Simple Questions Podcast

Dylan Carnahan

Simple Questions Podcast is a monthly podcast by Dylan Carnahan featuring experts answering simple questions.

  1. How Do You Survive Solitary Confinement?

    FEB 3

    How Do You Survive Solitary Confinement?

    Episode 56: How Do You Survive Solitary Confinement? – features Leon Benson, who shares his journey from wrongful conviction and 10 consecutive years in solitary confinement to eventual exoneration. Episode Summary: This episode of The Simple Questions Podcast features a conversation between Dylan Carnahan and Leon Benson, the Director of the Solitary Justice Project, who was wrongfully convicted and spent 12 years in solitary confinement. Listen as Leon shares his story of being wrongfully incarcerated, what it was like surviving years inside for a crime he did not commit, and the psychological toll of losing time, freedom, and identity. In this episode we discuss: 00:30 – Introducing Leon Benson01:34 – Wrongful arrest and murder conviction03:47 – Eyewitness misidentification and flawed evidence07:13 – 60-year sentence, entering prison young19:23 – False accusation, sent to solitary20:53 – Solitary confinement conditions and isolation23:29 – Personal loss, appeals denied, breaking point33:13 – Indefinite isolation, “existential purgatory”37:21 – Finding meaning through philosophy, mindset42:49 – Turning isolation into mental survival59:24 – Advocacy, growth, release from solitary1:07:07 – Mentorship, leadership, prison programs1:18:58 – Clemency effort leads to legal help1:22:00 – Conviction Integrity Unit takes case1:23:10 – Exoneration and release in 20231:23:45 – Reentry advice and mental wellness1:31:10 – ConclusionResources: ⁠Exoneration RegistryLeon's WritingThis episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here.⁠

    1h 38m
  2. Episodes 40-52: Highlights

    10/07/2025

    Episodes 40-52: Highlights

    Episodes 40-52: Highlights features our best moments from the past year, featuring a world-class expert in behavioral economics, an exoneree, a UFC fighter, a voice actor, a homicide detective, and an open-source creator. Episode Summary: This episode of the Simple Questions Podcast brings you the best moments from the last 13 episodes. We've condensed insightful highlights on topics like competitive eating, UFC, and Rett Syndrome. Whether you're a new listener or a loyal fan, this episode offers a perfect snapshot of what our podcast is all about. In this episode we discuss: 00:00 - Introduction00:37 - Episode 40: International Rett Syndrome Foundation (IRSF) Family & Community Engagement Manager, Samantha Brant03:17 - Episode 41: Intellectual Property Rights Lawyer, Karin Coger04:44 - Episode 42: Taekwondo Grandmaster, Jinsue Park08:42 - Episode 43: Exoneree, Dr. Marvin Cotton Jr.11:33 - Episode 44: Competitive Eater, George Chiger13:18 - Episode 45: UFC Fighter, Angela “Overkill” Hill14:55 - Episode 46: Psychiatrist, Dr. Tahir Rahman15:54 - Episode 47: Bluetooth & Wireless Expert, Nick Hunn17:32 - Episode 48: Speedcuber, Tommy Cherry18:54 - Episode 49: Homicide Detective, Sgt. Dave Walker20:03 - Episode 50: Voice Actor, Billy West22:07 - Episode 51: Behavioral Economist, Dan Ariely23:35 - Episode 52: Peppermint OS Co-Founder, Shane Remington25:56 - Conclusion & Closing RemarksThis episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠here⁠.

    26 min
  3. How Do You Voice Act?

    07/01/2025

    How Do You Voice Act?

    Episode 50: How Do You Voice Act? - features legendary voice actor Billy West as he shares how he brings animated characters to life, from Fry, Dr. Zoidberg, and Professor Farnsworth in Futurama to Bugs Bunny in the original Space Jam. Episode Summary: This episode of The Simple Questions Podcast features a candid conversation with Billy West, the legendary voice actor behind some of animation’s most beloved shows. With a career spanning Futurama, The Ren & Stimpy Show, Doug, Looney Tunes, and countless commercials, Billy opens up about how voice acting really works—what happens behind the mic, how actors shape characters, and why the voices we hear can leave a lasting impact on our emotions and identity. Listen as Billy also shares heartfelt stories from decades in the industry, advice for aspiring voice actors, and a reminder that behind every cartoon is a human voice shaped by experience, humor, and resilience. In this episode we discuss: 00:27- Introducing Billy West01:29 - Becoming a Voice Actor18:23 - Voice Acting Industry22:26 - Creating a Voice26:15 - Impact on Health31:20 - Recording Process34:33 - Replicating a Voice36:33 - Advice for Others41:31 - Evolution of the Industry45:50 - Learning More53:31 - ConclusionResources: ⁠⁠⁠⁠IMDB Billy's WebsiteThis episode includes the track 'RSPN' by Blank & Kytt. The song is used under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License. You can find more of Blank & Kytt's music ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here

    54 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Simple Questions Podcast is a monthly podcast by Dylan Carnahan featuring experts answering simple questions.