WAHNcast

Author Brian Goldstone on There is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America

Brian Goldstone on the Rise of the Working Homeless In this powerful WAHNcast conversation, Angie Truitt and Jean Dahlquist sit down with award-winning journalist and anthropologist Brian Goldstone, author of There Is No Place for Us: Working and Homeless in America. Through the stories of five Atlanta families, Goldstone exposes a deeply troubling and increasingly common reality: the rise of the working homeless. These are parents with full-time jobs — cleaning airports, stocking shelves, driving for Uber, caring for children and elders — who still cannot secure stable housing. They are not visible in encampments. They are not disconnected from work. They are living in cars, extended-stay hotels, doubled up with family: America’s hidden homeless. In this conversation, Brian shares: * The moment he realized employment no longer protects families from homelessness * How precarious work, rising rents, and broken systems intersect * Why homelessness is not a charity issue but a justice issue * The emotional toll of witnessing families fight daily for stability * How we can move from compassion fatigue to targeted, productive anger This is not a light conversation but it is a necessary one. The paperback edition of There Is No Place for Us releases March 3 and will be available anywhere you buy books. Brian encourages readers to consider purchasing through Bookshop.org to support local independent bookstores. This episode is essential listening for everyone.

A Blueprint for Change: 35 Years of Habitat for Humanity's Women Build

In this episode of WAHNcast, host Sadie Nott, National WAHN VP, celebrates the 35th anniversary of Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build initiative with two leaders from Habitat Charlotte Region: Mary-Margaret Johnstone, NC WAHN Board Member and Events Co-Chair, and Brooke Moose, Director of Development for Community Engagement. What began in 1991 as a simple idea shared over brunch in Charlotte has grown into a global movement spanning more than 650 communities, engaging over 144,000 women volunteers, and helping build more than 5,700 homes. Mary-Margaret and Brooke share the powerful origin story of Women Build—including Rosalynn Carter’s involvement in the very first build—along with reflections on what the initiative looks like today. From volunteer engagement across build sites and ReStores to expanding neighborhood development, Women Build continues to evolve while staying rooted in its mission: empowering women to build strength, stability, and self-reliance through shelter. We also explore: * The impact of women-led households in housing * Gender equity in construction and homeownership * The importance of mentorship and intergenerational leadership * How Women Build and WAHN share a common spirit of connection and action Whether you’ve swung a hammer before or are just curious about getting involved, this conversation is a reminder that when women gather with purpose, communities change.

Training for the Long Run: Building Financial Foundations That Last with Emily Promise

In this episode of WAHNcast, Angie Truitt sits down with Emily Promise, CEO of Shorepoint Advisory Group and a trusted financial planner committed to helping women build confidence, clarity, and long-term financial stability. Emily shares practical, approachable guidance on creating strong financial foundations, navigating career transitions, and building wealth in ways that align with personal values and community impact. From understanding your balance sheet and budgeting without overwhelm to preparing for career pivots, homeownership, and generational giving, this conversation demystifies money and puts women back in the driver’s seat. Emily also joins WAHNcast as a recurring guest, offering quarterly financial insights to WAHN members at no cost because access to financial knowledge shouldn’t be a barrier to leadership or impact. Whether you’re early in your career, considering a transition, or thinking about legacy and giving, this episode offers tools, mindset shifts, and encouragement to help you plan with intention and confidence.

Dressed by Love: How The Princess Project Helps Teens Find Confidence and Belonging

What does it mean to be dressed by love? In this episode of WAHNCast, Angie Truitt and Celia Gunn-Zaboli are joined by Karen Martin-Spellerberg of The Princess Project, a nonprofit that has spent more than two decades creating spaces where teens are not only dressed for prom, but wrapped in dignity, confidence, and belonging. Karen shares powerful stories of transformation — teens who arrive unsure and guarded and leave standing taller, parents experiencing the rare freedom of telling their child, “You can choose anything you want,” and volunteers who return year after year because of the joy this work creates. The conversation explores how The Princess Project goes far beyond formalwear, offering mentorship, leadership opportunities, and a community where every young woman is seen and celebrated without conditions. This episode also highlights why The Princess Project is the 2026 WAHNprom beneficiary charity, and how partnerships, volunteers, and donors help sustain a mission rooted in love. Support ensures that every teen who walks through their doors feels confident, welcomed, and worthy.  To donate visit https://www.princessprojectsd.org/donate [https://www.princessprojectsd.org/donate] Monetary donations help fund year-round programming and allow The Princess Project to purchase dresses in hard-to-find sizes so no teen is ever turned away. Other ways to support include: • Donating prom dresses or accessories • Volunteering with a local chapter • Sharing The Princess Project with schools, families, and community partners Every contribution helps create moments that last long after prom night ends.

Conversations with CohnReznick: 2025 Affordable Housing Credit Study

In this episode of WAHNcast, we sit down with leaders from CohnReznick to unpack insights from the 2025 Affordable Housing Credit Study, one of the most widely referenced performance benchmarks in the LIHTC industry. Hosted by Stephanie Sleva, Senior Assurance Manager at CohnReznick and Founding Member and Board President of the Pennsylvania chapter of WAHN, the conversation explores how LIHTC portfolios are performing post-pandemic, what trends are holding steady, and where new pressures are reshaping underwriting, operations, and policy. Stephanie is joined by: * Cindy Fang, Partner at CohnReznick and Tax Credit Investment Services Leader, as well as a member of WAHN’s National Sponsorship Committee, who shares key takeaways from nearly 25 years of the study and what they signal for investors and developers. * Regan St. Pierre, Director at CohnReznick and Co-Author of the Affordable Housing Credit Study, who highlights what makes the study unique and how stakeholders can use its interactive tools to inform smarter decision-making. The episode also includes a special moment honoring Beth Mullen, CohnReznick’s Affordable Housing Industry Leader and WAHN’s Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, recognized for her extraordinary impact on the industry, her mentorship, and her unwavering commitment to advocacy. Together, this conversation reinforces a powerful message: the LIHTC program remains resilient, effective, and essential—and the data behind it matters more than ever. Access the full 2025 Affordable Housing Credit Study and interactive tools: https://creditstudy.cohnreznick.com