In this powerful episode of Let’s Get Naked, host Anne Karber sits down with licensed professional counselor and author Jill McMahon to confront the root causes of America’s gun violence crisis—disconnection, isolation, and the suppression of emotions, particularly among boys and young men. Together they unpack why political debates distract from survivors’ voices, how social media and cultural pressures are fueling anxiety, and why vulnerability and human connection are essential to healing. Jill shares insights from her book Bulletproof: Healing After Gun Violence and Trauma, highlighting the need for accountability, open conversations, and emotional modeling at home to create lasting change. This episode is a call to replace blame with compassion, confront the realities of trauma, and begin rebuilding the human bonds that can break the cycle of violence.

Jill is licensed professional counselor, focusing her work on trauma and grief. She has spent 20 years of her career specializing in suicide loss and bereavement. Jill has supported friends and family members in the first hours, and into the years that follow, after the loss of a loved one to suicide.

 Jill can be found educating and training throughout her community, nation-wide, as well as being honored to speak internationally. She has been featured on several podcasts, news segments, 

co-authored a series of books, as well as being consulted for several other publications.

 Most recently Jill is a best-selling author, releasing her book Bulletproof: Healing After Gun Violence and Trauma, a Guide for Survivors, Caregivers and Clinicians, in fall of 2024. Her wish is that this book will become a vital tool of hope for Survivors. Additionally, its Jills desire that it will be used as a road map for counseling students everywhere, facilitating the best client care for gun violence survivors.

https://jillmcmahoncounseling.com

https://www.instagram.com/grievewithjill/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jill-mcmahon-4365286/

This podcast dives deep into real, raw topics—think vulnerability, triggers, and childhood trauma. But just so we're super clear: I’m not a licensed therapist, mental health professional, or anything close. I’m just a human sharing stories, lessons, and life hacks based on personal experience and a whole lot of curiosity.

So, while you might find some golden nuggets here, this is not therapy and should never replace professional mental health care. If you or someone you love is going through it, please—seriously—reach out to a licensed therapist or healthcare provider. You deserve the real deal.

Need Help Now?
Here are a few amazing resources:

· 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (U.S.): Call or text 988
· NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) or nami.org/help
· Therapy Directory: psychologytoday.com
· Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

The opinions expressed on this show are ours and ours alone—no official organizations are responsible for what we say (or how much we overshare).