Bringing Down the HOUSE!

On the series finale of Bringing Down the House, Ali and J'Kalein are joined by Andy Conger, Iowa Heartland's Construction Director. Together, they listen to two stories of hope read by the Habitat for Humanity International CEO, Jonathan Reckford! They also reflect upon the past three seasons of building homes, communities, and hope. You don't want to miss this FINAL episode! Thank you for listening to Bringing Down the House!

Episode Links(in order of mention):

Welcome back to Bringing Down the House! Today Ali and J'Kalein say goodbye to producer, Norah Schlax and test her knowledge on the State of Maine. Norah is returning to Maine to be closer to family and start a new job! Tune in to this fun, heartwarming bonus episode of Bringing Down the House!

Follow us!

Welcome back to Bringing Down the House! Today Ali and J'Kalein are spending time with Ben Brustkern, the Executive Director of Friends of the Family. Friends of the family is a local organization that provides shelter, confidential services, and housing assistance to individuals in crisis due to homelessness, domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. You don't want to miss this difficult, yet heartwarming story of hope! Thank you for tuning in to episode three of Season 3: Building Hope!

Episode Links(in order of mention):

Welcome back to Bringing Down the House! Today Ali and J'Kalein bring you a story of hope from one of our new Walnut Neighborhood residents, Karen. Stay tuned and be inspired by her incredible journey from Arizona to Waterloo, Iowa. Thanks for tuning in to episode two of season three!

Episode Links(in order of mention):

Welcome back to Bringing Down the House! One of Habitat for Humanity’s key principals from the very beginning has been to promote dignity and hope. In fact, the theme of hope is woven through all of our work and our mission statement today. That’s why season three, entitled Building Hope, will be designed around stories of hope written by various partners of Iowa Heartland Habitat or members of our community. To kick off season three, Ali and J’Kalein reflect on a story of hope shared by our tithing partner, Habitat for Humanity El Salvador. You don’t want to miss this incredible story from around the world!

Episode Links(in order of mention):

On this special bonus episode of Bringing Down the House, Ali, J'Kalein, and Norah chat about their holiday traditions and look back on their favorite moments of the last two seasons. Norah then puts Ali and J'Kalein to the test in a trivia game, "Name That Guest!". Who do you think will win? Finally, we asked YOU for your favorite Christmas carols in person and on social media! Ali and J'Kalein finish out the episode singing a few carols accompanied by Nathaniel Parrish on keyboard.

Follow us!

Churches were foundational in getting Iowa Heartland started 31 years ago and remain some of our most important and strongest partners today. Ali and J'Kalein explore this topic as they chat with Hilary Cornelius, Missions Coordinator at Prairie Lakes Church and Kris Hoskinson, at Orchard Hill Church about our partnerships. Thanks for listening to episode eight of Season Two: Building Community!

Episode Links(in order of mention):

Today, Ali and J’Kalein welcome the Executive Director of the Northeast Iowa Food Bank, Barb Prather to discuss closing the meal gap in our community, food insecurity, and how we partner. Thanks for tuning in to episode five of Season Two: Building Community!

Episode Links(in order of mention):

Today, Ali and J’Kalein welcome the Community Relations Manager of John Deere Waterloo, Mindy Schmidt, to discuss corporate social responsibility and our ever-growing partnership with John Deere. Thanks for tuning in to episode four of Season Two: Building Community!

Episode Links(in order of mention):

Today Ali and J'Kalein chat with longtime supporter and past Iowa Heartland Board President, David Deeds as he shares his passion for urban design, historic preservation, and how he builds community through various local partnerships and projects! Thanks for tuning in to episode three of Season Two: Building Community!

Episode Links(in order of mention):

Volunteerism not only allows Iowa Heartland to continue serving our mission, but it also uplifts the entire Cedar Valley! Ali and J’Kalein are excited to welcome Lauren Finke, executive director of the Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley & Ron Jensen, longterm Iowa Heartland supporter and regular volunteer. Lauren and Ron share their perspective on volunteerism and why they choose to partner with Iowa Heartland in our second episode of Season Two: Building Community!

Episode Links(in order of mention):

Season 2 is here!! This season, entitled Building Community, is focused on highlighting our essential community partnerships that allow us to serve in a greater capacity. Ali and J'Kalein are kicking off the season with House of Hope Development Coordinator, Dusky Steele. Their discussion covers the incredible work House of Hope is doing to empower homeless women in our community as well as our duel-organization program, Framing Hope. 

Episode Links(in order of mention):

SEASON ONE FINALE: On this season of Bringing Down the House, we’ve talked about how families qualify for our affordable homeownership program and the joys and growth our families have experienced.. but what goes on between being accepted into our program and receiving the keys to their home? Today, on the season one finale of Bringing Down the House, Ali chats with Iowa Heartland’s Construction Manager, Heath Christensen and Senior Site Supervisor, John Poon about all things construction! 

Episode Links (in order of mention):

Ali and J'Kalein visit with Iowa Heartland Habitat Board Secretary and local housing expert, LeKeisha Veasley, to explore the ways homeownership contributes to a family's ability to build wealth and the ways housing policies have contributed to wealth gaps in our community over the years. 

Episode Links(in order of mention):

Habitat for Humanity ReStores are unique and exciting discount home improvement stores.. But did you know that they are a great source of sustainable funding for Habitat's mission in communities all across the country? This episode, Ali and J'Kalein welcome Iowa Heartland Habitat's ReStore Manager, Jeff Finke, to talk all things ReStore!

Episode Links:

Have you ever seen your community or neighborhood facing significant challenges and felt compelled to work with others to do something about it? Today, Ali and J'Kalein are joined by, Christian Community Development practitioner, Walnut Neighborhood resident, & president of the  Walnut Neighborhood Association, Laura Hoy. They chat about the power of neighborhoods, holistic community development, and Laura's work in the neighborhood over the past 13 years. You don't want to miss this inspiring conversation!

Episode Links:

Ali is solo this episode as she welcomes Waterloo Mayor, Quentin Hart to chat about the current state of housing in waterloo and what the future holds!

Episode Links:

Ali and our guest co-host, Andrew, can't wait for you to meet Iowa Heartland Habitat homebuyer, Katie Muller! After 10 years of living in her Habitat home, Katie shares what affordable homeownership has meant to her family and how it has changed her life!

Episode Links:

Have you ever wondered how families are qualified and selected for Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity's programs? Do you ever wonder what happens behind the scenes to make our homebuyer's dreams a reality? Ali and J'Kalein are joined by Iowa Heartland Program Director, Mandy Mahncke to share more about this process!

Episode Sources:

Redlining. A historical buzzword that many people may have heard, but most often don't fully understand. What exactly is redlining.. and, how has it impacted our community and others over the years? Is redlining still happening today.. and, what can we do about it? Ali and J'Kalein continue their discussion with Polk County Housing Trust Fund Director of Communications and Community Outreach, Lauren Johnson on this episode!

Episode Links:

Redlining. A historical buzzword that many people may have heard, but most often don't fully understand. What exactly is redlining.. and, how has it impacted our community and others over the years? Is redlining still happening today.. and, what can we do about it? For the next two episodes, Ali and J'Kalein are joined by Polk County Housing Trust Fund Director of Communications and Community Outreach, Lauren Johnson, to discuss all of this and more.

Episode Links:

Have you considered how housing conditions contribute to a person's overall health and well-being? Did you know that the housing in a neighborhood affects the health of those that live there? For the next two episodes of Bringing Down the House, Ali and J'Kalein are joined by Dr. Disa Cornish, Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Northern Iowa, to dive into this topic.

Follow us!

Have you considered how housing conditions contribute to a person's overall health and well-being? Did you know that the housing in a neighborhood affects the health of those that live there? For the next two episodes of Bringing Down the House, Ali and J'Kalein are joined by Dr. Disa Cornish, Associate Professor of Public Health at the University of Northern Iowa, to dive into this topic.

Follow us!

Have you ever wondered just how Habitat for Humanity started? It was President Jimmy Carter that got things going, right? ... Not so fast my friends! On this episode of Bringing Down the House, Ali and J'Kalein explore the humble beginnings of Habitat. Prepare to be inspired by the heartwarming stories that sparked this global housing movement and the incredible work that has been done since it all began!

Episode Sources:

Ali and J'Kalein are joined by Iowa Heartland Habitat Neighborhood Services Manager, Andy Conger to discuss Asset Based Community Development  and Neighborhood Revitalization in our community.

Episode Sources:

Ali and J'Kalein jump right in with our first episode covering affordable housing within the US and in Iowa Heartland's 4 counties. Mission Moments, knowledge, laughs, and trivia are shared in this half hour episode!

Episode Sources:

Meet Ali and J’Kalein and learn a bit of Iowa Heartland Habitat background as well as the purpose behind launching this podcast!

Follow us!