Why are so many Americans juggling multiple jobs just to survive? In this episode of Evergreen Perspective, host Ben Christly digs deep into the realities behind the rise of the gig economy, side hustles, and self-employment and asks the hard question: Is the American Dream still achievable?

We explore:

Why a 9–5 paycheck no longer covers the basics
How billion-dollar corporations exploit gig labor while posting record profits

The risks faced by freelancers and solo entrepreneurs

How wage stagnation and corporate greed are driving inequality

What Washington State is doing and where it still falls short

Real solutions that support workers and small businesses

Whether you’re a rideshare driver, a small business owner, or just someone trying to get ahead in today’s economy this episode breaks down what’s broken and how we can fix it.


Like & Subscribe : If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.

Follow Evergreen Perspective on Social Media: Stay up to date with behind-the-scenes content, upcoming topics, and ways to take action.

Find Us On:
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Google Podcasts
Instagram: @evergreenperspective1
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Bluesky: @evergreenpodcast.bsky.social

Evergreen Perspective is about cutting through the noise, staying grounded in facts, and fostering real conversations. This isn’t about left vs. right , it’s about people vs. power. Let’s reclaim the conversation.

Share : Knowledge is power. Send this episode to a friend, co-worker, or family member who’s ever questioned the system.

Clark County Council Meeting - https://clark.wa.gov/councilors/council-meeting-information


Cowlitz County Republican Central Committee Meeting - https://www.cowlitzgop.com/events


20th Legislative District Democrats - https://www.facebook.com/20thLegislativeDistrictDemocratsWA


Washington Gorge Action Programs - https://www.wagap.org/volunteer

Student Debt in America: Why Are We Paying for Education Forever?
Why is an entire generation still paying for college decades later?

In this episode of Evergreen Perspective, We break down the history of student debt in America, how we got here, why it’s gotten so out of control, and what it says about our national priorities.

We dig into:

The origins of the student loan system and its broken promises

How Ronald Reagan helped shift education from a public good to a personal burden

Why college used to be affordable and what changed

Whether degrees are still worth it in today’s economy

The rise of trade schools, apprenticeships, and online alternatives

The predatory nature of interest, debt traps, and federal profit-making

Why we bailed out banks, airlines, and automakers but punish students for seeking an education

What solutions exist and why forgiveness isn’t just fair, but necessary

We call out the hypocrisy of a system that profits off young people trying to get ahead, and makes a strong case for why education in the richest country in the world should never be a life sentence of debt.

If you’ve ever taken out a loan, paid into a system that failed to return the promise, or wondered how we fix this, this episode is for you.


Like & Subscribe : If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.

Follow Evergreen Perspective on Social Media: Stay up to date with behind-the-scenes content, upcoming topics, and ways to take action.

Find Us On:
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Google Podcasts
Instagram: @evergreenperspective1
Facebook: Evergreen Perspective
Bluesky: @evergreenpodcast.bsky.social

Evergreen Perspective is about cutting through the noise, staying grounded in facts, and fostering real conversations. This isn’t about left vs. right , it’s about people vs. power. Let’s reclaim the conversation.

Share : Knowledge is power. Send this episode to a friend, co-worker, or family member who’s ever questioned the system.

Vancouver Pride Block Party - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vancouver-pride-block-party-tickets-1358105844139

Young Dems of Clark County - https://ydclarkco.org/events/

Clark County Food Bank - https://www.clarkcountyfoodbank.org/volunteer

In this episode of Evergreen Perspective - Behind the Credit Curtain: Debt, Discrimination, and the Fight for Fairness - host Ben Christly pulls back the curtain on the American credit system, revealing the hidden history, the rigged rules, and the real-world impact on millions of people’s lives.

Why does avoiding debt hurt your credit score?
Why can a single hard inquiry drop your number?
Why are entire communities locked out of financial opportunity before they even begin?

We trace the system’s roots from biased, handwritten credit files in the 1900s… to the creation of FICO in 1989… to today’s secretive, profit-driven scoring models that punish the poor and reward the already wealthy.

You’ll learn:
The racist and sexist origins of credit scoring
How the Big Three credit bureaus came to dominate the system
Why good behavior—like paying off debt—can actually lower your score
What reforms could create a fairer, more transparent system
And why you are more than your credit score.

This isn’t just about numbers. It’s about access, dignity, and the kind of financial future we want to build.

Hit play, and let’s break it down together.

Like & Subscribe : If this episode resonated with you, hit that like button and subscribe for more deep dives into the policies shaping our world.

Follow Evergreen Perspective on Social Media: Stay up to date with behind-the-scenes content, upcoming topics, and ways to take action.

Find Us On:
Spotify, Apple Podcasts, & Google Podcasts
Instagram: @evergreenperspective1
Facebook: Evergreen Perspective
Bluesky: @evergreenpodcast.bsky.social

Evergreen Perspective is about cutting through the noise, staying grounded in facts, and fostering real conversations. This isn’t about left vs. right , it’s about people vs. power. Let’s reclaim the conversation.

Share : Knowledge is power. Send this episode to a friend, co-worker, or family member who’s ever questioned the system.

Vancouver Pride Block Party - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vancouver-pride-block-party-tickets-1358105844139

Young Dems of Clark County - https://ydclarkco.org/events/

Clark County Food Bank - https://www.clarkcountyfoodbank.org/volunteer