Episode 2: System Failure

In Homeward Bound, HOMELAND co-creators, Ben, Andy, and Jared, reflect on their nearly three-year journey to bring Season 1 of HOMELAND to life and discuss the personal impact this project has had on them. 

As the 2024 election looms and Angelenos face a decision on Measure A, we sit down with leaders of homeless service providers, advocacy groups, and system administrators closest to the work to discuss the role the entire community plays in ending homelessness.- Show sponsorsThe Sum of Us: https://www.thesumofuspodcast.com/The Light Phone: https://www.thelightphone.com/products?ref=benkay

Faith communities have been historic partners in the work of ending homelessness. In Make Me a Believer, we discuss the historic role these communities have played in addressing housing insecurity and explore the transformative work people of faith are currently doing in Los Angeles.- Show sponsorsThe Sum of Us: https://www.thesumofuspodcast.com/The Light Phone: https://www.thelightphone.com/products?ref=benkay

Angelenos exiting the carceral system often fall into homelessness due to barriers to housing and employment. In Redemption Road, we explore the intersection of homelessness and incarceration and ask a simple but profoundly human question: Do we believe in second chances? - Show sponsorsThe Sum of Us: https://www.thesumofuspodcast.com/The Light Phone: https://www.thelightphone.com/products?ref=benkay

Homelessness has become a political issue. As voters in Los Angeles – and in cities across the U.S. – get ready to go to the polls in November, how successful – or unsuccessful – local politicians have been in addressing homelessness will likely mean the difference between a candidate's victory or defeat. So, what is the role of elected officials in addressing homelessness? In No Silver Bullet, we sit down with local politicians in L.A. to discuss this question and explore what happens when housing gets political. - Show sponsorsThe Sum of Us: https://www.thesumofuspodcast.com/The Light Phone: https://www.thelightphone.com/products?ref=benkay

Los Angeles is ground zero for unsheltered homelessness in the U.S., with 52,000 unsheltered in a total homeless population of 75,000. Angelenos have invested deeply in addressing this crisis, voting overwhelmingly in past years to tax themselves in order to fund homeless services. As the housing crisis continues and with local funding set to expire soon, however, Angelenos going to the polls in November will again be faced with a critical decision about the role tax dollars play in funding housing, prevention, and homeless services. In Money Talks, we speak to system leaders and funders about this new ballot measure and what’s at stake if it doesn't pass.- Show sponsorsThe Sum of Us: https://www.thesumofuspodcast.com/The Light Phone: https://www.thelightphone.com/products?ref=benkay

Substance use and homelessness have become synonymous in recent years. But what is the actual relationship between the two? Does problematic substance use cause homelessness or does homelessness increase someone's use of substances? In The Pursuit of Peace, we sit down with system and healthcare leaders to discuss how homelessness and substance use interact, dive into how the U.S. has historically addressed substance use, and explore if there’s a better way forward.- Show sponsorsThe Sum of Us: https://www.thesumofuspodcast.com/The Light Phone: https://www.thelightphone.com/products?ref=benkay

As the homeless crisis has deepened in cities across the country, many have pointed to untreated mental health as a root cause of the crisis. But what is the relationship between mental health and homelessness? In A Beautiful Mind, we sit down with experts to explore this central question as we seek to better understand the connection between human thought and action.- Show sponsorsThe Sum of Us: https://www.thesumofuspodcast.com/The Light Phone: https://www.thelightphone.com/products?ref=benkay

Humans build systems - but what happens when our systems begin threatening humans? In System Failure, we sit down with national advocates, authors, and nonprofit leaders to explore past and present system failures that are now pushing Americans from their homes onto the streets and perpetuating homelessness in the wealthiest nation on earth.- Show sponsorsThe Sum of Us: https://www.thesumofuspodcast.com/The Light Phone: https://www.thelightphone.com/products?ref=benkay

Before we can begin to better understand homelessness, we first need to ask ourselves: Why is a home so important? Why do humans need one? What puts housing at risk? And what happens when we lose our home? Our pilot episode, Home Makes Us Whole, explores these questions with leaders in Los Angeles and beyond who have dedicated their lives to ending homelessness.- Show sponsorsThe Sum of Us: https://www.thesumofuspodcast.com/The Light Phone: https://www.thelightphone.com/products?ref=benkay