This World Autism Month, The Sound Off dedicates a special episode to supporting students with autism and other special needs. Join us for a discussion with inspiring advocate Jeff Snyder and Nick Savarise from the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation.

Special Edition: Campus Security Roundtable

Jan 25th, 2024 35m 50s

In this special edition season finale, get essential insights on door security, the cultivation of a safety-first culture in schools, and practical strategies to enhance security in educational spaces. This roundtable discussion is packed with

Making School Emergency Trauma Response Accessible

Jan 19th, 2024 35m 6s

Dr. Savannah Wagner and Officer Meg Soltz break down emergency trauma response in schools, offering practical insights on accessible trauma care. Discover how their expertise is empowering educators and students with essential skills for life-s

What They Don't Teach Teens with Jonathan Cristall

Jan 11th, 2024 33m 8s

Jonathan Cristall reveals key strategies for teen safety in our digital world. Learn how to guide teens in interactions with law enforcement, manage online footprints, and navigate the subtle complexities of consent. Essential listening for tho

Blueprints of Safety and SROs with Mo Canady

Jan 4th, 2024 34m 30s

Catch our latest episode with Mo Canady, Executive Director of NASRO, as we discuss the pivotal role of School Resource Officers in ensuring safe learning environments. This episode offers insightful perspectives on the functions and misconcept

Co-founders Catch-up: Journeying Through Grief After Tragedy

Dec 14th, 2023 45m 38s

On the Sandy Hook Anniversary, join Safe and Sound Schools for a special episode. Co-founders Michele Gay & Alissa Parker share their grief journeys since the unimaginable loss of their daughters. An intimate look at coping with loss and findin

A Resilient Rebuild: Navigating School Recovery Post-Disaster with Dr. CJ Huff

Dec 7th, 2023 31m 54s

We're going deep into the journey of recovery and resilience following catastrophic events in schools. Our guest, Dr. CJ Huff, the former superintendent who played a pivotal role in the recovery of Joplin schools after the devastating 2011 torn

Securing Futures: Unraveling the Layers of School Safety with Paul Timm

Nov 30th, 2023 29m 18s

Physical safety expert Paul Timm and Michele dive deep into the critical aspects of school violence prevention and the creation of a safe learning environment. This episode offers an in-depth exploration of the physical and cultural facets of s

Empowerment in Crisis: The DeAndrea Duo's Tale of Resilience

Nov 22nd, 2023 34m 3s

Discover powerful narratives of resilience, bravery, and public service with AJ and Madelena DeAndrea. AJ, a seasoned law enforcement officer, and his daughter Madelena, a courageous survivor, share their unique perspectives on facing adversity

Navigating the Path from Trauma to Healing with Missy Dodds

Nov 16th, 2023 28m 47s

Join host Michele Gay as she talks with Missy Dodds, a teacher with two decades of experience, about the journey from trauma to healing in schools. This episode delves into the power of resilience, the importance of community support, and the i

The Prevent2Protect Initiative with Dr. Frank Straub and Dr. Alyse Ley

Nov 9th, 2023 27m 7s

Dive deep into Michigan State University's groundbreaking Prevent2Protect initiative with its leaders, Dr. Frank Straub and Dr. Alyse Ley. Explore the proactive outreach strategies aiming to shield our schools from violence, debunk myths surrou

Recognizing Red Flags: Molly Hudgens on School Violence Prevention

Nov 2nd, 2023 30m 47s

School counselor and author Molly Hudgens pulls back the curtain on school violence prevention. Discover firsthand insights on recognizing at-risk students, debunking dangerous stereotypes, and the power of genuine connections. Every student de

Leading Through Crisis: A Conversation with Frank DeAngelis

Oct 26th, 2023 28m

How do you lead a community through crisis? How crucial are relationships in school safety? Join us on The Sound Off as Michele Gay sits down with Frank DeAngelis, the exceptional leader at the helm during the Columbine tragedy. Unpack the keys

Season Highlights from ‘The Sound Off’

Jan 31st, 2022 21m 4s

On this episode of ‘The Sound Off on School Safety,’ we’re looking back on the incredible season we’ve had! We brought you the leading safety experts and thought leaders to discuss the issues affecting our school communities right now…from th

Does Your School Safety Plan Include Special Needs?

Jan 12th, 2022 31m

Far too often, individuals with special needs and disabilities are left out of the school safety conversation. In this episode, Michele speaks with Nick Savarese, Executive Director of the Doug Flutie Jr. Foundation about how the organization

How Schools Are Streamlining Safety with Tech

Dec 17th, 2021 51m 33s

One of the keys to keep up with the fast and ever-changing landscape of school safety is communication. On today’s episode, Michele speaks with Vik Krishnan, general manager of Intrado Digital Workflows about why community engagement makes all

Sandy Hook: Finding Healing After Heartbreak

Dec 10th, 2021 44m 25s

This week marks 9 years since the Sandy Hook tragedy. In this episode, Michele is joined by Safe and Sound Schools co-founder and fellow Sandy Hook mother, Alissa Parker for an honest conversation about the recent Michigan school shooting, gri

What Schools and Parents Should Know About Drug Abuse Prevention

Dec 10th, 2021 40m 43s

This year, the United States has set a record for drug overdose deaths at 100,000 in a year. While it’s difficult to know how widespread this issue is among teens, doctors and researchers are concerned about the growing trend. In this episode

The Unique Role of School Resource Officers in Public Safety

Nov 26th, 2021 40m 56s

In our special Thanksgiving episode, Michele speaks with Dr. Beth Sanborn, who is a detective, school resource officer, and expert speaker. Dr. Sanborn discusses the role that school resource officers play in protecting students and staff, and

How Schools Can Prepare for Natural Disasters

Nov 20th, 2021 38m 53s

Experiencing extreme or dangerous weather can not only be frightening- the aftermath can have a devastating effect on communities, business, and schools. Michele talks with CJ Huff, national speaker and retired superintendent of Joplin Schoo

What Schools Can Learn About Violence Prevention from the U.S. Secret Service

Nov 12th, 2021 52m 16s

Youth violence is a significant problem affecting our kids today. This school safety issue goes beyond physical harm, and can have a lasting impact on our entire communities. Michele speaks with Dr. Lina Alathari, Chief of U.S. Secret Service

How Connecting With Kids Can Save Lives

Nov 5th, 2021 43m 41s

With a rise in kids who need mental health help, school counselors are busier than ever. Michele speaks with Molly Hudgens, school counselor, author, and Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, who shares the story of how she talked a student

What Is DEI and How Does It Relate to School Safety?

Oct 29th, 2021 46m

The racial justice protests in 2020 caused many schools to reexamine their policies related to DEI- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Michele speaks with Daniel Ogunyemi, DEI Educator and Advocate, to break down what exactly this work means fo

Leadership and Resilience After School Crises

Oct 21st, 2021 51m 11s

After a school crisis, how can communities come together to heal and recover? Michele speaks with retired Columbine High School principal, Frank DeAngelis to share his personal learnings on rebuilding a sense of safety and being a leader after

What is Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) ?

Oct 14th, 2021 55m 57s

In the age of smartphones and remote education, Social-Emotional Learning is top of mind for teachers and parents, but what is SEL really? Dr. Melissa Reeves talks about why building these critical life skills directly impacts our kids’ academ