Stories That Need to Be Heard

Why I Am Launching a Podcast Without a Studio

A few months ago, I had a conversation with a man named Elbert on the side of the road. At the time, the Supreme Court had just ruled¹ that cities and states could legally penalize people experiencing homelessness through laws, even if those cities and states failed to provide the necessary resources for survival.

As I spent time with him in that moment, I asked, “What do you think about all that has happened?”

To my surprise, he responded with these powerful words:

“I think it’s not right how people or cities have the freedom to treat us wrong just because we have nowhere to go. And I think it’s even worse when people don’t know your WHOLE story.”

His words left a lasting impression on me, and they are one of the main reasons I’ve decided to step out in faith and do something I’ve never done before—launch a podcast (Imagine Dignity Podcast) as I lead Love Beyond Walls.

Elbert and I were standing underneath a bridge a month after the ruling.

As a nonprofit leader (Love Beyond Walls) and trained PhD researcher, I’ve often noticed that when conducting studies—unless they are qualitative and the researcher chooses to include the voices of those being studied—you rarely hear from the people who are the focus of these discussions. The same thing happens in media and social settings.

Think about it: when you read headlines, hear about new laws, or witness public sweeps targeting people experiencing homelessness, how often do you actually hear their voices after the fact? Or, at length?

There’s usually a temporary surge of concern, but it fades away, and soon enough, you see the same people again on the side of the road, hoping someone—a stranger or a person of goodwill—will choose to recognize their humanity rather than just their struggles.

Well, for the rest of my natural life, I will be that stranger because that is what I believe God is calling me to do—love people where they are!

Elbert was right. It’s hard when people don’t know your story. After reflecting on this for a long time, Elbert’s words gave me the answer: start a podcast that only centers these voices and stories as my special guests—to build empathy in the world and ensure that no one remains invisible.

Today, I’m excited to announce that not only have I uploaded my first YouTube video, but Episode 1 of my podcast will launch next week (on my dad’s birthday), featuring a Veteran who has firsthand experience with homelessness and mistreatment.

If you’d like to check out my introductory video, click the link below:

What is the Imagine Dignity Podcast?

The Imagine Dignity Podcast with Dr. Terence Lester is a podcast for the people—there are no studios, comfortable couches, or expensive microphones.

The studio happens on the side of the road, under bridges, next to abandoned buildings, in encampments, and in places where people live without addresses. This podcast centers on those living on the margins of society, people who face social stigma and are often made invisible.

By passing the microphone to the unhoused community, Dr. Lester seeks to create a safe space to humanize their stories, push back against stigma, and affirm their dignity.

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Order “Zion Learns To See: Opening Our Eyes To Homelessness” [HERE]

If you want to explore homelessness in the U.S., please consider reading “I See You: How Love Opens Our Eyes to Invisible People.”

Explore my book “When We Stand: The Power of Seeking Justice Together” to learn about the impact of community involvement and collective action on social change.

Discover “All God’s Children: How Confronting Buried History Can Build Racial Solidarity to gain insight into the significance of understanding the historical narratives that shape people and how you might stand in solidarity with your neighbor.

Or, subscribe to the Love Beyond Walls Newsletter—by visiting the site and signing up.

1. NPR. “Supreme Court Allows Cities to Punish Homeless for Sleeping in Encampments.” NPR, June 28, 2024. https://www.npr.org/2024/06/28/nx-s1-4992010/supreme-court-homeless-punish-sleeping-encampments.