SideBar podcast welcomes Urban Alchemy founder Dr. Lena Miller

SideBar: Optimism in Action, a KAZU 90.3 and Monterey College of Law collaboration, will feature Dr. Lena Miller, founder and CEO of Urban Alchemy, in an episode going live July 7, 2026. The appearance spotlights Urban Alchemy’s community-based public safety model and KAZU’s expansion of locally produced podcasting on its website and app.

Why it matters: - Dr. Lena Miller leads Urban Alchemy, a model focused on trauma-informed responses to homelessness, addiction, mental health, and public safety. - The episode highlights a nonprofit approach aimed at moving people off the streets while reducing crime in urban areas. - KAZU’s addition of SideBar: Optimism in Action expands local podcast programming on the station’s digital platforms.

What happened: - SideBar: Optimism in Action will feature Dr. Lena Miller, CEO and founder of Urban Alchemy. - The episode goes live Tuesday, July 7, 2026, on KAZU’s SideBar page. - SideBar: Optimism in Action is a collaboration of KAZU 90.3 and Monterey College of Law. - KAZU 90.3 and SideBarMedia are collaborating to add the podcast to KAZU’s website and mobile application. - The podcast is the first non-newscast, locally produced podcast featured on the KAZU website and mobile application.

The details: - Urban Alchemy says it is built to transform people and places through love and respect. - The nonprofit focuses on communities facing extreme poverty, mental illness, addiction and homelessness. - Miller has created the largest community-based public safety programs in the nation through Urban Alchemy. - Those programs operate in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin and Portland, Oregon. - Miller brings experience in psychology, education and activism to Urban Alchemy’s work. - Before Urban Alchemy, Miller founded and led Hunters Point Family, which offered youth development, arts, education, entrepreneurial ventures, workforce development, violence prevention, workforce re-entry and environmental initiatives. - Miller holds a doctorate in psychology from the University of San Francisco. - Miller lives in San Francisco. - The episode is available on KAZU’s SideBar page. - More than 90 previous episodes are available through SideBarMedia. - More information about Urban Alchemy is available at Urban Alchemy.

Between the lines: - The episode fits a season focus on leaders pursuing positive change during difficult times. - Mitch Winick said the podcast features nonprofit leaders, advocates and community members working on humanitarian, public policy and charitable needs. - The KAZU placement gives the podcast a broader digital audience beyond its existing distribution.

What's next: - New episodes of SideBar: Optimism in Action will continue on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. - KAZU listeners can find future episodes on the station’s website and mobile app. - SideBarMedia will continue to promote the archive and blog around the podcast.

The bottom line: - The upcoming episode spotlights a high-profile nonprofit leader whose work blends public safety with trauma-informed community support.