Kansas brothers launch speedy trial for app that eases reentry for the wrongfully incarcerated 

Podcast host-turned-innovator Dylan Carnahan is a man built for talking, he said, but there’s a time when words aren’t enough — when action is needed in the face of injustice. For Carnahan and his brother, that moment is now.

“While media spreads awareness, software facilitates action,” said Carnahan, teasing the tech he’s developing alongside Alex Provenzano, an experienced software engineer, and a group of impact stakeholders.

Their new app — set to be fully unveiled Tuesday, Feb. 11 at the Detroit Branch of the NAACP — is designed to support exonerees as they rebuild their lives after wrongful incarceration. The project stems from a friendship that began during an episode of Carnahan’s “Simple Questions Podcast” and has since evolved into a national initiative.

Dr. Marvin Cotton Jr.; photo courtesy of ProPublica

In June, Carnahan interviewed Dr. Marvin Cotton Jr., an exoneree who spent 19 years, 7 months, and 12 days in prison for first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony — crimes he was later found not to have committed.

Cotton is now a Detroit-based public speaker and advocate for others who were wrongfully incarcerated.

“When Marvin shared his story on my podcast (released in December), it was clear that exonerees face systemic obstacles most people never consider — like being denied Social Security because they couldn’t work while wrongfully imprisoned or being targeted because their settlements are public, like lottery winners,” Carnahan explained.

Click here to listen to the “Simple Questions Podcast” featuring Dr. Marvin Cotton Jr.

Their initial conversation blossomed into a friendship, he said. 

“People are people,” said Carnahan. “That’s one of the biggest lessons from my podcast — whether you’re a millionaire investor, a World Series pitcher, or pioneering new technology, you’re still just a person. Marvin stood out because he’s kind, curious, and trustworthy — traits that are far rarer than they should be.”

“Knowing him personally changed things. It wasn’t just a stranger’s story anymore — it was my friend’s reality,” he continued. “And that made it enraging. I knew I had to do something. This app isn’t just a project — it’s an extension of my commitment to him and to every exoneree like him.”

Through Dr. Cotton, the brothers were introduced to the Organization of Exonerees, a group affiliated with the Innocence Project.

In their first meeting with the group, they realized they were speaking with individuals — Cotton, Kenneth Nixon, Eric Anderson, Anthony Legion (“Ace Law”), and Darrell Siggers — who collectively had endured more than 97 years of wrongful incarceration.

The goal of the tech developed as a result of the subsequent conversation: offer tools to streamline reentry and provide critical wrap-around support services, including:

• Streamlined service requests for exonerees to request services from local organizations — such as housing, transportation, and emotional support — and monitor the fulfillment of those requests in real-time.
• Educational Information to help exonerees navigate modern technology, financial systems, and other life skills.
• AI-powered assistance to answer questions and provide customized guidance for reintegration.

Dylan Carnahan, “Simple Questions Podcast”; courtesy photo

“From the moment I texted Marvin with the idea for a reentry app, we’ve done everything possible to move it forward,” Carnahan said. “Exonerees nationwide aren’t just in need — they deserve real solutions.”

Ideation in November rapidly turned to product development within a month, he added.

“And thanks to real-time collaboration with exonerees, we’ve moved quickly — working through Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, and New Year’s Day,” Carnahan said. “Our goal is to get this in their hands as soon as possible while doing it the right way.”

The brothers are still workshopping and finalizing a name for the app, he added, noting they wanted exonerees to be part of the process — ensuring it truly resonates with them.

“The stories and needs of exonerees inspired every element of this project,” he emphasized. “This app was built for them and with their voices guiding us.”

The Feb. 11 event in Detroit is expected to bring together exonerees, including Cotton, alongside lawyers, family members, local officials, and media.

The app, which plans to be released nationwide later this year, will also be formally announced at the Innocence Project’s annual convention in April 2025, Carnahan said. 

“This initiative highlights a powerful collaboration between technology and lived experience, ensuring exonerees have access to tools that address their challenges while supporting their goals,” he added.

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