Show notes
In this episode, I sit down with Jackie and Jeff from the Other Side Academy and Village, a nonprofit helping people coming out of incarceration, homelessness, or addiction through a two and a half year program focused on whole person behavioral change. Jackie shares 25 years of on and off homelessness, introduced to drugs young, losing her daughter, and finding relief when arrested because she'd have a bed and meals. Jeff talks about living in canyons for six years after getting stabbed, calling cops on himself to go to jail, and writing a letter to the Academy. They explain real community means people holding you up while also expecting your best, not accepting you as lesser. They discuss misconceptions like homeless people don't want help or are dangerous. Both are now coaches helping others discover who they want to become. The Academy is self-sustaining through Other Side Moving, thrift stores, and donuts.Brynne’s Social:Facebook: @Brynne Erickson - my public pagehttps://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573316550355Instagram: @brynne_ericksonhttps://www.instagram.com/brynne_erickson/Threads: @brynne_ericksonhttps://www.threads.com/@brynne_erickson?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==The Other Side Academy and VillageDonate - https://www.theothersideacademy.com/donatehttps://theothersidevillage.com/donate-now/More information - https://www.theothersideacademy.com/https://theothersidevillage.com/Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Other Side Academy and Village04:34 Understanding Real Community10:34 The Journey to Acceptance and Change16:30 Personal Stories of Transformation24:12 The Impact of Upbringing on Life Choices30:08 Reflections on Drug Use and Recovery33:52 Embracing Mistakes and Unlearning Behaviors37:24 Focusing on the Present and Building Foundations39:19 Roles and Responsibilities in the Community39:40 Common Misconceptions About Homelessness42:11 Understanding Fear and Misunderstanding44:54 The Balance of Acknowledging and Embracing Brokenness46:17 Reframing Regrets and Learning from the Past49:39 Redefining Purpose and Self-Discovery55:35 The Goodness of People and the Power of Change57:17 The Importance of Love and Compassion59:27 Social Enterprises and Community Outreach