Episode 28: Leading with Lived Experience - Kyle Roggenkamp’s Journey of Gratitude, Empowerment, and Community Impact

Collaborative Solutions Podcast

In this powerful episode, host Barry Feaker joins Misty Bosch-Hastings, Director of Homeless Solutions for the City of Lawrence, James Chisholm, Executive Director of the Lawrence Community Shelter, and Kyle Roggenkamp, CEO of the Ballard Center. Together, they explore the profound impacts of collaboration, empathy, and gratitude in addressing homelessness and fostering community transformation. From winter shelters that offer safety and trust to trauma-informed childcare programs that nurture both children and their families, the episode highlights how a holistic approach creates ripples of change. Kyle shares his deeply personal journey from homelessness to leadership, reminding us of the importance of relationships, trust, and shifting from survival-driven egos to gratitude-driven action. The episode challenges listeners to confront their perceptions, advocate for compassion, and move beyond criticism to contribution. It’s a call to action for communities to embrace the power of understanding, gratitude, and shared responsibility in building a better future for everyone.