Look in the Mirror

Look in the Mirror

It’s easy to shift blame on politicians or the government. But what can regular people do to be part of the solution? What will history say about our response to this crisis? In this final episode, Ethan chats with Lizzy Calhoun, a film editor and mutual aid worker who is all about direct action.  Lizzy's involvement with mutual aid began with volunteering to serve food on Skid Row in downtown Los Angeles during the pandemic. She describes her initial feelings of anxiety the first time she went to Skid Row. Lizzy also talks about the importance of empathy and compassion to build meaningful connections with the unhoused people she serves.   Mentioned this episode: Instagram: @foodnotbombsdtla Facebook: @DTLAfoodnotbombs Website: Home | Foodnotbombsdtla [https://foodnotbombsdtla.wixsite.com/foodnotbombsdtla] EPISODE CREDITS: 'Reputation' is executive produced, edited, and fact-checked by Ethan Ward [https://www.iamethanward.com/]. Sound design and engineering by Jaeha Joshua Chang [https://www.jaehajoshuachang.com/]. Original theme music by James Ingram of Mega Dream Plus. [https://www.megadreamproductions.com/] Podcast art and creative direction by Kelly Bernard. [https://glitchandgrit.com/] Questions? Comments? Email us at reputation@heatdrawn.com  For advertising, sponsor, or partner opportunities please email us at business@heatdrawn.com © 2023 HEATDRAWN LLC

Mayor Karen Bass on Homelessness & Fear of Failure

Ethan sits down with Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to reflect on how her experiences inform her approach to tackling the homelessness crisis. Mayor Bass and Ethan also talk about the power of empathy, the importance of community-based solutions to make a difference, and her fear of failure. This conversation was taped April 12, 2023.    EPISODE CREDITS: 'Reputation' is executive produced, edited, and fact-checked by Ethan Ward [https://www.iamethanward.com/]. Sound design and engineering by Jaeha Joshua Chang [https://www.jaehajoshuachang.com/]. Original theme music by James Ingram of Mega Dream Plus. [https://www.megadreamproductions.com/] Podcast art and creative direction by Kelly Bernard. [https://glitchandgrit.com/] Questions? Comments? Email us at reputation@heatdrawn.com  For advertising, sponsor, or partner opportunities please email us at business@heatdrawn.com © 2023 HEATDRAWN LLC

Mike Bonin Talks What Happened & What's Next in Los Angeles

Ethan chats with former L.A. City Councilmember Mike Bonin and host of the podcast "What’s Next, Los Angeles?" [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/whats-next-los-angeles-with-mike-bonin/id1538289887] to see how he's been doing since leaving his job as a councilmember. Mike shares his views on homelessness in Los Angeles and the government's response to it. He also talks about his struggles with addiction, dealing with trolls, and how those experiences shaped him as a person and public servant.    EPISODE CREDITS: 'Reputation' is executive produced, edited, and fact-checked by Ethan Ward [https://www.iamethanward.com/]. Sound design and engineering by Jaeha Joshua Chang [https://www.jaehajoshuachang.com/]. Original theme music by James Ingram of Mega Dream Plus. [https://www.megadreamproductions.com/] Podcast art and creative direction by Kelly Bernard. [https://glitchandgrit.com/] Questions? Comments? Email us at reputation@heatdrawn.com  For advertising, sponsor, or partner opportunities please email us at business@heatdrawn.com © 2023 HEATDRAWN LLC

What Happens After an Unhoused Person Dies?

The statistics are staggering - over 450,000 people experienced homelessness in the U.S. last year, and there are estimates that between 17,000 and 40,000 of them die each year. You'll hear from Dr. Jan Gorniak, DO, MHSA, a board-certified forensic pathologist in Nevada, and Lauren Silver, a medical death investigator in Colorado. They tell the stories of unhoused people after they’ve died and how family members are notified. Through their experiences, you'll gain a new perspective on homelessness and the impact it has on people's lives – even after death.   EPISODE CREDITS: 'Reputation' is executive produced, edited, and fact-checked by Ethan Ward [https://www.iamethanward.com/]. Sound design and engineering by Jaeha Joshua Chang [https://www.jaehajoshuachang.com/]. Original theme music by James Ingram of Mega Dream Plus. [https://www.megadreamproductions.com/] Podcast art and creative direction by Kelly Bernard. [https://glitchandgrit.com/] Questions? Comments? Email us at reputation@heatdrawn.com  For advertising, sponsor, or partner opportunities please email us at business@heatdrawn.com © 2023 HEATDRAWN LLC

Remembering Joshua Ray Williams, Unhoused Man Who Died From Overdose

Joshua Ray Williams was an unhoused man who overdosed inside a Jack in the Box fast-food restaurant in downtown Los Angeles. The episode begins with Ethan's recollection of how he first discovered Joshua's story while researching a February 2021 article about unhoused people who died in L.A., which is how Joshua's family learned about his death. Ethan shares Joshua's last journal entries that offer a glimpse into Joshua's inner thoughts and struggles. He then takes listeners to the Jack in the Box location where Joshua died, recounting details shared by the manager about what she remembered. Ethan also talks with David Mayes, Joshua's former guardian. David discusses Joshua's past, his tendency to disappear for long periods, and efforts made to find Joshua before his death.  Mentioned this episode: ‘They were homeless, now they’re dead [https://xtown.la/2021/02/10/homeless-deaths-los-angeles/].’ Ethan’s award-winning story for Crosstown LA about the number of unhoused people who died in 2020.  May 2023 Report from L.A. County Dept. of Public Health: Mortality Rates and Causes of Death Among People Experiencing Homelessness in L.A. County [http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/chie/reports/Homeless_Mortality_Report_2023.pdf]   EPISODE CREDITS: 'Reputation' is executive produced, edited, and fact-checked by Ethan Ward [https://www.iamethanward.com/]. Sound design and engineering by Jaeha Joshua Chang [https://www.jaehajoshuachang.com/]. Original theme music by James Ingram of Mega Dream Plus. [https://www.megadreamproductions.com/] Podcast art and creative direction by Kelly Bernard. [https://glitchandgrit.com/] Questions? Comments? Email us at reputation@heatdrawn.com  For advertising, sponsor, or partner opportunities please email us at business@heatdrawn.com © 2023 HEATDRAWN LLC