They Called Him a Monster for Helping the Wrong Family.

They Called Him a Monster for Helping the Wrong Family.

Dispatches from the Divide • Season 1, Episode 2
Sep 28, 2026 • 22m

The fundraiser exploded overnight — and so did the backlash. As Dave Butler's small act of compassion turns into a national story, a nagging doubt creeps in: what if he's making things worse for the people he's trying to help? In Episode 2 of Dispatches from the Divide, Dave finally makes contact with the family at the center of it all, in a pair of raw, emotional phone calls that neither side saw coming. What happens next puts his decision — and its consequences — into a whole new light. —----- Subscribe to Dispatches from the Divide for more true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman.  —----- Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels. Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/ More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/ More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/ Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway CHAPTERS (0:00) A Risky Fundraiser (0:45) Viral Attention Hits (2:18) Backlash and Doubt (3:57) Mistaken Identity Trouble (4:55) Trying to Reach the Family (6:45) Sister Reaches Out (7:43) A Tearful Drive Call (11:32) Talking to the Widow (14:04) Trust and Ongoing Support (14:42) Nearly 400K Raised (16:05) The Pebble and the Avalanche (18:29) Monica's Takeaway (19:47) Next Time and Credits #GrandBlancShooting #PoliticalPolarization #BridgingDivides #MoralCourage #LatterDaySaints #FaithAndForgiveness #Compassion #BraverAngels #DisagreeBetter #BYUradio