Send us a Text Message.

On May 29, 1994, the Dix family's life was irrevocably altered when Kenzo, a beloved and vibrant fifteen-year-old, was tragically shot and killed by a friend playing with an unsecured firearm. In this episode, hosts Kelly and JJ delve into this heart-wrenching story with Griffin Dix, Kenzo's father, through excerpts from his poignant book, "Who Killed Kenzo: The Loss of a Son and the Ongoing Battle for Gun Safety." Griffin paints a vivid picture of the emotional turmoil and profound impact Kenzo's death had on both his family and the shooter's family.

Griffin's narrative transcends the pain of loss, highlighting his relentless journey towards advocacy and justice. We explore the family's legal battle against Beretta USA, scrutinizing the firearm's features, and the broader systemic failures that enabled such a tragedy. Griffin also shares how he found solace and strength through the support of activists and the community, and the enduring legacy of Kenzo.

Further reading:
Long Battle Against Guns Began With a Son's Death (the New York Times)
After son's fatal accident, father fights to make weapons safer (the Times Herald)
Dix v. Beretta (Brady)
COVID-19, gun sales and guns in homes (the Hill)
The gun industry's six deadly lies (the Seattle Times)

Support the Show.

For more information on Brady, follow us on social media @Bradybuzz or visit our website at bradyunited.org.

Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.

Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
℗&©2019 Red, Blue, and Brady

Send us a Text Message.

Join us for an insightful discussion uncovering the impactful efforts of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention. RBB hosts Kelly and JJ are joined by Brady President Kris Brown, along with Deputy Directors Greg Jackson and Rob Wilcox. Together, we analyze the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, delve into challenges surrounding victim compensation and legislative gaps, and highlight strides in firearm law reforms. Our dialogue showcases the collective determination against gun violence, emphasizing the importance of individual action.

As we conclude, we recognize grassroots advocates as the driving force behind change, acknowledging the shift towards community well-being. We invite you to be active participants in this journey towards a future without gun violence, fostering hope, healing, and humanity.

Further reading:
Two Men Affected by Gun Violence 'Turn Pain into Purpose' as Leaders in the White House's New Gun Safety Office (People)
White House announces new state-based gun violence initiative (Politico)
Biden Creates Federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention (New York Times)

Watch the full podcast, in video, here!

Support the Show.

For more information on Brady, follow us on social media @Bradybuzz or visit our website at bradyunited.org.

Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.

Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
℗&©2019 Red, Blue, and Brady

Send us a Text Message.

Award-winning journalist and author Ioan Grillo brings us face-to-face with the consequences of US gun policies on our southern neighbor in a discussion about his book "Blood Gun Money: How America Arms Gangs and Cartels." As Grillo unfolds how arms trafficking fuels the fires of gang and cartel violence in Mexico, we come to understand the stark contrast between Mexico's strict gun laws and the ease of obtaining firearms in the US via Grillo's firsthand accounts, including his coverage of the El Chapo trial, and put a human face on the statistics of violence that currently plagues Mexico.

Join us as we discuss our shared responsibility in addressing gun violence that knows no borders, and how easy access to firearms in the US plays a role in not just international violence, but also increases in migration and the US drug market. Together we delve into the ethical quandaries faced by gun sellers, the formidable influence of organizations like the NRA, and what we can all be doing to keep ourselves (and our neighbors) safe.

Further reading:
America’s Complex Relationship With Guns (Pew Research Center)
Much of firearms traffic from the U.S. to Mexico happens illegally (NPR)
How American guns turned Mexico into a war zone (Los Angeles Times)
US-made guns are ripping Central America apart and driving migration north (the Guardian)

Support the Show.

For more information on Brady, follow us on social media @Bradybuzz or visit our website at bradyunited.org.

Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.

Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
℗&©2019 Red, Blue, and Brady

Send us a Text Message.

Amid the heavy burden of today's societal pressures – from the lingering effects of the pandemic to the omnipresent weight of social media – our youth are wading through unprecedented mental health challenges. In today's podcast, we sit with Dr. Kurt Michael (Senior Clinical Director) from The Jed Foundation (JED), diving into the urgent topic of youth firearm suicidality. As a former academic dedicated to establishing mental health clinics in rural schools, and a gun owner himself, Dr. Michael brings a wealth of experience to the table, sharing why gun violence prevention is not just a policy issue, but a personal one. Together, we explore the heightened suicide risks for young people, particularly in communities where firearms are more accessible, and Dr. Michael helps us see the resilience and hope in these young fighters, and how simple measures like responsible gun storage can be a lifeline.

Further reading:
It's Okay to Say Suicide (JED)
How to Cope With Safety Threats in Your Community or the World (JED)
What’s the best way to talk about gun violence with kids? (JED)
Asking Saves Kids (Brady)
Preventing Youth Suicide (NASP)

Support the Show.

For more information on Brady, follow us on social media @Bradybuzz or visit our website at bradyunited.org.

Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.

Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
℗&©2019 Red, Blue, and Brady

Send us a Text Message.

When Jonathan Brocco, a school administrator, got involved in gun violence prevention, it was after a mass shooting rocked his school community — one of his students had lost a brother in the 2018 Waffle House mass shooting. Sadly, soon Jonathan would be directly impacted, when his father Charlie passed from firearm suicide in February of 2019.

In the wake of that combined trauma, however, Jonathan continues to give of himself, sharing his message of the urgent need for sweeping reform. Together with hosts Kelly and JJ, Jonathan explains not only his own loss (and what he wishes everyone knew about firearm suicide) but also the emotional and practical challenges educators and administrators face as they grapple with the repercussions of school shootings. Jonathan then details how the toll of gun violence extends beyond the immediate tragedy; it's a public health crisis that leaves a ripple effect across entire communities — and what you can do to help stop it.

Further reading:
Is Arming Teachers a Solution? (This is Nashville)
How to Support Survivors and People Impacted by Gun Violence (Brady)
"Forget about Making a Hashtag, Let's Throw All the Guns in a Trash Bag" (Natrix Dream/Akilah DaSilva Foundation)
'Oh my God, not again': Mom of Waffle House shooting victim deals with other son shot(Nashville 5)
'Help Us Stop the Attacks': Educators Urge Action on Gun Violence(National Education Association)

Support the Show.

For more information on Brady, follow us on social media @Bradybuzz or visit our website at bradyunited.org.

Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.

Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
℗&©2019 Red, Blue, and Brady

Send us a Text Message.

Uncover the hidden layers of New York City's youth gun culture with the Center for Justice Innovations' Basaime Spate (a Community Based Research Coordinator), Javonte Alexander (a Senior Research Associate), and Elise White (Interim Senior Director of Research and Policy), who, along with Rachel Swaner (Research Director), created the groundbreaking report, "Two Battlefields: Ops, Cops, and NYC Youth Gun Culture." This report takes us into the heart of Crown Heights, Brooklyn, to understand the struggle young people face amid peer opposition and police interactions. Through a fusion of lived experience and participatory research, their research — and therefore our conversation — reveals the fear driving gun carrying amongst young people and the importance of actionable outcomes to combat gun violence.

Together, Basaime, Elise, and Javonte break down for hosts JJ and Kelly how fear and safety form the crux of the narrative that prompts youths to arm themselves, a tale that spans personal protection to unpredictable police encounters — and how we can all be contributing to lowering that fear and firearm carrying.

Further reading:
"Two Battlefields: Ops, Cops, and NYC Youth Gun Culture." (Center for Justice Innovation)
Community Researchers Connect with Young Gun-Carriers for Groundbreaking New Report (Center for Justice Innovation)
Safety fears prompt more Brooklyn youths to carry guns, report finds (NY daily news)
The psychology of guns: risk, fear, and motivated reasoning (Palgrave Commun 5)

Support the Show.

For more information on Brady, follow us on social media @Bradybuzz or visit our website at bradyunited.org.

Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.

Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
℗&©2019 Red, Blue, and Brady

Send us a Text Message.

In his latest book, Armed Citizens: The Road from Ancient Rome to the Second Amendment​, Dr. Noah Shusterman posits how the question isn't the existence of the right to bear arms, but rather, about determining the specific individuals or groups entitled to bear arms. With host JJ, Dr. Shusterman details how, during the American Revolution, Americans needed to, and did, depict their conflict as a battle between civilians and trained soldiers. As such, the framers of the Constitution placed their confidence in citizen soldiers and a "well-regulated militia," a concept that endures in contemporary times (though often erroneously understood). If you've ever wondered "how can I combine the Roman Empire and conversations about gun violence," this is a podcast episode you won't want to miss.

Further reading:
A Well Regulated Right: The Early American Origins of Gun Control (Fordham Law Review)
The Supreme Court Gets a 'Well Regulated Militia' Wrong (Time Magazine)
What Do Guns Mean to Far-Right Extremists? (the Trace)
Citizen Militias in the U.S. Are Moving toward More Violent Extremism (Scientific American)

Support the Show.

For more information on Brady, follow us on social media @Bradybuzz or visit our website at bradyunited.org.

Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.

Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
℗&©2019 Red, Blue, and Brady

Send us a Text Message.

What if we told you that the key to preventing gun violence in youth lies not just in legislation, but also in acknowledging and addressing the root causes of trauma? Kelly and JJ sit down with Dr. Sonali Rajan , President of the Research Society for the Prevention of Firearm-Related Harms (and also, as you'll learn, about a million other things!). Our conversation orbits around the interconnection between a child's environment, school health, and gun violence, with Dr. Rajan casting light on the findings from the CDC's Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System and the associated risk factors of gun carriage. Dr. Rajan unpacks how Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) have a profound impact on a child's development, and how we — even if you're childfree, and don't work with children — can be helping kids still reach positive outcomes.

Further reading:
Youth exposure to violence involving a gun: evidence for adverse childhood experience classification (Journal of Behavior Medicine)
Fast Facts: Preventing Adverse Childhood Experiences (CDC)
Shots that Echo for a Lifetime (Teacher's College Columbia University)
Surviving a school shooting: Impacts on the mental health, education, and earnings of American youth (SIEPR)

Support the Show.

For more information on Brady, follow us on social media @Bradybuzz or visit our website at bradyunited.org.

Full transcripts and bibliographies of this episode are available at bradyunited.org/podcast.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255.
In a crisis? Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7.

Music provided by: David “Drumcrazie” Curby
Special thanks to Hogan Lovells for their long-standing legal support
℗&©2019 Red, Blue, and Brady