The Life Humbles. Give Hope. Podcast

Reylene Robinson, Thrive by Five Executive Director, on affordable child care changing a community

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Why access to affordable child care changes a community?

Finding accessible, high‑quality child care can feel overwhelming for many families across Jefferson County. With annual costs exceeding $11,000 per child, child care can consume 10–20% of a household’s budget—placing pressure on parents with young children (according to the Kentucky Lantern).

In this episode, Reylene Robinson, Executive Director of Thrive by Five, joins the conversation to unpack why child care is more than a family issue—it’s an essential infrastructure for housing stability and Kentucky’s economic future. Reylene shares about Thrive by Five, one of the community’s newest nonprofits, and some innovative solutions to the child care system.

Tony Curtis, MHC Executive Director, on why it's getting harder to keep a roof over our heads

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 14:40:16 GMT

Did you know that nearly half of Louisville's renters are cost burdened—spending more than 30% of their income on housing and utilities?

In this podcast episode, Tony Curtis, the Executive Director of Metropolitan Housing Coalition, breaks down what happens when there’s a lack of affordable and accessible housing. Every day, families struggle to keep a roof over their heads while wages stagnate.

In MHC’s 2025 Report, Tony shares the drivers behind an increase in housing instability shaping our city, the latest trends in housing and wages, and three keys to housing success moving forward.

Check out MHC’s latest initiative, www.roofoverourhead.org/

A Conversation with Louisville Homeless Services Director Susan Buchino

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Fri, 15 Jul 2022 11:00:00 GMT

Louisville Metro Homeless Services Director Susan Buchino discusses the current issues that are fueling houselessness in the community. Affordable housing, poverty, and her role as the new director are all covered. Join us for a fascinating look at houselessness in Louisville Kentucky.

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A Conversation with nationally known author Leah Rothstein and LMG Planning Supervisor Joel Dock

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Thu, 15 Feb 2024 05:00:00 GMT

How do Legos help explain housing segregation? Louisville Metro Government Planning Supervisor Joel Dock shares what they have to do with one another.

This is an eye-opening podcast conversation! On the topic of housing segregation, author Leah Rothstein and Joel are global and local leaders, respectively. They are passionate about what we can do in our own communities to begin to challenge and redress segregation. You can also watch now!

Watch: Video

Leah is a nationally known housing policy expert and coauthored “Just Action: How to Challenge Segregation Enacted Under the Color of Law,” which released last year. Joel has worked at Louisville Metro Government for 11 years, and oversees zoning changes and land development code in the Louisville area in the Office of Planning.

Our CEO Dave Calzi talks with Leah and Joel helps put housing segregation into layman's terms:

Leah shares how she and her father, Richard, became a strong dad-daughter duo in the housing arena. Richard wrote “The Color of the Law,” which has sold almost one million copies and focuses on how federal, state, and local governments gave rise to and reinforced neighborhood segregation. "Just Action" is the sequel.
As a nation, are we past segregation from a housing perspective? Why or why not?
Specific examples from “Confronting Racism in City Planning and Zoning" help us look at decisions made over the last century and what led to zoning segregation.
Joel shows us how Legos can teach us about more "middle housing" options for local citizens.
Over the last few decades, Louisville has become more diverse, and in particular, has many refugees and a growing Hispanic population. How does this affect housing?

To purchase "Just Action," go to https://www.justactionbook.org/ or visit justaction.substack.com.
Joel and his team's interactive exhibit/story map of “Confronting Racism in City Planning and Zoning": https://arcg.is/1Snbj4.

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A Conversation with Churchill Downs President & COO Bill Mudd and VP of Corporate Comms Tonya Abeln

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Wed, 01 May 2024 04:00:00 GMT

If you want to grow as a leader, then listen to Churchill Downs Incorporated President & COO Bill Mudd and Vice President of Corporate Communications Tonya Abeln open up about what they've learned as high-level leaders over the years.

In our 25th podcast episode and ahead of the 150th Kentucky Derby, we hear from Bill and Tonya as they talk about what's new at Churchill Downs and give leadership advice. You can download to listen, or watch now!

Watch: https://youtu.be/dGr5INxvp4o

Bill has been the President and Chief Operating Officer of CDI since 2015. He joined CDI in 2007 as the Executive Vice President and CFO after working for several years at General Electric and was promoted to the role of President and CFO in 2014. Under Bill’s leadership CDI’s business has expanded through the development of live and historical racing entertainment venues, the growth of TwinSpires horse racing online wagering business and the operation and development of regional casino gaming properties. CDI follows a long tradition of corporate social responsibility and has been a committed charitable partner for decades.

In her role as Vice President of Corporate Communications for Churchill Downs, Tonya is responsible for the strategy, implementation and oversight of internal and external communications and revels in the opportunity to share the thrilling and inspiring stories behind one of America’s most iconic brand—the Kentucky Derby. Additionally, as President of Churchill Downs Foundation, she drives strategic charitable initiatives and manages community partnerships across the company’s entire portfolio of racetrack and gaming properties.

Our CEO Dave Calzi sits down with Bill and Tonya to hear about the rich history of the Kentucky Derby and CDI:

Bill and Tonya reminisce on their favorite Derby Day memories.
The major changes and cultural shifts at CDI over the last couple of decades, including what's new ahead of this year's race.
The first Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks were held in 1875. St. Vincent de Paul Louisville started in 1853. Each organization has a rich history that has impacted the community in different ways. Through corporate giving, the Churchill Downs Foundation contributes over $5 million annually in charitable grants and in-kind donations to more than 800 organizations nationwide. Tonya talks about the importance of the Foundation's corporate charitable giving.
They share some of the ways CDI serves the community and seeks to engage horseracing fans year-round, including the Kentucky Race Track Chaplaincy.
The definition and growing pains of leadership, especially in the early years.
Advice for young leaders who don't just want to climb the ladder, but hope to make a difference in the workplace for the benefit of the community.
How you can balance a demanding job with everything else in your life.

To learn more, visit https://www.churchilldownsincorporated.com/.

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A Conversation with Natalie Harris, Executive Director for the Coalition for the Homeless

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 12:00:00 GMT

Coalition for the Homeless Executive Director Natalie Harris shares the work of the Coalition and explains how people in the Louisville community can help the Coalition serve those without homes.

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Tourism & Homelessness with Cleo Battle, Louisville Tourism, and Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, GLI

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 04:00:00 GMT

This conversation dives into the intersection between tourism and homelessness in shaping our city.

In this episode, Louisville Tourism President & CEO Cleo Battle and Greater Louisville Inc. President & CEO Sarah Davasher-Wisdom talk about the "brand of Louisville" and the economic ripple effect of homelessness on attracting new businesses or visitor perception.

With Louisville Tourism estimating an annual economic impact of more than $4.4 billion, we ask an important question, "How does visible homelessness impact economic development, tourism, and the Louisville brand?"

Watch Here

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A Conversation with Rachelle Starr, founder and president of Scarlet Hope

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Scarlet Hope founder Rachelle Starr used to drive past "Theatre X" everyday on her way to work without thinking twice about the sex entertainment industry. Today, she goes into strip clubs with home-cooked meals and brings hope to the women inside.

In 2007, Rachelle founded Scarlet Hope, a nonprofit that shares the hope and love of Jesus with women in the adult entertainment industry. Scarlet Hope has since expanded across 10 cities in the United States from Las Vegas and Los Angeles to Atlanta and Orlando. Rachelle is a national speaker who has trained thousands of people to launch similar nonprofits worldwide. She is also the author of “Outrageous Obedience.” You can download to listen, or watch now!

Watch: https://youtu.be/WnzD9wFdLpw

Our CEO Dave Calzi sits down with Rachelle to talk about the local and global sex entertainment industry:

Rachelle shares her story and how Scarlet Hope launched.
In the early years of Scarlet Hope, Rachelle talks about her many personal doubts and others calling her "crazy." She shares about overcoming her initial fears and her organization's frontline work to combat sex trafficking.
How Hollywood films like "Taken" or "Sound of Freedom" may not give us an accurate picture of the adult entertainment industry.
Louisville is the 13th largest sex industry per capita in America. Rachelle says sex trafficking is happening "right next door" and gives us a look behind the curtain into the adult entertainment industry—whether in strip clubs, online, or on the streets.
Rachelle and her team went to this year's Super Bowl in Las Vegas. She shares about sex trafficking at the Super Bowl and their organization's outreach experience.

To learn more, visit https://scarlethope.org/.

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A Conversation with Vincent James, the President and CEO of Dare to Care

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Mon, 15 May 2023 04:00:00 GMT

In this conversation, Dare to Care's President and CEO Vincent James will inspire you to serve others! As a nonprofit partner of SVDP, James and his team help feed those in need. A ton of the food we cook for clients or hand out to them—try 27,000+ pounds of food last month to the Open Hand Kitchen and Food Pantry—comes from Dare to Care.

CEO Dave Calzi talks to him about many exciting topics, and come to find out, they have a lot in common! They chat about their mutual love for Muhammad Ali, coming from financial backgrounds, and sharing the same mission.

James opens up about:

his upbringing, faith, and calling to serve others
Dare to Care's compensation study and securing $10-15K raises for frontline employees who were working 2-3 jobs
Dare to Care's desire to move to a plant-based diet to increase life expectancy
working as Metro's Chief of Community Building during the pandemic and summer of 2020 protests over the killing of Breonna Taylor
serving as the Senior Pastor of Elim Baptist Church, and even praying with one NFL quarterback before every game

Visit https://daretocare.org/ for more information about this local nonprofit.

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A Conversation with Metro Council Member Jecorey Arthur

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Sat, 15 Oct 2022 12:00:00 GMT

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville Executive Director and CEO Dave Calzi discusses policy and life with Metro Council Member Jecorey Arthur.

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A Conversation with Donna Russell, St. Vincent de Paul Louisville's newest Board Member

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Sat, 15 Apr 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Donna Russell’s journey is one of perseverance. She had to expand her education and career as a single mother raising two children all the while ensuring they had a roof over their heads. As St. Vincent de Paul Louisville’s newest Board Member, Donna has lived experience with avoiding eviction and finding affordable housing.

SVDP CEO Dave Calzi sits down with Donna to hear her story. She also talks about joining the SVDP Board of Directors and her frontline role as a Clinical Therapist at Volunteers of America's Freedom House.

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A Conversation Celebrating the 170 Year History of St. Vincent de Paul Louisville

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:00:00 GMT

If you've always wondered how we grew from the small beginnings of gathering inside a church basement in 1853 to housing 450 nightly and feeding 330 people daily, then lean into this podcast. We condensed 170 years of history into one episode!

This podcast is truly special because we’d love to take you on a history tour as we celebrate our 170 year anniversary, especially because you are the ones who have invested so much of your time, talents, and treasures towards this mission over the years. You can also watch now!

Watch: https://youtu.be/qmQ8jDbzSXI

To help us, our CEO Dave Calzi spoke with longtime Board Member and former Executive Director Jim Williams, Director of Conference Affairs & Volunteer Services Donna Young, and Board Member and history guru David Neill.

Here's our guided tour through SVDP Louisville's history:

How did the roots of SVDP Louisville begin in the basement of a local Catholic church?
The "conferences" are the heart and soul of SVDP. What are they exactly?
How did the Shelby Park campus come together in the early 1980s to now being the #1 recipient of 2-1-1 calls for those in need?
SVDP's national mission beyond Louisville, which has been responding to natural disasters longer than the Red Cross
Find out how you can get involved in the 27th annual Santa Shop!

To learn more, visit https://www.svdplou.org/.

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A Conversation with Shelby Park Historian Chip Rogalinski

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Mon, 15 Aug 2022 12:00:00 GMT

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville host Dave Calzi talks about the Shelby Park neighborhood, its history and current developments, with former Shelby Park Neighborhood Association President Chip Rogalinski. The development of the neighborhood, its rich diversity, and St. Vincent de Paul Louisville's role as a neighbor in Shelby Park are discussed.

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A Conversation with Dominique Batts, SVDP Louisville's Director of Housing and Services

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 04:00:00 GMT

If you want to look behind-the-scenes and learn how clients receive help at St. Vincent de Paul Louisville, this is a don't miss discussion! SVDP CEO Dave Calzi talks to our very own Dominique Batts about housing and programs major shift to better serve those in need. Batts also shares about growing up in the Catholic school system, secondary trauma vs. secondary success, and balancing two jobs with two young children. By the way, she also loves ballet!

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Dare to Care President & CEO Vincent James on the growing problem of food insecurity

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 05:00:00 GMT

Food insecurity was on the rise in our community before the government shutdown, and it isn't going away any time soon.

In this episode, Dare to Care President & CEO Vincent James talks about why that is, who an actual SNAP recipient is, their buying habits, navigating the latest government shutdown, and the community's response to feed those in need.

He gives an honest and helpful answer to our main question, "What are you seeing across our community as it pertains to food insecurity?"

Watch Here

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A Conversation with Whitney Austin, cofounder of Whitney/Strong

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Thu, 13 Jun 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Have you ever had one of those days? Well, Whitney Austin had herself a day on Sept. 6, 2018. In our 26th podcast episode, she opens up about her survival story during the mass shooting in the lobby at Fifth Third Bank Headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio.

For Whitney to survive after being shot 12 times is a miracle in and of itself, but even more incredible is how she started the nonprofit Whitney/Strong less than a month later to find common ground to end gun violence. You can download to listen, or watch now!

Watch: https://youtu.be/kX_LSr_M1yY

Our CEO Dave Calzi sits down with Whitney to talk about these topics:

What kept her fighting on that fateful day in 2018, and how the trajectory of her life changed from that moment on?
Whitney cofounded the nonprofit Whitney/Strong, whose mission is to find common ground to end gun violence through data-driven, responsible gun ownership solutions. She shares the initiatives her organization has spearheaded to create a safer community. This includes advice for parents on how to talk to their children about this tough topic.
Gun rights are a divisive topic across America. Sometimes we can feel like we must choose a side—to have a gun or not to have a gun. Whitney shares the stance she believes people should take in terms of gun rights.
Mass shootings can be a loaded term that we may not fully or accurately understand. Whitney reveals what she's learned about mass shootings in our country and encourages our audience to read "The Violence Project: How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic."
Whitney opens up about the aftermath and how she found healing from trauma, grew in her mental health, and leaned into close relationships during that season of her life.

To learn more, visit www.whitneystrong.org/.

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Embracing the Elderly with Mother Mary Richard, Little Sisters of the Poor

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 05:00:00 GMT

“The elderly shouldn’t be forgotten; they are precious.”

Did you know by 2030, one out of every five people will be over 65?

As our population ages, it underscores the importance of organizations like Little Sisters of the Poor, which provides not only shelter but a community for this vulnerable community. In this episode, Mother Mary Richard answers "How can the community care for the elderly?"

Like SVDP, Little Sisters of the Poor has a rich history and presence in Louisville that spans over 150 years. Mother Mary shares about the cultural challenges and changes to caring for the elderly poor, and creating a nurturing environment for its nearly 80 residents.

You can listen anytime and anywhere! Please subscribe and share!

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A Conversation with Metro Council President David James

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 11:00:00 GMT

Host Dave Calzi and Metro Council President David James discuss President James' experiences in public service and his hopes for the future.

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Homelessness during the Holidays with UP For Women & Children Cofounder & CEO Amy Meredith

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Wed, 10 Dec 2025 16:00:00 GMT

In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we all experience some levels of stress. However, we often forget the holidays amplify the challenges that the unhoused may have.

In this episode, Amy Meredith, an author, keynote speaker, consultant, and cofounder and CEO of UP For Women and Children, answers "What is it like for the unhoused during the holidays?"

Watch Here

Amy also offers insight into the unique issues unhoused women and the elderly face.

Violence is the leading cause of homelessness for women
2 in 5 women account for Louisville’s unhoused population, yet there are only 94 shelter beds designated for women among the city’s emergency shelter
1 in 5 women experiencing homelessness in Louisville are over the age of 62

Amy's new book, "Where the Light Breaks Through," is available to purchase.

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The Police & Homelessness with LMPD Assistant Chief of Police Nick Owen

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 04:00:00 GMT

This is a candid conversation about a tough topic.

In this episode, Louisville Metro Police Department Lieutenant Colonel Nick Owen shares his view on "What should the public know about police interactions with people experiencing homelessness?"

As Assistant Chief of Police with nearly 20 years on the force, Nick Owen talks about the importance of policing crime—not communities—and highlights the positive strides LMPD and local government have made in recent years. He talks about the services police should and should not provide for those experiencing homelessness, his thoughts on House Bill 5, how LMPD handles mistakes in the field, and the right for every citizen to feel safe.

Watch Here

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Metro United Way CEO Adria Johnson on how her childhood experience with poverty

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Fri, 15 Nov 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Metro United Way CEO Adria Johnson's upbringing and adulthood hasn't been easy. But her faith has kept her standing stronger than ever.

In this episode, Adria opens up about her story. Though she experienced poverty and was a product of a divorced home, she believes God used her childhood to shape her life's purpose.

Watch here

Here's what we talked about in this episode:

The road Adria traveled to get to where she is today.
Metro United Way's mission and hope for the community.
Adria's leadership style and how to lead on empty.
Adria lost both her parents and son Kenneth Rhodes, II, within a year after becoming CEO at Metro United Way. Kenneth tragically passed away at 29-years-old. She shares about still working through grief and how she continues to honor her son’s legacy.
Adria offers advice for women just starting out in their career.

You can listen anywhere and anytime on Spotify Music, Apple Music, or YouTube Music. Please subscribe and share!

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A Conversation with Janet, a Former Resident at St. Vincent de Paul Louisville

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 15 Nov 2022 13:00:00 GMT

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Tyler Ward, VP & Relationship Strategist at PNC Bank, on Finding Your Place in the Community

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

"You've got to get involved in something."

In this podcast episode, Tyler Ward, Vice President and Relationship Strategist at PNC Private Bank, underscores why business leaders should prioritize finding purpose outside of work and play an active role in their local community.

As St. Vincent de Paul Louisville's new Board Chair, Tyler reflects on how his upbringing shaped his faith and sense of belonging, the role of the board in advancing the organization's mission, and the growing need to support SVDP in serving individuals experiencing homelessness or food insecurity.

You can listen anytime and anywhere! Please subscribe and share!

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A Conversation with Quentin Childers, SVDP Louisville's Associate Director of Crisis Housing

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 15:00:00 GMT

If you need a good laugh, listen to this! St. Vincent de Paul CEO Dave Calzi talks to Quentin Childers about having empathy for clients and leading the daily operations of four major housing programs. "Q" also talks about starting out in dental school and ending up in social work. He even shares his love for gardening and cooking in his spare time.

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A Conversation with Dr. Deborah Padgett, coauthor of "Housing First"

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Fri, 15 Sep 2023 04:00:00 GMT

Can we really end homelessness? One housing expert believes we can, and tells us how in this podcast!

New York University Silver School of Social Work professor Dr. Deborah Padgett teaches “Homelessness in Perspective," where she breaks down the assumptions that students come in with about the homeless. The coauthor of "Housing First: Ending Homelessness, Changing Systems and Transforming Lives," Padgett joins our podcast to talk with CEO and Executive Director Dave Calzi about what housing first is, the evidence to support it, and why it matters. She's also a UK graduate!

They touch on these topics:

How closely linked having housing and mental health or substance abuse recovery are in a person’s growth
The difference between homelessness in America compared to other countries
The significance of having a safe space and privacy in a person’s success
Why the idea "we don’t want the homeless to get too comfortable so we want the shelters to be challenging" is false
Dave shares how nonprofit leaders can shift their thinking from a scarcity mindset to an abundance mindset

To learn more about Housing First, Padgett recommends https://endhomelessness.org/resource/housing-first/

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A Conversation with Rich Lechleiter, the CEO at the Catholic Education Foundation

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Fri, 14 Jul 2023 04:00:00 GMT

If you need purpose in your work, are unsure about your second act, or love a good story, then check out this conversation!

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville CEO Dave Calzi is a guest on the Catholic Education Foundation's podcast with CEF CEO Rich Lechleiter at Talgrace Studio. Dave was formerly CEF Board Chair. Both of our organizations are working hard to improve the lives of others, whether through the public school system or on the streets of Louisville. Our missions have a lot in common!

You can also watch this episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=my32eq2KmFw

Dave and Rich go way back, and their conversation is one of mutual admiration and respect for one another and the organizations they lead.

Here are some topics raised during the podcast:

Dave and Rich talk about how their professional paths crossed and share their personal stories.
Dave talks about the rich history of education at SVDP that dates back to 1852.
Dave discusses the complexities at SVDP and living out its mission to save lives every day.
Dave shares the story that landed him at SVDP and Rich's role in all of that.
Dave talks about how stepping on as CEO has been the hardest thing he's ever done.
They offer advice on how to find purpose in your second act.

CEF was founded in 1995 for the primary purpose of supporting the growth and vitality of Catholic education in the Archdiocese of Louisville. To learn more, visit www.ceflou.org/.

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Louisville Metro District 3 Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright on SVDP supported her success

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 13 May 2025 04:00:00 GMT

In this podcast episode, Louisville Metro District 3 Councilwoman Shameka Parrish-Wright opens up in this exclusive interview at City Hall. She goes in-depth on how she overcame generational poverty through stability and support at St. Vincent de Paul Louisville.

Shameka’s story is a powerful example of someone who, despite experiencing childhood trauma and homelessness, is now seeing generational change in her family and emerging as a dynamic leader in Louisville. As Executive Director of VOCAL-KY, she is using her lived experience to speak up for those on the margins of society.

Watch Here

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Kroger's Jessica Sharp & SVDP volunteers John and Betsy Bowling on food insecurity

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 12:00:00 GMT

For many families, a fruit basket on the kitchen counter and a stocked refrigerator are the norm. We don’t even think twice about it. However, that’s not the case for everyone.

In this episode, we take a deeper dive into food insecurity. We invited onto the show Kroger Corporate Affairs Manager Jessica Sharp and longtime Food Pantry volunteers John and Betsy Bowling, who are Holy Trinity Catholic Church and St. Vincent de Paul Holy Trinity Conference members.

Watch Here

Here are the topics we covered:

The ripple effect of food insecurity in one's life.
Kroger's response to rising grocery costs.
The life-changing impact regular access to healthy food can have on a community.
How the Bowling's love story began at the Food Pantry?
The Food Pantry is serving 20 times more people than the initial estimate in 2014. As we celebrate its 10-year anniversary, we reflect on the unique comradery between volunteers and clients.

You can listen anywhere and anytime on Spotify Music, Apple Music, or YouTube Music. Please subscribe and share!

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National President John Berry's vision for SVDP USA’s role in homelessness prevention

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Sun, 15 Dec 2024 05:00:00 GMT

SVDP USA National President John Berry shares his unexpected journey into the organization and his deep passion for homeless prevention.

In this episode, John invites us into the rich history of St. Vincent de Paul and investing in a mission that's bigger than ourselves.

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He talks about how he ended up at SVDP and the organization's growth, which is now ranked 59th on Forbes' list of largest nonprofits (up from 75th last year). He also makes the connection between the conferences and St. Vincent de Paul, the spiritual side of serving, and the SVDP National Conference comes to Louisville in August 2025!

You can listen anywhere and anytime on Spotify Music, Apple Music, or YouTube Music. Please subscribe and share!

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Breaking the Cycle: Dr. Donna Beegle on Escaping the Warzone of Generational Poverty

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 11 Mar 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Communication Across Barriers President and Founder Dr. Donna Beegle shares her one of a kind story on how she broke free from the "warzone of poverty" after 26 years.

As a national expert on poverty, Donna invites us to fight poverty, not the people experiencing it. She talks about how you can be poverty-informed, the different types of poverty, and how to effectively communicate it with those around you.

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Donna was a keynote speaker at last year’s Society of St. Vincent de Paul National Conference. She is the author of four books and has been featured on CNN, PBS, and other major media outlets. A former U.S. Secretary of Housing has personally endorsed her work on generational poverty and effective housing solutions.

You can listen anywhere and anytime on Spotify Music, Apple Music, or YouTube Music. Please subscribe and share!

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A Conversation with Kevin Adler, National Speaker & Author of "When We Walk By"

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 04:00:00 GMT

If you hope to learn more about the state of homelessness in the U.S. and what we can do about it, Kevin Adler's new book, “When We Walk By: Forgotten Humanity, Broken Systems, and the Role We Can Each Play in Ending Homelessness in America,” is a must-read guide.

Watch: YouTube

Kevin’s work has been featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, CNN, on a billboard in Times Square, and in his TED Talk.

As the Founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization Miracle Messages in 2014, Kevin leads a global community of volunteers and referral partners, who have successfully reconnected more than 900 people experiencing homelessness with their loved ones, matched 350 unhoused individuals with volunteers for weekly calls and texts, and launched one of the first basic income pilots for the homeless in the U.S. This has resulted in more than two-thirds of people getting housed.

Our CEO Dave Calzi spoke virtually with Kevin about these topics:

One out of every two Americans is one paycheck away from homelessness. If that’s true, then why aren't more people homeless?
Miracle Messages is all about the term "relational poverty." Kevin shares how that's the basis of his organization's strategy.
What is the overall message of “When We Walk By?"
Is it fair or proper to label the homeless as "the homeless?" Or is their an alternative way we can talk about those in need?
Kevin shares that homelessness may be the most intersectional issue in America because there are a lot of “systems” at work. What are the current systems and how have they been set up for those experiencing homelessness to fail?

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Author and Keynote Speaker Katie Martin on her vision to end hunger in America

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 11 Feb 2025 05:00:00 GMT

As a leading voice in food insecurity, Katie Martin wants to reinvent the way we help people who need help with food. And the answer isn't simply handing out more food.

In this episode, Katie challenges the traditional food pantry model to one that goes beyond charity—toward lasting solutions for ending hunger. She invites us into the connection between hunger and health.

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Katie is the author of “Reinventing Food Banks and Pantries: New Tools to End Hunger" and the CEO of More Than Food Consulting. She takes us through the myths of food insecurity, the systemic issues that led us to this point in the world's wealthiest nation, and how we can rethink food support to empower individuals and communities.

You can listen anywhere and anytime on Spotify Music, Apple Music, or YouTube Music. Please subscribe and share!

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CEO Jennifer Clark on leadership transitions and the future of SVDP

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Thu, 15 Aug 2024 04:00:00 GMT

Do you truly care about the homeless? CEO Jennifer Clark encourages us to build empathy for the unhoused population in this podcast episode.

If you haven’t heard the news, Jennifer was promoted to St. Vincent de Paul Louisville’s Chief Executive Officer / Executive Director upon Dave Calzi's retirement in late July, who will continue to support SVDP in a newly created advocacy role. Jennifer serves as the first female leader in the organization’s 170-year history!

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Jennifer talks about...

How she ended up in the nonprofit world
Leadership transitions and the future of SVDP
If people choose to be homeless
How her personal faith influences her work

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Housing, Healing, and Ali: Inside SVDP Phoenix’s Mission with CEO Shannon Clancy

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 04:00:00 GMT

FEED. CLOTHE. HOUSE. HEAL.

St. Vincent de Paul Phoenix's CEO Shannon Clancy shares how she and her team are transforming lives with compassion and innovation in the Valley of the Sun.

As the first female CEO of SVDP Phoenix's nearly 80-year history, Clancy has adapted to meet the ever-changing needs of those experiencing homelessness. She shares about their ambitious housing goals for 2025, explains the difference between preventing homelessness and rehousing people, and highlights their unique medical and dental clinics for uninsured patients. She also shares stories of Muhammed Ali's memorable visits to SVDP Phoenix.

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Dr. Brian Fikkert on how to help those in need without hurting them in the process

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Can helping actually hurt?

Dr. Brian Fikkert talks about the difference between empowering and enabling those in need—and why poverty is about more than a lack of possessions.

Fikkert coauthored "When Helping Hurts" and "Becoming Whole," books that have transformed how churches and organizations approach poverty. He is the Founder of the Chalmers Center for Economic Development and Professor of Economics and Community Development at Covenant College. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from Yale University.

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A Conversation with Teddy Abrams, Louisville Orchestra Music Director & Grammy Award Winner

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Fri, 15 Mar 2024 04:00:00 GMT

What's it like to win a Grammy? Teddy Abrams tells us in his own words ... and his answer might surprise you.

This podcast episode is powerful, especially for anyone who has a passion or dream! For the last decade, Teddy has been a conductor, pianist, clarinetist, and composer and presently serves as the Music Director of the Louisville Orchestra and the Britt Festival Orchestra. Under his leadership, the Louisville Orchestra has experienced unprecedented success and its attendance has increased 30%. As Musical America’s 2022 Conductor of the Year, Teddy has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning, the New Yorker, and NPR, among other media outlets. You can download to listen, or watch now!

Watch: https://youtu.be/2EJ519TZ7UM

Our CEO Dave Calzi sits down with Teddy to talk all things music:

Teddy shares how his upbringing influenced him at an early age. He began improvising on piano at age 3 and has fallen in love with music ever since!
Teddy took over the Louisville Orchestra at a time when it was not in a great spot and had filed for bankruptcy in 2013. He shares how a tight budget actually inspired a culture of artistic creativity.
Teddy is known for riding his bike everywhere. He just got his driver's license. He tells us why!
This February, Teddy received his first ever Grammy Award after winning the Best Classical Instrumental Solo for the orchestra's performance in “The American Project” with world-renowned pianist Yuja Wang.
The Louisville Orchestra is playing their third “Music Without Borders” performance at the Family Success Center on Friday, April 12. Teddy shares why it's important to make music available to everyone in our community. You can get your free tickets today!

To learn more, visit https://louisvilleorchestra.org/.

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A Conversation with Gregg Colburn, author of "Homelessness is a Housing Problem"

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 15 Aug 2023 04:00:00 GMT

How does the game of musical chairs help explain homelessness? This podcast conversation breaks down that analogy!

Author Gregg Colburn shares how a lack of affordable housing impacts homelessness from his recently released book, "Homelessness is a Housing Problem." He's an Assistant Professor of real estate at the University of Washington and studies affordable housing. Colburn joins our podcast to talk with CEO and Executive Director Dave Calzi about why homelessness isn't the same in every city and varies significantly by region—from Los Angeles and New York to Chicago and Charlotte.

Here are some hot button issues raised during the podcast:

How low vacancy rates and high rental costs are a recipe for disaster when it comes to having enough housing in your city
What affordable housing is, how it's different than emergency shelters, and the red tape between developers and building affordable housing
Why Louisville could have a homelessness crisis in the near future
What you can do to influence change in a city that needs more affordable housing

Here's a link to purchase Colburn's book, "Homelessness is a Housing Problem."

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JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio & Evolve502 CEO Marland Cole on serving the next generation

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 04:00:00 GMT

JCPS Superintendent Dr. Marty Pollio and Evolve502 CEO Marland Cole joined us as this month's podcast guests because our missions closely align. As our Family Success Center celebrates 10 years of providing year-round educational and social development opportunities to the next generation, we are grateful for our partnership with them.

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Here were some conversation topics...

Marty talks about initially wanting to be a basketball coach and serving under Indiana Hoosiers legend Bob Knight
Marty's journey in teaching, which started at JCPS in 1996
Why public school and alternative JCPS options are still a strong and viable option for families
Marland shares how Evolve502 is opening doors for JCPS students after high school
Marty and Marland open up about how they handle the pressure and criticism of being a high-level leader
What JCPS learned from last year's busing system issues. Marty shares how he and his team have made strides to improve school transportation

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A Conversation with Greer Hannan, SVDP Louisville's Associate Director of PQI & Compliance

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Sun, 15 Jan 2023 05:00:00 GMT

St. Vincent de Paul Executive Director/CEO Dave Calzi talks to Greer Hannan about the importance of a nonprofit securing accreditation and ensuring regulatory compliance with the government. Greer also shares an incredible story of how one homeless man, Danny, changed the trajectory of her life. Not to mention, she discusses her podcast, "Femammal," and her love for contra dancing.

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A Conversation with Carl Gershenson, the Lab Director at Eviction Lab

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 04:00:00 GMT

In this conversation, Lab Director Carl Gershenson at Eviction Lab opens our eyes to the eviction epidemic in America! With a Ph.D. in Sociology from Harvard University, Gershenson studies the causes and consequences of housing instability, with an emphasis on how eviction leads to further economic and residential insecurity.

Gershenson joins CEO Dave Calzi via Zoom to talk about:

The definition of eviction and the main reasons people are evicted
Why working parents are at an extremely high risk for eviction filings
Why the Southeast region of the United States has the highest eviction rates
What "the rent eats first" means, and why it matters
How COVID changed rental prices across America, and why Louisville is similar to NYC, Chicago, and LA more today than ever before
The main ways we can prevent eviction locally

The Eviction Lab at Princeton University is a team of researchers who believe a stable, affordable home is central to human flourishing and economic mobility. They believe that understanding the sudden, traumatic home loss through eviction is foundational to learning about poverty in America. This team has published the first-ever dataset of evictions in America with an interactive national map at https://evictionlab.org/map/. You can zoom in and find Jefferson County for specific statistics about our Louisville community. Eviction is often something our clients have faced, and in Kentucky, evictions can stay on someone's record for roughly seven years.

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A Conversation with Chris Dischinger, cofounder of LDG Development, and Elly Green

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 04:00:00 GMT

LDG Development cofounder Chris Dischinger quit his job less than a month into his marriage and went into real estate. You can listen to or watch how the rest of the story unfolds!

Watch: https://youtu.be/CCV3ow9tfP4

In 1994, Chris and his wife, Lisa, cofounded LDG Development in Louisville along with business partner Mark Lechner. The Dischingers are committed to building better lives through developing quality, affordable communities for hard-working families and active seniors. Today, LDG has over 200 employees and developed more than 20,000 units in multiple states. Resident Services Manager Elly Green shares about providing residents with extra support through onsite medical care, after-school programming, cooking classes, and more.

They hit on these topics:

What makes for a good tailgate party at a UofL football game?
Why they shifted from building single-family homes to multi-family units?
What does "affordable housing" actually mean?
Should everyone own a home? Or is renting better for you?
What can we do as local citizens to advocate for more affordable housing?

To learn more about LDG Development, visit https://www.ldgdevelopment.com/.

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A Conversation with Rick Tonini, Mayor of St. Matthews

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Fri, 15 Dec 2023 05:00:00 GMT

If you've ever lost a loved one and need help finding purpose again, this podcast is for you. St. Matthews Mayor Rick Tonini shares how the unexpected and tragic loss of his daughter, Lauren, led to serving at our Open Hand Kitchen in Christmas 2003. You can also watch now!

Watch: https://youtu.be/R3vhyT7wRAk

Our CEO Dave Calzi spoke with Mayor Rick about a variety of topics:

Tonini Church Supply has been around for 143 years, since Mayor Rick's great-grandfather founded it in the mid-1880s. He shares how to successfully run a family-owned business.
Why he's been serving at the Open Hand Kitchen every Sunday for 20 years now and has no plans to stop?
As a boy, Mayor Rick drove the garbage truck and cleaned out the sewer in St. Matthews. He tells us how this was his start in politics, and also touches on the role he believes government should play in helping those in need.
He offers advice after the loss of a loved one and what you can do next.

To learn more about finding support through Compassionate Friends, visit www.compassionatefriends.org/chapter/tcf-of-louisville/.

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AMPED Founder & President Dave Christopher from poverty to leadership

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 14 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT

AMPED Founder & President Dave Christopher opens up about overcoming personal struggles that shaped him into the leader he is today.

In this episode, Dave shares what it was like to have inconsistent access to food at an early age. He invites us into what drives him everyday and reflects on what it takes to lead a nonprofit through the highs and lows.

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Dave takes us through the origin story of AMPED—Adventurous Minds Produce Extraordinary Dreams—which began as a bond with his son over music. Today, the nonprofit is changing the footprint in the West End with more than just music, but by providing a pathway out of poverty.

You can listen anywhere and anytime on Spotify Music, Apple Music, or YouTube Music. Please subscribe and share!

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From the Bayou to the Bluegrass: Archbishop Fabre on the journey to priesthood

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 04:00:00 GMT

Join us as we sit down with Archbishop Shelton Fabre of the Archdiocese of Louisville at the stunning Archdiocesan History Center.

Archbishop Fabre shares his story and transition from Louisiana to Louisville. He talks about driving in the snow, why priests don’t fall from the sky, the deeper meaning of Lent, how faith compels us to serve those in need, and prayer advice during spiritually dry seasons.

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Housing & Humanity with Author Gregg Colburn and SVDP USA National CEO Michael Acaldo

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 04:00:00 GMT

In case you missed our special live-streamed podcast episode, it’s now available! Tune in to explore the homelessness landscape locally and nationally.

At the 2025 SVDP National Assembly, Author/Keynote Speaker Gregg Colburn and SVDP USA National CEO Michael Acaldo joined us from the Galt House.

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The conversation centered on "Housing & Humanity" as they dove into this key question: “With homelessness growing nationally, how are both research and service-based organizations working toward solutions?”

Highlights include the difference between affordable and subsidized housing, the reasons behind the decrease in Veteran homelessness, the structural versus individual drivers of homelessness, and how SVDP is helping reduce homelessness.

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A Conversation with Ra'Shann Martin, the Executive Director of the St. John Center

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Thu, 15 Dec 2022 05:00:00 GMT

St. Vincent de Paul Executive Director/CEO Dave Calzi talks to Ra'Shann Martin about housing needs for the city and the St. John Center's role to help meet those needs.

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A Conversation with Christie McCravy, Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Sat, 01 Oct 2022 11:00:00 GMT

St. Vincent de Paul Executive Director/CEO Dave Calzi talks to Christie McCravy about housing needs for the city and the Affordable Housing Trust Fund's role in getting more affordable housing built.

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A Conversation with Tony Cash, founder of Freedom Lake

St. Vincent de Paul Louisville — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 05:00:00 GMT

Tony Cash was an outlaw whose story is truly one of amazing transformation! From the age of 11 to 49 years old, he spent an accumulative 36 years incarcerated and two of those decades in and out of solitary confinement. Now, Tony is on a mission to help men like him. You can also watch now!

Watch: https://youtu.be/C9T2F19Br_Q

Alongside his wife, Kim, their nonprofit organization, Freedom Lake, has a nearby property with a 20-bed dorm inside the facility to provide a place for recently released men to reintegrate into society and find purpose in their lives. Joining this episode to share their journey are Kevin and Travis, former addicts who have been helped through Freedom Lake.

Our CEO Dave Calzi covers these topics with our guests:

Tony's story and the launch of Freedom Lake
How does the home we grew up in shape our story?
How can we help those with traumatic backgrounds reenter society? Where do we start?
Are we all "incarcerated" in different ways? Why or why not?
As the New Year rolls on, they give advice on removing bad habits and replacing them with lasting change

Tony and Kim have served inside the prison system since 2018 helping men affected by substance and alcohol abuse find their identity in Christ, reach their God-given potential, and discover God’s purpose for their lives. To watch Tony's story and learn more about Freedom lake, visit https://freedomlake.org/.

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