Housing for Good

In this episode of Housing for Good, Chris and Karolyn are joined by Jayna, a high school student who recently attended Capitol Hill Day in Topeka with the McPherson Housing Coalition. Jayna shares her experience meeting legislators, learning about housing advocacy, and seeing firsthand how organizations across Kansas work together to support families.
The conversation explores how housing stability connects with social work, why safe housing is so important for children and families, and how young people can begin learning about advocacy and community service.

In this episode of Housing for Good, we explore why aging care is quickly becoming a housing stability issue.
With more than 10,000 Americans turning 65 each day and long-term care costs rising dramatically, families are often forced into crisis decisions that can destabilize housing and finances. Sara from Sunshine Meadows/Stay Your Way joins us to discuss a continuing care at home model designed to help seniors remain in their homes while proactively planning for future care.
If we are serious about housing stability, we must include aging in the conversation.

In this episode of Housing for Good, Chris and Karolyn welcome Tammy Thayer and Rachel Holt from Ashby House in Salina, Kansas.
Ashby House provides emergency shelter, transitional housing, supportive services, and permanent supportive housing for women, single fathers, and families with children experiencing homelessness. The conversation explores how their programs work, what real success looks like for families rebuilding their lives, and why community partnerships are essential to long-term housing stability.
From case management and life skills training to homeless prevention and expanding their campus, this episode highlights what it truly takes to move someone from crisis to stability.
If you believe housing changes lives, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of Housing for Good, Chris and Karolyn sit down with Sarah Muehler and Meaghan Reamy of Mac-Town Fitness Company to explore how housing stability can ripple outward into entrepreneurship, youth development, and long-term community resilience.
Sarah shares her family’s powerful full-circle story - from working with the McPherson Housing Coalition to purchase their first home, to using that stability to launch a thriving local business. Meaghan walks us through Forging Youth Resilience, a free fitness and mentorship program for kids and teens that builds confidence, emotional awareness, and belonging far beyond the gym walls.
Together, they unpack why housing, mental health, youth engagement, and stability are all deeply connected - and how investing in kids today helps shape healthier communities tomorrow.

This week on Housing for Good, we pick up right where we left off in What Works in Permanent Supportive Housing
In Part 2, Chris and Karolyn continue the conversation by digging deeper into what it actually takes to move housing projects forward - from building relationships with contractors and grant providers to working with donors, volunteers, and community partners.
This episode is all about the behind-the-scenes reality: the conversations, coordination, and trust-building that turn an idea into real housing.
 

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Chris and Karolyn discuss what has proven effective in developing permanent supportive housing. Drawing from direct experience, they share the approaches, priorities, and practical considerations that shaped their work and continue to guide how they operate today.
This episode is for anyone interested in permanent supportive housing who wants a clearer sense of what works in practice - from the perspective of people who have done the work and seen the results.
Part 2 continues the conversation with additional context and broader takeaways.

In this episode of Housing for Good, we talk with Olivia Fetsch, a familiar and trusted presence in the McPherson community. Known for her ability to bring people together, Olivia shares what drives her passion for volunteering, how service creates stronger connections, and why simply showing up can have a lasting impact.
This conversation is a reminder that community change doesn’t always start with a title or an organization - it often starts with one person willing to help and invite others along.

In Episode 79 of Housing for Good, we’re joined by Chad Young from the Salina Rescue Mission. Chad discusses how the mission supports individuals experiencing homelessness through structure, accountability, and dignity-centered care.
He also explains why collaboration with mental health providers and other community organizations is essential to supporting recovery and long-term stability.

In this best-practices episode, Chris and Karolyn reflect on key lessons learned from conversations with past Housing for Good podcast guests. Drawing from real-world experience in housing development, finance, and community services, they discuss what works, what does not, and what other communities can learn.
The conversation focuses on practical takeaways and big-picture thinking for anyone interested in housing solutions that actually work.

In this year-end episode, Chris and Karolyn reflect on the major moments and milestones of McPherson Housing Coalition’s work in 2025. They discuss the McPherson County Housing Conference and its speakers, Brush Up Mac, and highlight several favorite guests from the Housing for Good podcast - sharing why those conversations were especially meaningful to them.
They also talk about the number of individuals and families served through Oak Harbor Cottages and Sutherland Estates, and discuss the importance of community within both facilities, emphasizing how connection, stability, and shared support help residents move forward.