Real people. Real stories. Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard is a raw and honest podcast sharing the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Hosted by Scott LaBonte, co-founder of Sheboygan Area Pay It Forward, each episode amplifies stories of survival, struggle, and strength from the streets, shelters, and systems that often forget the people they serve. No filters. Just truth.
This episode didn’t go as planned.
The goal was to sit down with someone who utilized the warming center this past winter and talk about what life looks like now that it’s closed. But that conversation didn’t happen.
And in that absence, there’s a story of its own.
In this episode, Scott reflects on the challenges of connecting with people right now—how increased visibility concerns, shifting circumstances, and the loss of consistent community spaces have made those conversations harder to reach.
He also shares how the landscape has changed, with fewer familiar faces, new individuals navigating life on the streets, and the reality that people move in and out of different situations—some finding housing, some leaving the area, and others entering the justice system.
This is a quieter, more reflective episode about what it means when stories go unheard—and why those voices still matter, even when we can’t access them.
Because sometimes, the conversations we don’t have… say just as much as the ones we do.
19 Apr 2026
When the Doors Close
The warming center closed for the season on April 15th.
For many, that marks the end of winter. But for those who relied on that space, it marks something else entirely.
In this episode, Scott reflects on what happens next—where people go, how things shift, and what daily life looks like when a place to escape the elements is no longer available.
Drawing from his experience running the Pay It Forward day center, he shares insight into the challenges that don’t always get seen, especially once the urgency of winter fades.
This isn’t about criticism or easy answers. It’s about understanding the reality behind the transition—and recognizing that the need doesn’t end when the doors close.
Because homelessness doesn’t follow the seasons… even if resources sometimes do.
5 Apr 2026
What Actually Helps
After talking about the hard truths of helping in the last episode, this week’s conversation shifts to something just as important—what actually makes a difference.
Drawing from their experience running the Pay It Forward day center, Scott reflects on the things that truly helped people move forward. Not quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions, but the small, consistent moments that build trust over time.
From relationships and routine to accountability and community support, this episode explores what real help looks like—and why it’s often different than what people expect.
Because meaningful change doesn’t usually happen all at once.
It happens in the quiet moments, the everyday interactions, and the willingness to keep showing up.
Who has been a guest on Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Shana
Amanda
Lakeshore CAP caseworker
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
322
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
4 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 49 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
60
Social presence
0
YouTube
66
Engagement
32
Contact Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard
Guest appearances
Books guests
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