Locked In with Ian Bick

Cory Simek grew up in Texas surrounded by crime and addiction, with both of his parents involved in drug dealing and his father eventually sentenced to prison. Following in his family’s footsteps, Cory found himself in and out of Texas jails before ultimately receiving a state prison sentence. In this episode, Cory shares what it was really like surviving Texas state jails and prisons, including running with an independent prison group, navigating constant violence, and learning the unspoken rules of life behind bars. He opens up about how his upbringing shaped his choices, the realities of incarceration in Texas, and the moments that forced him to confront where his life was headed. _____________________________________________ #TexasPrison #PrisonSurvival #PrisonLife #StatePrison #TrueCrime #LifeInPrison #PrisonStories #incarceration _____________________________________________ Thank you to WARBY PARKER and LUCY for sponsoring this episode: WARBY PARKER: Our listeners get 15% off plus free shipping when they buy two or more pairs of prescription glasses at https://warbyparker.com/LOCKEDIN — using our link helps support the show. #WarbyParker #addictionrecovery _____________________________________________ LUCY: Go to HTTP://LUCY.CO/IANBICK and use promo code IANBICK to get 20% off your first order. _____________________________________________ Connect with Corey Simek: https://linktr.ee/corywiththekeys _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Jail Respect, Survival Rules, and the Inmate Code 00:58 Meet Cory: A Life Shaped by the Streets 01:16 Growing Up in Texas: Family, Environment, and Early Influence 03:33 A Double Life, Childhood Trauma, and Loss 05:39 Early Exposure and a Parent’s Relapse 06:09 Childhood Anxiety, Pressure, and Coping Mechanisms 06:12 Teenage Years: Hustling, and Fast Money 08:22 Escalation to Street Dealing 10:31 Proving Himself, Reputation, and Street Mentality 11:08 When Street Life Turns Dangerous 12:19 Living Alone at 16 and Losing Stability 13:44 School Struggles, Chaos, and Loss of Control 14:52 First Arrest and Learning Jail Survival 15:55 Racial Politics and Jail Dynamics 17:15 State Jail Life: Gangs, Woods, and Staying Alive 22:07 Lockdowns, Group Tensions, and Constant Pressure 24:41 Standing Alone and the Cost of Independence 27:02 Culture Shock Inside State Jail 28:22 The Revolving Door: Getting Out, Getting Locked Up Again 32:31 Pregnancy, DNA Results, and Emotional Breakdown 37:00 Probation, Trap Life, and Getting Caught Again 41:35 Facing a Five-Year Prison Sentence 44:31 Inside State Prison: Daily Life and Harsh Realities 53:15 Hitting Rock Bottom: Isolation and Mental Reinvention 57:21 Unit Transfers, Prison Politics, and Power Shifts 01:05:18 Gang Politics, Violent Fights, and Survival Challenges 01:15:11 Release Day and Reentering Society 01:20:32 Rebuilding Life After Prison Against the Odds 01:23:01 Success After Prison: Real Estate, Music, and Purpose 01:25:04 Final Reflections: Change, Redemption, and Prison Reform Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Cole, a retired Supervisory Special Agent with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and global expert on child exploitation and victim identification, sits down to reveal the untold truth about fighting child predators and digital crime. With nearly 35 years in law enforcement, Jim led major initiatives including founding the HSI Victim Identification Program, co-founding Project VIC to help identify and rescue thousands of children worldwide, and serving as Chair of the INTERPOL Specialists Group on Crimes Against Children. He now serves as Chief of Law Enforcement Enterprise & Technology at Operation Light Shine and partners with law enforcement, technology providers, and nonprofits to innovate how child exploitation investigations are handled. In this heart-breaking conversation with Ian Bick, Jim shares inside stories from real cases, the mental and emotional toll of this work, and why putting victims first changes everything in the fight against online predators. _____________________________________________ #TrueCrime #CrimeStories #UndercoverWork #LawEnforcement #CriminalInvestigation #DarkSideOfTheJob #RealLifeStories #FormerAgent _____________________________________________ Thank you to GOLD DROP SELTZERS for sponsoring this episode: Head to https://www.thedryoak.com/ and use promo code LOCKEDIN at checkout for 10% off your order. _____________________________________________ Connect with Jim Cole: http://www.operationlightshine.org _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 The Emotional Toll of Law Enforcement Work 01:10 Meet Jim Cole: Career in Law Enforcement 03:39 Childhood, Family, Military Service, and Values 10:57 Becoming a Police Officer and Early Training 16:13 Patrol Work, Street Policing, and Daily Challenges 20:07 Joining the Detective Division 23:48 Crime on Tribal Lands, Limited Resources, and Jurisdiction 28:34 Narcotics Investigations, Task Forces, and Drug Crimes 34:37 Shocking Violent Crimes and Career-Defining Cases 41:08 Federal Partnerships and Complex Investigations 46:27 Technology, the Private Sector, and a Shift in Perspective 50:33 Transitioning to Federal Law Enforcement 54:00 First Child Exploitation Investigations 59:29 Victim-Centered Cases and a Turning Point in His Career 01:04:43 Understanding Offenders and the Scope of Child Exploitation 01:10:53 Child Exploitation Statistics, Tips, and Resource Gaps 01:15:47 Law Enforcement Funding, Staffing, and Hard Realities 01:23:17 Types of Offenders, Grooming Tactics, and Warning Signs 01:29:02 Human Trafficking: Myths vs. Reality 01:35:06 Casework, Prevention, and the Role of Parents 01:40:13 Female Offenders and Rare but Shocking Cases 01:46:09 Mental Health, Burnout, and the Toughest Investigations 01:53:10 Retirement, Advocacy, and Final Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sonny Von Cleveland opens up about serving nearly two decades in prison and the harsh realities of being young, white, and unprepared for prison life. Pulled into violence and survival politics at an early age, Sonny breaks down what it really takes to make it through long prison sentences, the fear, the mistakes, and the lessons learned the hard way behind bars. He speaks candidly about navigating race, identity, and power inside prison, how incarceration forced him to confront his past, and the mindset shift that ultimately saved his life. Today, Sonny has transformed his story into purpose as a speaker, mentor, and community leader, proving that even the darkest chapters don’t have to define how the story ends. _____________________________________________ #PrisonSurvival #MichiganPrison #PrisonLife #TrueCrime #LifeInPrison #PrisonStories #SurvivingPrison #incarceration _____________________________________________ Connect with Sonny Von Cleveland: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonnyvonclevelandofficial/ Website: https://www.sonnyvoncleveland.com/ _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 First Days in Prison: Shock, Fear, and Survival 02:00 Growing Up in the Midwest Before Prison 06:40 Family Trauma, Abuse, and a Broken Childhood 12:00 Surviving Abuse and Learning to Cope 17:00 Running Away, Street Life, and Early Crime 21:00 The Road to Prison: Charges, Conviction, and Sentencing 24:40 Entering Adult Prison for the First Time 26:00 Prison Violence, Gangs, and Losing Innocence 31:30 Regret, Lost Youth, and Missed Chances 35:40 Solitary Confinement, System Failures, and Mental Survival 41:00 Release, Reoffending, and a Second Prison Sentence 46:00 Life After Release: Family Conflict, Crime, and Betrayal 52:00 Solitary Confinement, Transformation, and Forgiveness 59:00 Self-Reflection, Growth, and Mental Survival in Prison 01:03:00 Teaching Others, Service, and Finding Purpose Behind Bars 01:09:00 Leaving Gang Life and Choosing a Different Path 01:14:00 Reentry After Prison: Starting Over From Nothing 01:19:00 Using His Story to Help Others Avoid Prison 01:22:00 Final Advice, Redemption, and Life’s True Purpose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Savannah Chrisley opens up to Ian Bick about her upbringing and what it was like navigating her parents’ legal battles while living in the public eye. She walks through the trial process, the emotional toll of visiting her parents in prison, and the pressure of fighting for justice under constant scrutiny. Savannah also breaks down the long, exhausting road to securing a pardon — from advocacy and setbacks to finally getting her parents released — and how the entire experience reshaped her perspective on family, accountability, and resilience. _____________________________________________ #SavannahChrisley #TrueStories #PrisonReform #FamilyJustice #LifeAfterPrison #CelebrityInterview #RealLifeStories #youtubepodcast _____________________________________________ Thank you to WARBY PARKER for sponsoring this episode: Our listeners get 15% off plus free shipping when they buy two or more pairs of prescription glasses at https://warbyparker.com/LOCKEDIN — using our link helps support the show. #WarbyParker #ad _____________________________________________ Connect with Savannah Chrisley: https://www.instagram.com/savannahchrisley/?hl=en _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Parents Facing Prison: Savannah’s Family Crisis Begins 05:05 Childhood, Family Values, and Life Before the Charges 13:00 Reality TV Fame, Public Scrutiny, and Career Shifts 19:46 Thrown Into the Justice System With No Preparation 27:00 Trial, Sentencing, and Claims of Injustice 33:10 Saying Goodbye Before Prison: Visits, Letters, and Pain 37:51 Carrying the Weight: Pressure, Responsibility, and Survival 41:43 Fighting for Freedom: Legal Appeals, Advocacy, and Hope 47:03 Coming Home: Family Reunited and Healing Begins 52:04 Lessons From Prison, Faith, and Moving Forward Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Luis Gutierrez got pulled into California and Kansas gangs at a young age after a rough childhood that set him on a violent path. In this episode, Luis tells the full story of how a crime that resulted in the murder of his close friend led him to turn down an 11-year plea deal and receive life in prison, sending him into some of Kansas’ most brutal and dangerous maximum-security prisons. He shares raw, uncensored stories from inside those prisons, the violence he witnessed, and the mindset required to survive decades behind bars. Luis also opens up about the redemption that changed his life in prison, the steps he took to earn a real chance at freedom, and an unexpected love story after meeting a prison staff member who ultimately lost her job over their relationship. Today, Luis runs a successful nonprofit and tattoo shop, using his past to help others avoid the same mistakes and prove that even a life sentence doesn’t have to be the end of the story. _____________________________________________ #PrisonSurvival #KansasPrison #PrisonLife #TrueCrime #LifeInPrison #PrisonStories #SurvivingPrison #incarceration _____________________________________________ Thank you to WARBY PARKER for sponsoring this episode: Our listeners get 15% off plus free shipping when they buy two or more pairs of prescription glasses at https://warbyparker.com/LOCKEDIN — using our link helps support the show. #WarbyParker #ad _____________________________________________ Connect with Luis Gutierrez: http://www.redemptionanimalrescueks.com _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ _____________________________________________ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 First Days in Prison & Early Survival 01:11 Life After Prison: Redemption Inc, Second Chances & Animal Rescue 04:46 Childhood, Family, and the Roots of Trauma 09:30 Moving States, Gangs, and Juvenile Arrests 13:30 The Turning Point: Tragedy, Charges, and Sentencing 20:11 First Time in Prison: Violence, Fear, and Reality Setting In 28:42 Prison Politics, Gang Life, and How to Stay Alive 39:39 Solitary Confinement, Prison Mentors, and Learning to Adapt 48:47 Life in Segregation: Art, Mental Survival, and Trauma 59:39 Drugs in Prison, Relationships, and a Shift in Mindset 01:12:10 Prison Dog Programs, Redemption, and Meeting Melissa 01:23:53 Preparing for Freedom, Relapse Risks, and Setbacks 01:29:06 Facing the Parole Board and Fighting for a Second Chance 01:39:01 Life After Prison: Community Work, Business, and Giving Back 01:47:02 Family, Marriage, and Rebuilding Trust After Prison 01:51:01 Advice for At-Risk Youth and the Power of Redemption Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices