LATEST EPISODE
EP026: Take a deep breath
Tracy and I met 9 years ago when she commented on the Facing Homelessness Facebook page. Her sharing was, you could say, a tour de force of emotional outpouring.
Today I want to revisit that exchange because something important happened, something I believe is available to all of us and provides a path for moving forward when discussing difficult societal issues.
YKMN podcast featuring in-depth life stories of those marginalized in our society as well as those reaching out in service. From these life stories we hope to spark conversation and connection. We are doing this with the sole purpose of bringing us all closer together so that we can better address the issues that divide us. When we listen to those living different lives or views from our own, we begin a journey of understanding. An understanding of not only those around us, but also ourselves. Available on all podcasting platforms or on each episode page.
You Know Me Now Podcast Archive
EP025: People don’t change, they heal - Part 3
In this episode with David, I wanted to talk with him about the work he has been doing since leaving the prison system. We cover his work at the Freedom Project and the Black Rose Collective.
EP024: People don’t change, they heal - Part 2
At the end of our last episode, David, who was just 16 years old, took part in a serious crime. His life was about to change in a profound and now unavoidable way. This pivotal moment was put into motion when he asked someone older, someone he refers to as “the adult”, for a ride to his girlfriend's house. Once in the car, along with others, he learns he’s not going to his girlfriend’s place, but rather, being taken on a crime spree.
In this episode we explore David’s life in prison, how he educated himself, began his journey of healing, and the remarkable turn of events that led to his release.
EP023: People don’t change, they heal - Part 1
David knows first-hand the impacts of mass incarceration, after receiving a life sentence at the age 16. In his words, “being thrown away at 16 years old wasn’t the event. It was an exclamation point” on the consistent messaging he’s been receiving his whole life from systems that failed to see his humanity. He was released after serving 24 years, following legislative reform of juvenile sentencing standards due to a new understanding of youth brain science.
He now works to develop community partnerships with individuals, groups and movements who share an alignment with and affinity for dismantling systems of oppression.
EP022: The Skipping Rock - Part 3
This is the 3rd and last part of an episode called The Skipping Rock. When we left Casey in the last episode, in Part Two, she was heavily addicted to street drugs, so much so that she was no longer able to dance at the strip clubs. This not only robbed her income, it took away her sense of being in community. Now that that was gone, she was trapped in an increasingly vicious cycle. Through these events we will continue to explore the idea of choice.
EP021: The Skipping Rock - Part 2
This is Part 2 of a 3 part episode. When we left Casey in the last episode, in Part 1 she was making some big decisions in her life, wanting to not only leave the trauma and dysfunction of her childhood behind, but also coming to grips with having to earn a living. She decided to take a waitressing job at a strip club, which led to dancing, and the fast money of the sex industry. Casey was 18 years old.
EP020: The Skipping Rock - Part 1
In this episode we hear from Casey, a woman who will explore with us the idea of choice. What it means to fit in and find a way in life when choice is limited, or, removed altogether. When all you have in front of you are bad options.
EP019: Stone Dancer
In this episode we talk with Benny The Stone Dancer. He has lived homeless in the Fremont neighborhood, artfully stacking stones on the parking strip, in the same place, for the last 30 years.
We explore why diversity is important in every community.
EP018: Seeing the precious other
In this episode we speak with Sparrow Etter Arlson who is a co-founder of Aurora Commons and Seattle Planning Specialist at King County Regional Homelessness Authority.
When responding to complex societal issues, we are all familiar with the shortcomings of treating symptoms rather than causes. How do we shift our focus to successfully addressing root issues rather than symptoms? How do we get past giving in to knee-jerk responses?
EP017: Taking the off-ramp
In this episode we meet Blair who helped James get into housing and have his basic needs met, she helped reconnect him with family, and maybe, most of all, feel loved in the last few years of his life. And James, what he did for Blair was to change her life. He helped her take an off-ramp.
EP016: Just Say Hello
In this episode we meet Preacher. Personal relationships can be thought of as the foundational supports of a healthy community. By simply getting to know each other, being exposed to different life experiences and views, we broaden ourselves and deepen our ability to empathize within the community.
EP015: The Night Watchman
On this episode we are talking with Rev. Rick Reynolds. He has spent most of his life stepping closer, getting to know those struggling. For nearly 40 years he worked at the nonprofit Operation Nightwatch, most of that time as the Executive Director, engaging in direct action for those in need.
EP013: The Learning Curve
In this episode, you will be hearing from Kaitlyn, a young woman struggling through addiction, homelessness, and loss.
When we first met Kaitlyn, she was in her tent suffering from a great deal of physical and emotional pain. Even worse, for her, she was emotionally distraught over a stranger having taken Prince, her dog, her best friend.
EP012: Inside view of Tent City 3
There is a wide diversity of people who make up the population of Tent City 3. For every person living there you will find a profound reason for why this is their best choice for now. For some folks the stay is short, others stay longer to work things out while having shelter from the storm. Others arrive and discover their mission in life. Turning their experiences from hindrances into assets.
EP010: I have more to offer
There were 310 homeless deaths in 2022 in the Seattle area. A 65% increase over the previous year. In this episode we want to share about one person who lived chronically homeless in Seattle. Just one of the 310 that passed away in 2022.
EP008: A dog’s best friend
A conversation about people and their pets living homeless. Lora Troncoso has helped thousands of dogs and cats, as well as their owners, who are living homeless.
EP006: Why have we not ended homelessness?
We want to begin this episode by asking a big question.
With all the suffering, all the helplessness and fear felt, as expressed by Dene and others living on our streets, why have we not ended homelessness?
EP004: Would do it all over again
In this episode we meet Auntie who poses a question. A question really for all of us, which is, “If you are judging my life, tell me what you have done with yours?” She goes on to say, there are probably a lot of your actions that you don’t think are wrong, but to her and to others, maybe they are.
EP003: The Next Good Thing
In this episode we are going to hear from the Miller family and their struggle with Conall’s addiction. In a world that is ever more complex, our relationship to it is increasingly being simplified. We are living in an age of information overload. There is not enough time to consume, verify, digest, and form an opinion on everything being presented. So we take short-cuts. In the rush of daily life, it’s easy to dive less deep so that we can cover more area, hoping to know a little about a lot. Soundbites and stereotypes work their way into our understanding and beliefs of the world around us.
-
Very revealing
★★★★★
ndru 04/11/2023
I’m very grateful for the people sharing their stories here. The podcast does not oversimplify the solutions, but does help us understand some of the problems and shares with us the humanity in people many of us otherwise would not see. -
Great insight
★★★★★
WSJasmine 02/09/2023
Rex and Tomasz do an amazing job of sharing the stories of people we wouldn’t otherwise get to hear from. Awesome journalism. -
Real people
★★★★★
gypsydjango 12/30/2022
I’m so impressed with the interviews, which have given me better insight as to these people’s lives. Sensitive and caring questions, real answers. Hopefully more people will listen and possibly get involved. Or maybe they can just say hello. -
Wow
★★★★★
seattle in pnw 12/09/2022
If you ever wondered about those who live in our streets this podcast is for you. Rex has spent years getting to know people and is now telling their stories with care and understanding. This is a one of a kind project! -
Beautiful
★★★★★
Sleepoline 04/06/2022
Everyone who has ever felt fear, apathy, or hopeless when confronted with homeless individuals in our neighborhoods or the scale of our homelessness crisis should give this a listen. Building compassion and understanding is good for the soul. -
Truth
★★★★★
Julie a reese 02/14/2022
Rex has a way of helping others share their story, leaving a deep impression, every time. Bravo Courtney for sharing your journey, I know it will inspire and educate many. Addy - 16 I just can’t …. ❤️😳