Blake Fitzgerald was just a regular guy from Minnesota—until a side hustle on TikTok turned into a six-figure illegal gambling operation. After dropping out of college and bouncing between jobs, Blake discovered the world of gambling livestreams. Within months, he was pulling in over $100,000 running an underground gambling ring through social media. But the fast money came with heavy consequences. What started as a business turned into an addiction, and eventually, the law caught up with him. In this interview, Blake shares how he built the operation, how it spiraled out of control, and how he managed to escape prison time through a plea deal.

00:00 Introduction & The Shocking Call

00:34 Blake's Background and Upbringing

02:56 Childhood, Parents, and Lessons Learned

05:54 Family Dynamics & Early Life Challenges

13:04 College, Early Work, and First Adult Steps

17:15 Launching a Career: Sales, Oil Fields & Construction

20:51 Discovering Gambling Streams & TikTok Live

24:55 Explosive Growth on TikTok

31:36 Gambling Becomes a Business

38:28 The Illegal Gambling Model Starts

41:08 Managing Money, Moderators, and Viewers

43:43 High Stakes, Big Nights, and Addictive Success

47:35 TikTok Fame, Haters & Legal Gray Areas

55:10 The Investigation and Downfall

01:01:38 Facing Charges & Navigating the Legal System

01:09:03 Plea Deals, Consequences, and Community Service

01:13:15 Addiction Continues: Gambling Beyond TikTok

01:17:17 Embracing Recovery: Gamblers Anonymous

01:21:14 Life After Gambling: Fast Cars and Family

01:28:25 Social Media Reflections & Giving Back

01:32:33 Media Coverage, Public Perception, and Reputation

01:35:01 Lessons Learned: The Dangers of Gambling Culture

01:41:12 Moving Forward, Staying Sober, Final Thoughts

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Damon Shepard got into corrections to make a difference—but what he found inside nearly destroyed him. Raised by a single mother in St. Louis, Damon was inspired in high school to pursue a career in criminal justice. After falling short of becoming a police officer, he landed a job inside a juvenile correctional facility. But the reality was far from what he expected. Plagued by corruption, drugs, and a toxic environment, Damon was eventually set up and charged with bringing in contraband himself. Forced to resign and clear his name, he now speaks out about the truth behind the system. In this interview, Damon breaks down what really goes on behind bars—and how the people meant to protect can sometimes be part of the problem.

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John Lendall’s life spiraled before it ever had a chance to begin. Growing up in Massachusetts with parents addicted to drugs, John dropped out of high school as a freshman and ended up in juvenile detention twice before turning 18. By 19, he was hooked on pills and chasing his next high — until one night, a robbery for drugs turned deadly. Charged with murder and facing 18–20 years, John took a plea deal and cooperated with authorities. He spent 12 years behind bars. In this interview, John shares what really happened that night, what prison taught him, and how he's trying to rebuild a life after a childhood of chaos and a past he can’t undo.

00:00:00 John Lendle's Troubled Past and Prison Sentence

00:04:36 Childhood Exposure to Illegal Activities

00:09:50 Impact of Gang Presence on School Life

00:15:11 Life in Juvenile Detention

00:20:09 Unconventional Journey Home

00:25:22 Journey into Drug Addiction

00:31:09 Initiation into Armed Robbery

00:37:01 The Gunshot Incident and Its Aftermath

00:42:40 Arrest and Confession: A Turning Point

00:48:01 Legal Challenges and Sentencing

00:54:19 Struggles with Addiction and Recovery in Prison

00:59:02 Navigating Prison Life and Social Dynamics

01:04:15 Journey of Self-Forgiveness and Reflection

01:09:24 Evolution of Communication: Texting to Facetiming

01:14:29 Juggling Multiple Jobs: A Personal Journey

01:19:35 The Impact of Rescuing Dogs as Pets

01:24:18 Final Thoughts and Farewell

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Sharita Richardson went from respected educator and mental health business owner to federal inmate. Raised by a single mom in North Carolina, Sharita followed a passion for helping others, leaving behind a career in teaching to open her own mental health agency. But when government regulations changed and the money stopped flowing, she found herself in financial crisis — and made a life-altering decision. What started as a desperate move turned into a multi-million dollar Medicare fraud scheme. Years later, the FBI showed up. In this interview, Sharita breaks down how it all happened, the day she was arrested, and what 23 months in federal prison taught her about survival, guilt, and redemption.

00:00:00 The Rise and Fall of a Medicare Fraud Scheme

00:05:50 Career Shift from Law School to Teaching

00:11:45 Starting a Group Home: From Idea to Reality

00:17:52 The Journey from Teacher to Entrepreneur

00:24:11 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Insecurity

00:30:53 Discovering a System Scam

00:36:56 Mastering Accreditation Consulting

00:42:10 Understanding Fluffed Billing Practices

00:48:07 Understanding the Group Home Business Model

00:53:55 Struggling to Maintain Lifestyle Amidst Financial Pressure

01:00:00 Life-Altering Decision to Start Over

01:06:00 Unexpected Encounter with the FBI

01:12:01 Confrontation and Revelation at Starbucks

01:17:32 Understanding Conspiracy Charges

01:23:12 Life Transformation After Incarceration

01:29:11 Transitioning from Teaching to Entrepreneurship

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Former DEA Agent Steve Murphy reveals the untold story behind the manhunt for Pablo Escobar. From his early days as a police officer to going undercover in Miami and eventually being deployed to Colombia, Murphy walks us through the real events that inspired Netflix’s Narcos. He shares what it was like tracking the world’s most dangerous drug lord, how the day of Escobar’s death really went down, and the truth vs. fiction in Hollywood’s version of the story. If you think you know the story of Pablo Escobar, think again.

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Officer Kenny Williams has been a police officer in Indiana for 18 years. In this interview, he talks about what led him to join the force after 9/11, how the job has changed over the years, the role of social media and body cameras in policing today, and some of the common misconceptions people have about law enforcement. This episode offers a real look at the day-to-day reality of modern policing from someone who’s lived it.

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RJ Mitte, who played Walt Jr. on Breaking Bad, opens up about getting bullied as a kid and how acting helped him find a way out. In this exclusive interview, he breaks down how he landed the role of Walt Jr., what it was really like filming Breaking Bad, and how closely the show reflects real-life crime. We also talk about how his character mirrors the families of real criminals, where Walt Jr. would be today, and whether the show glamorizes the very world it portrays. This is a must-watch for Breaking Bad fans and anyone who’s ever questioned the line between entertainment and reality.

00:00:00 R.J. Mitte's Rise from Bullying to Fame

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Bigfacehead grew up in the streets of Hartford, CT, surrounded by poverty and pain. With his father behind bars and no clear path forward, he dropped out of school at 16 and turned to the drug game — making $5,000 a week selling crack. But that fast money came with a price. At just 20 years old, Bigfacehead was caught in a sweeping federal RICO case and sentenced to 60 months in federal prison. In this interview, he shares what life was really like on the streets, how the feds built their case, and what prison was like for him.

Connect with Bigfacehead:

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Snapchat: @bigfacehead

YouTube: ​⁠ http://youtube.com/@BIGFACEHEADMUSIC

Twitter: @bigfacehead

Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:

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Clark Fredericks' life was forever changed by one of the darkest betrayals imaginable—he was groomed and abused by his Boy Scout leader, a man who was also a respected police officer. That trauma led Clark down a destructive path filled with addiction, gambling, and mob debt. But everything came to a head years later when he ran into his abuser again… and snapped. Clark was charged with murder—but the truth behind what happened changed everything. In this emotional and raw episode, Clark opens up about the abuse, the moment he took justice into his own hands, his time behind bars, and how he’s finally found peace after the storm.

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Jose Lugo grew up in one of Los Angeles’ toughest neighborhoods, where violence, broken family, and survival shaped his early life. After joining the Crips in high school, Jose got caught up in a string of robberies and was sentenced to 5 years in prison. From the brutal reality of L.A. County Jail to life inside a California state prison as a gang member, Jose reveals what it was really like behind bars — and what it took to walk away from the streets. In this raw and emotional interview, he shares the painful process of self-forgiveness, leaving the gang life behind, and how he’s fighting for redemption every single day.

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