We the Unhoused

Theo interviews Fred Vars, author of Through the Fire: How People with Mental Illness Are Empowering Each Other on the intersection of houselessness and mental illness, and how failures at city, state, and federal levels to put housing first makes it more difficult than ever to be unhoused in the U.S. Also: an upcoming screening at Crushing Wheelchairs, a film with an unhoused cast and crew, and the long-term consequences of Spencer Pratt's ghoulish anti-unhoused language. See Crushing Wheelchairs at Vidiots in LA, June 25th:  https://givebutter.com/crushing-wheelchairs-vidiots More on Through the Fire: How People with Mental Illness Are Empowering Each Other:  https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/through-the-fire-fredrick-e-vars/1148151502?ean=9781493087839See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Theo speaks with Professor Dina Gilio-Whitaker, author of the new book Who Gets to Be Indian? Ethnic Fraud, Disenrollment, and Other Difficult Conversations about Native American Identity. We also take a look at the new ghoulish policies that stand to force people into houselessness in the new year, and revisit the story of Brendan Glenn, an unhoused man killed by an LAPD officer ten years ago. Buy Dina's book here:  https://bookshop.org/p/books/who-gets-to-be-indian-ethnic-fraud-disenrollment-and-other-difficult-conversations-about-native-american-identity-dina-gilio-whitaker/6e5512b39cdfe3a3 Follow Dina: https://www.instagram.com/dinagiliowhitaker/?hl=enSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Theo speaks with legendary activist and writer Dr. Gloria Browne-Marshall, author of the new book A Protest History of the United States. Dr. Browne-Marshall discusses the most effective ways to protest in the modern age, and what we can learn from the long tradition of sit-ins, street protests, and boycotts that have empowered people for centuries. Also, Theo returns to JTown Action and Solidarity in Los Angeles to speak with organizers Carlos and Zen the day that millions of Americans had SNAP benefits taken by the Trump regime. Follow Gloria's work here: https://www.instagram.com/gbrownemarshall/?hl=en Donate to JTown Action and Solidarity here: https://jtownaction.com/DonateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

School is in session! This week, Theo speaks with Felicia Rangel-Samponaro of the Sidewalk School, an organization that provides services from food and necessities to policy advocacy to education to unhoused immigrants living on the Mexican border. Felicia's journey to this crucial work, and how the Sidewalk School has had to adapt to protect their participants during increased ICE kidnappings and violence, is not one to be missed. Follow Felicia and the Sidewalk School here: https://www.sidewalkschool.org https://www.instagram.com/thesidewalkschool/?hl=enSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Description: We the Unhoused is nominated for a Signal Award, one of the most prestigious in podcasting, and your vote counts! Vote for WTU in the Activism, Public Service & Social Impact category before October 9th, and Theo will be back next week with a brand new episode. Vote here: https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting?fbclid=PARlRTSANKtG1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp1QF2gTwcL-RtwGFolalwQqBkJK6ze8t3PwOwCPWyZ8OuvbsReVYEXZ5rFew_aem_uvY1f3AzE-45Fiw4fdKc5g#/2025/shows/genre/activism-public-service-social-impact?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadUBdoE8HC_kbcBhaJWpcEKgZCSus3vLdz8DsAj1smfDrr27EXlWBF2eaxXsA_aem_uvY1f3AzE-45Fiw4fdKc5gSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Theo speaks with Executive Director of the Institute of the Development for Human Arts Jessie Roth about healing and transforming society through accessible treatment for mental health that takes full account of the adverse affects of external conditions. In Unhoused News, Theo takes a closer look at the most recent policies at the national and state level targeting the unhoused and the undocumented, and how they seek to turn vulnerable people against one another.Follow Jessie Roth here: https://www.jessie-roth.com/idhaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Theo speaks with activist Sequoyah Thiessen about their experience being body brokered at LA area rehab facilities, and how these same places are exploiting the community's most vulnerable -- including the unhoused. We also remember past guest Cindy McAllister, who passed away this month. Theo speaks with friends about her life, and how her memory will continue. Follow Sequoyah's work here:  https://www.instagram.com/sequoyahthiessen/?hl=enSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.