In this episode of Bombardened, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with Nichole Alexander — a powerhouse in the fight for effective homelessness response and a leader whose credibility comes from both lived experience and deep professional expertise. Nichole’s journey from surviving the very challenges she now works to solve, to becoming one of the most respected voices in the field, is nothing short of extraordinary.

Through candid conversation, Nichole unpacks the systemic failures she’s witnessed firsthand, the barriers that keep people from stability, and the changes she believes are essential to breaking the cycle. She and the Bardens dive into the intersection of compassion, accountability, and smart policy, revealing how real change happens when people with direct experience have a seat at the table.

Eric brings a law enforcement lens shaped by decades of navigating the realities of crisis on the street, while Amy offers a perspective rooted in nonprofit leadership and pragmatic compassion. Together with Nichole, they explore the tension, hope, and urgency in building systems that actually work.