Reputation: Lived Experience and Policy Dialogue

Reputation is a nine-episode podcast series examining homelessness through lived experience, policy analysis, and institutional accountability.

The series combined personal narrative with high-level stakeholder interviews to explore structural drivers of housing instability while maintaining journalistic rigor.

It received the 2024 LA Press Club Award (Best Limited Series, 2nd place) and the 2023 Housing Narrative Award for Best Podcast Episode.

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Homelessness coverage often oscillates between sensationalism and oversimplified advocacy. Reputation was designed to avoid both.

The series centered on:

  • A lived-experience foundation grounded in the host’s personal history

  • Diverse stakeholder inclusion, including policymakers, service providers, medical professionals, and unhoused individuals

  • Episode-specific thematic deep dives (aging, foster care, transgender experiences, mortality)

  • Structured balance between narrative and policy analysis

Each episode aimed to build empathy without sacrificing complexity.

Editorial Framework

Institutional & Stakeholder Engagement

The series secured substantive interviews with:

  • Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass

  • Former City Councilmember Mike Bonin

  • Medical death investigators

  • Service providers and policy researchers

High-level interviews required strategic coordination and political sensitivity, particularly during active policy cycles.

Community trust-building required trauma-informed interviewing and careful representation of vulnerable voices.

Production & Risk Discipline

The project required navigating:

  • Sensitive mortality data

  • Political relationship management

  • Ethical boundaries between advocacy and journalism

  • Personal boundary management as a host with lived experience

Episodes ranged from 14–37 minutes and were structured to maintain engagement while preserving depth.

The season arc progressed from personal foundation to policy dialogue and concluded with reflection on civic responsibility.

Recognition & Impact

  • 2024 LA Press Club SoCal Journalism Award (Best Limited Series, 2nd place)

  • 2023 Housing Narrative Award (Best Podcast Episode)

  • Cross-platform distribution beyond traditional podcast audiences

The series elevated complex housing issues into sustained public conversation while maintaining credibility across journalism and advocacy communities.

Audio Production

It’s easy to shift blame on politicians or the government. But what can regular people do to be part of the solution? What will history say about our response to this crisis? In this final episode, Ethan chats with Lizzy Calhoun, a film editor and mutual aid worker who is all about direct action.

Related Audio & Public Media Work

  • LAist 89.3 (NPR Affiliate)

    Reporting on policy, housing and social systems.

    👉 Explore

  • Slate Podcast Appearances

    National guest commentary on housing, race, and civic identity.

    👉 Listen (1)

    👉 Listen (2)

  • Marketplace (NPR)

    Policy and human impact analysis in national news coverage.

    👉 Listen

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