Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
"When you have a good hand, you're quiet. And when you're bluffing, you're blustery and loud and cover a lot of shit." — Johnny Mitchell
"It's not necessarily about winning, but it's about showing you're not pushing." — Johnny Mitchell
"The game has changed. People ain't buying it like it was, you know? So I see that the changing trends in comedy, the way I would look at the trends with drugs." — Johnny Mitchell
The podcast episode features comedian Johnny Mitchell, who recounts his extensive history in the drug trade, including dealings with the Sinaloa Cartel and the Italian Mafia. Mitchell details his arrest and subsequent time in solitary confinement, emphasizing his refusal to cooperate with authorities. He contrasts the perceived logic of Mexican cartels with the more business-oriented approach on U.S. soil. The conversation delves into the brutal realities of prison life, including initiation fights, gang dynamics, and the psychological toll of incarceration. Mitchell also shares his early motivations for entering the drug trade, driven by ambition and a desire to avoid a conventional lifestyle, and elaborates on his progression from dealing marijuana to cocaine, detailing the risks and financial incentives involved.
The discussion extends to the global drug market, comparing drug prices and operations in various countries, and touching upon the impact of fentanyl on the cocaine trade. Mitchell provides a firsthand account of a house robbery during his drug dealing days, highlighting the constant threat and the decision-making process in high-stakes situations. He explains his eventual transition away from street-level sales to more sophisticated distribution methods, eventually leading to his arrest by UPS package inspection. The episode touches on the ethical compromises and inherent violence within the drug trade, with Mitchell reflecting on the financial gains versus the personal cost and the difficulty of extricating oneself from the lifestyle.
Furthermore, Mitchell discusses his strategies for laundering money through various means, including purchasing high-value items like sneakers and utilizing gift exemptions. He contrasts his past criminal activities with the current landscape of legal cannabis and the pharmaceutical industry, noting the shift in market dynamics. The conversation also explores the allure and danger of cartel operations, the complex relationship between cartels and governments, and the decentralized nature of modern drug trafficking. Mitchell reflects on the loneliness and the need for a constructed persona required to operate in such environments, contrasting it with the genuine camaraderie he found in prison. He shares his journey into stand-up comedy, inspired by his prison experiences, and his gratitude for finding a legitimate avenue for expression. The episode concludes with reflections on family, regret, and the enduring fascination with the criminal underworld, emphasizing the personal growth achieved through his experiences.