The latest episode of the All Things Mental Health podcast looks closely at major shifts in local housing stability with Mark Smith, Executive Director of Housing Solutions, to break down the newly released 2026 Point-in-Time count numbers.

For the first time in five years, overall homelessness in Tulsa did not increase, marking a significant turning point for local data.

• Unsheltered Numbers Drop: Unsheltered homelessness declined by 31.7% in 2026, showing signs of progress in community outreach and shelter capacity.

• The Root Cause: A severe lack of affordable housing remains the leading reported cause of homelessness across the city.

Mark emphasizes that while these data points show the community is trending in the right direction, progress requires treating the affordable housing supply as critical infrastructure.

View the interactive data dashboards directly on the Housing Solutions website at www.housingsolutionstulsa.org

In this special edition of All Things Mental Health with Mike and Joi, Mike Brose takes the mic solo for a timely conversation about the stress, fear, and emotional strain so many people are carrying right now. From political division to global conflict and the nonstop pressure of the news cycle, this episode offers a grounded reminder to protect your peace, care for your relationships, and pay attention to your mental health during uncertain times. Tune in for a thoughtful, honest discussion about staying steady when the world feels heavy.

In this episode of All Things Mental Health, Mike and Joi take on a topic that feels especially urgent right now: political trauma.

Joined by guest Phil Smith, they explore the emotional toll of today’s political climate, including fear, anger, grief, helplessness, social isolation, and the strain political division can place on families, friendships, faith communities, and everyday life. Together, they talk honestly about what it means to live in a culture where many people no longer feel safe expressing their beliefs, where media and social media intensify conflict, and where constant exposure to distressing news can leave people overwhelmed and emotionally exhausted.

Mike, Joi, and Phil reflect on the ways political stress can show up in the body and mind, why people may respond with avoidance or boundary-setting, and how community support can help people cope.

This episode is a candid, compassionate look at how the current political environment affects mental health and why safe spaces for conversation, support, and healing matter.

Mike and Joi welcome guests Hallie Storms and Matt Gould from The Hospitality Hub in Memphis, TN for an inspiring discussion about creative solutions and inter-city collaboration to address homelessness in Memphis and Tulsa. Hallie and Matt also share their experiences with the National Guard presence in Memphis and its impact on their work.

Mike Brose and Matthew Gleason, both formerly of Mental Health Association Oklahoma, sit down with Tulsa Fire Chief Michael Baker for a candid, wide-ranging conversation about how fire departments have become frontline partners in mental health and community care.

Chief Baker walks listeners through the evolution of Tulsa’s crisis response efforts. He reflects on early collaborations, the unexpected connections that shaped key programs, and the real people who pushed the department to think differently about the calls they handle every day. This episode pulls the curtain back on the hidden side of emergency services. It shows how thoughtful planning, cross-agency teamwork, and compassion can reshape a city’s approach to public safety.

In this episode, host Mike Brose sits down with Brad Johnson, founder and CEO of Eden Village of Tulsa, along with two residents, to explore how a community of tiny homes is transforming lives. Learn more about Eden Village at https://edenvillagetulsa.org/

Huge thank you to WOMPA for sponsoring All Things Mental Health with Mike & Joi!

Links & Resources:🌐 ⁠WOMPA Website: https://wompatulsa.com/⁠

Visit: 3306 Charles Page Blvd, Tulsa, OK

Mike and Joi sit down with Maggie Fox (CEO) and KT Reamus (COO) of WOMPA – West O Main Producers Association — a one-of-a-kind creative hub, event venue, and membership-based community space in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

What starts as a conversation about “place” and mental health quickly becomes a deep dive into how WOMPA’s unique blend of freedom, discovery, and creativity impacts people’s emotional well-being.

Whether you’re an artist, entrepreneur, or someone craving more connection and inspiration in your daily life, this conversation will leave you curious and probably planning your own visit to WOMPA.

Huge thank you to WOMPA for sponsoring All Things Mental Health with Mike & Joi!

Links & Resources:
🌐 WOMPA Website: https://wompatulsa.com/
📍 Visit: 3306 Charles Page Blvd, Tulsa, OK

Episode Summary

In this powerful episode, Mike Brose is joined by special guest Emily Hall, the Mayor's Senior Advisor on Homelessness for the City of Tulsa. Emily unpacks the complex realities of homelessness, moving beyond stereotypes to discuss the root causes, from the affordable housing crisis to systemic policy issues. She provides an inside look at Mayor Monroe Nichols' ambitious four-part strategy to achieve "functional zero" homelessness by 2030, demystifies the term, and debunks pervasive myths about why people experience homelessness in Tulsa. This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand the real challenges and the concrete, compassionate solutions being developed in our community.

A huge thank you to our sponsor, Wompa, for their incredible support of the podcast and mental health initiatives in our community. This episode was recorded live from their unique and amazing space at 3306 Charles Page Blvd. in West Tulsa. We are especially grateful to our dear friend, Maggie Fox, for her decades of friendship and her belief in our mission. Learn more about Wompa at wompatulsa.com.