On the series finale of Bringing Down the House, Ali and J'Kalein are joined by Andy Conger, Iowa Heartland's Construction Director. Together, they listen to two stories of hope read by the Habitat for Humanity International CEO, Jonathan Reckford! They also reflect upon the past three seasons of building homes, communities, and hope. You don't want to miss this FINAL episode! Thank you for listening to Bringing Down the House!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Read By: Jonathan Reckford | Guest: Andy Conger | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Welcome back to Bringing Down the House! Today Ali and J'Kalein say goodbye to producer, Norah Schlax and test her knowledge on the State of Maine. Norah is returning to Maine to be closer to family and start a new job! Tune in to this fun, heartwarming bonus episode of Bringing Down the House!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Welcome back to Bringing Down the House! Today Ali and J'Kalein are spending time with Ben Brustkern, the Executive Director of Friends of the Family. Friends of the family is a local organization that provides shelter, confidential services, and housing assistance to individuals in crisis due to homelessness, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. You don't want to miss this difficult, yet heartwarming story of hope! Thank you for tuning in to episode three of Season 3: Building Hope!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Read By: Ben Brustkern | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Welcome back to Bringing Down the House! Today Ali and J'Kalein bring you a story of hope from one of our new Walnut Neighborhood residents, Karen. Stay tuned and be inspired by her incredible journey from Arizona to Waterloo, Iowa. Thanks for tuning in to episode two of season three!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Read By: Karen Kalaassen | Written by: Karen Kalaassen | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Welcome back to Bringing Down the House! One of Habitat for Humanity’s key principals from the very beginning has been to promote dignity and hope. In fact, the theme of hope is woven through all of our work and our mission statement today. That’s why season three, entitled Building Hope, will be designed around stories of hope written by various partners of Iowa Heartland Habitat or members of our community. To kick off season three, Ali and J’Kalein reflect on a story of hope shared by our tithing partner, Habitat for Humanity El Salvador. You don’t want to miss this incredible story from around the world!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Read By: Vanessa Albanéz | Written by: Vanessa Albanéz & Rodrigo Godoy | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
On this special bonus episode of Bringing Down the House, Ali, J'Kalein, and Norah chat about their holiday traditions and look back on their favorite moments of the last two seasons. Norah then puts Ali and J'Kalein to the test in a trivia game, "Name That Guest!". Who do you think will win? Finally, we asked YOU for your favorite Christmas carols in person and on social media! Ali and J'Kalein finish out the episode singing a few carols accompanied by Nathaniel Parrish on keyboard.
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guests: Lynette Sorensen & Dylan Does | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Today, on the season two finale of Bringing Down the House, Ali and J'Kalein are having a conversation with one of Iowa Heartland's most generous donors and board members, Lynette Sorensen. They also share a few moments with Iowa Heartland's new Development Director, Dylan Does. Thank you for tuning in for another season of Bringing Down the House. Please join our local mission by volunteering your time, or making a financial or materials donation.
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guests: Lynette Sorensen & Dylan Does | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Today, Ali and J’Kalein welcome Noel Anderson, City of Waterloo's Community Planning & Development Director of 26 years! They chat about all of the ways we partner to develop housing and revitalize neighborhoods in our community. Thanks for listening to episode nine of Season Two: Building Community!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Noel Anderson | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Churches were foundational in getting Iowa Heartland started 31 years ago and remain some of our most important and strongest partners today. Ali and J'Kalein explore this topic as they chat with Hilary Cornelius, Missions Coordinator at Prairie Lakes Church and Kris Hoskinson, at Orchard Hill Church about our partnerships. Thanks for listening to episode eight of Season Two: Building Community!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guests: Hilary Cornelius & Kris Hoskinson | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Today, Ali and J’Kalein meet with the Deputy Director of the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A), Greg Zars, to discuss how NEI3A is empowering older individuals in our community to age with dignity and independence. We will also explore Iowa Heartland’s new partnership with NEI3A and the impact it is making in our community. Thanks for listening to episode seven of Season Two: Building Community!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Greg Zars | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Have you ever considered how income may affect a person’s ability to purchase environmentally friendly and energy efficient solutions for their home? Today, Ali and J’Kalein visit with Ashley Craft, program director for University of Northern Iowa's Green Iowa AmeriCorps program. Tune in to learn about their important environmental work in our community and across the state. Thanks for listening to episode six of Season Two: Building Community!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Ashley Craft | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Today, Ali and J’Kalein welcome the Executive Director of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Barb Prather to discuss closing the meal gap in our community, food insecurity, and how we partner. Thanks for tuning in to episode five of Season Two: Building Community!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Barb Prather | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Today, Ali and J’Kalein welcome the Community Relations Manager of John Deere Waterloo, Mindy Schmidt, to discuss corporate social responsibility and our ever-growing partnership with John Deere. Thanks for tuning in to episode four of Season Two: Building Community!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Mindy Schmidt | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Today Ali and J'Kalein chat with longtime supporter and past Iowa Heartland Board President, David Deeds as he shares his passion for urban design, historic preservation, and how he builds community through various local partnerships and projects! Thanks for tuning in to episode three of Season Two: Building Community!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: David Deeds | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Volunteerism not only allows Iowa Heartland to continue serving our mission, but it also uplifts the entire Cedar Valley! Ali and J’Kalein are excited to welcome Lauren Finke, executive director of the Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley & Ron Jensen, longterm Iowa Heartland supporter and regular volunteer. Lauren and Ron share their perspective on volunteerism and why they choose to partner with Iowa Heartland in our second episode of Season Two: Building Community!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guests: Lauren Finke & Ron Jensen | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Season 2 is here!! This season, entitled Building Community, is focused on highlighting our essential community partnerships that allow us to serve in a greater capacity. Ali and J'Kalein are kicking off the season with House of Hope Development Coordinator, Dusky Steele. Their discussion covers the incredible work House of Hope is doing to empower homeless women in our community as well as our duel-organization program, Framing Hope.
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Dusky Steele | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
SEASON ONE FINALE: On this season of Bringing Down the House, we’ve talked about how families qualify for our affordable homeownership program and the joys and growth our families have experienced.. but what goes on between being accepted into our program and receiving the keys to their home? Today, on the season one finale of Bringing Down the House, Ali chats with Iowa Heartland’s Construction Manager, Heath Christensen and Senior Site Supervisor, John Poon about all things construction!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish & Norah Schlax | Guests: Heath Christensen & John Poon | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Ali and J'Kalein visit with Iowa Heartland Habitat Board Secretary and local housing expert, LeKeisha Veasley, to explore the ways homeownership contributes to a family's ability to build wealth and the ways housing policies have contributed to wealth gaps in our community over the years.
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: LeKeisha Veasley | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Ali and J'Kalein visit with long time Iowa Heartland Habitat supporter, Wayne Green, to explore an often unknown and overlooked part of Habitat's mission; our international homebuilding and global partnerships. Heartwarming and inspirational stories are shared about Iowa Heartland's 6.5 year partnership with Habitat for Humanity El Salvador.
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Wayne Green | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
Habitat for Humanity ReStores are unique and exciting discount home improvement stores.. But did you know that they are a great source of sustainable funding for Habitat's mission in communities all across the country? This episode, Ali and J'Kalein welcome Iowa Heartland Habitat's ReStore Manager, Jeff Finke, to talk all things ReStore!
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Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Jeff Finke | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound
