We The Community

Episode Title: We The Community Talks Gender Equity in Celebration of Women's History Month Guest: Dr. Titilayo Ogunbambi, Community Psychologist & Gender-Based Violence Expert   Episode Summary In honor of Women’s History Month, we sit down with the brilliant Dr. Titilayo Ogunbambi to explore the intersections of identity, equity, and the "hero’s journey" of womanhood. From her extensive work...

Join We The Community for a conversation with Melissa Villanueva, owner of Brewpoint Coffee and Democratic candidate for DuPage County Board District 1. In this episode, we talk about what it means to build a business, run a campaign, and live a life grounded in your core values. Melissa shares her journey from growing a successful local coffee business to stepping into local politics. We discuss...

Episode Summary In this powerful and timely episode, host Amanda Zahorak sits down with Jordan Vernoy, a national leader in hunger relief and founder of See What I Mean LLC, to unpack the real stories, systems, and stigma behind food insecurity in America. From the classroom to the food pantry, Amanda and Jordan dive deep into how hunger impacts working families, older adults, and immigrant commun...

Summary   In this episode of the We the Community podcast, host Amanda Zahorak speaks with Glennette Tilley Turner, a renowned storyteller and historian focused on the Underground Railroad. They discuss the significance of names, the role of storytellers in communities, and the courage it takes to share uncomfortable truths. Glennette shares her extensive research on the Underground Railroad, the...

Keywords:   change work, community engagement, authenticity, leadership, listening, political conversations, core values, humanity, social justice, personal identity   Takeaways Change work requires authenticity and vulnerability. Listening is crucial for effective change making. Building relationships is key to working across party lines. Core values should never be compromised for progress. Pers...

Summary   In this episode, Kelly Wynne shares her journey from journalism to becoming a therapist, emphasizing the importance of mental health advocacy, community engagement, and self-care. She discusses redefining leadership in therapy, the significance of listening, and the need for boundaries in advocacy work. Kelly highlights the importance of finding hope and good in the world, especially dur...

Summary In this episode of the We The Community podcast, Amanda Zahorak interviews Dexter Mason, the executive director of the Change Collective. They discuss Dexter's journey to leadership, the mission of the Change Collective, and the importance of investing in local leaders. The conversation highlights the significance of community engagement, the selection process for changemakers, and the cur...

We the Community is a podcast hosted by Amanda Zahorak, focused on social justice, civic engagement, and community-driven solutions. Each episode spotlights real people making real change—from local leaders to national advocates. Subscribe/follow to stay informed, inspired, and engaged. Let’s build stronger, more inclusive communities—together. Find us on instagram @wethecommunitypod.