Senseless with Erika Mahoney

Episode: The Other Side
Release Date: June 24, 2025

Podcast Summary

Introduction

In the poignant episode titled "The Other Side," Erika Mahoney delves deep into her personal journey through the harrowing experiences of mass shootings, both as a reporter and as a victim. Senseless with Erika Mahoney serves as a platform for survivors, community leaders, and those directly affected by gun violence to share their stories and seek healing amidst tragedy.

Erika's Early Encounters with Gun Violence

Erika's relationship with gun violence began early in her life. Reflecting on childhood memories, she shares:

"Mass shootings cast a shadow over my life since the same year I started my Think about it radio segment when I was just nine years old." [14:20]

The tragic Columbine High School shooting in 1999, which occurred near Erika's elementary school, left an indelible mark on her and her brother, fostering a lasting awareness of the pervasive threat of gun violence.

Covering the Gilroy Garlic Festival Shooting (2019)

Erika recounts her first live national reporting experience during the 2019 Gilroy Garlic Festival shooting in Northern California. The festival, renowned for its garlic ice cream and family-friendly activities, turned into a nightmare on July 28, 2019, when a gunman opened fire, resulting in ten fatalities, including Erika's father.

"I decided to return to my roots in radio. That's when I started reporting for KAZU, the local NPR station." [25:45]

Despite the emotional turmoil, Erika faced professional pressure to provide a compelling story. A pivotal moment occurred when her preferred soundbite was dismissed in favor of a more generic statement, highlighting the desensitization journalists often face:

"Everyone says that nowadays. As a journalist, I get it." [32:10]

This decision haunted Erika, emphasizing the tension between personal grief and professional obligation.

The Boulder King Soopers Shooting (2021)

In Spring 2021, Erika's worst fears materialized when another mass shooting struck her hometown of Boulder, Colorado, at the King Soopers Grocery Store. This time, Erika was not just a reporter but was personally bereaved, losing her father in the tragedy.

"That's when we decided to leave. And I remember walking down the steps and being filmed again." [46:30]

Erika vividly describes the immediate aftermath—panic, confusion, and the slow realization of her father's death. The emotional weight is palpable as she shares intimate moments of despair and the overwhelming pressure to carry on:

"If dad is gone, we'll figure out how to carry on." [55:50]

Despite being six months pregnant, Erika found herself grappling with profound loss and the challenge of maintaining composure while supporting her family.

Navigating the Aftermath and Seeking Answers

The episode delves into Erika's struggle to process her grief while fulfilling her journalistic duties. Interviews with officials like Boulder Police Chief Maris Herold reveal the frustration and helplessness felt by both the community and the investigators:

"There was no why in this story. That's the question that set me on a journey of understanding, healing, and discovery." [1:10:15]

Erika expresses the anguish of not knowing the motive behind the shootings, highlighting the randomness and senselessness that make prevention elusive.

The Healing Process and Advocating for Change

Amidst the pain, Erika finds solace in sharing her story and advocating for meaningful action. Conversations with her mother, Ellen, and her brother, Drew, underscore the collective effort to heal and honor their father's legacy. One of the most moving moments occurs when Drew retrieves their father's car from the crime scene, a symbolic gesture of confronting and accepting the loss:

"How did this just happen? How do we live with this?" [1:25:40]

Erika and her family decide to honor Kevin Mahoney—a beloved figure in their community—by engaging in acts of service, such as picking up litter during hikes, reflecting their father's values and fostering a sense of purpose amidst tragedy.

Media Engagement and Public Support

Erika's public declarations of her father's death, shared via social media, unexpectedly go viral, bringing both support and additional pressure. Her subsequent interviews on prominent platforms like NPR's Morning Edition and CNN reveal the complexity of speaking out while mourning:

"As tough as speaking out was, there was a tangible, positive outcome, and that's why I did it in the first place." [1:40:05]

These engagements not only amplify her grief but also connect her with a broader community seeking understanding and change.

Conclusion: Moving Forward from the Other Side

"The Other Side" culminates in Erika's realization that while the why may remain unanswered, sharing the stories of those affected by gun violence provides a pathway to healing and change. She emphasizes the importance of community, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of answers to make sense of senseless acts.

"We just don't know how to prevent it from happening again. It's so random. How do we live with this?" [1:50:30]

Erika Mahoney's Senseless stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit in the face of tragedy, advocating for a future where stories like hers inspire action and foster a more compassionate and secure society.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Mass shootings cast a shadow over my life since the same year I started my Think about it radio segment when I was just nine years old." — Erika Mahoney [14:20]

• "Everyone says that nowadays. As a journalist, I get it." — Erika Mahoney [32:10]

• "If dad is gone, we'll figure out how to carry on." — Erika Mahoney [55:50]

• "There was no why in this story. That's the question that set me on a journey of understanding, healing, and discovery." — Erika Mahoney [1:10:15]

• "As tough as speaking out was, there was a tangible, positive outcome, and that's why I did it in the first place." — Erika Mahoney [1:40:05]

• "We just don't know how to prevent it from happening again. It's so random. How do we live with this?" — Erika Mahoney [1:50:30]

Key Themes and Insights

• The Randomness of Violence: Erika underscores the unpredictable nature of mass shootings, emphasizing the difficulty in preventing such tragedies without understanding the underlying motives.

• Personal vs. Professional Trauma: Balancing her role as a reporter with her personal grief, Erika illustrates the emotional toll of covering stories that hit close to home.

• Community and Support: The unwavering support from family, friends, and community members highlights the essential role of collective healing in the aftermath of violence.

• Advocacy and Change: By sharing her story, Erika advocates for meaningful dialogue and action against gun violence, transforming personal tragedy into a catalyst for societal change.

• Resilience and Coping: Erika's journey reflects the resilience required to navigate profound loss, emphasizing the importance of mental health support and finding purpose amidst pain.

Conclusion

"The Other Side" is a deeply moving episode that intertwines personal loss with journalistic integrity, offering listeners an intimate look into Erika Mahoney's quest to understand and heal from the ravages of gun violence. Through her narrative, Erika not only honors her father's memory but also advocates for a world where such senseless acts are comprehended and prevented.