What Living Means
Yes Communities
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What Living Means is a podcast that shares inspiring personal stories and helpful advice to the wonderful members of Yes Communities. We’ll take a journey across America for an up-close look at manufactured housing communities and why they are so important to the more than 17 million Americans who live in them.
Available episodes
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Oct 30, 2023
Fire Safety 101
With the holiday season quickly approaching, our home kitchens and electrical systems are busier than ever. Before hosting relatives in your home, take a few minutes to double check your fire safety equipment and prepare a family evacuation plan.
In this episode, we're exploring the ins and outs of fire safety to keep your loved ones and property safe. Our special guest, Chicagoland firefighter Pat Schlueter joins us to discuss some all too common fire hazards to avoid when cooking and decorating for the holidays.
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Jun 30, 2023
Elevate Your Grill Game
In this episode, we’re going all in on the art of grilling. Maybe this year you want to branch out beyond hamburgers and hotdogs. Or maybe you hope to make it through the holiday with your eyebrows intact.
Our special guest, Clayton Cook of LeRoy and Lewis BBQ and Mama Fried in Austin, Texas, shares how you can elevate your grill game and keep your guests clamoring for more. And later, you’ll hear from YES’ Head of Risk Title Brian Von Helmolt on some grill safety tips to pull off your cookout without incident.
Links:
Mama Fried
LeRoy & Lewis BBQ
Chuds BBQ Tutorials
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Jun 15, 2023
Striving for Greatness
Scholarships are more than just financial assistance. They're the bridge that connects ambitious students to their wildest aspirations, regardless of their background or financial situation. In this episode we’re exploring YES Communities’ Building Futures program, which is designed to uplift those who dare to dream and strive for greatness.
Links:
Mark Adams
Building Futures
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Apr 17, 2023
Examining The Housing Crisis
In recent years, the cost of housing has increased sharply across our country. The average home sale price in the US increased 30% since 2020. At the most basic level, these higher prices are caused by a shortage of available housing units. Zoning, public policy, and a “Not In My Backyard” resistance to new construction are all contributing factors to the housing supply shortfall.
Author & journalist Erika Bolstad joins us to discuss the affordable housing shortage and potential solutions to making housing more affordable for all.
Links:
Erica Bolstad
Yes Communities
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Feb 21, 2023
The Fight to End Family Homelessness
Families with children make up 30% of the homeless population in our country. Clayton and Family Promise have teamed up to provide transitional housing and create long term solutions to help end this national crisis.
Clayton’s Ted Rutland and Sandy Minuitti of Family Promise tell us what it means for families and children experiencing homelessness to secure safe housing.
Links:
Family Promise
Clayton
Clayton / FP Partnership
Yes Communities
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Nov 21, 2022
Perfect Your Holiday Meal
In this episode, we are going to help you absolutely nail your next holiday meal. Executive Chef Joe Goetze of Founding Farmers restaurant group walks us through some simple ways to create memorable, winning meals.
We'll also check in to see how YES team members are sharing their holidays with residents in their communities.
Guests:
Joe Goetze - Executive Chef of Founding Farmers
Melinda Graulau - YES Communities Regional Manager MIW
Tara Blakita - YES Communities Field Manager MISW
Links:
Founding Farmers
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Nov 9, 2022
Course Correction
The past two years have presented unprecedented challenges for education in our country. Parents, teachers, and students are finally seeing the light at the end of a very long tunnel, but studies show that a massive effort is required to catch up from the time spent away from in person learning.
In this episode, we talk to Richard Tagle, President and CEO of the Denver Public School Foundation on how we can help students catch up in math and reading.
Links:
Denver Public School Foundation
Richard Tagle
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Jul 13, 2022
Wellness in the Workplace
For a long time, workplace wellness meant a break room stocked with free bananas and granola. But as the conversation around work life balance becomes more wholistic, the concept of wellness has expanded to include mental health, paid leave, and even personal finance. Yes Communities' Leanna Cline and Cigna's Kylee Geffre discuss how the approach to wellness has changed, and what goes into creating a wellness culture that attracts and retains talent.
Links:
Cigna
Yes Communities
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May 16, 2022
A Sustainable Future
Across virtually every industry, there is a massive effort underway to use fewer natural resources and more renewables. From reusable drinking straws to the insulation in our walls, we are striving for a more sustainable pathway into the future. Manufactured housing presents a unique solution that virtually eliminates waste during the building process, while also requiring less water and electricity each month.
William Jenkins is Director of Environment and Sustainability at Clayton Homes. We sat down to discuss how Clayton is diverting thousands of tons of unnecessary construction waste from landfills, smart features that help residents save on utilities, and a sustainability pledge to plant millions of trees in 2022.
Links:
Clayton Homes
Arbor Day Pledge
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Dec 20, 2021
Giving Back
In this episode, we chat with restauranteur extraordinaire Mark Bucher. Mark's Medium Rare steakhouses were sidelined during the 2020 pandemic shutdown. Instead of waiting it out, Mark utilized his kitchens to feed hundreds of thousands of hungry families and keep the greater restaurant community alive. His giving spirit helped him discover a viable solution to solving the hunger problem in America. The shutdown eventually ended, but Mark continues to give back through his Feed the Fridge initiative.
We also catch up with YES Communities Jean Gonzales about the YES We Care program, and how to foster a giving culture within your organization.
If you’re looking to have a more fulfilling holiday season, this episode is for you!
Links:
Mark Bucher - Feed the Fridge
Medium Rare
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Sep 24, 2021
Back to School
After an exceptionally challenging year, our kids are _finally_ going back to school for in-person learning. The road ahead may get bumpy! Our special guest, Ann Dolin founder of Educational Connections Tutoring and Test Prep, shares with us some strategies for both parents and students to take worry out of the equation.
We'll also catch up with YES team members to celebrate their hustle in sending the kids in our communities back to school on the right foot.
Links:
School Supplies Giveaway
Ann Dolin
Educational Connections Tutoring
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Aug 10, 2021
Growing Community
Have you ever wanted to be more self-reliant? Gardening can be a unifying force. Everyone needs to eat after all. Community gardening in particular provides a place where generations of people can gather and cultivate both food and friendships. On this episode, we have two special guests that can speak to the power of planting seeds that reap rewards beyond the dinner table.
LaManda Joy is a published author, master gardener, educator, and founder of the Peterson Garden Project in Chicago. Inspired by a photo of a WW2 victory garden hanging in her local butcher shop, LaManda built a community garden on an empty lot on Peterson Avenue and set out to teach thousands of people in her neighborhood to grow their own food.
We also catch up with Randi Miller, a YES Communities leasing specialist based in Goshen, Indiana, to get an update on a community gardening project that is bringing the residents of Winchester Trails together.
Links:
The Yarden
Peterson Garden Project
Start a Commun…
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May 24, 2021
Thank You For Your Service
In this episode, we recognize the incredible service that veterans perform each and every day in our own community. Our two amazing guests reveal the challenges of life on active duty and what makes veterans so valuable in the workforce.
David Glatfelter is a marine corps veteran and Team Rubicon greyshirt leader for the Denver metro area. David and Team Rubicon utilize veteran military experience to lead volunteer disaster relief projects from wildfire mitigation to battling COVID-19.
We’ll also catch up with YES Communities’ own navy seal / superhero, Brian Dougherty. He details preparing for the worst, life on active duty, and the sacrifices military families make at home.
May their inspiring words and commitment serve as a testament to the will of veterans everywhere!
Links:
Team Rubicon
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Apr 19, 2021
Building Futures Scholarship
An investment in education is an investment in the dreams of our children. Last year in 2020, YES Communities launched the Building Futures Scholarship Program to help fund the higher education of YES residents and staff. In this episode, we'll catch up with previous scholarship recipients and educators who can speak to the power of investing in a child's future.
We'll also visit with the Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver, Colorado, to learn how Arrupe's unique work-study program is giving students a leg up in the competitive job market.
Links:
Building Futures Scholarship
Arrupe Jesuit High School
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Mar 17, 2021
Building Community from the Ground Up
In this episode, we’ll take a complete look at a brand new manufactured housing development in New Braunfels, Texas called Dwelling. Dwelling's unique approach to shared amenity space and thoughtful design elements provide quality housing options in the booming central Texas region.
First, we’ll hear from Patrick Revere of MH Insider magazine. He knows the MH industry inside and out and can speak to why Dwelling in New Braunfels signals the future of affordable housing.
We’ll also hear from Cameron Robles and Alaina Parker of MP Studio. They are part of the design team that created unique multi-generational amenity spaces that makes Dwelling unlike any other development in the area.
And finally, we’ll hear from YES Communities own Trent Wagstaff. He’ll share what it takes to convince local leadership to help solve the affordable housing crisis in our country.
Links:
MH Insider
MP Studio
Dwelling
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Feb 16, 2021
Acts of Kindness
Are you in search of a quick fix to instantly improve the course of your day? Try being the hero for someone else in need. While our situation at times can seem overwhelmingly negative and divided, unsolicited acts of kindness can help spread joy and bring us together.
Our special guest, Nicole J. Phillips, is the author of _Kindness is Contagious_, _Kindness is Courageous_, and _The Negativity Remedy_. She is also the host of _The Kindness Podcast_. Nicole shares her personal experience in maintaining positivity during trying life events.
YES Communities' Ben Leffke employs teamwork to give back to his Dallas/Ft. Worth area community. Ben uses his management skills to highlight some helpful ways to get the most out of donated time.
Links:
Nicole J. Phillips
The Kindness Podcast
Nicole's Books
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Dec 3, 2020
Living Affordably
This special bonus episode continues to explore the idea of home as a personal sanctuary. We speak to two industry professionals about how manufactured housing may relieve the financial stresses of high rents and long-term mortgages. Whether you are an empty-nester looking to downsize or a travel seeking millennial, manufactured housing offers solutions that can meet any budget.
Justin Despain is Business Development Manager at Clayton homes, the largest builder of manufactured housing and modular homes in the United States. He’ll walk us through the technical aspects of how factory-built homes deliver incredible quality at a buyer-friendly price point.
Yes Communities' Trina Spindle helps dispel some of the myths about modern manufactured homes, as well as highlight the ways the industry has progressed over her 30 year career.
Links:
Clayton Homes
Yes Communities
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Oct 26, 2020
How to Create Harmony at Home
Do you have trouble staying organized at home? With more days of remote work and virtual school ahead, we’ve got some helpful organization tips that will boost productivity and curb cabin fever.
Our guests Kari and Katie of The Home Sanctuary started their own home organizing business to help busy families achieve balance and find peace at home. If you’ve ever dreamed of maximizing your precious closet space, this episode is for you!
Stick around after the interview because we're also revealing the winner of the YES Communities song contest!
Links:
The Home Sanctuary
Yes Communities
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Sep 24, 2020
Let's Rock
Music is an integral part of the human experience, whether you are a classically trained pianist or just belting out tunes to the shampoo bottles in the shower. Even for us that aren’t musically inclined, music brings folks together across language and geographical barriers. Music connects people across time as well. We can feel the heartbreak in dust bowl era blues standards as if it were yesterday.
Human beings are resilient. Even though performance spaces have shut down for the time being, music is still being created every single day. Our guest Andy Lane is a gifted songwriter and licensed professional counselor. He helps his clients navigate heartbreak and loss, and reconnect with their emotions through music. He gives us some helpful tips on how to stay engaged with our creative side and avoid writer's block.
Links:
Andy Lane Counseling
Yes Communities
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Aug 12, 2020
Get Out and Play!
Maintaining an active lifestyle is important for one’s health and well-being. For many of us, this begins with playing organized, youth sports. Sports promote physical activity and competitiveness, while providing other valuable life lessons such as teamwork, sportsmanship, and managing adversity. The inspiration for this episode comes from YES Communities’ resident Danilo Arce, who volunteers his spare time to coach soccer and mentor the kids in his community of Woodland Estates near Houston, Texas. Three experts weigh in to help navigate the long journey from little league to the big time stage of professional sports.
Jon Solomon, Editorial Director of the Aspen Institute’s _Project Play_ initiative discusses the benefits of youth sports, as well as the many challenges leagues and school districts now face in playing during the pandemic.
You’ll also hear from Juan Vega, Youth Program Manager for the Houston Dynamo. Juan reveals the team’s wide-reaching recruitment process…
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Jun 23, 2020
Path Project: After School Special
After-school programs have numerous benefits for developing children, including improving classroom behavior and providing positive role models. What Living Means takes a trip to the Atlanta area to visit Path Project, an after school program housed in the Valley Brook manufactured home community. Path Project works to improve outcomes for K12 residents, such as increasing high school graduation and college enrollment rates. Founder Jim Hollandsworth shares with us how he started the program and why programs like Path Project are crucially important for the development of children.
Links:
* Path Project
* Jim & Melinda Hollandsworth
* Yes Communities
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