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/

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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

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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.

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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
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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

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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
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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.

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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
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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
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