How do we talk with children about very real, very scary topics like violence and war? Jessica and Jeremy Courtney talk about raising children in the midst of hard questions; clinical therapist Alyson Schafer talks about how essential it is to broach conversations around violence with openness and curiosity; and Preemptive Love staff Wendy Russ, walks us through what it was like to run for public office (and love her community well) as a parent in a small town.

Talking with Kids about War, Violence, & Politics

Our world runs on fear. The loudest voices tell you to be afraid of anyone who’s different. But there’s another way. And it starts with each of us. Love Anyway is a podcast pushing beyond the simple narrative of “us vs them.” Join us as we explore how ordinary people from the Middle East to Mexico, from Venezuela to the US are making the extraordinary choice to love in the face of fear. Love Anyway is produced by Preemptive Love.

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News Commentary

How is the attack on the US Capitol connected to September 11, 2001 and the wars that followed? The answer may help explain why nearly 1 in 5 of those arrested for their part in the January 6 riot are military veterans—and more importantly, may tell us what we need to know to disrupt the cycle of violence.

From 9/11 to January 6

The assault on the US Capitol left dozens injured, five dead, and a nation reeling. There have been many calls for healing, but how? How do we meaningfully address what happened? In this podcast, Preemptive Love founder Jeremy Courtney talks responding about the attack, engaging the phenomenon of Trumpism, and how we can provide offramps—with reconciliation and accountability—for those who want to find a way home.

After the Capitol Attack: A Way Forward

Many worry about the risk of violence after the US election. But most Americans have no idea what it’s like to live through political unrest or what to about it. We asked members of our team who've lived through political violence and war what Americans should know.

US Election: Voices From the Other Side of War

Showing up on the frontlines where you live is a phrase we use often at Preemptive Love. And in this special episode, we ask: What does it look like to put our bodies on the line in the US today? In the midst of a wave of protests sweeping all 50 states, and on at least four continents, declaring the truth that Black Lives Matter, we have a chance to make our presence matter. Faitth Brooks, director of programs at Be The Bridge, and Nick Mahlstadt, a father of seven from small-town Iowa, join us for compelling conversations on what it means to show up in anti-racism work.

SPECIAL: Put Your Bodies On The Line

In this season finale, Erin Wilson, podcast host and senior field editor, sits down with Jessica Courtney, Preemptive Love's vice president of international programs, for an honest look at what they've learned about themselves as they've cared for others.

Talking with Kids about War, Violence, & Politics

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