EPISODE · Dec 28, 2025 · 1H 24M
I Was a U.S. Soldier — Then I Went to Prison | Matt Runge
from Locked In with Ian Bick · host Ian Bick
Matt Runge shares his honest & cautionary life story — from joining the U.S. Army because he didn’t know what else to do with his life, to being kicked out of the military and sent to military prison for selling drugs. After his release, Matt explains how he continued down the same destructive path, dealing drugs on the outside and repeatedly landing in both federal and state prison. In this episode, he breaks down the mindset that kept pulling him back into crime, what life was really like inside different prison systems, and how those experiences forced him to confront his choices. This honest conversation dives into military life, prison, addiction, accountability, and the long road to breaking cycles, making it a powerful watch for anyone interested in true crime, prison stories, and real-life redemption. _____________________________________________ #TrueCrime #PrisonStory #VeteranStory #LifeAfterPrison #CrimeAndPunishment #RedemptionStory #FederalPrison #reallifestory _____________________________________________ Thank you to FRONTLINE HEALING FOUNDATION for sponsoring this episode: Visit https://frontlinehealingfoundation.org/ to donate or share their mission. _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & Guest Background 02:30 Growing Up in North Jersey 06:00 ADHD, School Struggles & Early Trouble 09:00 DJing, Nightclubs & the Party Lifestyle 12:00 High School Expulsion & Losing Direction 15:30 Joining the Army & Being Stationed in Korea 18:30 Club Life Overseas, Drugs & Selling While Enlisted 22:00 First Military Arrest & Getting Busted 26:00 Inside Military Prison: What It’s Really Like 30:00 Release, Returning Home & Going Back to Hustling 33:30 New Jersey Arrests & State Prison Experience 39:00 Hustle Mentality & Surviving Prison Life 42:30 Repeat Offenses & Catching a Federal Case 50:30 Federal Prison Life: Hustling, Cards & Food 55:00 Release, Club Work & Finding New Hustles 01:00:00 South Carolina Arrest & Another Prison Stretch 01:10:00 Parole, Final Sentence & Looking Back 01:15:00 Life After Prison & Lessons Learned 01:18:30 Final Reflections, Regret & Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
What this episode covers
Matt Runge shares his honest & cautionary life story — from joining the U.S. Army because he didn’t know what else to do with his life, to being kicked out of the military and sent to military prison for selling drugs. After his release, Matt explains how he continued down the same destructive path, dealing drugs on the outside and repeatedly landing in both federal and state prison. In this episode, he breaks down the mindset that kept pulling him back into crime, what life was really like inside different prison systems, and how those experiences forced him to confront his choices. This honest conversation dives into military life, prison, addiction, accountability, and the long road to breaking cycles, making it a powerful watch for anyone interested in true crime, prison stories, and real-life redemption. _____________________________________________ #TrueCrime #PrisonStory #VeteranStory #LifeAfterPrison #CrimeAndPunishment #RedemptionStory #FederalPrison #reallifestory _____________________________________________ Thank you to FRONTLINE HEALING FOUNDATION for sponsoring this episode: Visit https://frontlinehealingfoundation.org/ to donate or share their mission. _____________________________________________ Hosted, Executive Produced & Edited By Ian Bick: https://www.instagram.com/ian_bick/?hl=en https://ianbick.com/ Shop Locked In Merch: http://www.ianbick.com/shop _____________________________________________ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & Guest Background 02:30 Growing Up in North Jersey 06:00 ADHD, School Struggles & Early Trouble 09:00 DJing, Nightclubs & the Party Lifestyle 12:00 High School Expulsion & Losing Direction 15:30 Joining the Army & Being Stationed in Korea 18:30 Club Life Overseas, Drugs & Selling While Enlisted 22:00 First Military Arrest & Getting Busted 26:00 Inside Military Prison: What It’s Really Like 30:00 Release, Returning Home & Going Back to Hustling 33:30 New Jersey Arrests & State Prison Experience 39:00 Hustle Mentality & Surviving Prison Life 42:30 Repeat Offenses & Catching a Federal Case 50:30 Federal Prison Life: Hustling, Cards & Food 55:00 Release, Club Work & Finding New Hustles 01:00:00 South Carolina Arrest & Another Prison Stretch 01:10:00 Parole, Final Sentence & Looking Back 01:15:00 Life After Prison & Lessons Learned 01:18:30 Final Reflections, Regret & Closing Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NOW PLAYING
I Was a U.S. Soldier — Then I Went to Prison | Matt Runge
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.