Advertise on podcast: We the Unhoused

Theo rings in the new year by spotlighting another crucial, underreported segment of the unhoused — the Black unhoused community. We speak with Angela, Ted, and Jeremiah of the Los Angeles Black Worker Center about the crucial work, they’re doing to support Black Angelinos in not just job training and help finding housing, but political education.  Learn more about LABWC here:  https://linktr.ee/Labwc?utm_source=linktree_profile_sharesid=d68e94b8-e500-4448-88a7-efefb26f8d75 Sign up for Ready 2 Work here:  https://secure.everyaction.com/NJkCBf_6yk2T3m95V9lqJA2 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Theo is in the field with Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid (PUMA) for their National Houseless Persons’ Memorial Day event. Organizers and neighbors gathered on December 21st, 2025, the longest night of the year, to memorialize those we lost. We also remember Cindy McAllister, Jessica 'Queen' Mendez, and Benito Flores.Follow Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid here:  https://www.instagram.com/palmsunhousedmutualaid/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To close out 2025, Theo speaks with Sam Luu and Hillary Cohen of Every Day Action. We learn how they scaled their pandemic-era mutual aid effort to feed the unhoused to where they are today, continuing that work by preventing food waste on film sets and helping out-of-work film industry professionals during the ongoing labor crisis.  Learn more about Every Day Action here:  https://www.youreverydayaction.org/ See 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=en See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Longtime guest Caitlin Krenn returns to We the Unhoused to tell Theo about the upcoming documentary Outcast Nation: LGBTQIA. Homeless. Unseen. on PBS, along with collaborators and subjects Jen Liquori, Maddox Guerilla, and director Charlie Spickler. Watch the documentary here starting December 6th or on your local PBS affiliate! https://www.pbs.org/show/outcast-nation-lgbtqia-homeless-unseen-in-new-york-city/  See 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/Donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Theo heads to a protest organized by the unhoused residents of the Mountain View encampment after yet another violent sweep. Their question: why isn’t their DSA-endorsed councilperson, Eunisses Hernandez, showing up? Residents, organizers, and mutual aid workers share their perspectives.  If you’re in LA and lost your SNAP benefits:  https://www.instagram.com/p/DQP-y08EsjT/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== Follow the All Power Free Clinic here:  https://www.instagram.com/apfreeclinic?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ== See 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=en See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Theo speaks with longtime activist Beth Green about how to push through moments of apathy in the organizing movement. Follow Beth's work here: https://www.heartcastmedia.com/beth-green/   Keep voting for us in the Signal Awards -- open til October 9th! https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting?fbclid=PARlRTSANKtG1leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp1QF2gTwcL-RtwGFolalwQqBkJK6ze8t3PwOwCPWyZ8OuvbsReVYEXZ5rFew_aem_uvY1f3AzE-45Fiw4fdKc5g#/2025/shows/genre/activism-public-service-social-impact?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAadUBdoE8HC_kbcBhaJWpcEKgZCSus3vLdz8DsAj1smfDrr27EXlWBF2eaxXsA_aem_uvY1f3AzE-45Fiw4fdKc5g See 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-45Fiw4fdKc5g See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Theo examines how violent language has not just become normalized and weaponized against the unhoused, but how its worst offenders are lauded as heroes. Then: To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Crenshaw Farmer's Market, Theo speaks with organizers Laura, Ashley, Summer, and Jennifer about how community food justice is working to preserve and build community in South LA.Learn more about the celebration on September 27th here: https://www.crenshawfarmersmarket.com/ See 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/idha See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As ICE raids continue to escalate and target farm workers, many of whom as unhoused, revolutionary mutual aid efforts like Alianza Nacional De Campesinas are meeting the moment. Theo and the WTU crew head to the triple digits of Thermal, California, where farmers can access everything from fresh food to diapers and school supplies. Food justice organizers Melissa Acedera and Roxanna Chavez speak to Theo about how the needs of their community changed as racist, targeted violence has escalated; then, farmer and volunteer Sonia Baturoni shares her experience and concerns about the ripple effects ICE raids have on the farming community. Alianza Nacional De Campesinas:  https://www.alianzanacionaldecampesinas.org/ Lideres Campesinas: https://liderescampesinas.org/ Polo's Pantry:  https://www.polospantry.org/donate See 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=en See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Theo explores the reality of mental health complications while unhoused -- with parent to an unhoused Angeleno, Anita, and speaking about lived experience with attorney Clare Cortwright. Also, we remember Angeleno and Reclaimer activist Benito Flores. More about Reclaimers and contribute to Benito's memorial fund here:  https://reclaimingourhomes.org/support/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.