Best Omar Calvillo Podcasts (2024)

1
"For I Know The Plans I Have For You" - Jacob Ekelman's Journey from From Darkness to Deacons 1:07:51

1d ago1:07:51

1:07:51

Send us a Text Message. 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 rehab center, playing bass in a various rock bands, then a HIV diagnosis triggered a…

1
"Redeeming Lives" - Inner-City Ministry with Pastor Frank Robles 1:00:36

5d ago1:00:36

1:00:36

Send us a Text Message. 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 Robles discusses his upbringing in a tough neighborhood, his early church involvemen…

1
"The Rise & Fall of Basketball Star Maurice 'Kojak' Fuller" 1:46:57

26d ago1:46:57

1:46:57

Send us a Text Message. 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 figure, which led him to seek solace in basketball. Despite his talent, he veered in…

1
"A Father’s Mission" - Jeff Zaugg on Empowering Dads to Lead 1:11:36

1M ago1:11:36

1:11:36

Send us a Text Message. 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 interviews and his own upbringing, Jeff shares practical advice on balancing family life …

1
"Leading with Purpose: Erik Saldaña on Faith, Family, and Law Enforcement" 1:27:38

2M ago1:27:38

1:27:38

Send us a Text Message. 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 Department. Encountering many challenges along the way, Erik turned to faith and beg…

1
Wrong To Strong Chicago - Podcast Intro 1:29

2M ago1:29

1:29

Send us a Text Message. 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 gang members, drug dealers, incarcerated; victims of and perpetrators of violence. Li…

1
"Raised To Be Violent" - & the Fight to End Permanent Punishment w/ Harry Peña 2:11:34

2M ago2:11:34

2:11:34

Send us a Text Message. 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 directly impacted by the criminal legal system to come together, build a movement, and lea…

1
"Home of the Forgotten Souls" - A Journey Back to Prison 41:40

3M ago41:40

41:40

Send us a Text Message. 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 podcast as I share all the events that lined up and led to us having this opportunity …

1
"Ripple Effect: The Battle from Violence to Victory" w/ Mike Petrovic 1:39:10

3M ago1:39:10

1:39:10

Send us a Text Message. 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 his harrowing journey from a life steeped in crime and addiction to finding purpose, lo…

1
"The Real Life of a Chicago Police Officer" w/ Luis Varela 1:38:19

3M ago1:38:19

1:38:19

Send us a Text Message. 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 era of the late sixties and early seventy's were there was a greater racial divide…

1
"Fight The Good Fight!" w/ Joshuah Hernandez 1:25:27

4M ago1:25:27

1:25:27

Send us a Text Message. 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 some rough patches along the way. Some of those things shaped him and molded him i…

1
"& By The Word of their Testimony" w/ Cisco Terrazas, Julio Mercado & Arturo Gamino 1:22:54

4M ago1:22:54

1:22:54

Send us a Text Message. 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 these men's hearts and the conversation just flows. Today discuss the importance & power of s…

1
"This Will Be Your Last Time!" w/ Bert Berrios 1:46:58

5M ago1:46:58

1:46:58

Send us a Text Message. "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 the North side of Chicago. He grew up in a loving home, with mom and dad in the picture. O…

1
"From Infamy To Freedom" w/ David Ayala 1:10:07

5M ago1:10:07

1:10:07

Send us a Text Message. 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 Illinois longest serving prison inmates to be then exonerated. You will hear how I m…

1
"Keep Your Post & Do Your Duty!" w/ Pastor Manny Mill 1:53:10

6M ago1:53:10

1:53:10

Send us a Text Message. 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 Manny Mill from “Koinonia House National Ministries” at his home. Pastor Manny’s lif…

1
"Rise As Lions" - From the ashes of Fear, Shame & Rejection w/ Rob Decker 1:34:14

6M ago1:34:14

1:34:14

Send us a Text Message. 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 breaking point that drove him to take drastic measures. After a failed sui--de attempt and a f…

1
"I Wasn't Arrested, I Was Saved!" interview w/ REZUM 1:02:51

7M ago1:02:51

1:02:51

Send us a Text Message. 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 Chicago Podcast. Julio Mercado steps into the studio to interview REZUM, a multi genre…

1
"From Darkness To Light" - This Is My Story 1:41:56

7M ago1:41:56

1:41:56

Send us a Text Message. 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 is my story. I had initially released this podcast interview a year ago in two pa…

1
"I'm Gonna Help You Build This Thing!" w/ Hassan Anderson 1:05:22

8M ago1:05:22

1:05:22

Send us a Text Message. There comes a time in one's life when God uses someone to speak into your life, encourage you, especially at a time when no one else does. Hassan Anderson played such a role in the life of JC Almanza, who is the founder of "Wrong To Strong." According to JC, Hassan was the first person to ever believe in his dream and in his…

1
"Thanks Living" - with an Attitude of Gratitude w/ Ann Calvillo 59:10

8M ago59:10

59:10

Send us a Text Message. This podcast episode was recorded on wife's podcast called "Her Scars Tell A Story." If you haven't done so yet please go take a listen to it. She wanted to record a special Thanksgiving episode, so I joined her as a guest to discuss the importance of living a life full of gratitude and thankfulness. We talk about being than…

1
"God's Coming For You!" w/ Jose Rodriguez 1:20:28

8M ago1:20:28

1:20:28

Send us a Text Message. I was joined in studio by Jose Rodriguez for this weeks podcast interview. Jose grew up in the West Englewood neighborhood on the southside of Chicago. Being Hispanic and growing up in a predominantly African American neighborhood was rough for him and his siblings. His parents enrolled him in a different neighborhood school…

1
"The Battles We've Fought & The Lessons We've Learned" w/ Shawn Rae & Julio Mercado 1:27:07

9M ago1:27:07

1:27:07

Send us a Text Message. From Colorado all the way back to Chicago! I had the opportunity to connect with Shawn Rae, for the first time in person. I picked him up from Ohare airport while being followed & mean mugged by airport police. This is how our day started LOL. We also had Julio Mercado join us in the studio for the recording of this podcast …

1
"On A Road To Destruction" - w/ Jose M. Mendoza 1:17:36

10M ago1:17:36

1:17:36

Send us a Text Message. On this podcast episode Jose M. Mendoza joins me to share how life was growing up on the southside of Chicago in the Brighton Park neighborhood. From the age of 3 months old his mom leaves him to his grandma to be raised by her. He never meets his father. Brighton Park was heavily gang infested and in the 7th grade he finds …

1
"My Neighborhood Is Calling Me Back" - w/ Ignacio Gonzalez 1:25:07

10M ago1:25:07

1:25:07

Send us a Text Message. I am joined on this week's podcast by Ignacio Gonzalez. He was born and raised on the southside of Chicago in a neighborhood named "Back of the Yards." His family was hardworking and loving. From a young age he is taught the value of hard work and service to his people and community by his father who was also a church deacon…

1
"All Out War In The Streets of Chicago" - w/ Julio Mercado 1:36:50

11M ago1:36:50

1:36:50

Send us a Text Message. Julio Mercado joins me on this week’s podcast episode. Julio grew up in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago. He was raised in a loving home with both his parents in the picture. His neighborhood is surrounded by gangs and drug dealing and early into his teen years he finds himself able to stay away from those things. Sport…

1
"The Source of Our Strength"- w/ Arturo Gamino & Cisco Terrazas 1:24:06

11M ago1:24:06

1:24:06

Send us a Text Message. On today's podcast episode we do our first ever group interview. I am joined on here today by two good brother's, Arturo Gamino and Cisco Terrazas. They were two of the first men I interviewed when I first started doing this almost a year ago. We reflect back on the beginning of this podcast journey and what events led to it…

1
"Undercover Police Officer Gets In Too Deep" - w/ Cleo Lewis 1:05:20

11M ago1:05:20

1:05:20

Send us a Text Message. Cleo Lewis was a military veteran who had just finished serving eight years in the air force. With a wife, kids and a mortgage to pay now, he is looking for a job that pays well and someone encourages him to become a police officer. He admits that he only joined because of the pay and not really in it to make a difference in…

1
"JC's Journey From Wrong To Strong" - w/ JC Almanza 59:06

12M ago59:06

59:06

Send us a Text Message. The creator and founder of "Wrong To Strong", JC Almanza joins me on this weeks podcast episode. Julio Almanza, a Chicago native, has transcended a life of adversity to become a symbol of strength and redemption. Raised on the streets and entangled in the grip of drugs and prison, Julio's journey is a testament to the transf…

1
"It's Hard To Walk Away When You're A Gang Leader" - interview w/ Rocky Vasquez 2:02:07

12M ago2:02:07

2:02:07

Send us a Text Message. On this podcast episode I interview Pastor Rocky Vasquez. Rocky grew up on the lower west side of Chicago in a historic community named Pilsen. Around the age of nine he begins to ask his mom about his dad, "Who is he? Where is he?" He sees his friends spending time with their fathers and internally he desired to connect wit…

1
"Freedom From Addiction" - interview w/ John LaTorre 1:19:24

12M ago1:19:24

1:19:24

Send us a Text Message. On this podcast episode I sit down and talk to Pastor John LaTorre. John grew up with his mother and family in a small town in the state of Connecticut. At the age of seven he meets his father and begins to spend the summers with him out in Queens, New York. As a young man he longs to connect with his father and yearns to le…

1
"Everywhere You Go, There You Are" - interview w/ Shawn Rae 1:26:32

1y ago1:26:32

1:26:32

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode Shawn Rae joins me all the way from Colorado Springs, CO. Shawn grew up on the outskirts of Chicago in various neighboring suburbs. From a child he begins to experience pain and trauma at the hands of an abusive step father. At the age of nine he is already running away from home. He ends up in the st…

1
"The Battles Within" - interview w/ Jimmy Sutherland Jr. 1:16:54

1y ago1:16:54

1:16:54

Send us a Text Message. U.S. Marine veteran Jimmy Sutherland Jr. shares his life story in this podcast interview. How life was growing up in East Chicago, Indiana. From wanting to get away from home as soon as he turned 18. He was physically strong and big on the outside but inside there was a lot of hurt, anger and depression that no one knew abou…

1
"From Beats to the Streets" - interview w/ Damien Cash 1:18:39

1y ago1:18:39

1:18:39

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode I sit down and talk with Damien Cash. Damien grew up on the southside of Chicago in a neighborhood called Gage Park. He gets introduced into the music, dj and party scene by his uncle who was a promoter at that time. He gets his first set of turntables and falls in love with music. In the 90's he begi…

1
"Prayer Changes Everything" - interview w/ Alex Ramos 1:16:38

1y ago1:16:38

1:16:38

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast interview I sit down with an old co-worker of mine, Alex Ramos. He shares his story of growing up on the North side of Chicago and then moving out to the suburbs to get away from all the gang violence and drug dealing in his neighborhood. But surprisingly he finds it easier to get involved in these things whi…

1
"More of You, Less of Me" - interview w/ Joey Miranda 1:18:03

1y ago1:18:03

1:18:03

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode I sit down with Pastor Joey Miranda who I hadn't seen in person in over 13 years. He was a mentor to me when I first started going to church back in 2004. He shares his story about how growing up he didn't want anything to do with God or religion based on things he experienced at home & at church. As …

1
Featuring: "Her Scars Tell A Story Podcast" - w/ Ann Calvillo 1:31:19

1y ago1:31:19

1:31:19

Send us a Text Message. On this episode I am proud to feature my wife, Ann Calvillo' s, very own podcast, "Her Scars Tell A Story." The mission behind her podcast is to provide a platform for ordinary women from different cultures, all ages and backgrounds to share their stories of how their scars point to Jesus. She started her podcast back in Nov…

1
"A Tribute To Our Mothers" - Happy Mother's Day! 34:53

1y ago34:53

34:53

Send us a Text Message. This podcast episode is a tribute to our mothers. I was able to record a bunch of men, some who had been on the podcast previously and some that will be on here in the near future. They each share a brief message about what their mothers & wife's mean to them. We thank God for all you beautiful, strong, loving, nurturing, co…

1
"Come Alive" - Sharing My Story at a Men's Conference - 39:48

1y ago39:48

39:48

Send us a Text Message. I was at a Men's conference hosted by "Come Alive Family Church" this weekend at "Miracle Camp" out in Lawton, Michigan. Three men from my church along with my son and I attended this conference. I was asked by Pastor Indio to share a word. This is the audio recording from the message I shared with the men in attendance. I p…

1
"Obedience is Hard but it's Necessary" - interview w/ Mynor Vasquez 1:10:32

1y ago1:10:32

1:10:32

Send us a Text Message. In this Podcast I interview Pastor Mynor Vasquez from North Phoenix Baptist Church out in Phoenix, AZ. He shares how life was growing up in Guatemala. His father and mother leave to the United States in hopes for a better future and leave him and his little brother behind with his grandpa and grandma. After many years away h…

1
"His Sheep Hear His Voice" - Interview w/ Cordell Paige 1:27:42

1+ y ago1:27:42

1:27:42

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode I interview rapper Cordell Paige. He shares what his childhood was like growing up in Joliet and also different Chicago neighborhoods like Englewood and Humboldt Park. He grew up in a very strict faith based home and in the church but chose to go his own way as a teenager. His musical talent finds him…

1
"On the Run" - Interview w/ Michael Buhrman 1:17:26

1+ y ago1:17:26

1:17:26

Send us a Text Message. Michael Buhrman finds himself behind bars after he and an accomplice commit an armed carjacking. He has an ankle monitoring device placed on him after posting bail. He cuts the device off and goes on the run from the law with his accomplice. After a few stops in different states, they make it into Mexico and then eventually …

1
"The Inner Battle" - Interview w/ Jojo Gonzalez 1:25:55

1+ y ago1:25:55

1:25:55

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode I sit down with Pastor Jojo Gonzalez from "Ignite City Church" here in Chicago, IL. He shares what it was like growing up in Aurora, IL. back in the 80's and 90's when the gang and drug culture was at it's peak. Drinking and doing drugs was normalized all around him. He was able to stay out of the gan…

1
"Over the Road Trucking" - Interview w/ Steve Richardson 1:07:29

1+ y ago1:07:29

1:07:29

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode I interview Steve Richardson. He shares about his upbringing in a small country town in Macedonia, Ohio. He grew up having an alcoholic and abusive stepfather that his mom and siblings would need to escape from in the middle of the night to find a safe place to stay. He also experiences verbal abuse f…

1
"Entrepreneur Since a Youth" - Interview w/ Ramiro Martinez 1:20:59

1+ y ago1:20:59

1:20:59

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode, I interview Ramiro Martinez. He grew up in a community called "Little Village" (La Villita), on the southwest side of Chicago. His parents split up when he was really young. He grows up experiencing physical, mental and verbal abuse. The love and respect he never receives at home he starts getting in…

1
"Finding Freedom Behind Bars" - Interview w/ Javier Garcia 1:19:42

1+ y ago1:19:42

1:19:42

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode I interview Javier Garcia. He grew up on the southside of Chicago in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods named "Back of The Yards." As a child he is excelling in baseball and makes the all-star team. He tells his parents to come to his game to see him play and they never showed up. That one day of…

1
"Luv City" - A Vision For Chicago - Interview w/ Dre Rodriguez 2:02:20

1+ y ago2:02:20

2:02:20

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast I interview Dre Rodriguez. He was born and raised in Pilsen, on the southwest side of Chicago. After serving 10 years in prison, Dre, a former street gang member, decided that his reintegration into society would consist of preventing gang-involved youth from making some of the same bad decisions that almost …

1
"What I Needed Was Purpose" - Interview w/ Mike Rodriguez 59:28

1+ y ago59:28

59:28

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode I interview Mike Rodriguez. He shares about his life growing up in the "Back of the Yards" neighborhood on the southside of Chicago. It is a very rough area of known for gang violence, drug dealing and poverty. He shares his experience of wanting to join a gang and the trouble he finds himself in beca…

1
"Wild Wild Hundreds" - Interview w/ Antoine Dobine 33:53

1+ y ago33:53

33:53

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode we take a trip to the southside of Chicago, into a neighborhood nicknamed, "The Wild Wild Hundreds." Antoine Dobine tells us what it was like growing up in this neighborhood starting in the late seventies up until today. He describes the transition this neighborhood has seen starting with the many bus…

1
"Drug Dealing To Drug Addiction" - Interview w/ Keith Hanley 48:10

1+ y ago48:10

48:10

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode, I interview Keith Hanley from "Hold The Line Ministries." He shares about his life growing up in central Florida. From being introduced to drug dealing at a young age. To ending up in Federal prison at the age of 18. The time behind bars doesn't change him. He ends up returning to drug dealing upon h…

1
"Uniquely Abled" - Interview w/ Angel J. Calvillo 26:11

1+ y ago26:11

26:11

Send us a Text Message. In this podcast episode, I release an interview I did with my twenty three year old son Angel, who has autism. I believe this podcast will bring a message of hope and encouragement to anyone with a child with learning disabilities. I've seen my son go through some really tough times and come out stronger. Tune in to hear his…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Omar Calvillo Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Quick Reference Guide