In this episode of Restored, Corie Weathers speaks with author and filmmaker Victoria Kelly, and producer/director Beatrice "B" Becette, the creators of the documentary Atomic Echoes: Untold Stories of World War II.
Their journey began when Karin Tanabe and Victoria discovered that their families were connected by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki — one as an American medic sent into the ruins, the other as a Japanese educator helping rebuild after the war. Together with producer Beatrice Becette, they set out to uncover the forgotten voices of the Japanese atomic bomb survivors and the American atomic veterans who lived in the aftermath.
Through shared storytelling, their work explores how reconciliation begins — not through politics, but through listening, empathy, and remembering.
This conversation reminds us that peace isn’t just the absence of war — it’s the hard, human work of facing history, honoring grief, and choosing hope.
💡 In This Episode:
The surprising connection that brought Karin and Victoria together
What it means to reconcile personal and national histories
The unseen legacy of America’s atomic veterans
How Beatrice helped translate pain into purpose through filmmaking
Why remembering is an act of peace
Click HERE for "Atomic Echoes" Trailer
Click HERE for Victoria Kelly and Karin Tanabe’s Bios
Click HERE for a Photo of Karin Tanabe and Victoria Kelly with the Flag worn by a Japanese Soldier, courtesy of Beatrice Becette for Blue Chalk Media
Click HERE for Karin Tanabe's Website
Click HERE for Victoria Kelly's Website
Their documentary Atomic Echoes brings together voices from Japan and the United States to reveal how the human stories of World War II still echo today.
✉️ Share Your Story:
Have a story of conflict, healing, or peace in your own life?
Record a short voice memo and send it to restored@corieweathers.com — your story might inspire others.
