On the Corner of Homelessness and "_____________"

Hosted by Family Promise of Spokane

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May 2026

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About the show

Homelessness is a deeply complex and multifaceted issue in America today. Join your hosts, Joe and Emma, as they delve into the many intersecting factors that shape the experiences of those facing homelessness.

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35 recent

May 31, 202612 min

Until They're Housed

What is better than a podcast? A podcast AND a Youtube Series! You can now find us on YouTube with a new series called "Until They're Housed." We will go over common misconceptions, history of homelessness, ask tough questions! Episode one can be heard on this episode of "On the Corner of Homelessness &" or can be found on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjZ0x4UhO4kWe also have tons of other resources on our page! Check out family stories, a look into homelessness through the eyes of a child, and more. We hope to see you there.Do you live in Spokane? Then save the date for our FunRun on August 1st. You can RSVP on our website or by following this link: https://www.familypromiseofspokane.org/funrun

May 4, 202639 min

Our Safety Net

Over $1.5 trillion dollars are spent each year across more than 100 federal programs designed to support Americans, and yet people continue to need assistance and poverty still exists. On today's episode of On the Corner of Homelessness & Our Safety Net, hosts Joe Ader and Gwyn Griffith talk with Clarence H. Carter, commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Human Services and author of "Our Net Has Holes in It," to discuss why this is the case and what we can do about it. You can find his book at your local bookstore or here.Guest: Commissioner Clarence H. CarterHosts Joe Ader and Gwyn GriffithProduced by Gwyn Griffith and Lucy PearsonAssistance by Eleanor PiggRecorded at The Spokane Public Library

April 2, 202635 min

Language Barriers

On today's episode of On the Corner of Waiting, host Gwyn Griffith talks with a Family Promise of Spokane's Keep Housing Case Manager, Mirelle, about language barriers in homelessness.Homelessness is a complex issue. We don’t claim to explore every part of this intersection, but hope that each conversation brings new clarity to the reality as a whole. Please keep an open, curious mindset as you listen, and seek to learn, just as we are.Produced by Gwyn Griffith, Lucy Pearson, Sam McLaughlin, and Eleanor PiggRecorded at The Spokane Public Library

February 28, 2026Episode 137 min

H.O.P.E.

We have talked about A.C.E.'s (Adverse Childhood Experiences) but have you heard of P.C.E.'s (Positive Childhood Experiences)?This month, Gwyn & Joe talk to Jennifer Hansen and Rumyana Kudeva from Spokane Regional Health District. Both are SRHD health program specialists and H.O.P.E. facilitators, and bring the framework of positive childhood experiences to our community. Guest: Jennifer Hansen and Rumyana Kudeva of Spokane Regional Health DistrictHosts Gwyn Griffith and Joe Ader of ⁠⁠⁠Family Promise of Spokane⁠⁠.⁠Produced by Gwyn Griffith and Lucy PearsonPodcast Assistance by Eleanor Pigg and Samuel McLaughlinResources:HOPE ProgramSpokane Regional Health Hope ProgramEpisode on Trauma and A.C.E.'sTo send in thoughts or comments please email podcast@familypromiseofspokane.org

November 30, 202551 min

Looking Back

This past year we have discussed a lot of intersections between homelessness and different aspects of community. We are taking a moment to look back, reflect, and dive deeper into some of these topics. Hosts: Joe Ader and Emma Hughes of Family Promsie of SpokaneProducer: Gwyn Griffith and Lucy PearsonAssistance: Samual McLaughlin

October 31, 202541 min

Waiting

On today's episode of On the Corner of Waiting, hosts Joe Ader and Gwyn Griffith talk with Tammy Meyers, homeless outreach coordinator for the Spokane Regional Health District (SRHD).Homelessness is a complex issue. We don’t claim to explore every part of this intersection, but hope that each conversation brings new clarity to the reality as a whole. Please keep an open, curious mindset as you listen, and seek to learn, just as we are.Guest: Tammy Meyers of Spokane Regional Health District Hosts Emma Hughes and Joe Ader of ⁠⁠⁠Family Promise of Spokane⁠⁠.⁠Produced by Gwyn Griffith and Lucy PearsonRecorded at The Spokane Public Library

August 31, 202554 min

Public Schools

Did you know that 1 in 25 students in Spokane Public schools are homeless? On today's episode of On the Corner of Public Schools, hosts Joe Ader and Emma Hughes talk with Ammie Hawk, a Student Services and McKinney-Vento liaison for East Spokane Valley.Homelessness is a complex issue. We don’t claim to explore every part of this intersection, but hope that each conversation brings new clarity to the reality as a whole. Please keep an open, curious mindset as you listen, and seek to learn, just as we are.Guest: Ammie Hawk of East Valley School DistrictHosts Emma Hughes and Joe Ader of ⁠⁠⁠Family Promise of Spokane⁠⁠.⁠Produced by Gwyn Griffith and Lucy PearsonPodcast Assistance by Charis TiampsonRecorded at The Spokane Public LibraryNotes and Resources:McKinney-Vento ActStudents Experiencing HomelessnessPCE- Positive ExperiencesCommunities in SchoolsBig Brothers Big SistersSpokane ResourcesFamily Promise of SpokaneAkinCrosswalk Youth ShelterLaunch NW

July 10, 202549 min

Fear, Guilt & Shame

Host Joe Ader and Producer and Guest Host Gwyn Griffith, talk about fear, guilt and shame in homelessness, both for the housed and unhoused. This conversation digs into why people feel the need to ignore or "fix" the problem of homelessness, why our intentions matter, how shame might be a good thing (what?), and much, much more. Links and Further Reading:Need resources?Homelessness Resources and ProgramsNational Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)Family Promise of SpokaneFamily Promise National HUDWant to learn more?End Homelessness ResourcesResources for Policymakers and ProvidersSign up for, or donate to, the Family Promise of Spokane Fun Run here!

May 31, 202539 min

Storytelling

Host Emma Hughes and Producer and Guest Host Gwyn Griffith, learn the story of Mark Horvach, the founder of Invisible People, a non-profit that educates the public about homelessness through storytelling, educational resources, and advocacy. Links and Further Reading:Invisible PeopleInvisible People Toolkit“Being Homeless Made Me a Better Person”: How Mark Hovarth Is Putting The World’s Invisible People Back In The Spotlight - PHOENIX MagazineFor more information please visit familypromiseofspokane.org, or email us at podcast@familypromiseofspokane.org.Stay curious.

April 30, 202549 min

Aging

Today host Emma Hughes and producer Gwyn Griffith are joined by Michael Larson and Davey Schaupp, the producer and director of the documentary, No Place to Grow Old.No Place to Grow Old is the first documentary to capture a growing crisis unfolding quietly across America: older adults aging into homelessness. Follow this link to host a watch party or to learn more about the documentary: https://www.noplacetogrowold.com/Resources and Further Reading:Emerging-Crisis-of-Aged-Homelessness.pdfHow Much Does Supplementary Security Income (SSI) Pay Each Month?Average Rent by Year [1940-2025 ]: Historical Rental RatesSpokane Housing Coalition – Because Everyone Needs a HomeHosts: Emma Hughes Guest Host: Gwyn GriffithGuests: Michael Larson and Davey SchauppProducer: Cheree LaPierreResearch Assistant: Lucy PearsonRecorded at the Spokane Public Library