635: Joe Barone | Living in Dread Between the Mob and the Feds Part Two

Tough Choices

Growing up in a mob environment, Joe Barone faced immense pressure to follow in his family's footsteps. He reflects on the limited choices available to him, emphasizing that his upbringing left him with few alternatives 1. Joe explains that while he might have chosen a different path, such as working at the post office, the desire to please his father and the circumstances of his upbringing made it difficult to escape the life of crime 2.

You do what you can when you're in — almost everybody lives in the moment. Nobody's trying to project, like somebody might say, "Oh, what are you going to do in, 10 years from now?" I don't know. Who's thinking 10 years ahead?

--- Joe Barone

This highlights the stark contrast between his reality and that of someone with a more conventional upbringing.

   

Mafia Life

Joe's active involvement in the mafia exposed him to the harsh realities of organized crime. He recounts a chilling experience where he was nearly involved in setting someone on fire as a form of retribution, illustrating the brutal nature of mob justice 3. Joe also describes the tests of loyalty he faced, such as being asked to hand over large sums of money to prove his commitment 4.

When you go to kill somebody, there's always somebody with you. Because if you don't kill the guy, they know you're not serious. If you kill somebody, your commitment is solid now with them.

--- Joe Barone

These experiences underscore the dangerous and often violent world he navigated as part of the mafia.