‘All the Empty Rooms’: A Conversation with Oscar-Winner Steve Hartman

In this deeply moving episode of "Deseret Voices," veteran CBS News correspondent and now Oscar winner Steve Hartman joins Jane Clayson Johnson to discuss his landmark documentary, “All the Empty Rooms.” For seven years, Hartman and photographer Lou Bopp chronicled the untouched bedrooms of children lost to school shootings — spaces Hartman describes as "sacred." Hartman reveals why he kept the project a secret for years, the profound impact of sitting with grieving parents, and his hope that by standing in these rooms, America can find a way to replace numbness with empathy.

“All the Empty Rooms” is now streaming on Netflix.

“Deseret Voices” is hosted by award-winning journalists McKay Coppins and Jane Clayson Johnson, who go beyond the headlines to explore the stories, people, and ideas shaping our world today. Through thoughtful, in-depth conversations, the “Deseret Voices” podcast brings clarity and common ground to the complex issues defining our time. 

“Deseret Voices” is a Deseret News podcast, produced by Keira Farrimond, Creative Director - Video & Podcasts.

Episodes of “Deseret Voices” drop every Thursday wherever you get your podcasts. Follow along and join the conversation on YouTube (@deseretnews), Instagram (@deseretnews), Facebook (@deseretnews) and X (@deseret).