Gun safety advocate, documentarian, and author Heidi Yewman sits down with host Julie Rose to talk about the most uncomfortable question she ever asked: “Do you have guns in your home, and are they locked up?”

After her former teacher and coach was killed in the Columbine High School massacre, Heidi turned her grief into action. In this episode of Uncomfy, she shares how asking the right question could prevent tragedy, what she learned from interviewing people gun owners and who pulled the trigger, and why empathy—not judgment—is the key to meaningful conversations around guns in America.

Heidi’s documentary, “Behind the Bullet” – https://heidiyewman.com/behind-the-bullet/

Heidi’s upcoming memoir, “Dumb Girl: A Journey from Childhood Abuse to Gun Control Advocacy” (August 19, 2025) – https://heidiyewman.com/dumb-girl/

Heidi’s website – https://heidiyewman.com/

Got a story of your own uncomfortable question? Email us - [email protected]

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Episode transcript - https://uncomfypodcastbyu.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-most-uncomfortable-question-i-ever.html

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:38 Meet Heidi Yewman

01:27 Columbine and Gun Safety Advocacy

02:21 The Asking Saves Kids Campaign

03:38 The First Time Asking About Guns

04:19 Strategies for Asking About Gun Safety

06:50 The Importance of Gun Safety Conversations

08:01 Behind the Bullet

10:47 Empathy and Understanding in the Gun Conversation

14:11 Conclusion and Call to Action