The System Is Us

The System is Us is a space for honest conversations about public systems, how they work, how they fail, and how they can be transformed. It's about the intersection of policy and lived experience, and the belief that those closest to the problem must be central to the solution. Each episode brings together voices from across the spectrum, frontline workers, youth advocates, grassroots leaders, policymakers, and public administrators, to ask one powerful question: What does it take to make systems truly just, and who should be at the center of that work? This conversation will not only live in audio. We will also host an active Substack, where each episode's ideas will be expanded upon with articles, resources, and audience engagement. Substack readers will get deeper dives, follow-up interviews, and ways to join the dialogue. Who It's For This podcast is for: Youth leaders and Community organizers Nonprofit and government professionals shaping services Urban planners, public administrators, and funders Students and faculty in public policy, social work, and urban studies Community organizers and systems advocates Anyone committed to building systems rooted in equity, dignity, and accountability What Makes This Podcast Different: The System is Us does not just analyze systems; it exists within them. Both shape this lived experience of perspective and professional leadership in grassroots and institutional settings. Your host has: Walked miles to organize communities for education and youth programming Built and led trauma-informed and youth-centered housing programs Managed millions in public contracts with a focus on equity Forged cross-sector partnerships to address systemic gaps Completed three degrees while working full-time in human services You will hear candid stories, policy ideas explained in plain language, and voices from both marginalized spaces and decision-making tables, because both are essential for real change. Episode Format Every episode follows a familiar yet dynamic flow: Opening Reflection: A personal story or insight from the host Main Interview: A conversation with a guest offering lived, academic, or institutional expertise System Breakdown: A short, clear explainer of how a specific public system works, or fails Closing Prompt: A reflection or challenge for listeners to take into their daily work Season One Themes 1. Public Policy and Lived Experience 2. System Design and Equity Outcomes 3. Bureaucratic Process vs. Human Dignity 4. Grassroots Knowledge and Institutional Power 5. Collective Resilience in the Face of Systemic Failure 6. Placemaking and Healthier Communities for All The System is Us is not just a podcast; it's a platform for learning, conversation, and collective action. We invite listeners to: Subscribe and listen biweekly Share episodes in classrooms, team meetings, and community forums Bring insights into their own work, whether drafting policy, running a program, or organizing in the community Because systems don't change themselves. People change them. And we are the system. This podcast did not start in a studio. It began in community halls where neighbors gathered to find solutions, in crisis shelters where hope felt fragile, and in crowded waiting rooms where patience and survival intertwined. It began under freeway overpasses, in emergency rooms, and in board meetings where "equity" was too often an afterthought rather than the foundation.