

Locked In with Ian Bick
Ian Bick
Real stories from the people everyone else judges first. Locked In with Ian Bick is a podcast hosted by Ian Bick, a former federal inmate turned podcaster. The show features raw conversations with former inmates, recovering addicts, bikers, law enforcement officers, attorneys, investigators, and people who have lived through crime, prison, addiction, trauma, and redemption. Each episode dives deep into real prison stories, life inside prison, the criminal justice system, street life, addiction recovery, mental health, and what it takes to rebuild after incarceration. Guests share what really happens behind bars, how people survive prison, and the difficult road to second chances after hitting rock bottom. If you’re interested in prison stories, criminal justice experiences, life after prison, and honest conversations with people who have lived through the darkest chapters of their lives, you’ll feel at home here.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 16, 2026 • 1h 7min
I Was a Bitcoin Kingpin — Now I’ve Been on Home Confinement for 6+ Years Awaiting Trial | Joby Weeks
Joby Weeks was once a major figure in the early days of Bitcoin, building a massive cryptocurrency business during the wild west of crypto. But after federal investigators targeted his operation, his life changed overnight. In this episode of the Locked In Podcast, Joby reveals how he ended up trapped on home confinement for more than six years while still awaiting trial on federal charges. He breaks down the Bitcoin boom, the investigation that shut everything down, and what it’s like living under strict government restrictions for years without a resolution to his case.
_____________________________________________
#bitcoin #cryptocrime #ianbick #lockedinpodcast #truecrime #federalprison #homeconfinement #crypto
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
_____________________________________________
Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 Arrested by Federal Agents – The BitClub Case
01:00 Six Years on House Arrest
03:00 What Life Is Like on Home Confinement
08:00 Early Life and Family Background
13:00 Becoming an Entrepreneur
18:00 Manatech Business Success & Giving Back
22:00 Discovering Bitcoin and Early Crypto Investing
26:00 Building the BitClub Crypto Mining Empire
31:00 Political Activism and Cannabis Legalization
36:00 The Liberty Dollar & Ron Paul Movement
41:00 Bitcoin Mining, Data Centers & Crypto Expansion
45:00 Federal Indictment and Missing Bitcoin Allegations
50:00 Years in Legal Limbo on House Arrest
54:00 Fighting the Federal Case – Lawsuits & Plea Deals
01:00:00 Faith, Reflection, and Waiting for Freedom
01:02:00 Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 15, 2026 • 1h 33min
I Was a D1 College Quarterback — Then Got 65 Years in Texas Prison | Damon West
Damon West was a Division 1 college quarterback with a promising future ahead of him, but a growing meth addiction sent his life into a downward spiral that ultimately led to a 65-year sentence in the Texas prison system. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Damon shares the shocking story of how drugs, crime, and bad decisions destroyed his life and landed him behind bars. He opens up about the brutal reality of Texas prisons, the mistakes that cost him everything, and the mindset that helped him eventually turn his life around.
_____________________________________________
#ianbick #lockedin #lockedinpodcast #damonwest #texasprison #lifesentence #prisonstory #truecrime
_____________________________________________
Connect with Damon West:
https://damonwest.org/
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
_____________________________________________
Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 First Time Facing Prison: The Moment Everything Changed
01:02 Troubled Childhood & The Downward Path to Crime
03:57 Addiction, Crime & Hitting Rock Bottom
05:01 Sentenced to Life: Entering the Texas Prison System
06:01 What to Expect in Prison & Advice Before Going In
07:40 The Coffee Bean Story That Changed My Life
10:12 Arriving at a Level 5 Maximum Security Prison
11:01 Earning Respect Inside Prison
12:52 Personal Growth Behind Bars
13:36 Finding Purpose Through Leadership in Prison
14:27 Helping Other Inmates: Tutoring & Giving Back
16:01 Changing Prison Culture & Bringing Hope Inside
19:09 The Parole Hearing That Changed Everything
22:01 Life After Prison: Adjusting to Freedom
24:02 Rebuilding Life After Release
26:11 Becoming a Motivational Speaker After Prison
29:00 How “The Coffee Bean” Message Went Global
32:01 The Hidden Struggles After Prison
35:41 From Prisoner to College Professor
38:31 Inside the Prison System: Staff & Reality
41:11 Prison Animal Programs & Rehabilitation
42:42 Why Prison Reform Matters
44:00 How Background & Environment Lead to Prison
46:34 The Real Causes of Crime
50:59 The Power of Hope in Prison
53:32 Prison Violence & Survival Tactics
56:42 Adjusting to Society After Prison
01:01:00 Ending Violence Inside Prisons
01:03:09 Keys to Success on Parole
01:07:00 Addiction Recovery After Prison
01:12:15 Losing Yourself & Finding Purpose Again
01:16:18 Advice to My Younger Self
01:23:28 Staying Accountable After Prison
01:26:43 Final Message: Hope & Redemption Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 12, 2026 • 1h 29min
I’m a Connecticut Cop — Here’s What Police Really Deal With | Taylor Prahach
Taylor Prahach’s life was shaped by loss and resilience long before she ever put on a police uniform. After her mother passed away when she was just five years old, Taylor was adopted and eventually moved to Connecticut where she grew up determined to build a better future. Her experiences led her to study criminal justice in college and ultimately pursue a career in law enforcement. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Taylor shares her journey from a difficult childhood to becoming a police officer in East Hartford, Connecticut, offering an inside look at what it takes to serve on the front lines of policing. She opens up about the realities of the job, the challenges officers face every day, and how her personal experiences shaped the way she approaches law enforcement and helping people in her community.
_____________________________________________
#ianbick #lockedinpodcast #connecticutcop #policestories #lawenforcement #truecrimepodcast #policeinterview #behindthebadge
_____________________________________________
Thank you to GOLD DROP SELTZERS for sponsoring this episode:
Head to https://www.thedryoak.com/ and use promo code LOCKEDIN at checkout for 10% off your order.
_____________________________________________
Connect with taylor Prahach:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taytay__31?igsh=aDAzanhmZ3U0NHZj&utm_source=qr
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylormarie148?_r=1&_t=ZP-94PZxuvkOYY
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
_____________________________________________
Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 Police Officer Shares Wild First Encounters on the Job
02:00 Earning Respect as a Rookie Police Officer
04:00 Childhood Loss and Family Background
10:00 Growing Up Independent and Working Young
15:00 College Life and Early Career Goals
22:00 College Internships and Choosing Law Enforcement
27:00 The Reality of Modern Policing in America
33:00 Police Field Training and Proving Yourself
39:00 Life on Patrol: What Police Officers Actually Do
45:00 First Arrests and Surprising Police Calls
51:00 Adjusting to Police Work and Memorable Incidents
57:00 Female Police Officer Perspective on Domestic Calls
01:03:00 Handling Trauma and Being a Police Parent
01:09:00 Most Common Police Calls and Crime Trends
01:15:00 Frustrations Police Face with Laws and Policies
01:22:00 Social Media, the Future of Policing, and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 11, 2026 • 2h 35min
I Escaped Jail — Then Survived 32 Brutal Years in Prison | John Moore
John Moore grew up in Connecticut carrying the weight of childhood trauma that pushed him toward trouble at a young age. What started as a life of bad decisions quickly escalated into serious crime when he was arrested for kidnapping and robbery, but the chaos didn’t stop there. While sitting in jail awaiting his case, John continued fighting and causing problems until he made a desperate move, he escaped jail and fled to New York. While on the run he committed another robbery before eventually being caught, a decision that would change his life forever. Between charges in Connecticut and New York, John was ultimately sentenced to nearly 50 years in prison. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, John shares the true story of surviving 32 years inside some of the most brutal prisons, navigating gangs, violence, and constant attacks while trying to stay alive. Despite the harsh reality of decades behind bars, John also found an unexpected light in the darkness, meeting the woman who would become his wife and building a family through conjugal visits while still incarcerated.
_____________________________________________
#ianbick #lockedinpodcast #jailescape #prisonstory #prisonsurvival #truecrimepodcast #prisonlife #exinmate
_____________________________________________
Connect with John Moore:
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jay_triple_x?_r=1&_t=ZP-94JYBavrQIp
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@jaytriplex?si=vFn5Ln4dyjyA5-yc
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
_____________________________________________
Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 Prison Escape: How the Breakout Happened
03:00 Childhood Struggles and Growing Up
07:00 First Arrests and Early Trouble With the Law
13:00 Escalating Crime and Facing Consequences
22:00 Juvenile Detention and Life Behind Bars Young
32:00 Jail Life, Prison Violence, and Survival
45:00 Solitary Confinement, Segregation, and Isolation
57:00 The Infamous County Jail Escape
01:01:00 On the Run: Living as a Fugitive
01:14:00 Hostage Situation and Final Surrender
01:21:00 Arrest, Police Beatings, and Sentencing
01:29:00 Entering the New York Prison System
01:39:00 Brutal Prison Life and Notorious Inmates
01:54:00 Turning Point: Love and Changing Direction
02:03:00 Returning to Connecticut and Family Loss
02:13:00 Release From Prison and Life After
02:21:00 Lessons From Prison and Regrets
02:28:00 Final Thoughts and Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 10, 2026 • 57min
I Was a Child Actor — Then I Got Hooked on Drugs | Rivkah Reyes
Rivkah Reyes became known for their role as Katie in the hit movie School of Rock, performing alongside Jack Black and becoming part of one of the most iconic music comedies of the early 2000s. But life after childhood fame didn’t turn out the way many people might expect. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Rivkah opens up about growing up in the spotlight, the pressures that came after the movie, and the struggles that followed including addiction, identity, and trying to find stability after early success. Rivkah shares the reality of what life was like after School of Rock, how fame at a young age can shape a person’s path, and what it took to confront those challenges and begin rebuilding.
_____________________________________________
#ianbick #lockedinpodcast #schoolofrock
#childstar #childactor #addictionstory #celebrityinterview #truecrimepodcast
_____________________________________________
Connect with Rivkah Reyes:
https://www.instagram.com/rivkah.reyes/
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
_____________________________________________
Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 From Normal Kid to Child Actor
05:50 Childhood, School, and Family Life
11:00 Discovering Creativity and Performing
17:00 Getting Cast in School of Rock
21:00 Life After Fame and Rejection
24:00 Struggling With Identity and Fitting In
28:00 Bullying, Escapism, and Early Addiction
33:00 Drug Use, Consequences, and Hitting Bottom
38:00 Getting Sober and Turning Life Around
43:00 Reflecting on Addiction and Recovery
47:00 Advice for Young People Struggling
51:00 New Projects and What’s Next Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 9, 2026 • 2h 8min
I Was Kidnapped & Sent to a Teen Prison in Jamaica | Patrick Champion
Patrick Champion grew up in Florida in what most people would consider a good family, but as a teenager he began getting into trouble, running away from home, and pushing boundaries his parents didn’t know how to handle. Eventually they made a decision that would change the course of his life forever. In the middle of the night, Patrick was kidnapped from his home and transported to Tranquility Bay in Jamaica, one of the most controversial programs tied to the troubled teen industry. What was supposed to be discipline quickly turned into something much darker. Patrick spent nearly a year inside the program where he says he experienced abuse, neglect, extreme punishments, and psychological control while being cut off from the outside world. The experience left deep scars that followed him long after he returned home. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, Patrick shares what really happened inside Tranquility Bay, how that experience derailed his life, led him into addiction and crime, and eventually resulted in a 10-year prison sentence in Florida.
_____________________________________________
#ianbick #lockedinpodcast #tranquilitybay
#troubledteenindustry #prisonstory #truecrimepodcast #kidnappedteen #prisonsurvival
_____________________________________________
Connect with Patrick Champion:
Instagram: @championfamily2020
YouTube: @UrFriendlyFelon
Tiktok: @lastnamechampionnn
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
_____________________________________________
Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 Kidnapped in the Middle of the Night
03:01 Childhood Trauma and Family Turmoil
08:00 Growing Up in a Broken Home
13:00 School Trouble and Behavior Issues
19:00 My Reckless Teenage Years
26:59 Running Away and Living with My Dad
34:00 The Plan to Send Me Away
38:38 How I Got Sent to Tranquility Bay in Jamaica
45:11 Arriving at Tranquility Bay Teen Program
51:00 Surviving Tranquility Bay and the Troubled Teen Industry
01:03:00 Trying to Work the Program and Planning Escape
01:13:00 Restraints, Isolation, and Punishment
01:23:00 Losing Hope Inside Tranquility Bay
01:27:00 Returning Home After the Program
01:32:00 The Downward Spiral to Prison
01:41:00 Prison vs Tranquility Bay: What Was Worse?
01:51:00 Rebuilding Life After Prison
01:57:00 Recovery, Support, and Healing
02:00:00 Moving Forward and Helping Others Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 8, 2026 • 1h 16min
I’m a Criminal Defense Attorney — Here’s How I Win Over Juries | Nicole Zagreda
Nicole Zagreda is in the trenches every single day as a criminal defense attorney in Yonkers, New York. In this episode of Locked In with Ian Bick, she breaks down the true reality of representing offenders and navigating the complicated mechanics of the criminal justice system.
_____________________________________________
IanBick #Lawyer #yonkers
#Courtroom #TrueCrime #DefenseAttorney#courtroomdrama #TrueCrime
_____________________________________________
Connect with Nicole Zagreda:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-zagreda-401620126
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
_____________________________________________
Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 The Reality of Being a Criminal Defense Attorney
00:54 Growing Up Between Yonkers and Dutchess County
02:13 My Strict Albanian Upbringing
04:06 How My Childhood Led Me to Law School
05:25 Why I Became a Public Defender
06:39 Struggling in School Before Becoming a Lawyer
07:55 Do Grades Matter for Lawyers and Law School?
08:50 What Law School Is Really Like
10:17 The Biggest Lessons I Learned in Law School
13:36 My First Steps Into the Legal World
15:17 Finding My Identity as a Lawyer
16:07 From Law School to Legal Aid Attorney
20:00 Learning Felony Defense at Legal Aid
24:10 How Defense Attorneys Earn Clients’ Trust
27:17 Winning My First Jury Trial
29:23 The Moral Dilemmas of Criminal Defense
31:50 Court of Public Opinion vs the Justice System
34:15 How Juries Decide Criminal Cases
38:40 The Risk of Letting Clients Testify in Court
41:12 Getting Emotionally Attached to Clients
44:07 Burnout in Public Defense Work
47:52 Leaving Legal Aid for Private Practice Law
49:54 The Business of Running a Law Firm
52:46 How Lawyers Build a Client Base
55:27 Advice for New Lawyers
58:09 Visiting Clients in Jail for the First Time
01:00:02 Technology and Evidence in Criminal Trials
01:03:13 What to Look for in a Criminal Defense Lawyer
01:04:31 Trial vs Plea Deal: The Gamble of Court
01:07:30 Judges, Bias, and Courtroom Politics
01:10:04 The Mental Toll of Defense Work
01:13:52 Advice for Future Attorneys Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 5, 2026 • 1h 4min
I Robbed Child Predators — Then I Went to Prison | Giancarlo Daniele
Giancarlo Daniele was just an 18-year-old high school senior in Massachusetts when he created fake online profiles to hunt down and catfish alleged predators, but his vigilante operation quickly spiraled out of control. What started as a mission to expose dangerous men while making quick money escalated into severe extortion and kidnapping charges, completely derailing his life and dropping him straight into the brutal reality of the justice system.
_____________________________________________
#IanBick #LockedIn #jailstories
#TrueCrime #Catfish #PrisonLife #PrisonStories #ConMan
_____________________________________________
Thank you to GOLD DROP SELTZERS for sponsoring this episode:
Head to https://www.thedryoak.com/ and use promo code LOCKEDIN at checkout for 10% off your order.
_____________________________________________
Connect with Giancarlo Daniele:
http://cursusvictoria.com
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
_____________________________________________
Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 The Vigilante Idea That Started Everything
01:15 Growing Up in the Suburbs with Strict Values
05:55 Ambitious Teen with Too Much Energy
09:58 Making Real Money as a Teen
14:52 When Attention Turned Into Bad Decisions
17:47 Fights, Gambling, and Getting a Reputation
23:44 Catfishing Predators and Robbing Them
30:28 The Night Police Came for Me
34:39 Fighting the Case in Court
39:44 Surviving My First Days in Jail
42:48 The Reality of Jail Nobody Talks About
45:50 The Humbling Moment That Changed Me
50:42 What Prison Was Actually Like
53:33 The Turning Point That Kept Me Out of Trouble
55:35 Using My Story to Help Others
57:01 Responding to Critics
58:58 Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 4, 2026 • 2h 15min
I Was Sentenced to Life at 17 — How I Survived California’s Most Brutal Prisons| Brian Warth
Brian Warth was caught in a bitter custody battle and traumatized by his brother's murder before the streets of California sucked him into a life of crime. After committing a murder at just 16 years old, he was sentenced to life in prison, forcing him to survive the brutality of LA County youth facilities and maximum security penitentiaries as a teenager. He reveals the raw reality of growing up behind bars and how Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger eventually signed his parole after 16 hard years.
_____________________________________________
#ianbick #lockedin #lockedinpodcast #prisonlife #lifesentence #prisonsurvival #californiaprison #truecrime
_____________________________________________
Connect with Brian Warth:
YouTube: BrianWarthTV
Instragram: _brianwarth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brian.warth
Book: Young Man Arise! https://www.amazon.com/Young-Man-Arise-Brian-Warth/dp/162952607X
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
_____________________________________________
Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 The Arrest That Changed Everything
04:41 Broken Home: Custody Battles & Family Struggles
08:52 Growing Up Around Gangs
15:09 Trauma, Loss & Joining a Gang
19:49 Running Away and Getting Pulled Into Street Life
25:38 Gang Violence, Early Arrests & Escalation
33:51 The Crime That Put Him Facing Life in Prison
45:06 Juvenile Hall, Jail & Sentencing Day
54:21 The Turning Point: Faith and Change
01:01:13 Youth Prison: Inside the “Gladiator School”
01:13:59 From Youth Prison to Adult Prison
01:18:43 Learning Prison Politics & Survival
01:25:28 How He Survived Prison Mentally & Physically
01:33:36 Parole Hearings, Hope & Crushing Setbacks
01:45:40 Walking Out of Prison After Years Inside
01:52:08 Rebuilding Life After Prison
02:06:00 Forgiveness, Restorative Justice & Healing
02:09:00 Final Lessons, Advice & Book Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 2, 2026 • 1h 34min
I Was a Male Escort — Then A Murder Charge Sent Me To Prison | Lou Charlestin
Lou Charlestin grew up in the streets young and never really had a way out. In high school, he got charged with an armed robbery, was tried as an adult, and spent 2 years in prison before he was even fully grown. When he got out, he slid into life as a male escort while still hustling in the streets, chasing fast money and living a double life. One night everything crossed the line........a violent situation that left someone dead and Lou facing a murder charge. The case later got dropped down to assault and manslaughter, but he still ended up with a 7-year sentence in Connecticut state prison.
_____________________________________________
#IanBick #LockedIn #MaleEscort #TrueCrime #MurderCharge #PrisonStory #CrimeConfession #realcrimestories
_____________________________________________
Connect with Lou Charlestin:
Personal Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lou.novaa?igsh=azVxb2V5cmhjdWU4
Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alcrossedpod?igsh=MXVhNThwMzZzNDYzdg==
YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/@AllLinesCrossed
_____________________________________________
Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick:
https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en
https://ianbick.com/
_____________________________________________
Shop Locked In Merch:
http://www.ianbick.com/shop
_____________________________________________
Timestamps:
00:00 From Teen Hustler To Walking Red Flag
00:42 Growing Up Haitian: Strict Home, Wild Streets
03:05 Beatings, Rules And A Haitian Household
05:00 No Father Around, Forced To Be The Man
07:00 From Getting Bullied To Becoming The Aggressor
08:10 Smart In Class, Violent In The Hallways
09:46 My First Arrest And First Time Behind Bars
12:44 How Prison Taught Me Survival And Hustle
14:00 Choosing The Streets Over A Normal Life
16:00 My First Gun And Getting Paid To Carry It
19:00 Prison Changed Me In Ways I Didnt Expect
21:22 Prison Tricks, Traps And Getting Played Inside
27:40 Getting Out And Trying To Go Straight
29:39 How I Became A Male Escort And Entered The Underworld
33:20 When Escorting Turned Dark And Dangerous
36:10 Living A Double Life: Streets By Day, Escort By Night
45:23 The Night Of The Shooting That Changed Everything
47:37 Years Later They Hit Me With A Murder Charge
54:44 Facing A Murder Trial, Thinking Id Never See Outside
58:12 Jailhouse Fights, Politics And Staying Alive
01:00:34 Alone In A Cell, Forced To Face Myself
01:04:09 New Prisons, New Politics, Same Old Danger
01:15:31 Walking Out Again And My Second Chance
01:18:36 Life With A Record: Doors Slammed In My Face
01:21:21 What I Learned From Prison And The Streets
01:25:58 Why Im Telling This Story Now Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices


