In this deeply moving episode of Judging Meghan, I sit down with Jennifer Levi, a mother who is living every parent’s worst nightmare. Just months ago, Jennifer lost her son Braun, an 18-year-old student-athlete full of life, kindness, and joy, after he was struck and killed by an alleged drunk driver while walking home with friends.
Jennifer shares both the ordinary and extraordinary moments she had with Braun, the ways she reminded him he was loved, the hours spent cheering him on, and the light he carried into every room. She opens up about the shock of that night, the painful phone call no parent should ever receive, and the reality of moving forward when the future you imagined is gone.
In the midst of unimaginable grief, Jennifer and her family made the choice to honor Braun’s spirit rather than be destroyed by the tragedy. That decision became the heart of the Live Like Braun Foundation, a growing movement that encourages people to live with courage, joy, and kindness. Through scholarships, community outreach, and even a simple sunshine logo on a hat, the foundation keeps Braun’s legacy alive and has already begun to make waves on college campuses across the country.
We talk about the devastating reality of drunk driving, the heartbreaking statistics, and Jennifer’s advocacy work with Mothers Against Drunk Driving to push for new technology that could prevent impaired drivers from ever starting their cars. Jennifer also shares the truth about grief, that it has no timeline, that some days are unbearable, and that healing is shaped by community, faith, and small acts of remembrance.
Braun’s story, and Jennifer’s courage in sharing it, remind us to think twice before getting behind the wheel, to make safe choices, and to tell the people in our lives how much they mean to us every single day.
Visit https://livelikebraunfoundation.org/ or follow @LiveLikeBraunFoundation on Instagram to learn more, donate, or get involved. Every step taken helps keep Braun’s light alive.
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