In the first episode of Season 5, Carol Jenkins returns as co-host and introduces us to her new partner, David Ambroz. David brings both personal and professional experience to the issue of poverty in this country, having been at times unhoused and in foster care. He now works to provide support for young adults transitioning out of foster care in California.

Then joining us again is Holly Fogle, founder of The Bridge Project, who gives us an update on the expansion of what was an initial seed of an idea: giving cash directly to mothers. Now with over 4,000 mothers receiving payments across 12 states, Holly tells us how and why it’s working.

Next up, author Brian Goldstone talks about how he went in-depth with several Atlanta families for years, documenting their journeys through homelessness and, in many cases, how they are not “homeless enough” or “the right kind of homeless” to receive help.

Closing out our first episode is Matt Sherman, general manager of Refettorio Harlem. Carol has volunteered at one of their fine-dining services, which they provide to anyone who shows up to eat. Their dinners are free of cost but full of dignity and care.

For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, visit the Invisible Americans website.

The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty.

The podcast is hosted by Carol Jenkins and David Ambroz.

Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John.

Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz.

Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

“It’s managing to trust. It’s not distrusting people in poverty and micromanaging them.”

We bring you three inspiring interviews that focus on the action of creating real change for Invisible Americans:

1. Dr. James Farber talks about matching young people with job training to provide elder care in New York, meeting two needs at once. Two graduates of the Skillspring program, Denim Lee and Chris Kelly-Davis, share their experiences.

2. Dr. Juliet Widoff gets real about her work as an MD practicing "street medicine" and reaching those who need health care the most.

3. Khin Mai Aung gets to the root of how to help those in poverty: bring them into the conversation. The Children's Defense Funds aims to do just that.

For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website.

The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty.

The podcast is hosted by Carol Jenkins.

Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John.

Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz.

Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.

We open this episode with a clip of one of our previous guests, Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, president of MomsRising, speaking at a 24-hour vigil at the U.S. Capitol with an aim of protecting Medicaid.

Then Carol and our first guest host, David Ambroz, talk to Natalie Foster, president and cofounder of Economic Security Project. They discuss how we can "center inherent worth and dignity of every American" through policy choices like guaranteed income.

Then they speak with Dr. Sarah Cowan, executive director of NYU's Cash Transfer Lab, about how Alaska is leading the way through the Alaska's Permanent Fund Dividend, which pays out directly to all Alaskans every year.

For more detailed show notes and a full transcript, see the Podcast page on the Invisible Americans website.The Invisible Americans Podcast is a non-profit communications organization. Its mission is to end child poverty. The podcast is hosted by Carol Jenkins.Music for this and all episodes is provided by Bridget St. John. Audio editing by Sylvester P. Lukasiewicz. Show notes and transcript by Amy Yoder.