Jordan B Peterson recently interviewed Aaron Stark, a public speaker and mental health advocate who once nearly became a school shooter. The interview dives into Aaron’s childhood, exploring his hellhole of violence, abuse, neglect, self-harm, and hatred, and his ultimate redemption out of it.

When Aaron was 16, he stole weed from his parents’ house and traded for a gun. It was from the local street gang which he knew well. It would take three days before they could get a gun to him. Three days. In three days, he would take this gun, shoot up a nearby school – the result of months of meticulous planning – before finally shooting himself.

On the last day before getting the gun, Aaron went to his friend Mike’s house. Aaron was in tears. Without question, Mike brought Aaron into his bedroom and stayed with him for a while. “You’re a good kid in a shit world.” Mike told him repeatedly. The two then shared some food, watched a movie, and stayed up chatting into the late night. He stayed there for five days. This small act of unexpected and unconditional kindness was the antidote to the hatred and violence that was tormenting Aaron. While staying at Mike’s, he never received the gun, and never carried out the plan.

“It wasn’t hanging out with a friend that saved my life.” Aaron said. “When I knocked on his door, I felt that I was a walking ball of nothing waiting to explode. But what [Mike] did was he put the granular bits of being a person back on the shelf of my life.”

Today, Aaron is a TEDx speaker, is married, and a strong advocate for mental health.

Despite his years of trauma and abuse, manifesting itself in a desire to strongly hurt other people, Aaron was saved. Not by money, stable housing, or even medications. Love was the answer.

It is in the depths of darkness where love shines brightest.