BomBardened

After multiple attempts at sobriety, he built the recovery program he wished existed. Eric and Amy sit down with Andrew Maloof, founder of Eagle Creek Ranch Recovery, a men’s treatment center in Idaho focused on addiction recovery, mental health, and long-term healing. After battling addiction himself, Andrew now helps men rebuild their lives through community, accountability, and recovery rooted...

He was sentenced to 40 years, now he’s helping others rebuild their lives. Eric and Amy sit down with Jim Chambers, Recruitment & Retention Manager at WELD, a reentry organization supporting individuals transitioning out of prison. After serving time himself, Jim now works on the front lines connecting people to housing, resources, and a second chance. This conversation explores incarceration,...

 In this episode, Eric and Amy continue their conversation with Omari Salisbury, founder of Converge Media, about community responsibility, youth violence, and why prevention efforts in Seattle often receive less support than reactive solutions. Salisbury explains why many communities already know what works to reduce violence but struggle to secure funding for the programs doing that work every d...

In this episode, Eric and Amy sit down with Omari Salisbury, founder of Converge Media, to talk about storytelling, community voice, and what really shaped public understanding during Seattle’s 2020 protests. Salisbury shares how Converge Media grew from a hyperlocal blog into a trusted news source during COVID-19 and the demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd, and why authentic story...

In this episode, Eric and Amy continue their conversation with Eci Ameh, Executive Director of the Seattle Community Police Commission, about the often overlooked reality of policing: trust isn’t built during crises, it’s built in the everyday interactions that happen long before something goes wrong. They discuss how routine encounters between officers and community members shape public perceptio...

In this episode, Eric and Amy sit down with Eci Ameh, Executive Director of the Seattle Community Police Commission, to explore the complicated space between policing, accountability, and public trust. As an independent voice within Seattle’s police oversight system, Eci explains how community perspectives, especially from those most impacted by policing, are translated into real pressure for syst...

In this episode, Eric and Amy sit down with Andrew Dameron, Director of Denver 911, to unpack how crisis response is being reimagined from the very first call for help. Drawing on Denver’s STAR program, Andrew explains why mental health and behavioral crisis response must be treated as core public safety—not an “alternative”—and why 911 is the most powerful point of intervention. They discuss the...

In this episode, Eric and Amy sit down with Johnny Ohta, a legendary youth recovery advocate and longtime leader at Ryther, whose life and work have helped shape how Seattle responds to youth addiction, homelessness, and fentanyl. Johnny shares his deeply personal journey—from growing up amid violence, addiction, and incarceration to finding recovery, purpose, and a calling to walk alongside young...

In this episode, Eric and Amy talk with Ellyse Bracken, Executive Director of Bridges, about her powerful journey from addiction and incarceration to becoming a leader in youth recovery. Ellyse shares how structure, accountability, and peer support helped her rebuild her life—and why teens need community, not harm-reduction messaging, to thrive. Her work with Bridges and Seattle’s Alternative Peer...

In Part 2 of their conversation, Eric and Amy Barden continue their deep dive with independent journalist Brandi Kruse, exploring what happens after you choose to break away from traditional media—and don’t look back. Brandi opens up about the personal and professional consequences of pushing against narratives, the cost of telling uncomfortable truths, and what it means to stay grounded when crit...

In this episode, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with independent journalist Brandi Kruse to explore what happens when you step outside traditional media and speak freely. Brandi shares her journey from newsroom reporter to independent voice, reflecting on the challenges of maintaining public trust in a divided media landscape. Together, they unpack what honesty, transparency, and accountability look...

 In this continuation of their conversation with MacArthur Fellow and justice reform leader Lisa Daugaard, Eric and Amy Barden explore how communities can define—and measure—real success in diversion and public safety. Lisa discusses what’s working, what’s changing, and how the Purpose Dignity Action and LEAD programs continue to evolve through constant learning and collaboration. Together, they e...

 In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Lisa Daugaard—MacArthur Fellow, co-founder of the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, and longtime advocate for criminal justice reform. Lisa shares how her career as a public defender and activist led to pioneering new models that divert people away from jails and courts and toward community-based care. The conversa...

In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Deaunte Damper—community leader, activist, and the first LGBTQIA+ Chair for the Seattle NAACP. Deaunte shares his personal journey of resilience and advocacy, from navigating the challenges of being a Black queer man to driving change at the intersections of race, identity, and justice. The conversation moves from deeply personal ex...

 In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Dr. Robert Marbut, a nationally recognized expert on homelessness policy and intervention. With decades of experience advising cities and serving as the Executive Director of the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, Dr. Marbut brings deep insight into why traditional approaches are failing and what needs to change. The convers...

In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Judge Dave Larson, a nationally recognized leader in reforming how our justice system responds to people disrupting public order. From the bench in Washington State to national advisory roles, Judge Larson has spent decades confronting the courtroom, law enforcement, and community-based service gaps that predictably fail to break pa...

 In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Nichole Alexander — a powerhouse in the fight for effective homelessness response and a leader whose credibility comes from both lived experience and deep professional expertise. Nichole’s journey from surviving the very challenges she now works to solve, to becoming one of the most respected voices in the field, is nothing short o...

In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Mariela Ruiz-Angel, the founding Director of Albuquerque Community Safety and current Director of the Alternative Response Research Collective at Georgetown Law School. With passion and clarity, Mariela shares how she designed and launched the first independent, cabinet-level alternative first response department in the nation. Toda...

Content warning: This episode includes discussion of trauma, incarceration, addiction, and recovery. Listener discretion is advised. In Part 2 of their conversation with Jacob Ivan Schmitt, Eric and Amy continue to explore the human cost of cycles that begin in childhood and end behind bars — and what it takes to break them. Jacob shares the raw truths of reentry: trying to rebuild trust, navigati...

Content warning: The following episode contains detailed accounts of childhood abuse, sexual violence, and life inside the prison system. Listener discretion is advised. In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy sit down with Jacob Ivan Schmitt, the founder and Director of Just Us Solutions — a man whose story is shaped by early childhood trauma, addiction, incarceration, and the slow, painful...

In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy sit down with Patrick Arney, Executive Director of Weld — a Seattle-based reentry organization helping people transition out of incarceration with dignity, support, and purpose. Patrick brings a rare combination of lived experience and sharp insight to the table. Once caught in the same systems he now works to reform, Patrick shares how he rebuilt his l...

In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Joe Barsana, King County Drug Court Manager and President and Co-Founder of the WA State Therapeutic Court Alumni Association. What begins as a conversation about the blurry line between crime and crisis quickly becomes a masterclass in why we fail to help people to change and maintain recovery. Joe brings insight forged from decade...

In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy sit down with Staci James—visionary leader, advocate for sensible drug policy and overdose awareness, and Executive Director of Hope Movement Coalition. What begins as a spirited debate between Eric and Amy about whether jail bookings actually serve as a deterrent, quickly deepens into a conversation about dignity, disruption, and the broken systems sur...

In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Dave Durocher—Executive Director and co-founder of The Other Side Academy. Dave shares his firsthand insights into breaking the cycle of addiction and criminal behavior through a radically different approach to rehabilitation. With a background in working with individuals often labeled as "lost causes," Dave explains how The Other S...

In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Amy King—founder of Weld and Pallet, builder of communities, and champion of second chances. Amy shares her deeply personal and unconventional path to employing justice-involved individuals, building intentional housing solutions, and raising kids in a household shaped by trust and belief in change. What began as a chance encounter...