Behind The Human with Marc Champagne What Happens When You Ask Someone in Prison the Question They Never Hear? (Ft Diane Kahn)
Nov 30, 2025
Diane Kahn, founder of Humans of San Quentin, shares her transformative experiences interviewing over 3,000 incarcerated individuals. She highlights the power of a simple question—'How are you?'—and how it can break down walls of shame. Diane uncovers the reality that many inmates are victims themselves, pointing out media misconceptions about criminals. She emphasizes the importance of empathy and vulnerability, advocating for second chances and providing insight into the healing power of storytelling.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
A Diploma's Ripple Effect
- Diane recounts Rodney, an inside mentor who earned a GED so his grandchild wouldn't be the first.
- His diploma ripple-effect inspired his community back home in Los Angeles.
Fear Is A Media Product
- Media sensationalizes a tiny, fearsome minority and distorts public perception of prisoners.
- Diane says the scary figures we fear are under 1% and not representative of most incarcerated people.
Victimhood Precedes Crime
- Every incarcerated person Diane met was a victim first, carrying profound trauma into the system.
- She contends healing those traumas is essential for society to improve and reduce incarceration.
