The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

His mom was a queenpin. His dad was the muscle. By 16, he was selling meth and building his own operation in small-town Texas.

In this episode, Cory Simek, a former teenage meth dealer reveals what it was like growing up inside the drug game—and how his family’s criminal lifestyle shaped the path he followed. After starting with marijuana, he quickly moved into meth, made serious money before he was old enough to sign a lease, and became the target of a six-month police investigation.

He breaks down how confidential informants gained his trust, the warning signs he ignored, the raid that brought everything crashing down, and the brutal reality of racial politics and survival inside the Texas prison system.

But his story did not end behind bars. After serving years in prison and losing nearly everything, he transformed his mentality, entered the car business with no experience, became a top salesman, opened his own dealership, invested in real estate, and rebuilt his life through legitimate business.

This is a raw story about growing up in a criminal family, selling meth at 16, undercover informants, police raids, addiction, betrayal, Texas prison, redemption, entrepreneurship, and second chances.

Go Support Cory!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/corywiththekeys

Dealership: https://thekeykonnect.com/

YouTube: @Corywthekeys

This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following:

Hims! To get simple, online access to personalized, affordable care for ED, Hair Loss, and more visit https://hims.com/connect

Quo! Money is on the line. Always say hello with QUO. Try QUO for free PLUS get 20% off your first 6 months when you go to https://quo.com/theconnect

Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!

https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow

00:00 Intro: Raised by a Queenpin and an Enforcer

01:55 Cory With the Keys Joins the Show

02:19 His Parents’ Wild Origin Story

04:56 Childhood Changes After His Mom Relapses

06:59 Learning the Drug Game at 12

07:26 Smoking Weed for the First Time

08:47 Becoming a 13-Year-Old Dealer

10:08 The Lunch-Money Lesson That Changed Him

11:19 Trying to Live Up to Both Parents’ Reputations

11:52 Getting Kicked Out at 16

12:11 Moving From Weed to Meth

13:15 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims

14:51 Selling Meth as a Teenager

16:27 Renting a Trap House Underage

17:14 Hustling While Still in High School

18:37 Getting Expelled Before Graduation

20:35 The Suspicious Customer Who Became an Informant

23:36 A Warning Before the Raid

24:30 Police Search the Trap House

26:13 Discovering the Informant’s Role

28:39 This Episode Is Sponsored By Quo

29:50 Another Informant Story After Prison

35:12 Swallowing an Eightball During a Police Stop

37:28 Realizing He Was Set Up

41:49 Back to the First Bust

44:08 Taking State Jail Instead of Probation

46:04 Surviving State Jail at 17

47:07 Learning Texas Prison Politics

50:32 Getting Out and Returning to the Streets

51:16 Weed Connects From the Valley

53:12 How Border Checkpoints Changed the Price

55:20 Shipping Bricks Through UPS

58:03 Moving Pounds and Making Teen Money

1:00:24 His Father’s Return to the Meth Game

1:02:35 His Dad Refuses to Snitch and Gets 25 Years

1:04:18 Falling in Love After State Jail

1:06:14 Learning He Might Become a Father

1:07:09 TDC Boot Camp and the Drug-Free Zone

1:10:15 Finding Out His Mom Died

1:11:52 Trying to Go Straight for His Son

1:13:14 The DNA Test That Broke Him

1:15:50 Heartbreak Sends Him Back to Hustling

1:16:41 SWAT Raids the Trap House

1:18:40 Running Into One of His Dad’s Snitches

1:21:27 Probation, Suspended License, and Disaster

1:22:23 Sentenced to Six Years in TDC

1:24:01 Learning He Must Serve Five Flat

1:28:10 Losing Everything in Prison

1:30:08 Rock Bottom Becomes the Turning Point

1:31:14 Deciding to Make Prison Time Serve Him

1:32:11 Fighting and Surviving Real Prison

1:35:22 Finding Better Ways to Do Time

1:36:52 Finally Making Parole

1:38:28 Getting Out and Starting Over

1:39:09 Discovering Car Sales

1:40:27 Talking His Way Into a Dealership Job

1:41:41 Becoming the Top Salesman

1:42:56 Battling Old Habits After Success

1:47:22 Opening His Own Dealership

1:48:19 Real Estate, Music, and Reinvention

1:49:56 Speaking in Prisons and Mentoring Kids

1:52:12 Johnny and Cory Discuss Their Turning Points

1:54:27 Why Accountability Keeps Him Straight

1:56:30 Finding Your Skill Set and Passion

1:57:09 Where to Find Cory With the Keys
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A former sheriff’s deputy says one split-second police shooting turned him from a respected officer into a convicted murderer—and sent him to Texas prison for 20 years.

In this episode, Kent McGowen tells the full story of the night he served an arrest warrant on an armed woman, fired after she allegedly refused repeated commands to drop her weapon and later found himself charged with murder.

Kent explains why he believes he was railroaded by corrupt officials, how his conviction survived multiple trials and appeals, and what happened when he went from enforcing the law to fighting for his life behind bars.

He also exposes the brutal realities of the Texas prison system, including extreme heat, violence, suicide, untreated mental illness, guard misconduct and the dangers he faced as a former police officer living among inmates.

Was this a justified police shooting—or a murder? Was Kent held accountable for his actions, or sacrificed to protect a corrupt system?

Watch the full interview and decide for yourself.

Go Support Kent!

Book: https://a.co/d/08T9XO6m

Make a Donation: https://www.givesendgo.com/G31TC

Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!

https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow

00:00 Deadly Encounter: The Incident

00:24 Introducing Kent McGowen

01:11 Life as a Cop in Texas Prisons

01:50 Horrors of Texas Prison Conditions

03:19 Survival, Food, and Suicides

05:55 First and Only Prison Fight

09:00 Wild Personalities Behind Bars

17:01 Murders in Prison

21:22 Mail, Communication, and System Abuse

23:34 Corruption and Lack of Accountability

29:16 The Shooting Incident and Background

37:11 Executing the Warrant

41:53 The Shooting and Aftermath

49:35 The Indictment and Arrest

55:21 Political Games and Legal Strategy

01:01:01 Life on Bond During Legal Battles

01:09:06 Trial, Appeals, and Corrupt Lawyers

01:18:36 Second Trial and Legal Incompetence

01:26:43 Losing Trial, Sentencing, and Prison Transfer

01:31:46 Surviving as a Cop in Prison

01:47:40 Endless Parole Denials and Family Impact

01:58:19 Final Release and Post-Prison Life

02:06:56 Ongoing Legal Battles and Activism

02:09:01 Seeking Justice and Lessons Learned

02:12:08 Innocents Behind Bars and Conclusion
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The real-life Marlo Stanfield sits down for his first podcast interview.

In this exclusive episode, Marlo Bates — known across Baltimore as Marlo Stanfield — opens up about the story behind one of the most feared and iconic characters from HBO’s The Wire. From growing up in West Baltimore, building a powerful street organization with his twin brother Tamir, and surviving decades in prison, Marlo shares the truth behind the legend in his own words.

He talks about Baltimore in the 1970s and 1980s, the heroin trade, 24-hour shops, loyalty, violence, police pressure, murder charges, wrongful convictions, learning to read in prison, and how his life changed after serving nearly 37 years.

This is a rare, unfiltered conversation with the man behind the myth — covering The Wire, David Simon, Ed Burns, Baltimore street history, prison, redemption, and Marlo’s new documentary available on Amazon Prime and OG Network.

Watch until the end for Marlo’s message to the next generation and his thoughts on legacy, loyalty, and life after prison.

Go Support Marlo!

Documentary: https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0I1PSYZXS1A0412Z0LYVAMJHTT?ref_=atv_dp_share_cu_r

IG: https://www.instagram.com/themarlodocumentary

This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following:

GLD! New customers get 40% Off with code MITCHELL at https://GLD.com

Mood! Head to https://mood.com, find the functional gummy that matches exactly what you're looking for, and let Mood help you discover YOUR perfect mood. And don't forget to use promo code CONNECT when you check out to save 20% on your first order.

Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!

https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow

00:00 Marlo's Introduction & The Real Story

03:29 Early Life in Baltimore

08:38 Jumping Into the Streets

13:00 Family Ties

15:04 This Episode Is Sponsored By GLD

16:39 The Business Begins

22:27 Expanding the Operation

31:31 Keys to Success & Street Codes

39:00 The Height of the Organization

42:36 This Episode Is Sponsored By Mood

44:09 Encounters with Law Enforcement

59:41 Trials, False Witnesses & Conviction

01:09:20 Life in Prison & Transformation

01:18:13 Parole, Legacy & Reflections

01:21:03 The Marlo Documentary & Moving Forward

01:25:55 Outro & Final Thoughts
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Clark Frederick’s life changed forever after years of grooming and sexual abuse by Dennis Pegg, a Boy Scout leader and sheriff’s lieutenant trusted by his family and community.

Decades later, after struggling with addiction, gambling, broken relationships, PTSD, and silence, Clark encountered his abuser with another young boy. The sight triggered a devastating spiral that ended with Clark confronting and killing the man who abused him.

In this episode, Clark explains how he avoided a life sentence, why other alleged victims began coming forward, what happened during his three years awaiting trial, and how he ultimately received a five-year sentence for manslaughter.

He also shares how prison therapy, meditation, faith, sobriety, and speaking openly about his trauma helped him rebuild his life. Today, Clark is an advocate for survivors, the author of Scarred, and the host of the Free Like Me podcast.

This conversation includes discussions of childhood sexual abuse, addiction, violence, suicide, and trauma. Viewer discretion is advised.

Clark’s message is clear: revenge did not heal him. Survivors do not have to sacrifice the rest of their lives because of what was done to them. Breaking the silence, seeking support, and doing the work to heal can create a different future.

Check out Clark’s book and podcast on his website: https://www.freelike-me.com/

Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!

https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow

00:00 Introduction & The Boy Scouts Scandal

01:45 Clark Frederick's Early Life

06:00 Grooming & Abuse Begins

12:10 Community Deception

19:00 Escalation to Abuse & Secret Files

25:00 Coping, Shame & Silence

33:00 Long-Term Impact & Struggles with Addiction

45:50 Decades of Trauma & Encounters with Abuser

59:00 Seeing Abuser with New Victim & Breaking Point

01:03:00 The Confrontation and Aftermath

01:17:00 Jail, Trial & Public Reaction

01:31:00 Healing, Advocacy & Changing the Law

01:39:00 Redemption, Family Loss & Life After Prison

01:44:00 Breaking the Silence & Moving Forward

01:47:00 Closing Reflections & Legacy
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Anthony Sanchez shares his raw journey from childhood trauma and Houston street life to serving more than 10 years in the Texas prison system—and ultimately rebuilding his life after release.

In this powerful interview, Anthony explains how poverty, abuse, addiction, gang culture, drug dealing, violence, and the prison environment shaped his early decisions. He opens up about losing his mother to a cocaine overdose, carrying a gun as a teenager, selling drugs, facing aggravated robbery charges, and receiving a 16-year prison sentence at only 17 years old.

Anthony also gives an inside look at Texas prison politics, racial segregation, Tango Blast, corrupt correctional officers, contraband, violence, and the survival mentality required behind bars. After his release in 2022, he transformed his life through barbering, entrepreneurship, public speaking, social media, and community outreach.

This episode is a story about crime, prison, accountability, redemption, rehabilitation, and the possibility of changing your life after incarceration.

Go Support Anthony!

IG: https://www.instagram.com/illuminating777solutions/

This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following:

Betterhelp! Don’t let stigma stand in the way of support. Start therapy with BetterHelp. Sign up and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/connect

Mood! Head to https://mood.com, find the functional gummy that matches exactly what you're looking for, and let Mood help you discover YOUR perfect mood. And don't forget to use promo code CONNECT when you check out to save 20% on your first order.

Join The Patreon For Bonus Content!

https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow

00:00 Introduction: The Wise Child & TDCJ Gangs

01:36 Street Life, Gangs & Human Psychology

05:59 Growing Up in Houston: Family & Trauma

10:09 Community, Gangs, and Early Violence

16:38 Petty Crimes & Getting the First Gun

20:26 Teen Hustle: Drug Dealing & Street Lessons

25:49 This Episode Is Sponsored By BetterHelp

26:51 Isolation, Family, and the Drive to Hustle

32:32 Getting Caught: Robberies and Arrest

41:40 Trial, Sentencing & Prison Reality

51:20 Prison Survival: Racial Dynamics & Tango Blast

01:01:48 Earning Respect and Violence

01:06:28 This Episode Is Sponsored By Mood

01:08:10 Structure Within the Gang

01:18:16 Prison Riots, Rules & Protecting Your Own

01:33:15 Conscience, G5 Isolation, and Self-Reflection

01:44:00 Corruption & Abuse in Texas Prisons

01:55:55 More Corruption, Inmates & Officer Crimes

02:07:32 Final Years: Violence, Survival & Coming Home

02:20:00 Reintegration, Community Work, and Success

02:27:18 Staying Free, Building a Platform, and Giving Back

02:33:34 Closing Thoughts: Change Is Possible
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices