The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

From a strict Mormon upbringing in Texas to the violent world of cartel-connected crime, Tyler’s story is one of the wildest we’ve heard.

In this episode, Tyler explains how he went from being a high school kid making money transporting drugs to working around human-smuggling networks along the Texas–Mexico border. He describes witnessing extreme cartel violence at a young age, moving migrants through border towns, becoming involved in violent contract work in Mexico, and later building a large drug business back home.

Tyler also opens up about the side of that lifestyle people rarely talk about—the paranoia, emotional numbness, PTSD, memory problems, prison, and the difficulty of returning to a normal life after years surrounded by violence.

We discuss:

• Growing up in a strict Mormon household

• Getting recruited into drug transportation as a teenager

• Witnessing cartel violence for the first time

• How human-smuggling networks operate along the border

• Coyotes, safe houses, spotters, burner phones, and cartel organization

• His descent into increasingly violent criminal work

• Building a drug business through Snapchat

• His 2019 arrest and prison sentence

• The lasting psychological effects of the lifestyle

• Therapy, family, faith, and trying to rebuild his life

This conversation contains descriptions of violence, drug trafficking, and other criminal activity. It is presented for documentary, educational, and entertainment purposes and is not intended to promote or encourage illegal behavior.

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00:00 Intro: Mormon Kid to Cartel Hitman

01:27 Growing Up in a Strict Mormon Household

03:13 Rebelling Against Church Rules

04:16 First Adventure: Driving Heroin

06:40 Close Call: Witnessing a Chainsaw Murder

09:07 The Psychological Aftermath

12:32 Understanding the Cartel's Organization

15:10 Mental Health Struggles and Trauma

20:35 This Episode Is Sponsored By BetterHelp

21:55 Getting Back into Smuggling

23:23 Human Smuggling Operations and Safe Houses

27:18 Evolution into a Hitman

29:04 Cartel's Control and Police Corruption

31:52 The Job: Contract, Payment, and Preparation

36:27 The First Hit and Moral Numbing

40:33 This Episode Is Sponsored By Mood

42:33 Avoiding Addiction and the Double Life

45:08 The Worst Thing Seen: Four Days of Torture

52:00 The Drug Business and Burner Phones

01:10:11 Getting Busted and Going to Prison

01:17:00 Building the Snapchat Drug Empire

01:22:26 Why Keep Doing Hits?

01:24:07 The Last Job and Quitting

01:27:01 Arrest and Prison Sentence

01:30:09 Life After Prison and Redemption
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Katarina Szulc returns to The Connect after reporting on the ground in Sinaloa, where the cartel war has pushed Culiacán deeper into violence and uncertainty.

In this episode, she breaks down what she witnessed firsthand, why the Chapitos are under enormous pressure, and how CJNG could emerge as one of the biggest winners if the Chapitos eventually collapse or surrender. With CJNG already providing manpower and resources to its Sinaloa allies, could the organization ultimately move in and absorb their territory?

We also get into the escalating war inside the Sinaloa Cartel, the future of the remaining Chapitos, alleged cartel ties to Mexican politicians, the growing influence of CJNG, what daily life now looks like in Culiacán, forced recruitment, and Katarina's disturbing investigation into human trafficking in Tijuana.

This is an inside look at one of the most important power struggles happening in Mexico's criminal underworld—and what could come next.

Go Support Katarina!

YouTube: @katarinaszulc

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

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00:00 The Cartel's Control Over Sinaloa

02:40 Senseless Murders and Public Fear

03:30 Governor Rocha's Indictment

08:30 Challenges of Reporting in Sinaloa

13:30 Inside the Daily Murders

20:00 The War for Cartel Control

23:30 CJNG Alliance and Mencho's Death

28:00 Cartel Convoys and Rural Danger

32:00 Humanizing Cartel Members

34:00 Victims and the New Generation

36:00 Cartel Economics and Recruitment

39:00 Chapitos' Surrender Talks

44:00 Political Leverage and US Influence

50:00 Mazatlan's Strategic Value

58:00 Human Trafficking Crisis
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Steven Dixon, a former Baltimore heroin kingpin, reveals how the city’s drug trade really worked during its most notorious era—from New York suppliers and mob connections to high-purity heroin, street corners generating staggering amounts of cash, and the operation that made him millions.

He breaks down how heroin moved from New York to Baltimore, how dealers controlled territory across West Baltimore, why trusted connections mattered, and how the drug economy seen in The Wire compared to what was actually happening on the streets.

But the money and power came with a devastating price. After building a massive operation and owning more than 100 properties, Steven eventually became addicted to heroin himself—losing the empire, the money, and nearly everything else.

After years of addiction, he finally got clean, returned to school, earned a master’s degree, and dedicated his life to helping others recover through addiction treatment and behavioral health programs.

This is the inside story of Baltimore’s heroin era—from millions in drug money to addiction, recovery, and redemption.

Go Support Steven!

Recovery Facility: https://absolutehbh.com/

This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following:

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. 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.

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00:00 Meet Steve Dixon

00:37 Baltimore's Heroin Kingpin

02:11 Reflections on the Drug Trade

03:32 Why Baltimore is a Heroin City

05:13 The Nigerian Connection

07:44 Building a Fortune

10:53 From Heroin to Fentanyl

12:07 This Episode Is Sponsored By Cash App

13:27 Growing Up in Baltimore

16:04 A Life on the Streets

19:03 Acquiring Turf and Connections

21:27 Regrets and Community Impact

23:35 Keys to Success in the Game

25:31 The Mob and Nigerian Sources

27:00 Distribution Network

30:43 This Episode Is Sponsored By Superpower

32:13 Police and Stash Houses

34:54 Violence and Stickup Boys

37:24 The Fall: Addiction

40:16 Investing in the Community

42:16 This Episode Is Sponsored By NordVPN

43:52 The Addiction to Money

45:40 A Day in the Life

50:38 Handling Massive Cash

52:37 The Turning Point

56:30 Dodging a Federal Case

58:00 Descent into Addiction

01:01:40 Losing Everything

01:04:10 Life as a Homeless Addict

01:07:26 The Road to Recovery

01:11:20 Helping Others Get Clean

01:14:42 The Rehab Industry

01:18:22 Redemption and Legacy

01:20:24 Is Baltimore Better Now?

01:23:57 Changing Attitudes in the Community

01:27:02 Final Thoughts
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Florida gubernatorial candidate James Fishback joins The Connect to explain why he believes it’s time for a political revolution at the state level—and why Florida must stand up to Washington, Wall Street, foreign influence, and the growing surveillance state.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Fishback lays out his plan to eliminate Flock license-plate cameras, oppose Palantir-style mass surveillance, protect First and Fourth Amendment rights, and repeal Florida laws he believes restrict criticism of foreign governments.

He also breaks down his opposition to the H-1B visa system, arguing that major corporations are replacing qualified American workers with cheaper foreign labor. Fishback explains how he would penalize companies that refuse to hire qualified Florida residents, prevent private-equity firms and foreign investors from buying up single-family homes, and stop taxpayer-subsidized AI data centers from spreading across the state.

The discussion also covers Florida public schools, student accountability, crime and “teen takeovers,” restoring rights to former nonviolent offenders, gun rights, undeclared foreign wars, the National Guard, AIPAC influence, state sovereignty, and his legal battle to remain on the ballot.

Can Florida become a model for a new American liberty movement—or is the political machine too powerful to defeat?

Go Support James!

Website: https://www.votemyflorida.org/

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00:00 Introduction: The Fight for Freedom

00:42 Why I Support James Fishback

01:30 Fishback's America First Platform

02:44 A Call to Action for Floridians

03:01 The National Significance of Florida's Fight

04:41 A New Experiment in Liberty

06:50 The Easiest Problem: Banning Flock Cameras

08:20 The Fourth Amendment and Mass Surveillance

10:50 The Existential Battle for Privacy

12:10 Repealing Florida's Hate Speech Law

14:40 The Real Test of the First Amendment

15:56 Taking on the Opposition: Byron Donalds

17:00 The Education Crisis in Florida

20:00 Accountability in the Classroom

22:55 The H-1B Visa Scam

26:50 Protecting American Jobs

29:00 Resistance at the State Level

32:10 Banning Private Equity from Buying Homes

34:00 The Unfair Advantage of Private Equity

36:45 Foreign Buyers and the Housing Crisis

38:00 Capitalism vs. America

39:12 The Threat of Data Centers

42:40 The Data Center Invasion in Florida

44:30 Defending State Sovereignty

47:00 Consistency and Truth in Politics

48:00 Existential Issues vs. Cultural Differences

50:00 The Case Against Zero Crime

53:00 Addressing Teen Takeovers and Riots

57:40 The El Salvador Model: Tough on Crime

58:40 Restoring Rights for Former Felons

01:01:00 The Lawfare Battle and Victory

01:03:00 The Un-American Nature of Merging Militaries

01:04:40 The True America First Agenda

01:06:00 Byron Donalds: A Puppet of Foreign Interests

01:08:00 America Comes First

01:10:00 Christian Values and Governance

01:12:00 Teaching Kids What It Means to Be American

01:14:00 Mass Surveillance vs. Freedom

01:18:00 The Unanimous Opposition to Data Centers

01:20:00 The Momentum of the Fishback Campaign

01:22:00 Final Call to Action: Vote for James Fishback
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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

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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
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