The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

Jonathan Alpeyrie is a war photographer and journalist who has spent time documenting the darkest corners of the global drug trade — from cartel territory in Mexico and the favelas of Brazil to the streets of Kensington, Skid Row, Baltimore, and the mega-prisons of El Salvador. Jonathan breaks down what he’s seen firsthand while embedding with drug gangs, addicts, undercover police units, and special forces around the world. He explains how European drug gangs are becoming more powerful, why France, Belgium, and Holland are turning into major narco hubs, and how Mexican cartels are exporting their violence and tactics into Europe. Jonathan also discusses the rise of fentanyl in America, the origins of the synthetic opioid pipeline, the brutal reality of addiction on the streets, and what he witnessed inside El Salvador’s crackdown on MS-13. From undercover drug buys in Europe to firefights in Rio’s favelas, this is a raw look at the worldwide drug crisis from someone who has seen it up close. Go Support Jonathan! Book: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Drug-Wars/Jonathan-Alpeyrie/9780972115247 Website: https://jonathanalpeyrie.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/jonalpeyrie/ Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 European Drug Gangs & Cartel Tactics 02:00 War Reporter’s Background 03:55 Challenges of Access and Documentary Work 08:00 Undercover Ops with Cops & European Narcos 12:40 Weak Punishments & Overloaded European Prisons 15:50 Belgium, Holland & France: Europe's Crime Hotbeds 21:00 Ethnic Gangs and Emerging Alliances 27:00 Why Europe Is the “Crown Jewel” of the Drug Trade 35:00 Big Busts, Corruption & Mexican Cartel Influence 41:00 Fentanyl and Drug Crisis in the US 49:30 Drug Trends: Fentanyl, Meth, and Ketamine Scenes 54:00 MDMA, Ecstasy, and Party Drug Production 59:50 Inside Brazilian Favelas and Combat Zones 01:03:00 Violence, Danger & Drug Wars in Latin America 01:10:00 War Reporting: Syria, Iraq, and Hostage Experiences 01:20:00 Geopolitics, Proxy Wars & Global Destabilization 01:27:30 America’s Shifting Role & Future of Cartels 01:34:00 Personal Trauma, Resilience & Drug War Morality 01:41:00 Solutions, Nationalism, and The Limits of Idealism 01:45:00 Jonathan’s Mission & Final Thoughts 01:49:00 Book Plug & Closing Remarks Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former federal inmate Eric King joins to expose what life is really like inside ADX Florence, America’s most notorious supermax prison. After being sentenced to 10 years for firebombing a politician’s office in 2014, King says he endured brutal treatment in federal custody, including beatings, starvation, solitary confinement, four-point restraints, and years of communication restrictions. In this episode, Eric opens up about his radicalization in Kansas City, the Ferguson protests, his federal case, surviving violent prison politics, fighting a guard in self-defense, winning at trial, and later being sent to ADX Florence in what he believes was retaliation. He also explains the psychological toll of extreme isolation, the myths surrounding ADX, how prisoners communicate inside, and what it took to rebuild his life after release. Eric is the author of A Clean Hell: Anarchy and Abolition Inside America’s Most Notorious Dungeon, a firsthand account of survival, resistance, and humanity inside the federal prison system. Topics include: -Eric King’s childhood and political awakening -Ferguson, direct action, and his federal charges -Violence, solitary confinement, and prison retaliation -Life inside ADX Florence -The psychological effects of extreme isolation -Reentry, trauma, family, and healing after prison Go Support Eric! Book: https://pmpress.org/index.php?l=product_detail&p=1872 IG: https://www.instagram.com/supportericking/ This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Hims! To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/connect Prescription required. See website for details and important safety information. Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra®. Viagra® is a registered trademark of Viatris Specialty LLC. Hims is not affiliated with or endorsed by Viatris. 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. See terms and conditions at https://cash.app/legal/us/en-us/card-agreement. Cash App Green, overdraft coverage, borrow, cash back offers and promotions provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit http://cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Eric King Introduction 02:00 Eric's Early Life & Radicalization 06:00 Growing Up: Crime, Poverty, and Activism 12:00 Losing Faith & Early Legal Troubles 18:00 Protest, Ferguson, and Political Activism 21:06 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims 22:41 The Crime: Ferguson Response & Arrest 29:00 Prison: First Experiences & Racial Politics 34:00 Surviving Prison Culture & Targeting 40:00 Abuse by Guards & Florence Medium Incident 45:42 This Episode Is Sponsored By Cash App 47:00 Torture, Four-Point Room & Transfer Hell 53:00 Isolation, Violence, and Solitary Life 01:00:00 Fighting Back: Resistance & Prison Protests 01:14:00 Second Trial: Self-Defense, Winning in Court 01:20:00 ADX Florence: Punishment & Reprisal Transfers 01:28:00 Arriving at ADX: Conditions and Isolation 01:37:00 ADX Daily Life & Psychological Impact 01:49:00 Punitive System, Corruption, and Quota Reality 01:56:00 Surviving Isolation: Mental Discipline & Gratitude 02:00:00 Reentry: Life After Prison & Its Challenges 02:06:00 Reflection: Regrets, Growth, and Activism Now 02:12:00 ADX Realities, Mythbusting & Book Release 02:18:00 ADX Procedures, High-Profile Inmates & Closing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Carlos McAdory shares his unbelievable journey from growing up in St. Paul, Minnesota, to becoming involved in street crime, armed robberies, and eventually receiving a federal life sentence. He breaks down how a local robbery case became a federal Hobbs Act conspiracy, why his codefendants cooperated, and how refusing to cooperate led to an extreme sentence: 20 life sentences. Carlos also explains the legal loopholes, sentencing errors, and federal “three strikes” issue that ultimately helped him beat life and come home after serving 19 years, 2 months, and 4 days. This conversation covers street life in Minnesota, prison politics, federal sentencing, the trial penalty, legal appeals, studying law from prison, and the mindset it took to keep fighting when the system said he would never come home. Watch as Carlos opens up about accountability, redemption, fatherhood, the justice system, and what he’s building now through his documentary work and podcast. Go Support Carlos And Follow His New YouTube Channel @RebuildingCarlos Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Introduction: Carlos's Story 01:00 Background: Growing Up in St. Paul 03:20 Street Life, Gangs, and Early Crimes 08:40 First Prison Term & Sentencing in Minnesota 11:00 Returning to the Streets & Second Prison Sentence 17:50 Life in State Prison and Street Hustles 24:00 Transition to Federal Crimes & Armed Robberies 34:00 The Robbery Conspiracy Unfolds 40:00 Getting Caught: Arrests, Cooperation & The Feds 46:00 Going to Trial & Federal Sentencing 54:00 Life Sentence and Injustice in the System 01:04:00 Learning the Law: DIY Legal Battle 01:12:00 Breakthrough: Discovering the Illegal Sentence 01:22:00 Appeals, Denials, and Never Losing Hope 01:31:00 Change in Law & Second Chance 01:40:00 Coming Home: Life After Prison 01:47:00 Reflections, Lessons, and New Beginnings 01:52:20 Documentary, Podcast, and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Actor and Hollywood stuntman Erik “All Day” Audé joins The Connect for one of the most intense stories ever told on the channel. In 2002, Erik was arrested in Pakistan after unknowingly being used as a drug mule and accused of attempting to smuggle narcotics through the airport. What followed was a nightmare: a death sentence, years inside one of Pakistan’s most dangerous maximum-security prisons, brutal conditions, riots, violence, corruption, and the constant fear that he would be the next prisoner executed. Erik breaks down how he was deceived, what life on death row was really like, how he survived the prison system, and how he eventually fought his way back to freedom after proving his innocence. He also talks about his career as a stuntman, the importance of safety on film sets, and the lessons he learned from surviving the unimaginable. This is a story about betrayal, survival, faith, justice, and what it takes to keep fighting when the entire system is against you. Go Support Erik! Book: https://www.amazon.com/Years-Pakistan-Erik-Aud%C3%A9-Story/dp/B0D1YFHP5X Movie: https://www.amazon.com/Years-Pakistan-Erik-Aud%C3%A9-Story/dp/B07FSRBWGL Aude’s Ice Cream Bar: https://www.instagram.com/audes_ice_cream_bar/ Tipsy Cow Bar and Grill: https://www.instagram.com/tipsycowshermanoaks/ Wine Bar: https://www.instagram.com/buvettela/ This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Betterhelp! You don’t have to be on this journey alone. Find support and have someone with you in therapy. Sign up and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/connect Lucy! Find LUCY near you at https://lucy.co/stores or save 20% on your first online order at https://lucy.co/CONNECT with promo code CONNECT. Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Erik Audé's Nightmare: Pakistan Death Row 01:39 Introducing Erik's Story & Book 03:11 Hollywood Stunt Work & Industry Dangers 07:53 On-Set Injuries & Stunt Safety Culture 13:32 Behind the Scenes: Drug Smuggling Logistics 16:08 Exploiting Drivers & Realities of US-Mexico Smuggling 18:29 Deception Schemes: Mules, Tragedy & Innocent Couriers 20:15 This Episode Is Sponsored By Betterhelp 21:24 How Eric Became a Dupe in the Drug Trade 29:34 Pakistan's Corrupt Justice System & Bribery in Courts 33:24 This Episode Is Sponsored By Lucy 34:56 Erik's Recruitment—A Glamorous Leather Industry Cover 46:14 Erik's First Suspicious Smuggling Trips 55:02 The Trip to Pakistan: Red Flags and Arrest 01:03:54 Jailed in Pakistan: Culture Shock and Danger 01:14:17 Abuse, Survival, and Corruption Inside Prison 01:25:27 Violence, Survival, and Learning the System 01:41:09 Erik's Survival Tactics and Prison Power Plays 01:54:28 Prison Riots, Boxing, and Navigating Pakistani Jail Hierarchy 02:15:33 Appeals, Pakistani Lawyers, and Winning Respect 02:35:07 Fighting for Freedom: Legal Maneuvering from the Inside 02:57:06 High Court, Vindication, and Leaving Pakistan 03:02:39 Return Home, Civil Suit, and Final Justice 03:11:00 Erik Today: Lessons, Life After Prison & Reflections 03:13:33 Final Thoughts & Where to Find Erik's Story Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Carl Johnson grew up in the streets of Baltimore during the same era HBO was filming The Wire — but while the world watched the show, Carl lived the reality. In this episode, Carl breaks down what The Wire got right and wrong, how Baltimore’s open-air drug markets really operate, why the city became such a major heroin and fentanyl hub, and how the collapse of the old street-code changed the game forever. He also opens up about his own past in the streets, his mentor’s connection to the real Barksdale family, the violence that shaped Baltimore’s reputation, and why fentanyl has made today’s drug trade more dangerous than ever. Now out of the game, Carl works in recovery and helps others struggling with addiction through the Baltimore Recovery Alliance. This is a raw, unfiltered look inside one of America’s most infamous cities — from someone who survived it and turned his life around. We all watched The Wire. Carl Johnson lived it. Go Support Carl! Recovery Program: https://baltimorerecoveryalliance.com/ This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Hims! To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, Weight Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/connect Prescription required. See website for details and important safety information. Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra®. Viagra® is a registered trademark of Viatris Specialty LLC. Hims is not affiliated with or endorsed by Viatris. Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Meet Carl: From Baltimore Streets to Rehab Counselor 03:45 Intro: The Wire & Baltimore's Unique Drug Market 07:07 Fentanyl Takes Over: Shifts in Baltimore's Drug Trade 13:47 Opiates, Rehab, and Open Air Markets 24:33 How the Drug Game Runs: Corners, Crews, and the Feds 32:14 Baltimore's Changing Landscape: Projects, Gentrification 38:11 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims 39:47 Abandoned Buildings and Homicide Culture 50:25 Guns, Violence, and Life on the Corners 01:03:41 Life Lessons from the Streets: The Barksdale Legacy 01:11:15 Getting Into the Game: Carl's Early Hustles 01:19:55 Crack vs. Heroin: Insider Secrets, Hustle Hierarchies & Survival 01:34:32 Prison, Probation, and the Turning Point 02:05:31 Rehab, Redemption & Breaking Cycles 02:21:55 Addiction, Policy & Baltimore Recovery Alliance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices