Housing for Good

Student housing is about much more than providing a bed. It creates the foundation for student success, personal growth, mental wellness, and a sense of belonging.
In this episode of Housing for Good, Chris and Karolyn welcome Cathy Brown, Ed.D. Vice President of Transformation and Achievement at Central Christian College of Kansas. Together they explore how safe, supportive housing helps students thrive academically while building lifelong relationships and preparing them for independent adulthood. The conversation also examines today's challenges facing college students—including mental health, financial pressures, social media, and the importance of creating strong campus communities.
They also discuss how colleges strengthen local communities through workforce development, internships, and partnerships, and why affordable housing continues to be essential for keeping talented young people in communities like McPherson.
Whether you're a parent, educator, student, or simply interested in affordable housing, this episode highlights how housing can change lives far beyond the classroom.
 

Communities separated by nearly 2,000 miles... yet arriving at many of the same conclusions about affordable housing and homelessness.
In Episode 105 (Part 1), Chris Goodson and Karolyn Moore welcome Matthew Vorderstrasse, Executive Director of the North Bend City Coos Curry Housing Authorities in Oregon, to discuss how communities across the country are independently building coordinated housing systems that create pathways from homelessness to long-term housing stability.
The conversation explores the importance of collaboration, connecting service providers, creating opportunities for upward mobility, and developing local solutions that meet the unique needs of each community. Although Oregon and Kansas are separated by nearly 2,000 miles, both communities have discovered that lasting solutions come from connecting resources, building partnerships, and creating pathways that help people move forward.
Join us for Part 1 of this insightful conversation as we explore how communities are connecting the dots to build stronger, more effective housing systems.

What does it really take to help someone move from homelessness to lasting stability?
In this episode of Housing for Good, Chris Goodson and Karolyn Moore continue their discussion on the housing continuum by exploring why emergency shelters are only the first step. They explain how wraparound services, permanent supportive housing, affordable housing, and ultimately homeownership create a pathway that helps families break the cycle of homelessness.
The conversation also highlights the importance of preventing homelessness before it begins, strengthening communities through affordable housing, and why every community should know where to turn when a family experiences a housing crisis.
If we're serious about ending homelessness, we must build bridges—not just provide temporary shelter.
 

When Amanda and her husband paid off their home, they asked themselves a simple question: How can we give back?
Their answer became Soap for Hope, a charitable project that provides hygiene products, cleaning supplies, paper goods, clothing, and other essentials to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship.
In this episode, Amanda shares how the service effort began, how it has grown, and why access to basic hygiene products can make such a significant difference for people working to rebuild their lives. Chris and Karolyn also discuss the challenges facing families experiencing housing instability and the importance of community partnerships that help meet everyday needs.
It's an inspiring conversation about faith, service, compassion, and how every person can make a meaningful impact in their community.

n this episode of Housing for Good, Chris Goodson and Karolyn Moore sit down with Shalei Shea, BSN, RN, Administrator of the McPherson County Health Department, to discuss the many ways public health affects everyday life. From mental health and preventive care to family planning, WIC services, community outreach, and childhood safety programs, the conversation explores how health departments help build healthier communities.
Shalei also shares insights from McPherson County's Community Health Needs Assessment, highlighting challenges such as mental health, affordable healthcare access, substance abuse, childcare, obesity, and housing. The discussion emphasizes the important connection between public health, housing stability, and overall quality of life.
Whether you're a parent, caregiver, community leader, or simply curious about the role of your local health department, this episode offers a valuable look at the services and partnerships that help communities thrive.
 

The YMCA is about far more than exercise equipment and fitness classes.
In Episode 101 of Housing for Good, Chris Goodson and Karolyn Moore sit down with David Foster, Senior Branch Director for the Greater Wichita YMCA, to discuss how the YMCA supports individuals and families through wellness programs, youth development, cancer survivor support, water safety education, financial assistance, and community partnerships.
David explains how the YMCA's mission of strengthening spirit, mind, and body connects directly to broader community issues, including housing stability, financial challenges, and social isolation. The conversation highlights the importance of collaboration between organizations and how community resources can help people build healthier and more stable lives.

In this milestone 100th episode of Housing for Good, Chris Goodson and Karolyn Moore explore the lasting effects of childhood trauma and how early experiences can influence relationships, trust, education, employment, and housing stability throughout adulthood.
Drawing from their own personal experiences, Chris and Karolyn discuss the impact of abuse, instability, frequent moves, and other adverse childhood experiences. They also examine how unresolved trauma can contribute to homelessness and housing insecurity, and why supportive relationships, safe housing, and access to services are essential for long-term stability and healing.
The conversation highlights both the challenges and the hope that exist for individuals and families working to overcome trauma and build healthier, more stable futures.

On this episode of Housing for Good, Karolyn Moore sits down with Nathan Guile of the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition's Lived Experience Advisory Board. Nathan shares his personal journey through homelessness, recovery, and rebuilding stability, along with the lessons he learned along the way.
The conversation explores the importance of outreach, connection, dignity-centered support, and the role that people with lived experience can play in shaping services and policies. Nathan offers a firsthand perspective on what helps people move forward, why meaningful relationships matter, and how communities can better support those facing housing instability.
From discussing barriers to asking for help to the lasting impact of feeling seen and valued, this episode highlights the human side of homelessness and the importance of listening to those who have lived it.
🎧 Explore more episodes of Housing for Good on your favorite podcast platform. The latest episodes are also available at McPhersonHousingCoalition.org, where you can learn more about McPherson Housing Coalition and the programs and services we provide throughout our community.
A quick note - our guest joined us remotely via Zoom and cellphone for this conversation.

This week on Housing for Good, Chris Goodson and Karolyn Moore continue their conversation with Kym Crupper about navigating school support systems, Section 504 plans, IEPs, and the realities many families face while dealing with housing instability and educational challenges.
The discussion explores the emotional and practical difficulties parents encounter when advocating for their children, how instability impacts learning, and why building trust between schools, families, and support organizations matters so deeply.
The episode also highlights the importance of community resources, school meal programs, and creating environments where every child feels supported, valued, and able to succeed.
Along the way, Chris and Karolyn also share updates from this year’s Brush Up Mac event and reflect on the impact volunteers continue to make throughout the community.
 

In the final installment of our four-part Summit Series, Housing for Good continues its live conversations from the 2026 Kansas Summit on Homelessness and Housing in Manhattan, Kansas.
Chris Goodson and Karolyn Moore speak with Mary Jo from Sunflower Health Plan and Westin Shehi from the Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition about Medicaid services, transportation support, HMIS systems, homelessness reporting, and the role data plays in shaping housing and support services across Kansas communities.
Thank you for joining us throughout this special Summit Series on Housing for Good.