Give Me Shelter

In this episode I interview Blake Pierce of White Oak Bicycle Co-op to learn how his nonprofit plays a vital role in the fight against Homelessness. Blake share how critical it is to create improved transportation opportunities for our vulnerable neighbors.

In this episode I discuss the disturbing escalation of criminalization of homelessness. Tennessee has the nation's harshest public camping law allowing law enforcement to charge those experiencing homelessness with a felony for camping on public land. I discuss the ramifications of such actions, and how enforcement campaigns actually make or nation's homeless crisis worse, not better.

The mobile Vet service, "The Dandelion Kind" joins us to explain the vital role they play in keeping homeless pet families healthy.  We discuss animal welfare, mental health, serving in encampments, and working in concert with other service providers.

In this episode I interview Martie Lafferty from the Tennessee Fair Housing Council on the topic of rental discrimination. We discuss: What is rental discrimination? How can I know if I am being discriminated against? What can I do if I am being discriminated against? What support can I receive?

In this episode I explain the identity, purpose and tactics that the Cicero Institute use to create hostile living conditions for those experiencing homelessness. Areas of exploration include; -Involuntary Commitment -Influencing Public Policy -Misleading lawmakers and the public over the causes and solutions of homelessness

In this episode I interview Anna Golladay who is running for the US Representative for District 3 in Tennessee. Anna discusses her perspectives of the systemic causes of homelessness in our country and what she believes can make a big difference in this fight.

In this episode we get to meet some of those in Chattanooga experiencing homelessness.  University of Tennessee-Chattanooga Professor Billy Weeks shares portraits, videos and stories of some of our homeless neighbors in an effort to help people get past their discomfort of homelessness and better understand what factors lead to becoming unhoused.

In this episode I discuss the realities of several myths related to homelessness:

Laziness causes homelessness

Why don't they just get a job?

Homelessness is caused by substance use

Homelessness is due to mental illness Homeless people are dangerous

I also discuss the importance of distinguishing the differences between individual factors and systemic factors of homelessness.

Dr Hannah Bujak shares her experiences providing medical care to our unsheltered neighbors.

In this episode Dr. Hannah Bujak describes her experiences in providing medical care to our unsheltered neighbors.