As temperatures drop in Utah, the struggle to provide adequate support for the homeless intensifies. In this episode, we’re joined by Pulitzer Prize-nominated photojournalist Robin Pendergrast, who shares his insights on documenting Utah’s complex social issues, including homelessness. Robin's extraordinary career has taken him across the state and beyond, with his powerful images featured in the Washington Post, Time Magazine, NBC News, and numerous Utah publications.

We explore the efforts of local heroes like Wendy Garvin and dedicated organizations that provide life-saving resources beyond simple handouts—offering essentials like blankets, hand sanitizer, and temporary shelter. But while the community steps up, government bureaucracy presents challenges, with policies that hinder access to resources and delay the establishment of much-needed shelters.

In this episode of Stories From The Other Side, we sit down with Preston Cochrane from The Other Side Village to delve into their visionary approach to addressing chronic homelessness. This project isn’t just about providing shelter; it’s about fostering a transformative community grounded in purpose, dignity, and support.

The Other Side Village goes beyond tiny homes — it’s a master-planned community where social connections and meaningful work are the heart of daily life. Here, work isn’t just a task; it’s seen as essential to happiness and self-respect. This Village empowers residents to build self-reliance through cooperative efforts and entrepreneurial endeavors, offering onsite employment opportunities and generating support for long-term sustainability.

Learn how The Other Side Village is reshaping lives, lifting spirits, and cultivating a new model for homelessness solutions. Join us for an inspiring look at how purpose and community are at the center of this transformative initiative.

#TheOtherSideVillage #StoriesFromTheOtherSide #CommunitySolutions #HomelessnessRecovery #UtahStories

In this episode of Utah Stories, we dive into the heated debate over book bans in Utah's K-12 public schools. What started as a battle over specific titles has evolved into a broader cultural war. We explore both sides of this contentious issue, from parent advocacy groups pushing to remove books deemed inappropriate to educators defending the need for open discussions around complex topics like sexuality and trauma.

Our guest, John Arthur, 2020 Utah Teacher of the Year and current candidate for the Utah School Board, shares his insights on this issue. He reflects on the challenges educators face, his views on the book ban movement, and his experiences teaching during the pandemic. Tune in for an enlightening conversation about the future of education in Utah and how this cultural battle could shape it.

Don’t miss out on this important discussion!

Just a couple of years ago, I stumbled upon a program that is saving taxpayers millions of dollars to reform the lives of criminals and ex-convicts. This organization is called the Other Side Academy, and it's growing here in Utah and it's changing and shaping the way we think about prison and prison reform. I'll be sharing with you over the next few months stories of people from that program.

Dale Keller from Solutions Utah comes on the Utah Stories podcast to discuss Utah's homeless, the Supreme's Court's decision, Housing First, affordable housing, and more. 

Here is Solutions Utah's website for more info: https://solutionsutah.org. Here is The Other Side Academy's website for more info: https://www.theothersideacademy.com.

Visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $3 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

Utah is in the midst of a housing and homeless crisis. Gov. Cox appointed Steve Waldrip as new Senior Advisor for Housing Strategy and Innovation, which is similar to a special task force created to solve the problem. Waldrip is a former Utah State legislator, developer and attorney.

Visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $3 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

Utah is in the midst of a housing and homeless crisis. Gov. Cox appointed Steve Waldrip as new Senior Advisor for Housing Strategy and Innovation, which is similar to a special task force created to solve the problem. Wadrip is a former Utah State legislator, developer and attorney. Here he is on the Utah Stories podcast.

Visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $3 per month. Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

Infertility rates have nearly doubled in the past decade, accompanied by a sharp rise in chronic diseases like diabetes and heart conditions, yet public awareness remains limited. Despite an $11.5 billion budget and extensive resources, the CDC focuses on who and where rather than why Americans are increasingly unhealthy. Socio-economic status emerges as the primary predictor of chronic disease prevalence, overshadowing factors like diet and processed food consumption. The Amish and Mennonite communities, with their traditional farming and low-processed diets, offer contrasting health outcomes, raising questions about the impact of modern food processing practices on public health.

Visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $3 per month.

Follow us on:

Instagram @UtahStories

Twitter @UtahStories

Housing is getting increasingly more expensive, could tiny homes be the solution? Richard Markosian discusses this in this episode of the podcast.

Visit UtahStories.com for more and to subscribe to our free digital newsletter. There you can also support our journalism by subscribing to our print magazine for $3 per month.

Follow us on: Instagram @UtahStories Twitter @UtahStories

Despite TOSA's remarkable success in aiding homeless individuals without government funding, state-funded homeless services in Utah face significant challenges, including lack of accountability and ineffective implementation. The Solutions Utah conference shed light on the increasing homelessness crisis in Salt Lake City, fueled by rising housing prices and scarcity. Governor Spencer Cox endorsed TOSA's approach, emphasizing personal accountability and community support over Housing First policies. The conference highlighted the need for effective and accountable homeless services, contrasting the success of organizations like TOSA and Switchpoint with the failures of government-funded programs.

To learn more go to utahstories.com to watch the full episode or read the full story.