in 2022, i interviewed alicia nicols, lsw, deputy director of the national resource center on domestic violence and firearms, for an episode of my podcast, “last call with brennen johnson”. the focus on the season was going to be on guns in america. due to a number of personal and logistical reasons, the season was never completed or released… but this conversations we did record never stopped echoing in the back of my mind.

today, i’m finally sharing the first episode, with the second one coming soon.

in this episode, we talk about guns, not in the abstract or the political, but as they exist in the most intimate and dangerous places: our homes, our relationships, our silence. alicia shares critical insight into how domestic violence and gun access are inextricably linked in america, how mass shootings often start with intimate partner violence, and why the way we talk about these issues is part of the problem.

we cover:

• the laws not being enforced that allow abusers to keep firearms

• how domestic violence is a leading indicator of mass violence

• the stigma survivors face when seeking safety

• what it would really look like to prevent this kind of harm

this is not a comfortable listen, but it’s a necessary one. because behind every statistic is someone who didn’t survive. and every silence makes it easier for this cycle to continue.

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⚠️ content warning (CW):

this episode contains discussion of gender-based violence, coercive control, gun violence, partner abuse, sexual violence, and mass harm events. take care of yourself while listening—skip or pause if you need to.

🕰️ note: this conversation was recorded nearly three years ago. while some statistics or policies may have evolved, the core of this conversation remains painfully relevant.

huge thanks to alicia nicols for the interview, and to henry martin for filming, directing, editing, and desiging the graphic.

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💬 if this episode made you think, please like, share, and comment. your engagement helps more people find this info, and maybe helps someone feel less alone.

📌 the second episode is coming next week