In this episode of Let’s Talk Poverty, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with members of the Enough for All Lived Experience Network — a group of individuals who have personally experienced poverty in different ways. Together, they discuss the need for a compassionate society, the lasting impacts of intergenerational experiences, and how listening to people’s lived experiences can change how we see poverty and one another. Their diverse voices and perspectives deepen our understanding of poverty.
Podcast
Published 29 October 2025
Last Updated 29 October 2025
What stands out from your experiences navigating systems meant to provide care or support?
What myths or stereotypes about poverty do you want to address or correct?
In this episode of Let’s Talk Poverty, Jaclyn Silbernagel sits down with members of the Enough for All Lived Experience Network — a group of individuals who have personally experienced poverty in different ways. Together they discuss the need for a compassionate society, the lasting impacts of intergenerational experiences, and how listening to people’s lived experiences can change how we see poverty and one another. Their diverse voices and perspectives deepen our understanding of poverty.
At Vibrant Communities Calgary, centring these voices is essential to advancing the work of poverty reduction. These stories and insights are lived expertise, informing how we address the systems that keep poverty in place.
In this episode
- Discover how intergenerational trauma and the compounding effects of mental and physical health impact financial health
- Learn how stereotypes associated with poverty lead to exclusion and a diminished sense of belonging
- Hear directly from people with lived experience as they challenge myths about poverty and share their hopes for a future where there is enough for all
Three key takeaways
- Everyone needs care and support at different points in their lives and we all rely on social care systems in some way.
- Behind every experience of poverty is a personal story. Listening with compassion matters.
- Support systems need sustained funding and lower turnaround to meet growing needs and maintain trust with clients.
About the Lived Experience Network and Kaleidoscope Spaces
Community engagement is a core aspect of the work at Vibrant Communities Calgary (VCC). VCC engages with members of the Lived Experience Network through Kaleidoscope Spaces. The voices of lived experience of poverty are central in providing insights and feedback on numerous topics. Kaleidoscope Spaces creates opportunities to cultivate and broaden the perspectives that are informing the Enough for All strategy.
VCC is grateful for and honours the many contributions from community members over the years. We continue to expand the number of voices in the Lived Experience Network. If you are a voice of lived experience of poverty, please sign up to learn about future opportunities.
VCC encourages organizations to include lived expertise in their work and invites you to review the Centring Perspectives: Guide for Engaging with People of Lived Experience to learn more.
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