S1 EP4: Place-based love and belonging with Amy Nguyen, Laura Clise, and Shannon Loew

On today's episode we hear from three people working in very different sectors: government, housing/development, and social entrepreneurship. What they have in common is a love of place and a desire to welcome people into spaces. 

Amy Nguyen is the Public Space Management Program Development Supervisor for the Seattle Department of Transportation. She is also currently working in a special capacity to help project manage Seattle Together. Laura Clise is the Founder and CEO of Intentionalist. Shannon Loew is the CEO of both FIX Impact Development and Hatchback Cottages.

Our guests spend time discussing both the impact of belonging and othering, the importance of physical spaces in developing community, backyard cottages, small business amplification and support, and how government and other sectors can follow the lead of community in building social cohesion during COVID-19. 

00:00 – Introduction
00:40 – Shannon Intro
01:30 – Amy Intro
02:35 – Laura Intro
04:55 – What ingredient would you bring to the soup of belonging?
10:40 – Amy tells her story of growing up in White Center and discuss the concept of ‘plaza culture’
17:00 – Laura tells her story of struggling with belonging throughout her life
25:21 – Shannon tells his story of growing up in two very different schools
34:14 – Shannon discusses affordable housing and Hatchback Cottages
40:51 – Laura discusses her project and supporting local businesses
50:54 – Amy discusses Seattle Together project and civic recovery

Special thanks to Big Phony for providing music for the We Belong Here podcast.