Rethink Community: The Podcast

Welcome to Season 11 of the Rethink Community Podcast: The Best Of! For the past five years, the Rethink Community Podcast has been a space to challenge how we understand and respond to poverty. We've shared stories that move beyond theory and spark those "aha moments" that can change perspectives, relationships, and actions. In this special season, we're bringing you the best of our past episodes—powerful stories, inspiring conversations, and thought-provoking insights that have resonated most with our listeners. You'll hear from individuals with lived experience in poverty, addiction, or incarceration; people who have built bridges across race and class; and leaders whose understanding of poverty has shifted through real-world experience. Whether you're new to the podcast or a longtime listener, these episodes capture the heart of what Rethink Community is all about: opening our eyes, expanding our empathy, and sparking new ideas for a more just and connected world. So, get ready to revisit some of our most compelling conversations and join us in Season 11—the best of Rethink Community. Original Air Date: Season 7, Spring 2023 In 2010, a group of people from Greater Dayton Ohio, teamed up with Think Tank, Inc. to share their personal experiences with poverty. Their stories became the foundation for the Cost of Poverty Experience — a simulation that gives people a glimpse into the lived realities of poverty. Since then, COPE has helped thousands across the country see poverty from a human perspective. Now, some of those original storytellers are back to share where life has taken them, the relationships and resources that shaped their journeys, and their powerful reflections on how we talk about poverty in America today.  This compilation includes clips from the following guests: Carlos Guajardo Krisitin Hicks Melissa Massey Ken Moss  

Welcome to Season 11 of the Rethink Community Podcast: The Best Of! For the past five years, the Rethink Community Podcast has been a space to challenge how we understand and respond to poverty. We've shared stories that move beyond theory and spark those "aha moments" that can change perspectives, relationships, and actions. In this special season, we're bringing you the best of our past episodes—powerful stories, inspiring conversations, and thought-provoking insights that have resonated most with our listeners. You'll hear from individuals with lived experience in poverty, addiction, or incarceration; people who have built bridges across race and class; and leaders whose understanding of poverty has shifted through real-world experience. Whether you're new to the podcast or a longtime listener, these episodes capture the heart of what Rethink Community is all about: opening our eyes, expanding our empathy, and sparking new ideas for a more just and connected world. So, get ready to revisit some of our most compelling conversations and join us in Season 11—the best of Rethink Community. Original Air Date: Jan 28, 2022 What does it look like for a white, middle-class pastor with degrees and titles to become embedded in a neighborhood that's in the epicenter of the heroin epidemic? Pastor Steve Gill shares how this experience and decades of service in unlikely places, and the people he's met along the way, have changed his perspective on poverty, on himself, and on faith; and brought a richer understanding of community and purpose.    

Welcome to Season 11 of the Rethink Community Podcast: The Best Of! For the past five years, the Rethink Community Podcast has been a space to challenge how we understand and respond to poverty. We've shared stories that move beyond theory and spark those "aha moments" that can change perspectives, relationships, and actions. In this special season, we're bringing you the best of our past episodes—powerful stories, inspiring conversations, and thought-provoking insights that have resonated most with our listeners. You'll hear from individuals with lived experience in poverty, addiction, or incarceration; people who have built bridges across race and class; and leaders whose understanding of poverty has shifted through real-world experience. Whether you're new to the podcast or a longtime listener, these episodes capture the heart of what Rethink Community is all about: opening our eyes, expanding our empathy, and sparking new ideas for a more just and connected world. So, get ready to revisit some of our most compelling conversations and join us in Season 11—the best of Rethink Community. Original Air Date: May 06, 2022 In 1998, Jon-Adrian Velazquez volunteered for a police line-up for a crime he knew he hadn't committed. It was the last decision he made as a free man. After serving more than two decades in prison, his sentence was commuted. While in prison, Jon-Adrian developed a unique vision: What if those who were incarcerated could use their voices to teach others - and in doing so, reclaim some of their own humanity? Today Jon-Adrian is using his sense of purpose to bridge the distance between those who are incarcerated and those on the outside, through his work with the Frederick Douglass Project. Voices from Within Project NBC Dateline Interview Free Jon-Adrian Velazquez The Frederick Douglass Project  

Welcome to Season 11 of the Rethink Community Podcast: The Best Of! For the past five years, the Rethink Community Podcast has been a space to challenge how we understand and respond to poverty. We've shared stories that move beyond theory and spark those "aha moments" that can change perspectives, relationships, and actions. In this special season, we're bringing you the best of our past episodes—powerful stories, inspiring conversations, and thought-provoking insights that have resonated most with our listeners. You'll hear from individuals with lived experience in poverty, addiction, or incarceration; people who have built bridges across race and class; and leaders whose understanding of poverty has shifted through real-world experience. Whether you're new to the podcast or a longtime listener, these episodes capture the heart of what Rethink Community is all about: opening our eyes, expanding our empathy, and sparking new ideas for a more just and connected world. So, get ready to revisit some of our most compelling conversations and join us in Season 11—the best of Rethink Community. Original Air Date: Jul 10, 2025 In this episode, John White welcomes Andrea Carter to unpack how personal experience can radically reshape our understanding of poverty. Andrea reflects on her early years as a teacher, when she held common misconceptions about families in poverty, and describes how her own journey through situational poverty challenged and transformed those beliefs.  Andrea shares how repeated judgment can create "forced helplessness" and offers practical advice: build real relationships, include those with lived experience in leadership, and move from "us versus them" to a true sense of shared community.    

Welcome to Season 11 of the Rethink Community Podcast: The Best Of! For the past five years, the Rethink Community Podcast has been a space to challenge how we understand and respond to poverty. We've shared stories that move beyond theory and spark those "aha moments" that can change perspectives, relationships, and actions. In this special season, we're bringing you the best of our past episodes—powerful stories, inspiring conversations, and thought-provoking insights that have resonated most with our listeners. You'll hear from individuals with lived experience in poverty, addiction, or incarceration; people who have built bridges across race and class; and leaders whose understanding of poverty has shifted through real-world experience. Whether you're new to the podcast or a longtime listener, these episodes capture the heart of what Rethink Community is all about: opening our eyes, expanding our empathy, and sparking new ideas for a more just and connected world. So, get ready to revisit some of our most compelling conversations and join us in Season 11—the best of Rethink Community. Original Air Date: Dec 17, 2021 In his book The Alternative, Mauricio Lim Miller challenges the helping industry as we know it to rethink much of how we've built our response to poverty. We were honored to have Mauricio join our Executive Director Marlo Fox to share the stories from his life and his work that have shaped his convictions. In this episode, Mauricio shares how he came to believe that well-intentioned helping could be part of the problem and that we needed a different narrative around poverty; how he's dedicated himself to shaping a new approach as a follower-learner; and the hopeful change he sees taking place. Chech out some of Mauricio's work below: Community Independence Initiative "The Alternative"

In this episode, Brian Dobyns reflects on how living just above the poverty line shaped his sense of what was possible. He shares stories of being excluded from help and discouraged from pursuing opportunities, leading to a mindset of resignation. Together, we discuss the emotional impact of these experiences and how encouragement and small successes can help break fatalistic narratives, emphasizing the need for support and belief in each other.  

In this episode, John White welcomes Andrea Carter to unpack how personal experience can radically reshape our understanding of poverty. Andrea reflects on her early years as a teacher, when she held common misconceptions about families in poverty, and describes how her own journey through situational poverty challenged and transformed those beliefs.  Andrea shares how repeated judgment can create "forced helplessness" and offers practical advice: build real relationships, include those with lived experience in leadership, and move from "us versus them" to a true sense of shared community.  

In this episode, I speak with Aaron Earlywine and Maddie Mitchell to challenge narratives that assume "poverty is a personal failing" or "people in poverty are helpless." Aaron shares insights from his work as a pastor and counselor, stressing the value of kindness and community, while Maddie explains how her perspective shifted from making assumptions to recognizing the strengths and agency of families in need. Together, they discuss moving from "doing for" to "walking alongside," highlight the resourcefulness of those experiencing poverty, and show how listening and respect can help rewrite the narrative. Read more at our blog.  

What if the stories we believe about poverty are holding us back from real change? For generations, narratives of blame, pity, and resignation have shaped how we respond to poverty-often with harmful consequences. But what happens when we center the voices of those who live these realities every day? In this series, we unpack the unproductive narratives that keep communities stuck and discover how new stories -rooted in lived experience- can spark meaningful change for everyone. In our first episode, we hear from John White, a leader with decades of experience in public and community service, who shares how bringing lived experience into policy-making can truly drive change. From personal reflections to practical advice, John describes his journey of understanding community challenges not through the lens of common narratives but through direct engagement and lived experience. He offers a tangible example of how proximity to real stories can shape policies and practices that impact families and communities across an entire state.   Don't miss this powerful conversation about leadership, justice, and the future of community-driven change.  

The divisions in our country are not just caused by disagreements; they're fueled by misunderstanding and even contempt, and they can be healed with dignity.  Join us in a conversation with Paul Hemminger, a dignity builder and storyteller, and learn how each of us can be changemakers right where we are. https://www.dignityindex.us/resources

Have you ever encountered a moment when a member of your team shared a personal experience or an insight that facilitated connection or unlocked a solution to a challenge you were facing?  Inside our teams and communities lies a wealth of knowledge and experiences. Yet, fear of judgment and misunderstanding creates barriers, hindering open communication. This month, join us for a session with Shandell Jamal, a consultant, catalyst and bridge builder, who shares valuable insights on honoring and valuing everyone's experiences and wisdom within your organization.

How is hope linked to trust? And what is empowerment really?  Words often fall short when describing these two realities but most of us know when we experience them.  Hope and empowerment connect us to a better future and signify that we need each other to thrive.  Join us as we hear from Michael Cafasso, CEO of St Mary Corwin Hospital, as he shares leadership insights and tangible actions to build hope and cultures of empowerment.

Over the past two decades, all facets of the American health system have come to understand the deep connection between social and environmental factors and health outcomes, including lifespan.  Tracey Stute, a dedicated advocate and practitioner in behavioral health, joins me in this episode to delve into our evolving understanding and explore ways communities can assist those who've endured trauma and confronted health disparities. Home Equity Discussion Guide

In this episode, we are joined by our very own Andrea Carter, with Think Tank.  Andrea invites us beyond the scarcity and pain of poverty to the hidden abundance found in people, families, and neighborhoods.  Andrea connects listeners to our common humanity and the ways we both cope with hardships and pursue well-being.  Today's listeners will find themselves inspired to reconnect with the most profound gifts of life - relationships, simplicity, and spirituality. 

In this episode, our guest is Thomas White, a seasoned entrepreneur in the Gig Economy.  Thomas speaks from his own lived experience on the benefits of gig work, the pitfalls and how entrepreneurs and everyday people can leverage their skills for cash through current platforms.  Thomas also speaks to how each of our communities can better support entrepreneurs and those choosing to make a living through non-traditional approaches to work and business.

In today's episode, I am joined by Amy Riegel, a leader on housing in the state of Ohio.  Amy shares with us stories of what led her to dedicate her life to helping Ohioans find safe and affordable housing.  She sheds light on the current housing situation in our nation and offers insights into how each of us can become more supportive neighbors for those facing challenges with finding a place to call home. Cohhio.org nlihc.org

"If you take a chance on us, we'll take a chance on you." Those were the words that first led Carlos Guajardo to join forces with Think Tank over a decade ago, and ultimately to contribute his story and insights to the creation of the Cost of Poverty Experience. Now a published author of a book about his life story, Carlos shares his deep and honest reflections in this episode about what it took for him to journey out of poverty, and the unanticipated redemption he has found along the way. Unanticipated Redemption by Carlos Guajardo

Decades ago when Pastor Ken Moss' prison term ended and he became a returning citizen, conversations were just getting started about the challenging realities of life with a prison record. Now an instrumental leader in developing and facilitating the Reentry Cost of Poverty Experience, Pastor Ken Moss shares more of his story: What it took to rebuild his life outside prison walls, and the radical relationships that helped him find a place to flourish. 

Today Melissa Massey is a powerful supporter and advocate for survivors of domestic violence. Like many working in her field, her story is rooted in the firsthand experience of rebuilding life on the other side of addiction, poverty, and domestic violence. In this episode, Melissa reflects on where life has taken her and how she's using that experience as a platform to help others.

Poverty is much more than an issue, and more than a statistic. It's a condition experienced by real human beings, each with their own unique story. Guest Kristin Hicks first shared her experience of poverty with Think Tank over a decade ago, to help shape the Cost of Poverty Experience. Today she reflects on that experience, the wisdom she has gained, and the relational and emotional support that helped her make the journey out of poverty.