In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Amy King—founder of Weld and Pallet, builder of communities, and champion of second chances. Amy shares her deeply personal and unconventional path to employing justice-involved individuals, building intentional housing solutions, and raising kids in a household shaped by trust and belief in change.

What began as a chance encounter with a few men in need of work evolved into a national movement rooted in purpose and dignity. With candor and insight, Amy talks about vetting risk, challenging assumptions, and the very real transformation that happens when someone feels seen, trusted, and valued—regardless of their past. She also reflects on the burden of bureaucracy and how entrenched systems often make meaningful change harder than it should be.

Eric and Amy reflect on the complexities of public perception, criminal history, and the power of human connection. As always, their distinct perspectives—his from a law enforcement career, hers from decades in the nonprofit world—bring nuance and depth to a conversation that is both emotionally grounded and socially urgent. This episode is a testament to what’s possible when we stop asking, “What did you do?” and start asking, “What do you need to thrive?"

In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy sit down with two seemingly unlikely allies: Hollywood actor and activist Billy Baldwin and homelessness and addiction expert Dr. Robert Marbut.

Billy Baldwin, best known for his roles on screen, found himself drawn into the world of homelessness advocacy after preparing for a role in a film about life on the streets. That journey led to No Address, a feature film, and the subsequent documentary Americans With No Address.

Dr. Robert Marbut has spent decades advising cities and administrations—including the first Trump administration—on homelessness policy.  Despite their starkly different backgrounds and political identities, Billy and Robert forged a surprising friendship rooted in mutual respect and a shared desire to tackle America's homelessness and addiction crises head-on.

In this conversation, the four discuss how they met, their collaborative projects, and the critical importance of bridging political divides to create real solutions. It’s a rare, inspiring glimpse into what happens when compassion meets pragmatism—and when people actually listen to each other.

In this episode of BomBardened, Eric and Amy Barden dive into a thought-provoking conversation with Ginny Burton, a fierce advocate for addiction recovery and interventions that actually work. Ginny shares her powerful redemption story, beginning with her tumultuous childhood, where she was exposed to drugs and chaos at an early age. After decades in and out of jails and prisons, Ginny found a way out, permanently breaking the self-destructive cycle of crime and crisis and sustaining recovery. She is a Truman Scholar, Martin Honor Scholar, University of Washington graduate, author, mother, and passionate champion for reform in the carceral system. Ginny’s story is a testament to the power of compassion and personal accountability; she is a living testament that every person can change.

Eric and Amy’s unique perspectives on public safety and addiction recovery provide a rich backdrop for this conversation. Eric, a retired Deputy Chief of Police with 38 years of service, having led the Narcotics unit for 15 years, brings a law enforcement perspective to the dialogue. Amy, informed by decades of nonprofit work and academic training, sees the world through a lens of compassion and pragmatism. The Bardens reflect on their own experiences and the intersection of their worlds—Eric's exposure to the worst of human nature and behavior, and Amy's exposure to the best of human nature and conviction that anyone can change. This episode is a compelling blend of personal stories, professional insights, and candid conversation about what truly helps people to change and to heal.

Join Eric and Amy Barden as they introduce The BomBardened Podcast, where they bring their unique perspectives and debate critical societal issues. Eric, a newly retired deputy chief of police with 38 years of major city policing experience, and Amy, an innovative public safety leader and champion of early intervention and diversion, discuss their shared journey of finding common ground despite their differing opinions on criminal justice and human nature and behavior. In this episode, they dive into their personal backgrounds, touch on topics like homelessness, crime, and mental health, and set the stage for a thoughtful, sometimes heated, but always respectful conversation.