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Artwork for The Connect-

The Connect- with Johnny Mitchell

Johnny Mitchell
Drug Trafficking
Cocaine
War On Drugs
Sinaloa Cartel
Marijuana
Crack Cocaine
Fentanyl
Pablo Escobar
Heroin
New York City
Drug Addiction
Mexico
Prison System
Mental Health
True Crime
Violence
Colombian Drug Trade
Mafia
Prison Reform
Cartels

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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes239Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Artwork for The Connect-

Latest Episodes

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... more

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 arr... more

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... more

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 relatio... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Marlo Bates Stanfield
Former Baltimore gangster and subject of the interview
Self/Marlo Bates Stanfield
Episode: The Real Marlo Stanfield From "The Wire" Breaks His Silence
Clark Frederick
Survivor of childhood abuse, advocate, author of Scarred
Author of Scarred, Survivor Advocate
Episode: How An Abuse Victim Took The Law Into His Own Hands...
Anthony Sanchez
Former Tango Blast shock caller, prisoner, and reform advocate
Tango Blast (former)
Episode: Gang Leader Exposes the Dark Truth About Texas Prisons
Tommy G
Muckraking journalist and content creator
Independent journalist
Episode: Inside The U.S.-Israeli Military Merger & The A.I. Surveillance State
Justin Campos
Drug trafficker, jewelry entrepreneur, and star guest sharing his firsthand account
Independent, connected to Platinum Star Healthcare/Platinum Star Records through his dispensary and ventures
Episode: How One Drug Smuggler Shipped MILLIONS in Marijuana Through UPS
Michael Thompson
Former Aryan Brotherhood leader, author of War Horse
Aryan Brotherhood
Episode: Aryan Brotherhood Leader Reveals How He Built A Prison Empire
Tim Greishiemer
Former gang member, meth kingpin, and devout Muslim who discusses his prison experiences
Former inmate, interviewee on The Connect
Episode: Inmate Reveals How K2 Changed Texas Prisons Forever & The New Drug Economy Inside
René Enriquez
Former Mexican Mafia member and author of his memoir
Mexican Mafia (historic)
Episode: The Real Story Of La Eme From A NOTORIOUS Mexican Mafia Boss
Tim Greishammer
Former prisoner who became a key meth distributor for an Arizona connect with ties to the Sinaloa Cartel
Self/Tim Greishammer's operations
Episode: How A Texas Prisoner Got Pulled Into A Cartel Meth Empire

Host

Johnny Mitchell
Host of The Connect with Johnny Mitchell

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 3.6k ratings
  • Texas tim is a punk

    Love the pod but some of these guys are straight trash liars Texas Tim " tiny Tim " yeah ok fake

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    dingo warrier
    United States2 months ago
  • Hard to pinpoint a title

    I’m not sure how to contact you to tell you my story. Best podcast I’ve ever listened to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Anjadoodle
    United States3 months ago
  • Fire

    Just finished up the 2 part Mark Branon episode, and it was fire! That guy is the real deal, and the last of a dying breed. I can only imagine the stories he didn’t and couldn’t tell. A++++

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    M@rc E M@rc
    United States3 months ago
  • Tim Grimehymen

    Dayum Wigg-ah! You a serious friggin loser.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Snatchy Lopez
    United States4 months ago
  • Whisper Shocks

    Stop whispering and talking like you’ve never heard a shocking statement. What are you 12? It makes it so campy and shows education.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MeterDoctor
    United States6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests are compelling and bring insider perspectives, but the host can dominate conversations and interrupt guests.
Ads and sponsor reads can feel intrusive and disrupt the flow for some listeners.
High-profile guests and vivid storytelling keep episodes binge-worthy for many fans.
Content is strong when guests fully own the narrative; pacing and editing could improve.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Spotify
#45
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#169
United States/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#244
Canada/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#248
United Kingdom/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#126
Argentina/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#201
United Arab Emirates/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How A Texas Prisoner Got Pulled Into A Cartel Meth Empire
Q: How did the out-of-state plug operate and why was Arizona central to it?
The guest explains that the out-of-state plug connected through a network in Arizona, acting as the primary supply line for bricks of meth; communications were kept secret (burner phones, onion websites), and operations relied on trusted intermediaries and controlled routes to move product across state lines, creating a scalable chain.
How One Drug Smuggler Shipped MILLIONS in Marijuana Through UPS
Q: What was the scale of operations and how were products shipped?
The guest explains shipping thousands of pounds monthly via a sprawling delivery network using gray-market channels, with shipments sometimes sent through USPS, UPS, and FedEx in boxes, often triple- or quadruple-vacuum-sealed to avoid detection, while also running a legitimate dispensary and using jewelry trades to move value.
How European Cocaine Cartels Took Over The Global Drug Trade
Q: How did you gain access to European cartels for your work?
I embedded with undercover units and used my role as a photographer to blend in, sometimes buying drugs with undercover cops and cultivating trust over long periods to achieve access while staying relatively safe.
Convicted Drug Smuggler On Surviving The DEADLIEST Prison In The Middle East
Q: How did the embassy respond when you were in Pakistan?
The embassy initially seemed unhelpful, then later provided intermittent support, with individuals coming and going and sometimes pressuring him to plead guilty.
Convicted Drug Smuggler On Surviving The DEADLIEST Prison In The Middle East
Q: What started this journey into international drug trafficking and risk?
Audé explains how opportunities and financial pressures led him to participate in trips that transported leather goods and drugs, often under the guise of legitimate business.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Connect-

What is The Connect- about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show tends to feature guests with direct, experiential backgrounds in drug trafficking, organized crime, prison life, or related fields, often sharing granular operational details, personal evolution, and lessons learned. Episodes combine first-hand accounts with long-form storytelling, exploring how illicit ecosystems function, the human cost behind the headlines, and reflections on redemption or reform. A standout is the willingness to reveal insider perspectives that are rarely heard in mainstream coverage, creating a vivid, cautionary view of crime, law enforcement, and aftermaths across decades and geographies.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Connect-?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Connect-. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Connect- and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Connect- get?

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What are the audience demographics for The Connect-?

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How many subscribers and views does The Connect- have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Connect- has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Connect-?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Connect-:

1. Locked In with Ian Bick
2. Matthew Cox | Inside True Crime Podcast
3. VladTV
4. The Murder Men
5. The Sit Down: A Crime History Podcast

How many episodes of The Connect- are there?

The Connect- launched 4 years ago and published 239 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Connect-?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Connect-?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Connect- from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Connect-?

Recent guests on The Connect- include:

1. Marlo Bates Stanfield
2. Clark Frederick
3. Anthony Sanchez
4. Tommy G
5. Justin Campos
6. Michael Thompson
7. Tim Greishiemer
8. René Enriquez

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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