Today’s episode and connects the topic of the previous season, which focused on the past, present and future of Seattle music, with the topic of this season, which is focused on homelessness. The episode features an interview with Anthony Briscoe whose Seattle-based band, Down North, is on the cusp of a breakout. Briscoe opens up about his struggle with poverty and his experience being homeless in our region. 

The episode also features an interview with noted author and UW professor Scott Allard. He dispels some myths associated with poverty, describes which programs are effective and which programs build a poverty trap, and offers actions you can take to help improve your community.

The song Heartbreaker, by Down North, is played in this episode. Down North consists of Lead Vocalist/Dancer Anthony “Renegade” Briscoe, whose North Carolina breeding makes fans swoon and has no equal in the Pacific NW. Raised on Michael Jackson and Sam Cooke, Anthony combines a style and emotional impact reminiscent of Prince in his vocal expressions, proudly stealing the spotlight with his ballet-trained dancing.

Scott W. Allard joined the Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington as a professor of public policy and governance in 2014. Allard is a nonresident senior fellow at the Brookings Institution’s Metropolitan Policy Program and co-primary investigator of the Family Self-Sufficiency Data Center at the University of Chicago. He is author of Out of Reach: Place, Poverty, and the New American Welfare State (2009, Yale University Press), which examines the contemporary social service safety net through survey interviews with almost 1,500 government, for-profit, and nonprofit social service organizations. In 2017, he published a book entitled Places in Need: The Changing Geography of Poverty, which focuses upon the rise in poverty in America’s suburban areas and the stubborn persistence of poverty in urban areas.

In the episode, Shulman also shared some quotes from a test audience for his feature-length documentary On the Brink.

As every one of us faces challenges of varying degrees of scale, today’s episode features an inspiring story about how one person can make a world of difference. Dale Hoff offers lessons not only for those seeking improvement in the homelessness crisis, but those seeking to influence change at any level.

Today also features an in-depth interview with a person who has had a significant impact on the economic growth of this city, Craig Kinzer of Kinzer Partners. 

Kinzer Partners is an expert team of real estate brokers and professionals, who guide the decisions of Seattle-area businesses and organizations toward the best result for their brand and mission. The company’s service offerings include office tenant representation, consulting & strategic planning, and portfolio management and optimization. Clients include the region’s key influencers including major corporations, government agencies, universities, research institutions, and emerging companies.

Kinzer previews a big idea that he thinks can fundamentally transform how housing gets built for average workers in Seattle. The extended conversation also touches upon the controversial public subsidy for Safeco Field, home to Seattle’s Major League Baseball team. The interview gives you insight into important decisions facing regional government.

These two interviews represent two of the many examples of people in Seattle who think creatively about how to tackle challenges. They also offer insight into the process of finding where your unique skill set can be applied to make a difference.

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast looks at question that has affected many throughout Seattle: how should the city deal with tents and encampments in public spaces?

This question is important to our community’s homeless residents hanging on to their last few possessions and to the business leaders and residents who encounter unsanctioned encampments on their commutes, near their homes, and in their parks.

Today’s episode features Dae Shik Kim Hawkins Jr., an activist and organizer of Nikita Oliver’s 2017 Mayoral campaign. Hawkins Jr. explains why he advocates for homeless individuals and gives insight into “Stop the Sweeps” efforts.

You will also hear from Ian Gordon, business manager of the Local 1239 union representing Seattle Parks and Recreation employees. He shares the challenges Parks employees have in maintaining spaces for use by the public.

In the episode, Professor Jeff Shulman also announces his next project: a feature-length documentary On the Brink. The movie shares a story of history, hope, and determination.

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast continues with a focus on one of Seattle’s most pressing issues, homelessness. Each episode in the season brings voices from a variety of perspectives. Combined the episodes will help listeners understand homelessness from multiple angles, become better informed citizens, and feel empowered to take even small steps toward addressing the challenge.

The episode features an interview with former Washington State Attorney General and 2012 Republican Gubernatorial nominee Rob McKenna. McKenna shares his perspective on how the city and the business community should address homelessness.

The episode also features an interview with a tent-city resident Walter Hudson. Hudson gives insight into what life is like in these communities.

Today’s episode of Seattle Growth Podcast continues with a focus on one of Seattle’s most pressing issues, homelessness. Each episode in the season brings voices from a variety of perspectives. Combined the episodes will help listeners understand homelessness from multiple angles, become better informed citizens, and feel empowered to take even small steps toward addressing the challenge.

In this episode, Jeff Shulman sat down with a father of two children who was given a new lease on life by the help of Mary’s Place family shelter. Tyrus Gilbertson describes his experience being homeless with his son and daughter. Gilbertson shares what has kept him going as he works to provide for his family.

Rick Hooper, co-president of the Uptown Alliance, shares what his community organization is doing to build pathways out of homelessness for their fellow community members. Hooper offers perspective on challenges and opportunities individuals can face as they work to strengthen their community.