:00 Meet Steve Dixon

    00:37 Baltimore's Heroin Kingpin

    02:11 Reflections on the Drug Trade

    03:32 Why Baltimore is a Heroin City

    05:13 The Nigerian Connection

    07:44 Building a Fortune

    10:53 From Heroin to Fentanyl

    12:07 This Episode Is Sponsored By Cash App

    13:27 Growing Up in Baltimore

    16:04 A Life on the Streets

    19:03 Acquiring Turf and Connections

    21:27 Regrets and Community Impact

    23:35 Keys to Success in the Game

    25:31 The Mob and Nigerian Sources

    27:00 Distribution Network

    30:43 This Episode Is Sponsored By Superpower

    32:13 Police and Stash Houses

    34:54 Violence and Stickup Boys

    37:24 The Fall: Addiction

    40:16 Investing in the Community

    42:16 This Episode Is Sponsored By NordVPN

    43:52 The Addiction to Money

    45:40 A Day in the Life

    50:38 Handling Massive Cash

    52:37 The Turning Point

    56:30 Dodging a Federal Case

    58:00 Descent into Addiction

    01:01:40 Losing Everything

    01:04:10 Life as a Homeless Addict

    01:07:26 The Road to Recovery

    01:11:20 Helping Others Get Clean

    01:14:42 The Rehab Industry

    01:18:22 Redemption and Legacy

    01:20:24 Is Baltimore Better Now?

    01:23:57 Changing Attitudes in the Community

    01:27:02 Final Thoughts

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    Florida’s Next Governor Declares WAR On AIPAC, Mass Surveillance & AI Data Centers Aug 12, 2026
    Show notes

    Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback joins The Connect to explain why he believes it’s time for a political revolution at the state level—and why Florida must stand up to Washington, Wall Street, foreign influence, and the growing surveillance state.


    In this wide-ranging conversation, Fishback lays out his plan to eliminate Flock license-plate cameras, oppose Palantir-style mass surveillance, protect First and Fourth Amendment rights, and repeal Florida laws he believes restrict criticism of foreign governments.


    He also breaks down his opposition to the H-1B visa system, arguing that major corporations are replacing qualified American workers with cheaper foreign labor. Fishback explains how he would penalize companies that refuse to hire qualified Florida residents, prevent private-equity firms and foreign investors from buying up single-family homes, and stop taxpayer-subsidized AI data centers from spreading across the state.


    The discussion also covers Florida public schools, student accountability, crime and “teen takeovers,” restoring rights to former nonviolent offenders, gun rights, undeclared foreign wars, the National Guard, AIPAC influence, state sovereignty, and his legal battle to remain on the ballot.


    Can Florida become a model for a new American liberty movement—or is the political machine too powerful to defeat?


    Go Support James!


    Website: https://www.votemyflorida.org/


    Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!

    https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow


    00:00 Introduction: The Fight for Freedom

    00:42 Why I Support James Fishback

    01:30 Fishback's America First Platform

    02:44 A Call to Action for Floridians

    03:01 The National Significance of Florida's Fight

    04:41 A New Experiment in Liberty

    06:50 The Easiest Problem: Banning Flock Cameras

    08:20 The Fourth Amendment and Mass Surveillance

    10:50 The Existential Battle for Privacy

    12:10 Repealing Florida's Hate Speech Law

    14:40 The Real Test of the First Amendment

    15:56 Taking on the Opposition: Byron Donalds

    17:00 The Education Crisis in Florida

    20:00 Accountability in the Classroom

    22:55 The H-1B Visa Scam

    26:50 Protecting American Jobs

    29:00 Resistance at the State Level

    32:10 Banning Private Equity from Buying Homes

    34:00 The Unfair Advantage of Private Equity

    36:45 Foreign Buyers and the Housing Crisis

    38:00 Capitalism vs. America

    39:12 The Threat of Data Centers

    42:40 The Data Center Invasion in Florida

    44:30 Defending State Sovereignty

    47:00 Consistency and Truth in Politics

    48:00 Existential Issues vs. Cultural Differences

    50:00 The Case Against Zero Crime

    53:00 Addressing Teen Takeovers and Riots

    57:40 The El Salvador Model: Tough on Crime

    58:40 Restoring Rights for Former Felons

    01:01:00 The Lawfare Battle and Victory

    01:03:00 The Un-American Nature of Merging Militaries

    01:04:40 The True America First Agenda

    01:06:00 Byron Donalds: A Puppet of Foreign Interests

    01:08:00 America Comes First

    01:10:00 Christian Values and Governance

    01:12:00 Teaching Kids What It Means to Be American

    01:14:00 Mass Surveillance vs. Freedom

    01:18:00 The Unanimous Opposition to Data Centers

    01:20:00 The Momentum of the Fishback Campaign

    01:22:00 Final Call to Action: Vote for James Fishback

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