Imagine Dignity Podcast w/ Dr. Terence Lester

In Episode 10 of Season 2 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I met Tina Marie—an elder in the Greenville community who graciously shared her story of resilience while facing homelessness as a senior. After losing her partner and being pushed out of a rooming house, Tina found herself sleeping in a storage unit and later behind churches and buildings—just trying to stay warm and safe. She opened up ab...

In Episode 9 of Season 2 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I sat down with Troy in downtown Greenville, South Carolina. A lifelong DJ with deep musical roots, Troy opened up about how the unexpected loss of his younger brother—his closest friend and fellow DJ—shaped his return to Greenville and began his journey through homelessness. What stood out most in our conversation was Troy’s honesty about g...

In Episode 8 of Season 2 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I sat down with Miss. Pinky, a woman whose heart for serving others shines even through her own hardships. Miss. Pinky shared her powerful story of becoming unhoused as a senior citizen after experiencing mistreatment by a landlord who made repairs to her home and then forced her out—without warning while she was away. Despite facing homeles...

In Episode 7 of Season 2 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I sat down with Saleem, a brother I met in Greenville, South Carolina, and the brother of Danny (Episode 6). Saleem shared his powerful journey of battling addiction, beginning with being exposed to drugs by his uncle and mother at just 16 years old. Throughout our conversation, Saleem opened up about his struggles with addiction, the impact...

In Episode 6 of Season 2 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I sat down with Danny, a man I met in Greenville, South Carolina, whose story immediately struck me. Danny opened up about how moving from another state to be closer to family unexpectedly led to homelessness—and how, through it all, loyalty, faith, and community remain at the center of his life. What stood out most was Danny’s ability to li...

In Episode 5 of Season 2 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I sat down with Andre, a brother I met in Greenville, South Carolina, who never thought he would become homeless. After a family breakdown, he suddenly found himself on the streets, struggling to navigate a system full of barriers. Andre opened up about the reality that homelessness can affect anyone, regardless of race, and how those with d...

In Episode 4 of Season 2 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I sat down with Stacey, a woman I met in Greenville, South Carolina, who lives in a motel but still experiences the reality of homelessness. Without a stable home, Stacey finds herself in a transient state—having a place to stay, but lacking security, community, and stability. She shared how motel policies prevent her from building a sense o...

In Episode 3 of Season 2 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I sat down with Akeem, a young veteran who became unhoused in Greenville, South Carolina, after a family disruption. Akeem shared the heartbreak of being separated from his children and the challenges of navigating homelessness for the first time. Through a simple yet powerful act—providing him with a cellphone after he lost his—we were able...

In Episode 2 of Season 2 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I talked with Elford, who became unhoused after losing his job. I met Elford in Greenville, South Carolina, where he shared his journey of facing homelessness after being laid off (August 2024) and moving in search of new opportunities. Elford opened up about the challenges of securing shelter in his home state due to residency rules, the st...

Norman was the first person I met while in Greenville, SC. He was sleeping on a cold public bench less than 75 steps from the Mayor’s office. When I first met him, we sat and talked, and he expressed his desire to share his story on the Imagine Dignity Podcast. In this episode, Norman opens up about his journey into homelessness, his ongoing self-advocacy as he seeks to engage with political leade...

Season 2 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast is here, and I’m excited to kick it off with an introduction to what’s ahead! This season, I hit the road and started in Greenville, South Carolina—a city that encouraged my advocacy work and fueled my passion to pursue a PhD to understand policy and homelessness. My time in South Carolina deepened my understanding of how policies, like an ordinance in Port...

In Episode 12, the final episode of Season 1 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Anthony, a brother I met living in front of an abandoned building. Anthony’s journey is one of incredible perseverance. Despite facing homelessness and battling stage three cancer, he continues to hold on to an unwavering faith in God, a positive outlook, and a generosity that deeply t...

In Episode 11 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Aaron, a brother I met while walking through East Point, GA. Aaron approached me, and I could immediately see the weariness in him—not just from navigating life with one leg but also from the overwhelming challenges of homelessness. What started as a brief encounter quickly turned into a heartfelt conversation and f...

In Episode 10 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Melvin, a man whose story deeply touched me. Melvin lives with a disability and is currently experiencing homelessness. During our conversation, he shared how he once served as a caregiver for others but now finds himself in a position where he relies on the care and kindness of strangers. He spoke about moments...

In Episode 9 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I had the privilege of meeting Latrice, a resilient woman living out of her car while managing a serious heart condition. I first encountered her in a historic Atlanta park, resting in her car. Concerned for her safety, I gently approached to check in, knowing how vulnerable life can be for women experiencing homelessness. Latrice shared with me the imm...

In Episode 8 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I met Travis, a young man at a highway intersection who was facing harsh treatment from passing drivers. People locked their doors, turned their heads, and left him feeling more isolated with each passing moment. Instead of ignoring him, I parked, got out of my car, engaged him in conversation, and spent some time hanging out. Little did I know he would...

In Episode 7 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Melissa, a woman whose story is filled with both deep grief and incredible resilience. Melissa lost her husband to colon cancer, holding him in her arms as he passed away. On the podcast, she shared that this was the first time she could openly express her grief. She also spoke about life on the streets and how the u...

In Episode 6 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I share an open and heartfelt conversation with Smiley, a brother I met under a bridge who shared his story with honesty and vulnerability. Smiley talked about his struggles with addiction that began after his divorce and led to homelessness. Despite these hardships, he remains hopeful, guided by his faith in God and a strong commitment to protecting an...

In Episode 5 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I had the honor of interviewing Sam, a brother I met outside a CVS in the West End of Atlanta. Our first encounter was when he asked for change, but little did I know he would agree to be a guest on the podcast and eventually become a friend. Sam’s story touched me deeply—he quit his job to become a full-time caregiver for his mother, but after her pass...

In Episode 4 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Quinton, a young man I met downtown. From the moment we crossed paths, I was drawn to his story, immense love for his children, and relentless desire to change his life. Quinton dreams of becoming a motivational speaker, and the determination in his heart is truly inspiring. What struck me the most was his focus...

In Episode 3 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I sit down with Robert, a man who graciously invited me into his encampment to share his story. Robert opens up about his time in the foster care system, reflecting on how being given up at the age of six impacted him and set him on a path of displacement. He shares painful memories of the harmful experiences he faced with foster care families, which ca...

In this episode of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I sit down with Keisha, a woman I met underneath a bridge who quickly became a dear friend. Keisha opened up to me about the unique challenges women face while living on the streets. She shared her battle with cervical cancer and the traumatic experiences that led her to alcohol as a means of coping with the pain. Despite her hardships, Keisha’s spir...

In this episode of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I sit down with Darrell, a friend I met on my journey who graciously agreed to share his story. Darrell is a veteran who has faced the harsh realities of homelessness, and in our conversation, he opens up about the challenges and experiences of serving his country only to find himself without a home. What stands out most about Darrell is his unwaveri...

In this introductory episode, I explain why I’m launching this series and its mission—to break the stigma surrounding homelessness and inspire empathy and change. My goal is to spread kindness, inspire empathy, and help to create a world where no one is invisible. About Imagine Dignity Podcast: The Imagine Dignity Podcast with Dr. Terence Lester is a podcast for the people—there are no studios, co...