Kyo Conversations

What changes when you stop looking at someone for what they’ve done—and start asking who they are?Marc sits down with Diane Kahn, founder of Humans of San Quentin, who has interviewed more than 3,000 incarcerated individuals around the world. Diane shares how a single question—“How are you?”—can break open years of silence, shame, and survival.Together, they explore the unseen stories behind incarceration, why nearly everyone she meets inside was a victim first, how media narratives distort our understanding of “criminals,” and what it truly means to approach another human being with compassion. This episode challenges assumptions, expands empathy, and reveals the healing power of being seen.Timestamps:00:00 — “Who are you?”01:00 — From teacher to prison educator04:00 — The moment her perception of “prison” shattered05:45 — Who we’re really locking up07:00 — Why the media is feeding us the wrong story10:00 — The power of asking: “How are you?”15:00 — Building trust inside a hyper-surveille