Friends In Deed Podcast

Today, Rabbi Joshua has a very unique conversation with the Executive Director, Cassy Basham, and social work intern, Will Elliot, at Camp Graves. As you will learn, this homeless service organization was born from the tragic tornado that struck Mayfield, Kentucky in 2021. After hearing this podcast, they reached out to see if we could talk and learn more about each other's work. What transpired was a wide-ranging conversation, with them sharing the challenges of rural homelessness, and learning how much we have in common in our struggle to help the most vulnerable in our respective communities.

Read more about Camp Graves and their impact:

https://www.campgraves.org/

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In this episode, Rabbi Joshua engages in a "dialogue" with a recent New York Times article entitled, "How a Billionaire Shaped Trump's Homelessness Policy" (NYT, August 22, 2026, Ellen Barry and Jason Deparle). This article focuses on a think-tank called the Cicero Institute, and its founder, Joe Lonsdale, a venture capitalist turned policy influencer. 

While this is not an actual dialogue, Rabbi Joshua makes sure to only address quotes or ideas that appear specifically in the article. 

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Rabbi Joshua sat down with members of the Street Outreach and Housing team recently to hear the latest about what is happening with their clients, the heat, the political challenges, Eaton fire victims, and some success stories. It is so important to learn from the people who are doing the work each and every day.

This episode includes: Jane, Barbara, Virginia, Al and Mercedes

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Today's episode is very short--a 4 minute testimonial from Fiona, a guest at The Women's Room, who has been living in her car since the Eaton fire, who spoke at our recent Mayor's Interfaith Prayer Breakfast. Her words sum up what we try to offer each person that comes through our doors.

Here is a link to the video clip:

https://youtu.be/NUm9yVIFyJ0?si=QwEa2RXuEoWn2lzZ

https://friendsindeedpas.org

Stories and anecdotes are important and help to touch the emotional side of people's lives. Yet sometimes, we need data and research to support those stories, especially with policy makers. In this episode, Rabbi Joshua speaks with Professor Chris Giamarino of Cal Poly Pomona. Professor Giamarino is a leading expert on vehicular homelessness, which includes the study of safe parking. We hope you will listen and join us in learning some of the in-depth knowledge about the reality of our neighbors living in their cars. 

Here are three articles, two by Professor Giamarino, on the topic:

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10511482.2024.2313511

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10511482.2022.2117990#d1e230

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01944363.2022.2050936

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Tired of hearing that interim housing costs too much, takes too long and isn't viable? On this episode, Rabbi Joshua speaks with Gene Edelman, co-founder of Azure Printed Homes, whose company is having success in parts of California and around the country, creating different size homes that are beautiful, cost effective and made out of recycled materials. They have zero contracts for interim housing here in LA--we are hoping that will change soon! 

https://www.azureprintedhomes.com/

Closing music: Eric Clapton 

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In today's episode, Rabbi Joshua visits The Women's Room (TWR) to talk with a guest about her life and how she arrived at Friends In Deed. Cristian's honesty and inspiration is certainly a testament to the power of faith, community, survival--never feeling alone, always feeling supported. This an episode not to be missed!

Closing music: Eric Clapton

Other music: ABBA

https://friendsindeedpas.org

On this episode, Rabbi Joshua has an in-depth conversation with Rector Carrie Grindon of Saint Mark's Episcopal Church in Altadena. Pastor Grindon shares her experience with the Eaton Fire, learning about the burning of the church and homes of her parishioners, as well as the saving of a church bell from the rubble. And like the Altadena Baptist Church and Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center, she discusses their plans to rebuild on their land. 

And like the previous episode, this one is a bit longer than usual. But worth it!

Closing music: Eric Clapton

https://friendsindeedpas.org

On this special episode, Rabbi Joshua has in-depth conversation with three local clergy, all of whose houses of worship burned in the Eaton Fire: Pastor Connie DeVaughn of Altadena Baptist Church, and Rabbi Josh Ratner and Cantor Ruth Berman Harris of the Pasadena Jewish Temple and Center. This was an emotional, spiritual and moving conversation, which moves from the moments of the fire to the months since, and now towards the light of new beginnings, as each congregation has plans to rebuild on their property. 

Closing music: Eric Clapton

https://friendsindeedpas.org

On this episode, Rabbi Joshua discusses Safe Parking programs and talks with FID's new Director of Street Outreach and Housing, Giulianna LoMaglio, who has expertise in how successful safe parking can be for moving people from homelessness to housing. This is timely as Pasadena is in the midst of a debate about opening up a new safe parking location. 

Apply for FID's safe parking program:

https://friendsindeedpas.org/programs/street-outreach/

Learn more about the program in LA:

https://safeparkingla.org/

Closing music: Eric Clapton

https://friendsindeedpas.org