Fentanyl, Felonies, and a Second Chance — The Dark Side of Addiction

In this gripping and unfiltered episode, Louis and Aaron sit down with Tyler Baker—better known in the streets as Vito Dinero—for an unforgettable deep dive into the life of a man who went from stealing cars and running hustles to rebuilding his life after prison. Tyler’s story is raw, real, and packed with emotion, revealing the dark alleys of a criminal past and the uphill climb toward redemption.

Tyler opens up about growing up in chaos—from a broken home filled with instability to the early choices that pulled him into a world of crime. As a kid, he was angry, lost, and looking for power in all the wrong places. That path would eventually lead him to incarceration, where the real story begins.

What makes this episode even more powerful is the unique dynamic between Louis and Tyler. Years before sitting across from each other on this podcast, Louis was a corrections officer, and Tyler was behind bars. Tyler shares his first impression of Louis from the inmate’s side of the fence and reflects on the complex relationship between inmates and COs. Their candid exchange reveals what prison life looks like from both sides of the system—and it's not what you see in movies.

Tyler doesn’t hold back as he describes his time in prison—how he learned to navigate danger, the mental strategies he developed to stay sharp, and even wild survival techniques like “fishing for skunks”—a bizarre and hilarious method he swears by for getting what you need in lockup. Listeners get a front-row seat to the realities of prison culture, the unwritten rules, and the moments that tested his humanity.

But crime wasn’t just about survival—Tyler once loved it. He talks openly about the thrill he got from stealing cars, the tactics he used to outsmart security systems, and how the high-stakes game of criminal life became an addiction of its own. The stories are intense, but the turning point comes when Tyler explains how that same adrenaline nearly cost him everything.

This episode isn’t just about mistakes—it’s about growth. Tyler shares what finally broke through his hardened exterior, what redemption looks like from the inside, and how he found a new path when most people counted him out. From the depths of incarceration to building a new future outside the walls, Tyler's transformation is a testament to resilience, vulnerability, and the power of change.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to walk away from the streets and build a new life, this is the episode for you. Packed with emotion, insight, dark humor, and redemption, Tyler Baker's story is a raw blueprint for anyone who’s ever wanted to break free from their past.

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