Lean In Olympia

In this episode, Corey sits down with Lara Crutsinger-Perry, a Pastor at United Churches of Olympia to discuss the work of the organization and Lara's experience and relationship with faith and religion as a queer woman. Watch this episode on our youtube page: youtube.com/@interfaithworksthurstoncou4970 Socials: Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/InterfaithWorksThurstonCountyWA  

In this episode, we sit down with Katie Strozyk to discuss current trends in the opioid crisis, overdose prevention, and current resources for support. Get involved at  https://www.thurstoncountywa.gov/departments/public-health-and-social-services/disease-control-and-prevention/opioid-response/opioid-response-task-force

WE'RE BACK!    It's been a few months, but Lean in Olympia is back! We're refreshed, we're renewed, we're in a new location, and we're ready to connect with you!   Today, we're diving into what's been going on behind the scenes, as well as the future of the podcast. We also tease up what you can expect at the 50th Anniversary Celebration for Interfaith Works coming up later in September!  

Meg and others in connection with Quixote Village give Honor to loved ones they have lost during the pandemic. Community members speak out to memorialize their loved ones and their fondest memories. Please join us in remembering the lost but not forgotten.

Corey sits down with local Author David Scherer Water to discuss his book "Making Sense Of Olympia" and his inspiration behind it. David speaks about his humor as well as his work from non-fiction to fiction.

In this special episode of Lean In Olympia Meg & Corey sit down together to have a chat about handling grief, loss and honoring people's lives in their work with the community.

On this episode Corey sits down with Meg Rosenberg from Window Seat Media! Meg is a local community member, public servant, and theatre artist deeply invested in the South Sound and building dialogue that sparks equitable social change. Their professional work has focused on public and nonprofit organizational development, education policy, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

In continuing her discussion on what the City of Olympia is doing around its response to housing and homelessness, Meg sits down with Stacey Ray Director Strategic Planning & Performance at the city!  They talk about the comprehensive plan for the city is, how it's made and what it entails!

Corey has a conversation with Jamal Rahman & Jennifer Friedman around interfaith ministry in the postmodern world, how we nurture the spiritual lives of those who might walk in disparate traditions than ours, no tradition, or plural traditions. And how interfaith is needed today and what it looks like in practice!

Meg continues her dep dive on the City of Olympias homelessness response by sitting down with Kim Kondrat, the Homeless Response Coordinator for the city!  

Erin Jones is the author of the book "Bridges to Heal US: Stories and Strategies for Racial Healing", published in 2021.  Erin served three years as Assistant State Superintendent for Student Achievement in Washington State, where she was responsible for working with educators and policy makers to create policies and practices that would better serve students of color and students otherwise disenf...

Meg continues her series in getting more understanding in the community about what the city is doing to regarding homelessness and affordable housing response! Joining Meg to continue the conversation is Darian Lightfoot, Director of Affordable Housing & Homeless Response for the City of Olympia.

Corey sits down with Nicole Virgil, a member of the Christian Science Board of Lectureship! They dive into her journey with Christian Science and her explorations in the Christian Science perspective of "liberty" and the healing that is possible through our embrace of it, including the impact it can have on our mental health..

To kick off Meg's next series of Lean In episodes focused around the City of Olympia's response to issues around homelessness and public safety, she sits down with Teal Gardener from the Crisis Response Unit to talk about her journey from being a Downtown Ambassador to CRU. As well the nuances of peer work and live experience.

Meg sits down with Olivia Hickerson, the Executive Director of SideWalk! We get to hear about about Olivia's experience in Homeless Services before coming to SideWalk, the work that SideWalk does and some of the success stories she's seen during her time!

On this episode of Lean In we sat down with Olympia City Council Member Dani Madrone! We got to learn about her journey that led her to Olympia from Virginia, her work building Tribal relations for the city and more!

Corey got to sit down with Brad Schrandt, Music Director of the South Sound Swing Orchestra & Director of Jazz Studies at South Puget Sound Community College - all on top being a music wizard! They dive into their mutual love of Jazz and it's amazing and unique history in America!

On this episode of Lean In Olympia, Meg sits down with Noha Mahgoub the Senior Policy Advisor of Housing & Homelessness for the Governors Office! 

Colleen Carmichael, Executive Director of Quixote Communities! Colleen joined the Quixote team as the Executive Director in September 2021. She offers an extensive background in homeless housing, finance, community outreach, and fundraising.

On this episode of Lean In Olympia we have Olivia Salazar de Breaux! Olivia is the Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Specialist at the Parks & Recreation department for the City of Olympia! We get to hear about her journey and her work in the community!

In this episode of Lean In Olympia, Meg sits down with Interfaith works very Raven Scrivener & Wendy Mosier to talk about the REST program at Interfaithworks!  We also get to learn more about Raven & Wendy's time at Interfaith!

On this episode of Lean In Olympia we have the pleasure of sitting down with Sarah Augustine! Sarah is the Co-Founder & Executive Director of the Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery Coalition. As well as the Author of 'The Land Is Not Empty: Following Jesus in Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery'! Tune in to this amazing conversation!

Jerad Koepp has been a teacher for the last 16 years, the last eight of which as Native Student Program Specialist at North Thurston Public Schools.  Jerad was named 2022 Washington State Teacher of the Year and we were so lucky to sit down with him and talk about his journey!

Meg talks about Overdose Awareness and the event we held Aug. 31st at Heritage park!  As well as deconstructing the stigma around addiction, getting into a place of healing and navigating this very complex topic.

We have special guest, Dr. Greg Urquhart. He is the founder of South Sound Street Medics and Red Road Rising and shares from his journey of being an Iraq veteran and an indigenous healer.