From Wrong To Strong

This podcast episode hosted by Omar Calvillo features Ricky Irby, who shares his transformative journey from growing up in Waukegan, Illinois to experiencing wrongful conviction and eventual redemption. Convicted for the death of his child due to a mishap with tainted formula, Ricky served 35 years of an 80-year sentence. Despite his wrongful incarceration, he found faith, overcame his drug addict...

In this compelling episode host Omar Calvillo introduces Dionne Garcia, who narrates her journey from growing up amidst gang violence in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood in the 80's & 90's, to her eventual redemption years later. Dionne details her early involvement in gangs, teenage pregnancy, significant role in drug dealing, and dramatic arrest by U.S. Marshals, leading to her fugiti...

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! This is the first interview that David Ayala and Jimmy Soto have done together since they were exonerated and released from prison back in December of 2023. They share their experiences with wrongful imprisonment, personal growth, and the transformation they have undergone since their release. They reflect on the importance of forgiveness and change. They also emphasize the ne...

On December 14, 2023 Jimmy Soto and his cousin David Ayala were released from Stateville Correctional Center after a forty-two-year-long fight to prove their innocence. At the time of his release, Soto was the longest-serving wrongfully convicted prisoner in Illinois history. A Cook County judge vacated Soto’s sentence, stating that neither he nor Ayala received adequate counsel during the initial...

This podcast episode shares the powerful stories of Mark Corbett and Steve Watt. Mark and Steve recount their journey from a tragic shooting during a bank robbery attempt to an extraordinary tale of forgiveness and redemption. Mark who was deep in debt and seeing no way out decides to rob a  bank one day. The call goes out and Steve, who is a highway patrolman responds to the call and begins to lo...

In this podcast, Omar Calvillo from Chicago hosts Anthony Consiglio, Senior Director of Operations for 'God Behind Bars,' an organization dedicated to introducing inmates to Jesus and connecting them to the local church. Anthony shares his personal journey from a promising baseball career that was derailed due to injury, leading to a period of substance abuse and reckless behavior, to fi...

In this compelling podcast, host Omar Calvillo interviews Pastor Daniel Rivera, who narrates his profound journey from gang involvement in Chicago and Gary, Indiana, to redemption and ministry. After a tragic incident leading to incarceration, Rivera encountered faith in Christ through a fellow inmate, which became the turning point in his life. At this point he had been incarcerated nine years al...

Join host Omar Calvillo in this inspiring podcast episode featuring Louis Dooley. Once entrenched in the hardships of drug dealing, crime and violence, Louis shares his incredible life transformation through faith and perseverance. As a young man he gets arrested and sentenced to life in prison plus a hundred years. Right when he feels that his life is over is just the moment when he truly begins...

In this podcast episode Jacob Ekelman from Phoenix, Arizona, shares his remarkable journey from a life of addiction and rebellion to redemption through faith. Raised in a Mormon household, Jacob's struggles led him to getting locked up, to a rehab center, playing bass in a various rock bands, then a HIV diagnosis triggered a profound spiritual awakening. Right when it seemed that everything i...

In this episode of the 'Wrong to Strong Chicago' podcast, guest Pastor Frank Robles joins from Phoenix, Arizona, to share his journey from the gang-infested streets of South Phoenix to founding a successful men's discipleship program. Pastor Robles discusses his upbringing in a tough neighborhood, his early church involvement, and his descent into drugs and gang life following a dis...

This interview chronicles the life of Maurice 'Kojak' Fuller, a former high school basketball star from Anderson, Indiana. Kojak opens up about his upbringing in a close-knit community and the challenges of growing up without a stable father figure, which led him to seek solace in basketball. Despite his talent, he veered into a life of drugs and crime, resulting in imprisonment. During...

In an insightful interview Jeff Zaugg, founder of the "Dad Awesome" podcast, discusses the importance of intentional fatherhood and his mission to inspire fathers to lead their families with intentionality and joy. Drawing from over 329 interviews and his own upbringing, Jeff shares practical advice on balancing family life and pursuing new experiences. Jeff shares his journey, including...

Erik Saldaña recounts his upbringing in Chicago, his parents' separation, and the positive influences that steered him away from gangs. Initially focused on sports, Erik later pursued a career in law enforcement and joined the Chicago Police Department. Encountering many challenges along the way, Erik turned to faith and began understanding Christian practices and the empathetic role required...

From the city of Chicago, a city most recently known for its crime and violence. On this podcast we will be sharing stories of redemption from individuals raised in the tough streets of Chicago and from around the country. Some of them were gang members, drug dealers, incarcerated; victims of and perpetrators of violence. Listen to my guests as they share their experiences, struggles, trauma, but...

On this podcast interview I am joined by Harry Peña, founder of "Life Impacters Foundation. (LIF)"  He is also a partner of the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments. It was created as an organizing and campaign hub for people directly impacted by the criminal legal system to come together, build a movement, and lead and implement advocacy campaigns to end the impact of a crimi...

On April 26th, 2024 JC Almanza & I stepped foot back into East Moline Correctional Center here in Illinois. We met there back in 1999, twenty five years earlier as young men steeped deep into darkness with criminal mindsets. Listen to this podcast as I share all the events that lined up and led to us having this opportunity to go back and share our stories of redemption with the inmates there....

On this podcast interview we take the show on the road to Gary, Indiana and record an interview with Mike Petrovic at "Restoration House Ministries." This is a compelling narrative  of transformation and redemption through faith. He shares his harrowing journey from a life steeped in crime and addiction to finding purpose, love, and redemption through a true spiritual awakening. Michael&...

Luis Varela had a 31 year career as a Chicago Police Officer. He also served a total off 33 years between the Marines and Army Reserves were he served as a drill instructor. He grew up in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago. He grew up in an era of the late sixties and early seventy's were there was a greater racial divide within the communities of Chicago. Growing up he begins to see some...

Joshuah Hernandez is currently scheduled for a boxing match on Saturday April 13th, 2024 at the Dome in Rosemont, IL. He has been boxing since the age of 5 years old. His dad was a professional boxer as well. Like many of us, his childhood had some rough patches along the way. Some of those things shaped him and molded him into the young man he is today. As a teenager he also finds success as a ra...

On today's podcast episode I am joined by Cisco Terrazas, Julio Mercado & Arturo Gamino.  This is our first time doing a four person podcast interview. This interview starts off a little slow but once we get warmed up you get to hear these men's hearts and the conversation just flows. Today discuss the importance & power of sharing your testimony according to Scripture. That is,...

"This will be your last time!" is the statement Bert hears spoken in his mind on the day he ends up committing a crime that will eventually land him behind bars with a 40 year sentence.  Bert grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on the North side of Chicago. He grew up in a loving home, with mom and dad in the picture. One day he sees his older brother come home after getting into a...

This is an exclusive podcast interview with Chicago's very own David Ayala. David, along with his cousin Jimmy Soto, were recently exonerated after serving over 42 years in prison for a crime they didn't commit. They made history by becoming Illinois longest serving prison inmates to be then exonerated. You will hear how I met David just last week by a chance encounter at a tattoo remova...

Today we do our first ever “on the road” in person podcast interview. Thanks to a generous donation from a co-worker of mine, I was able to purchase equipment to make this podcast possible. I traveled to Wheaton, Illinois to meet with Pastor Manny Mill from “Koinonia House National Ministries” at his home. Pastor Manny’s life begins back in Cuba where as a young kid he sees Fidel Castro come into...

In this podcast episode Rob Decker joins me all the way from Colorado Springs, Colorado.  After years of abuse, addiction, a desperate search for praise and approval, and living in unbearable pain and isolation, Rob Decker reached a breaking point that drove him to take drastic measures. After a failed sui--de attempt and a friend not giving up on him, Rob woke up alive with a new lease on life. R...

Happy New Year 2024! This is our first podcast episode release of this new year. God bless you and your families, thank you very much for the continual support. On this episode you will hear the first ever guest host on the Wrong To Strong Chicago Podcast. Julio Mercado steps into the studio to interview REZUM, a multi genre Christian artist. Listen to REZUM share about his life growing up with hi...