Mob Story Monday: Prison First Day In The Hole | Michael Franzese 

That’s interesting. That deputy who passed through the Bible, probably did not know the impact that he was going to have. He probably did not know the blessing you were become to a lot of us. Thank you.

You look good for 70!!! Same thing happened to me. That jail cell was the best thing that ever happened to me. Force me to turn my life around IMMEDIATELY! Now my life is going great. Keep up the great work.

It's crazy how Michael looks healthier nowadays compared to back then. The stress and pressures of the life must have weighed heavy.

"When we're at our worst, God is at His best." ...... What a powerful truth! This is a statement that I hope every reader holds in his or her heart for all time.

"Sometimes, when we're at our worst, God is at his best." Thanks so much, Michael!

I’m an atheist, but I’ve always been impressed w/people’s faith in God, especially Christians that walk the walk not just talk the talk. After turning my life completely around I believe in myself now & never did, so maybe someday I’ll find my way to God. Until then-it’s great to hear & see the faith other people have.

The stories are absolutely fascinating Michael. Please always keep it coming 🇮🇹

God bless you Michael… I have also been in prison as well, let me tell you it was tuff… I’m from the streets grew up gangbanging in Los Angeles always lead the life of crime since I was 16 yrs old, that’s all I ever knew to do was disowned by my family at age 16, been thru it all gun fights sold dope and got into many fist fights through out the years, one day when I serving time in my cell I picked up the Bible and started reading it, couldn’t let it go I read straight for 40 days… at the time I was facing 27 years for assault with a deadly weapon and robbery with gun including car jacking, I could honestly say that it was the lowest and darkest time in my life, I remember thinking to myself that it was over and I was probably going to get old and die in prison… the moment I chose to open up that bible it completely changed me for ever and my outlook in life, I accepted Christ in my heart long story short I fought my charges for two years and took it to trial and out of those 27 years I was facing I was given 4 yrs, there’s no doubt in my mind that was god he showed up and showed out… my life changed completely, I can really relate to your story and we have similar way of thinking, I truly gotta admit as a kid I was always fascinated with the Italian culture and the mob, I’m also a huge movie fan specially mob movies and anything having to do with criminology lol… people don’t understand how very similar italians and Mexicans are, we are basically the same, from my understanding your wife is Mexican so I’m pretty sure you know what enchiladas are with the red tomato sauce or the green sauce… I truly recommend you to watch the movie my family by francis ford Coppola great movie indeed, it showcases the Mexican people immigrating to the us for a better life and tells the story about a Mexican family here in America living in California… has to do also with growing up in poverty the criminal and gang lifestyle… it’s called MI FAMILIA in Spanish, I recommend for you to watch it with your wife and kids make sure you get you some great Italian or Mexican food pop it in your DVD player and enjoy… maybe you can do a movie review on the movie aswell want your outlook on it, with that being said Blessings to you and your whole family, glory be to God for giving us a second chance at life and allowing us to share our story GOD BLESS YOU 👑🔥🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙌🏼💯💯

I read the Australian ex-criminal turned author Mark “Chopper” Reid’s autobiography and he said prison life can be summed up in two words, pretty boring. I’d agree with that assessment.

Riveting and totally captivating story. I can't believe in all those coincidences Michael. God was watching after you. Putting you though a test, which you passed. I never thought I would ever be drawn towards a guy with your background, but I honestly feel you are a fine man and someone that people should follow. Incredibly gifted. Best channel on youtube

I remember reading the Bible in Sunday school but as a kid I wasn't interested Now many years later with a complete different perspective on life I think I'm gonna have another look Thanks Michael

"Although my memory is fading, I remember two things very clearly: I am a great sinner and Christ is a great Savior." -John Newton ♥️ Thank you for sharing your testimony, Mr. Franzese.

Through county and state prison, NA and AA meetings; my saying is always this: "I don't care if it's a piece of lint in your pocket, if that's you're 'Higher Power', and it makes you a better person and makes you live a better life for yourself and others, I respect that!"

When we are at our worst, Jesus is at his best!! Love the way Micheal puts that!! Because I always think this when times get very Heard..!! 🌹🌹🌹

You are a good man, Michael! Thank you for sharing this experience with us. Have a great week!

"Sometimes when we are at our worst.. God is at his best"🙏 Amen Micheal

I'm going through a bit of a low point, but your videos do help, man. Keep on with the videos. Thank you .

Wow every SINGLE episode I love more and more my brother in the Lord. Thank you so much for sharing with us all... Would you ever consider doing more stuff with the black community in prison? It just hit me after watching this episode that based on your past, and the divide in our country (all countries being divided by race especially) that you could be greatly used by God to bring otherwise HOSTILE communities together because of your street cred. I just watched the most popular basketball video from this white guy called, "The Professor" (you have to check him out on RU-vid - GREAT channel) where he goes to prison and does 1 on 1 with inmates and schools them all with his moves lol!! It's great but I totally cried because all those guys in prison said how MUCH it meant to them for a celeb to come to where THEY are and treat them with DIGNITY that they seldom receive anymore... I was gobsmacked about HOW MUCH doing that seemingly small thing meant to many in the black community in Prison.. they LOVED that guy for doing that. You really gotta watch that episode. Regardless I love you man and pray for blessings and safety for you and your beautiful family :) Love from a brother in Canada

After everything you went trough it was God's plan that you come back to the world to help others.It have many peoples here in Europe (including myself here in Switzerland) who have improved their life because of the good advice you are providing , they are doing good things for the community and respect the law. I have found some relief with this pandemic just listening to you making us feel better and calm with this situatuion , you had to be verry wise to stay calm in the past facing long time in prison and you are sharing that wisdom now to help others. It's a big honnor to be a part of your channel and we are looking forward to spend some time with you every monday just like we are looking forward to see a member of our family or a good friend . Best regards from Switzerland

Thanks for the testimony Micheal I’m in a pretty low place right now but your videos have helped me keep moving forward.

Thank god every day we still have Micheal with us today. He’s my favourite RU-vidr and is honestly a legend in everything he does! 💯 so much respect for this boss!

John 9:9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, “No, he only looks like him.” But he himself insisted, “I am the man.”

This man has so charismatic I can watch 29mins of a story about being locked in a room.all the best Michael

Dude is 70? Never woulda thought, he’s like a healthy 55 y/o

God has a way of making our wisdom foolishness and imprisons us that we might find our freedom in Him. Great story...truth!

My dad was a guard at a maximum security prison. Prison changes everyone and affects families on both sides. Glad you made it!

Hey Michael!! This should be interesting! Have a great one my friend. God Bless from The Bronx 👊🙏🇺🇸🇺🇸

THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST EPISODE OF MR. FRANZESE RU-vid THAT I HAVE SEEN AND I FOLLOW HIM VERY CLOSELY! THIS VIDEO WAS SO POWERFUL AS I FELT GOD WORKING THRU THE MOUTH OF THE SPEAKER! WHEW! GLORY TO GOD! JESUS IS LORD! AMEN! JESUS IS THE WAYMAKER!

I love to hear about your past ....funny that you said hello to the Detective thinking he had moved to California!! Have a wonderful week!!! You are blessed with a wonderful wife that stuck it out 🎉🎉❤️

My Brother Said His Last Time Going To The Pen He Was Sent To The Hole And God Said I HAVE YOU RIGHT WHERE I WANT YOU. NOW GET ON YOUR KNEES AND WORSHIP ME!

The hole is a blatant violation of the 8th amendment. Putting someone in a 6x8 cell for 23 hours a day is complete torture

I’ve been binge watching Michael’s channel and this has been the best so far! I’ve truly enjoyed his testimony and it encouraged me to walk closer to the Lord. Thank you Yeshua! Thank you Michael!

Your a blessing Michael. I listen to you since. I got out of Portlaoise Prison in Ireland. I'm new to this Smart phone business. You had a bad time with real family problems. Like myself all my family Troubles started when I was in prison. And as you know not much you can do Behind Bars. Just want say hello from Dublin ireland. Your podcast and interviews and you your self have been priceless to me. I'm finding hard with the old life.. again you're a gentleman and a scholar. Thanks for sharing your family problems. we Share the same problems with family. Thanks again Michael. God bless you. 🙏🇨🇮✝️🌍

Was a corrections Sgt for 26 years. I just recently retired. Prison is nothing great. My job plainly sucked. Worked a super max state prison. I spoke and dealt with inmates the way I would want to be dealt with. It served me well. I had a lot of respect with both staff and inmates.

I don't go to church or read the Bible but I do believe in God. Every time you talk about it, I feel the need to be closer to God. You have a huge impact on the ones that can relate to you more than a pastor. Thank you for all you do!

Great story Michael my dad knew you ..beautiful family stay blessed

Your stories are SUCH a wild ride! Fantastic retelling of your life’s events, wow kid, edge of my seat with every word!

While the Mafia does uncover criminal acts, the government does it above bound and feels it is ok. I am at a lost when we see our own government is a bigger issue than the Mafia. Thanks, Mike for another wonderful podcast.

Love listening to your stories. Thank you so much for sharing, Michael. Love the crew as well. 🙌🏼

I’ve heard you tell this story before but the way you told it now felt so personal and so much more in-depth. I’m glad God has a goodfella like you

Such an interesting life this man has experienced it’s a blessing to have him with us today!!

Wow as a Christian this story blessed me. Thanks for sharing it. We serve a sovereign God who knows all things. Everything in your life is ordained by God. Romans 8-28 All things work together for the good for those who love God for those who are called according to his purpose.

Jesus was most certainly watching over you in that difficult time. May He continue to do so each and every day. Stay well and God bless you and yours.

8:11 those feds dont respect anybody

Respect to Michael from Greece

Michael I don’t know how you did 28 months and 7 days and kept your sanity. One thing for sure I’m glad you did. That was your calling to bring god in your heart. No war for you. Only peace. I hope you thanked that guard who dropped that bible on your floor. God bless you Michael. God will ease the pain in your heart and thank you for sharing it with us. You are a class act and I’m so glad you went to the bank that day. It changed your life forever. Congratulations to you Michael.

looking forward to watching this!!! 🇮🇹🇮🇹

Your testimony. Is so powerful. Just what I needed to hear. Be blessed Michael and your lovely family

"Like Grant through Richmond." Love that line but wonder how many younger people don't get the reference.

When things get tough for me in life I like to watch you talk about how you can make things better. You are such an inspiration even in my small world. Thanx Michael

Hi Micheal..! Really like all your videos, it gives me confidence for reason i dont know why. Love from India.

Michael, I've been a subscriber to your channel for over a year and watched almost every video you put up and there were many heart wrenching stories, for the first time you brought me to tears with your words. "God is at his best when your at your worse" really hit me. Thank you and hope the best for anyone who reads this.

The stories Michael tells from years ago sound so clear dat they sound like they just happened recently

great video mike. you should show us your prison bible!

Mr. Franzese, you are a true inspiration, and a heck of an Ambassador for our Lord! Thank you!

Thank you for the inspiration. I'm Catholic and I try to live my life by the Golden Rule. But I'm also Sicilian so I'm also human. Your stories are so interesting. I love your honesty

I trully admire you Mr. Franzese. I can't imagine how tough it was for a man in your spot to go through this and manage to persevere and come out healthy!

I don't know how I got to this video. I've always been intrigued by the mafia life, of course through movies, I've always been straight shooter myself and never been in trouble. Never plan on being in trouble. I just want to say one thing here. Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for sharing your feelings with us. You seem like a tough guy and it takes a lot to share your feelings and thoughts. This is the second video I've watched and I'm in awe of your story telling and in awe of you sharing what you felt during those difficult times. Thank you.

I'm thankful for your authentic, well narrated stories.

Wow!!!!"Michael, powerful very powerful!!!!!! I sure wished you and I could sit down together and just talk to one another!

@Michael Franzese I had almost 100% the exact same experience in NY state prison. I had the library cart cart guy give me 2 book 1 was the Bibile I ask for a sign and a half our later the priest walks by and offers me that blue Bible NY gives you I believe a Gideons Bible and I wrote in it took notes ans that exact same proven opened up when it fell of my locker "by itself" to that exact proveb moments before a gang riot was about to occur in rivers Island and I read it and prayed for real for the 1st time to make it go away and it never happened. All Glory goes to GOD!!! ID LOVE TO SPEAK TO YOU. I have a very similar story but qith gangs not the mob. God Bless you and ty for your constant beautifully spoken encouraging words!!! 🙏

Micheal Franzese, your videos are always so interesting. It's a pleasure to watch your content. I hope you stay safe during this time along with your family.

The Bible is truly God's word - but let's not forget from where we got it - the CATHOLIC CHURCH - the church established by Jesus Christ. So, for all those Christians who say that we only need the Bible and not the Church - that's not what Jesus taught: Mat: 16:18 : "and on this rock foundation I will build my CHURCH."

Michael, I watch and look forward every Monday. THIS was the one I was waiting for. God promises to work all things together for good and WE can see how He did that with you. Also, never underestimate the power of a praying wife. My friend and I prayed for her husband for 28 years(he also had some minor law trouble) and God rewarded those prayers. Best book I ever read"Knowing God" by Dr J I Packer. Read it every June for 30 years

@Michael Franzese, as a believer (who grew up an atheist) I know that God places people in our path that are willing to sacrifice to lead us to salvation. I hope you have reached out to this guard because I suspect he risked his career to pass that Bible on to you. I thank God for men like that.

Is it a possibility to do a sit down with the guy who gave you the good book while you was in the hole? Thinking the mentality of the people watching over the guys who are doing time is to a degree facinating😅

Something strange, I haven't cried since my mother died. Amazing how this guy speaking creates tears.

Michael thank you for your personal revelations of your life, good bad or indifferent. God had to break your heart in order to save your soul. I thank God he did!

13:25 Sir, you Made SUCH a great argument in regards to the whole of that death penalty debate and who is (in this World) entitled to take a human life. Great wise thought of you Michael 👍

Best book I ever read is the magnificent Summa Theologica by my hero: Thomas Aquinas. After just one page, I had to read the other 3,021. If ever anyone walked daily with God, it was surely him.

Michael’s stance on death penalty reminds me of a famous quote by the former Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Emperor Justinian, who said “It is better that a guilty man goes free than an innocent man is killed for crimes he did not commit.” Even 1500 years ago, the best and brightest could recognize that the death penalty is immoral.

I like how you stood up to Sammy during the sit down you had with him. Probably took him by surprise 😂

God bless Mike. I’m Catholic Mike , but from what I remember about Catholic school, mass was attended multiple times A week and the readings, 3 reading, were read. In class there could have been discussion and reflection on the readings .The catechism contained information on Christian morality, explanations on certain verses and many other aspects of Christian life. It is not a substitution for scripture nor competition. We believe only the Bible is divinely inspired by God. The Catechism is just an aid…that’s it. Some Catholic schools were concerned with just academics, and did a great job at that, but a terrible job at instilling a Christian life to their students. God Bless

Man I couldn’t imagine being in jail bad enough i had to wire some cells and when i was doing that job I’m like man i would hate to be in here never mind the hole . Glad you are on the straight and narrow thx again mr Franzese for the story again. Take care from Canada EH!

Michael I did 7 yrs flat. I was in the hole for 2 days. Best 2 nights of sleep I had while I was locked up. Everybodies always yelling if the Inmates aren't the Co's are yelling. I was in GP for 6 yrs. Those women never shut up and they were disrespectful as hell.

Hey michael you are my idol one of the greatest mobster!

That was a wonderful testament to your faith, Michael. I'll tell you, my story is quite different. During one of my 'dark periods, I was reading the Bible and some various commentaries when it dawned on me that God is actually a family, Father, Son, Etc. So, Jesus (as portrayed in the Gosels) is really someone to look up to and aspire to be like. I decided to accept His invitation to adopt His Father as mine. That makes Jesus my adopted Big Brother and role-model. I like it and it's made me a better man. Anyway, this was great, Michael, keep it up, Brother.

Damn thanks for always sharing your life stories with us.

Thank you Michael! Your testimony is awesome! Jesus Christ is the ONLY answer! John chapter 14, 1st Corinthians 15

Michael Franzese Monday videos are the best. No videos ever disappoint.

Hey Michael can you tell us more storys about construction deals like you mentioned about these windows in Manhattan.Do you think nowadays deals like this happening?My grandfather got shot in 1994 he was one of the main members in mafia world.As I was younger I remember I heard my father yelling it's all about cement factory's he owned.

Michael, I'm a 60 year old brklyn native myself actually grew up with Chris colombo, Joe younger son, been in the street my whole life as well, since I'm 14. Been through the mill as well. But I must tell u this thank u for sharing I truly mean it, was the most inspiring message to keep pushing, I too believe in coincident but not as many as I've had in life, I needed to hear this today it reinforces my belief just when I need it, sometimes I feel so ashamed & think I don't have enough trust in God, & right then he always fines away to send me a message, I'm not to proud to admit I'm in tears as I text to u. So thank u once again God bless u & your family, keep it coming.T/Y

Great content like always . Has anyone asked you do a movie 🍿 Mike? Your a amazing story teller here’s the idea like goodfellas movie but you narrate it . , based on your life all way back dads. It’s a interesting movie and make a lot money 💰 tell ya that much idea 💡 just please all I ask Is a role in movie 🎥 god bless mike and everyone

I'd like to see more of these stories. I prefer them more than the sit downs

He beat me till lm permanently disabled seizures l walk weird l dont have the swagger in my walk❤my daughter hates him cuz lm not the same😢lm sorry daughter if l knew u were coming l would of stayed away mama did not know😢

After living the life in which I've lived being 35 years young on this earth.. its refreshing and encouraging to hear Michael speak. It gives me the motivation I need desperately to make the change I so long have been seeking.

The sweetest thing about our Lord. His gifts are not about wealth that you can hold. Those gifts are things the Lord has taken away from us. Read the Bible and show me any time the Lord gave someone a winning lottery ticket. What has he done with illness, hunger , sin , death, etc . He took them away!

Here we go, this is gonna be great.

At 60, my relationship with our creator is just beginning, and was started, I believe, when was first baptized. My struggle with mental health and with a great support system, I have been developing coooool artforms. Through the pandemic, I have also taught myself how to make high quality bread and cookies. Your story(s) are solidifying. Enjoy, without harm. Peace

I learned from my uncle. It’s great to be on this side of fence. He spent his life in and out of the system.

Ever think the guard who put the Bible in your cell was a coincidence or the work of God? Was that a guard or an angel? Did you ever discuss the matter with that guard?

Michael, I agree when I was at my lowest that’s when I became more religious. Islam saved me, and gave me inner peace. Thank you for sharing your story

Mr. franzeze big fan was wondering who was ur biological father. did u know him no disrespect. was wondering

Re death penalty..."Our government makes mistakes" maybe sometimes but too often it is not 'mistakes' but purposeful railroading the person. Or amazing callus attitude towards the person they know to be innocent but they want to have a good record of convictions. Public servants will ruin us.

I sometimes wonder what the world would look like if everyone was forced to spend a year in solitary. Nothing to do but read, examine your life, and think. Would it be good or bad I wonder?

Michael- thanks so much for sharing this. Your honesty is appreciated and the story is both heartbreaking and inspirational. Bless you my brother!

Michael thank you for your great channel and the great videos. You are someone I really respect and when something comes from you it has a different impact then when it comes from someone else. You really convinced me to read the bible.

Thank you for this story. I'm going through trying times right now. It's reinforcing my faith. I won't give up.

3 years in the hole I'm just wondering how did you not lose your mind ??? Because a lot of story's about people who spent along time in the hole they are not the same after, you must have a very strong mind.