Welcome to Voices of Simpson

Voices of Simpson is an original podcast produced by Maribeth Romslo. Each episode explores an aspect of Simpson’s work to house, support, and advocate for people experiencing homelessness.

We’ll hear from participants, staff, volunteers and advocates, and historians about housing issues, and along the way, we’ll learn more about how we got here and what we can do in order to make sure everyone has access to safe, affordable housing.

Thanks for listening!

Episode 1: Homelessness: How we got here and where we’re going

What if we lived in a world where nobody had to go without a home? It’s not as unattainable as it may seem. Simpson Housing Services makes its podcast debut with a look back at the Minneapolis nonprofit’s origins as a shelter in a church basement, and what a future without homelessness could look like.

Steve Horsfield serves as Simpson’s Executive Director and Mikkel Beckmen has been working on housing issues in the area for decades. Together, the two old friends discuss how exactly we got here, and what concrete steps we can take in order to make things better for everyone.

Also in this episode, Rachel McIver Morey tells the story of Simpson’s work — forty years supporting people experiencing homelessness.

Transcript and show notes available here.

Episode 2: Why we volunteer

Simpson Housing Services wouldn’t exist without some serious investment from the community, and one of the ways that manifests is through volunteerism. In this episode, Director of Business Operations and Volunteer Engagement Christina Giese gives us a quick tour of volunteering at Simpson with the help of Volunteer Engagement Manager Aaron Ramos. Featuring volunteers Sami Neymark, Daniella Morales, and Donna & Scott Brothers.

Transcript and show notes available here.