August 19, 2026: I visited a prison and asked the men inside to write down the questions they wish people would ask them. Watch the video below to see what they wrote.

This was a Big Talk icebreaker at Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility as part of their Mental Health Day, co-organized by the men inside including Freddie Hernandez, Chris Stone, Megan Broderick, Lisa Erspamer, and Brett May of the Life without Parole Foundation.

I passed out Big Talk Question Cards and invited everyone to get into groups and skip the small talk.

One man answered, “What do you do when nobody is watching?” with: “You know how when you peel an onion you cry? Well, I like to go into my prison cell and peel back the layers of me and have a good cry.”

Another answered, “What are the little things that bring you joy?” with: “When I walk outside to face the west and watch the sunset each day.”

After the exercise, two men approached me in tears and told me the Big Talk cards were the best gift they’d ever been given. One of them will be free in 30 days and told me he plans to use the cards with his family.

I then asked the men to write down their own Big Talk questions—the questions they wish they could ask or be asked. I’ve shared some of them in this video.

After 12 years of working on Big Talk, this was one of the most impactful and powerful experiences I’ve ever had.

Thank you to the men for your openness, vulnerability, and perspective. I’m grateful to have shared this space with you.