You Know Me Now

On this episode we are talking with Mike O’Brien, former Seattle City Councilman, who served during this time, from 2010 to 2020. Seattlelites got to know Mike as a politician through his stance on various issues. Regardless of whether you agreed with him or not, when the issues were polarized, as is the case with homelessness, it got personal, for everyone. Today we are talking with Mike, not the politician, but rather, as a citizen of Seattle. We wanted to know more about who he is. What does he make important, what motivated him to get involved and run for a council seat, and how does he see our city issues now, today, when he is no longer at the center?Join in on the conversation on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening/More can be found at www.youknowmenow.com/

Several years ago, while walking through a homeless encampment in the Ballard neighborhood, stretched for several blocks along Leary Avenue, I saw a man sitting comfortably in a folding camp chair rolling cigarettes. He had several folks standing around, waiting their turn for a smoke. All the while he was talking and joking, and most beautifully, connecting. This man, with his big fluffy white beard, guitar at his side, handing out free cigarettes to those living homeless, is Bruce Drager.For 20 years, Bruce taught biology and zoology at Ballard High School in Seattle, where he also coached the cross-country team. Today we are talking with Bruce to hear his journey into addressing the issue of homelessness. Join in on the conversation on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening/More can be found at www.youknowmenow.com/

Craig is the author of Souls in the Hands of a Tender God, a small but very influential book about the ministry of companionship, leading us from distress and despair into healing through a deeply mutual community. He is also the co-author of a just recently published book, Whole Community Pathways to Mental Health. I am particularly grateful for this opportunity to talk with Craig in that his book Souls in the Hands of a Tender God greatly influenced the beginning chapters of Facing Homelessness and my own personal journey into companionship with people living on our streets. Craig is the author of Souls in the Hands of a Tender God, a small but very influential book about the ministry of companionship, leading us from distress and despair into healing through a deeply mutual community. He is also the co-author of a just recently published book, Whole Community Pathways to Mental Health. I am particularly grateful for this opportunity to talk with Craig in that his book Souls in the Hands of a Tender God greatly influenced the beginning chapters of Facing Homelessness and my own personal journey into companionship with people living on our streets. Join in on the conversation on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening/More can be found at www.youknowmenow.com/

As citizens of a community, whether you define that as your neighborhood, or your city, state, or, our American nation, what role, as citizens, do each of us play? This question is not in regards to our personal needs and wants, but rather to the collective health and welfare of all of us. Today, do the words shared by President John F. Kennedy, 65 years ago, "ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country," still strike a chord and urge us into civic action? Specifically, do we feel a pull to be included in the solutions around our biggest societal issues, such as homelessness.   On this episode we discuss with Eric Liu, what it means to be a citizen. Eric is the co-founder and CEO of Citizen University. He is the author of numerous acclaimed books, including most recently Become America: Civic Sermons on Love, Responsibility, and Democracy — a New York Times New & Notable Book — and, Live Like a Citizen: 8 Ways to Change Your Mindset and Our Country, to be published in October 2026. Eric served as a White House speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and as the President’s deputy domestic policy adviser. He was later appointed by President Barack Obama to the board of the Corporation for National and Community Service. A graduate of Yale College and Harvard Law School, Eric was elected in 2020 to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and co-chairs its ‘Our Common Purpose’ commission. He lives in Seattle, where he has served on the boards of the Seattle Public Library and the Washington State Board of Education. Join in on the conversation on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening/More can be found at www.youknowmenow.com/

On this episode we speak with Andrew Funk who is the president of the Homeless Entrepreneur based in Barcelona Spain.Website: https://www.homelessentrepreneur.org/Homeless Entrepreneur’s mission is to promote economic empowerment and poverty reduction via work and active citizenship thanks to both public and private civic partnerships, so people living in social exclusion can improve their quality of life.Join in on the conversation on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening/More can be found at www.youknowmenow.com/

Nathans Website and Bloghttps://www.nathanvass.com/His new book:https://www.nathanvass.com/book.htmlNathan is a recognized Seattle-based author, filmmaker, photographer, artist, and….wait for it, a King County Metro bus driver. He is known widely for the connections he creates with riders when driving, he transforms commuting into community-building experiences. It’s a beautiful thing! He is also the author of two wonderful books, The Lines That Make Us and Deciding to See. In 2018 he was recognized as a top influencer in Seattle. I couldn’t be more excited to welcome my friend Nathan into this conversation!Join in on the conversation on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening/More can be found at www.youknowmenow.com/

Homelessness, as everyone knows, is an extremely complicated emotional issue. Systemic societal barriers along with personal mental health issues can pull or push people into homelessness, and a dearth of affordable housing and needed services can keep them there. The complexity of this issue can be overwhelming and have people, literally walking on by, those struggling. There can exist a feeling that solutions need to come from the government, nonprofits, and our church communities in the form of larger answers. After all, what can one person possibly do to make a difference?Today we are talking with Meghan, a young woman whose life direction took an abrupt and unexpected turn. Join in on the conversation on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening/More can be found at www.youknowmenow.com/

On this episode we hear from Sabra Boyd. For those of you who don’t know Sabra, she is the Editor in Chief of REAL CHANGE, Seattle’s award winning street newspaper. Sabra is also an award winning independent journalist, public speaker, consultant, and web developer. She covers stories about exploitation in all its forms including healthcare, homelessness, trafficking, tech, prison, food, and beauty. Join in on the conversation on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening/More can be found at www.youknowmenow.com/

On this episode we are talking with Ryan Henry Ward. If you live in Seattle and you don’t know Ryan, there is a good chance you do know his artful murals seen all over town!Ryan’s murals, which are signed simply “henry”, have the power to bring out a smile, even on the grayest days. The scenes of his characters and the quiet story being told, leave you with a good feeling about living here in Seattle. Now, that alone would be reason to sit down with Ryan and share a good conversation, but, there is something more that you are going to want to hear. His views on community, specifically around the issue of homelessness, are beautiful, ones that are grounded in his personal journey of finding himself through his art.Join in on the conversation on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening/More can be found at www.youknowmenow.com/

A while back we interviewed Casey for a 3-part series titled The Skipping Rock. It was one of our most popular stories shared! If you missed it, we highly recommend that you take the time to listen to Casey's story. I believe it will shift your understanding and feelings about the sex industry.Casey was kind enough to come back into the studio for this 4th episode to have a follow up conversation, in part to answer some of the questions submitted to us from our listeners as well as share her own feelings about having told her story.Casey’s sharing of her first hand experiences of falling into and then finding her way out of the sex industry gives us an opportunity to move past the debilitating and hurtful societal understanding we have of sex workers.We can begin to change the narrative by seeing the individual, their beauty and their worth. Casey, and her team at Light Of Love, remind us that the limited choices brought by trauma have people living unintended lives, often ones with very little hope. She will tell you, through the loving light found in relationships, we can begin healing our community.Casey and her team are tireless in their mission. If you would like to learn more about their work, or look into volunteer opportunities, please visit lightofloveseattle.orgJoin in on the conversation on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/goodoldlistening/More can be found at www.youknowmenow.com/