The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell cover art

The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

By: Johnny Mitchell
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Former drug trafficker and standup comedian Johnny Mitchell takes you inside the world of drugs, crime, prison, and the politics of the War on Drugs.Johnny Mitchell True Crime
Episodes
  • California’s War on Toxic Weed— Inside The Cartel Marijuana Boom

    California’s War on Toxic Weed— Inside The Cartel Marijuana Boom
    Jun 28 2026
    Former California game warden John Nores reveals the hidden war being fought deep inside America’s forests — where cartel-run marijuana farms have taken over remote public lands, poisoned wildlife, stolen water, and turned California’s mountains into dangerous territory. In this episode, John breaks down how Mexican cartel growers set up massive hidden weed farms, how they camouflage camps and irrigation systems, why game wardens became involved in marijuana raids, and what happened when his team came face-to-face with armed growers in the woods. We also discuss the environmental destruction caused by illegal grows, toxic pesticides, cartel tactics, California legalization, the black market, and why this problem is still far from over. John Nores is a former California Department of Fish and Wildlife game warden and author of Hidden War, where he documents his years tracking cartel activity in America’s wildlands. Topics include: Cartel weed farms, California forests, game wardens, illegal marijuana grows, Sinaloa cartel, toxic pesticides, water theft, wildlife destruction, armed growers, and the hidden war on public lands. Go Support John! Book: https://www.johnnores.com/hidden-war.html Website: https://www.johnnores.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. Lucy! Save 20% on your first online Lucy order at https://lucy.co/connect with promo code CONNECT! Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Intro: California's Weed War 01:00 Meet John Norris: Game Warden Turned Cartel Hunter 04:00 Why Game Wardens Battle Cartels 09:00 Inside Cartel Grow Tactics 17:00 Water Theft & Ranch Infiltration 24:00 Deadly Encounters: Gunfights in the Hills 26:00 This Episode Is Sponsored By Hims 27:58 Cartel Structure & Operations Unveiled 41:00 Cat-and-Mouse: Grow Raids vs Apprehensions 46:16 This Episode Is Sponsored By Lucy 47:52 Cartel Incentives: Who's Growing & Why 55:00 Hidden Health Dangers: Pesticides & Poisons 01:03:00 Environmental Fallout: Wildlife & Water 01:08:00 Legalization Backfires: Black Market Thrives 01:16:00 Chinese Cartels & the Evolving Threat 01:25:00 Why the Legal Market Can't Compete 01:36:00 From Gunfights to Game Wardens: War Stories 01:43:00 Cartels, China, and the Fentanyl Pipeline 01:53:00 Northern Border, Drugs, and the Hidden War 02:03:00 Solutions: Law, Education, & Real Change 02:10:00 Impact of Legalization Laws in Other States 02:12:00 Organic Growers vs Cartels: The Forgotten Warriors 02:16:00 Wrap Up: The Fight for America's Wildlands & Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    2 hrs and 25 mins
  • Texas Death Row Worker Reveals the Execution Rituals Nobody Talks About

    Texas Death Row Worker Reveals the Execution Rituals Nobody Talks About
    Jun 24 2026
    In Part 3 of Tim’s interview, he exposes the brutal reality of life inside the Texas prison system, including Texas death row, extreme heat with no air conditioning, alleged corruption, contraband cell phones, prison violence, and the inhumane conditions inmates face behind bars. Tim shares firsthand stories from his time in Texas prisons, including what it was like working on death row, seeing inmates receive execution dates, witnessing the emotional impact of executions, and hearing about wrongful convictions. He also breaks down how contraband gets into prison, how inmates survive scorching heat, how prison hustles work, and why he believes the Texas Department of Criminal Justice has gotten worse over time. This raw prison interview covers the hidden world of Texas prisons, death row inmates, prison politics, commissary hustles, staff corruption, segregation, gang dynamics, and the struggle to rebuild life after incarceration. If you’re interested in true crime interviews, prison stories, death row documentaries, criminal justice reform, wrongful convictions, and real-life accounts from former inmates, subscribe for more long-form conversations. Topics Covered: -Texas prison system -Texas death row -Life on death row -No air conditioning in Texas prisons -Prison heat deaths -Contraband cell phones in prison -Prison corruption -Wrongful convictions -Executions in Texas -Prison violence and survival -Segregation and prison politics -Life after prison Go Support Tim! IG: https://www.instagram.com/tattoos_bykriminalkustoms/ Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Life on Death Row: Getting the Job 02:00 Prison Heat & Air Conditioning Issues 05:00 Extreme Heat and Health Dangers 09:00 Corruption & Water Shortages in Texas Prisons 12:00 Prison Profits: Commissary & Phone Costs 16:00 Contraband: Smuggling Phones & Drugs 21:00 Death Row: Execution of an Innocent Man 27:00 Death Row Life & Prison Economics 32:00 The Politics & Hustles of Death Row Jobs 38:00 Passing Socks, Stamps, and Prison Currency 44:00 Handling Food, Muslim Rules, and Corruption 48:00 Violence, Stabbings, & Prison Justice 54:00 Who Ends Up on Death Row vs. Life 01:00:00 Death Row Inmates: Psychopathy or Normalcy? 01:07:00 Segregation Units & Survival Stories 01:14:00 Harassment, Retaliation, and Violence 01:17:00 How Texas Prisons Have Gotten Worse 01:22:00 Final Thoughts: Broken Prison System & Reform Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • Fentanyl Dealer Exposes Rehab Center Fraud, Selling Drugs To Patients, & Life On Skid Row

    Fentanyl Dealer Exposes Rehab Center Fraud, Selling Drugs To Patients, & Life On Skid Row
    Jun 21 2026
    Anthony Santana survived fentanyl addiction, homelessness, drug dealing, and nearly 100 overdoses — but what he saw inside the rehab industry shocked him almost as much as the streets. In this episode of The Connect, Anthony exposes the dark world of rehab corruption, body brokering, and treatment centers allegedly profiting from fentanyl addicts through insurance payouts. He breaks down how addicts are recruited, paid, recycled through detox programs, and sometimes pushed back into relapse so the money keeps flowing. Anthony also opens up about selling fentanyl and Xanax in California, living homeless in Los Angeles, dealing drugs in MacArthur Park, surviving overdoses, and eventually finding real recovery after years of addiction. This is a raw look at the fentanyl crisis, the California rehab scam, and the hidden business behind addiction treatment. Go Support Anthony! Rehab and Recovery: https://www.instagram.com/losangelesoutreach/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/4nthonys4nt4na/ This Episode Is #Sponsored By The Following: Betterhelp! You don’t have to say yes to everything this summer. Find support in therapy. Sign up and get 10% off at https://betterhelp.com/connect Cash App! Download Cash App Today: https://capl.onelink.me #CashAppPod ash 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. Join The Patreon For Bonus Content! https://www.patreon.com/theconnectshow 00:00 Opening & Anthony's Background 03:35 Addiction, Overdose, and Hope 06:20 Growing Up, Family & Early Drug Use 11:00 Dealing, Trauma & Progression to Fentanyl 17:00 Scaling Up Drug Operations 20:33 This Episode Is Sponsored By Betterhelp 221:58 Dangers, Setups & Violence 34:27 Homelessness, Drug Dealing in LA, and the Senior Home 40:22 This Episode Is Sponsored By Cash App 41:45 Body Brokering & Rehab Industry Corruption 46:02 MacArthur Park: LA’s Open Air Drug Market 51:41 Drug Availability, Pricing & Street Hustle 53:00 Inside the Fentanyl and Xanax Supply Chains 57:00 Adapting, Staying Out of Jail, and the Online Drug Trade 01:02:56 Bay Area Drug Scene & Violence 01:09:47 Struggles with Treatment & Homelessness 01:16:00 Human Trafficking, Customers, and the Underbelly of LA 01:20:35 Getting Sober & Redemption 01:26:00 Reflections, Family & Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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    1 hr and 33 mins
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