From the Bronx with Scars: Vinny Cuevas on Survival, Loyalty, and Redemption

Vinny Cuevas grew up Cuban and Puerto Rican in the South Bronx, where survival wasn’t a metaphor — it was a daily calculation. In his raw and unflinching memoir From the Bronx with Scars, Vinny traces a life shaped by violence, loyalty, betrayal, fatherhood, and devastating loss. This episode is not about glorifying the streets — it’s about what it costs to survive them, and what it takes to rewrite your story when the scars don’t disappear.In this episode, we talk about:    •    What the “scars” in From the Bronx with Scars really represent    •    Growing up in the South Bronx and what survival looked like day to day    •    How Vinny understood power as a kid — and how that definition changed    •    The pull of the streets and why it felt like the only option    •    Loyalty, betrayal, and the price of trusting the wrong people    •    The moment Vinny knew he had to change his life    •    Fatherhood, grief, and losing a child — and how that loss reshaped his purpose    •    Why people still misunderstand him — and what they get wrong    •    Advice for anyone who feels trapped by their past    •    What redemption actually looks like when you’ve lived through real traumaThis conversation is about identity, accountability, and the courage it takes to stop surviving and start choosing something more.Vinny’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Bronx-Scars-Lessons-Streets-Raised-ebook/dp/B0FHKTJS4H🎧 Subscribe, rate, and share Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel — especially if this episode made you think differently about what it means to be misunderstood.--- --- —VISIT OUR AMAZING SPONSORS!ROGERS HOOD APOTHECARYGo to rogershood.com and use code RACHEL at checkout for 10% OFF--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!:  ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/miss-understood-with-rachel-uchitel/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week on Miss Understood with Rachel Uchitel, we sit down with one of the most inspiring people you’ll ever meet — Peter Mutabazi, a man who went from surviving the streets of Uganda to becoming one of America’s leading voices in foster care and adoption.Abandoned as a child and left to fend for himself, Peter’s life could have ended before it began. Instead, he chose to rewrite his story — building a life dedicated to giving kids the love and stability he never had. Today, as a foster dad, advocate, and motivational speaker, Peter has opened his home and heart to countless children, proving that one person’s compassion can change everything.In this powerful conversation, Peter and Rachel explore:What it’s really like growing up with nothing — and finding purpose through painHow he built a home for children who’ve lost theirsWhy the foster care system needs more heroes, not perfectionWhat true healing looks like when love replaces fear🎧 Tune in for an episode that reminds us what resilience, kindness, and second chances can do — and why Peter Mutabazi’s story is one the world needs right now.--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!:  ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/miss-understood-with-rachel-uchitel/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode, Rachel sits down with Gina L. Osborn, former FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge and host of the podcast Making Maverick Moves, to unpack why strong women in leadership are so often misunderstood, mislabeled, and silenced — even at the highest levels of power.After nearly three decades in U.S. Army counterintelligence and the FBI, Gina knows firsthand how fear, insecurity, and outdated systems shape who gets labeled a leader… and who gets called “difficult.”Gina Osborn IG: https://www.instagram.com/ginalosborn/--- --- —VISIT OUR AMAZING SPONSORS!ROGERS HOOD APOTHECARYGo to rogershood.com and use code RACHEL at checkout for 10% OFF--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!:  ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/miss-understood-with-rachel-uchitel/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Pamela Jones was born into a polygamous Mormon cult in Mexico — a closed system built on obedience, fear, and silence. Married at just fifteen years old and raising nine children inside a world that offered women no education, no independence, and no exit plan, Pamela spent years believing escape was impossible.At thirty-four, she proved herself wrong.With two cars, two tanks of gas, and no safety net, Pamela fled across the Mexican border with her children and started over in Minnesota with less than a fifth-grade education and no resources. What followed is a story of resilience few people can imagine — and even fewer achieve.Today, Pamela is the founder of a multimillion-dollar company. She’s a mother of nine, a grandmother to thirty-one, and a living example of what’s possible after control, trauma, and poverty.This episode is about breaking cycles, reclaiming power, and understanding that freedom isn’t given — it’s taken.In this episode, we discuss:    •    What life inside a polygamous cult actually looked like    •    Why fear was used as a tool of control    •    Being married at fifteen and raising nine children without autonomy    •    What finally gave Pamela the courage to escape    •    Starting over with nothing — financially, emotionally, and practically    •    Building a multimillion-dollar business without formal education    •    Motherhood, legacy, and breaking generational cycles    •    What freedom really means after a lifetime without it🎧 Listen now for a story of survival, strength, and the power of choosing yourself — even when the cost feels unbearable.--- --- —VISIT OUR AMAZING SPONSORS!ROGERS HOOD APOTHECARYGo to rogershood.com and use code RACHEL at checkout for 10% OFF--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!:  ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/miss-understood-with-rachel-uchitel/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Susan Powter was everywhere in the ’90s — the shaved head, the voice, the phrase “Stop the Insanity.” She built a massive fitness empire and became a cultural force almost overnight… and then she disappeared.A new documentary, Stop the Insanity: Finding Susan Powter, finally asks the question so many people never did: what actually happened to her after the fame faded? When I watched it, I was stunned to learn where her life led — and I knew I needed to speak with her directly.Susan joins me for an honest, in-depth conversation about where she came from, how she rose to fame, what went wrong, and what her life looks like now. We break down the documentary everyone is talking about — and go deeper into the parts that weren’t shown.--- --- —VISIT OUR AMAZING SPONSORS!ROGERS HOOD APOTHECARYGo to rogershood.com and use code RACHEL at checkout for 10% OFF--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!:  ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/miss-understood-with-rachel-uchitel/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Owen Hanson, the subject of the hit Amazon docuseries Cocaine Quarterback produced by Mark Wahlberg, takes us through his entire life — where it started, where it went wrong, and what it was like from the inside, juggling illegal sports betting, drug dealing, money laundering, and ultimately trying to run what became a large-scale criminal operation. Owen joins us in studio to break down the rise, the fall, and what life looks like now on the other side.--- --- —VISIT OUR AMAZING SPONSORS!ROGERS HOOD APOTHECARYGo to rogershood.com and use code RACHEL at checkout for 10% OFF--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!:  ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/miss-understood-with-rachel-uchitel/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

At just 25 years old, Ben “The Bane” Davis has already made a name for himself in combat sports, calling fights for UFC Fight Pass, DAZN, and more. But this year, the commentator became the competitor when he stepped onto MTV’s The Challenge: Vets & New Threats (Season 41).Trading the headset for the spotlight, Ben faced a different kind of arena — one filled with alliances, cameras, and constant pressure. In this conversation, he opens up about what it’s like to go from analyzing the action to living it, how he manages the scrutiny of reality TV, and what it means to stay true to yourself when everything is filmed.In this episode, you’ll learn:What it’s really like to make the jump from sports broadcasting to reality competitionHow Ben handles high-stakes pressure on and off the micThe biggest misconceptions about being on The ChallengeWhy authenticity matters when the cameras never turn offWhat’s next for Ben as he builds his career across sports and entertainmentConnect with Ben “The Bane” Davis:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benthebanedavisTwitter/X: @BenTheBaneDavis--- --- —VISIT OUR AMAZING SPONSORS!ROGERS HOOD APOTHECARYGo to rogershood.com and use code RACHEL at checkout for 10% OFF--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!:  ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/miss-understood-with-rachel-uchitel/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

This week, Rachel sits down with celebrity chef, nutritionist, and energy healer Serena Poon, founder of Serena Loves, Culinary Alchemy®, and Just Add Water®. Serena has become one of the most trusted voices in wellness by merging the worlds of science, nutrition, and spiritual healing — helping everyone from high-performing CEOs to everyday people reconnect to their bodies and thrive from the inside out.Together, they explore what’s misunderstood about wellness, why diet culture keeps us chasing the wrong things, and how emotional energy directly impacts how long — and how well — we live. Serena also breaks down the most accessible breakthroughs in longevity science and shares simple daily rituals that anyone can start today.--- --- —VISIT OUR AMAZING SPONSORS!ROGERS HOOD APOTHECARYGo to rogershood.com and use code RACHEL at checkout for 10% OFF--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!:  ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/miss-understood-with-rachel-uchitel/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

We’ve all been there: you’re dating someone new, the chemistry feels good, and then — out of nowhere — something tiny gives you that sudden ugh feeling. That instant flip has a name: the ick.But is the ick a real warning sign, or just our own fear and pickiness getting in the way? To find out, I’m joined by London-based therapist Matt Hussey, who was recently quoted in Vogue explaining that the ick is “visceral and hard to shake.” Together, we break down why it happens, what it reveals about us, and how to know when to trust it — and when to push through.--- --- —VISIT OUR AMAZING SPONSORS!ROGERS HOOD APOTHECARYGo to rogershood.com and use code RACHEL at checkout for 10% OFF--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!:  ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/miss-understood-with-rachel-uchitel/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

From Notre Dame football player to multimillionaire entrepreneur, investor, and social media personality — John Cerasani has lived a life most people only dream about.In this episode, Rachel Uchitel sits down with John to uncover the real story behind his success — from walking away from corporate America at 26 to building and selling a company that changed his life forever. They dive into the mindset shifts, the business risks, and the Vegas tables that shaped the man behind the persona.💬 They talk entrepreneurship, money, mindset, social media, and even the surprising truth about high-stakes gambling in Las Vegas.If you’ve ever wondered how to turn rejection into fuel — or how to play life like a game you can actually win — this conversation will change how you think about risk and reward.📚 Check out John’s books on Amazon 🔗 Follow John on Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/johncerasani--- --- —VISIT OUR AMAZING SPONSORS!ROGERS HOOD APOTHECARYGo to rogershood.com and use code RACHEL at checkout for 10% OFF--- --- ---PLEASE LIKE, SHARE, SUBSCRIBE, AND GIVE US A 5-STAR REVIEW!:  ratethispodcast.com/missunderstood Become a Patreon Member: https://www.patreon.com/c/MissUnderstoodwithRachelUchitelShop Miss Understood Merch https://missumerch.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Rachel on Instagram!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/racheluchitelnyc/?hl=enFollow Rachel on TikTok! https://www.tiktok.com/@itsracheluchitelExecutive Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠George Carmona Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/miss-understood-with-rachel-uchitel/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy