In this episode of Unpacking Homelessness, we talk with Rob Preston, a Tacoma native whose personal journey through addiction, loss, and survival has fueled his mission to uplift others. After spending years navigating systems that often failed his community, Rob worked at Workforce before founding Barrier Breakers in 2020 — an organization focused on helping people access housing, resources, and long-term support.

Rob shares the realities of growing up in Hilltop, the pain of losing friends to the streets, and why true rehabilitation must include housing, stability, and self-sufficiency. Tune in for an honest conversation about systems change, second chances, and breaking

Tiffany Cassidy, an astrologer in Denver’s Bluebird District and former security guard on Colfax, shares her unique perspective on homelessness. Blending spiritual insight with street experience, she encourages the public to think abstractly and recognize the purpose in everyone — seen or unseen.

A conversation about energy, empathy, and seeing people beyond their circumstances.

In this inspiring episode of Unpacking Homelessness, we are graced by Sylvester T. Bush, Jr., a resilient and compassionate man who brings lived experience to the conversation about individuals experiencing homelessness and what it takes to break the cycle.

Sylvester shares his journey—not as a story of homelessness, but as a story of faith, endurance, and purpose. His voice offers insight into the realities many face, and the power of community and hope in building a better future.

Homelessness isn’t just about not having a roof over your head—it’s shaped by a mix of economic, emotional, and societal factors. In this episode, we chat with Louis Harris about how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) connect to housing, and why public policy is such a big piece of the puzzle.

Louis shares stories and insights that help people see homelessness from a new perspective—one that looks beyond stereotypes and focuses on the real, often hidden, challenges people face. We talk about how communities can work together, why systemic barriers matter, and how compassion and policy can create lasting change.

In Episode 8 of Unpacking Homelessness, we speak with Clarice Ambler, the Community Resource Coordinator for Jefferson County Public Libraries (JCPL). Clarice shares how libraries are stepping beyond books to become essential hubs of support for vulnerable communities, including those experiencing homelessness.

Clarice gives us an inside look at her multifaceted role — from leading trauma-informed customer service trainings and managing programming budgets, to building partnerships with organizations like Jefferson Center for Mental Health, Hunger Free Colorado, and Benefits in Action. She also discusses her work organizing community-centered events like Edgewater’s Pride Parade and her outreach to the BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, and unhoused communities.

Join us as we explore how Clarice and JCPL are redefining what it means to serve the public — not just as a library, but as a compassionate connector to critical resources and support.

In this special edition of Unpacking Homelessness, we shift from personal interviews to collectively exploring a cinematic journey toward real solutions. Join us as we discuss Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness, the documentary sequel to Under the Bridge (2015), which originally exposed the criminalization of homeless communities under an Indianapolis bridge.

Directed by Don Sawyer and Tim Hashko, Beyond the Bridge embarks on a nationwide mission—traveling over 40,000 miles through 12 U.S. cities—to uncover tested models of ending chronic homelessness. Highlighting places like Houston and Milwaukee, the film explores how deeply coordinated systems and Housing First approaches have led to measurable success—such as Houston housing over 30,000 people and Milwaukee achieving one of the lowest unsheltered rates in the nation.

For more information about this incredible film, visit asolutiontohomelessness.com

In this powerful episode of Unpacking Homelessness, we sit down with Deputy Steve Johnson, a law enforcement officer with firsthand experience engaging with the unhoused community. From monitoring and dismantling encampments to offering help and support, Deputy Johnson shares his unique perspective on the complex intersection of public safety, compassion, and human dignity.

With empathy at the core of his approach, Deputy Johnson opens up about the challenges and realities of his role—balancing enforcement with care, and authority with understanding. Join us as we explore what it means to serve a vulnerable population from within the system, and why building trust can be just as important as maintaining order.

In this episode of Unpacking Homelessness, we are joined by Letha Fernandez — a dedicated mental health professional, licensed mental health counselor, and substance use disorder professional to discuss the complex realities behind homelessness and the systems that so often fail the people who need them most.Letha brings years of frontline experience working at the intersections of mental health, addiction, and housing insecurity. Together, we unpack the layered challenges faced by unhoused individuals and highlight the tireless work being done by those committed to creating lasting change.This is a powerful conversation about accountability, compassion, and the real work of healing—both individually and systemically.

In this episode of Unpacking Homelessness, we sit down with advocate and changemaker Rachelle Warby to explore how each of us can make a real difference in the lives of those experiencing homelessness. Rachelle shares why donating—whether time, money, or resources—matters more than ever, and how we often have more time than we think to help. She reminds us that small actions can have a huge impact, and that showing up for our community starts with simple, everyday choices.

Tune in for practical ways to get involved, stories that inspire, and a powerful call to action: your compassion counts.

In this episode of Unpacking Homelessness, we sit down with Margie Thirlby DuBois—confidence coach, leadership consultant, and founder of The Thirlby Company—for an inspiring conversation on purpose-driven leadership and its vital connection to homelessness, community building, and nonprofit work.

With a rich background as Executive Director at Rebuilding Together and Reading Partners, Margie shares lessons learned from years of revitalizing neighborhoods and empowering communities. She offers powerful insight into what it takes to lead with heart, develop people, and drive lasting change from the inside out.

Follow the show for bi-weekly episodes that challenge assumptions and elevate voices behind the movement to end homelessness.

We're excited to kick off bi-weekly episodes of Unpacking Homelessness with a powerful conversation featuring Charlie Murphy. In this episode, Charlie bravely shares memories from her childhood, when she and her siblings experienced homelessness alongside their single mother. Revisiting trauma is never easy, and we’re deeply grateful for Charlie’s honesty and vulnerability. Together, we explore how she broke free from cycles of instability and built a loving, grounded life—raising a beautiful family and radiating the compassion and resilience she carries today.

Charlie Murphy is currently in the process of writing her first book and establishing her Sound Healing and Retreat business where she brings together the community with an emphasis on sliding scale and affordability.

In the inaugural episode of Unpacking Homelessness, hosts Karcy Lawson, Samantha Holbrook, and Derek Lemmon delve into the heart of why this podcast exists. They share personal stories, reflect on the challenges surrounding homelessness, and discuss their mission to educate, inspire, and empower listeners to make a difference. Tune in to learn what drives their passion and what they hope to achieve through this important conversation.