Over half the women living in the Mat-Su have experienced domestic violence. Breaking free takes tremendous courage. In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the stories about the final straw for two women who broke free from violent relationships. (Photo by Megan Dujardin on Unsplash)

In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the stories of Ukrainian refugees who have settled in the Mat-Su. Two stories that show no two tales are alike - from the reasons to leave to the reasons to stay.

In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the stories of two communities that combat big issues with youth in Mat Su: loneliness and substance abuse. (Image credit: Thrive)

In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares stories from two small business owners in the Palmer community. Women who not only build successful businesses but build community. Two people who believe that life is Better Together.

In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the stories of two women who brighten our lives: one with swaths of paint on a storefront window  and the other with the tip of the pen.

In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the story about fentanyl in the Mat Su from two points of view: a mother who never forgets the son she lost to an overdose and a doctor who witnesses the fentanyl crisis in the emergency room each week.

In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, we hear the story of the Upper Susitna Food Pantry near Talkeetna, Alaska. It’s the story of how a wide-spread community works hard to feed the hungry with not just a hand out but with a hand up.

In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, we share the story of the Resolve and Reconciliation with the past. It’s the story of how an apology heard hundreds of miles away in Juneau, Alaska impacts one man and his church in Palmer. Photo credit: William Paul Jr. Collection via Ben Paul

In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the story of The Mat Su Chabad Lubavitch Jewish Center. It’s a story of those who vow to never forget and never give up to shine light on the world-with the ancient Jewish laws of kindness and charity. It’s about the light that chases out the dark. 

In this episode of Voices of The Mat-Su, Emily Forstner shares the story of a convicted felon who re-enters society and finds a second chance with the support of the Valley Charities Re-Entry  program.  It is the voice of resilience, redemption and the pursuit of a full, rich life.