What A Day In The Life of A CVI Worker REALLY Looks Like: A SECOND conversation with Preston Adams

This episode right here is for the ones who do the work or are thinking about stepping into it.

Last year, I sat down with my bro Preston Adams—co-founder of Fully Liberated Youth (now the City of Denver's Youth Violence Prevention program manager) to have a real conversation about what a day in the life of a CVI worker actually looks like. I want you to know the truth - not the version in a brochure. The version where you’re checking on a kid at 10PM, getting ghosted in the morning, dodging drama at a local restaurant, and still pulling up to court, school, a sentencing hearing, or a funeral. We talked about everything they don’t put in the job description: The emotional weight of the work. The trauma that comes with close to those we serve. The gas, the ghosting, the grind. And what it really takes to run an organization—not just serve in one. We also get into how to hold your own in rooms full of professionals who have titles, degrees, and power—but don’t always understand the value of lived experience. If you’re already in this field, just starting, or thinking about building something—this conversation might save you some mistakes. It’s not just insight—it’s strategy. Timestamp 0:00 - Exploring Youth Violence Prevention and Building Community Organizations 4:30 - Challenges and Rewards of Supporting At-Risk Youth in Denver 9:19 - Navigating Gang Territories and Celebrating Youth Achievements 11:38 - Advocating for Young People in Professional Settings 18:23 - Addressing Trauma for Effective Substance Misuse Treatment 20:32 - Building Relationships Through Humility and Understanding Professional Jargon 23:46 - Collaborative Efforts to Support and Liberate Young People 27:21 - The Power of Lived Experience in Advocacy 32:45 - Adventures and Challenges of Life on the Road 35:54 - Building a Nonprofit: Challenges and Strategies for Success 41:16 - Understanding Business Dynamics in Nonprofit Organizations 45:04 - Building a Movement: Balancing Compassion and Business Operations 52:06 - Navigating Nonprofit Challenges and Finding Your Passion 57:35 - Embodying Values and Expanding Impact Through Conversations Resources by Preston: Tattoos on the Heart by Father Gregory Boyle: https://amzn.to/3GjN45T

From the Streets to the Solution: Real Talk on CVI with Marcus McAllister

If you're serious about understanding Community Violence Intervention (CVI), this episode with Marcus McAllister is essential. Marcus doesn't just talk CVI; he's lived it. After nearly a decade of incarceration, he transformed his life and is now a highly sought-after expert in violence intervention.

In this candid conversation, Marcus shares deeply personal stories about his journey and highlights empathy as the most critical skill in CVI work. He clarifies often misunderstood concepts, like the difference between violence prevention, intervention, and interruption.

Marcus emphasizes that successful CVI isn't just about immediate solutions but lasting community transformation, starting with professional growth and structured training for outreach teams.

Usually, you'd have to attend a conference or pay for Marcus's insights—but he's offering game-changing wisdom here for free. Don't miss this.

What Most Cities Get Completely Wrong About Violence Prevention - And How to Fix It: A Conversation with Dr. Monique Williams

What do most cities get wrong about violence prevention/intervention?
More than you might realize.
What does it really mean to lead with purpose — not just passion — in the community violence intervention space?
In this week's episode of The InCredible Messenger Podcast, I sat down with Dr. Monique Johnson , Executive Director of Cure Violence Global and she masterfully answered those questions and many more.
We covered a lot:
The difference between direct, structural, and cultural violence — and how they all show up in our work
Why treating violence as a public health issue is more than just a slogan — it’s a proven strategy
The complexity (and necessity) of truly engaging youth who are directly impacted by violence
What leadership should look like in this space — and why it matters who’s in the role
This episode isn’t just for people “in the field.” It’s for anyone who believes that equity, healing, and safety aren’t mutually exclusive — and wants to understand how to move from rhetoric to results.
You'll see it was a conversation that left me feeling seen, challenged, and deeply affirmed.
Listen, share, and let’s keep this conversation going.

Running An Office of Violence Prevention: A Conversation with Will Pinkney

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, I sat down with Will Pinkney, Director of the Office of Violence Prevention in St. Louis, to talk about what’s actually working to keep communities safe. We went deep on how public health approaches can shift the game, why collaboration matters more than ego, and how mental wellness ties into everything we’re trying to do.

With Will’s journey from law enforcement to systems-level policy, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and strategies that center the people most impacted.