S 2 | Ep 1 | Agree to Agree: Finding Common Ground on Shared Safety

As June marks Gun Violence Awareness Month, we kick off our second season of Beyond the Threshold™ by sitting down with leaders from the Ad Council, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and within our own organization to explore a powerful idea: most people agree on more about safety than the national conversation suggests. Through the lens of the Ad Council’s Agree to Agree campaign, this discussion reframes the dialogue around gun violence, shifting away from polarization and toward shared responsibility, practical action, and the protection of children and communities. Together, Mary Zost, Dr. Benjamin Hoffman, and Jill Lemond unpack what this looks like in real life: from the clinical setting to conversations at home to safety approaches in schools. The conversation doesn’t shy away from the complexity: even when we agree on the goal, taking action can feel difficult. But through a focus on harm reduction, trust, and meeting people where they are, this episode offers a clear and hopeful perspective on how small, everyday actions, grounded in common ground, can lead to meaningful change. Key takeaways: Most people already agree—bridging the gap is about action, not alignment. Harm reduction provides a practical path forward. Progress depends on meeting people where they are.