The Invisible Americans

In this episode of The Invisible Americans podcast, hosts Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins ask Alex Coccia for updates on the expanded child tax credit and talk to the CEO of the Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Elizabeth McCarthy. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

In today's episode, hosts Jeff and Carol talk with two people on the ground in Flint, Michigan. Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha and Dr. Luke Shaefer. Listen to Dr. Shaefer discuss his work on Episode 22. Together, Dr. Hanna-Attisha and Dr. Shaefer are directing Rx Kids, a program that gives cash to expectant people and provides guaranteed income for the first year of their lives. Hear how the program got started and what is next for those living in Flint. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

This episode of The Invisible Americans podcast explores efforts to support underserved communities facing poverty and health crises. Guests discuss the financial toll that cancer treatment can take and the critical role of nonprofit organizations in filling gaps. Amy Sutton of Crossroads4Hope shares how her organization helps cancer patients and families access care, manage distress, and improve health outcomes by addressing basic needs. She advocates for increased funding to community groups who innovate in ways large institutions cannot. The podcast also features Maggie Cheney and D. Rooney, founders of Rocksteady Farm. Their cooperative farm in upstate New York trains LGBTQ farmers while growing food for food insecure communities. Through their sliding scale CSA program and partnerships, the farm strives to make fresh produce accessible to lower-income city residents. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

Our hosts speak first with Hope Wollensack in Atlanta. She discusses the $30 million fund called The GRO Fund that provides monthly cash assistance to mothers in need. This program is inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision of guaranteed income. Named "In Her Hands," the program aims to empower mothers economically, reminiscent of King's belief in individual dignity and stability through self-directed financial decisions. Then they talk to Sophie Collyer about the sharp increase in poverty rates in New York City as pandemic-era governmental policies expired. Sophie was involved in the longitudinal study featured in the New York Times article published on Feb. 21, 2024. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the ⁠Podcast page⁠ on the Invisible Americans website.The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins.Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

“The progress on that child tax credit is an incredible tribute to activism.” - Robert Gordon On this episode of “The Invisible Americans Podcast,” hosts Jeff and Carol talk to policy advisor Robert Green about the Biden Administration’s stance on the Child Tax Credit. Then they talk to Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, co-founder of grassroots group MomsRising, and Meredith Dodson, senior director of public policy at the Coalition on Human Needs, about their work on reinstating the Child Tax Credit and its progress through the legislature. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the ⁠Podcast page⁠ on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder

Full debate and vote on HB 7024, which includes updates to the Child Tax Credit. Welcome to Season 2 of The Invisible Americans Podcast. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder

Champion of children across the country, Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) sits down with co-hosts Jeff and Carol to discuss the impending vote on the Wyden-Smith Tax Deal. The congresswoman shares her thoughts, her hopes for the future, and her intentions with this legislation. Welcome to Season 2 of The Invisible Americans Podcast. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

Tune into our final episode of season 1 with this panel event in conjunction with the CUNY Graduate Center. Experts Karen Sander, Carol Jenkins, Janet Gornick, Kathy Edin, Regina Baker, and Zachary Parolin explore early childhood education, labor market dynamics, and the profound physical and cognitive effects of poverty on children. Together, we emphasize the urgent need for policy changes and a collective shift in societal attitudes towards poverty and inequality. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

Welcome to a special edition of "The Invisible Americans" podcast, where we dive deep into the critical issue of child poverty and explore transformative solutions. In this episode, we have the honor of hosting a keynote speaker and a panel of distinguished guests, each offering unique perspectives on the complex landscape of poverty in America. Our keynote speaker is David Ambroz, a renowned author, advocate, and executive at Amazon. Joining us on the panel are three remarkable individuals: Dr. C. Nicole Mason, President and CEO emeritus of the Institute of Women's Policy Research, author of "Born Bright," and recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the 50 greatest leaders in the world. Alex Miller, a writer featured in The New York Times and Washington Post, currently working on a memoir about his childhood in poverty, and an HRP fellow with a focus on personal experiences and challenges. Alissa Quart, author of influential works such as "Bootstrapped" and "Squeezed," co-creator of the Economic Hardship Reporting Project, and editor of the book "Going for Broke." Throughout the panel, our guests touch on various aspects of child poverty, sharing personal experiences and proposing solutions. The panel collectively emphasizes the importance of reshaping narratives, providing comprehensive mental health care, and employing diverse strategies for economic redistribution. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

Hosts Jeff and Carol talk with the three authors of The Injustice of Place, published in 2023 by HarperCollins. Dr. Kathryn Edin, H. Luke Shaefer, and Timothy J. Nelson discuss their research and how they plan to light the way forward. "The unfolding revelation in The Injustice of Place is not about what sets these places apart, but about what they have in common—a history of raw, intensive resource extraction and human exploitation. This history and its reverberations demand a reckoning and a commitment to wage a new War on Poverty, with the unrelenting focus on our nation’s places of deepest need. " For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

Join our hosts Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins for this recording of the live convening in partnership with The Roosevelt House. In support of nearly 13 million American children living in poverty, we invite you to listen to the first of three critical discussions about soaring rates of deprivation—and how we can stop child poverty now. Join columnist and Nobel Prize laureate Paul Krugman, social activist Holly Fogle, award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, and social policy expert H. Luke Shaefer. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

Senior policy analyst Dr. Nikhil Goyla tells Carol and Jeff about his experience writing a book profiling three young boys growing up in poverty in Philadelphia. Then he offers what he sees as a path to poverty eradication. Then high school senior Shrusti Amula shares how she saw a gap in her community and filled it by starting a nonprofit at only 13 years old. She focuses on reducing food waste and food recovery programs for her community. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

Our hosts talk to two people who are working to end hunger and poverty in the United States. First, Jenique Jones talks about her work with WhyHunger, an organization with a multifaceted approach to their mission of ending hunger. Then David Ambroz shares his personal story of childhood homelessness, foster care, and his journey out of those circumstances. He's an author, an executive at Amazon, and a well-respected expert on child welfare. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

Our hosts chat with two authors and their individual work on homelessness. First up, novelist Jennifer Egan talks about her work with the unhoused in New York and her time spent as a journalist covering this issue. Then, Ethan Goodey talks about his life as a teen experiencing homelessness, how he overcame the odds, and his children's book Finley Finds Home. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

“Poverty for children in America is not some accident. It’s a policy choice.” -Sen. Cory Booker The so-called CTC 6 held a press conference today to discuss the staggering increase in levels of child poverty, due in large part to the withdrawal of the Expanded Child Tax Credit. The CTC 6: Rep. Rosa DeLauro (who was a guest on Ep. 4) Sen. Michael Bennet (who was a guest on Ep. 13) Sen. Sherrod Brown Rep. Suzan DelBene Sen. Cory Booker Rep. Ritchie Torres For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

In this episode, we discuss child trafficking and child abuse. If you or someone you know needs help, call the Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 800-843-5678. Please listen with care. Our hosts first talk to Melanie Thompson about her firsthand experience with child sex trafficking. She discusses not only how she was trafficked, but how systemic gaps in the foster care system make it easy to exploit those children. Then they speak with Megan Curran, policy director at the Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University. She updates us on the Expanded Child Tax Credit and talks about its effects on families across the United States. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

In this episode, we discuss suicide. If you are having thoughts of self-harm, please call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at phone number 988. Please listen with care. First up, Jeff Winton shares the story of how his nephew's death inspired him to start Rural Minds, which provides mental health assistance to those living in rural counties across America. Then fashion icon Dapper Dan tells the story of his life growing up poor in Harlem, eventually traveling to Africa, and then creating a fashion brand based on Africanizing American clothes. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, ⁠see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website⁠. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

In today’s episode, Jeff and Carol talk with Jocelyn Frye, President of the National Partnership for Women and Families, about LGBTQI+ families living in poverty. Then they talk to Abby Leibman, president of MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger about food insecurity, particularly in the military. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, ⁠see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website⁠. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

In this episode, our hosts first talk with Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado. He hopes to reinstate the Expanded Child Tax Credit through his American Families Act. Then our hosts talk to Holly Fogle, who is doing the simple work of providing cash to those who need it most -- $1,000 a month for the first 1,000 days of a baby's life. Her foundation, The Bridge Project, wants to prevent poverty rather than undo its effects. For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, ⁠see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website⁠. The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Co-Presidents Jeff Madrick and Carol Jenkins. Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

We are pleased to bring you this special edition of The Invisible Americans podcast. On July 13, 2023, the Senate Subcommittee on Taxation and IRS Oversight met to discuss the Child Tax Credit and its impact over the last quarter century. Around the 44-minute mark, listen to an exchange between known critic Sen. Ron Johnson and Sen. Bennet that lasts around 15 minutes and explores various complexities around alleviating poverty. Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) chaired this hearing. Stay tuned for an upcoming episode with Sen. Bennet! Our website has links to the full witness statements and transcript.