He was sentenced to 40 years, now he’s helping others rebuild their lives.Eric and Amy sit down with Jim Chambers, Recruitment & Retention Manager at WELD, a reentry organization supporting individuals transitioning out of prison. After serving time himself, Jim now works on the front lines connecting people to housing, resources, and a second chance.This conversation explores incarceration, parenting, and what it really takes to break the cycle.Follow Along for more: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bombardened/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572836188259Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bombardenedpodcast?lang=enSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1xWI80PCExR3B773w72xPv?si=05f49f1034384ca4Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bombardened/id1805626511
May 12
1 hr 5 min
In this episode, Eric and Amy continue their conversation with Omari Salisbury, founder of Converge Media, about community responsibility, youth violence, and why prevention efforts in Seattle often receive less support than reactive solutions.Salisbury explains why many communities already know what works to reduce violence but struggle to secure funding for the programs doing that work every day. He shares how mentorship, youth sports, music programs, and grassroots organizations often operate with limited resources, even though they are the strongest protective factors before young people reach crisis points. The conversation explores why public messaging around safety rarely acknowledges the role communities themselves can play, and why leaders are often reluctant to say that change must start locally as well as institutionally.The discussion also examines how assumptions about policy solutions, gun legislation, and intervention strategies sometimes miss what is actually happening on the ground. Salisbury reflects on the importance of acknowledging trauma when violence occurs, why empathy from leadership matters in moments of crisis, and how trust is built through honesty rather than performative responses.Finally, Salisbury talks about a challenge he sees across media and philanthropy: the tendency to fund stories centered on struggle rather than possibility. He shares why investing in prevention, youth opportunity, and what he calls “Black joy” may be one of the most overlooked strategies for creating long-term change—and how individuals can support organizations already doing that work in Seattle today.Donate — Converge Media | Local Seattle News: https://www.whereweconverge.com/donate-ptAPd
Apr 21
38 min
In this episode, Eric and Amy sit down with Omari Salisbury, founder of Converge Media, to talk about storytelling, community voice, and what really shaped public understanding during Seattle’s 2020 protests.Salisbury shares how Converge Media grew from a hyperlocal blog into a trusted news source during COVID-19 and the demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd, and why authentic storytelling mattered more than production value when the city was searching for clarity.He explains the tension between reporting on events and participating in them as a community member, and what it meant to cover a moment when the entire world was suddenly watching Seattle—often through incomplete or conflicting narratives.The conversation explores who influences public policy in Seattle, why some communities feel unheard despite being most affected by violence and safety concerns, and how assumptions about what neighborhoods want don’t always match lived reality. Salisbury also discusses the responsibility of local media to reflect community voices accurately, the pushback Converge has faced from different political directions, and why trust is built by showing up consistently long before a crisis begins.
Mar 31
41 min
In this episode, Eric and Amy continue their conversation with Eci Ameh, Executive Director of the Seattle Community Police Commission, about the often overlooked reality of policing: trust isn’t built during crises, it’s built in the everyday interactions that happen long before something goes wrong.They discuss how routine encounters between officers and community members shape public perception of law enforcement, why leadership and supervision inside police departments matter more than many people realize, and the limits of relying on outside oversight long after incidents occur. Ameh argues that accountability isn’t just about investigations or policy reforms, it’s about how officers engage with the public thousands of times a day.The conversation explores the tension between internal responsibility and external accountability, the importance of proactive leadership within police departments, and why rebuilding trust requires more than just responding well in moments of crisis.
Mar 10
47 min
In this episode, Eric and Amy sit down with Eci Ameh, Executive Director of the Seattle Community Police Commission, to explore the complicated space between policing, accountability, and public trust. As an independent voice within Seattle’s police oversight system, Eci explains how community perspectives, especially from those most impacted by policing, are translated into real pressure for systemic change.They discuss why accountability is not anti-police, how distrust in law enforcement develops, and why marginalized communities often face the highest stakes when deciding whether to call for help. Eci also sheds light on the limits of reform from within, the role of independent oversight, and the tension between political leadership, public safety, and lived experience on the ground.This is a candid conversation about power, representation, and what it actually takes to rebuild trust between communities and the institutions meant to serve them.
Feb 24
47 min
In this episode, Eric and Amy sit down with Andrew Dameron, Director of Denver 911, to unpack how crisis response is being reimagined from the very first call for help. Drawing on Denver’s STAR program, Andrew explains why mental health and behavioral crisis response must be treated as core public safety—not an “alternative”—and why 911 is the most powerful point of intervention.They discuss the challenges of integrating clinicians into emergency systems, the limits of one-size-fits-all responses, and how data—not fear—should determine when police are needed and when they aren’t. Andrew also shares why professionalizing crisis response, building dedicated dispatch pathways, and aligning public safety and public health are essential to breaking cycles of crisis before arrest.This is a candid conversation about systems change, leadership, and getting the right responder to the right call when it matters most.
Feb 10
55 min
In this episode, Eric and Amy sit down with Johnny Ohta, a legendary youth recovery advocate and longtime leader at Ryther, whose life and work have helped shape how Seattle responds to youth addiction, homelessness, and fentanyl. Johnny shares his deeply personal journey—from growing up amid violence, addiction, and incarceration to finding recovery, purpose, and a calling to walk alongside young people in crisis.With raw honesty, Johnny unpacks what real recovery looks like in the age of fentanyl, why one-size-fits-all solutions fail, and how “long game” relationships rooted in compassion, accountability, and presence can save lives. He challenges false binaries between harm reduction and recovery, emphasizes the power of exposure, connection, and love, and explains why investing in young people—before it’s too late—changes everything.This is a powerful conversation about resilience, adaptation, and what it truly means to care for young people when the stakes are life and death.Learn more about Ryther and youth recovery services at https://ryther.org/
Dec 23, 2025
1 hr 7 min
In this episode, Eric and Amy talk with Ellyse Bracken, Executive Director of Bridges, about her powerful journey from addiction and incarceration to becoming a leader in youth recovery. Ellyse shares how structure, accountability, and peer support helped her rebuild her life—and why teens need community, not harm-reduction messaging, to thrive. Her work with Bridges and Seattle’s Alternative Peer Group is transforming what recovery looks like for young people.Learn more at https://www.seattleapg.com/
Dec 9, 2025
50 min
In Part 2 of their conversation, Eric and Amy Barden continue their deep dive with independent journalist Brandi Kruse, exploring what happens after you choose to break away from traditional media—and don’t look back. Brandi opens up about the personal and professional consequences of pushing against narratives, the cost of telling uncomfortable truths, and what it means to stay grounded when criticism gets loud. Together, they examine the evolving role of independent journalism, why honest dialogue is worth protecting, and how integrity becomes your compass when the world wants you to choose a side.
Nov 25, 2025
41 min
In this episode, Eric and Amy Barden sit down with independent journalist Brandi Kruse to explore what happens when you step outside traditional media and speak freely. Brandi shares her journey from newsroom reporter to independent voice, reflecting on the challenges of maintaining public trust in a divided media landscape. Together, they unpack what honesty, transparency, and accountability look like when the microphones are always on—and why telling the truth can sometimes mean standing alone.
Nov 11, 2025
39 min
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