Unpacking Homelessness

When the number of unsheltered individuals began to rise in her city, Karen Cowling was one of many community members compelled to act. When Arvada Rising, a church nested in the center of Olde Town, decided to open Mission Arvada to help the community, Karen stepped up and has been leading the Mission ever since. In this episode, Karen vulnerably shares her personal story of abuse, healing throug...

In this episode of Unpacking Homelessness, we talk with Rob Preston, a Tacoma native whose personal journey through addiction, loss, and survival has fueled his mission to uplift others. After spending years navigating systems that often failed his community, Rob worked at Workforce before founding Barrier Breakers in 2020 — an organization focused on helping people access housing, resources, and...

Tiffany Cassidy, an astrologer in Denver’s Bluebird District and former security guard on Colfax, shares her unique perspective on homelessness. Blending spiritual insight with street experience, she encourages the public to think abstractly and recognize the purpose in everyone — seen or unseen. A conversation about energy, empathy, and seeing people beyond their circumstances.

In this inspiring episode of Unpacking Homelessness, we are graced by Sylvester T. Bush, Jr., a resilient and compassionate man who brings lived experience to the conversation about individuals experiencing homelessness and what it takes to break the cycle. Sylvester shares his journey—not as a story of homelessness, but as a story of faith, endurance, and purpose. His voice offers insight into th...

Homelessness isn’t just about not having a roof over your head—it’s shaped by a mix of economic, emotional, and societal factors. In this episode, we chat with Louis Harris about how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) connect to housing, and why public policy is such a big piece of the puzzle. Louis shares stories and insights that help people see homelessness from a new perspective—one that l...

In Episode 8 of Unpacking Homelessness , we speak with Clarice Ambler, the Community Resource Coordinator for Jefferson County Public Libraries (JCPL). Clarice shares how libraries are stepping beyond books to become essential hubs of support for vulnerable communities, including those experiencing homelessness. Clarice gives us an inside look at her multifaceted role — from leading trauma-informe...

In this special edition of Unpacking Homelessness, we shift from personal interviews to collectively exploring a cinematic journey toward real solutions. Join us as we discuss Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness, the documentary sequel to Under the Bridge (2015), which originally exposed the criminalization of homeless communities under an Indianapolis bridge. Directed by Don Sawyer and...

In this powerful episode of Unpacking Homelessness , we sit down with Deputy Steve Johnson, a law enforcement officer with firsthand experience engaging with the unhoused community. From monitoring and dismantling encampments to offering help and support, Deputy Johnson shares his unique perspective on the complex intersection of public safety, compassion, and human dignity. With empathy at the co...

In this episode of Unpacking Homelessness, we are joined by Letha Fernandez — a dedicated mental health professional, licensed mental health counselor, and substance use disorder professional to discuss the complex realities behind homelessness and the systems that so often fail the people who need them most. Letha brings years of frontline experience working at the intersections of mental health,...

In this episode of Unpacking Homelessness, we sit down with advocate and changemaker Rachelle Warby to explore how each of us can make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Rachelle shares why donating—whether time, money, or resources—matters more than ever, and how we often have more time than we think to help. She reminds us that small actions can have a huge impact...

In this episode of Unpacking Homelessness , we sit down with Margie Thirlby DuBois —confidence coach, leadership consultant, and founder of The Thirlby Company—for an inspiring conversation on purpose-driven leadership and its vital connection to homelessness, community building, and nonprofit work. With a rich background as Executive Director at Rebuilding Together and Reading Partners, Margie sh...

We're excited to kick off bi-weekly episodes of Unpacking Homelessness with a powerful conversation featuring Charlie Murphy . In this episode, Charlie bravely shares memories from her childhood, when she and her siblings experienced homelessness alongside their single mother. Revisiting trauma is never easy, and we’re deeply grateful for Charlie’s honesty and vulnerability. Together, we explo...

In the inaugural episode of Unpacking Homelessness , hosts Karcy Lawson, Samantha Holbrook, and Derek Lemmon delve into the heart of why this podcast exists. They share personal stories, reflect on the challenges surrounding homelessness, and discuss their mission to educate, inspire, and empower listeners to make a difference. Tune in to learn what drives their passion and what they hope to achie...