T.J. English & Joey Diaz

Date: 2018-03-26 | Duration: 2h 35m

Episode Overview

T.J. English and Joey Diaz dive deep into the intricate world of organized crime, focusing heavily on the history and operations of the Westies, a notorious Irish-American gang in New York City. They explore how the mob’s influence extended into various ethnic communities, including Italians, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans, highlighting the complex alliances and rivalries that shaped the criminal underworld. T.J. shares vivid stories from his research and upbringing, such as the role of the numbers racket tied to dreams and cultural beliefs, and the brutal enforcement tactics that kept these illegal enterprises running. The conversation also delves into the Cuban exile community and its connections to organized crime, particularly through figures like Jose Miguel Battle, a mobster who rose from a Bay of Pigs hero to a ruthless crime boss. They discuss the political and social fallout from the Cuban Revolution, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and the CIA’s covert operations, revealing how these events intertwined with criminal networks. Joey Diaz adds personal anecdotes about growing up around these cultures, including the influence of Santería and the harsh realities of street life. Together, they paint a rich, unfiltered picture of crime, culture, and survival in mid-20th-century America.

About Joey Diaz

Joey Diaz is a stand-up comedian and podcaster known for his unfiltered, storytelling-heavy comedy style that draws from his turbulent past. He's built a career sharing wild anecdotes about his life, including his struggles with the criminal justice system and substance abuse during his younger years in Boulder, Colorado. His appeal lies in his ability to blend humor with genuine reflection on his past mistakes while discussing everything from combat sports to current events with candid, no-holds-barred commentary.

Key Moments

– Organized Crime
– The Westies
– Numbers Racket
– Cuban Revolution
– Bay of Pigs Invasion
– Santeria Religion
– Mob Violence
– Bookmaking
– CIA Operations
– Jose Miguel Battle
– Havana Nocturne
– Political Corruption
– Prison Violence
– Immigration
– Cuban Exile Community
– Drug Trade
– Ethnic Crime Groups
– Cuban-American Relations
– Cultural Identity
– Film and Media Adaptations
0:00:21 – Introduction and initial greetings
0:02:13 – Discussion of Hell's Kitchen and the Westies
0:03:34 – Writing process for The Corporation and Westies
0:06:22 – Overview of Havana Nocturne and pre-revolution era
0:08:46 – Personal childhood experiences with the numbers racket
0:11:56 – Ethnic dynamics in illegal betting operations
0:13:17 – Violence linked to organized crime in the U.S.
0:14:15 – Heroism during the Bay of Pigs invasion
0:16:04 – Assassination attempt on a mob figure in hospital
0:18:06 – Betrayal felt by Bay of Pigs veterans
0:20:40 – Frank Sturgis and JFK assassination rumors
0:26:46 – Legitimacy of the Cuban revolution
0:31:36 – Colonial history and immigration stories
0:38:04 – Encounters with intimidation and threats
0:41:14 – Legal consequences of running numbers
0:42:58 – Political and law enforcement ties to crime
0:45:11 – Evolution of organized crime's public face
0:48:50 – Paulie’s protection tactics for Joe Rogan
0:53:23 – Mob social structure and secrecy
0:56:50 – Jose Miguel Battle’s betting strategies
1:00:22 – Differences in West Coast and East Coast betting
1:02:35 – Legacy of numbers on family gravestones
1:05:27 – Money handling in illegal betting operations
1:07:11 – Corruption of law enforcement by mob
1:11:38 – Violations leading to mob wars
1:14:21 – Use of bombs by Sicilian mobsters
1:15:35 – U.S.-Cuba relations and Bay of Pigs aftermath
1:24:12 – Jose Miguel Battle’s leadership qualities
1:28:12 – Assassination attempts within the corporation
1:35:10 – Introduction to Santeria and spiritual beliefs
1:42:56 – Price of doing business in organized crime
1:43:29 – Tony Montana cultural references
1:45:57 – Notorious mob hangouts in New York
1:48:53 – Orishas and spiritual symbolism in Santeria
2:03:27 – Hosting cultural events to revisit heritage
2:10:58 – Rare torture footage and its value
2:13:13 – Political junkets to Havana
2:18:49 – Organization and language of Abacua group

Transcript Excerpt

Starting point is 00:00:00 Okay. Starting point is 00:00:21 It's fantastic. Starting point is 00:00:56 took over it from three different cities. How it was going down Starting point is 00:01:19 Yeah, Joey reached out to me, you know, Starting point is 00:01:43 It's one of those little enclaves. Starting point is 00:02:13 You know, what are you willing to do for me? In the case of Hell's Kitchen and the Westies, Starting point is 00:02:44 It wasn't spoken about a lot, Starting point is 00:03:34 And how long, when you're writing a book like The Corporation, which is your new book, or Westies, any of your books, Starting point is 00:04:09 It's almost like a condensed version of the book. Starting point is 00:04:46 end of the century. And it was led by this mobster named Jose Miguel Battle, who was kind of a Starting point is 00:05:38 the mob going back to the 1920s. Everyone bets the number, little old ladies bet the number, priests, Starting point is 00:06:22 when the mob joey was talking about havana nocturne that's what that book was about the era Before the turnover. been a vice cop in Havana during those years and he knew all those high-ranking mobsters and in Starting point is 00:07:31 over this thing and organize it you will get a piece of you will get your piece of everything Starting point is 00:08:17 And when he told, when I read the thesis for this book, I just knew. Starting point is 00:08:46 So I grew up in it. I grew up in a house where the bookie would call my mother by three o'clock and go, Starting point is 00:09:22 If I have a dream about an eagle Starting point is 00:10:10 You work a plain Jane dream, you're a blue-collar person, and on the way home every day by 3.30, you put the number in. Starting point is 00:10:30 It was tied into dreams and belief. Starting point is 00:10:46 they're the dream makers. Starting point is 00:11:01 Your job is to sit at Starting point is 00:11:20 you get $3,000 from battle. Starting point is 00:11:56 dollar investment...

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Frequently asked about this episode

Who was the guest on Joe Rogan Experience #1095?

T.J. English & Joey Diaz was the guest on JRE #1095. This page includes the episode overview, topics discussed, and related resources.

What topics were discussed on JRE #1095?

On Joe Rogan Experience #1095 with T.J. English & Joey Diaz, topics include Organized Crime, The Westies, Numbers Racket, and Cuban Revolution.

Where can I read the transcript for JRE #1095?

The full searchable transcript for Joe Rogan Experience #1095 with T.J. English & Joey Diaz is available on this page, along with key topics and timestamps.