Two Mafia hit-men are walking deep into a forest in the middle of the night. One of them says: "I gotta admit I'm scared out here." The other replies: "You're scared... I gotta walk back alone!"

Michael, it seems pretty clear that you would have been successful in life even if you'd never been a racketeer. And the fact that you turned your life around from a pretty dark trajectory, is proof of that!

My grandfather was mafiaoso... he used to say, "Friends help you move, but good friends help you move bodies." He was a booze runner during prohibition. He taught me Italian language, mostly the bad words, but he taught me a very important aspect about intelligence... keeping an eye on the pulse of the company.

I have a story for you Mr. Franzese, and the rest of you guys! When I was young (about twelve years old) my family took me out for a nice steak dinner in a very high class Italian restaurant in Montreal. I have a large family , so we had to book months in advance. But it was so worth it, the steak was perfect, the bread was wonderful and everyone was having a great time! They even let us bring in my birthday cake. We even had the place mostly to ourselves. I can remember clearly. After dinner we cut the cake and I started handing out the pieces to my family. I was about to start eating my end piece with lots of icing, only to notice three people who I thought were part of my family, standing in the next room...The one man wore a grey suit with a black tie, and seemed to be talking to the other two men. One had glasses and the other I cannot remember. Well I though he had no cake, so I took a piece of cake to the gentelman in the suit. I walked up to him and offered it to him. I remember the whole room went quiet for a second or two. He looked down at me, he smiled, he ruffled my hair a bit, and set it down on the table beside him. I went back to my table, and as I talked about the new video game I got, I could notice that everyone in my family was tense. It was only after the man left, and we were long gone from the restaurant did things get back to normal. I was only told who he was years later when I was eighteen. He was not a member of our family. That man I gave cake to was Vito Rizzuto himself! I thought it was a funny story you guys would enjoy!

Man I’ve listened to you for hours on my 12 hour shifts…I got out of prison and changed my life as well learned a lot of the same lessons about friends and living a criminal lifestyle on a smaller scale of course but I relate and listen to what you got all the time keep up the good work hope to meet you next time you’re in Texas.

I just found your channel recently & I really enjoy your content. My husband (of nearly 43 years) had the opportunity to attend one of your speeches at a men's breakfast at a church here in PA with one of his longtime friends several years ago, he still talks about how much he enjoyed it. I told him just the other day you now have a KZfaq channel & he'll be checking it out soon, I've already watched many of your episodes. Praise God for the work He's done in your life & your willingness to share the gospel with people who may never darken the steps of a church. My Dad, who was the spiritual leader of our home, always instructed all of us kids to live our lives as examples of Christ because our lives may be the only Bible many people read. May God richly bless you, your ministry & your family. God obviously wasn't finished with you yet & I'm sure His plan for you was bigger than even you could've ever imagined. Keep the sit downs coming....

Hey Michael, I am Sven, im from the Netherlands, turning 22 this year. I have been seeing your videos for 3 weeks, I bought the book “ il make u an offer you cant refuse”, you are an amazing guy man! ❤️ when I listen to the stories you are telling, I am really getting the message/moral you are try to tell. I have learned a lot of you Michael, you are a man with a beautiful but down-to-earth vision, thanks man for educating and motivating us!

Not putting your phone on silent when recording a video is a big no-no in some families.

One thing is for sure Michael, you definitely read your comments. That shows your commitment to your channel and crusade. You are definitely a determined "Crusader".

Parts that Michael talks about his father's advice are my favorites.

Michael, I wanted to tell you that you're an inspiration to a lot of guys trying to turn their lives around for the better. All the best to you and your family. Respect, brother

I love how you keep saying "we talked about this remember? or "I told you already". Feels like I'm just in a room with a friend talking.

I'm a son of mobsters. I'm glad I can hear about it from this guy because my family won't talk about it AT ALL. For obvious reasons. But still. I was raised with the brutality but I will never learn the reasons behind it.

Your videos are always fascinating and I learn something new from them. Keep up the great work Michael, God Bless you!

Your honesty is much appreciated. Glad you made it out healthy and happy. Take care Michael.

Great job mike on telling a little bit of the rough darker side . I’m still hanging in there listening to your good stories and your entertaining life stories. Thx pal kw

Honestly Michael this has become one of my favorite channels... always fresh and interesting content. Keep it up! :)

As a family we are reading through Kings and Chronicles - your stories remind me of these events. There is a good sermon in this! God Bless You! ❤️🙏❤️

I’m just a girl, but I can’t get enough of these videos. There are some incredible lessons, in your experience and reflections. You are a great storyteller, and very genuine, and candid. I’m impressed by your humility. Thank you.

His way of speaking is so precise and straight to the point, even when he has to be ambiguous. I admire that a lot.

You know hearing you speak and answer so many questions and the ways you help so many people by using your experiences from your previous life is amazing and the more I hear the more I'm convinced that God intended you to not only get out but to use your knowledge to help save other people who might have started to fall. We all have stumbled and fallen short but what separates the truly great is the willingness to get back up and keep fighting to make sure others don't end up the same way. Anyways thank you Michael for not only sharing stories from your previous life but all the ways you help people now. Keep fighting the good fight brother! God Bless.

This was a great video Micheal. I really enjoyed this! Thanks Micheal hope you have a great weekend. Enjoy Sunny California. All I’m doing. 😉

These videos have kept me sane and entertained during my chemotherapy 😁 it’s been a blessing having something take my mind away from this place. I love the mafia movie Monday 🙏🏾👍🏾❤️

@10:10 - 11:20 "Was he always the first guy (to condem some one)... or was he the last". That minute-worth of commentary is some of the most profound wisdom I have ever heard in my life.

Michael just got almost all the way through with your audiobook from 2009. Your life story was an amazing story but the most impressive thing to me is how you have turned your life around. That's a very difficult thing to do, kudos to you sir, but I hope you give a lot of that credit to your wife who has been a positive influence in your life!

In the book “Gotti’s boys” DeStefano explained that prior to the Gotti era, the Gambino’s and Lucchese were against drug’s but the more liberal families, Bonnano and Genovese turned a blind eye. Never mentioned the Columbo family, but from what I read they were against it.

I would pay to see a TV show about modern day mafia directed by this guy

Mr. Franzese, thanks a lot for providing us with these interesting stories, I'm really enjoying the content. I'm Italian, actually from Southern Italy, and I'm somehow familiar with codes like "oath of omertà" and such. It's common knowledge around here and the word "omertà" is also used in daily language as a funny expression among friends when somebody doesn't wanna talk or tell the truth about something. You are an Italian-American and I can really see that in your gestures, facial expressions and other things, that makes me feel like I'm listening to a friend telling me stories about his life. Mr. Franzese, you are a wonderful, smart individual. I wish you all the best in your life for you and your family and hope you are always fine and taking care of yourself. I'll keep on supporting you and following your content because it has a remarkable cultural value and your positive outlook on life really rubs off on anybody listening to you, including myself. Thanks a lot again for sharing your life with all of us and, again, wish you all the best. Andrea, one of your many "Italian fans" Take care, God bless you :)

First off, I finished your book in two days and am re-reading it now. COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. But also, one of your stories always comes to my mind; for some reason I think it's so interesting: When you and the other friend of yours hashed it out over that car salesman you had. And you reminded the friend that if he hurts one of yours, you have to hurt one of his.

Is this old? Are you back again already Mr Franzese? Always welcome with your positivity this side of the pond. Keep up the good uplifting work. These are good to hear and reflect on for everyone.

Can you "imagine" how many would be killed nowadays with all the cheating going on with spouses, sisters, other family members. I could never kill someone especially my best friend or someone close to me. One thing I am is I am very loyal to my friends. Always enjoy your stories Michael! Stay safe and hurry back to us! God Bless You Always!

You are an absolute legend but you turning everything around for the better makes the legend complete. Keep up these great videos and god bless

Hello Michael. Thank you. Prayers for your visit to the UK. Be Blessed you and your family. You always leave me with alot to think about. Always appreciated. I'm more careful than ever when I'm out shopping or dinners with friends.

Michael you are a born public speaker! You are fantastic!

Having lost my friend, my neighbor's kid, two cousins, an aunt , and having been abused and ripped off by a (still) drug addicted brother, I am wishing it was your era again.

Much love mike. Thank you for all the videos and going so deep into this very scary but real life you lived. Have a blessed day

Another thing that seems to get these guys killed not mentioned here is not recognizing business lanes and territories as defined by the mob. Doing illegal/off book business outside one's own territory, and even within one's territory without top permission is probably a sure fire way to end up dead. This rule strongly applies regardless of era.

Mike i gotta say your just extremely easy to like brother … your down to earth, respectful, have the right values a lot of your viewers (especially napolitano’s like me lol) have, and you genuinely are a standup guy and a gentleman- it comes through in a lot of your videos how your very fair and non judgmental - these are the things people need to really learn from you and implement in their lives… God bless brother love ya

One of the most compelling talks by Michael Franzese.

Self accountability is everything for a man of value

Road to a million subscribers is almost complete. Wishing you good health Mr Franzese.

Thanks for the new video, Michael!!

You know the mobs day is over when you have all these guys with KZfaq channels

For you to walk away like that from that life and risk everything, literally everything... That took a great deal of courage. Massive respect to you!

Keep the content coming Michael! Much love to you and your family and anyone who reads this! ❤💯

Hey Mr Franzese. Great video. Very clear about what's what. No harm in making sure people get the point and you make things clear but I can just feel that you don't like talking about killing and death. Being in the truth talking about things just hurt your spirit. I love that principle of always being the last to speak and to never condemn anyone. You've talked about that and I've never forgot it. Safe travels and have a great tour. Much love, Gods blessing to you and his protection always. Thank you so much. ❤️❤️👏

His notification beeps were driving me nuts looking around at my devices.

I really believe Michael couldn't have had a better mentor to school him for the life and I honestly believe that. Every time he gave a piece of advice it was spot on and extremely valuable in terms of keeping you alive and out of jail. If I was going to join Cosa Nostra and had a choice of who got to show me the ropes I honestly would have picked Sonny Franzese without a doubt he would give you the best odds in surviving that life. The mere fact that Sonny lived to the age he did, and Michael is still here with us is proof to that, not to mention surviving in the Colombo family with their wars is a feat in and of itself.

Interesting, positive and informative as always. 👏👏👍

On the flip side of this conversation, what are some forms of lesser infractions in that life and their punishments? Things a guy could do wrong and not get killed over it, but still be severe enough to deserve punishment, what kind of lesser punishments could a guy get?

I'm grateful that you are still here and have walked, literally, away from that life. May God protect your every step, every moment and you live to a hundred! You and yours. Safe travels! (Air hug)

Michael, so honest and enjoyable listening to you. Big fan

I think that sometimes people forget that every family can have different ways of doing things.

Great subject and glad you’re here with us to tell us about the life! You enlighten us with your stories. Be safe and god bless.🙏😎👍

Hey, thank you for making these videos. I always love watching them and learning more about your former life. Keep up the great work!!!

Thank you once again Mr Franzese, your stories are mesmerising and so insightful. You have the most respect amongst the group and appreciate your tales.

Mr. Franzese, excellent, clear video. I'm dying (pardon the pun) to learn the answer to the following question. Omerta prohibits even acknowledging the existence of "Our Thing." You can't hit a made guy. There are tons of associates who are not allowed to hit a made guy. How do associates know who is made, and who is not?

Always great content. My favorite Michael Franzese story is the story of the chickens and Paul Costellano 1🤣🤣🤣

The one thing that anyone involved with criminal activity can take away from this is that you have to accept every consequence, because you know what they are before getting involved.

Ordering someone to kill their own father is a special kind of evil.

Once again, this is one of my favorite KZfaq personalities, 2nd to none. Great stuff Michael. I'm happy for your success. FYI, I'm Italian Catholic, I like the God Bless stuff. My faith has helped me in life over many decades. I'm with you.

Love the realness. Fascinating thing about the mafia is it was a disciplined machine. It was the breaking of the discipline that was its downfall. Soldiers lasted, cowboys were removed. There was a strange harmony

I prefer hearing these responses from Franzese rather than other sources. He acknowledges the limitations of inference based on his experience, he’s genuine, and he frames it as a cautionary without glorifying it

I love this man's integrity and honors

Mr. franzese I read your book mafia democracy absolutely great work. I'm glad you are attempting to remove the blind flood from most . It's a great read do you have autographed copies available in your website. Great videos stay blessed and my prayers will be with you and your family as your travel abroad

I imagine him saying that in a mob sit down. "I hope we don't have to talk about this again."

AOC Said that you don't have to worry about Ricco anymore.... It's not a crime

The superstition that a GHOST only haunts a limited space - to me- is hilarious.

Keep up the hard work Michael! Thank you for all the great videos.

Thanks for turning your test into testimony !! God bless you and your family!!

Mr Franzese: Thanks for putting the different eras and the commission/family policy rules in context. I hope you have/had a wonderful holiday season!

Love hearing the stories. I've mentioned before, My Mother and Carmine were cousins. My Grandfather Vito Plantamura, and Carmines Mother, were Brother and sister

Hello!! Greetings from Northern Ireland. 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻

Something you said here rang a bell with me. While in the Marines, we were being sent to an operation that could involve hand to hand combat and more. I told my SSGT, I was a little pensive and nervous, as this was my first time faced with actual combat. He looked me straight in the eye and said, "Not me, I look forward to it." I said, "You look forward to killing?" He said, "Sure why not? We're Marines - License to Kill! I never felt comfortable around that SSGT again nor did I trust him. It's bad enough that it's sometimes necessary to kill, but to look forward to it?

This is a great video thank you for taking the time to share this information and hope you have a great time in the UK and have a safe travel as well Michael

A testament to a fallen world is when a career criminal can go on an around the world tour speaking about it.

Good to see you again Michael wish you luck on your trip to the Uk look forward to it.

Great video Micheal. Always good stuff on this channel. Thanks. God bless kind sir. ♥️

I always enjoy listening to your stories Michael. It's like you got so much wisdom to pass down this younger generation could learn a thing or 2 from a guy like you.

Love your work Michael. God Bless.

Massive big fan of yours . Watch all Your KZfaq videos religiously Mike . Any time when I feel low and down when I listen to your positive persona and how always there is always light at the end of the tunnel no matter what the circumstances are . You gave me The fight and mentality this can be done no problem. As a Scottish / Irishman your podcast with mr James English was sensational. And you manage to understand us Scottish people very well indeed which can be a struggle at times lol . God bless 🍀🙏

Michael thank you for providing me entertainment during a slow day at the office lol, always look forward to your tales.

The alert dings… are we being trolled?!

Man I'm always amazed at the advice your father gave you. It's sad so many men don't get those golden nuggets from their father and have to learn the hard way.

Love the content Mr. Franzese, very informative cause I’m 18 and I’m not familiar with that time period. Keep up your great work 👍

Rules are rules. In any organization, the organized part, is that everyone knows the rules first.

I think he's talking about his family, specifically in his era.

Thank you for this excellent and informative channel Mr. Franzese! You're an excellent storyteller, and as you well know, we seldom hear these perspectives. I often joke that the way you know an Italian is a mafioso is he's quiet.

Man I really appreciate the insights! It's so interesting. Maybe outside of the wheelhouse but I wonder what Michael's thoughts are on the relationships in Breaking Bad. How justified he thought Walt was, if the criminal element stacks up to real life, how he feels about Walt and Jessie's relationship, etc

From everything I've ever read, the Colombo/Profaci was the only family to abide by no drug dealing. The Gottis, the Cherry Hill Gambinos, Patsy Conte from the Gambino family and that was in your era. Bonnanos were the ones with the pizza connection. Also in your era. Vic and Gas pipe were drug dealers and they were administration and that was your era. Luciano and Genovese were drug dealers and they were bosses. Before your era, but they were major traffickers. That's 4/5. Colombo family dealers? I don't know, but I think as a Colombo member, maybe your family had a different understanding. Don't get CAUGHT dealing drugs is the rule. In practice if not theory.

Thanks for your insight on these matters. Your advice will definitely help the youth of today.

The Columbo Crime Family seemed pretty chill in comparison to other crime families.

Thanks for another lesson I hope that you and your family have a great 4th of July

Michael, I'd like to hear you talk about the Chicago outfit. As you say, "some families might operate a little different" but that borgata is completely different

I wondered how realistic the Ralph ciffareto Johnny sack argument in sopranos

Michael, I love your stories. There is a good moral lesson involved. If you live by the sword you die by the sword. God bless you and your family. Chris Canfield, Captain Howdy, Pay it forward!

Hi Michael! Thanks for posting a video that gives one food for thought. Was your former life a lonely one because there was always a threat of betrayal with dire consequences? How did you handle that stress? I think stress management would be a current, less grisly topic for a video. Best wishes for your UK tour 🇬🇧

Gd video as always. I’m wishing you and the family safe travels. You are so so blessed to be where you are today and during a time like right now, in history. It’s been really a bad time. My name is Lorraine like your sister. Plz wd you and Camillle pray for me. He seems to really love you guys. Be safe. Stay blessed.

GLAD UR STILL ALIVE MIKE!! Now let’s take over the world 🌎

Take time out in Scotland & Wales to visit the highlands. Black mountains in wales, the west coast in Scotland. You won’t regret it. And make sure you sample the single malts.