Founders
Don Sikorski
Don Sikorski graduated from New York University. Even while attending NYU, he knew in his heart that he would pave a path leading him to journalistic storytelling.
Sikorski spent three years writing, directing, and producing a feature-length documentary Rap Sheet: Hip-Hop and the Cops. The project traced the story of a NYPD-FBI intelligence unit surveilling the Hip-Hop industry.
He has worn many hats on a variety of projects since his successful debut and has been able to build a thriving career and. an impressive body of work.
From TV documentary series — Article 32, Sean Kingston: Kingston’s Road, Ransom City, American Vice, A&E’s Live PD, MTV: True Life Crime, FOX’s Biggie & Tupac — to hit reality shows, Black Ink Crew, and the spinoff Black Ink Crew: Chicago, and most recently, Undercover Underage for Discovery Plus. Sikorski always has his finger on the cultural pulse.
However, the small screen couldn’t contain his stories. He needed a larger canvas. And with that, Sikorski embarked on his first feature film — The Infiltrator, starring Bryan Cranston, which also met with rave reviews. For his second feature film, Sikorski Exec Produced Labyrinth, starring, Johnny Depp. The film delves into the true story of LAPD detective Russell Poole and the murder of Hip-Hop legend The Notorious, B.I.G.
Currently Sikorski is Showrunning a new Documentary for Alex Gibney and his Jigsaw Productions.
Upon entering into the podcast arena, it should come as no surprise that his first podcast offering, The Dossier, a true crime series revealing the murder of Biggie Smalls is at the top of the charts!
Rick Phillips
Phillips hails from New York City where he enjoyed a successful 15 years in Marketing and PR, before the journalism bug bit him leading him to launch two culture magazines: the award-winning Black Book and CITY.
After selling both publications, Phillips left Manhattan for the Phoenix desert..
Once arriving in Phoenix, Phillips launched a new shelter magazine, Desert Living. A few years later, Phillips launched his 2nd publication in the desert named ITEM, which focused on life in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Scottsdale. He subsequently sold to Media That Deelivers, the publishers of Arizona Foothills Magazine.
Not losing his taste for media and journalism, Phillips next launched the very influential EATERAZ.com, a food website that reported on the
local food scene, a blog before there were bloggers. Its stories go out to over 10,000 registered subscribers each day.
In 2009 Phillips launched a company to produce large-scale culinary events. Over a decade later the events grew into two-day festivals, visited by over 40,000 people!
With the advent of Covid-19, and events being cancelled, Phillips pivoted back into journalism, but this time, by creating a content production company.
Partnering up with long time friend Don Sikorski, they formed Criminal Minded Media, a content company creating journalistically-driven, non-fiction, episodic stories. Some for podcasts, some for Television and some for feature length documentaries.
“Premium” Pete Gibaldi
Brooklyn-born and bred 'Premium' Pete Gibaldi is a man of many talents. From pioneering the podcast industry as a co-host of the iconic Hip-Hop program The Combat Jack Show to an array of entrepreneurial ventures, Premium Pete is one of culture's most influential dot connectors.
He is the creator and host of the successful podcast The Premium Pete Show, in addition to producing podcasts for networks and major brands such as State Farm, Foot Locker and HBO.
Pete also co-created You Gotta Eat This a popular Instagram page and website for foodies around the world with Recording Artist/Entrepreneur Bun B.
Early in his career, as an integral part of the now legendary podcast The Combat Jack Show, Pete found his voice and created unforgettable moments interviewing the likes of Chuck D, J Cole and LL Cool J, along with many others from all walks of life.
Before that, Pete took his passion for footwear and pushed forward sneaker culture worldwide, becoming a pillar of the sneaker/streetwear community and the 'go-to-guy' for the likes of Drake and Michael Douglas, amongst many more.
As an entrepreneur, Pete has worked closely alongside some of the most respected brands in the world; Sriracha, Oreo, Corona, Nike, Puma, Adidas and more, which has led him to launch successful ventures into the food world as well.
Pete brings his wealth of knowledge and experience to Criminal Minded Media to create gripping story-driven content.
TEAM
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JOHN ANAGNOPOULOS
MANAGING EDITOR
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KEVIN ROSS
ART DIRECTOR
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ANDY HILL
TECHNICAL ADVISOR
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BRI PACELLI
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT