Wrong To Strong - Chicago
"From the city of Chicago, a city known for its crime and violence. On this podcast we will be sharing stories of hope & redemption from individuals raised in the tough streets of Chicago. Some were gang members, drug dealers, incarcerated, victims and perpetrators of violence. Listen to my guests as they share their experiences, struggles, trauma but also the strength, hope, faith and perseverance these have developed in them to keep pushing and moving forward in life. Tune in to hear how their lives have gone from "Darkness to Light" and from "Wrong to Strong."
Episodes
75 episodes
"From Pilsen, To Prison, I've Risen!" - Dionne Garcia interview
In this compelling episode host Omar Calvillo introduces Dionne Garcia, who narrates her journey from growing up amidst gang violence in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood in the 80's & 90's, to her eventual redemption years later. Dionne detail...
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2:33:40
"Beyond The Bars" - Life After 42 Years in Prison w/ David Ayala & Jimmy Soto
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW! This is the first interview that David Ayala and Jimmy Soto have done together since they were exonerated and released from prison back in December of 2023. They share their experiences with wrongful imprisonment, personal ...
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1:51:48
"The Injustice of the Justice System" w/ Jimmy Soto
On December 14, 2023 Jimmy Soto and his cousin David Ayala were released from Stateville Correctional Center after a forty-two-year-long fight to prove their innocence. At the time of his release, Soto was the longest-serving wrongfully convict...
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1:54:35
True Crime: "Highway Patrolman vs the Bank Robber" w/ Mark Corbett & Steve Watt
This podcast episode shares the powerful stories of Mark Corbett and Steve Watt. Mark and Steve recount their journey from a tragic shooting during a bank robbery attempt to an extraordinary tale of forgiveness and redemption. Mark who was deep...
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1:28:03
"God Behind Bars" - Reaching the Unreachable w/ Anthony Consiglio
In this podcast, Omar Calvillo from Chicago hosts Anthony Consiglio, Senior Director of Operations for 'God Behind Bars,' an organization dedicated to introducing inmates to Jesus and connecting them to the local church. Anthony shares his pers...
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40:47
"He Makes Even His Enemies To Be at Peace With Him" w/ Daniel Rivera
In this compelling podcast, host Omar Calvillo interviews Pastor Daniel Rivera, who narrates his profound journey from gang involvement in Chicago and Gary, Indiana, to redemption and ministry. After a tragic incident leading to incarceration, ...
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1:47:10
"From Incarceration to Inspiration" - Louis Dooley’s Life Transformation
Join host Omar Calvillo in this inspiring podcast episode featuring Louis Dooley. Once entrenched in the hardships of drug dealing, crime and violence, Louis shares his incredible life transformation through faith and perseverance. As a young m...
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1:38:33
"For I Know The Plans I Have For You" - Jacob Ekelman's Journey from From Darkness to Deacons
In this podcast episode Jacob Ekelman from Phoenix, Arizona, shares his remarkable journey from a life of addiction and rebellion to redemption through faith. Raised in a Mormon household, Jacob's struggles led him to getting locked up, to a re...
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1:07:51
"Redeeming Lives" - Inner-City Ministry with Pastor Frank Robles
In this episode of the 'Wrong to Strong Chicago' podcast, guest Pastor Frank Robles joins from Phoenix, Arizona, to share his journey from the gang-infested streets of South Phoenix to founding a successful men's discipleship program. Pastor Ro...
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1:00:36
"The Rise & Fall of Basketball Star Maurice 'Kojak' Fuller"
This interview chronicles the life of Maurice 'Kojak' Fuller, a former high school basketball star from Anderson, Indiana. Kojak opens up about his upbringing in a close-knit community and the challenges of growing up without a stable father fi...
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1:46:57
"A Father’s Mission" - Jeff Zaugg on Empowering Dads to Lead
In an insightful interview Jeff Zaugg, founder of the "Dad Awesome" podcast, discusses the importance of intentional fatherhood and his mission to inspire fathers to lead their families with intentionality and joy. Drawing from over 329 intervi...
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1:11:36
"Leading with Purpose: Erik Saldaña on Faith, Family, and Law Enforcement"
Erik Saldaña recounts his upbringing in Chicago, his parents' separation, and the positive influences that steered him away from gangs. Initially focused on sports, Erik later pursued a career in law enforcement and joined the Chicago Police De...
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1:27:38
Wrong To Strong Chicago - Podcast Intro
From the city of Chicago, a city most recently known for its crime and violence. On this podcast we will be sharing stories of redemption from individuals raised in the tough streets of Chicago and from around the country. Some of them were gan...
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1:29
"Raised To Be Violent" - & the Fight to End Permanent Punishment w/ Harry Peña
On this podcast interview I am joined by Harry Peña, founder of "Life Impacters Foundation. (LIF)" He is also a partner of the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments. It was created as an organizing and campaign hub for people di...
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2:11:34
"Home of the Forgotten Souls" - A Journey Back to Prison
On April 26th, 2024 JC Almanza & I stepped foot back into East Moline Correctional Center here in Illinois. We met there back in 1999, twenty five years earlier as young men steeped deep into darkness with criminal mindsets. Listen to this ...
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41:40
"Ripple Effect: The Battle from Violence to Victory" w/ Mike Petrovic
On this podcast interview we take the show on the road to Gary, Indiana and record an interview with Mike Petrovic at "Restoration House Ministries." This is a compelling narrative of transformation and redemption through faith. He shares...
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1:39:10
"The Real Life of a Chicago Police Officer" w/ Luis Varela
Luis Varela had a 31 year career as a Chicago Police Officer. He also served a total off 33 years between the Marines and Army Reserves were he served as a drill instructor. He grew up in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago. He grew up in an ...
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1:38:19
"Fight The Good Fight!" w/ Joshuah Hernandez
Joshuah Hernandez is currently scheduled for a boxing match on Saturday April 13th, 2024 at the Dome in Rosemont, IL. He has been boxing since the age of 5 years old. His dad was a professional boxer as well. Like many of us, his childhood had ...
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1:25:27
"& By The Word of their Testimony" w/ Cisco Terrazas, Julio Mercado & Arturo Gamino
On today's podcast episode I am joined by Cisco Terrazas, Julio Mercado & Arturo Gamino. This is our first time doing a four person podcast interview. This interview starts off a little slow but once we get warmed up you get to hear t...
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1:22:54
"This Will Be Your Last Time!" w/ Bert Berrios
"This will be your last time!" is the statement Bert hears spoken in his mind on the day he ends up committing a crime that will eventually land him behind bars with a 40 year sentence. Bert grew up in the Humboldt Park neighborhood on th...
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1:46:58
"From Infamy To Freedom" w/ David Ayala
This is an exclusive podcast interview with Chicago's very own David Ayala. David, along with his cousin Jimmy Soto, were recently exonerated after serving over 42 years in prison for a crime they didn't commit. They made history by becoming Il...
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1:10:07
"Keep Your Post & Do Your Duty!" w/ Pastor Manny Mill
Today we do our first ever “on the road” in person podcast interview. Thanks to a generous donation from a co-worker of mine, I was able to purchase equipment to make this podcast possible. I traveled to Wheaton, Illinois to meet with Pastor Ma...
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1:53:10
"Rise As Lions" - From the ashes of Fear, Shame & Rejection w/ Rob Decker
In this podcast episode Rob Decker joins me all the way from Colorado Springs, Colorado. After years of abuse, addiction, a desperate search for praise and approval, and living in unbearable pain and isolation, Rob Decker reached a breaki...
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1:34:14
"I Wasn't Arrested, I Was Saved!" interview w/ REZUM
Happy New Year 2024! This is our first podcast episode release of this new year. God bless you and your families, thank you very much for the continual support.On this episode you will hear the first ever guest host on the Wrong To Strong C...
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1:02:51
"From Darkness To Light" - This Is My Story
On October 26th, 2004 I had an encounter with God that changed my life forever. That day started me on a journey that ultimately leads to why it is I'm hosting this podcast today. My life went from darkness to light and from death to life. This...
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1:41:56