BONUS: The Holiday Special

On the series finale of Bringing Down the House, Ali and J'Kalein are joined by Andy Conger, Iowa Heartland's Construction Director. Together, they listen to two stories of hope read by the Habitat for Humanity International CEO, Jonathan Reckford! They also reflect upon the past three seasons of building homes, communities, and hope. You don't want to miss this FINAL episode! Thank you for listening to Bringing Down the House! Episode Links(in order of mention): Habitat for Humanity International Andy's Episode - "Neighborhood Revitalization with Andy Conger" "Our Better Angels" by Jonathan Reckford Iowa Heartland's Repair Program "This is fine." meme CC Podcast Follow us! Website: WeBuildHabitat.org/podcast Instagram: BringingDownTheHousePod | IAHeartlandHFH Facebook: BringingDownTheHousePod | IowaHeartlandHabitat TikTok: IAHeartlandHabitat Twitter: BDTH_Pod Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Read By: Jonathan Reckford | Guest: Andy Conger | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Welcome back to Bringing Down the House! Today Ali and J'Kalein say goodbye to producer, Norah Schlax and test her knowledge on the State of Maine. Norah is returning to Maine to be closer to family and start a new job! Tune in to this fun, heartwarming bonus episode of Bringing Down the House! Follow us! Website: WeBuildHabitat.org/podcast Instagram: BringingDownTheHousePod | IAHeartlandHFH Facebook: BringingDownTheHousePod | IowaHeartlandHabitat TikTok: IAHeartlandHabitat Twitter: BDTH_Pod Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Welcome back to Bringing Down the House! Today Ali and J'Kalein are spending time with Ben Brustkern, the Executive Director of Friends of the Family. Friends of the family is a local organization that provides shelter, confidential services, and housing assistance to individuals in crisis due to homelessness, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. You don't want to miss this difficult, yet heartwarming story of hope! Thank you for tuning in to episode three of Season 3: Building Hope! Episode Links(in order of mention): Friends of the Family - Hotline 1-800-410-SAFE Flonkerton - The Office Olympics Green Iowa AmeriCorps Home dedication - Park Street YMCA CC Podcast Follow us! Website: WeBuildHabitat.org/podcast Instagram: BringingDownTheHousePod | IAHeartlandHFH Facebook: BringingDownTheHousePod | IowaHeartlandHabitat TikTok: IAHeartlandHabitat Twitter: BDTH_Pod Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Read By: Ben Brustkern | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Welcome back to Bringing Down the House! Today Ali and J'Kalein bring you a story of hope from one of our new Walnut Neighborhood residents, Karen. Stay tuned and be inspired by her incredible journey from Arizona to Waterloo, Iowa. Thanks for tuning in to episode two of season three! Episode Links(in order of mention): Walnut Neighborhood Habitat for Humanity Colorado Waterloo Center for the Arts Norris Corson Family Planetarium "Hardware Store" - Spellers True Value Twin Power Group - ReMax Home Group University of Northern Iowa Schadenfreude Definition Avenue Q CC Podcast Follow us! Website: WeBuildHabitat.org/podcast Instagram: BringingDownTheHousePod | IAHeartlandHFH Facebook: BringingDownTheHousePod | IowaHeartlandHabitat TikTok: IAHeartlandHabitat Twitter: BDTH_Pod Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Read By: Karen Kalaassen | Written by: Karen Kalaassen | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Welcome back to Bringing Down the House! One of Habitat for Humanity’s key principals from the very beginning has been to promote dignity and hope. In fact, the theme of hope is woven through all of our work and our mission statement today. That’s why season three, entitled Building Hope, will be designed around stories of hope written by various partners of Iowa Heartland Habitat or members of our community. To kick off season three, Ali and J’Kalein reflect on a story of hope shared by our tithing partner, Habitat for Humanity El Salvador. You don’t want to miss this incredible story from around the world! Episode Links(in order of mention): "This is fine." photograph Habitat for Humanity El Salvador International Building & Global Partnerships with Wayne Green [ Anchor | Apple | Spotify ] Lorena's Family Photo CC Podcast Follow us! Website: WeBuildHabitat.org/podcast Instagram: BringingDownTheHousePod | IAHeartlandHFH Facebook: BringingDownTheHousePod | IowaHeartlandHabitat TikTok: IAHeartlandHabitat Twitter: BDTH_Pod Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Read By: Vanessa Albanéz | Written by: Vanessa Albanéz & Rodrigo Godoy | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

On this special bonus episode of Bringing Down the House, Ali, J'Kalein, and Norah chat about their holiday traditions and look back on their favorite moments of the last two seasons. Norah then puts Ali and J'Kalein to the test in a trivia game, "Name That Guest!". Who do you think will win? Finally, we asked YOU for your favorite Christmas carols in person and on social media! Ali and J'Kalein finish out the episode singing a few carols accompanied by Nathaniel Parrish on keyboard. Follow us! Website: WeBuildHabitat.org/podcast Instagram: BringingDownTheHousePod | IAHeartlandHFH Facebook: BringingDownTheHousePod | IowaHeartlandHabitat TikTok: IAHeartlandHabitat Twitter: BDTH_Pod Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guests: Lynette Sorensen & Dylan Does | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Today, on the season two finale of Bringing Down the House, Ali and J'Kalein are having a conversation with one of Iowa Heartland's most generous donors and board members, Lynette Sorensen. They also share a few moments with Iowa Heartland's new Development Director, Dylan Does. Thank you for tuning in for another season of Bringing Down the House. Please join our local mission by volunteering your time, or making a financial or materials donation. Episode Links(in order of mention): Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity ReStore Love INC Twin Power Group RE/MAX Home Group  UNI Follow us! Website: WeBuildHabitat.org/podcast Instagram: BringingDownTheHousePod | IAHeartlandHFH Facebook: BringingDownTheHousePod | IowaHeartlandHabitat TikTok: IAHeartlandHabitat Twitter: BDTH_Pod Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guests: Lynette Sorensen & Dylan Does | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Today, Ali and J’Kalein welcome Noel Anderson, City of Waterloo's Community Planning & Development Director of 26 years! They chat about all of the ways we partner to develop housing and revitalize neighborhoods in our community. Thanks for listening to episode nine of Season Two: Building Community! Episode Links: TIF District City of Waterloo Zoning Map 657A - Iowa State Code CC Podcasts - Give them a listen! Follow us! Website: WeBuildHabitat.org/podcast Instagram: BringingDownTheHousePod | IAHeartlandHFH Facebook: BringingDownTheHousePod | IowaHeartlandHabitat TikTok: IAHeartlandHabitat Twitter: BDTH_Pod Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Noel Anderson | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Churches were foundational in getting Iowa Heartland started 31 years ago and remain some of our most important and strongest partners today. Ali and J'Kalein explore this topic as they chat with Hilary Cornelius, Missions Coordinator at Prairie Lakes Church and Kris Hoskinson, at Orchard Hill Church about our partnerships. Thanks for listening to episode eight of Season Two: Building Community! Episode Links(in order of mention): Builders Circle Prairie Lakes Church When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor and Yourself Orchard Hill Church Laura Hoy's Episode Walnut Neighborhood CC Podcast - Listen to Nathaniel's Episode #7 Follow us! Website: WeBuildHabitat.org/podcast Instagram: BringingDownTheHousePod | IAHeartlandHFH Facebook: BringingDownTheHousePod | IowaHeartlandHabitat TikTok: IAHeartlandHabitat Twitter: BDTH_Pod Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guests: Hilary Cornelius & Kris Hoskinson | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound

Today, Ali and J’Kalein meet with the Deputy Director of the Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging (NEI3A), Greg Zars, to discuss how NEI3A is empowering older individuals in our community to age with dignity and independence. We will also explore Iowa Heartland’s new partnership with NEI3A and the impact it is making in our community. Thanks for listening to episode seven of Season Two: Building Community! Episode Links: Walnut Neighborhood LifeLong Links - Call 866-468-7887 to be connected with a social worker Meals-on-Wheels Grandpad The Northeast Iowa Foodbank - Check our our episode with Barb HERE Waterloo Housing Trust Fund CC Podcasts - Give them a listen! Follow us! Website: WeBuildHabitat.org/podcast Instagram: BringingDownTheHousePod | IAHeartlandHFH Facebook: BringingDownTheHousePod | IowaHeartlandHabitat TikTok: IAHeartlandHabitat Twitter: BDTH_Pod Hosts: Ali Parrish and J'Kalein Madison | Guest: Greg Zars | Producer & Editor: Norah Schlax | Music: bensound