Norman was the first person I met while in Greenville, SC. He was sleeping on a cold public bench less than 75 steps from the Mayor’s office. When I first met him, we sat and talked, and he expressed his desire to share his story on the Imagine Dignity Podcast. In this episode, Norman opens up about his journey into homelessness, his ongoing self-advocacy as he seeks to engage with political leaders, and the hidden realities of homelessness in a city where $600-a-night hotel rooms stand in stark contrast to his life on a bench. He also shares the challenges of being treated with disrespect by people who don’t look like him, even after suffering a stroke. What stands out most from Norman’s story is the importance of voice. Through his advocacy, he reminds us that being unhoused does not mean being voiceless—and that we must work to ensure every voice is heard. I am grateful to share Episode 1 of Season 2 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast this Christmas, 2024.

Season 2 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast is here, and I’m excited to kick it off with an introduction to what’s ahead! This season, I hit the road and started in Greenville, South Carolina—a city that encouraged my advocacy work and fueled my passion to pursue a PhD to understand policy and homelessness. My time in South Carolina deepened my understanding of how policies, like an ordinance in Port Royal, SC, impact the lives of unhoused people, making it harder to exist in public spaces. This intro sets the stage for powerful conversations and firsthand stories about the intersection of homelessness, advocacy, and the real-world effects of public policy. The first full episode of Season 2 launches on Christmas Day, so mark your calendars for an inspiring and insightful holiday release!

In Episode 12, the final episode of Season 1 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Anthony, a brother I met living in front of an abandoned building. Anthony’s journey is one of incredible perseverance. Despite facing homelessness and battling stage three cancer, he continues to hold on to an unwavering faith in God, a positive outlook, and a generosity that deeply touched me. When we first spoke, Anthony was living outside, but I’m grateful to share that he has since moved into an apartment. Our connection has grown beyond this interview, as I’ve stayed in touch with Anthony and encouraged him during his cancer treatments. His story reminds me of the strength found in faith, the importance of community, and the resilience of the human spirit. Thank you for joining me throughout Season 1, and I can’t wait to share more stories with you in Season 2!

Watch YouTube Video Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[HERE]

In Episode 11 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I had the honor of sitting down with Aaron, a brother I met while walking through East Point, GA. Aaron approached me, and I could immediately see the weariness in him—not just from navigating life with one leg but also from the overwhelming challenges of homelessness. What started as a brief encounter quickly turned into a heartfelt conversation and friendship, and Aaron graciously opened up about his journey. Aaron shared how homelessness has profoundly shaped his life, teaching him lessons in growth, humility, and resilience. Despite the struggles he faces, his unwavering faith in a divine power has kept him grounded, allowing him to hold on to love, hope, and a determination not to fall back into despair.

Our conversation was a powerful reminder of the exhaustion that homelessness brings, but also the hope, transformation, and strength that can emerge from it.

Watch YouTube Video Podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[HERE]

In Episode 9 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I had the privilege of meeting Latrice, a resilient woman living out of her car while managing a serious heart condition. I first encountered her in a historic Atlanta park, resting in her car.

Concerned for her safety, I gently approached to check in, knowing how vulnerable life can be for women experiencing homelessness. Latrice shared with me the immense challenges she faces—how, without a safe place to stay, she struggles to find rest, adding to the physical and emotional toll on her health.

With grace and vulnerability, Latrice opened up about her wish to have her story heard, shedding light on what it’s like to live unhoused while grappling with a severe medical condition and the isolation that comes with it.

Her experience reflects the reality of an estimated 16,000 people in the U.S. who also sleep in their cars on any night. I am grateful to call Latrice a friend and sister and honored to help amplify her voice.

Watch YouTube Video Podcast ⁠⁠⁠[HERE]

In Episode 8 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I met Travis, a young man at a highway intersection who was facing harsh treatment from passing drivers. People locked their doors, turned their heads, and left him feeling more isolated with each passing moment. Instead of ignoring him, I parked, got out of my car, engaged him in conversation, and spent some time hanging out. Little did I know he would want to share even more of what was on his heart. As we talked, Travis opened up about the challenges he faces—how homelessness has left him feeling disconnected from the community and how people’s judgment and mistreatment often hurt him while he’s simply trying to survive. What struck me most was Travis’s positivity, his strong work ethic, and his commitment to surround himself with positive people. By the end of our conversation, he felt lighter, as if a weight had been lifted.

Watch YouTube Video Podcast ⁠⁠⁠[HERE]

In Episode 7 of the Imagine Dignity Podcast, I had the privilege of speaking with Melissa, a woman whose story is filled with both deep grief and incredible resilience.

Melissa lost her husband to colon cancer, holding him in her arms as he passed away. On the podcast, she shared that this was the first time she could openly express her grief. She also spoke about life on the streets and how the unhoused form a sense of community and support one another through tough times. What stood out most was her personality—her humor, her ability to make jokes, and her laughter, even while dealing with her own personal illness. I am grateful that we could help her obtain identification and reconnect with her mother. Tune in to hear Melissa’s powerful story of loss, community, and hope.

Watch YouTube Video Podcast ⁠⁠[HERE]