Dog In The Yard

In this episode of Dog in the Yard, we sit down with Swerve, a man whose life journey is a powerful testament to resilience, creativity, and transformation. Born in Lower Manhattan in 1989, Swerve was raised between South Yonkers and Avenue A in Manhattan, navigating a childhood marked by struggle, survival, and the influence of activism. His mother, an HIV/AIDS advocate, battled her own hardships...

Sunny Gibbs, a Brooklyn native, grew up in Crown Heights before moving to Bed-Stuy after his release from DFY at 16. His first incarceration was at 11 years old for robbery, and by 13, he had turned to armed robberies after losing his mother. As a founding member of the Hop Out Boyz, Sunny was convicted in 2004 of multiple armed robberies and sentenced to 9 years. After serving 8 years, he was re-...

In this episode of Dog In The Yard we sit down with Jose Perez, a poet, actor, and community leader whose powerful journey is a testament to resilience and transformation. Born and raised in Queens, Jose spent his childhood in foster care, group homes, and juvenile institutions before being incarcerated at just 16 years old, sentenced to 20 years to life for Murder 2 Robbery 1. After serving 20 ye...

In this powerful episode of Dog in the Yard, we sit down with Trevell Coleman, better known as G. Dep, the Harlem-born rapper who rose to fame with Bad Boy Records and his hit album Child of the Ghetto. Known for his raw lyricism and storytelling, G. Dep's music resonated with fans through tracks like "Special Delivery" and "Let's Get It." Beyond his musical success, G. Dep’s story is one of redem...

In this episode of Dog in the Yard Knick Gunz opens up about his journey through the justice system and his path to redemption. From his first experience at Spofford as a juvenile to serving time in Mohawk, Midstate, and Barehill, Knick faced numerous challenges, including convictions for kidnapping, gun possession, and attempted murder. Since his release in 2013, Knick has turned his life around....

In this inspiring episode of Dog in the Yard, we sit down with Tony "BX Tone" Windley, a man whose story of resilience and redemption proves that transformation is possible, no matter the past. Convicted on multiple conspiracy charges, Tone spent 20 years in federal prison. Instead of allowing his circumstances to define him, he focused on personal growth, education, and self-improvement behind ba...

In this episode of Dog in the Yard, Hector "Suave" Gonzalez shares his powerful story of transformation. Born and raised in East New York, Brooklyn, Hector was drawn to the street life at a young age. By 16, he was incarcerated for murder and witness tampering, ultimately serving 28 years, 6 months, and 5 days behind bars. During his time in prison, Hector refused to let his circumstances define h...

In this episode of Dog in the Yard, Marc "Dinero" Rowley shares his incredible journey from the streets to redemption. Born to immigrant parents and raised in Queens, Brooklyn, and Teaneck, NJ, Marc faced the challenges of poverty and turned to selling weed and guns to survive. After being arrested for a gun charge and a homicide in 2009, Marc was sentenced to 38 years. But instead of giving up, h...

Join us on a powerful journey with Demetrius Wardsworth, a former gangster turned advocate for prison reform. His story will inspire you to rethink your life and the justice system. Tune in to the Dog in the Yard Podcast for more impactful conversations. In this episode of Dog in the Yard, we sit down with Demetrius Wardsworth, a man whose journey of resilience and transformation proves that it’s...

In this powerful episode of *Dog in the Yard*, we sit down with Don Dre, better known as "Dondretheboss." Don Dre shares his story of stepping into the streets at just 12 years old, forced to grow up fast to support his two younger brothers. Despite the challenges, he was guided by old-timers who pushed him to stay in school while hustling. Intelligent and ambitious, Don Dre quickly rose through t...

In this inspiring episode, we spotlight Alpha Mel, a rising artist out of the Bronx who is making waves in the music industry. Although he only began taking his craft seriously in 2022, Alpha Mel has already gained the support of top-tier producers and assembled a powerhouse team to amplify his message of positivity and resilience. Growing up in the Bronx and navigating life as a kid in the system...

In this episode of Dog in the Yard, we sit down with Phillip C. Hamilton, a powerhouse trial attorney and litigator whose career has spanned high-stakes civil and criminal cases across the U.S. Known for his fearless approach in the courtroom, Phillip’s clients include high-net-worth individuals, Fortune 100 companies, civil rights organizations, and public officials. From securing six-figure sett...

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Vladimir Bautista, CEO and Co-Founder of Happy Munkey, an internationally renowned NYC lifestyle brand synonymous with cannabis culture. Born and raised in Hamilton Heights, NYC, Vladimir has become a formidable advocate in the cannabis space, leveraging his deep connections within the industry to bridge the gap between the legacy and legal markets. Fro...

In this gripping episode of *Dog in the Yard*, Pistol Pete sits down with Jamie Rosemary Turner, a Harlem native with an unforgettable story of resilience and transformation. Born and raised on 129th Convent Ave, Jamie grew up in Harlem’s vibrant and intense streets, alongside iconic figures like Cleveland Nappy Red, DJ S&S, DJ Craig G, and DJ Webstar. Known for her hustle, Jamie was embed...

In this powerful episode of Dog in the Yard, Pistol Pete sits down with Vidal Guzman, an abolitionist, entrepreneur, and author who transformed his life after spending five years in prison. Growing up in Harlem and facing incarceration as a teenager, Vidal now leads criminal justice reform efforts as the Executive Director of America On Trial Inc. and the founder of campaigns like #AIRS and End Qu...

In this episode of Dog in the Yard, we sit down with DOT, a 41-year-old from Stamford, Connecticut, who has experienced both the harsh realities of the streets and the challenges of rebuilding after incarceration. Born on August 11, 1983, DOT’s life took a pivotal turn when he was sentenced to federal prison at just 24 for distributing cocaine and crack. His case was complicated by charges of witn...

Robert Wiegman, aka Boxx, is a Yonkers native whose life journey has been marked by significant challenges and remarkable resilience. Growing up in a vibrant yet complex environment, Boxx faced the harsh realities of life from a young age. He began encountering the criminal justice system at just 13 years old, experiencing a series of "skid bids" that would shape his future. At 19, Boxx faced a pi...

Flip, a native of Jersey City, faced a pivotal moment in his life when he was incarcerated for 9 years on charges of shooting and drug distribution. Growing up in an environment where street life was often the only option, Flip found himself entangled in decisions that led him down a destructive path. However, prison became a turning point. During his time behind bars, Flip made a commitment to ch...

Welcome back to Dog in the Yard, the podcast where we bring you real stories of resilience, survival, and transformation straight from the hearts of those who’ve experienced life behind the wall. In this powerful episode, Pistol Pete sits down with Dance, a Dominican brother from the Bronx with an extraordinary life story. Dance opens up about his journey through the foster care system, the harsh...

In this powerful episode of "Dog in the Yard," we sit down with Francisco Trinidad, also known as Trini, whose remarkable journey from the streets of Yonkers to the cannabis business is both inspiring and eye-opening. Born in the Dominican Republic and brought to America in 1986, Trini’s early life in Paterson and Yonkers shaped his path. Despite his initial success in modeling and light acting—fe...

In this gripping episode of Dog in the Yard, host Pistol Pete sits down with Mikey Brown, a man whose life took a sharp turn from the streets of the Lower East Side to prison and ultimately to success. Convicted of Manslaughter 1st, Mikey served 13 years behind bars. However, instead of letting the system break him, he used his time to reflect, transform, and prepare for a life beyond the cell wal...

In this episode, Pistol Pete sits down with Big Bootsie, a man whose life story is as gritty as it is inspiring. Growing up in Kingston, New York, and later navigating the rough streets of Jessup, Maryland, Bootsie was no stranger to the hustle. In 1992, his life took a dramatic turn when he was pulled over illegally in Newport News, Virginia, and faced a daunting 60-year sentence for drug smuggli...

In this enlightening episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Jaime Santana, a pioneering legal professional whose career has broken significant barriers. Jaime made history as the first Latino judge in Orange County, showcasing his dedication to justice and representation. His journey continued as he served as a district attorney in Brooklyn, where he made impactful contributions to the le...

In this gripping episode, we sit down with a remarkable guest from the Bronx, who shares his extraordinary journey from the streets of McKinley Projects to overcoming severe legal battles. Starting in the drug game at just 13, our guest faced numerous challenges, including a high-stakes murder trial and multiple prison sentences. Despite a tumultuous past, he turned his life around after serving n...

In this compelling episode of "Dog In The Yard," we sit down with Shariff S-ONE Harris, a resilient voice from Castle Hill, Bronx NY. Shariff’s journey is marked by a lengthy and challenging 16-year incarceration, where he faced charges including A-1 Conspiracy, Robbery 1st, multiple sales of a controlled substance, Assault 2nd, and Conspiracy to Murder. Despite these trials, S-ONE has transformed...