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Bullying Suicide

“A Safe Place” Podcast Interview of Kirk Smalley, president of Stand for the Silent

Stand for the Silent - August 07, 2022

Recently podcast host Luis Aponte interviewed Kirk Smalley, president of Stand for the Silent, on his show “A Safe Place.” Luis is an author, filmmaker,  U.S. Air Force veteran and the founder of Dragon Film Productions. Luis’ school shooting-related article is currently in press with the peer-reviewed EDUCATION journal.

When I began this podcast, I never imagined that I would meet real live superheroes. Kirk Smalley is the President of StandForTheSilent.org. This nonprofit organization was started in 2010 by a group of high school students in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma after they heard the story of Kirk’s son, Ty who committed suicide after standing up to bullies in his school. Stand for the Silent has chapters in 40 states and 18 different countries. Kirk’s organization has spoken with 4,911 schools and over 3.5 million children in order to help prevent bullying. The positive impact that Kirk has made in this world will last for generations and it was an honor to speak with him, even for just 30 minutes. I hope you are as touched and inspired by his story as I am.

I am forever humbled by the strength of those who muster the courage and strength to make a positive change in this world when they have suffered so much pain and grief. I only hope if I ever experienced such pain that I would have the strength to do the same. Kirk Smalley and Lori Alhadeff (from my 2nd podcast) are true superheroes.

To check out Kirk’s interview on the “A Safe Place” website, click here.

Founded in 2010, Stand For The Silent's program addresses the issue of school bullying with an engaging, factual, and emotional methodology. Through this unique approach, lives are changed for the better.