Welcome to a special episode of Pillars Of Grief. Today, host Jock Brocas addresses the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025—a shocking event that has rippled far beyond politics into the very heart of our communities. In the midst of misinformation, vitriol, and political polarization, this episode turns the conversation toward grief: how it affects not just the family—leaving his wife, Erika, and two young children to navigate unimaginable loss—but also the wider circles of students, colleagues, and communities who feel shaken, divided, and unsafe.
Jock calls for reflection and unity in the face of tragedy, urging listeners to look past political labels, to challenge hatred and online toxicity, and to focus on understanding and support. As the nation grapples with trauma and discord, this episode explores how grief, if approached collectively and compassionately, could become a powerful teacher—helping us bridge divides, heal together, and find hope amidst profound loss.
Whether you agreed with Charlie Kirk’s views or not, this is a call to choose dialogue, empathy, and love over division. Join us as we explore the emotional and social impacts of public tragedy, and how we can come together—rather than let grief become our greatest nemesis.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Male Room with Dr. Jesse Mills
As Director of The Men’s Clinic at UCLA, Dr. Jesse Mills has spent his career helping men understand their bodies, their hormones, and their health. Now he’s bringing that expertise to The Male Room — a podcast where data-driven medicine meets common sense. Each episode separates fact from hype, science from snake oil, and gives men the tools to live longer, stronger, and happier lives. With candor, humor, and real-world experience from the exam room and the operating room, Dr. Mills breaks down the latest health headlines, dissects trends, and explains what actually works — and what doesn’t. Smart, straightforward, and entertaining, The Male Room is the show that helps men take charge of their health without the jargon.