In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker speaks with Michele Steeb, founder of the Free Up Foundation, about the ongoing homeless crisis in America. They discuss the impact of homelessness on communities, the failures of past policies, and the importance of a human-first approach to addressing the issue. Michele shares insights from her experience running a shelter for homeless women and children and emphasizes the need for mental health and addiction treatment as part of a comprehensive solution. The conversation also touches on the economic implications of homelessness and the role of community involvement in creating effective solutions.

Learn more about Michele & Purchase her book HERE | https://www.michelesteeb.com/

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker speaks with Michele Steeb, founder of the Free Up Foundation, about the ongoing homeless crisis in America. They discuss the impact of homelessness on communities, the failures of past policies, and the importance of a human-first approach to addressing the issue. Michele shares insights from her experience running a shelter for homeless women and children and emphasizes the need for mental health and addiction treatment as part of a comprehensive solution. The conversation also touches on the economic implications of homelessness and the role of community involvement in creating effective solutions.
Learn more about Michele &amp; Purchase her book HERE | https://www.michelesteeb.com/

Main Street Matters with Elaine Parker and Alfredo Ortiz explores the intersection of small business and government policy. With more than 90 million Americans either owning or depending on small business for their household income, policies like taxes, regulations, and access to credit have a huge effect on the American Dream. Elaine and Alfredo talk with small business owners, government officials and office holders, and experts about everything from education to the labor market on this interesting and entertaining podcast.

Main Street Matters with Elaine Parker and Alfredo Ortiz explores the intersection of small business and government policy. With more than 90 million Americans either owning or depending on small business for their household income, policies like taxes, regulations, and access to credit have a huge effect on the American Dream. Elaine and Alfredo talk with small business owners, government officials and office holders, and experts about everything from education to the labor market on this interesting and entertaining podcast.

Main Street Matters

In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker speaks with Michele Steeb, founder of the Free Up Foundation, about the ongoing homeless crisis in America. They discuss the impact of homelessness on communities, the failures of past policies, and the importance of a human-first approach to addressing the issue. 

Solving America’s Homelessness Crisis: Policy Failures, Mental Health, and Community Solutions

What if small businesses could offer better healthcare than big corporations—at a fraction of the cost? In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Dr. Chad Savage, founder of Choice Direct Care, to break down the fast-growing Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement and why it’s becoming a game-changer for entrepreneurs and working families.

Dr. Savage explains why the traditional employer-based system is overloaded with bureaucracy and “middlemen,” driving up prices while shrinking the doctor-patient relationship. He walks through how DPC works as a simple monthly membership (often $49–$99/month) that includes unlimited primary care visits, longer appointments, and faster access—without the inflated costs and delays of the insurance-driven model.

You’ll also hear real-world examples of how transparent, cash-based pricing can slash costs dramatically—plus how small business owners can pair DPC with catastrophic coverage to protect employees while lowering premiums. Elaine and Dr. Savage dive into how HSAs can support DPC membership, the role of ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) for employers, and why giving workers more control over healthcare dollars can improve affordability and outcomes.

If you’re a small business owner tired of sky-high premiums—or an employee who wants better care without the runaround—this episode is your roadmap.

What if small businesses could offer better healthcare than big corporations&mdash;at a fraction of the cost? In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Dr. Chad Savage, founder of Choice Direct Care, to break down the fast-growing Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement and why it&rsquo;s becoming a game-changer for entrepreneurs and working families.
Dr. Savage explains why the traditional employer-based system is overloaded with bureaucracy and &ldquo;middlemen,&rdquo; driving up prices while shrinking the doctor-patient relationship. He walks through how DPC works as a simple monthly membership (often $49&ndash;$99/month) that includes unlimited primary care visits, longer appointments, and faster access&mdash;without the inflated costs and delays of the insurance-driven model.
You&rsquo;ll also hear real-world examples of how transparent, cash-based pricing can slash costs dramatically&mdash;plus how small business owners can pair DPC with catastrophic coverage to protect employees while lowering premiums. Elaine and Dr. Savage dive into how HSAs can support DPC membership, the role of ICHRA (Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements) for employers, and why giving workers more control over healthcare dollars can improve affordability and outcomes.
If you&rsquo;re a small business owner tired of sky-high premiums&mdash;or an employee who wants better care without the runaround&mdash;this episode is your roadmap.

What if small businesses could offer better healthcare than big corporations—at a fraction of the cost? In this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with Dr. Chad Savage, founder of Choice Direct Care, to break down the fast-growing Direct Primary Care (DPC) movement and why it’s becoming a game-changer for entrepreneurs and working families.

Direct Primary Care Explained: How Small Businesses Can Cut Healthcare Costs & Improve Employee Car

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/72f29cc1-b3df-4d8d-b7c1-b3f701388951/transcript

Housing affordability is collapsing for America’s middle class—and small businesses are feeling the impact.

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with real estate developer Michael Burkentine to break down the growing U.S. housing crisis and what it means for working families, entrepreneurs, and first-time homebuyers.

With the U.S. facing an estimated 5 million home shortage, Burkentine explains how rising costs, restrictive zoning laws, labor shortages, and institutional homebuyers have turned America into a “renter nation.”

They also dive into the proposed “Trump Homes” initiative—a bold plan to build up to 1 million entry-level homes through private-sector partnerships, deregulation, and innovative rent-to-own pathways designed to help Americans achieve homeownership again.

In this episode:

Why the U.S. is millions of homes short—and how we got here

How housing impacts small businesses and Main Street growth

The real reason starter homes disappeared

The role of Wall Street investors in driving up home prices

How zoning reform and deregulation could unlock supply 

The feasibility of building 1 million new homes

Why trade jobs and workforce training are critical to solving the crisis

As policymakers debate solutions ahead of key elections, this conversation highlights what must change to restore the American Dream of homeownership.

Housing affordability is collapsing for America&rsquo;s middle class&mdash;and small businesses are feeling the impact.
On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with real estate developer Michael Burkentine to break down the growing U.S. housing crisis and what it means for working families, entrepreneurs, and first-time homebuyers.
With the U.S. facing an estimated 5 million home shortage, Burkentine explains how rising costs, restrictive zoning laws, labor shortages, and institutional homebuyers have turned America into a &ldquo;renter nation.&rdquo;
They also dive into the proposed &ldquo;Trump Homes&rdquo; initiative&mdash;a bold plan to build up to 1 million entry-level homes through private-sector partnerships, deregulation, and innovative rent-to-own pathways designed to help Americans achieve homeownership again.
In this episode:
Why the U.S. is millions of homes short&mdash;and how we got here
How housing impacts small businesses and Main Street growth
The real reason starter homes disappeared
The role of Wall Street investors in driving up home prices
How zoning reform and deregulation could unlock supply&nbsp;
The feasibility of building 1 million new homes
Why trade jobs and workforce training are critical to solving the crisis
As policymakers debate solutions ahead of key elections, this conversation highlights what must change to restore the American Dream of homeownership.

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker sits down with real estate developer Michael Burkentine to break down the growing U.S. housing crisis and what it means for working families, entrepreneurs, and first-time homebuyers.

Crisis Explained—Trump Homes Plan & 5M Home Shortage

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/1fdbcf93-3064-4ff7-a220-b3f50033c38b/transcript

January’s jobs report just shattered expectations—and it could signal a major turning point for the U.S. economy.

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network sits down with Mike Palicz, Tax Policy Director at Americans for Tax Reform and former Trump administration official, to break down the latest economic data. With 130,000 jobs added, rising wages, and a shrinking federal workforce, the numbers point to renewed private sector strength and growing economic momentum.

 They dive into how pro-growth tax policies are driving investment, boosting worker productivity, and increasing take-home pay for American families. Plus, what role AI is playing in reshaping the workforce, why construction jobs are surging, and how falling interest rates and rising wages are improving affordability.

Elaine and Mike also tackle the political messaging battle ahead of the midterms—why many Americans still don’t feel the full impact of tax relief, and how conservatives can better connect policy wins to real-life stories from small businesses and workers.

January&rsquo;s jobs report just shattered expectations&mdash;and it could signal a major turning point for the U.S. economy.
On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network sits down with Mike Palicz, Tax Policy Director at Americans for Tax Reform and former Trump administration official, to break down the latest economic data. With 130,000 jobs added, rising wages, and a shrinking federal workforce, the numbers point to renewed private sector strength and growing economic momentum.
&nbsp;They dive into how pro-growth tax policies are driving investment, boosting worker productivity, and increasing take-home pay for American families. Plus, what role AI is playing in reshaping the workforce, why construction jobs are surging, and how falling interest rates and rising wages are improving affordability.
Elaine and Mike also tackle the political messaging battle ahead of the midterms&mdash;why many Americans still don&rsquo;t feel the full impact of tax relief, and how conservatives can better connect policy wins to real-life stories from small businesses and workers.

On this episode of Main Street Matters, Elaine Parker of the Job Creators Network sits down with Mike Palicz, Tax Policy Director at Americans for Tax Reform and former Trump administration official, to break down the latest economic data. With 130,000 jobs added, rising wages, and a shrinking federal workforce, the numbers point to renewed private sector strength and growing economic momentum.

Blowout Jobs Report, Tax Cuts & America’s Economic Comeback

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/adb2e991-0b50-4aa0-92ee-b3f0003acfb3/transcript

Solving America’s Homelessness Crisis: Policy Failures, Mental Health, and Community Solutions

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