Where I Stay

About Where I Stay

Welcome to the 51st Ward. Rivet 360 + StreetWise are proud to present a second season of the Shorty Award finalist documentary series, WHERE I STAY, exploring homelessness and the housing crisis in America. ABOUT SEASON 2: Welcome to Chicago’s 51st Ward, where the unseen and unheard find a voice. In Season Two of the Shorty Award finalist documentary series Where I Stay, Rivet 360 + StreetWise delve deep into the heart of Chicago’s housing crisis. As winter’s chill grips the city, thousands are forced to seek shelter wherever they can—many in makeshift communities known as “tent cities.” This season, we explore the roots of these camps, the policies that have left so many without a home, and the challenges of a city grappling with an influx of migrants and a critical lack of affordable housing. Through the eyes of StreetWise vendors, who have lived the reality of homelessness, and our team of dedicated reporters, we uncover the untold stories of Chicago’s forgotten residents. Our goal is to challenge perceptions, spark conversations, and, most importantly, inspire change. Join us as we navigate the complex web of segregation, public policy, and community resilience. Together, we’ll ask: What do we owe each other? Where I Stay isn’t just a podcast—it’s a call to action. Your support can make a difference. Listen, share, and join us in raising awareness and funds to combat homelessness in America. ABOUT SEASON 1: Angelica first became homeless at the age of twelve, but she didn't live on the street. Prisons. Vegas condos. The living room of an Iowa drug queen-pin and an inpatient facility for adolescents. This is WHERE I STAY. Over the course of 8 gripping episodes Host Jesse Betend explores the issue of invisible homelessness through Angelica's story. Season 1 has been called a “wonderfully empathetic telling of a story you will be richer for knowing” and “an incredibly impactful and illuminating podcast about hidden youth homelessness.” WHERE I STAY is a serialized podcast designed to challenge the way people think about homelessness. Each season dives deep into a single story to unravel the many interconnected threads that can leave someone without a home. The show also serves as a grassroots campaign to raise funds and awareness. About StreetWise magazine StreetWise has been part of the fabric of Chicago for 31 years, covering everything Chicago from its people to its social issues, politics, nonprofits, arts, culture, and neighborhoods. Over the past 31 years more than 14,000 StreetWise vendors have found dignity on street corners in many neighborhoods across the city as they are empowered to earn an income with a hand up and not a handout. About Rivet360 Rivet360 is a business to business podcast agency. It was founded in Chicago in 2013 with a simple mission: Tell the world’s stories, making them engaging and fun. An obsession with elegant solutions and devotion to editorial integrity have been part of the company from day one—along with a flexible, can-do attitude that customers love.

Publisher

Rivet + StreetWise

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

11 Nov 2020

Latest episode

6 Nov 2024

Latest episodes

15 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   6 Nov 2024

   S2 Ep5: Did Confusion, Anger Over Migrants Derail Chicago's Progressive Plan to Tackle Homelessness? (Bonus Episode)

   An effort to revolutionize Chicago's approach to homelessness, more than five years in the making, ended in a defeat at the ballot box in March, 2024. The bill, known as Bring Chicago Home, sought to create a dedicated stream of funds to provide housing and services by taxing properties valued over $1 million. We talk to Maria Hadden (https://www.mariafor49.org/), Alderperson of Chicago's 49th Ward, and an architect of Bring Chicago Home, about why it didn't pass. We also discuss the potential for increasingly punitive policing of homelessness in public spaces following the recent Supreme Court decision, Grant's Pass V. Johnson, and tie up some loose ends from Season 2 of Where I Stay, which followed Ald. Hadden, and others, attempts to address the spread of tent encampments in the middle of two overlapping crises. This is a bonus episode! For the full story, check out Where I Stay: Season 2 and binge all 4 episodes now! CREDITS: Reported by Jesse Betend, Suzanne Hanney, A. Allen, Kianna Drummond and Keith Hardiman Produced by Jesse Betend with help from Jennifer O'Neill Music by Andrew Bird, Jeremy Blake, AETHER, John Patitucci and Freedom Trail Studios Editing by Suzanne Hanney, Sheila Solomon, Amanda Jones, Julie Youngquist, Terri Lydon and Cindy Paulauskas About StreetWise (https://www.streetwise.org/) magazine StreetWise has been part of the fabric of Chicago for 31 years, covering everything Chicago from its people to its social issues, politics, nonprofits, arts, culture, and neighborhoods. Over the past 31 years more than 14,000 StreetWise vendors have found dignity on street corners in many neighborhoods across the city as they are empowered to earn an income with a hand up and not a handout. About Rivet360 (https://www.rivet360.com/) Rivet360 is a business to business podcast agency. It was founded in Chicago in 2013 with a simple mission: Tell the world’s stories, making them engaging and fun. An obsession with elegant solutions and devotion to editorial integrity have been part of the company from day one—along with a flexible, can-do attitude that customers love.

2. 

   19 Aug 2024

   S2 Ep4: One Year Later

   In this final episode of Season 2 of Where I Stay, thousands of asylum seekers are showing up on the streets, and in shelters across Chicago. A political stunt by the Governor of Texas blossoms into a full blown humanitarian crisis in Chicago, imperiling a new progressive mayor's plans to address homelessness. as well as, provide emergency shelter for tens-of-thousands of new arrivals stuck in political limbo. We also explore how the last 50 years of housing policy, while often well intentioned, is replete with mistakes that have contributed to a lack of trust in institutions that hinders progress to this day. From an important, landmark civil rights case that ultimately prevented construction in parts of the city that needed it most, through back room deals to lease out land meant for public housing, all the way to the supreme court. Special thanks to Musician Andrew Bird (https://www.andrewbird.net/)who donated music from his Chicago-inspired, 2013 EP “I Want To See Pulaski At Night” and Block Club Chicago (https://blockclubchicago.org/) Reporter Joe Ward (https://blockclubchicago.org/author/joe-ward/) who broke many of the stories in this episode, also 49th Ward Alderperson Maria Hadden (https://www.mariafor49.org/), Erin Ryan, Tom “The Mayor of Uptown” Gordon, and the many encampment residents we interviewed for this story. CREDITS: Reported by Jesse Betend, Suzanne Hanney, A. Allen, Kianna Drummond and Keith Hardiman Produced by Jesse Betend with help from Jennifer O'Neill Music by Andrew Bird, Jeremy Blake, AETHER, John Patitucci and Freedom Trail Studios Editing by Suzanne Hanney, Sheila Solomon, Amanda Jones, Julie Youngquist, Terri Lydon and Cindy Paulauskas About StreetWise (https://www.streetwise.org/) magazine StreetWise has been part of the fabric of Chicago for 31 years, covering everything Chicago from its people to its social issues, politics, nonprofits, arts, culture, and neighborhoods. Over the past 31 years more than 14,000 StreetWise vendors have found dignity on street corners in many neighborhoods across the city as they are empowered to earn an income with a hand up and not a handout. About Rivet360 (https://www.rivet360.com/) Rivet360 is a business to business podcast agency. It was founded in Chicago in 2013 with a simple mission: Tell the world’s stories, making them engaging and fun. An obsession with elegant solutions and devotion to editorial integrity have been part of the company from day one—along with a flexible, can-do attitude that customers love.

3. 

   12 Mar 2024

   S2 Ep3: My Apologies To The Four Seasons

   It's knives out in Chicago, as election season draws near.. and there will be mud. On March 19th 2024, Chicagoans will see the end of a story multiple years in the making. Voters must decide if the city should create a dedicated source of funds to fight homelessness, but a million dollar astroturfing campaign from the real estate lobby is committed to preventing its passage. Once again. Meanwhile Streetwise Editor Suzanne Hanney and Reporter A. Allen interview activist and former Alderperson, Helen Shiller whose legacy left an indelible mark on Chicago's Northside and discover that weaponizing the plight of the homeless is far from new. Special thanks to Musician Andrew Bird who donated music from his Chicago-inspired, 2013 EP “I Want To See Pulaski At Night” and Block Club Chicago Reporter Joe Ward who broke many of the stories in this episode, also Chicago Alderpersons Maria Hadden & Helen Shiller, Nicole Bahena, Erin Ryan, Tom “The Mayor of Uptown” Gordon, and the many encampment residents we interviewed for this story. CREDITS: Reported by - Jesse Betend, Suzanne Hanney, A. Allen, Kianna Drummond, and Keith Hardiman Produced by - Jesse Betend with help from  - Jennifer O'Neill Music by -  Andrew Bird, Jeremy Blake, AETHER, John Patitucci, and Freedom Trail Studios Editing by - Suzanne Hanney, Sheila Solomon, Amanda Jones, Julie Youngquist, Terri Lydon, and Cindy Paulauskas About StreetWise magazine StreetWise has been part of the fabric of Chicago for 31 years, covering everything Chicago from its people to its social issues, politics, nonprofits, arts, culture, and neighborhoods. Over the past 31 years more than 14,000 StreetWise vendors have found dignity on street corners in many neighborhoods across the city as they are empowered to earn an income with a hand up and not a handout. About Rivet360 Rivet360 is a business to business podcast agency. It was founded in Chicago in 2013 with a simple mission: Tell the world’s stories, making them engaging and fun. An obsession with elegant solutions and devotion to editorial integrity have been part of the company from day one—along with a flexible, can-do attitude that customers love.

4. 

   18 Jan 2024

   S2 Ep2: Switcheroo

   Tensions flare over the homeless camp in Touhy Park after the Park District decides to shut everything down. The appearance of mysterious flyers claiming the tent city will be relocated to a fancy hotel causes rampant confusion and amps up emotions on all sides. With the election looming, what paths remain for the local alderwoman to get everyone housed before a potentially lethal winter? Special thanks to Musician Andrew Bird who donated music from his Chicago-inspired, 2013 EP “I Want To See Pulaski At Night” and Block Club Chicago Reporter Joe Ward who broke many of the stories in this episode, also 49th Ward Alderperson Maria Hadden, Nicole Bahena, Erin Ryan, Tom “The Mayor of Uptown” Gordon, and the many encampment residents we interviewed for this story. CREDITS: Reported by - Jesse Betend, Suzanne Hanney, A. Allen, Kianna Drummond, and Keith Hardiman Produced by - Jesse Betend with help from  - Jennifer O'Neill Music by -  Andrew Bird, Jeremy Blake, AETHER, John Patitucci, and Freedom Trail Studios Editing by - Suzanne Hanney, Sheila Soloman, Amanda Jones, Julie Youngquist, Terri Lydon, and Cindy Paulauskas About StreetWise (https://www.streetwise.org/) magazine StreetWise has been part of the fabric of Chicago for 31 years, covering everything Chicago from its people to its social issues, politics, nonprofits, arts, culture, and neighborhoods. Over the past 31 years more than 14,000 StreetWise vendors have found dignity on street corners in many neighborhoods across the city as they are empowered to earn an income with a hand up and not a handout. About Rivet360 (https://www.rivet360.com/) Rivet360 is a business to business podcast agency. It was founded in Chicago in 2013 with a simple mission: Tell the world’s stories, making them engaging and fun. An obsession with elegant solutions and devotion to editorial integrity have been part of the company from day one—along with a flexible, can-do attitude that customers love.

5. 

   21 Dec 2023

   S2 Ep1: The Mayor of Both Bridges

   There are 50 wards in Chicago, but more than 65,000 people living within its limits lack a home of their own - a group activist Carla Johnson refers to as the “51st Ward.” Our intrepid reporters: Jesse Betend, Streetwise Editor Suzanne Hanney, and Streetwise vendor A. Allen set out to track down Tom Gordon, the so-called “Mayor of Uptown” in hopes of discovering what’s causing a rise in homeless camps throughout the city. What they find is a community formed in the absence of adequate city services, existing in a legal limbo, and often in conflict with both local leaders and their housed neighbors. But also an unmistakable family. Just who is Tom Gordon? And who exactly made him the Mayor, anyway? Meanwhile, the forming of a new tent city in a nearby park hits close to home, prompting difficult questions about what, at the end of the day, communities owe each other. Welcome to the 51st Ward. Special thanks to Musician Andrew Bird who donated music from his Chicago-inspired, 2013 EP “I Want To See Pulaski At Night” and Block Club Chicago Reporter Joe Ward who broke many of the stories in this episode, also 49th Ward Alderperson Maria Hadden, Erin Ryan, Tom “The Mayor of Uptown” Gordon, and the many encampment residents we interviewed for this story. CREDITS: Reported by - Jesse Betend, Suzanne Hanney, A. Allen, Kianna Drummond, and Keith Hardiman Produced by - Jesse Betend with help from  - Jennifer O'Neill Music by -  Andrew Bird, Jeremy Blake, AETHER, John Patitucci, and Freedom Trail Studios Editing by - Suzanne Hanney, Sheila Soloman, Amanda Jones, Julie Youngquist, Terri Lydon, and Cindy Paulauskas About StreetWise (http://www.streetwise.org/)magazine StreetWise has been part of the fabric of Chicago for 31 years, covering everything Chicago from its people to its social issues, politics, nonprofits, arts, culture, and neighborhoods. Over the past 31 years more than 14,000 StreetWise vendors have found dignity on street corners in many neighborhoods across the city as they are empowered to earn an income with a hand up and not a handout. About Rivet360 (http://www.rivet360.com) Rivet360 is a business to business podcast agency. It was founded in Chicago in 2013 with a simple mission: Tell the world’s stories, making them engaging and fun. An obsession with elegant solutions and devotion to editorial integrity have been part of the company from day one—along with a flexible, can-do attitude that customers love.

6. 

   13 May 2021

   Bonus Episode: Panel on Invisible Homeless

   For most, living in a shelter or on the street is the last resort. As a result, the majority of people experiencing homelessness are “defined out” of accessing aid. In fact, the Department of Housing and Urban Development doesn’t even consider them homeless. Are we obscuring an exponentially larger looming crisis? On this bonus episode Host Jesse Betend and StreetWise Magazine Senior Editor Suzanne Hanney, host a live panel to discuss these and other issue’s behind the series. Featuring: Dr. Molly Brown, Assistant Professor of Clinical-Community Psychology and Director of the Homelessness Advocacy, Research, and Collaboration Lab at DePaul University; Erin Ryan. Senior Vice President of Operations at The Night Ministry, a social services organization that works with many of Chicago’s most vulnerable homeless citizens; And Lee and Paula, who are both Streetwise Magazine Vendors who are currently experiencing homelessness. Sources: The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless’ Estimate of Chicago Homelessness Report --   https://www.chicagohomeless.org/new-analysis-shows-76998-chicagoans-impacted-by-homelessness/ (https://www.chicagohomeless.org/new-analysis-shows-76998-chicagoans-impacted-by-homelessness/) DePaul’s HARC Lab --  https://harclab.com/publications/ (https://harclab.com/publications/) The Night Ministry -- https://www.thenightministry.org/support-us?gclid=CjwKCAjwv_iEBhASEiwARoemvOuEzrez6RUNyb4BVFGKQ-JpIlmDZ1PPfbBIaYI6_LU17Q1WQHKHahoC-pQQAvD_BwE (https://www.thenightministry.org/support-us?gclid=CjwKCAjwv_iEBhASEiwARoemvOuEzrez6RUNyb4BVFGKQ-JpIlmDZ1PPfbBIaYI6_LU17Q1WQHKHahoC-pQQAvD_BwE) StreetWise --  https://www.streetwise.org/ (https://www.streetwise.org/)

7. 

   11 Jan 2021

   S1 Ep8: You're SO different

   Angelica meets Anthony.

8. 

   4 Jan 2021

   S1 Ep7: The Bugs Between Your Teeth

   A fateful encounter in Arizona changes everything.

9. 

   1 Jan 2021

   S1 Ep6: Oh, Hell-To-The-No!

   On the run.

10. 

    21 Dec 2020

    S1 Ep 5: Inmate Of The Month

    Angelica is headed to prison, but what does that mean for her son, Anthony?

11. 

    14 Dec 2020

    S1 Ep4: Momentum; Meet Wall

    There was someone who could’ve prevented a lot of what was going wrong in Angelica’s life. This week: who they were and why they didn’t.

12. 

    7 Dec 2020

    S1 Ep3: Mattress Full Of Cash

    Angelica moves in with the queen-pin of an Iowa drug ring.

13. 

    30 Nov 2020

    S1 Ep2: Here Comes The Cat

    Angelica decides the quickest way to get help is to lie.

14. 

    20 Nov 2020

    S1 Ep1: Ain’t That About A Bitch

    Fourteen places, two-toothless threats, one diary and countless family secrets. How does a 12-year-old become homeless, anyway?

15. 

    11 Nov 2020

    Season 1 Teaser

    Angelica first became homeless at the age of 12, but she never lived on the street. Prisons. Vegas condos. The living room of an Iowa drug queen-pin, and an inpatient facility for adolescents. This is WHERE I STAY.  From Rivet + StreetWise

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

30 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

9 ratings

Contact Where I Stay

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.