They Don’t Just Share Their Story—They Make the Decisions

Dee Martineau and Rico Morales are part of Hennepin County’s Lived Experience Advisory Group—a rare example of a system that doesn’t just ask for input, but actually gives decision-making power to people with lived experience of homelessness.

In this moving and eye-opening conversation, they share their personal journeys, challenge tokenism, and show us what real equity looks like when those most impacted are trusted to lead.

TThis powerful podcast conversation comes from our documentary, “Can We End Homelessness? Hennepin County Shows How.” Watch the full film here: https://youtu.be/yq1C8l4uSZc?si=wURzO38s_uxgeDw_

What happens when home isn’t safe—and the shelter system isn’t either? Dr. Alex Abramovich is a Senior Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, and Canada Research Chair in 2SLGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness and Mental Health. For over 15 years, he’s been a leading voice fighting to end the systemic failures that leave queer and trans youth with nowhere to turn.

In this powerful episode, Dr. Abramovich shares what he's learned from years of research—and lived experience—about hidden homelessness, family rejection, and the urgent need for inclusive housing and mental health services. He also talks about empowering youth through film and storytelling, and what it really takes to make change.

If you care about homeless youth, mental health, or making sure no one is left behind, this episode is essential.

Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath joins us to break down the perfect storm hitting LA: devastating fires, rising rents, and a worsening homelessness crisis. In this unfiltered conversation, we dig into the systemic failures, political roadblocks, and policy gaps that are fueling displacement across the region.

We talk about how the county is responding to disaster displacement, why prevention is key, and the broken bureaucracies that leave beds sitting empty while people sleep on the streets. Horvath shares why she led the push to declare a state of emergency in LA County—and how it’s helping cut red tape to speed up real solutions. She also talks candidly about her time on the LAHSA commission, calling the agency “fundamentally broken” and describing how it’s grown into something “almost unmanageable.”

To understand what’s really happening in Los Angeles—and what we must do next to fix it—listen now.

Most cities talk about ending homelessness. St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada, is actually doing it. This year alone, they’ve reduced chronic homelessness by 30%—and in this episode, we sit down with Danielle Neilson, Manager of Housing Stability Services, to break down exactly how they’re making it happen.

🔹 What’s working in St. Thomas—and why other cities should take notes
🔹 How political will and community buy-in are changing lives
🔹 The unexpected ways libraries, businesses, and police are stepping up
🔹 Why criminalization and NIMBY resistance are making things worse
🔹 The truth about “ending” vs. “functionally ending” homelessness

Former gang member Curtis Howard spent 30 years cycling between homelessness and incarceration, not because of gang activity, but because the system punishes people for being poor. From parole violations to survival crimes, Curtis exposes how the criminal justice system traps homeless people in an endless cycle—and why it was easier to leave gang life than to escape homelessness.

Now an advocate and nonprofit founder, Curtis is fighting to change the system. In this powerful conversation, he reveals:

🔹 How homelessness, not gangs, led to his arrests

🔹 Why parole conditions keep people stuck on the streets

🔹 The truth about why people struggle to exit homelessness

🔹 Real solutions that actually work

This is a raw, eye-opening conversation you won’t want to miss. Watch or listen now.

Special thanks to the Regional Task Force on Homelessness in San Diego