The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

Former Hells Angel Joby Walters sits down to tell the unbelievable story of how he entered the outlaw motorcycle world at nearly 50 years old, rose through the ranks, survived one of the most infamous biker wars in American history, and eventually walked away from it all. Joby recounts meeting legendary Hells Angel Sonny Barger, earning his patch, and becoming deeply involved in the Arizona club scene during escalating conflicts with the Mongols, Vagos, Bandidos, and other outlaw motorcycle clubs. He gives a firsthand account of the deadly 2002 fight at Harrah’s Casino in Laughlin, Nevada, describing the moments leading up to the violence, the chaos inside the casino, and the death of one of his closest brothers. Joby also tells the incredible story of ATF agent Jay Dobyns infiltrating the Hells Angels, a staged murder used to gain the club’s trust, the moment Joby realized something wasn’t right, and the federal investigation that followed. Facing potentially decades behind bars, Joby fled to Mexico, where he spent years living under a new identity, riding through the mountains, hunting mountain lions and bears, and eventually beginning the spiritual transformation that would change the direction of his life. After prison, violence, betrayal, and losing nearly everything, Joby walked away from the Hells Angels and found a new purpose through faith. Go Support Joby! Website: https://www.jobywalters.com/ Book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HC3QQ54S This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Perplexity! Start your free trial of Perplexity Computer today at https://PPLX.ai/CONNECT and experience the next phase of AI. #ad CashApp! 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. Cash App Visa® Debit Flex Cards issued by Sutton Bank, Member FDIC, and The Bancorp Bank, N.A., pursuant to a license from Visa U.S.A. Inc. See terms and conditions for the Sutton prepaid card, Sutton debit flex card, and Bancorp debit flex card. Cash App Green features, Savings, Direct deposit, Round ups, Overdraft coverage and Discounts provided by Cash App, a Block, Inc. brand. Visit cash.app/legal/podcast for full disclosures. PrizePicks! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CONNECT and use code CONNECT and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Joby Walters: Hells Angels Outlaw Story 6:15 Getting Sober Before Joining the Hells Angels 11:52 The Bullhead Confrontation 18:08 Meeting Sonny Barger 25:00 This Episode Is Sponsored By Perplexity AI 26:47 From Prospect to Full-Patch Hells Angel 34:18 Expanding the Hells Angels in Arizona 41:16 Early Club Wars & Mongols Tensions 48:15 This Episode Is Sponsored By Cash App 49:25 The Laughlin Riot: How It Started 57:07 The Laughlin Shootout Explodes 1:05:03 Aftermath, Arrests & the Mongols War 1:07:15 This Episode Is Sponsored By PrizePicks 1:08:54 Two and a Half Years in Mexico 1:20:01 The ATF Undercover Infiltration 1:27:33 The Revenge Plot & Fake Murder Setup 1:35:03 Realizing They Were Undercover 1:43:31 Federal Indictments & Conspiracy Charges 1:50:43 Facing Prison & Beating the Federal Case 1:57:40 Getting Out, Probation & Faith 2:04:06 Bandidos, Sonny Barger & Old Club Wars 2:11:03 Old-School Biker Life & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matthew Handy lived through 20 years of addiction, crime, prison, paranoia, and survival before finally turning his life around. In this episode, Matt sits down to tell the wild story of how his life spiraled from early drug use in San Diego to heroin addiction, meth dealing, organized retail theft, credit card fraud, extortion, bank robbery, and cartel-adjacent chaos on both sides of the border. Matt opens up about childhood trauma, prison, the criminal mindset, life in San Bernardino, the explosion of credit card fraud, smuggling drugs from Tijuana, and the moment a bank robbery finally forced him to choose between spending decades behind bars or changing his life. Today, Matt is in recovery, runs the podcast My Last Relapse, and works in addiction treatment helping others escape the same cycle that nearly destroyed him. Go Support Matt! YouTube: @MyLastRelapse Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt.handy.17/ Rehab: https://www.harmonygrovebh.com/ Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Intro: Credit Card Fraud, Addiction & Crime 06:58 Growing Up in 1990s San Diego 13:39 Planning a Bank Robbery 18:10 Extorting Doctors & Wealthy Clients 24:14 Childhood Trauma and Early Criminality 29:56 Robberies, Drugs & Firestorm Burglaries 35:20 Prison Life and Using Behind Bars 37:42 The Baby Product Theft Scheme 43:17 Building a Nationwide Retail Theft Operation 49:27 Paranoia, Silent Tape & High-Level Shoplifting 55:22 Prison Didn’t Scare Him Straight 1:03:44 Getting Out, Relapsing & Manipulating Family 1:09:11 Back With His Uncle and Trap House Life 1:13:18 Selling Meth and Joining a Gang Circle 1:19:03 Police Surveillance and Controlled Buys 1:24:03 Major Task Force Bust 1:29:18 Addiction, Choice & Facing Serious Time 1:32:59 Moving to San Bernardino 1:37:04 The Amazon Warehouse Scam 1:42:55 Credit Card Fraud Begins 1:49:31 Running Teams and Moving Merchandise 1:56:33 Paranoia Ends the Fraud Ring 2:00:03 Returning to San Diego and Trying to Get Clean 2:04:02 Relapse, Energy Drink Theft & Street Hustles 2:09:43 Meeting His Future Wife 2:15:03 Doctors, Escorts & Blackmail 2:18:07 COVID, Fentanyl and Crime in San Diego 2:22:19 Tijuana Drug Houses and Border Runs 2:27:37 Heroin, Fentanyl and Meth Markets 2:34:31 Xanax Blackouts and Cartel Money 2:39:32 Robbing a Bank to Get Her Attention 2:44:48 Arrest, FBI Questioning & Bomb Threat Investigation 2:50:21 Delancey Street and Avoiding Decades in Prison 2:57:58 Recovery, Relapse and Building a New Life 3:00:24 Where to Find Matthew Handy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Former Bad Boy rapper G. Dep sits down to tell one of the most unbelievable stories in hip-hop history. Growing up in Harlem during the height of the crack era, G. Dep went from hustling in the streets and battling drug addiction to landing a record deal with Bad Boy Entertainment and becoming one of the label’s rising stars. But behind the success, the music, and the fame was a secret that continued to haunt him. In 1993, at just 18 years old, G. Dep was involved in a fatal shooting in Harlem. He was never arrested for it and eventually moved on with his life, signing with Bad Boy and building a successful rap career. But nearly two decades later, the guilt became too much. In December 2010, G. Dep walked into a New York City police precinct and confessed to the crime — 17 years after it happened. In this episode, G. Dep opens up about growing up in New York City, selling drugs, getting arrested repeatedly, discovering hip-hop, signing with Bad Boy, working around Diddy and some of the biggest names in rap, battling addiction, and the incredible decision that ultimately sent him to prison. He also explains what was going through his mind when he confessed, why he was willing to face the consequences, his trial and prison sentence, the road to clemency, and what it feels like to finally be free and making music again. This is the story of G. Dep — from the streets of Harlem to Bad Boy Records, prison, redemption, and a second chance at life. Go Support G. Deb! IG: https://www.instagram.com/gdepofficial/ YouTube: @gdepofficial TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gdepofficial Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/trevell.g.dep.coleman Merch: https://lovethehustler.com/collections/g-dep This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Kalshi! Download the Kalshi app and use code MITCHELL to get $10 when you trade $10. 18+ only. Restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values, and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information see kalshi.com/regulatory. Cloaked! See if your SSN is for sale right now. My sponsor Cloaked will tell you for free in 2 seconds at https://cloaked.com/CONNECT. Hims! To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, and more, visit https://hims.com/connect Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Intro: Why G. Dep Turned Himself In 6:24 Growing Up in Harlem During the Crack Era 12:03 Breakdancing, Early Rap & Becoming G. Dep 18:00 Selling Drugs & Early Drug Use 21:59 This Episode Is Sponsored By Kalshi 23:05 Drug Cases, Jail & Hearing About Tupac 34:20 Escaping an Undercover Arrest 42:19 This Episode Is Sponsored By Cloaked 43:50 The Song That Led G. Dep to Bad Boy 52:14 The 1993 Shooting 1:01:36 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims 1:03:13 Police Question G. Dep the Next Day 1:07:22 Living With the Secret & Growing Guilt 1:14:22 G. Dep’s Relationship With Diddy 1:19:48 Writing Lyrics for Diddy 1:26:03 PCP, Fame & Coping With the Murder 1:33:16 Bad Boy Parties & Addiction Taking Over 1:40:29 Reconnecting With Diddy After Bad Boy 1:48:54 Deciding to Turn Himself In 1:56:24 Walking Into the Precinct to Confess 2:02:07 Arrested After a 17-Year-Old Confession 2:09:53 Taking the Murder Case to Trial 2:15:27 15-to-Life, Clemency & Coming Home 2:20:34 Life Today, New Music & What’s Next Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Baltimore has always had a reputation as one of America’s toughest cities — a place shaped by poverty, violence, addiction, and survival. In this episode, Johnny travels through Baltimore to see how the city has changed since The Wire, how the drug trade has evolved from heroin to fentanyl, and why homicides have recently dropped despite open-air dealing still being visible across the city. With help from Baltimore Carl of Baltimore Recovery Alliance, we visit Lexington Market, South Baltimore, East Baltimore, and O’Donnell Heights to hear directly from people who lived the streets, worked the corners, battled addiction, and are now trying to save lives through recovery and community intervention. This episode looks at Baltimore’s past, present, and future — from kingpins and corner crews to fentanyl, treatment centers, credible messengers, gentrification, and the people fighting to bring hope back to the city. Special thanks to Baltimore Carl and Baltimore Recovery Alliance. If you're in the Baltimore area and are seeking help to get clean from addiction check out https://baltimorerecoveryalliance.com/ Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Baltimore, The Wire, and the city’s violent history 02:07 Why Baltimore has such a high murder rate 05:55 Historic drop in homicides 07:08 Community intervention and peace teams 09:44 Heroin, fentanyl, and the changing drug economy 13:51 Lexington Market and open-air drug use 16:10 Baltimore’s addiction and treatment industry 20:22 South Baltimore drug corners 25:53 O’Donnell Heights and East Baltimore 29:41 Youth programs and signs of hope 30:12 Brandon Novak on addiction and recovery 34:33 Why Baltimore is worth saving Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Black Label has one of the wildest stories we’ve ever heard on The Connect. Growing up in extreme poverty in St. Petersburg, Florida, he was surrounded by crack, violence, and chaos from an early age. By 11 years old, he was already selling drugs. By his late teens, Black Label says he was helping run a multi-million-dollar drug operation, moving large quantities of crack and cocaine while leading a crew in one of the most dangerous environments imaginable. But the money came with consequences. Kidnappings, robberies, violence, federal investigations, and eventually a massive indictment brought the entire world crashing down. Black Label ultimately spent 15 years behind bars, including 28 months in solitary confinement. In this episode, Black Label takes us inside the crack era of 1990s St. Petersburg, explains how a white kid became accepted in an all-Black neighborhood and prison environment, breaks down the mentality that allowed him to survive, and reveals what finally happened when federal agents closed in. He also opens up about his brutal childhood, his relationship with his mother, the lessons he learned in prison, taking responsibility for his decisions, and how he rebuilt his life after coming home. Today, Black Label has transformed his name into a brand, building a professional chauffeur and security business while becoming a viral social media personality and host of the Black Label Lounge. His message now centers around turning “pain into purpose” and showing people that where you start doesn’t have to determine where you finish. This is the incredible story of survival, crime, prison, entrepreneurship, identity, and reinvention — told by the one and only Black Label. Go Support Black! IG: https://www.instagram.com/black_label_services YouTube: @blacklabellounge TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@blacklabel1014 Merch: https://www.stickermule.com/blacklabel1014 This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: PrizePicks! Visit https://prizepicks.onelink.me/LME0/CONNECT and use code CONNECT and get $150 if you win your first $5 lineup! GLD! New customers get 40% Off with code MITCHELL at https://GLD.com Superpower! Head to https://superpower.com and use code CONNECT at checkout for $50 off your membership. Get 150+ biomarkers tested every year across two tests, plus a personalized health plan and on-demand care team. Detect early signs of 1,000+ conditions. #superpowerpod Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 0:00 Black Label’s Incredible Story 8:18 Growing Up White in a Black Neighborhood 15:20 Survival Mentality & Pain Into Purpose 21:11 This Episode Is Sponsored By PrizePicks 22:40 The Crack Era in St. Petersburg 28:58 His First Fight & Earning Respect 36:02 Abuse at Home & Wanting Out 40:17 This Episode Is Sponsored By GLD 41:48 Education, Entrepreneurship & Black Label Services 50:33 Kidnapped for a $60,000 Ransom 56:01 Territory Wars & Street Violence 1:00:47 This Episode Is Sponsored By Superpower 1:02:17 Turning the Crack Game Into a Business 1:09:58 Crack Houses, Cookers & Supplying the City 1:16:55 Family Conflict, Identity & Prison Politics 1:23:50 Building the Black Label Brand & Going Viral 1:31:06 Moving Money & Reinvesting Drug Profits 1:37:54 Coming Home After 15 Years & Starting Over 1:45:03 Guns, Ego & Losing the Original Purpose 1:51:52 The Federal Indictment & Refusing to Cooperate 1:59:09 Surviving & Hustling in Federal Prison 2:05:54 The Underground Prison Economy 2:13:05 His Mother, Forgiveness & Unresolved Pain 2:20:43 Pain Into Purpose & Building a New Life Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices