Has gun violence impacted you or someone you love? Share Your Story. Your story might be shared in an upcoming episode.
In the Cleveland area, and in cities across the country, teens and young adults are dying in our streets – victims of gun violence. There's no question: it’s an epidemic. It's the leading cause of death for teenagers. Young Black men often feel like they a target on their backs. Kids in schools face metal detectors, police presence in the hallways, and shootings at football games. Jr. High students are carrying ghost guns.
Every bullet fired creates two victims: the child in front of the gun, and the one pulling the trigger.
This season, we're asking what can be done to reverse cycles of violence and retaliation when shooters value their reputation over their own lives. We know where this violence occurs, we know what drives it. How can we start Living For We and decrease the violence?
We'll talk with people who are navigating streets where gun violence is normalized – seen as no big deal, while at the same time ruining lives. We'll listen to those fighting for their children and their communities, putting in work to uplift their neighborhoods and create meaningful change. This is more than a podcast, it's a resource for communities tired of chaos and ready to build peace.
Living for We: Keep Ya Head Up is presented by Ideastream Public Media, and a co-production of Evergreen Podcasts.
All content for Living For We is the property of Ideastream Public Media and is served directly from their servers
with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.
Has gun violence impacted you or someone you love? Share Your Story. Your story might be shared in an upcoming episode.
In the Cleveland area, and in cities across the country, teens and young adults are dying in our streets – victims of gun violence. There's no question: it’s an epidemic. It's the leading cause of death for teenagers. Young Black men often feel like they a target on their backs. Kids in schools face metal detectors, police presence in the hallways, and shootings at football games. Jr. High students are carrying ghost guns.
Every bullet fired creates two victims: the child in front of the gun, and the one pulling the trigger.
This season, we're asking what can be done to reverse cycles of violence and retaliation when shooters value their reputation over their own lives. We know where this violence occurs, we know what drives it. How can we start Living For We and decrease the violence?
We'll talk with people who are navigating streets where gun violence is normalized – seen as no big deal, while at the same time ruining lives. We'll listen to those fighting for their children and their communities, putting in work to uplift their neighborhoods and create meaningful change. This is more than a podcast, it's a resource for communities tired of chaos and ready to build peace.
Living for We: Keep Ya Head Up is presented by Ideastream Public Media, and a co-production of Evergreen Podcasts.
In this powerful final episode of this season of Living For We: Keep Ya Head Up , co-hosts Marlene Harris-Taylor and Myesha Watkins turn their focus to Akron, Ohio — a Northeast Ohio city grappling with the harsh realities of gun and police violence. They sit down with community advocate Courtney Brown, founder of Winners and Leaders, and Taylin Ray, a high school freshman who was personally impacted by the violence. Taylin reflects on the loss of his good friend, 15‑year‑old Jazmir Tucker, who was shot and killed on Thanksgiving Day by police. There was an outcry of concern over the controversial incident, but the case is still being reviewed by local officials. Together, they also discuss how Courtney’s after-school program, including a transformative component called Man in the Mirror, is helping young Black boys see brighter paths forward.
Later, the conversation expands to include Minister Stephen Muhammad and Marcel McDaniel of Akron's Street Teams initiative, which uses Credible Messengers — individuals with lived experience — to mentor youth and interrupt cycles of violence.
This episode wraps up a season of emotional, raw, and affirming conversations with Black men and women across Northeast Ohio. Marlene and Myesha reflect on the themes of trauma, resilience, grace, and community power — and share how local heroes are stepping up, even when no one else is coming to save us.
View our full list of resources here.
Have you or someone you know been impacted by gun violence? Or do you have any thoughts about what was shared in today’s episode? Share your story for a chance to be featured on the show!
Living For We
Has gun violence impacted you or someone you love? Share Your Story. Your story might be shared in an upcoming episode.
In the Cleveland area, and in cities across the country, teens and young adults are dying in our streets – victims of gun violence. There's no question: it’s an epidemic. It's the leading cause of death for teenagers. Young Black men often feel like they a target on their backs. Kids in schools face metal detectors, police presence in the hallways, and shootings at football games. Jr. High students are carrying ghost guns.
Every bullet fired creates two victims: the child in front of the gun, and the one pulling the trigger.
This season, we're asking what can be done to reverse cycles of violence and retaliation when shooters value their reputation over their own lives. We know where this violence occurs, we know what drives it. How can we start Living For We and decrease the violence?
We'll talk with people who are navigating streets where gun violence is normalized – seen as no big deal, while at the same time ruining lives. We'll listen to those fighting for their children and their communities, putting in work to uplift their neighborhoods and create meaningful change. This is more than a podcast, it's a resource for communities tired of chaos and ready to build peace.
Living for We: Keep Ya Head Up is presented by Ideastream Public Media, and a co-production of Evergreen Podcasts.
