Podcast Summary
From the criminal underworld to a spiritual awakening: Michael Francis, a former high-ranking mob member, shares his journey from a life of crime to a spiritual transformation and commitment to following Christ.
Michael Francis, who grew up as the son of a notorious underboss in the Colombo crime family, lived a life filled with power, luxury, and deadly violence. He was one of the most successful mob members, generating an estimated five to eight million dollars per week. However, Francis experienced a modern-day Damascus road transformation and quit the mob to follow Christ. His compelling story of transformation is featured in his autobiography, Blood Covenant. Francis grew up surrounded by the criminal world, with a father who was a high-profile figure and a target of law enforcement. When his father was sent to prison, Francis became involved with the Italian American Civil Rights League and lost interest in school. He believed his father was innocent and worked to help him, but his father eventually died in prison. This tragic experience led Francis on a path to spiritual awakening and a new life.
Proving Worth to Join Colombo Family: Joining the Colombo family required lengthy tests, potential for violence, and dedication to the family above all else.
Joining the Colombo family was a lengthy and disciplined process for the speaker, starting with his father proposing him and going through a series of tests and tasks to prove his worth. The process included menial tasks, long hours of waiting, and even the potential for committing acts of violence. The speaker had no prior violent background but had witnessed violence growing up. The opening of the books for new members in the 70s shortened the process for him, but it still took several years. Once he became a sworn member, he was expected to dedicate his life to the family above all else.
Growing up in the New York mafia during the 'golden years': Witnessed father's violence, became a successful racketeer, earned $5-8m/week, mafia families had a ruling body to settle disputes, power peaked in the mid-1980s, decline due to increased law enforcement
The speaker, who grew up in the New York mafia during the "golden years" from the 1950s to the mid-1980s, witnessed his father's violent behavior at a young age and later became a successful racketeer, earning between $5 and $8 million a week through various criminal activities such as gambling and loan sharking. The mafia families during this time did not compete violently with each other but instead had a ruling body to settle disputes amicably. The speaker believes the mafia's power and control in the country peaked during this period but began to decline in the mid-1980s due to increased law enforcement efforts.
Defrauding the government of tax revenue on gasoline sales: Aggressiveness, hard work, and adaptability allowed the speaker to evade detection for almost eight years in a complex gasoline tax fraud scheme.
The speaker's criminal enterprise involved defrauding the government of tax revenue on gasoline sales, which was implemented through a complex scheme of operating and closing companies before detection. The operation lasted for almost eight years due to the ability to stay one step ahead of authorities and manipulate investigations. The enterprise's success was a result of the speaker's aggressiveness, hard work, and ability to adapt to changing laws. Despite the high-stress nature of juggling multiple enterprises with a high probability of collapse and investigation, the speaker was able to maintain control and evade detection for an extended period.
Interviewee's resentment towards law enforcement fueled criminal activities: Despite personal cost, the interviewee's intense resentment towards law enforcement kept him engaged in criminal activities due to a moral obligation to fight back, but looking back, he now sees his father's involvement in a different light, making leaving the criminal world a radical and challenging decision.
The interviewee's intense resentment towards law enforcement, who he saw as enemies who had destroyed his family, fueled his decision to continue engaging in criminal activities despite constant investigations and arrests. He felt a moral obligation to fight back, even at personal cost. However, looking back, he acknowledges that his father, who was also deeply involved in criminal activities, was a good father to him, but he now sees his father's participation in a different light. The interviewee's complex identity and long-term immersion in the criminal world made it difficult to leave, and stepping outside of himself to continue in that life was a radical and challenging decision.
Denial of responsibility's impact on family relationships: Acknowledging wrongdoing is crucial for healing family relationships, even if the past involves a criminal background
Denial of responsibility can have far-reaching consequences, not only for the individual denying it but also for their loved ones. The speaker's father, a criminal, refused to accept responsibility for the destruction of their family, leading to a strained relationship and a lifetime of blame and suffering for his children. This denial may have also influenced the speaker's own mentality, leading her to adopt a similar attitude towards admitting wrongdoing. The conversation between father and son highlights the importance of acknowledging one's role in the harm caused to others, even in the face of adversity or a criminal past.
Struggling with inner conflict in the criminal world: People in criminal activities can have conflicting desires and may choose to leave their past behind for the sake of their loved ones and personal growth.
People, even those involved in criminal activities, can experience inner conflict and a desire to change their ways. The speaker shares an experience of denying the "sporadic you" that engaged in terrible acts, while recognizing the "real you" that wanted to do good. This internal struggle was further complicated when the speaker's success and media attention put him and his father, who was also involved in the criminal world, at risk. The speaker had an argument with his father about attending a covert meeting separately, which was a first for him. Ultimately, the speaker's desire to protect his family and start seeing his past actions as part of himself led him to leave the criminal life behind.
The Power of Loyalty in the Criminal Underworld: The criminal underworld's code of conduct prioritizes obedience and loyalty over personal morality, leaving individuals to question the true nature of their bonds and potentially leading them to abandon their criminal lives.
The speaker's experience in the criminal underworld taught him the importance of loyalty to the family and its rules above all else, even if it meant sacrificing personal happiness and relationships. During a tense encounter with his boss, he realized the extent his father, who was also involved in the criminal world, would go to abandon him. This incident left a profound impact on him, making him question the true nature of the bonds he held and ultimately leading him to leave the criminal life two years later and find a new source of motivation in his current wife. The speaker's story highlights the powerful influence of the criminal underworld's code of conduct, which prioritizes obedience and loyalty over personal morality.
What is the real you?: Our conscience may guide us to our true selves, even when we define ourselves by external moral codes.
Even when we adhere to strict moral codes, we may still feel disconnected from our actions if they go against our true selves. This disconnect was evident in the speaker's experience growing up in a mafia family, where the code of honor was admirable but the criminality and chaos often led to destructive consequences. The speaker felt uncomfortable doing terrible things to uphold the family's ethos, but couldn't escape the grip of the mafia life. He wondered what the real him was and if the real him was the one who followed the code or the one who felt uncomfortable transgressing against his conscience. The speaker's introspection raises the question of what is the real you, and suggests that our conscience may be a guide to our true selves, even when we define ourselves by external moral codes.
A father's criminal actions leave emotional scars on his children: A father's commitment and loyalty can't undo the emotional damage caused by criminal activities and family destruction.
Despite a father's unwavering commitment to his principles and loyalty, which earned him love and respect from his son, his involvement in criminal activities and the resulting family destruction, left deep emotional scars on his children. The absence of a balanced household dynamic due to his incarceration and the strong personality of their mother led to resentment and turmoil among the siblings. The son's love and respect for his father stemmed from his supportive and nurturing behavior towards him when he was younger. However, the destructive consequences of his actions ultimately outweighed the positive impact on their family.
Family dynamics and unconventional relationships shape a child's perception of their parents: Discovering the truth about a father figure's identity can impact a child's loyalty and bond, but positive behaviors and support can have a profound impact on their development and self-worth.
The complex dynamics of a family, including secrets and unconventional circumstances, can significantly impact a child's perception of their relationships and shape their feelings towards their parents. The speaker's experience of growing up believing her father was her stepfather, only to later discover the truth, influenced her desire to please him and the intense bond they shared. This experience echoes Frank McCourt's account in Angela's Ashes, where the positive relationship with his father, despite his destructive behaviors, left a lasting impact on the author. The speaker's loyalty to her father remained unwavering, even as she grappled with the contradictions in his actions. Ultimately, the encouraging and supportive behavior of the father figure, whether biological or not, can have a profound impact on a child's development and self-worth.
Michael's love for his wife led him to leave his criminal past behind: Michael chose to leave his criminal lifestyle behind and start anew due to his deep love for his wife, even if it meant going to prison for tax fraud.
Love played a significant role in helping Michael turn away from his criminal past. During the production of a movie in South Florida, Michael met his future wife, who was a dancer on the set. He fell deeply in love with her, but was unsure if he could bring her into his chaotic life. Michael recognized that his criminal lifestyle was incompatible with her beliefs and made the difficult decision to leave it behind. He chose to marry her and start anew, even if it meant going to prison for tax fraud. Michael's love for his wife transcended his love for his criminal life and his father, becoming the driving force behind his decision to change. Michael was 32 years old when he fell in love with his wife, and their bond was stronger than his previous marriage. Despite the challenges, including being a target for prosecution, Michael chose to prioritize his love for his wife and build a new life with her.
Love's transformative power: Love can inspire change and provide the necessary support for individuals to leave their past behind, even during difficult times
Love can be a powerful motivator for change, even in the face of adversity. The man in this story, despite his criminal past and ongoing legal battles, fell in love and saw it as an opportunity to leave his old life behind. He credits this relationship as a major factor in his decision to exit his criminal lifestyle. Additionally, the support of his partner's family, particularly her devout Christian mother, played a significant role in helping him maintain the relationship and stay committed to a better path. Surviving solitary confinement for nearly three years was a challenging experience, but his love for his partner and the support of her family helped him keep his sanity and eventually lead a law-abiding life.
The power of faith, love, and family during challenging times: Faith, love, and family support can help individuals get through even the most difficult experiences, including long-term solitary confinement.
The power of faith, love, and support from family played a crucial role in helping a man get through a challenging time, specifically during his 29-month stay in solitary confinement. The man's wife became his biggest supporter, maintaining their relationship and encouraging him through her Christian faith. In prison, he turned to his faith and studied various religious texts, which helped him transform and maintain his newfound beliefs. Despite facing emotional and mental torture, he emerged with a stronger faith and a commitment to being a better person. The support from his family, especially his wife, was essential in helping him maintain this transformation and stay on track.
A Prison Guard's Kindness Sparks a Spiritual Transformation: In the depths of despair, a small act of kindness from an unlikely source can ignite a transformative journey.
During a low point in his life, when the speaker was in solitary confinement after violating his parole, he felt hopeless and desperate. However, a prison guard's unexpected act of kindness, giving him a Bible, sparked his interest in faith and led him on a transformative journey. Prior to this experience, the speaker had grown up in a religious background but had never truly explored the Bible. He became deeply engrossed in its teachings, particularly the book of Proverbs, and used his time in prison to search for evidence of the truth behind various religious beliefs. This experience shifted his perspective and gave him a renewed sense of purpose.
Prison reflections lead to new values: Speaker found inspiration in Jesus and apostles' loyalty and faith, leading to a shift in priorities and personal transformation.
The speaker's experience in prison led him to question the loyalty and values he had upheld in his criminal life. He found the stories of Jesus and the apostles in the Bible particularly compelling, as they showed a different kind of loyalty, one based on love and belief in something greater than oneself. The speaker was drawn to Jesus' character and the apostles' willingness to die for their faith, which he saw as a powerful testament to its authenticity. This shift in perspective ultimately helped the speaker reevaluate his priorities and make a change in his life.
Understanding true loyalty through love: In prison, the speaker learned that true loyalty comes from love rather than fear. This shift in perspective led him to trust an FBI agent and find peace, as well as strengthen his faith in the Bible.
During his second prison term, the speaker came to understand that true loyalty is based on love rather than fear. This shift in perspective led him to reevaluate his hatred towards law enforcement and establish trust with an FBI agent, leading to a more peaceful and introspective time in prison. Additionally, the speaker's strong belief in the Bible and its authenticity grew during this period, providing him with a source of comfort and strength. Overall, this experience transformed the speaker's perspective on life, leading him to value love, trust, and the power of self-reflection.
Forming deep friendships can change perspectives: Encounters with genuine individuals can lead to new insights, challenging negative beliefs, and fostering empathy and forgiveness.
Personal experiences and encounters with genuine individuals can significantly change one's perspective on life and the people in it. This was the case for the speaker, who formed a deep friendship with a federal agent and came to see law enforcement in a new light. This experience, along with other encounters and introspection, led him to challenge his previous negative beliefs and adopt a more empathetic worldview. He now recognizes the importance of acknowledging the complexity of human nature and the role of personal responsibility in shaping one's own actions and attitudes. Additionally, the speaker's transformation included finding forgiveness and redemption through his Christian faith. Since his release from prison, he has dedicated himself to sharing his story and warning athletes about the dangers of gambling.
Transforming adversity into growth: Despite the allure of destructive paths, it's possible to find a better way and transform one's life. Morality and ethics are complex, and balancing personal values with relationships is a constant challenge.
Even in the face of adversity and destructive situations, it's possible to find a better path and transform one's life. The speaker's experience of moving from a criminal lifestyle to a spiritual one, despite the unconscious appeal of the former, demonstrates this. Additionally, the complexities of morality and ethics were explored, questioning if everything illegal is immoral, and the implications of turning the other cheek is a topic worth considering. Lastly, the importance of personal values and the challenge of balancing them with one's relationships was addressed.
Challenge of living in truth: Staying truthful requires constant awareness and can prevent us from moral dilemmas. Even in tough situations, it's better to find truthful alternatives than to lie.
Living in truth is a constant challenge that requires being hyper-aware of our actions and their potential consequences. The speaker emphasizes that lying, even in seemingly small or trivial situations, can lead us down a slippery slope, compromising our integrity and putting us in difficult moral dilemmas. He uses the example of being in Nazi Germany and having to hide Jews as an extreme situation where lying for the greater good might be necessary but only after one has already made numerous moral errors. The speaker encourages being awake and aware of our actions to avoid finding ourselves in such situations in the first place. He also suggests that in some cases, it might be better to avoid asking questions that we don't want an answer to rather than resorting to lying. Overall, living in truth is a call to be awake and aware non-stop, and even in awkward situations, we can find a way to tell the truth that serves the good without betraying someone.
