This is our unabridged interview with Anthony Ray Hinton.

“I don’t care whether you did or didn’t do it. I’m going to make sure you’re found guilty.”

These were the words that Anthony Ray Hinton says put him on Alabama’s death row for nearly 3 decades for a murder he didn’t commit. In 2015, after numerous appeals, he was released after the US Supreme Court vacated the charges, and the State of Alabama dropped the case.

Mr. Hinton is author of the New York Times bestseller, “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row.” His story recounts his harrowing decades on death row, and his intention to make choices for compassion and joy in the midst of the chaos of prison life, spending 23 hours every day in a 5 x 7 cell, and watching 54 individuals pass his cell on their way to the death chamber.

“You can sit in that cell and be angry with the world,” he says, “or you can sit in that cell and try to find peace and joy. But you can't say you don't have a choice.”

Similar episodes:

Pervis Payne: The Death Penalty

The Architect of the American Civil Rights Movement: James Lawson

Eddie Glaude: On James Baldwin’s America

Jameel McGee and Andrew Collins: Dirty Cop, False Arrest, and Unexpected Consequences

Resources mentioned this episode

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton

The Sun Does Shine (Young Readers Edition) by Anthony Ray Hinton

Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin

PDF of Lee’s Interview Notes

Transcript for Abridged Episode

Subscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Stitcher | Google | YouTube

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“I don’t care whether you did or didn’t do it. I’m going to make sure you’re found guilty.”

These were the words that Anthony Ray Hinton says put him on Alabama’s death row for nearly 3 decades for a murder he didn’t commit. In 2015, after numerous appeals, he was released after the US Supreme Court vacated the charges, and the State of Alabama dropped the case.

Mr. Hinton is author of the New York Times bestseller, “The Sun Does Shine: How I Found Life and Freedom on Death Row.” His story recounts his harrowing decades on death row, and his intention to make choices for compassion and joy in the midst of the chaos of prison life, spending 23 hours every day in a 5 x 7 cell, and watching 54 individuals pass his cell on their way to the death chamber.

“You can sit in that cell and be angry with the world,” he says, “or you can sit in that cell and try to find peace and joy. But you can't say you don't have a choice.”

Similar episodes:

Pervis Payne: The Death Penalty

The Architect of the American Civil Rights Movement: James Lawson

Eddie Glaude: On James Baldwin’s America

Jameel McGee and Andrew Collins: Dirty Cop, False Arrest, and Unexpected Consequences

Resources mentioned this episode:

The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton

The Sun Does Shine (Young Readers Edition) by Anthony Ray Hinton

Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin

PDF of Lee’s Interview Notes

Transcription Link

Subscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Stitcher | Google | YouTube

Follow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Follow Lee: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This is our unabridged interview with Rob Reiner and Dan Partland.

What ideas mobilized people to storm the Capitol on January 6th?

The new documentary “God & Country” from acclaimed actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner and director Dan Partland seeks to answer that question. Their journalism explores the motives, philosophies, and ideas behind Christian nationalism, and looks at the implications of those views and how they distort not only our constitutional republic, but Christianity itself.

“We've got to find a way to live and not kill each other,” says Rob, “especially not over our ideas.” The film features interviews with experts from many different realms - including historians, theologians, political pundits, and more - in order to shed light on the intermix of power and religion in our day.

In this episode, Rob and Dan describe their film, why they made it, and what they learned in the process.

Show Notes

Similar episodes:

Kristin Du Mez: Jesus and John Wayne

Randall Balmer: Race and the Rise of the Religious Right

Kristin Du Mez Sits with David French

Russell Moore: Against, and For, the Tribe

Robert Jones: White Too Long

Resources mentioned this episode

”God and Country” Trailer

PDF of Lee’s Interview Notes

Transcription Link for Abridged Episode

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What ideas mobilized people to storm the Capitol on January 6th?

The new documentary “God & Country” from acclaimed actor and filmmaker Rob Reiner and director Dan Partland seeks to answer that question. Their journalism explores the motives, philosophies, and ideas behind Christian nationalism, and looks at the implications of those views and how they distort not only our constitutional republic, but Christianity itself.

“We've got to find a way to live and not kill each other,” says Rob, “especially not over our ideas.” The film features interviews with experts from many different realms - including historians, theologians, political pundits, and more - in order to shed light on the intermix of power and religion in our day.

In this episode, Rob and Dan describe their film, why they made it, and what they learned in the process.

Show Notes

Similar episodes:

Kristin Du Mez: Jesus and John Wayne

Randall Balmer: Race and the Rise of the Religious Right

Kristin Du Mez Sits with David French

Russell Moore: Against, and For, the Tribe

Robert Jones: White Too Long

Resources mentioned this episode

”God and Country” Trailer

PDF of Lee’s Interview Notes

Transcription Link

Follow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Follow Lee: Instagram | Twitter

Join our Email List: nosmallendeavor.com

Become a Member: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

This is our unabridged interview with David Brooks.

“We’re in the middle of some sort of social crisis,” says New York Times columnist and bestselling author David Brooks.

Politics and social discourse have become brutal. Loneliness, hopelessness, and suicide rates have been measured at all-time highs. Trust and friendship have been measured at all-time lows. But all is not lost, according to David. There is still a way forward, and it’s simpler than one might think.

“The essential moral act is the act of attention,” he says. “Our goal should be to cast a just and loving attention on others.” In this episode, he discusses his new book, “How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen,” and how truly knowing others calls forth a better version of both oneself and one’s community.

A warning: this episode contains mention of suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Show Notes

Similar episodes:

David Brooks: The Road to Character

Heather Holleman: The Art of Conversation

Kelly Corrigan: How Vulnerability Leads to Connection

Curt Thompson: The Power Of Being Seen

Resources mentioned this episode

How to Know a Person by David Brooks

The Sovereignty of Good by Iris Murdoch

PDF of Lee’s Interview Notes

Transcript for Abridged Episode

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We're pleased on occasion to share with you an episode from other podcasts which we find important and helpful. You may have heard our episode with renowned psychologist David DeSteno, on his book How God Works. I very much enjoyed my conversation with Dave, and found his approach helpful and refreshing. On his podcast, by the same name—How God Works—Dave talks with religious leaders, scientists, and intellectuals from various fields and explores the overlap between scientific research and the teachings of various wisdom and faith traditions.

The episode we share today I find particularly helpful: one on hope, and the cultivation of hopefulness in a world marred by seemingly intractable violence and hostility. Dave interviews Pulitzer-prize winning journalist Nicholas Kristof, who discusses ways he's learned to maintain hopefulness even while covering some of the most horrific instances of violence and war-making; and Roshi Joan Halifax, founder of Upaya Zen Center in Santa Fe, NM, about the notion of wise hope, the equanimity it can bring, and the fierce compassion it can unleash.

We hope you enjoy this episode of How God Works and consider subscribing.

-Lee C. Camp

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“We’re in the middle of some sort of social crisis,” says New York Times columnist and bestselling author David Brooks.

Politics and social discourse have become brutal. Loneliness, hopelessness, and suicide rates have been measured at all-time highs. Trust and friendship have been measured at all-time lows. But all is not lost, according to David. There is still a way forward, and it’s simpler than one might think.

“The essential moral act is the act of attention,” he says. “Our goal should be to cast a just and loving attention on others.” In this episode, he discusses his new book, “How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen,” and how truly knowing others calls forth a better version of both oneself and one’s community.

A warning: this episode contains mention of suicide. If you or someone you know is in crisis, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Show Notes

Similar episodes:

David Brooks: The Road to Character

Heather Holleman: The Art of Conversation

Kelly Corrigan: How Vulnerability Leads to Connection

Curt Thompson: The Power Of Being Seen

Resources mentioned this episode

How to Know a Person by David Brooks

The Sovereignty of Good by Iris Murdoch

PDF of Lee’s Interview Notes

Transcription Link

Subscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Stitcher | Google | YouTube

Follow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

Follow Lee: Instagram | Twitter

Join our Ema…

This is our unabridged episode with John Dear.

How do you live a good life in a world of 30 wars, 13,000 nuclear weapons, 4 billion people in poverty, racism, gun violence, child hunger, and catastrophic climate change?

This is the question posed by activist and Catholic priest John Dear. For years, John has taken part in peace movements alongside folks like Coretta King, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Desmond Tutu.

In this episode, he has some unbelievable stories that answer his question in a provocative way. To live a good life, he argues, you cannot support war, nuclear weapons, or violence. “To do the good,” in his words, “means to stop the killing.”

Show Notes

Similar episodes:

The Architect of the American Civil Rights Movement: James Lawson

The Business of War: Justin Barringer

Martin Sheen: Actor and Activist

Resources mentioned this episode:

German Catholics and Hitler’s Wars by Gordon Zahn

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

The Nonviolent Life by John Dear

The Beatitudes Center

John Dear’s website

Transcript for Abridged Episode

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Become a Member: Virtual Only |

How do you live a good life in a world of 30 wars, 13,000 nuclear weapons, 4 billion people in poverty, racism, gun violence, child hunger, and catastrophic climate change?

This is the question posed by activist and Catholic priest John Dear. For years, John has taken part in peace movements alongside folks like Coretta King, Thich Nhat Hanh, and Desmond Tutu.

In this episode, he has some unbelievable stories that answer his question in a provocative way. To live a good life, he argues, you cannot support war, nuclear weapons, or violence. “To do the good,” in his words, “means to stop the killing.”

Show Notes

Similar episodes:

The Architect of the American Civil Rights Movement: James Lawson

The Business of War: Justin Barringer

Martin Sheen: Actor and Activist

Resources mentioned this episode:

German Catholics and Hitler’s Wars by Gordon Zahn

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

The Nonviolent Life by John Dear

The Beatitudes Center

John Dear’s website

Transcription Link

Subscribe to episodes: Apple | Spotify | Amazon | Stitcher | Google | YouTube

Follow Us: Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | YouTube

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Join our Email List: nosmallendeavor.com

Become a Member: Virtual Only | Standard | …

This is our unabridged interview with Martin Sheen.

In this episode, Lee sits down with the former President of the United States…

At least, that’s how many listeners may know Martin Sheen, an award-winning actor known for his roles in “Apocalypse Now” and “The Departed,” and perhaps most famously for playing President Jed Bartlet in the hit TV series “The West Wing.”

But offscreen, Martin is perhaps best described as an ardent Catholic peace activist who has been arrested over 60 times. In this episode, he tells his whole story, full of humor and grace all the way from his childhood, to his acting career, to activism alongside James Lawson and John Dear, and much more.

Show Notes

Similar episodes:

The Architect of The American Civil Rights Movement: James Lawson

Taking the Beatitudes Seriously: John Dear

Resources mentioned this episode:

The West Wing Cathedral Scene

PDF of Lee’s Interview Notes

Transcript for Abridged Episode

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