Heard by One Step Away

In the season 1 finale episode, Caia talks about her recent bout of homelessness, her hope through One Step Away, and an inspirational local leader.

In this second to last episode of the first season, we speak with Kevin, a.k.a. "Smiley". Kevin is a 58 year old Philly native that co-founded "cardboard city" while homeless. Cardboard city blew up to be a 300 person encampment in Philly for close to 20 years. 

Kevin also talks about insecurities as a child manifesting themselves over the course of his life and achieving sobriety over time. Kevin distributes One Step Away magazines at 19th and Chestnut. He's currently in school working on re-establishing his studies. 

Richard "Ram" reflects on his life story and how homelessness starts from role models and environments as a child. After a mistake as a teenager that sent him away to prison, Ram learned to build new habits and re-discover his interests through creative outlets. Today he sells the One Step Away magazine at Trader Joes on Market Street, while pursuing his poetry and jewelry side projects.

Deirdre talks through the tragedies that led her to homelessness and the moment that changed her perspective on everything. 

Jerry talks through his experience with childhood homelessness, rediscovering family, and appearing as a Hollywood extra. 

Skip talks about how homelessness and addiction intertwine and why it's so hard to break the cycle. 

Neal talks about how homelessness became a mind state for him after growing up in North Philly. He overcame homelessness through an acting school scholarship and selling One Step Away, and one Shakespeare monologue got him international recognition that changed his life. 

In this inaugural episode, we hear Maria's story. Maria is a West Philly native that originally experienced homelessness after becoming sick. She tells the story of her long and continuing road to economic security.

"Heard, a One Step Away Podcast" is storytelling from the streets of Philadelphia. One Step Away is Philly's Street magazine, produced and sold by Philadelphians experiencing homelessness. "Heard" is therefore Philly's street podcast, which tells the story of struggle and success in Philadelphia's homeless community. Each episode features a new person telling their story in their own words. All proceeds from this podcast go to supporting the One Step Away non-profit, which empowers people experiencing homelessness to break their cycle of poverty through micro-entrepreneurship. 

This series was produced by Emily Taylor, recorded by Dylan Yuska, and edited by Max Morgan. Music credits go to ANBR.