Things You Didn't Know You Wanna Know That You Should Know

There's a brand-new kind of technology invading our world, and it is here to stay. We keep hearing about the potentially catastrophic outcomes we might realize from AI (artificial intelligence), but what about the potential for incredibly remarkable outcomes, such as cures for diseases, or solutions to previously unsolvable problems such as homelessness? We talk with AI engineer and programmer Michael LaFave, who explains the ...

In this episode, we continue our exploration of the homelessness crisis, looking at a variety of initiatives taking place---including President Biden's new, aggressive plan to reduce homelessness by 25% in 2025. Is it even possible? Our featured guest is well-respected homelessness advocate and prevention expert, Dr. Kathleen Van Voorhis, CEO of Community Investment Alliance. She'll provide her insight, expertise, and per...

We travel back to our original roots and the days when we were called 'The Invisibles: The Homeless Podcast," as we revisit the topic of homelessness in America. What progress have we made? What are the biggest successes and failures in the fight against homelessness? And why isn't there an actionable, overseeing, guiding, coordinating agency at the federal level to lead all the individual, siloed efforts taking plac...

We're re-visiting a topic from last year that affects the lives of roughly one million people in the USA---because it's important for every American to know what's at stake. The future of DACA hangs in the balance, awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court later this year. It could mean the end of a long and hopeful journey for DACA recipients and their families. Helping us understand what could happen is special gu...

It is a problem that has been plaguing our culture since civilization began, and we are still struggling with its effects. Today, the question many are asking is if there is a correlation between bullying and mass shooting in America. We examine all aspects of bullying to try and answer that question with the help of renowned psychologist and child/family therapist Dr. Sheryl Ziegler. What are the long term effects and how can we c...

Humans are living and working longer than ever before. Our parents have a much better chance of living well into their 80s, 90s, and beyond. But the Golden Years aren't so golden for many seniors who are barely scraping by.  Their retirement years are filled with health issues, medical bills, ailments and maladies of all kinds, often compounded by feelings of loneliness and isolation--and memory loss. The burdens they are face...

Should we blame gun violence on mental illness? That's the question we examine in this episode of 'Things.'  After instances of mass violence, in particular school shootings, mental illness is often identified as—or assumed to be—a root cause. But is that a fair assumption? We take a closer look at mental health and its correlation to mass shootings. Exploring inadequate gun control and mental health as causes for gu...

We are all aware othe growing political divisiveness that surrounds us. Not since the Civil War have we felt quite so divided. How did we get here? How do we make it better?  We decided to explore ways we can come together once again and lessen the Great Divide. We engaged in conversations with a number of individuals from both sides of the political aisle, learning what makes them tick, why they believe what they believe and vote ...

There are more than one million people living in the USA who desperately want to stay here but may not be allowed to. They weren't born here, but America is the only home they've ever known. They were raised here, went to school here, made friends and memories here, and became a part of the culture here. But they are not legally Americans. They came from other countries with their parents as infants and toddlers---illegal...

In this episode, we continue our dialogue on the problems plaguing our public education system. We feature a guest panel of expert educators from varying corners of the profession, each who offers their insight and perspectives on a variety of topics relating to public education, including the growing teacher shortage crisis and the dangerous antics of politicized local school boards around the country. We learn what things look li...

There is a war raging in America right now, and there are no signs it's going to end anytime soon. It's a war on public education, and it is affecting an institution that is already struggling with a national teacher shortage that is at crisis levels. It's no secret that the Republican party has never been friendly with our public education system, having made numerous attempts over the years to slash funding for a v...

We have the unique opportunity to talk with someone who experienced extreme emotional trauma after years of being bullied and ridiculed---not only in school, but also at home by members of his own family. His trauma went untreated. Trying to navigate through the pain and anguish on his own proved to be too much. His answer was to wreak havoc and horror at the high school he attended by gunning down as many individuals as he could. ...

It's our special Pride episode!!! For Pride month, we honor the LGBTQ individuals who were handed the undeserved disgrace of being disowned, abandoned, and cast out when coming out to their own families.  Guests share their stories of emotional trauma, and how they overcame such heartbreak to live happy and successful lives. Our featured guest, well-known and respected civil rights attorney Ryan Kendall, endured years of emoti...

It's episode 6 of The Invisibles: The Homeless Podcast and our featured guest is Dr. Kathleen Van Voorhis, nationally renowned expert on the crisis of homelessness. She offers her insight on how we can more easily find solutions that will bring about sustainable change as we examine some of her own successes in the quest for more affordable and attainable housing options---and we'll see why she so strongly believes in the...

If you were given a magic wand, how would you use it to end homelessness? What three problems within the realm of homelessness would you tackle first to forge the fastest path to ending homelessness? We ask our panel of featured guests to use, expertise, knowledge, insight and experience to answer that question. In episode 5, we'll have a conversation with them about their answers. Guests include Melinda Paterson, Exec. Dir. o...

Lots of "meat" to this episode! First, we take a quick look at the CDC's new recommendations for pandemic restrictions to better protect the homeless, and we learn that FINALLY---and it's about time---someone in a position of authority is saying that a few things we don't like (could it be sweeps????) need to stop.  Then we have a fantastic conversation with our featured guest, Mary Putman, Exec. Director o...

In our January episode, our guest is well-known homeless advocate and controversial, outspoken activist Terese Howard for a conversation about what hasn't worked, what might work, and what could work as far as solutions to the root causes of homelessness---in this case, a critical shortage of affordable (and attainable). Plus, we share some of the holiday stories from our listeners who created moments as gifts for those living...

It's our holiday episode! Discover the power of a moment, and how one fleeting moment can change someone's life. Plus, being homeless is bad enough. But is it even tougher to be gay and homeless? We chat with Matthew Schwartz to find out. And Melinda has a nice surprise when she's out on the street chatting with some of the homeless population, and she encounters someone she knew way back when. And much, much more! G...

It's the launch of our new podcast, and we couldn't be more excited! In this episode, we offer a glimpse of what the show will be all about and what our objectives are with the creation of 'The Invisibles.' Our guest for this show is Melinda Paterson, Executive Director for Shelter Matters, the non-profit organization behind 'The Invisibles.' Ms. Paterson talks about her own experience working with the...