Possible: Steve Kerr and Kris Brown on leadership and purpose in sports
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
This powerful episode brings together two influential voices to explore how sports, storytelling, and advocacy can create lasting change on one of America's most critical issues: gun violence. (01:18) NBA champion coach Steve Kerr, whose father was killed by gun violence when Steve was 18, has partnered with Chris Brown, president of Brady, the nation's oldest gun violence prevention organization, for nine years. (07:15) Together, they've developed a strategic approach that focuses on cultural change, bipartisan advocacy, and practical solutions like safe gun storage. (16:42) The conversation explores how Kerr's leadership philosophy of collaboration and authenticity extends from the basketball court to social advocacy, while also diving into the future of basketball with AI, analytics, and even robotics reshaping the NBA. (47:57)
- Main themes include transforming personal tragedy into advocacy, building bipartisan coalitions for gun violence prevention, and leveraging technology to amplify human potential both in sports and social change
Speakers
Steve Kerr
Head coach of the Golden State Warriors, Steve Kerr has led his team to four NBA championships and a historic 73-9 season. Before coaching, he was part of the legendary Chicago Bulls roster alongside Michael Jordan and later played for the San Antonio Spurs under coach Gregg Popovich. Beyond basketball, Kerr is a powerful advocate against gun violence, a commitment rooted in the tragic loss of his father, who was killed when Steve was 18 years old.
Chris Brown
President of Brady, the nation's oldest gun violence prevention organization, Chris Brown has been at the forefront of gun violence prevention work for more than thirty years. She began her career on Capitol Hill advocating for what became the groundbreaking Brady Bill that established federal background checks for firearm sales. Under her leadership, Brady has developed innovative campaigns like "End Family Fire" focused on safe gun storage and has worked to build bipartisan momentum for common-sense gun safety measures.
Key Takeaways
Personal Experience Drives Authentic Advocacy
Steve Kerr's advocacy against gun violence stems from deeply personal experience - his father was killed when Kerr was 18 years old. (06:25) This personal connection gives his voice authenticity and power that resonates beyond typical celebrity endorsements. Kerr emphasizes the importance of learning about issues before speaking on them, noting how Brady taught him to speak intelligently about gun violence prevention. When leaders connect their personal experiences to broader causes, they create more compelling and credible advocacy that can move public opinion and inspire action.
Focus on Cultural Change Before Policy Change
Chris Brown explains that lasting change on public health issues like gun violence requires winning hearts and minds first, then policy follows. (19:52) She cites successful campaigns against drunk driving and for seatbelt usage, which started with social norm change campaigns like "buckle up" and "designated driver" before policy and enforcement improved. Brady now focuses heavily on cultural campaigns like "End Family Fire" for safe gun storage and working with Hollywood studios to reframe how guns are portrayed on screen. This approach recognizes that sustainable change requires shifting social norms, not just passing laws.
Collaboration and Authenticity Drive Effective Leadership
Kerr's leadership philosophy centers on collaboration and authenticity, learned from coaches Phil Jackson and Gregg Popovich. (03:51) He emphasizes empowering team members to voice opinions regardless of their seniority, creating genuine collaboration that leads to better outcomes. (33:37) Both Jackson and Popovich were completely different personalities - Jackson a "beatnik hippie" and Popovich military-style - but both were authentic to their values. This teaches us that effective leadership isn't about copying others but being genuinely yourself while incorporating ideas from mentors.
Data and Technology Amplify Human Potential
The NBA has transformed from having one analytics person to entire departments, fundamentally changing how teams make decisions. (45:13) Players now wear biometric monitors during practice, allowing performance teams to dictate training schedules based on real-time data about heart rate, breathing, and energy load. (48:21) Cameras with facial recognition track every shot taken in practice, providing detailed feedback on shooting performance and work ethic. This technological integration doesn't replace human judgment but amplifies it, giving coaches evidence-based insights to complement their experience and intuition.
Find Middle Ground to Build Broad Coalitions
Both Kerr and Brown emphasize that gun violence prevention isn't about taking away Second Amendment rights but finding common ground for safety. (16:34) Kerr notes that 90% of Americans want universal background checks, and the vast majority support common-sense gun safety laws regardless of party affiliation. (16:49) The key is reframing the issue from "gun control" to "gun violence prevention" and focusing on practical solutions like safe storage that protect children while respecting gun ownership rights. This approach builds broader coalitions and reduces polarization by appealing to shared values of protecting families.
Statistics & Facts
- Eight children or teens are shot accidentally every day in the United States by guns that are not stored safely. (00:02) Steve Kerr emphasized this statistic to highlight how safe storage could prevent many gun deaths without requiring new laws.
- Seventy-six percent of school shooters get their guns from homes where firearms are not safely stored. (23:03) This statistic demonstrates how proper gun storage could significantly reduce school shooting incidents.
- The Brady Law has stopped the sale of more than 5 million firearms to prohibited purchasers since its enactment. (09:59) Chris Brown shared this to show the measurable impact of background check legislation.
