The California Kid

From USC Golden Boy to International Drug Kingpin

By: Owen Hanson, Alex Cody Foster

Narrated by: Kyle Tait

You've read the shocking one-sided tale of international drug kingpin Owen Hanson in Rolling Stone, VICE, and the LA Times—but now he's ready to tell his side of the story.

A surfer kid from Redondo Beach, California, Owen Hanson was still in his twenties when he found himself the leader of a multi-million-dollar criminal empire. What began as an attempt to fit in with the rich kids at the University of Southern California soon grew into gambling and loan sharking, which then opened the door to drug trafficking and money laundering. Hanson wasn't just involved in this stuff—he excelled at it. Living the fast-paced lifestyle of the rich and famous, Hanson felt he was finally making his father proud, never mind the questionable ethics and obvious danger of it all. But with the cartel, a serious drug-abuse problem, and the pursuit of the FBI all threatening to overtake him, it wouldn't be long before his lifestyle caught up with him.

The California Kid follows Owen from his roots as a USC star athlete from a broken home, where his idolization of the rich and famous began, to his descent down a dangerous path where he would stop at nothing to earn the love and acceptance of his absent mother and the respect of his father. The story that follows is almost too wild to believe—but Owen bears the twenty-one-year sentence to prove it.

©2024 Owen Hanson and Alex Cody Foster (P)2025 Highbridge Audio

Great Story. Great Personality

great story. I watch all of his YouTube and online interviews. Not just another story about a college kid who takes a pinch for drugs but one that really keeps you entertained and on edge. just not sure why Owen doesn't read this story himself as the the performance was ehh. Gave the performance a 4 but really more like a 2 or 3.

How he dipped us by not telling us. It’s the whole story the end.

Why didn’t you tell us about the deal how you got your freedom and how you’re out here. Pushing this book. You just left it to the part where you got arrested

Reality of the true story

The way it was all narrated and detail of how the true atory was evolving!

Fantastic book

Listened to it in one day it was so captivating. Gives you a good luck into the criminal underworld. I watched Hanson’s interview on fresh out and immediately went to get this book. He’s a captivating story teller. Wish it would get more into life in prison but maybe we just need a book two.

Captivating Listen

One of the best audible books and stories I have listened to, it had me hooked from start until the finish.

Just wish it was a longer book, diving into life in prison, how he got out and what he sees for the future but perhaps that is good material for a second book.

Would 10/10 recommend!