Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard

06/06/2026

Just wanted to check in with everyone for a minute.

I know it’s been a couple weeks since the last episode of Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard.

The podcast isn’t going anywhere.

Sometimes you need to step back a little, regroup, reflect, and figure out where the next conversations need to go. That’s kind of where I’m at right now.

I’ve been thinking a lot about future episodes, new directions, and the kinds of stories that still need to be told.

I truly appreciate everyone who continues to listen, share episodes, and support what I’m trying to do with this podcast. It means more than you probably realize.

New episodes will be coming.

Just taking a breath and planning the next chapter a little more intentionally.

Thank you all for sticking around. 💙

05/03/2026

This episode didn’t go the way I planned.

I set out to sit down with someone and talk about what life looks like after the warming center closed.

But I couldn’t make that conversation happen.

And the more I thought about it… the more I realized—that says something too.

🎙️ Episode 27 – The Conversations I Didn’t Have is now live.

In this episode, I talk about why those conversations are harder to have right now, what’s changed out on the streets, and why some stories aren’t as easy to hear as we might think.

This one is a little quieter… a little more reflective.

But it’s real.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.... or find it here: https://sheboygan-stories.castos.com/

If it resonates with you, I’d appreciate you sharing it.

As always… keep your heart open and pay it forward. 💙

Real people. Real stories. Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard is a raw and honest podcast sharing the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Hosted by Scott LaBonte, co-founder of Sheboygan Area Pay It...more

04/19/2026

When the doors close… what happens next?

🎙️ Episode 26 is now live – When the Doors Close

The warming center here in Sheboygan closed on April 15th.

For many, that signals the end of winter.

But for those who relied on that space… it’s not that simple.

In this episode, I talk about what happens after. Where people go, what changes, and what life really looks like when that place to escape the elements is no longer there.

This isn’t about criticism.

It’s about understanding a reality that doesn’t always get seen.

Because the need doesn’t end when the doors close.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

If this one resonates with you, I’d appreciate you sharing it so more people can hear these stories.

As always… keep your heart open and pay it forward. 💙

Real people. Real stories. Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard is a raw and honest podcast sharing the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Hosted by Scott LaBonte, co-founder of Sheboygan Area Pay It...more

04/06/2026

Thank you!! ❤️❤️❤️

04/05/2026

Everyone wants to help… but not everything actually does.

🎙️ Episode 25 is now live – What Actually Helps

After talking about the hard truths last week, this episode focuses on something just as important… what actually makes a difference.
Not quick fixes. Not assumptions.

But the real things we saw work while running the Pay It Forward day center — relationships, consistency, accountability, and a community that shows up.

Sometimes it’s not the big moments that change lives…
it’s the small ones that happen every day.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

If it resonates with you, I’d appreciate you sharing it so more people can hear these stories.

As always… keep your heart open and pay it forward. 💙

Podcast · Scott LaBonte · Real people. Real stories. Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard is a raw and honest podcast sharing the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Hosted by Scott LaBonte, co-founder of Sheboygan Area Pay It Forward, each episode amplifies stori...

04/02/2026

🎙️ New episode dropping Sunday…

Everyone wants to help.

But after years of doing this work, I’ve learned something important…

Not everything actually helps.

In Episode 25, I’m talking about what we saw firsthand at the Pay It Forward day center — the things that actually made a difference in people’s lives.

No quick fixes. No easy answers.

Just real perspective.

If you’ve ever wondered what truly helps when someone is struggling… this one’s for you.

Stay tuned. 💙

Real people. Real stories. Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard is a raw and honest podcast sharing the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Hosted by Scott LaBonte, co-founder of Sheboygan Area Pay It...more

03/22/2026

Helping isn’t always simple.
And sometimes the hardest parts are the ones nobody talks about.

🎙️ Episode 24 is now live – The Hard Truths About Helping

Kathleen joined me for a real, honest conversation about what we learned while running the Pay It Forward day center. The parts people don’t always see.

We talk about the balance between compassion and accountability…
what it actually takes to create a space that feels safe…
and why some people experiencing homelessness still choose to stay outside, even when help is available.

These aren’t easy conversations. But they’re important ones.

With the warming center closing on April 15th, this is something our community is going to continue to face together.

No finger pointing. No easy answers. Just real perspective from people who lived it.

🎧 Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

If it resonates with you, I’d appreciate you sharing it so more people can be part of the conversation.

As always… keep your heart open and pay it forward. 💙

Real people. Real stories. Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard is a raw and honest podcast sharing the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Hosted by Scott LaBonte, co-founder of Sheboygan Area Pay It...more

03/08/2026

Just a quick thank you to everyone who listens to and supports Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard.
When I started the podcast, I simply wanted to create a space where stories could be told and where people experiencing homelessness could be heard.
Seeing people listen, share episodes, and engage in these conversations means more to me than you know.
So if you’ve followed the podcast, listened to an episode, or shared it with someone else — thank you.
I truly appreciate the support.
As always… keep your heart open and pay it forward. 💙

Real people. Real stories. Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard is a raw and honest podcast sharing the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Hosted by Scott LaBonte, co-founder of Sheboygan Area Pay It...more

03/08/2026

🎙️ Episode 23 is now live – Why Community Matters More Than Programs

Over the past few years, conversations around homelessness in our community haven’t always been easy.

But lately… I’ve been noticing something different.

More curiosity.
More compassion.
More people starting to see our unhoused neighbors as neighbors.

In this episode, I reflect on why community matters more than programs, and why the biggest changes often start with small human moments.

Sometimes real change isn’t loud…
but you can feel it happening.

🎧 Listen now wherever you get your podcasts or find it here: https://sheboygan-stories.castos.com/

And as always… keep your heart open and pay it forward. 💙

Real people. Real stories. Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard is a raw and honest podcast sharing the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Hosted by Scott LaBonte, co-founder of Sheboygan Area Pay It...more

03/05/2026

🎙️ New episode dropping Sunday.

Over the past few years, we’ve talked a lot about homelessness, resources, and the challenges people face.

But lately I’ve been noticing something different.
A shift in how people are talking about our unhoused neighbors.

More curiosity.
More compassion.
Less stigma.

In this episode, I reflect on why community matters more than programs, and why the biggest changes often happen in small, human moments.

Sometimes real change isn’t loud…
but you can feel it happening.

🎧 Episode 23 drops Sunday on all podcast platforms… or you can find it here: https://sheboygan-stories.castos.com/

As always, keep your heart open and pay it forward. 💙

Real people. Real stories. Sheboygan Stories: Unhoused and Unheard is a raw and honest podcast sharing the voices of those experiencing homelessness in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Hosted by Scott LaBonte, co-founder of Sheboygan Area Pay It...more