The InCredible Messenger Podcast

The national conversation around gun violence is trapped in a broken political binary. In this episode, Fairriona Magee , the public health reporter at The Trace , joins me to unpack the operational reality that traditional media channels avoid. We dive into why mass shootings structurally dominate the headlines while community violence and firearm suicides are systematically pushed into the shado...

Most cities think they're implementing Group Violence Intervention. Sasha Cotton has seen enough of those implementations to tell you most of them are wrong. Sasha is the Executive Director at the National Network for Safer Communities at John Jay College — the organization that trained the teams behind Philadelphia's 62% homicide reduction and Pine Bluff, Arkansas going over 500 days with...

Are you scared of saying the wrong thing to a loved one after they have suffered a death in the family? That was one of many things Oresa Napper-Williams and I discussed during our latest conversation on The InCredible Messenger. We often lean on clichés like "I know how you feel," but unless you’ve walked that specific path, you don’t. We’ve lost the "ministry of presence"—the...

"Today’s victim is tomorrow’s perpetrator." In this raw breakdown of the Group Violence Intervention (GVI) model, Sasha reveals the three direct messages that can pull someone back from the brink of a shooting or a prison sentence. What’s Inside: The Law Enforcement Ultimatum: How direct communication from police serves as a final warning before "natural consequences" kick in....

Newark's Violence Prevention strategy has driven homicides to their lowest levels in 60 years, and Deputy Mayor Lakeesha Eure is the architect behind the 70% drop. In this episode, we break down the radical "$11 Million Shift" where Newark reallocated 5% of its police budget to trauma recovery, credible messengers, and a unique "Sunday Brunch" mediation strategy with gang l...

The Incredible Messenger Podcast | Guest: Jaime "Jalil" Meekins From Pain to Policy: A Blueprint for Community-Driven Public Safety This episode provides a masterclass in transforming Community Violence Intervention (CVI) into a city-wide ecosystem. Host Jonathan McMillan and Jaime "Jalil" Meekins leverage lived experience to drive policy and co-produce safety with law enforcem...

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode: The Black and Brown Collective for Community Solutions to Gun Violence: thebbcollective.org The HAVI (Health Alliance for Violence Intervention): thehavi.org REDI Chicago: crimelab.uchicago.edu/projects/readi Cure Violence Global: cvg.org Safe Streets Baltimore: monse.baltimorecity.gov/safe-streets Connect with Dr. Shani Buggs: LinkedIn Profile | Em...

If you’re leading violence prevention work, community intervention, or serving Black men and boys — this conversation with Shawn Dove is a leadership masterclass built from lived experience . Shawn Dove isn’t just a thought leader. He’s someone who has walked through recovery, grief, identity, failure, and success with purpose intact . He’s the founder of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement an...

How to Replace a Gang’s Ecosystem with Hope – Featuring Robert David What happens when you try to pull someone out of gang life without giving them something equally valuable to hold onto? It doesn’t work. In this episode, Jonathan McMillan sits down with Robert David, a community violence prevention expert and consultant, to unpack how gangs function as ecosystems – providing structure, identity,...

About the Guest(s): Preston Adams is the founder and director of a youth-serving organization dedicated to gun violence prevention, youth violence prevention, and suicide prevention. With extensive experience in working with at-risk young people, Preston has been at the forefront of innovative community safety strategies. His work is characterized by a deep understanding of trauma-informed care an...

EPISODE TITLE: Why Credibility Is Your Best Tool in Violence Intervention: A Conversation with Marcus McAllister DESCRIPTION: If you’re serious about understanding Community Violence Intervention (CVI), this episode is a must-listen. Marcus McAllister doesn’t just teach CVI—he’s lived it. After nearly a decade of incarceration, Marcus transformed his life and is now a nationally recognized trainer...

What Cities Get Wrong About Violence — and How to Fix It with Dr. Monique Williams, Executive Director at Cure Violence Global In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Monique Williams—one of the sharpest minds in public health and violence prevention—to talk about why so many cities keep getting this work wrong. We get into the root causes of violence: structural, cultural, and direct. We talk about...

We've been on a bit of a break—and for good reason. The work of standing up a new statewide Office of Firearm-Related Harm and Violence Prevention in Colorado has demanded a level of time and focus that made it hard to keep up with editing and publishing episodes. But we’re back , and I’m glad to drop you into this conversation. Last year when before I got swamped with other A LOT of other tasks,...

Dr. Beverly Kingston is a distinguished figure in the field of violence prevention, known for her expertise and commitment to community empowerment. With a background in political theory from Michigan State University, Dr. Kingston's early career began in Houston where she spearheaded community initiatives aimed at reducing youth violence. Her personal experiences and academic pursuits propelled h...

The Struggles of Addressing Youth Crime in Denver Public Schools Joe Aragon discusses the challenges Denver Public Schools is facing due to the increasing issue of youth involvement in serious crimes within the Denver Public School system. There is an alarming number of students facing charges for gun possession and even attempted murder creating a dangerous environment within the schools. Key Tak...

Troy Grimes is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Legacy Foundation for Family and Community Development. He has been involved in direct services and community work for over 20 years, focusing on serving fathers, families, and youth. Troy is a Master Fatherhood Practitioner and has credentials in family development. He is dedicated to empowering and supporting individuals and communities...

About the Guest(s): Riley Cochran is a professional deeply embedded in the realm of mental health, particularly focused on youth well-being and violence intervention. With a background marked by personal challenges and resilience, Riley found his calling in helping young people navigate through the complexities of life. His methods deviate from the conventional 'office-bound' therapist model, favo...

This podcast episode tackles the challenges of working with youth with a high-risk of being involved in or by violence in urban settings, particularly focusing on trauma-aware intervention and systemic changes. The episodes showcase insightful conversations with Preston Adams, co-founder of Fully Liberated Youth (FLY), and discussions on systemic perpetuation of trauma. Tey delve into the transfor...

Strength in Sharing: Tackling Mental Health & Suicidal Ideations Host Jonathan McMillon of the Incredible Messenger Podcast discusses men's mental health and suicide prevention with Eric Jones, a combat veteran and public health expert with his own personal experiences of these challenges. Bridging personal, anecdotal experiences with professional insights, the episode explores several pertine...

Credible Messenger Podcast with Anthony Smith of Cities United In this episode of the Credible Messenger, host Jonathan McMillan converses with Anthony Smith, Director of Cities United, an organization committed to reducing violence in communities across the nation. Anthony shares success stories, highlights of Cities United's comprehensive public safety plan, and dives into the complexities and i...

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:41 The Vision Behind The Credible Messenger 01:20 Guest Introduction: Norman Kerr 02:12 Norman Kerr's Journey into Community Violence Intervention 05:41 The Evolution of Ceasefire 07:41 The Importance of a Comprehensive Approach 08:25 The Role of Humility in Violence Intervention 14:41 The Journey from Ceasefire to Trajectory Changing Solutions 26:40 The Role of W...