In this podcast episode I sit down with Pastor Joey Miranda who I hadn't seen in person in over 13 years. He was a mentor to me when I first started going to church back in 2004. He shares his story about how growing up he didn't want anything to do with God or religion based on things he experienced at home & at church. As a teenager he ends up joinin a gang. During this time his parents end up moving into a rival gangs neighborhood which brings danger upon himself & to his family. He e...
May 29, 2023•1 hr 18 min
On this episode I am proud to feature my wife, Ann Calvillo' s, very own podcast, "Her Scars Tell A Story." The mission behind her podcast is to provide a platform for ordinary women from different cultures, all ages and backgrounds to share their stories of how their scars point to Jesus. She started her podcast back in November of 2022 and this is her latest release. In this episode she sits down with her guest Sarah Gonzalez. Sarah's father used to minister to the inmates in Cook County Jail ...
May 20, 2023•1 hr 31 min
This podcast episode is a tribute to our mothers. I was able to record a bunch of men, some who had been on the podcast previously and some that will be on here in the near future. They each share a brief message about what their mothers & wife's mean to them. We thank God for all you beautiful, strong, loving, nurturing, compassionate, and caring women that have helped shape us and mold us into the men we are today. You are a gift from God. We love and appreciate you dearly. Happy Mother's ...
May 14, 2023•35 min
I was at a Men's conference hosted by "Come Alive Family Church" this weekend at "Miracle Camp" out in Lawton, Michigan. Three men from my church along with my son and I attended this conference. I was asked by Pastor Indio to share a word. This is the audio recording from the message I shared with the men in attendance. I pray that it blesses you. www.comealivefamilychurch.com Send us a text Support the show Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2049675/support Rep the podcast with fre...
May 08, 2023•40 min
In this Podcast I interview Pastor Mynor Vasquez from North Phoenix Baptist Church out in Phoenix, AZ. He shares how life was growing up in Guatemala. His father and mother leave to the United States in hopes for a better future and leave him and his little brother behind with his grandpa and grandma. After many years away his father returns and decides to bring them back to U.S. with him. There was a huge culture shock when they arrive in Phoenix but there was also a clash with his father who t...
Apr 30, 2023•1 hr 11 min
In this podcast episode I interview rapper Cordell Paige. He shares what his childhood was like growing up in Joliet and also different Chicago neighborhoods like Englewood and Humboldt Park. He grew up in a very strict faith based home and in the church but chose to go his own way as a teenager. His musical talent finds him going on tour with various rappers at young age and he finds himself deep in that culture of drugs and alcohol. On one such tour while sitting in the bus he hears a voice th...
Apr 23, 2023•1 hr 28 min
Michael Buhrman finds himself behind bars after he and an accomplice commit an armed carjacking. He has an ankle monitoring device placed on him after posting bail. He cuts the device off and goes on the run from the law with his accomplice. After a few stops in different states, they make it into Mexico and then eventually find themselves in Caracas, Venezuela, living as international fugitives. The authorities first catch up with his accomplice who begins to cooperate and testify against Micha...
Apr 15, 2023•1 hr 17 min
In this podcast episode I sit down with Pastor Jojo Gonzalez from "Ignite City Church" here in Chicago, IL. He shares what it was like growing up in Aurora, IL. back in the 80's and 90's when the gang and drug culture was at it's peak. Drinking and doing drugs was normalized all around him. He was able to stay out of the gangs but gets drawn into the drug dealing lifestyle. While doing all this he begins to experience an inner battle between good and evil, between doing right and doing wrong. On...
Apr 02, 2023•1 hr 26 min
In this podcast episode I interview Steve Richardson. He shares about his upbringing in a small country town in Macedonia, Ohio. He grew up having an alcoholic and abusive stepfather that his mom and siblings would need to escape from in the middle of the night to find a safe place to stay. He also experiences verbal abuse from his stepmother in the form humiliation. This builds up anger & resentment which leads to rebellion that he carries with him for most of his life. He turns to alcohol ...
Mar 26, 2023•1 hr 7 min
In this podcast episode, I interview Ramiro Martinez. He grew up in a community called "Little Village" (La Villita), on the southwest side of Chicago. His parents split up when he was really young. He grows up experiencing physical, mental and verbal abuse. The love and respect he never receives at home he starts getting in the streets when he starts to deal drugs and joins a gang. He is determined to make a name for himself and show those people who didn't believe in him exactly what he could ...
Mar 19, 2023•1 hr 21 min
In this podcast episode I interview Javier Garcia. He grew up on the southside of Chicago in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods named "Back of The Yards." As a child he is excelling in baseball and makes the all-star team. He tells his parents to come to his game to see him play and they never showed up. That one day of disappointment he equates into rejection and he makes the decision to never play baseball again. Feeling hurt and rejected, in due time he finds himself getting drawn into t...
Mar 12, 2023•1 hr 20 min
In this podcast I interview Dre Rodriguez. He was born and raised in Pilsen, on the southwest side of Chicago. After serving 10 years in prison, Dre, a former street gang member, decided that his reintegration into society would consist of preventing gang-involved youth from making some of the same bad decisions that almost cost him his life. He didn't know then that some of the hardest trials and experiences of his life would prepare him and propel him to do the work he is doing today. He is no...
Mar 05, 2023•2 hr 2 min
In this podcast episode I interview Mike Rodriguez. He shares about his life growing up in the "Back of the Yards" neighborhood on the southside of Chicago. It is a very rough area of known for gang violence, drug dealing and poverty. He shares his experience of wanting to join a gang and the trouble he finds himself in because of this. He eventually meets a young man who begins to point him in a more positive direction and even introduces him to a young lady who will eventually become his wife....
Feb 26, 2023•59 min
In this podcast episode we take a trip to the southside of Chicago, into a neighborhood nicknamed, "The Wild Wild Hundreds." Antoine Dobine tells us what it was like growing up in this neighborhood starting in the late seventies up until today. He describes the transition this neighborhood has seen starting with the many businesses and companies that started to leave this area. Gangs, drugs, crack cocaine & sex trafficking soon overtook the community. At an early age he finds himself involve...
Feb 21, 2023•34 min
In this podcast episode, I interview Keith Hanley from "Hold The Line Ministries." He shares about his life growing up in central Florida. From being introduced to drug dealing at a young age. To ending up in Federal prison at the age of 18. The time behind bars doesn't change him. He ends up returning to drug dealing upon his release and eventually becomes a drug addict himself. Listen to this man's story of redemption. YouTube: @holdthelineministries3640 Send us a text Support the show Become ...
Feb 12, 2023•48 min
In this podcast episode, I release an interview I did with my twenty three year old son Angel, who has autism. I believe this podcast will bring a message of hope and encouragement to anyone with a child with learning disabilities. I've seen my son go through some really tough times and come out stronger. Tune in to hear his heart and hear his story. Send us a text Support the show Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2049675/support Rep the podcast with fresh gear and join a community...
Feb 06, 2023•26 min
In this podcast episode I interview Juan, who grew up in the rough streets of the southside of Chicago. From growing up in a very abusive household to being bullied in school as a young man. He only finds help and protection from a local neighborhood gang member who befriends him. This eventually puts him on a life path that ends up getting him deported to Mexico as a "Domestic Terrorist." Listen as he shares how in Mexico he finds himself addicted to crystal meth, homeless and later on in big d...
Jan 29, 2023•1 hr 7 min
In this podcast episode, I interview Vinny, from "Vinny's Barbershop" in Houston, Texas. He shares what life was like growing up with Pastors as parents. At a young age he feels like he is missing out on life which leads him down a path of experimenting with alcohol and all types of drugs. He finds himself slipping deeper and deeper into darkness, all while he tries to drown out the voice of his parents and ultimately the voice of God, who is calling him near. https://vinnysbarbershop.net Instag...
Jan 22, 2023•1 hr 2 min
In this podcast episode I interview my Pastor, Juan Sanchez. He grew up in the southwest side of Chicago in the Vittum Park neighborhood. As one of the first Hispanic families to move into that area he experienced a lot of racism as a youth. He shares how he witnessed first hand the power of "God" bring healing in the life of his wife, who at that time was dealing with anxiety and panic attacks. This leads him to begin to investigate and seek out who this "God" is? Listen to his story on how he ...
Jan 14, 2023•1 hr 34 min
In this Podcast, I interview Berto, Host of the "Normalized Crime" Podcast. He joins me on here today to share his story and experiences growing up in the southside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He shares a side of the gang lifestyle that a lot of people are unwilling to talk about. Honest and raw truths. Listen to this man's story! https://tinyurl.com/NormalizedCrime Send us a text Support the show Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2049675/support Rep the podcast with fresh gear and joi...
Jan 08, 2023•1 hr
In this podcast episode, my wife Ann joins me as we reflect together on this past year. From what led & propelled me to start this Podcast back on October 2nd, 2022. And sharing what the Mission & Vision is for this new year moving forward. There is a purpose that is bigger than us. There is work for us to do that will outlive us. Send us a text Support the show Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2049675/support Rep the podcast with fresh gear and join a community that's shap...
Jan 02, 2023•47 min
In this podcast I interview Lou Rodriguez, who grew up in the North West Side of Chicago in a rough neighborhood named "Humboldt Park." Lou shares with us what it was like being one of six children in a single mother household. How growing up in poverty propelled him & pushed him to want to help provide financially for his family at a very young age. Listen to the story of the path which this leads him on. From drug dealing, gangbanging, crime, violence, imprisonment and ultimate redemption....
Dec 18, 2022•1 hr 5 min
In this podcast interview, Victor shares about the male figures in his life that he begins to lose at a very young age. From having an uncle who he was really close to die in a car accident. To losing his father to imprisonment soon after. This left him hurt, alone, confused and with no clear direction in life. He vowed to never do what what his father had done to him but finds himself later on in life repeating the same things. He grew up right across the street from the projects in the outskir...
Dec 11, 2022•1 hr 17 min
In this episode, Hector G. shares how growing up in a family that was heavily involved in the gangs and drugs lifestyle affected him. As a child being unexpectedly taken away from his mother and family and being placed into the foster care system. Listen to his story, experiences and the journey that he is on today. Send us a text Support the show Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2049675/support Rep the podcast with fresh gear and join a community that's shaping positive change! ht...
Dec 04, 2022•1 hr 4 min
Join us to hear how a money-driven businessman with Mafia ties ended up facing the threat of jail time. Involved in racketeering, bookmaking & gambling. In 1980 he owned one of the nations largest houses of prostitution. Learn about the events that led him to turn his life around. William Fay graduated from Denver Seminary with a degree in leadership and has taken up the mantle of evangelist. Fay is a chaplain with the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, host of the internationally syndicated r...
Nov 27, 2022•48 min
My guest Roger Cadena shares his story and the events that shaped his life growing up in the "Back of the Yards" neighborhood on the South Side of Chicago. He witnessed a lot of violence as a youth, which eventually led him to become a perpetrator and victim of violence himself. He ends up doing time in prison and struggles to do right upon his release. He witnesses first hand God transform his older brother from a violent man, drug addict to becoming a man of God. And Roger begins to question i...
Nov 20, 2022•1 hr 17 min
In this episode I interview Pastor Manny Rivera, from "Restoration Church Aurora." He shares what it was like growing up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on the north west side of Chicago. From joining a gang at a young age, addicted to drugs, in trouble with the law and finding himself behind bars. But he had a wife that was praying for him and wouldn't give up on him even when everyone was telling her to count him as loss; that he will never change. But God always has the final Word. www.rest...
Nov 13, 2022•1 hr 10 min
In this podcast, Cisco shares what life was like growing up in Little Village. How he became numb to all the violence and crime happening all around him because it was just another day in the neighborhood. From a near death experience that put life into perspective and changed the direction of it. Send us a text Support the show Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2049675/support Rep the podcast with fresh gear and join a community that's shaping positive change! https://wrongtostrong...
Nov 06, 2022•1 hr 2 min
In this podcast I interview Bruno. He shares how he was on the path to a life in gangs and crime until he made a spontaneous decision to step into an Army recruiting office. His plan was just to be in the Army reserves when he signed up in August of 2000. That was right before 9/11 happened. From a tour in Iraq to life as a police officer afterwards. He shares honest and raw truths about what he experienced and how that has affected him. Send us a text Support the show Become a supporter: https:...
Oct 30, 2022•1 hr 7 min
This is Part 2 of a two part interview. On this podcast, my wife Ann interviews me on what it was like growing up in Pilsen, on the south west side of Chicago. From a strong family oriented upbringing, to experiencing tragedy and loss. Which led to a life of gangs, drugs, imprisonment and ultimately redemption. Send us a text Support the show Become a supporter: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2049675/support Rep the podcast with fresh gear and join a community that's shaping positive change! https:/...
Oct 23, 2022•46 min
