Welcome to Stories with Ori the accidental gangster. In this special episode, Ori sits down with Rod Johnson, a former gang member who turned his life around after meeting Freeway Rick Ross. Rod shares his compelling story of growing up in LA, his descent into the drug trade, and his remarkable journey of transformation, now working in comedy and community service. 🎤 Meet Rod Johnson Born in Fresno, California in 1967, moved to Southern California in 1969. Raised by a single mother with his older sister. Joined a gang at the age of 10 but distinguished himself in sports and academics. 🚦 A Wrong Turn Met Freeway Rick Ross at 16 and began dealing crack cocaine. Started small but eventually moved to larger operations, including multiple cities. 💰 Rise and Fall Experienced significant financial success in the drug trade, making thousands daily. First imprisonment in Reno, Nevada for cocaine sales. Federal conspiracy charges in 1991 leading to a 10-year sentence. 🔗 Life in Prison Shared experiences from federal prison, including encounters with notable figures. Used time in prison to reflect and plan for a better future. 🎭 A New Path: Comedy and Community Upon release, pursued a legitimate path through comedy. Founded Clean Cut Entertainment and began promoting comedy shows. Worked with well-known comedians and established a positive presence in the entertainment industry. 🏠 Giving Back Active in community service, earning proclamations for his efforts in Fresno. Focused on uniting communities and providing support for those in need. 📚 Upcoming Projects Writing a book titled "True to the Game," detailing his life story. Plans to continue sharing his experiences to inspire and help others. LIKE 👍 SUBSCRIBE ✅ Purchase my BOOK📕 https://theaccidentalgangster.com/ #OriSpado #Inspiration #StoriesWithOri #TheAccidentalGangster See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.