The Jungle Podcast

The Jungle Podcast

June 2013 Christopher arrived at Lake Erie Correctional Institution. Upon arriving he was classed to housing unit Huron C-D, otherwise known as The Jungle. The Jungle was notoriously known on the compound as the worst unit at LECI. In 2011 CCA purchased LECI and was the first "for profit" state penitentiary in the United States. Pushed by shareholders to increase profits, LECI quickly became overpopulated, understaffed and poorly managed. Drugs, violence and extortion were just a typical day inside the walls. The Jungle was produced to showcase the lifestyles, culture and hardships behind bars read less
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It's Always Sonny in Cleveland
27-11-2023
It's Always Sonny in Cleveland
Sonny Von Cleveland shared his life story on The Jungle. Sonny had a difficult childhood, marked by abuse and encounters with the law. Despite his challenging past, he is now using his experiences to inspire others and prove that a felony doesn't have to define who you are. He emphasized the power of self-forgiveness, compassion, and kindness. Both Christopher and Sonny discussed their personal histories, including Sonny's experiences in prison, his move to California, and his various entrepreneurial and creative pursuits. Sonny shared his journey into YouTube, podcasting, and photography, as well as his philosophy of chasing success and his love for music. He also discussed his transition to California, where he started a successful cat cafe and pursued his passion for photography. Sonny shared his philosophy of keeping his passion at the forefront and seeing every person as an opportunity for inspiration. He and Christopher discussed the importance of responding to tragedy in a way that allows one to move forward and potentially inspire others. They also discussed the founding of Itopia, a coaching company focused on mental health, corporate burnout, and women empowerment, and Sonny's vision to expand the reach of Itopia through the Von Cleveland Foundation. Christopher and Sonny also shared their experiences and perspectives on life, highlighting the importance of morning routines, self-affirmation, and gratitude, as well as the importance of finding a life partner who is conducive to one's happiness and growth.
Nick M - From Pushing Pounds to Slanging Chicken Eggs Episode 0003
08-09-2023
Nick M - From Pushing Pounds to Slanging Chicken Eggs Episode 0003
Christopher interviewed his friend nick on a podcast, discussing their friendship which began in prison and has continued after their release. Both shared their experiences growing up in dysfunctional households and their eventual incarceration. They also talked about the positive changes they made in their lives after prison and aimed to inspire others in similar situations. nick discussed his criminal history, including his aggravated drug trafficking charges and the shock and disorientation he felt at the time of his arrest. He shared his experiences in prison, focusing on the intake process at Lorraine, the transfer process to Lake Erie and the takeover of a state-run prison by a private company, which led to increased violence and extortion. nick and Christopher discussed their experiences in prison, focusing on the importance of maintaining a routine and relationships with other inmates for safety. They also highlighted the importance of staying focused and not getting involved with gangs. nick and Christopher discussed their shared experiences of being in prison, noting the hierarchy and order among inmates and the transformation that happens when long-term inmates are moved to lower security facilities. They also talked about the changes in laws during their sentence which led to nick's early release. nick shared his life story, starting from his early upbringing in the construction industry, working as a teenager, transitioning to selling drugs and eventually getting arrested and imprisoned. Upon release, he found employment with his uncle's company, and later at Olive Garden when he struggled to find jobs due to his felonies. Both nick and Christopher discussed the availability of job opportunities for ex-convicts, mentioning that they had links on their website for companies that hire ex-convicts.