Friends In Deed Podcast

Hosted by Friends In Deed

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Friends In Deed (FID) is an interfaith organization that provides supportive services to our homeless and at risk neighbors to help them rebuild their lives. Each episode, FID CEO, Rabbi Joshua Levine Grater, talks about our programs, interviews clients, has conversations with staff, community leaders and commentators around issues of poverty, homelessness, religious values, morals and much more! Learn more at www.friendsindeedpas.org, follow us on Instagram @friendsindeedpas, or visit us at facebook.com/friendsindeedpas.

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60 recent

October 26, 2026Episode 1045 min

2026 - 10 Ending Unsheltered Homelessness: DignityMoves is Doing It

Elizabeth Funk, founder and CEO of DignityMoves , is leading the charge in California to end unsheltered, "street" homelessness. By partnering with cities and counties, her organization has opened 15 projects and has 5 in process. Here is how they describe their work: "While only permanent housing ends homelessness, interim housing is a bridge that gives people a safe and dignified alternative to living on the street and a pathway out of homelessness. It’s an invitation to come indoors, to stabilize and seek the support of housing, health and workforce services." Listen to Rabbi Joshua's conversation and learn how your city can join these 20 communities in getting the most vulnerable off the streets. We will certainly be doing the same in Pasadena. https://dignitymoves.org https://friendsindeedpas.org

September 19, 2026Episode 953 min

2026 - 9 Rural Homelessness: Meet Camp Graves in Water Valley, Kentucky

Today, Rabbi Joshua has a very unique conversation with the Executive Director, Cassy Basham, and social work intern, Will Elliot, at Camp Graves. As you will learn, this homeless service organization was born from the tragic tornado that struck Mayfield, Kentucky in 2021. After hearing this podcast, they reached out to see if we could talk and learn more about each other's work. What transpired was a wide-ranging conversation, with them sharing the challenges of rural homelessness, and learning how much we have in common in our struggle to help the most vulnerable in our respective communities. Read more about Camp Graves and their impact: https://www.campgraves.org/ https://friendsindeedpas.org

August 28, 2026Episode 827 min

2026 - 8 When a Billionaire Shapes Homelessness Policy

In this episode, Rabbi Joshua engages in a "dialogue" with a recent New York Times article entitled, "How a Billionaire Shaped Trump's Homelessness Policy" (NYT, August 22, 2026, Ellen Barry and Jason Deparle). This article focuses on a think-tank called the Cicero Institute, and its founder, Joe Lonsdale, a venture capitalist turned policy influencer. While this is not an actual dialogue, Rabbi Joshua makes sure to only address quotes or ideas that appear specifically in the article. https://friendsindeedpas.org

August 11, 2026Episode 722 min

2026 -7 Hearing it Directly: A Conversation with Street and Housing Staff

Rabbi Joshua sat down with members of the Street Outreach and Housing team recently to hear the latest about what is happening with their clients, the heat, the political challenges, Eaton fire victims, and some success stories. It is so important to learn from the people who are doing the work each and every day. This episode includes: Jane, Barbara, Virginia, Al and Mercedes https://friendsindeedpas.org

June 15, 2026Episode 65 min

2026 - 6 Finding Safety and Strength: Fiona's story after the Eaton Fire

Today's episode is very short--a 4 minute testimonial from Fiona, a guest at The Women's Room, who has been living in her car since the Eaton fire, who spoke at our recent Mayor's Interfaith Prayer Breakfast. Her words sum up what we try to offer each person that comes through our doors. Here is a link to the video clip: https://youtu.be/NUm9yVIFyJ0?si=QwEa2RXuEoWn2lzZ https://friendsindeedpas.org

June 1, 2026Episode 537 min

2026 - 5 Vehicular Homeless: Conversation with Professor Chris Giamarino

Stories and anecdotes are important and help to touch the emotional side of people's lives. Yet sometimes, we need data and research to support those stories, especially with policy makers. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua speaks with Professor Chris Giamarino of Cal Poly Pomona. Professor Giamarino is a leading expert on vehicular homelessness, which includes the study of safe parking. We hope you will listen and join us in learning some of the in-depth knowledge about the reality of our neighbors living in their cars. Here are three articles, two by Professor Giamarino, on the topic: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10511482.2024.2313511 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10511482.2022.2117990#d1e230 https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01944363.2022.2050936 https://friendsindeedpas.org

May 20, 2026Episode 435 min

2026 - 4 Successful 3-D Printing a Solution for Interim Housing: Conversation with co-founder Gene Edelman

Tired of hearing that interim housing costs too much, takes too long and isn't viable? On this episode, Rabbi Joshua speaks with Gene Edelman, co-founder of Azure Printed Homes, whose company is having success in parts of California and around the country, creating different size homes that are beautiful, cost effective and made out of recycled materials. They have zero contracts for interim housing here in LA--we are hoping that will change soon! https://www.azureprintedhomes.com/ Closing music: Eric Clapton https://friendsindeedpas.org

April 13, 2026Episode 322 min

2026 - 3 From Darkness to Light: Cristian's Journey to The Women's Room

In today's episode, Rabbi Joshua visits The Women's Room (TWR) to talk with a guest about her life and how she arrived at Friends In Deed. Cristian's honesty and inspiration is certainly a testament to the power of faith, community, survival--never feeling alone, always feeling supported. This an episode not to be missed! Closing music: Eric Clapton Other music: ABBA https://friendsindeedpas.org

February 26, 2026Episode 241 min

2026 - 2 Congregation Emerging from the Ashes, Part II: Saint Mark's Episcopal Church

On this episode, Rabbi Joshua has an in-depth conversation with Rector Carrie Grindon of Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in Altadena. Pastor Grindon shares her experience with the Eaton Fire, learning about the burning of the church and homes of her parishioners, as well as the saving of a church bell from the rubble. And like the Altadena Baptist Church and Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, she discusses their plans to rebuild on their land. And like the previous episode, this one is a bit longer than usual. But worth it! Closing music: Eric Clapton https://friendsindeedpas.org

January 24, 2026Episode 155 min

2026 - 1 Destroyed Houses of Worship Emerge from the Fire: Conversation with 3 Local Clergy

On this special episode, Rabbi Joshua has in-depth conversation with three local clergy, all of whose houses of worship burned in the Eaton Fire: Pastor Connie DeVaughn of Altadena Baptist Church, and Rabbi Josh Ratner and Cantor Ruth Berman Harris of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center. This was an emotional, spiritual and moving conversation, which moves from the moments of the fire to the months since, and now towards the light of new beginnings, as each congregation has plans to rebuild on their property. Closing music: Eric Clapton https://friendsindeedpas.org