Sometimes a Great Podcast

Espresso Yourself! ‘Cuz ODHS is a Pod of Awesome!


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Season 1, Episode 24: Nov. 17, 2025

21 mins. 54 secs.

From the first jolt of Monday caffeine to the last refill that gets you through a long afternoon, this week’s episode is brewed for anyone running on grit, heart, and a little extra espresso. Each story percolates with warmth and resilience — from Oregon’s SNAP shutdown response to updates from Trauma Aware that kept our teams steady through uncertainty. Pour yourself a fresh cup and join Bethany and Shenika as they stir together guidance, gratitude, and the kind of everyday strength that keeps ODHS going, one steady sip at a time.


What’s Inside

Deadline: ODHS (4:30)

  • Federal court orders release of full November SNAP benefits.

  • Oregon issues benefits overnight on Nov. 7, ahead of other states.

  • Governor Kotek and Acting Director Wendt confirm benefits will not be reversed.

  • State continues monitoring federal legal activity as shutdown unfolds.


Celebrate: ODHS (9:33)

District 13 Harvest Share Partnership

  • Staff in Wallowa, Union, and Baker counties deliver produce during SNAP uncertainty.Collaboration with Harvest Share strengthens local food access and community trust.

Messages of Gratitude from Across Oregon

  • Thousands thank ODHS for rapid overnight issuance of SNAP benefits.

  • Praise from community partners, tribal leaders, local governments, and SNAP recipients.

  • Staff encouraged to view the gratitude book as a reminder of their statewide impact.


Survivor: Oregon — Trauma Aware (14:00)

Intro to Trauma Aware ODHS

  • Updated Trauma Informed Toolbox includes new guidance for supporting families affected by the SNAP delay.

  • Focus on building resilience, safety, equity, and supportive environments for staff and customers.

Suicide Prevention Guide

  • New ODHS resource offering compassionate approaches to difficult conversations.

  • Safe language, warning signs, and training pathways for staff.

From Reaction to Reason

  • Trauma-aware strategies for de-escalation and grounding during tense interactions.

  • Emphasis on regulate–relate–reason, safe communication, and self-care during high-stress moments.


Writer’s Round-Up (18:33)

Bethany brings a Hemingway-style, coffee-charged reflection on resilience, relief, and the ODHS teams who kept Oregon steady through a turbulent week — proving once again that courage comes in many forms, sometimes even in a well-timed refill.


Credits

Co-Hosts:

Dr. Bethany Grace Howe — Communications

Shenika - District 10, Community Partnership Coordinator


Produced by: Dr. Bethany Grace Howe

Contact: Questions / feedback: [email protected]

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Sometimes a Great PodcastBy Oregon Department of Human Services