The Invisibles: The Homeless Podcast

Wow. They say it isn't over til the fat lady sings. Well, can you hear her?  Yep, that's her voice in the background. So get ready. Yes, folks...this is our final episode. You'll have to listen to find out why. But it's a tough one.  So, since the show is being retired, we thought we'd explore a unique, bold way that some people are pursuing retirement. Our guests are an adventurous couple who have decided to get rid of all the baggage and bring their dream to life---and you don't have to be rich to do it. Just about anyone can do what they're about to do. Find out how. And then we close with all the farewells and thank-yous that are owed and well-deserved. It's all in the farewell episode of 'Things.'

There's a brand-new kind of technology invading our world, and it is here to stay. We keep hearing about the potentially catastrophic outcomes we might realize from AI (artificial intelligence), but what about the potential for incredibly remarkable outcomes, such as cures for diseases, or solutions to previously unsolvable problems such as homelessness? We talk with AI engineer and programmer Michael LaFave, who explains the benefits of AI and the many ways we might improve our world with AI in the right hands, rather than the wrong hands. This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to better understand this strange, new technology!

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the homelessness crisis, looking at a variety of initiatives taking place---including President Biden's new, aggressive plan to reduce homelessness by 25% in 2025. Is it even possible? Our featured guest is well-respected homelessness advocate and prevention expert, Dr. Kathleen Van Voorhis, CEO of Community Investment Alliance. She'll provide her insight, expertise, and perspective on the current climate of homelessness in America. It's part two of our homelessness exploration---Finding the Road to Home, on this episode of Things.

We travel back to our original roots and the days when we were called 'The Invisibles: The Homeless Podcast," as we revisit the topic of homelessness in America. What progress have we made? What are the biggest successes and failures in the fight against homelessness? And why isn't there an actionable, overseeing, guiding, coordinating agency at the federal level to lead all the individual, siloed efforts taking place around the country. Our featured guest is well-known activist and advocate, Terese Howard, with Housekeys Action Network Denver. She talks about the new study they just completed that is shaking up the fight against homelessness like never before. Plus, Voice of the Homeless. All packed into this episode of Things.

We're re-visiting a topic from last year that affects the lives of roughly one million people in the USA---because it's important for every American to know what's at stake. The future of DACA hangs in the balance, awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court later this year. It could mean the end of a long and hopeful journey for DACA recipients and their families. Helping us understand what could happen is special guest, Professor Violeta Chapin, Immigration Law Professor from the University of Colorado-Boulder and well-known expert on DACA. We take a closer look at how the lives of so many individuals might be impacted by the decision handed down by the highest court in the land as well as what that decision might be.

It is a problem that has been plaguing our culture since civilization began, and we are still struggling with its effects. Today, the question many are asking is if there is a correlation between bullying and mass shooting in America. We examine all aspects of bullying to try and answer that question with the help of renowned psychologist and child/family therapist Dr. Sheryl Ziegler. What are the long term effects and how can we curb this growing problem in our culture today? Find out on this episode of Things.

Humans are living and working longer than ever before. Our parents have a much better chance of living well into their 80s, 90s, and beyond. But the Golden Years aren't so golden for many seniors who are barely scraping by.  Their retirement years are filled with health issues, medical bills, ailments and maladies of all kinds, often compounded by feelings of loneliness and isolation--and memory loss. The burdens they are faced with are overwhelming, and living an independent life is difficult. They are in need of caregivers who can help them navigate their way through the doctor's visits, surgeries, medical tests and procedures. In most cases, those caregivers are family members--usually the adult children in the family. And most of them have no clue how demanding caregiving can be, what is expected 2of them in helping mom or dad. They become the parent, as mom or dad's mental and physical health deteriorate. We talk with three individuals who have either been caregivers or are currently taking care of mom or dad, and we learn the ins and outs of being a Caregiver in the US in the 21st century. And we offer guidance and direction to important resources for your loved one. It's all in CareGiveing It Your Best Shot, on this episode of Things.

Should we blame gun violence on mental illness? That's the question we examine in this episode of 'Things.'  After instances of mass violence, in particular school shootings, mental illness is often identified as—or assumed to be—a root cause. But is that a fair assumption? We take a closer look at mental health and its correlation to mass shootings. Exploring inadequate gun control and mental health as causes for gun violence in the same conversation is complicated. But it's necessary because it's the conversation we are stuck with. Our featured guest, Dr. Sheryl Ziegler, helps us better recognize when mental illness is being used as a scapegoat or smokescreen for the debate over gun control. This is a conversation you won't want to miss!!! 

We are all aware othe growing political divisiveness that surrounds us. Not since the Civil War have we felt quite so divided. How did we get here? How do we make it better?  We decided to explore ways we can come together once again and lessen the Great Divide. We engaged in conversations with a number of individuals from both sides of the political aisle, learning what makes them tick, why they believe what they believe and vote the way they vote.  Through simple, respectful communication, we were able to prove what we already knew---that we have so much more in common than we may think. In fact, we are a lot more alike than we are different. Find out what people are saying and what they think about bridging the gap and lessening the Great Divide.

There are more than one million people living in the USA who desperately want to stay here but may not be allowed to. They weren't born here, but America is the only home they've ever known. They were raised here, went to school here, made friends and memories here, and became a part of the culture here. But they are not legally Americans. They came from other countries with their parents as infants and toddlers---illegally, now known as 'undocumented immigrants.' DACA is a program originated by the Obama administration that gave them the opportunity to work and/or study here, without the threat of deportation. But the program hit all sorts of obstacles in its path, and today its future is in jeopardy. If it is not protected, the future of these individuals could be dire. In this episode, we take a look at DACA and examine all possible outcomes. Our featured guests include a young woman who is the shining example of what's possible, along with two ladies who run a Denver-based nonprofit that gives new arrival immigrants an opportunity to realize the American dream quicker than anyone could have previously imagined. All this and more in the October episode of 'Things.'

In this episode, we continue our dialogue on the problems plaguing our public education system. We feature a guest panel of expert educators from varying corners of the profession, each who offers their insight and perspectives on a variety of topics relating to public education, including the growing teacher shortage crisis and the dangerous antics of politicized local school boards around the country. We learn what things look like from the perspective of hands-on educators themselves, and how they have managed to continue loving their jobs in a very difficult climate. We also talk about how this all affects the students, who are at the center of all of the challenges and struggles. Our guest panel includes: Dr. Lisa Escarcega of the Colorado State Board of Education (Congressional District 1); Julie Brill, a decorated and recently retired teacher and member of the Board of Directors for the Michigan Education Association; Annette Kelly, a multi-lingual, international teacher, now retired, who has taught in Mexico as well as the US; and Phil Newland, who has already left the profession once, but recently returned to teaching and is making waves on behalf of teachers everywhere.

There is a war raging in America right now, and there are no signs it's going to end anytime soon. It's a war on public education, and it is affecting an institution that is already struggling with a national teacher shortage that is at crisis levels. It's no secret that the Republican party has never been friendly with our public education system, having made numerous attempts over the years to slash funding for a variety of public education programs. And now, using local school boards as a kind of weapon, they are able to modify and alter the content of the curriculum to reflect more conservative ideals and values that more closely parallel those of the GOP.  In most cases, teachers are completely bypassed during the process, which adds insult to injury, given the lack of respect and ridiculously low salaries that are already standards within the teaching profession. Our featured guest is Amie Baca-Oehlert, President of the Colorado Education Association, and she helps sort it all out and to help us better understand what has caused the teacher shortage, how to fix it, and how to show our appreciation for teachers---and what's next in the War on Public Education.

We have the unique opportunity to talk with someone who experienced extreme emotional trauma after years of being bullied and ridiculed---not only in school, but also at home by members of his own family. His trauma went untreated. Trying to navigate through the pain and anguish on his own proved to be too much. His answer was to wreak havoc and horror at the high school he attended by gunning down as many individuals as he could.  And this was three years before the massacre at Columbine High School in 1999.  Fortunately, the night before his mayhem was set to be unleashed, he experienced an epiphany that would save hundreds of lives and change his life forever.  Is there a direct correlation between bullying and mass shootings in America? Our featured guest, Aaron Stark---aka The Almost Shooter, takes us inside the mind of a would-be killer and helps us answer that question while taking a  look at ways we might address the problem to prevent future mass shootings. This is an episode you won't want to miss, especially given the wave of mass shootings sweeping the country recently. It's all in the inaugural episode of our brand new podcast, Things You Didn't Know You Wanna Know That You Should Know.

It's our special Pride episode!!! For Pride month, we honor the LGBTQ individuals who were handed the undeserved disgrace of being disowned, abandoned, and cast out when coming out to their own families.  Guests share their stories of emotional trauma, and how they overcame such heartbreak to live happy and successful lives. Our featured guest, well-known and respected civil rights attorney Ryan Kendall, endured years of emotional and psychological abuse through forced conversion therapy. But he finally took control of his life at the age of 16, and eventually went on to become the celebrated success he is today. Hear his story and several others, including an incredibly emotional story of a young man's journey to acceptance in this wonderfully compelling episode that you will not want to miss!!! Hey, if you want to contact us, shoot us an email at invisiblespodcast@yahoo.com.

It's episode 6 of The Invisibles: The Homeless Podcast and our featured guest is Dr. Kathleen Van Voorhis, nationally renowned expert on the crisis of homelessness. She offers her insight on how we can more easily find solutions that will bring about sustainable change as we examine some of her own successes in the quest for more affordable and attainable housing options---and we'll see why she so strongly believes in the Housing First model. Plus, we'll also solve the mystery of our missing April episode, and we'll preview our June episode, which honors Pride month by paying tribute to all the LGBTQ youth who have ended up homeless after being abandoned by their own families. it's all in episode 6!

If you were given a magic wand, how would you use it to end homelessness? What three problems within the realm of homelessness would you tackle first to forge the fastest path to ending homelessness? We ask our panel of featured guests to use, expertise, knowledge, insight and experience to answer that question. In episode 5, we'll have a conversation with them about their answers. Guests include Melinda Paterson, Exec. Dir. of Shelter Matters, and Will Kralovec, Pres. of JJK Places, PBC, a social impact real estate development company.  See what they have to say and what new ideas they may bring to the table. It's all part of episode 5 on 'The Invisibles: The Homeless Podcast.'

Lots of "meat" to this episode! First, we take a quick look at the CDC's new recommendations for pandemic restrictions to better protect the homeless, and we learn that FINALLY---and it's about time---someone in a position of authority is saying that a few things we don't like (could it be sweeps????) need to stop.  Then we have a fantastic conversation with our featured guest, Mary Putman, Exec. Director of The Reciprocity Collective and widely respected advocate and champion of the homeless. Mary has some incredible insights into what we're doing wrong in our quest to fight homelessness, and some REALLY funny stories from her journey. Then, our co-hosts Dave and Melinda take a few of the top items on their 'bitch' list and toss them on the discussion table, It's one of our best episodes, full of compelling and thought-provoking content. You won't want to miss this one---episode 4 of 'The Invisibles: The Homeless Podcast.'  

In our January episode, our guest is well-known homeless advocate and controversial, outspoken activist Terese Howard for a conversation about what hasn't worked, what might work, and what could work as far as solutions to the root causes of homelessness---in this case, a critical shortage of affordable (and attainable). Plus, we share some of the holiday stories from our listeners who created moments as gifts for those living on the streets. And, as always, much more. It's all on Episode 3--the January episode of The Invisibles.

It's our holiday episode! Discover the power of a moment, and how one fleeting moment can change someone's life. Plus, being homeless is bad enough. But is it even tougher to be gay and homeless? We chat with Matthew Schwartz to find out. And Melinda has a nice surprise when she's out on the street chatting with some of the homeless population, and she encounters someone she knew way back when. And much, much more! Give it a listen NOW!

It's the launch of our new podcast, and we couldn't be more excited! In this episode, we offer a glimpse of what the show will be all about and what our objectives are with the creation of 'The Invisibles.' Our guest for this show is Melinda Paterson, Executive Director for Shelter Matters, the non-profit organization behind 'The Invisibles.' Ms. Paterson talks about her own experience working with the homeless population and provides her insight into how we can do better on our journey to finding solutions. We also chat about the defeat of Denver's recent ballot initiative 2F that would have limited the number of unrelated occupants in a dwelling within the City & County of Denver to only two individuals.  Needless to say, we are so pleased that ballot measure was soundly defeated. And we get to hear the incredibly compelling story from Denver-based writer/poet David Sevick, a story that chronicles one man's journey into homelessness---set to poetry in a very unique, rhythmic-cadenced style (think Dr. Seuss meets ballad rap). It's a great episode that you won't want to miss!