The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

2024 has seen record-breaking cartel violence in Mexico, with brutal conflicts erupting across the country. With Donald Trump back in office, he's vowing to crush the cartels, declaring them terrorist organizations and even threatening military intervention in Mexico. But is this plan realistic? In this deep dive, we explore: 🔹 The collapse of the old cartel system and rise of decentralized crimi...

Ross Ulbricht, the mastermind behind Silk Road, created one of the most notorious underground marketplaces in internet history. From 2011 to 2013, Silk Road facilitated over $200 million in drug sales using Bitcoin, making Ulbricht a target for the U.S. government. But was he truly the criminal kingpin they made him out to be? In this deep dive, we explore: 🔹 The rise and fall of Silk Road – the...

In this gripping interview, legendary Harlem gangster Lou Simms shares his untold story of survival in the brutal world of the 1980s crack epidemic. From running a multi-state drug empire to facing the death penalty, surviving 27 years in maximum security prison, and witnessing the transformation of Harlem, Lou holds nothing back. Lou explains how he got the name "Homicide Lou", the violent realit...

What really went down on January 6th? In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Nathan DeGrave, one of the 1600+ individuals who participated in the Capitol protest and was later pardoned by Donald Trump. Nathan shares his firsthand experience, from marching to the Capitol after Trump’s speech to the moment things spiraled out of control. He reveals shocking details about how police responded,...

Dive into the extraordinary story of Jorge Valdez, the original "Cocaine Cowboy" who pioneered the cocaine trade in the United States during the 1970s. From his beginnings as the Medellín Cartel's accountant to running multi-million-dollar operations, Jorge franchised the drug trade and left a mark on history. But his story doesn’t end there. After a life-changing spiritual awakening, Jorge walked...

Dive into the gripping story of Stephen French, also known as "The Devil," one of Liverpool's most infamous figures. From his troubled childhood to leading a stick-up crew during the 1980s cocaine boom, French built a fearsome reputation in the underworld, amassing millions and dominating Liverpool's streets. In this exclusive interview, he opens up about his journey through violence, crime, and r...

Dive into the extraordinary life of David McMillan, a former professional heroin smuggler who orchestrated massive operations across the globe. In this gripping interview, David reveals how he navigated the dangerous underworld, sourced the finest heroin from Southeast Asia, and built an empire that spanned continents. But it wasn’t all glamour. Arrested in Thailand and sentenced to death in one o...

Step into the gripping world of an elite Navy SEAL turned private military contractor. In this candid conversation, Daniel Corbett shares raw insights into his journey from a troubled youth to becoming a SEAL, intense combat missions in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the ethical dilemmas faced in modern warfare. He reflects on his time with SEAL Team 6, hostage rescues, mercenary work, and the psycholo...

Before Nino Breeze put out a hit single with Rick Ross and signed a massive record contract, he was a kid in the slums of St Petersburg, Florida. After serving time for burglaries he met a connect from Humboldt County California and quickly built a pot empire shipping up to 100 lbs at a time through the mail back home. After his business partner was busted and became an informant, the DEA and ATF...

In this powerful episode, we dive deep into the harrowing yet inspiring story of Gemma Smith, a survivor of domestic abuse who took drastic action to escape her abuser. Growing up in Northern England amidst a backdrop of addiction, violence, and neglect, Gemma’s life was marked by challenges from an early age. Her story takes a dramatic turn as she confronts an abusive partner, faces the legal sys...

In this powerful and raw account, Victor Abraham, a young African immigrant, shares his harrowing experiences of navigating systemic injustice in Staten Island, New York. He was falsely accused of a crime he didn't commit which sent him to a jail where he was subjected to solitary confinement at Rikers Island. Victor’s story sheds light on the realities of institutional racism, corruption, and the...

Taylor Cavanaugh, a former Navy SEAL, brings us into his life which feels straight out of an action movie at times. From battling ISIS in the deserts of the Middle East to surviving grueling SEAL training and joining the legendary French Foreign Legion, Taylor shares his incredible journey of resilience, transformation, and redemption. He dives into the details of being discharged by the SEALs and...

Ali Gonzalez, a former high-level hitman for Mexico's most dangerous cartels, reveals the shocking truth about life as a sicario. From his traumatic childhood and recruitment into the Sinaloa cartel to the violent reality of territorial disputes and his ultimate journey toward redemption, Ali provides unparalleled insight into the inner workings of the world's most powerful criminal organizations....

Shaun Attwood tells his incredible story of how he went from a working class childhood in England to becoming a successful stockbroker in the United States to running a multi-million dollar drug smuggling empire and eventually doing time in one of the most controversial prison systems in North America. He talks about the web of operations he set up that spanned multiple continents and the blood fe...

Paul Calvo, a former member of the notorious Fresno Bulldogs, opens up about his life of crime, survival in one of California's most violent gangs, and the harsh realities of federal prison. Paul shares never-before-heard stories about life on the inside, including shocking violence, the rules of survival, and the eventual journey toward redemption. This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Tru...

Adam22 opens up about the highs and lows of his career as a podcast host, rapper, and internet personality. We delve into his controversial podcast episodes, his views on the evolving rap scene, and the challenges of balancing family life with a career in the adult entertainment industry. Stay tuned for an unfiltered conversation that gets to the heart of what drives Adam22’s success and the contr...

Pieter Tritton—dubbed the "Posh Pete"—pulls back the curtain on the dangerous and complex world of international drug trafficking. From crafting innovative smuggling techniques like impregnating cocaine into latex to surviving the brutal violence of an Ecuadorian prison, Tritton shares his harrowing journey. This is not just a tale of crime but a deep dive into the global drug trade's economics, i...

Titone Rosavelli, also known as "Tito," shares the untold story of how he co-founded New York City's infamous "Yellow Top Crew," one of the most powerful and violent crack cocaine organizations of the 1980s. Tito opens up about his journey from a teenager hustling on the streets to leading a crew that controlled the Upper West Side with an iron fist, managing a network of over 40 workers, and amas...

Investigative journalist Jordan Chariton discusses the shocking details behind the Flint water crisis. Dive deep into the origins of the crisis, where a switch from Detroit's water supply to the contaminated Flint River led to dangerous lead levels and life-threatening health issues for residents. Jordan exposes conflicts of interest, financial motives, and an alleged cover-up that kept Flint resi...

Step into the gritty underworld of Britain with Chet Sandhu, one of the most notorious gangsters the country has ever seen. Born to Indian immigrants and raised amidst racial hostility in northern England, Chet faced a harsh reality from a young age. Driven by revenge and a desire to protect his family, he navigated from a troubled childhood to becoming a powerful figure in the UK’s crime scene. F...

Former prison gang shot-caller Ronnie Harrell reveals his journey from a life of violent crime and gang leadership within some of America’s most brutal prisons to personal transformation and advocacy. Ronnie, once a high-ranking member of the Nazi Low Riders and affiliated with the Aryan Brotherhood, shares raw, first-hand insights into prison life, extreme violence, and the influence of gang cult...

Tijuana, Mexico—one of the most dangerous cities in the world. This Episode Is #Sponsored By PDS DEBT! Stop waiting and start saving. Get a free debt analysis right now at PDSDebt.com/theconnect In this eye-opening documentary, we dive into the heart of TJ, where crime and violence are part of daily life. With insights from former law enforcement officer Ed Calderon and ex-dope boy Fernando Puente...

Saagar Enjeti from the hit news show "Breaking Points" gives his take on the upcoming U.S. elections and how that could affect the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. He talks about how early and mail-in voting is actually encouraged by both political parties and why he doesn't believe there will be any election disputes or political violence like there were in 2020. He also gave his opinion on A...

In this revealing interview, Lewis Ziskin shares his incredible story of being one of the biggest drug traffickers in the United States during the late 1990s. Operating a massive ecstasy empire, Ziskin imported millions of pills from Europe, working with dangerous criminal organizations like the Chinese Triads and the Italian mafia. Ziskin details the high-stakes world of drug trafficking, the mas...

Reporter Chris Dalby dives into the inner workings of the CJNG; Mexico's most violent cartel. As the Sinaloa cartel spirals into civil war, the CJNG is prime to become the dominant organization in the country and Chris explains how they might go about it. He gives unbelievable facts about the group's way of doing business, their history, and dives into the rumors about El Mencho's existence. His w...