Lean In Olympia

Catch Up on Our Past Episodes!

Port Commissioner Amy Evans

Meg sits down with Port Commissioner Amy Evans to discuss what the Port is and how to get involved, how to find commonalities among a diverse range of voices, and what concerns and hopes for the future of Olympia look like! Thank you, Amy for sitting down with us!

Check it out!

Unity Commons Residents

Meg has an awesome, real, and candid conversation with three formerly homeless tenants of the permanent supportive housing at Unity Commons! Thank you so much to Lexi, T, and Doug for sharing so much of themselves and their stories with all of us. We hope that this is an eye opening interview for the community. Enjoy!

Lennee Reid

Lennee Reid shares her poetry and the healing sound work. The conversation explores spirituality as known through ancestors, song, and art.

Her website: https://crazythundermedicine.wixsite.com/crazythundermedicine
Her poetry: https://lenneereid.bandcamp.com/album/crazy-thunder-medicine

Bishop Edward Donalson

Bishop Edward Donalson shares about his faith journey and his perspectives on the role of theology in the public square.

@DrDonalson (Twitter and Instagram)

Rev. Jerry Zehr

Corey sits down with the Rev. Jerry Zehr as he shares his long, winding road toward Interfaith. We talk about Jerry's new book, "The Peacemaker's Path", and about sharing and generosity between religious traditions.

Dontae Payne

Olympia City Council member, Dontae Payne, shares about his journey of civic service and from his own religious path of identity and meaning-making. Filmed December 2021.

Kevin Rainsberry and Jamie Vulva, owners of the Wayside Cafe and Le Voyuer

Downtown businesses are often very hard hit by the struggles of our little city. Hear how two small business owners in the heart of downtown Olympia are managing to survive, thrive, support their community, be mindful and supportive employers, all while navigating a global pandemic.

Koro Kaisan Miles - Zen teacher

Rev. Corey Passons shares a conversation with local Zen Buddhist teacher, Koro Kaisan Miles. Miles shares about his journey toward Buddhism, Zen, and being a teacher in the tradition.

Sam Miller
Join Meg Martin with a very hilarious and special guest, Comedian Sam Miller. Sam and Meg talk very candidly about addiction, severed and healing relationships, resilience, recovery, societal views of addiction, and how dark humor has been integral to healthy life transformation for them both.

Gun Violence in America: a sociological approach

Rev. Corey Passons is joined by Robert Hauhart, Ph.D., J.D. and William Stadler, Ph.D. of St. Martin's University to discuss the epidemic of gun violence and mass shootings in the United States. (aired April, 2021)

Marvin Bennet
Today we have the absolute joy of welcoming Marvin Bennett, former IW shelter guest and current community gem who brings light and life into every room he walks into! He's been there, he's struggled, and he has overcome incredible odds. Join us to hear more about his story, and the lasting connection he and Meg have made over the years.

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.

Lean In Olympia

Welcome to Lean In Olympia

Catch Up on Our Past Episodes!