Welcome to Lean In Olympia

Every other Tuesday, Interfaith Works live streams a show on our Facebook page. This show invites community members to share their knowledge, experience, and perspective as we all navigate those questions at the crossroads of humanity, justice, and belief. Once shows air, you will also be able to access them on our Facebook, YouTube, or here! ​

Catch Up on Our Past Episodes!
IW Candidate Forum, General Election Part 2

Interfaith Works' managers, Corey Passons and Bryant Watts host the second of two candidate forums with candidates Corey Gauny, Dontae Payne, Spence Weigand, Jim Cooper, and Clark Gilman.​
IW Candidate Forum, General Election Part 1

This candidate forum features Talauna Reed, Robbi Kesler, and Candace Mercer as they answer questions with Interfaith Works' managers, Corey Passons and Bryant Watts.
Episode 16 - "Sit Down with the Rabbi"

Rabbi Seth Goldstein is our guest as he reflects on community, his path in his tradition, and how TikTok is a way to connect in challenging times. 
Episode 15 - "Art Therapy"

Corey Passons sits down with Mo Golden to discuss her work as an immerse arts therapist and co-founder of the company, Golden Herring. What a gift to talk with her about her journey!
Episode 14 - "Centering Racial Equity"

In this episode Corey Passons meets with Dr. Sarah Lloyd to talk about her work as a consultant guiding organizations to center racial equity.
IW 2021 Olympia City Council Candidate Forum Group 1​
Please check out the YouTube description for the questions we asked. IW does not and will not ever endorse a specific candidate for office. 

​In this forum we interviewed:
Yen Huynh -- City Council, Position No. 2
Bruce D. Wilkinson Jr. -- City Council, Position No. 2 Talauna Reed -- City Council, Position No. 5
Jim Cooper -- City Council, Position No. 7
IW 2021 Olympia City Council Candidate Forum Group 2​
Please check out the YouTube description for the questions we asked. IW does not and will not ever endorse a specific candidate for office. 

​In this forum we interviewed:
Clark Gilman -- City Council, Position No. 4
Lisa Parshley -- City Council, Position No. 5
Dontae Payne -- City Council, Position No. 6
​Sarah DeStasio -- City Council, Position No. 6
IW 2021 Olympia City Council Candidate Forum Group 2​
Please check out the YouTube description for the questions we asked. IW does not and will not ever endorse a specific candidate for office. 
​​
In this forum we interviewed:
Robbi Kesler -- City Council, Position No. 2
Candace Mercer -- City Council, Position No. 4
Wendy Carlson -- City Council, Position No. 5
Corey Gauny -- City Council, Position No. 6
​Spence Weigand -- City Council, Position No. 7
Episode 12 - "Exploring the Realities of Substance Use in our Community"

Meg Martin has a lively, heartfelt and very real conversation with the WA State Director of Public Defense Larry Jefferson and the Thurston County Opioid Response Coordinator Katie Strozyk.
Episode 11 - "Our Stories Bind Us Together"

Corey Passons explores Interfaith Understanding with Reverend Terry Kyllo and Aneelah Afzali.
Episode 10 - "Courageous Conversations"

Meg Martin sits down with Bryant Watts, MSW to discuss sincerity in approaching difficult subjects.
Episode 9 - "Decorated Elders in Our Community"

Host Meg Martin, joined by Dr. Thelma Jackson, Lonnie Locke, and Selena Kilmoyer for a comforting, challenging, and downright lovely conversation.
Episode 8 "The Bridge Music Project"

Corey Passons hosts a conversation and highlights the youth's wisdom and beauty involved in the project.
Episode 7 "The Groundbreaking of 2828 Martin Way"

Meg Martin shares what it 2828 Martin Way will mean for our shelter guests and staff.
Episode 6 "Meet the Candidates"

​Meg Martin discusses issues related to housing and homelessness with three local candidates.

Featured Guests: 
Carolina Mejia, Candidate for Thurston County Board of Commissioners
Jessica Bateman, Candidate for State Representative 22nd LD
Beth Doglio, Candidate for US Congress
Episode 5 "CIELO"

Corey Passons has a conversation with Dianna Torres-Angulo (Outreach Coordinator) of CIELO, a non-profit organization based in Olympia and Shelton that promotes community, self-sufficiency, and leadership to Latinos in the South Puget Sound.
Episode 4 "Self-care, community care"

Meg Martin and guest Sfirah Madrone, MA, LMHC discuss how to care for yourself and your community during high stress times. They discuss why we feel the way we do during a crisis and explore tools to help you and your loved ones.
Episode 3 "Peace and Justice"

Corey Passons is joined by Malika Lamont to talk about her work in the community and the many intersections of peace and justice. Malika will be a guest speaker at our Peace Day Festival, September 21st.
Episode 2 "Double Public Health Crisis"

Meg Martin sits down with Keylee Marineau as they discuss the many ways Covid 19 has impacted homeless services in Thurston County. What are the challenges service providers face? Find out in this episode!
Episode 1 "Why we do what we do"

In this episode we meet Meg Martin, Executive Director of Interfaith Works, and Corey Passons, Interfaith Relations Program Manager for Interfaith Works. They discuss the show and what you can expect when you tune in.