Excellent journalism that really digs into the issue of an averted school shooting, gun violence and the line between personal liberty and collective security. Episode 4, about the Reupublican governor who changed his opinion on gun laws, and then is branded a “traitor,” is illuminating and worth listening to on its own.

Started listening in my English class, but only got to episode 4. I just really had to finish it because it was really interesting! Love it

Being from VT, I found this very interesting. The balance between safety and rights is a fine line.

This excellent report gives listeners plenty to think about, discuss, and act on. As a former writing teacher, I often read troubling essays that gave me the opportunity to try to help students find help for family, school, or societal issues. Luckily, none of my students became Jack Sawyers, but some were well on the way to hurting themselves or others. After Columbine, essays often expressed fears for personal and/or school safety. These were easy to understand. More difficult were the few that hinted at admiration for school shooters’ use of violence to get back at others. “Jolted” covered both of these emotions and showed what can legally be done to help both the troubled would-be shooter and the community and school. Well done.

This podcast is very well done, professional and well researched. I’d love to hear some more true crime podcasts from VPR!

This is a very interesting podcast. I thought it was all about Jack Sawyer, a young man in Vermont who was arrested because he wanted to shoot up his high school. But it is really about how this case changed the mind of a Republican Governor about gun control, and what he accomplished for that state. Fascinating.

This podcast is quite good. Well made and pleasing to listen to. Unfortunately it fell into the same hole that all other reporting on school shootings from main stream sources has, it did not truly and honestly delve into motive. Frustratingly, the hosts quite often spoke about the need to understand “why” these events happen, but never actually follow through and discuss the almost-shooter’s stated motives. Only one throw away line about the text sent to the girl who reported him about “natural selection.” There is still room for someone out there to create a deep, insightful work focusing on the motives of school shooters. People want to know WHY these kids feel the desire to shoot up schools. What is the justification, the motivation? Why schools and not a Walmart? What is the difference between a school shooter and someone who just commits suicide? This podcast does not investigate these questions. Like so many other NPR productions, it only goes skin deep. No hard questions were asked or considered (what role does the family play?). Instead, it seemed the hosts were more interested in talking about gun control, which is to be expected from an NPR production honestly. This podcast was a missed opportunity for Vermont NPR to make something truly special. But it’s alright, a decent tool to combat tinnitus while driving on shift.

Okay okay, I'm only 1 episode in, but so far it's excellent reporting. Quite a riveting tale.

Fans of true crime will like this podcast no matter where you live.

Simply well done. Engaging and thoughtful look at an issue so often clouded by politics and rhetoric.

riveting, thorough, beautifully constructed. thank you VPR! this is a must listen.

I appreciated the multiple views and perspectives covered in this pod cast. Well done! The only pod cast I’ve recommended to others!

Glad I found this podcast. I listened to all 5 episodes at once, I couldn’t stop listening. I’ve never heard anything like what happened in Vermont, and really brings up many thought provoking arguments. I hope updates are provided as more information on the status of perpetrator becomes available. Unfortunately, I feel as uneasy as the people affected by him.

I grew up in this area, my best friend went to this high school. This reporting is accurate of the area while being sensitive to the subject. Interested to see what happens in a year!

I was worried this podcast would be partisan, political, and/ or traumatizing. I am pleased to report it was none of the above. It was a well researched piece of journalism that tackled many important issues we are faced with today without making any of them one sided or over simplified. Good job!

Jolted shares how this shooting-that-didn’t-happen unfolded and is an important piece in creating conversations around this topic. Sensitive and well done.

This podcast was a phenomenal piece of work!

Great job to VPR’s Emily Corwin, Liam Elder-Conners and Nina Keck telling a balanced story of the unlawful arrest of Jack Sawyer. Many issues addressed here; teen isolation, depression, mass hysteria/reactionary legislation, and defendants rights.

What an incredible job the VPR team did with this series. I really appreciated the level of professionalism and investigative research required to create this piece. It has a level of detail and thoughtfulness you don't get from headline news, even the choice in music was poignant. It makes you think, without telling you what to think, how to react, or apply judgements. Worth a listen.

A great series that raises all sorts of questions about guns, mental health, policing, politics, and how to keep kids safe.

part 3 won’t play dl

Every citizen and politician should be having a conversation about the events of this podcast. Based on episodes 1-3 this has been an unbiased look at the case of A school shooting that was averted in Vermont and the aftermath.

Thoughtful, incisive, brings out the often overlooked complexity and tensions within the state of Vermont.