In this powerful episode, Inclusion Catalyst sits down with Professor Corinna Lain, legal scholar and author of the forthcoming book Secrets of the Killing State, to examine the realities behind lethal injection in the United States. Lain’s work exposes a system shrouded in secrecy, built on medical misconception, and sustained by public misunderstanding.

Corinna Lain’s research confronts the core question: Why are states so bad at lethal injection?What emerges is a disturbing truth: the method widely perceived as humane is structurally designed to hide pain, avoid accountability, and preserve the political palatability of the death penalty.

Key Themes & Insights

Lethal Injection as Hidden Torture

• The standard three-drug protocol uses a paralytic that freezes the face and body, masking the agony inflicted by potassium chloride.

• Autopsies routinely show multiple puncture wounds, evidence of repeated failed IV attempts by unqualified staff.

• Some executions have lasted hours, including the three-hour execution of Joe Nathan James.

State Secrecy and Systemic Malpractice

• Many executions are carried out by non-medical prison staff, not trained clinicians

• States source drugs from unqualified vendors, including individuals running non-pharmaceutical businesses.

• Protocols are frequently violated:

• Curtains raised too early.

• Media witnesses banned.

• IV insertions hidden from public view.

• Prisoners’ fingers are often taped down to prevent signaling pain.

The Making of the Book

• Lain felt spiritually called to document these abuses and persisted through a year of publisher rejections.

• A fortuitous meeting led to a contract with NYU Press, which will release the book Easter 2025.

• The manuscript is extensively documented, with 1,000+ endnotes drawn from depositions, investigative journalism, and insider accounts.

The 80-Day National Book Tour

• Lain traveled 12,000 miles across 23 states, taking unpaid leave to bring public attention to the issue.

• Reception has been overwhelmingly positive — and notably, no state official has challenged her findings.

Why Lethal Injection Persists

• Lain argues its primary function is aesthetic: to make state killing appear peaceful, preserving public support.

• The book reframes the death penalty debate from “Does the prisoner deserve to die?” to “Does the state deserve the power to kill?”

• Many people on death row undergo profound personal transformation; the state may be, in Lain’s words, “killing its Pauls.”

This episode is produced in partnership with the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center.

Charles Gibson is the Chief Engagement and Belonging Officer at Randolph College. He visits the Inclusion Catalyst to talk about fostering a culture of belongingness and home for Randolph Students. Key Takeaways

• Engagement and belonging work aims to make everyone feel at home on campus, focusing on authentic self-expression and learning from differences
• Private colleges have more latitude in DEI efforts compared to public institutions facing political pressures
• Religious/spiritual life on campus requires careful policy development to balance inclusivity with religious freedom
• Assessment, active listening, and adaptability are crucial for effective DEI and interfaith initiatives.

This episode is produced in partnership with the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center.

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

Nadia Mian is the Senior Program Director at the Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement at Rutgers University. She visits the Inclusion Catalyst to discuss a very innovative faith-based housing initiative. Key Takeaways

• Dr. Mian is leading research on faith-based affordable housing, including a database of congregational housing projects across the U.S.
• California's SB4 legislation allows houses of worship to bypass local zoning laws for affordable housing development, setting a potential model for other states.
• Faith-based organizations are repurposing underutilized assets like parking lots for affordable housing and community services.
• Internal congregational discussions and community engagement are crucial first steps before pursuing development projects.

This episode is produced in partnership with the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center.

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

Theresa Lau, Senior Policy Counsel, Eradicating Poverty at the Southern Poverty Law Center, visits with Mickey again to discuss the proposed federal budget cuts and their potential impacts on social programs and states.

• The budget bill passed by the House contains massive tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, while making deep cuts to social safety net programs like Medicaid and SNAP that help low-income families.
• The SNAP (food stamps) program would see $300 billion in cuts over 10 years, leading to 4.6 million people losing benefits. States would be forced to pay 5-25% of SNAP costs, leading to harder decisions about who to cover.
• Medicaid would see nearly $1 trillion in cuts over 10 years, resulting in 13.7 million people losing health coverage. Work reporting requirements and frequent renewals would also make it harder for eligible people to access Medicaid.
• The bill also makes it harder for federal judges to hold government officials in contempt for ignoring court rulings, reducing accountability.
• There is still time to influence the Senate version of the bill and push for fewer harmful cuts. Theresa recommends calling/emailing Congress, sharing personal stories, and supporting advocacy organizations like SPLC to fight these provisions.

This episode is produced in partnership with the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center.

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

Theresa Lau is Senior Policy Counsel, Eradicating Poverty at the Southern Poverty Law Center. Theresa and Mickey discuss the proposed federal budget cuts and their potential impacts on social programs and states.

Key Takeaways

• Proposed budget includes hundreds of billions in cuts to critical human needs programs like Medicaid and SNAP
• Cuts aim to fund tax breaks for corporations and wealthy individuals
• Changes will disproportionately impact low-income families, people with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups
• Public awareness and engagement is crucial to oppose these cuts and protect essential programs

This episode is produced in partnership with the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center.

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

Dr. Johanna Moya Fábregas visits the SnapCast. Dr. Fábregas is the Executive Director of Con Mi MADRE, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Latina girls and their loved ones through education and emotional support. We talk about Texas State Bill-Seventeen, which is known informally as “the anti-DEI law,” shutting down diversity, equity and inclusion offices like university LGBTQ+ centers. Among the things we discuss:

• SB-17 is changing the nonprofit landscape, it's important to "SB-17 proof" your organization to continue doing the work
• Difficult decisions must be made when you lead a nonprofit and the important thing is looking at the big picture and moving towards the decision that will ensure sustainable growth
• Even during difficult times, the goal is to continue supporting all participants to the best of our ability
• How can an organization that's run for 20 years continue to run for the next two decades?

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

Carla Kopp is a game Designer, Developer, and Publisher. Her company is Weird Giraffe Games. Mickey talks with Carla to scratch the surface of diversity and inclusion in the gaming and game development world. Carla believes the content of games can change the world. We discuss how to make the game development world more accessible to everyone, and what a safe-space means to the development process.

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/

[This episode was originally published as part of the Nonprofit SnapCast.] Christal M. Cherry is a nationally recognized nonprofit board consultant and certified leadership coach. She is the Principal and CEO of The Board Pro. We talk about Board Recruiting with an eye on Diversity and Equity. Changing beliefs, behaviors, and practices related to board service and leadership can be challenging, but with the right coaching and tailored training you can steer your organization toward a sustainable future and an equitable governance mindset.

Inclusion Catalyst invites you to become our next guest host. Learn more here: http://inclusioncatalyst.com/join-us-as-a-guest-host/