Your host, Mark Brand sits down with Benjamin McBride (BJ) and Michelle Monterrosa, advocates behind the 1-800 Happy Birthday project: whose work is transforming how we remember, honour, and heal in the face of tragedy.
From personal heartbreak to sparking national conversations, our guests’ journeys are a testament to the power of community, storytelling, and resilience. In a world that often overlooks the deep human toll of violence, this conversation is a reminder that true change begins with remembering those we’ve lost and lifting each other up. We discuss:
- Why honouring victims’ stories, and remembering names can be a way to healing
- How art, creative memorials, and public installations create opportunities for collective grief and hope
- The importance of grassroots advocacy, community action, and building safe spaces for support and truth-telling
- How vulnerability and compassion can help transform trauma into new visions for justice and reform
- The role of family, community leaders, and cross-generational mentorship in sustaining movements for change
This episode is for anyone who believes that justice is more than headlines, it’s about memory, love, and rewriting the narrative together.
This podcast is proudly supported by East Coast Credit Union.
At East Coast Credit Union, we’re proud to support community voices and meaningful conversations. The thoughts and opinions shared by guests on this podcast are their own and don’t necessarily reflect those of East Coast Credit Union.
Popular Podcasts
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
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by Audiochuck Media Company.