D Watkins is a writer and professor at the University of Baltimore, and is currently the editor at large for Salon.com. D grew up in the heart of Baltimore's drug game and has made it his life's work to speak to his experiences including his interactions with police.
S1, Ep2 18 Feb. 2022Anthony Maggio Rate Tony Maggio is a police officer who patrols Baltimore's East Side; the same neighborhood where he was raised. He's revered by everyone on the force as well as the community he patrols because he takes his job seriously and does it with compassion and respect in his heart.
Nick Bernthal is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon who specializes in Oncology at UCLA. He is also Jon's younger brother.
Kurt Angle is an Olympic and World Champion heavyweight wrestler, and a WWE legend. He's also Jon's uncle-in-law.
Natalie Randolph is the current director of equity, justice and inclusion at The Sidwell Friends School in DC. After an All American Track and Field career at The University of Virginia, she played professional women's football for The DC Divas as a wide receiver in The Independent Women's Football League from 2003 to 2008. After her professional football career, she went on to become the first ever female boys football coach at Calvin Coolidge high school from 2010 to 2013. Jon and Natalie grew up together and both attended Sidwell.
Andre "Dre" Severino and Ralph "H" Horton are Baltimore police officers who run The Silverback Chronicles Podcast. Jon met Dre and H on the set of HBO's upcoming mini series We Own This City.
Michael Bloch is a civil rights attorney who sued the organizers of the "Unite The Right" rally in Charlottesville and won a $20 million judgement against them. He also happens to be a childhood friend of Jon's.
Mikhail is a friend of Jon's in Moscow. He adds an invaluable perspective about life and his firsthand experience and opinion from on the ground as Russia invades the Ukraine and corrupts the free flow of information to the Russian people. This is the first of an ongoing dialogue that shows a real perspective on what's going on from inside the country.
Carey Hart is one of the all time greatest freestyle motocross competitors, famous for flipping a 250cc motorcycle. He is also the founder of Indian Motorcycle, and Hart and Huntington Tattoo Co.
VETPAW is a group of US veterans committed to protecting and training park rangers to combat poaching on the ground in Africa.
George Pelecanos is an author, and TV/Film writer and producer. He is the co-creator of The Wire, one of the greatest TV shows of all time. George is also an accomplished author, having written numerous critically acclaimed novels. Jon and George met while working on HBO's mini series WE OWN THIS CITY, based on the Justin Fenton book of the same name.
Kevin Vance is a retired US Military Veteran and is currently a firefighter and first responder. Kevin and Jon met while Kevin was consulting on the film Fury.
Jerry Ballesteros is a retired Senior Lead, and CRASH Officer for the LAPD who patrolled Newton division in the 90s. He's a community-first policeman who gets respect by leading with respect. Today he consults on Hollywood projects, making sure things portrayed on the screen reflect the reality he knows so well. Donte "Bojangles" Johnson is a community organizer and managing director of Slauson Rec, a recreational center and theatre company located on the Eastside of South Central Los Angeles helping people in the community use art as a means of expression.
Goat and Bamm are two of the most beloved, feared, and respected people in the history of the city. They tell the story of the Bottoms, a once legendary and vibrant neighborhood known for music, wild celebration, and tragic violence. The Bottoms was ultimately wiped off the face of the earth by the federal government. Goat, Bamm and the rest of the notorious Bottoms Boys gang were sent to decades in prison. Goat did more than 17 years of federal time while Bamm was recently released from the Super Max in Florence, Colorado where he spent over 30 years with prison ...
Carl Townley is a retired Caddo Parish Lieutenant. Tony Gerbine worked with Carl on a multi-agency narcotics task force. Jon met Carl over a decade ago while researching and shooting a film in Shreveport, LA - Carl introduced Jon to Tony during their friendship and the three have remained close friends. They are joined by previous Real Ones guest Dre Severino, a Baltimore Police officer.
Richard "Wack Baby" Wilson is a local Shreveport legend who runs the WackShack food truck; home of the WackPack. Ricardo Wilson is Richard's son. Jon met the Wilson's during his time in Shreveport.
Carl Townley is a retired Caddo Parish Lieutenant. Jon met Carl over a decade ago while researching and shooting a film in Shreveport, LA. Alfred "Goat" Brown is one of the most beloved, feared, and respected people in the history of the city. They both tell the story of The Bottoms, a once legendary and vibrant neighborhood known for music, wild celebration, and tragic violence. The Bottoms was ultimately wiped off the face of the earth by the federal government. Goat and the rest of the notorious Bottoms Boys were sent to decades in prison.
Jay Dobyns is a retired special agent and veteran undercover operative with the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), New York Times Best-Selling author, public speaker, and high school football coach. In 2002, Dobyns and the ATF began an undercover investigation called "Operation Black Biscuit." Its purpose was to infiltrate the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.
Kevin Vance and Mark Schlegel Discuss Leadership in Law Enforcement and the Military Rate Retired special forces soldier Kevin Vance and retired LA Sheriff Mark Schlegel dive into the challenges facing law enforcement today, and the importance of leadership.
Tyler Grey grew up in Bakersfield, California, joined the army in 1998 and quickly advanced from training into the 75th Ranger Regiment, 2nd Battalion, spending most of his time there as a Sniper. He spent the rest of his career at Ft. Bragg. Grey deployed four times - two each to Afghanistan and Iraq - before he became disabled from an explosion that occurred during a late-night house raid that turned into a gun-battle in Baghdad in 2005. Currently Tyler is an actor, producer and director, best known for his role on CBS's SEAL Team.
Jon sits down with LAPD legends Robert Deamer and Jeff Norat to discuss the state of policing, South Central in the 90s, and the importance of being community minded.
Sarah and Jon met on the set of The Walking Dead and have remained close friends ever since. They both sat down to discuss their time working together, Hollywood as a man's world, and the beauty of growing up in Hawaii.
Bamm is one of the most beloved, feared, and respected people in the history of Shreveport, Louisiana. He grew up in The Bottoms, a once legendary and vibrant neighborhood known for music, wild celebration, and tragic violence. The Bottoms was ultimately wiped off the face of the earth by the federal government. Bamm and the rest of the notorious Bottoms Boyz gang were sent to decades in prison. Bamm was recently released from the Super Max in Florence, Colorado where he spent over 30 years with prison mates such as El Chapo and Larry Hoover.