In this part two conversation with Church at the Park staff member Sterling Cunio, the Humanity of Homelessness digs into a single, urgent question: what does meaningful involvement actually look like when it comes to our neighbors experiencing homelessness? Picking up where the first episode left off, Sterling walks through “minimum, medium, and maximum” pathways of engagement—from simply learning someone’s story, to building sustainable rhythms of service, to re-imagining how land, housing, and policy can be used so that everyone has access to shelter. Along the way, he reflects on his own journey with Salem, the power of tiny consistent actions, and what he learned about rest, ecosystem, and burnout from a recent artist residency in Costa Rica.

Listeners will hear a candid invitation to join a community of people who are, in Sterling’s words, “consciously and deliberately engaged” in making things better, without romanticizing sacrifice or ignoring real limits. This episode is for anyone who has ever sat at a dinner table conversation about homelessness and wondered, “But what do I actually do next?”

In this episode of The Humanity of Homelessness, John sits down with writer, organizer, and former Church at the Park storyteller Sterling Cunio to trace a life that spans suburban Texas, Salem’s streets, nearly three decades in prison, and a surprising new vocation: waging joy in hard places. Sterling reflects on losing his grandmother, becoming homeless as a teenager, committing a serious act of violence, and receiving consecutive life sentences—then describes the interior work that began when a victim’s family member asked him a single, destabilizing question: “Why did you do it?” From that point, he talks about choosing nonviolence without any promise of release, discovering that “doing good felt good,” and being met by a web of community support that eventually opened the prison gates.

Now, as a poet and member of the Ubuntu Commons Initiative, Sterling travels to places like Costa Rica, Washington D.C., and New Orleans, using story and art to help communities imagine systems change grounded in joy, relationship, and shared responsibility. Along the way, he shares what he sees when he walks Salem’s shelters and encampments, why he keeps “adopting” neighbors living outside in every city he visits, and how simple acts—like saying hello to someone on the street—can become small rebellions of hope

Join us for a powerful conversation with Bill Hardman, a staff member at Church at the Park’s family shelter site in Salem, Oregon. Bill shares his journey through decades of addiction, repeated incarceration, and homelessness, offering an inside look at the challenges faced by many in his community. With honesty and humor, Bill reflects on the vital role of trust, support, and consistency in healing, and how building relationships in safe spaces helped him find stability and joy after years of hardship.

Bill’s story is one of resilience and hope—reminding us that transformation is possible at any stage of life, especially when people feel seen, accepted, and empowered to write new chapters for themselves. Whether he’s cracking jokes, mentoring younger shelter guests, or simply holding a baby so a parent can take a breath, Bill exemplifies the compassion and honesty that can change lives.

Tune in for lessons on recovery, generational trauma, accountability, and the unique power of genuine connection.

In this heartfelt episode, we sit down with Patrick Geier, a participant in Salem’s Safe Parking program. Patrick and his wife, Chantel, journeyed to Salem in search of stability after a lifetime of upheaval and hardship, including years of homelessness. With characteristic honesty and resilience, Patrick bravely details his childhood in Lubbock, Texas, marked by family trauma and constant relocation, and how these experiences shaped his ability to persevere through dire circumstances.

Patrick opens up about the deep impact of his relationship with Chantel, the healing presence of community, and the transformative support provided by programs like Safe Parking. He shares candidly about overcoming addiction, his ongoing commitment to helping others, and his determination to build a better future. Along the way, Patrick challenges stereotypes about homelessness, emphasizing the importance of compassion, agency, and the distinction between a "handout" and a "hand up."

Join us as Patrick’s story dispels myths and delivers hard-won wisdom about hope, resilience, and the value of believing in a better tomorrow.

In this powerful episode of "The Humanity of Homelessness," we sit down with Aurora Granado, a single mother of five whose story is a testament to resilience, faith, and transformation. Aurora shares her journey through two experiences of homelessness, her path to recovery from addiction, and how finding her faith became the cornerstone of rebuilding her life.

From a childhood marked by foster care and instability to becoming a mother determined to break generational cycles, Aurora's story reveals both the complex factors that can lead to homelessness and the profound impact of community support. Now a participant in Church at the Park's family shelter program, Aurora is preparing to start a new job at Amazon and dreams of opening her own caregiving facility to serve elderly community members with dignity and love.

Throughout our conversation, Aurora's infectious positivity and deep spiritual conviction shine through as she discusses how her relationship with God has given her a new identity and purpose. Her wisdom about the temporary nature of difficult circumstances and her commitment to helping others make this episode both inspiring and instructive for anyone seeking hope in hard places.

This episode offers valuable insights into the realities of homelessness, the importance of wraparound services, and the transformative power of faith and community support.

In this episode of The Humanity of Homelessness, we sit down with Kyle Dickinson, the executive director of Salem Leadership Foundation. Kyle shares his personal journey—from his roots in Redding, California to his roles in ministry, fundraising, and community leadership. He reflects on formative moments that shaped his vision of community, belonging, and stewardship, weaving together stories of sports teams, the lessons learned from his father, and deep experiences with faith-based service. 

Kyle discusses the importance of connection across Salem’s nonprofit, faith, and civic sectors as essential to building a healthy, thriving city. He also offers rich perspectives on the complexities of addressing homelessness, emphasizing long-term relational approaches, learning from lived experience, and nurturing a sense of collective belonging. Join us for a conversation full of warmth, humor, wisdom, and hope for Salem’s future.

In this heartfelt episode of The Humanity of Homelessness podcast, host John Marshall sits down with Paul Fairchild, a case manager at Church at the Park’s family shelter in Salem, Oregon. Paul bravely opens up about his journey through homelessness, addiction, incarceration, and recovery. He shares personal stories from his upbringing in Tacoma, the instability he faced as a youth, and the hard lessons learned through substance use and incarceration. Paul discusses the challenges of building a new life in Salem, the resources that supported his recovery, and how his lived experience now guides his work supporting families facing homelessness.

Listeners will be moved by Paul’s honesty, resilience, and hope. He reflects on the power of supportive communities, the necessity of affordable housing, and the real transformation that happens when people are given second chances. Paul’s story is a testimony to perseverance, the importance of supportive relationships, and the light that can emerge from even the darkest places.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand the real, human side of homelessness and recovery — and to celebrate the good news found in unexpected places.

In this episode of The Humanity of Homelessness, host John Marshall sits down with internationally recognized peacemaker, faith leader, and activist Ben McBride. As co-founder of the Empower Initiative, Ben has dedicated his life to fostering radical belonging, building bridges across lines of difference, and guiding communities through conflict and polarization. Ben shares stories from his upbringing in San Francisco, his early days in theater and church, and his transformative journey into activism and community organizing—work that has taken him from the streets of Oakland to global peace efforts in South Africa and the Middle East.

Ben reflects on what "home" means to him, the power of empathy in healing fractured communities, and his philosophy that true belonging is not about changing others, but about building bigger tables that make room for everyone. He discusses his pivotal role in violence reduction and police-community trust-building, and the lessons learned from leading the Alabama Learning Lab, a powerful immersion into the history and ongoing challenges of belonging in America.

Listeners will gain insight into Ben’s approach to leadership, the importance of seeing and humanizing one another, and practical wisdom for anyone seeking to create more inclusive, resilient communities. The conversation is both deeply personal and universally relevant, offering hope and actionable steps for navigating difference without division.

In this powerful episode of The Humanity of Homelessness, John Marshall sits down with Maria Madariaga, Director of Programs at Church at the Park, for an honest and deeply moving conversation about resilience, healing, and the transformative power of community. Maria shares her journey from a childhood marked by domestic violence and instability in Los Angeles, through years of navigating the foster care and juvenile justice systems, to becoming a young mother facing homelessness and adversity.

With vulnerability and wisdom, Maria reflects on how her lived experiences shaped her empathy, her approach to service, and her leadership in designing programs that meet people where they are. She discusses the challenges of breaking cycles of trauma, finding self-worth, and building a stable life for herself and her children. Maria’s story is a testament to the strength found in forgiveness, the importance of supportive relationships, and the hope that comes from giving back.

Listeners will gain insight into the realities behind homelessness, the misconceptions that persist, and the vital role of community in fostering change. Maria’s journey is not just about overcoming hardship—it’s about using her story to empower others and create spaces where everyone’s humanity is honored.

In our inaugural episode of "The Humanity of Homelessness," we sit down with DJ Vincent, founding pastor and CEO of Church at the Park in Salem, Oregon. DJ shares the remarkable journey from humble beginnings-hosting monthly potlucks in Cascades Gateway Park-to becoming a multimillion-dollar operation providing emergency shelter, supportive housing, and comprehensive services to neighbors experiencing homelessness.

Through powerful stories about Steve, Juanita, Kay, and Randy, DJ reveals how relationships with unhoused individuals shaped the organization's approach and values. He explores the complex root causes of homelessness-from broken relationships and health challenges to systemic barriers-while explaining Church at the Park's relationship-driven solutions and ambitious vision for the future.

This conversation offers profound insights into how proximity to pain and challenge can transform both individuals and communities. Whether you're curious about homelessness, community development, or faith-based service, DJ's wisdom and experience provide a compelling framework for understanding and action.