BomBardened

Ep 26: From Prison to Purpose | Jim Chambers

He was sentenced to 40 years, now he’s helping others rebuild their lives. Eric and Amy sit down with Jim Chambers, Recruitment & Retention Manager at WELD, a reentry organization supporting individuals transitioning out of prison. After serving time himself, Jim now works on the front lines connecting people to housing, resources, and a second chance.This conversation explores incarceration, parenting, and what it really takes to break the cycle. Follow Along for more:  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bombardened/ [https://www.instagram.com/bombardened/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572836188259 [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572836188259] Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bombardenedpodcast?lang=en [https://www.tiktok.com/@bombardenedpodcast?lang=en] Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1xWI80PCExR3B773w72xPv?si=05f49f1034384ca4 [https://open.spotify.com/show/1xWI80PCExR3B773w72xPv?si=05f49f1034384ca4] Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bombardened/id1805626511 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bombardened/id1805626511]

Ep 25: Tell the Truth: Why Prevention Gets Ignored | Omari Salisbury Pt.2

In this episode, Eric and Amy continue their conversation with Omari Salisbury, founder of Converge Media, about community responsibility, youth violence, and why prevention efforts in Seattle often receive less support than reactive solutions. Salisbury explains why many communities already know what works to reduce violence but struggle to secure funding for the programs doing that work every day. He shares how mentorship, youth sports, music programs, and grassroots organizations often operate with limited resources, even though they are the strongest protective factors before young people reach crisis points. The conversation explores why public messaging around safety rarely acknowledges the role communities themselves can play, and why leaders are often reluctant to say that change must start locally as well as institutionally. The discussion also examines how assumptions about policy solutions, gun legislation, and intervention strategies sometimes miss what is actually happening on the ground. Salisbury reflects on the importance of acknowledging trauma when violence occurs, why empathy from leadership matters in moments of crisis, and how trust is built through honesty rather than performative responses. Finally, Salisbury talks about a challenge he sees across media and philanthropy: the tendency to fund stories centered on struggle rather than possibility. He shares why investing in prevention, youth opportunity, and what he calls “Black joy” may be one of the most overlooked strategies for creating long-term change—and how individuals can support organizations already doing that work in Seattle today. Donate — Converge Media | Local Seattle News: https://www.whereweconverge.com/donate-ptAPd

Ep 24: Whose Voice Gets Heard? Media, Protest Coverage & Community Power in Seattle | Omari Salisbury

In this episode, Eric and Amy sit down with Omari Salisbury, founder of Converge Media, to talk about storytelling, community voice, and what really shaped public understanding during Seattle’s 2020 protests. Salisbury shares how Converge Media grew from a hyperlocal blog into a trusted news source during COVID-19 and the demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd, and why authentic storytelling mattered more than production value when the city was searching for clarity.He explains the tension between reporting on events and participating in them as a community member, and what it meant to cover a moment when the entire world was suddenly watching Seattle—often through incomplete or conflicting narratives. The conversation explores who influences public policy in Seattle, why some communities feel unheard despite being most affected by violence and safety concerns, and how assumptions about what neighborhoods want don’t always match lived reality. Salisbury also discusses the responsibility of local media to reflect community voices accurately, the pushback Converge has faced from different political directions, and why trust is built by showing up consistently long before a crisis begins.

Ep 23: Trust Is Built Before the Crisis: Policing, Accountability & Everyday Contact | Eci Ameh

In this episode, Eric and Amy continue their conversation with Eci Ameh, Executive Director of the Seattle Community Police Commission, about the often overlooked reality of policing: trust isn’t built during crises, it’s built in the everyday interactions that happen long before something goes wrong. They discuss how routine encounters between officers and community members shape public perception of law enforcement, why leadership and supervision inside police departments matter more than many people realize, and the limits of relying on outside oversight long after incidents occur. Ameh argues that accountability isn’t just about investigations or policy reforms, it’s about how officers engage with the public thousands of times a day. The conversation explores the tension between internal responsibility and external accountability, the importance of proactive leadership within police departments, and why rebuilding trust requires more than just responding well in moments of crisis.

Ep 22: Community vs. The System: Police Accountability, Trust & Who Gets Heard | Eci Ameh

In this episode, Eric and Amy sit down with Eci Ameh, Executive Director of the Seattle Community Police Commission, to explore the complicated space between policing, accountability, and public trust. As an independent voice within Seattle’s police oversight system, Eci explains how community perspectives, especially from those most impacted by policing, are translated into real pressure for systemic change. They discuss why accountability is not anti-police, how distrust in law enforcement develops, and why marginalized communities often face the highest stakes when deciding whether to call for help. Eci also sheds light on the limits of reform from within, the role of independent oversight, and the tension between political leadership, public safety, and lived experience on the ground. This is a candid conversation about power, representation, and what it actually takes to rebuild trust between communities and the institutions meant to serve them.