Our monthly podcast shines a light on the humbling situations those in need experience and how we can offer hope together to find solutions and serve our community.
Listen to episodes
52 recent
August 11, 2026Episode 5246 min
George Eklund & Liz McQuillen on Housing Advocacy & Policy: Creating Pathways to End Homelessness
"Empathy is not about politics, it's about being human."In this episode, Liz McQuillen, Chief Policy Officer at Metro United Way, and George Eklund, Director of Education and Advocacy at the Coalition for the Homeless, explore how housing advocacy and public policy can help shift people’s perspectives from apathy to empathy when addressing homelessness.Liz and George discuss how housing organizations and community partners have collaborated more in recent years to create pathways to end homelessness through the “Safe & Stable: Housing for All” coalition. The conversation also covers Louisville’s latest homelessness data, recent progress in reducing unsheltered homelessness, and key housing investments included in the FY2027 Louisville Metro budget.Learn more about “Safe & Stable: Housing for All” at: https://metrounitedway.org/safe-and-stable-housing-for-all/
July 14, 2026Episode 5139 min
Matt Reed of the VOA on the anticipation building for Louisville's Community Care Campus
“I’m inspired.”Anticipation has been building for the launch of the Community Care Campus in Smoketown. This is a gamechanger in the city of Louisville and fills a void for those in need.Matt Reed, Director of the Community Care Campus of the Volunteers of America Mid-States, talks about the story and planning behind this $58 million project, which is in partnership with Louisville Metro Government.Matt shares how the campus will serve as a centralized, coordinated hub where up to 500 individuals experiencing homelessness annually can access support in one place. He talks about the excitement to complete phase one of the project, Unity House, which is an emergency family shelter with 29 units and opens July 30.
June 9, 2026Episode 5043 min
Carey Addison of Family Health Centers on the harsh reality of securing affordable housing
On any given day, there are about 1,500 households waiting for housing in our community. On a good week, only a dozen are placed in housing. That’s less than 1%, or a 1/125 chance, of getting housed that week. “Unfortunately, we're rationing something that I really hate we have to ration as a society and that's housing because the demand always far outpaces the supply that we have available. So, we're ranking and prioritizing people. And to me, that's kind of sad when I operate from the premise that housing should be a fundamental human right.” In our 50th podcast episode, Family Health Centers-Phoenix celebrates 50 years as a primary care provider for the unhoused population in our community. Carey Addison, Health Care for the Homeless Supervisor, talks about the harsh reality of securing affordable housing in our community, his extensive experience in housing policy, and the backstory to the Common Assessment Street Outreach Team.
May 12, 2026Episode 4937 min
Choose Hope Founder Britney Smith on how to choose hope and build resilience in your life
Hope is not simply wishful thinking—it’s about expectation. It believes the best about God, the best about people, and the best about our circumstances.In this podcast episode, Choose Hope founder and businesswomen Britney Smith bravely shares her story about breaking generational cycles of addiction and instability.A former SVDP resident, Britney opens up about experiencing homelessness, losing custody of her children, relational poverty, and overcoming substance abuse. She reflects on how resilience was built over time and how those experiences led her to launch Choose Hope, which is an organization that helps those struggling with addiction and mental health to reclaim their self-worth. Britney now uses her experiences to encourage others.
April 14, 2026Episode 4834 min
Reylene Robinson, Thrive by Five Executive Director, on affordable child care changing a community
Why access to affordable child care changes a community?Finding accessible, high‑quality child care can feel overwhelming for many families across Jefferson County. With annual costs exceeding $11,000 per child, child care can consume 10–20% of a household’s budget—placing pressure on parents with young children (according to the Kentucky Lantern).In this episode, Reylene Robinson, Executive Director of Thrive by Five, joins the conversation to unpack why child care is more than a family issue—it’s an essential infrastructure for housing stability and Kentucky’s economic future. Reylene shares about Thrive by Five, one of the community’s newest nonprofits, and some innovative solutions to the child care system.
April 13, 2026Episode 4732 min
Tony Curtis, MHC Executive Director, on why it's getting harder to keep a roof over our heads
Did you know that nearly half of Louisville's renters are cost burdened—spending more than 30% of their income on housing and utilities?In this podcast episode, Tony Curtis, the Executive Director of Metropolitan Housing Coalition, breaks down what happens when there’s a lack of affordable and accessible housing. Every day, families struggle to keep a roof over their heads while wages stagnate.In MHC’s 2025 Report, Tony shares the drivers behind an increase in housing instability shaping our city, the latest trends in housing and wages, and three keys to housing success moving forward.Check out MHC’s latest initiative, www.roofoverourhead.org/
August 15, 2022Episode 223 min
A Conversation with Shelby Park Historian Chip Rogalinski
St. Vincent de Paul Louisville host Dave Calzi talks about the Shelby Park neighborhood, its history and current developments, with former Shelby Park Neighborhood Association President Chip Rogalinski. The development of the neighborhood, its rich diversity, and St. Vincent de Paul Louisville's role as a neighbor in Shelby Park are discussed.Thanks to everyone who listened! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn!
June 13, 2024Episode 2649 min
A Conversation with Whitney Austin, cofounder of Whitney/Strong
Have you ever had one of those days? Well, Whitney Austin had herself a day on Sept. 6, 2018. In our 26th podcast episode, she opens up about her survival story during the mass shooting in the lobby at Fifth Third Bank Headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. For Whitney to survive after being shot 12 times is a miracle in and of itself, but even more incredible is how she started the nonprofit Whitney/Strong less than a month later to find common ground to end gun violence. You can download to listen, or watch now!Watch: https://youtu.be/kX_LSr_M1yYOur CEO Dave Calzi sits down with Whitney to talk about these topics: What kept her fighting on that fateful day in 2018, and how the trajectory of her life changed from that moment on?Whitney cofounded the nonprofit Whitney/Strong, whose mission is to find common ground to end gun violence through data-driven, responsible gun ownership solutions. She shares the initiatives her organization has spearheaded to create a safer community. This includes advice for parents on how to talk to their children about this tough topic. Gun rights are a divisive topic across America. Sometimes we can feel like we must choose a side—to have a gun or not to have a gun. Whitney shares the stance she believes people should take in terms of gun rights. Mass shootings can be a loaded term that we may not fully or accurately understand. Whitney reveals what she's learned about mass shootings in our country and encourages our audience to read "The Violence Project: How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic." Whitney opens up about the aftermath and how she found healing from trauma, grew in her mental health, and leaned into close relationships during that season of her life. To learn more, visit www.whitneystrong.org/. Thanks to everyone who listened! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn!
December 10, 2025Episode 4431 min
Homelessness during the Holidays with UP For Women & Children Cofounder & CEO Amy Meredith
In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we all experience some levels of stress. However, we often forget the holidays amplify the challenges that the unhoused may have. In this episode, Amy Meredith, an author, keynote speaker, consultant, and cofounder and CEO of UP For Women and Children, answers "What is it like for the unhoused during the holidays?" Watch HereAmy also offers insight into the unique issues unhoused women and the elderly face. Violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women2 in 5 women account for Louisville’s unhoused population, yet there are only 94 shelter beds designated for women among the city’s emergency shelter1 in 5 women experiencing homelessness in Louisville are over the age of 62 Amy's new book, "Where the Light Breaks Through," is available to purchase. You can listen anytime and anywhere! Please subscribe and share!Thanks to everyone who listened! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn!
August 12, 2025Episode 4023 min
The Police & Homelessness with LMPD Assistant Chief of Police Nick Owen
This is a candid conversation about a tough topic.In this episode, Louisville Metro Police Department Lieutenant Colonel Nick Owen shares his view on "What should the public know about police interactions with people experiencing homelessness?" As Assistant Chief of Police with nearly 20 years on the force, Nick Owen talks about the importance of policing crime—not communities—and highlights the positive strides LMPD and local government have made in recent years. He talks about the services police should and should not provide for those experiencing homelessness, his thoughts on House Bill 5, how LMPD handles mistakes in the field, and the right for every citizen to feel safe. Watch HereYou can listen anytime and anywhere! Please subscribe and share!Thanks to everyone who listened! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn!
Is this your show?
Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.
