Ali and J'Kalein visit with Iowa Heartland Habitat Board Secretary and local housing expert, LeKeisha Veasley, to explore the ways homeownership contributes to a family's ability to build wealth and the ways housing policies have contributed to wealth gaps in our community over the years. 

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: LeKeisha Veasley | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Ali and J'Kalein visit with long time Iowa Heartland Habitat supporter, Wayne Green, to explore an often unknown and overlooked part of Habitat's mission; our international homebuilding and global partnerships. Heartwarming and inspirational stories are shared about Iowa Heartland's 6.5 year partnership with Habitat for Humanity El Salvador.

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Wayne Green | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are unique and exciting discount home improvement stores.. But did you know that they are a great source of sustainable funding for Habitat's mission in communities all across the country? This episode, Ali and J'Kalein welcome Iowa Heartland Habitat's ReStore Manager, Jeff Finke, to talk all things ReStore!

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Jeff Finke | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Have you ever seen your community or neighborhood facing significant challenges and felt compelled to work with others to do something about it? Today, Ali and J'Kalein are joined by, Christian Community Development practitioner, Walnut Neighborhood resident, & president of the  Walnut Neighborhood Association, Laura Hoy. They chat about the power of neighborhoods, holistic community development, and Laura's work in the neighborhood over the past 13 years. You don't want to miss this inspiring conversation!

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Laura Hoy | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Ali is solo this episode as she welcomes Waterloo Mayor, Quentin Hart to chat about the current state of housing in waterloo and what the future holds!

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Host: Ali Parrish | Guest: Mayor Quentin Hart | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Ali and our guest co-host, Andrew, can't wait for you to meet Iowa Heartland Habitat homebuyer, Katie Muller! After 10 years of living in her Habitat home, Katie shares what affordable homeownership has meant to her family and how it has changed her life!

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and Andrew Finnegan | Guest: Katie Muller | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Have you ever wondered how families are qualified and selected for Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity's programs? Do you ever wonder what happens behind the scenes to make our homebuyer's dreams a reality? Ali and J'Kalein are joined by Iowa Heartland Program Director, Mandy Mahncke to share more about this process!

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Mandy Mahncke | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Redlining. A historical buzzword that many people may have heard, but most often don't fully understand. What exactly is redlining.. and, how has it impacted our community and others over the years? Is redlining still happening today.. and, what can we do about it? Ali and J'Kalein continue their discussion with Polk County Housing Trust Fund Director of Communications and Community Outreach, Lauren Johnson on this episode!

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Lauren Johnson | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Redlining. A historical buzzword that many people may have heard, but most often don't fully understand. What exactly is redlining.. and, how has it impacted our community and others over the years? Is redlining still happening today.. and, what can we do about it? For the next two episodes, Ali and J'Kalein are joined by Polk County Housing Trust Fund Director of Communications and Community Outreach, Lauren Johnson, to discuss all of this and more.

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Lauren Johnson | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Have you considered how housing conditions contribute to a person's overall health and well-being? Did you know that the housing in a neighborhood affects the health of those that live there? For the next two episodes of Bringing Down the House, Ali and J'Kalein are joined by Dr. Disa Cornish, Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Northern Iowa, to dive into this topic.

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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Dr. Disa Cornish | Producer: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound