{"podcast":{"title":"WAHNcast","slug":"wahncast-6796568","podcast_index_feed_id":6796568,"rss_url":"https://feed.podbean.com/wahncast/feed.xml","website_url":"https://wahncast.podbean.com","image_url":"https://pbcdn1.podbean.com/imglogo/image-logo/17728271/WAHNcast_logo_3__ex67a3.jpg","author":"Women’s Affordable Housing Network","episode_count":83,"summary":"The Women’s Affordable Housing Network (WAHN) has launched a podcast series dedicated to amplifying the voices of people within the affordable housing industry. With a focus on shedding light on this critical issue, each episode of the podcast features discussions led by experts, activists, and policymakers. Through dynamic conversations, the WAHNcast aims to showcase the leadership at the forefront of the affordable housing movement. It offers valuable insights into groundbreaking practices, policy advancements, and community engagement strategies aimed at tackling housing insecurity. More than just informative, the podcast serves as a source of inspiration, providing a platform for sharing success stories, advocating for policy reforms, and nurturing a supportive community among professionals and advocates in the affordable housing sector. Join us as we elevate the voices driving change and championing progress in affordable housing.","last_synced_at":"2026-07-24T22:21:08.568742+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/wahncast-6796568"},"episode":{"title":"Holding the Line for Rural America: A Conversation with Colleen Fisher","slug":"holding-the-line-for-rural-america-a-conversation-with-colleen-fisher","published_at":"2026-01-28T05:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/wahncast-6796568/holding-the-line-for-rural-america-a-conversation-with-colleen-fisher","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/wahncast-6796568","url":"https://wahncast.podbean.com/e/holding-the-line-for-rural-america-a-conversation-with-colleen-fisher/","audio_url":"https://mcdn.podbean.com/mf/web/pifhv2d5m4zkys8x/Holding_the_Line_for_Rural_America_A_Conversation_with_Colleen_Fisher6m6lu.mp3","summary":"What does it take to steward an entire housing portfolio for nearly three decades? In this episode, hosts Ashley Northcutt and industry legend Babbie Jaco sit down with Colleen Fisher, Executive Director of the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH), for a deep and candid conversation about leadership, legacy, and the future of rural affordable housing. Colleen reflects on her 28-year tenure leading CARH, tracing the organization’s origins, the evolution of rural housing policy, and the high-stakes challenges facing the USDA rural housing portfolio today, from mortgage maturity and preservation to technology gaps and workforce strain. Together, Colleen and Babbie unpack what makes rural housing distinct, why it remains one of the most stable yet misunderstood asset classes, and how community, trust, and long-term commitment define success. The conversation also explores women’s leadership in affordable housing, the importance of patience and institutional memory, and why mentoring the next generation matters more than ever. This episode is both a masterclass in rural housing policy and a powerful reminder of the human impact behind the work.","meta_description":"What does it take to steward an entire housing portfolio for nearly three decades? In this episode, hosts Ashley Northcutt and industry legend Babbie Jaco…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3159,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/wahncast-6796568/episodes/holding-the-line-for-rural-america-a-conversation-with-colleen-fisher/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/wahncast-6796568/holding-the-line-for-rural-america-a-conversation-with-colleen-fisher.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}