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.