In this episode, we discuss how extreme heat is impacting our community, driving increased demand for food, water, and support at Topeka Rescue Mission. We're joined by Kathy Mosher, CEO of Astra Mental Health and Recovery, and Pam Evans, Director of Marketing and Development, to explore how Astra is expanding access to mental health services through same-day care, school-based programs, crisis response, and community support. We also examine the connection between homelessness and mental illness, the importance of collaboration in serving those in need, and highlight Astra's Vivid: The Art of Healing gala supporting mental health and recovery services. 

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This episode explores the growing intersection of mental illness, incarceration, homelessness, and community support. Shawnee County Department of Corrections Director Brian Cole shares the realities facing the local jail, including the challenges of providing behavioral health care while preparing thousands of people each year to successfully return to the community. The conversation also highlights rising food insecurity, the impact of community support through Topeka Rescue Mission, and why investing in stability, from meals and backpacks to reentry services, benefits both individuals and public safety.

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In this episode, Scott Bryant, Director of the TRM Distribution Center and Marcus Molinar, Deputy Director of Property and Security Operations discuss the Topeka Rescue Mission's Back to School Drive and why it makes a meaningful difference for local children and families. They explain the goal of providing backpacks and essential school supplies to around 400 kids across Shawnee County before the school year begins. They also share how listeners can contribute through the Amazon wish list, donation drop-offs, or volunteering. Beyond the supplies themselves, the episode explores how being prepared for school helps children feel confident, included, and ready to learn. It's a conversation about meeting practical needs, strengthening families, and creating lasting impact in the community.

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In this episode, Isabell Cronister and Jamie Wiegert from Topeka Rescue Mission's Trauma Education and Development program explore the profound impact of adverse childhood experiences, the lasting effects of trauma on individuals experiencing homelessness, and the reality of secondary trauma among those who serve others. They discuss why ACE scores are a tool for understanding rather than a predictor of the future, share practical ways to build trauma-informed workplaces that support both clients and staff, and highlight how programs like Kids Camp use TBRI to help children develop healthy coping skills.

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In this episode (https://bit.ly/OCOM_EP317), we reflect on insights from the City Gate Network conference, where La Manda Cunningham and Miriam Krehbiel discuss the challenges of serving others and the importance of lasting change rooted in faith, collaboration, and shared purpose. Centered on the theme “All For Love,” the conversation emphasizes that while effective strategies are essential, love remains the driving force behind meaningful and lasting solutions to homelessness.

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In this episode we discuss one of Scripture’s most powerful images of grace, the father who watches in Luke 15, and what it means that he does not simply wait for his son’s return but runs to meet him. Through stories of faith, compassion, and unexpected moments of care, we explore how God calls us to see people beyond labels, beyond assumptions, and beyond their worst decisions. Sometimes the greatest act of love is simply keeping watch for someone a long way off.

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In this episode we sit down with Barry Feaker to share the remarkable story of how a collapsing shelter in 1989 led to one of the most inspiring community efforts in Topeka Rescue Mission's history. What began as a crisis became a powerful testament to faith, perseverance, and the generosity of thousands of people who came together to make the impossible possible.

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 What does it actually take to move someone from homelessness to lasting stability? In this episode, R.E.S.T.O.R.E co-directors Ashley Davis and Crystal Guerrero explain how Topeka Rescue Mission is reshaping homeless services through a relationship-first, trauma-informed approach that focuses on long-term support instead of short-term shelter. They walk through how the R.E.S.T.O.R.E program works, from personalized intake assessments and realistic goal-setting to consistent case management that stays with guests through rehousing and up to 12 months of aftercare.

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“Just pray more” can feel like an answer… until you’re the one lying awake with anxiety, carrying grief, or absorbing trauma from the people you serve. In this episode we sit with Mike Schoettle, our Director of Spiritual Wellness and Discipleship, to talk plainly about Mental Health Awareness Month and what mental health support really looks like in a faith-based rescue mission setting.

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Safety isn’t just a statistic, it’s about trust, relationships, and whether people truly feel secure in their community.

In this episode, Chief Chris Vallejo shares how he’s leading in Topeka with transparency and a strong focus on connection, while working to modernize the department and build trust. The conversation also explores how local partners respond to urgent situations affecting those experiencing homelessness and addresses difficult realities like camping bans and the lack of available options for people in crisis.

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