Episodi
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In this episode, WYCE station manager Phil Tower speaks with Wardell Frazier, Jr., Executive Director of The Diatribe, and J-Lin Tamminga, Director of Education at The Diatribe.
Both Wardell and J-Lin spoke about the Diatribe Vision: Creating art that is informative because we know that some of the most complex topics can be digested easier through an artistic lens, and that some of the most complex verbiage can be redivided through the creative gaze; words like racism, justice, and even liberation.
A critical and exciting piece of the future for The Diatribe is The Emory Arts & Culture Hub. In a real sense, it is âa dream homeâ for the Diatribe leadership.
With the Emory Arts & Culture Hub, the Diatribe plans a new model for redevelopment that they hope will serve as an example for inclusive community and economic growth, potentially influencing more of this type of work in communities across the country.
ONLINE: The Diatribe
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In this episode, host Janet Zahn speaks with Sasha Wolff, founder and executive director of Still I Run, as well as Brendan Kelly, licensed therapist and owner and CEO of The Well Being.
Both West Michigan organizations have partnered to offer the Starting Line Scholarship, a program designed to remove any barriers that may be blocking individuals from taking up running for mental health.
The scholarship seeks to provide recipients with the motivation and accountability to keep running.
Still, I Run is a West Michigan-based nonprofit that promotes the benefits of running for improved mental health. They seek to support, inspire, and unite individuals of all backgrounds and experiences in their journey to better mental health.
The Well Being uses physical exercise & outpatient counseling to improve mental health for its clients.
Online: The Well Being
Still I Run
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In this episode, WYCE. Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Sharon Caldwell-Newton, Executive Director with CSNIP.
CSNIP positively impacts thousands of families each year in our mission to reduce the gap in veterinary care by providing affordable vet care for pet families in our 10-county community.
They're here to help---If you have a pet, you already know how powerful the human animal bond is and how it can change lives. CSNIP promises no judgment, no attitude... just kindness and support.
Sharon told us that CSNIP provides between 10,000 to 12,000 spay/neuter surgeries per year, vaccinating between 15,000 to 17,000 pets annually, helping with dental care, and performing other soft tissue surgeries.
CSNIP can help with:
Spay/neuterWellness/PreventionDental c/pDental ExtractionsOther Surgical Treatments/ProceduresOnline PharmacyCSNIP holds its 8th annual Wags & Whiskers auction on October 29th, 2025.
More online: CSNIP
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On this week's episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Jazz McKinney, executive director of The Grand Rapids Pride Center.
The mission of The Grand Rapids Pride Center is to create positive change for the 2-SLGBTQ+ community by breaking down barriers, creating awareness, providing inclusive services, and bridging relationships.
Jazz spoke about the history of the Pride Center and also discussed the upcoming PrideFest 2025, happening on Calder Plaza on Saturday, June 21, and Sunday, June 22, full of activities for all kinds of people and family-friendly as well.
The first Pride Celebration was held at the Monroe Amphitheater in downtown Grand Rapids on June 19, 1988.
Today, it has grown to be one of the largest one-day events in Grand Rapids.
Grand Rapids Pride Festival is an event that brings 2-SLGBTQ+ community members, 2-SLGBTQ+ businesses, allies, and organizations together to celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the beautiful, vast 2-SLGBTQ+ community!
Going into its 37th year in 2025, Grand Rapids Pride Festival is working to create a safe, open, and inclusive environment for Grand Rapids community members to celebrate who they are.
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On this episode, host Janet Zahn welcomes Lakiya Jenkins, executive director of LINC UP, and Donald Thompson, events coordinator with LINC UP.
They joined Janet to discuss their upcoming Rock the Block Festival on June 14th in Grand Rapids
LINC UPâs Rock the Block brings neighbors, local businesses, and community partners together for a vibrant day of connection, celebration, and culture. It features live music and food trucks, local vendors, and many family activities.
Rock the Block transforms their neighborhood into a block party with purposeâcelebrating the people who make our community strong.
About LINC UP: With 20 years of experience building affordable housing and community power, LINC UP is working to achieve racial equity in Grand Rapids.
The LINC UP mission is to advance a racial equity agenda in Grand Rapids by Expanding Affordable Housing and Increasing Community Power. They strive to change policies that limit advancement opportunities in under-resourced communities and neighborhoods.
Online: LINC UP
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On this episode, we welcome back Dana Romero-, BSCD.
They are the Development Coordinator for Donor Communications at YWCA West Central Michigan.
YWCA West Central Michigan is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and girls, and promoting peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all.
The YWCA West Central Michigan seeks to inspire hope and healing.
Where racism and sexism give rise to domestic and sexual violence, the YWCA works to transform lives with expert services for victims, and education programs to end those things that fuel abuse.
The YWCA also works to urge public policy that translates its mission into law.
Dana reminded us that one of the biggest fundraisers of the year is coming up on June 7, 2025.
The 41st annual Women Lawyers Versus Judges, Charity Softball game, and fundraiser for the YWCA.
The game is held at LMCU Ballpark.
Learn more about YWCA West Central Michigan.
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On this episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with Adrienne Goodstal, the Executive Director of North Kent Connect.
North Kent Connect is a Christian service organization committed to improving the lives of all people in northern Kent County by providing access to basic needs and promoting economic independence.
They provide a wide variety of services for the clients/individuals they serve.
North Kent Connect serves a very broad geographic area in northern Kent County. You can see that the area served by NKC here.
The NKC Thrift Store and Farm Stand offer high-quality clothing, housewares, locally-sourced produce, and almost something for everyone.
Learn how to get involved as a volunteer with North Kent Connect here.
Online: North Kent Connect
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On this episode, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower speaks with David Bult, executive director of Next Step of West Michigan, and Darion Boyd, Carpentry-Community Builder with Next Step of West Michigan.
Next Step of West Michigan is a faith-based, social enterprise non-profit that provides job skills training, as well as employment opportunities in construction, manufacturing, and municipal clean-up.
The organization works to stabilize and empower its teammates to create high-quality products and services for its customers.â
They serve people who have barriers to employmentâbroken relationships, lack of resources, insecure housing, previous incarceration, or addictionâbut are determined to build a better future.
Next Step of West Michigan does this work in the 49507 neighborhood and greater Grand Rapids communities. Their goal is to cultivate a sustainable place in our city where people can heal and grow through work and relationships, where all can thrive.â
Online: Next Step of West Michigan
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On this week's episode, host , John Rumery from WYCE speaks with Lindsay Ellis, a member of the Grand Rapids Women's Chorus.
The Grand Rapids Womenâs Chorus is dedicated to singing music that celebrates and honors the diversity of womenâs lives. Drawing on music from many cultures, the Chorus strives to educate and inspire its community to promote justice, peace, and equality.
The chorus is a diverse, volunteer group of women who are devoted to musical excellence and using the power of music to delight, to uplift, and to advance the cause of social justice.
The Grand Rapids Womenâs Chorus presents two major concerts annually in addition to appearances in a variety of community events and venues.
Learn More: The Grand Rapids Womenâs Chorus
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On this episode, WYCE's Janet Zahn speaks with Nicole Rapacki, the Recycling Coordinator for the Grand Rapids Department of Public Works.
Nicole and Janet spoke about the efforts by the city of Grand Rapids to consider becoming the sole trash hauler for residential properties, according to city officials.
The Grand Rapids Department of Public Works leadership has conducted two separate studies that have each recommended that the city become the single hauler for residential services.
Currently, the city handles about 90% of residential trash collection, with private companies serving the remainder.
ONLINE: City of Grand Rapids Department of Public Works
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On this week's episode, host Phil Tower speaks with Noddea Skidmore, the Director of Marketing and Communications with Grand Rapids Civic Theatre.
Noddea gave us a preview of the upcoming 20 25â20 26 season at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, and talked as well about ticket packages that patrons can take advantage of.
We also discussed the upcoming "Ten For All" finals and accessibility at the theatre.
Established in 1926, Grand Rapids Civic Theatre and â School of Theatre Artsâ is one of the oldest and largest community theatres in the country.
Today, the Grand Rapids Civic Theatre & School of Theatre Arts is the 5th largest community theatre in the country.
GRCT produces 9 mainstage productions each year with the help of over 800 volunteers.
The Civic is a true gem on the West Michigan arts and culture scene, and a proud community partner of WYCE.
You can learn more at â Grand Rapids Civic Theatreâ
Upcoming Performances:
Ten for All 2025 Finals
Fri May 16, 2025 - Sat May 17, 2025
Waitress
Fri June 06, 2025 - Sun June 29, 2025
Brought to life on Broadway by a groundbreaking all-female creative team.
â More Infoâ â Book Nowâ
ROCK OF AGES
Fri September 12, 2025 - Sun October 05, 2025
Rock Musical Comedy
â More Infoâ â Book Nowâ
PETE THE CAT
Thu October 16, 2025 - Sun October 19, 2025
Theatre for Young Audiences Musical
â More Infoâ â Book Nowâ
FROZEN
Fri November 14, 2025 - Sun December 14, 2025
Holiday Show Musical
â More Infoâ â Book Nowâ
AINâT MISBEHAVINâ
Fri January 16, 2026 - Sun February 01, 2026
Jazzy Musical Revue
â More Infoâ â Book Nowâ
THE LIGHTNING THIEF
Fri February 27, 2026 - Sun March 15, 2026
Adventurous Musical
â More Infoâ â Book Nowâ
DIAL M FOR MURDER
Fri April 17, 2026 - Sun May 03, 2026
Thriller Play
â More Infoâ â Book Nowâ
LEGALLY BLONDE
Fri June 05, 2026 - Sun June 28, 2026
Empowering, Glittering Musical
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On this week's episode, host John Rumery welcomes Lydia Kauffman, a Project Manager at Carnevale and COO at The Tech-Collaborative
The Tech Collaborative empowers non-profits with innovative tech solutions, enabling them to maximize their impact.
They are committed to nurturing the next generation of tech by providing opportunities for non-traditional talent to thrive in the industry.
The Tech Collaborative exists to bridge the gap between technology and social good while fostering diverse and inclusive career pathways.
Online: The Tech Collaborative
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On this week's program, Station manager, Phil Tower welcomes Whitney Valentine, Director of Education + Exhibitions, with the Saugatuck Center for The Arts, and New York Times best-selling author in speaker Brad Montague.
Brad Montague is the keynote speaker for the Curiosity In Action Conference on April 26 at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts.
We Hope You Fail Better, is currently on exhibit through May 16 at SC4A.
Itâs an exhibit where playful and thoughtful pieces are brought together by New York Times bestselling duo, Brad and Kristi Montague, for their debut exhibition, We Hope You Fail Better., just in time for the release of their new book âFail-A-Bration.â
Brad is the creator of the hit web series Kid President, and Kid Congress, and author of Becoming Better Grownups, and the New York Times best sellers Kid President's Guide to Being Awesome and The Circles All Around Us. As an illustrator, his work is regularly featured in Joanna Gaines's The Magnolia Journal.
You're invited to join others at the Curiousity In Action: A Conference In Doing, for a full day of unique and immersive experiences highlighting the intersection of wellness and creativity.
Conference participants will use curiosity to discover how creation is a form of self-care and how art-making is inherently therapeutic and spend the day with us making, thinking, connecting, creating, and just⊠being. We invite you to the first biannual Curiosity in Action: a conference for doing.
Whatâs a âConference for Doing?â Well, itâs exactly what it sounds like: taking the conference framework and making it actionable.
Part of the aim in building a âconference for doingâ is to offer all participants the opportunity to âtry onâ the ideas that are being shared by our presenters, so the day will follow an adult learning model that incorporates three elements: information, practice, and reflection. Each session will include all three pieces and they will repeat in this pattern:
INFORMATION â Encouraging, thoughtful, and creative ideas will be shared by dynamic presenters during the large group sessionsPRACTICE â Immediately following each presentation, attendees will be invited to engage a personal practice that allows them to work with the content offered in the presentation. Prompts will be provided and attendees may engage them in any way that is most helpful to them â maybe you take a quick walk outdoors and think about the prompt, maybe youâd prefer to find a quiet place to be still, or maybe you borrow a friend for a brief chat. REFLECTION â All conference attendees will be divided into Reflection Groups that will gather after the brief âpracticeâ time to continue their learning in community. Each reflection group will be facilitated by trained hosts who guide conversations and activities to help the group dig deeper into the âinformationâ offered by the presenter(s).CURIOSITY IN ACTION- A CONFERENCE IN DOING
Overview, April 26, 2025, 9:00 am - 5:00 p @ Saugatuck Center for the Arts
Cost | $125. INFO + REGISTRATION: https://sc4a.org/
SC4A Mission-the SC4A is an arts center with a difference. They aim high and wide with a core mission of transforming lives by creating community, connecting people and spreading joy. They focus on three areas: entertainment, education and engagement.
Online: SC4A
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On this week's episode, we welcome John VanderHaagen - Director of Communications, with Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
John provided us with a timely update on some important and newsworthy happenings at Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
As the curtain falls on another long West Michigan winter, it's that time of year again when the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory comes alive with the return of Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming!
The annual Butterflies are Blooming exhibit continues through April 30, 2025.
John reminded us that the butterfly exhibit is the largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the United States.
Meijer Gardens is also offering three after-hours events for our community members with disabilities.
John told us that the gardens will be offering complimentary after-hours access for visitors with autism or other sensory processing needs, visitors who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing (DHH), and visitors who are blind or have low vision.
We also previewed the dates for the upcoming Fifth Third Bank summer concert series, as well as the free Tuesday night concerts as a part of the Tuesday Evening Music Club.
Finally, John reminded us of the opening of a new exhibit, BUSTED: Contemporary Sculpture Busts.
BUSTED opened in early April and runs through September 20, 2025.
It showcases the ancient sculpture genre as radically transformed by 21st-century artists. Throughout history, sculpted busts have served to commemorate and preserve the likeness of distinguished individuals, and to celebrate divinity or nobility.
Online: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.
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In this episode, WYCE Station manager, Phil Tower speaks with Nik Thomasma, the Executive Director of The Michigan Music Alliance.
The Michigan Music Alliance is presenting the Music Econ Summit at the Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation in partnership with Monk Recordings LLC., Push the City Cipher and Triumph Music Academy.
The Music Econ Summit was founded in 2024 by Monk Mattheus, founder of Monk Recordings LLC., and is happening again this year, April 11-13 at The Grand Rapids Center for Community Transformation.
The Music Econ Summit brings together music industry experts and professionals for 3 days of educational workshops, panel discussions, networking and showcase opportunities all focused on sustainable income strategies and upward economic mobility for the Michigan music community.
Scholarships are available.
Registration and details are at The Michigan Music Alliance.
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In this episode, host, Phil Tower speaks with David Bulkowski, executive director, Disability Advocates of Kent County.
Disability Advocatesâ mission is âto work alongside persons with disabilities as they seek to lead self-directed lives.â
They provide a wide array of services throughout Kent, Mecosta, Ionia, Montcalm, and Osceola counties to individuals with physical, cognitive, mental, and sensory disabilities and their families.
Dave spoke with us about their upcoming Disability Awareness Day on Saturday, March 28, at The Salvation Army Kroc Center, 2500 Division Ave in Grand Rapids.
The event runs from 9 AM to 2 PM.
Disability Awareness Day is designed for connection, empowerment, and action.
Dave encouraged, âWhether you're an advocate, an organization, or someone navigating life with a disability, this event offers resources, strategies, and community support to help you thrive.
The event will feature a Keynote Speaker: Dr. Melba Velez-Ortiz.
Registration for Disability Awareness Day
Online: DAKC online
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In this episode, we welcome Darius Colquitt, Founder, President, Producing & Artistic Director, of BAM Talent.
BAM (or Black Art Matters) Talent, was created & founded in 2021 as a forward-thinking organization, located in Grand Rapids, MI., dedicated to celebrating, promoting, and advocating for Black and underrepresented artists.
BAM works as a national nonprofit, providing both training & platforming opportunities for incredible talent, fostering inclusion in the art world, and driving positive social change through the transformative power of art.
BAM Talentâs mission is to enrich, inspire & enable black & underrepresented voices through professional-level theatrical training & production works."
BAM Talent also presents a summer concert series which we will be hearing more about in the upcoming months on WYCE.
Online: BAM Talent Online
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On this week's program, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower
speaks with comedian Brian Atkinson, plus therapist Matt Sharpe and radio & podcast host Rick Vuyst.
All three are set to appear with Kyle Underwood, and special guest Terri DeBoer in a Clean Comedy Show at the Wealthy Theatre, Wednesday, March 26.
The event is billed as "Live From Wealthy Street: A night of clean comedy with Kyle Underwood, Terri DeBoer, Rick Vuyst, Matt Sharpe, and Brian Atkinson."
It is a fundraiser for the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, Be Nice, and is produced in partnership with Hope & Wholeness, and Northtown 794.
The guests shared with us that Live from Wealthy Street will be a night of clean comedy and features some of West Michiganâs top comedians while raising funds for mental health.
It's appropriate for ages 13+.
Event Details plus tickets can be found at Brian's website:
Brianacomedian.com
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On this week's episode, host Phil Tower welcome Bing Goei, cofounder of the West Michigan, Asian American Association.
Founded roughly 16 years ago, the West Michigan Asian American Association, Inc. is a Michigan nonprofit corporation that seeks to build a collaborative, active, and committed Asian American community in West Michigan with a focus on healthcare, education, and civic engagement.
In pursuit of its mission and vision, the WMAAAâs current programs and activities include a scholarship program, networking events, presentations and performances that promote appreciation for Asian culture, speaking engagements that promote greater awareness of healthcare issues affecting the Asian American community, a patient navigation system, and other programs and activities that further its strategic objectives.
Bing spoke with us about the organization and also spoke with us about their upcoming âBuilding Bridges to the Futureâ Asian American Leadership Summit on March 28 at the Goei Center.
Online: The West Michigan Asian American Association
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On this episode, host & WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Sophia Ward Brewer, Serials and Collection Development Librarian at GRCC and Vice President of the Greater GR Women's History Council.
Sophia recently gave a presentation at Grand Rapids Public Library titled Tracing the Steps | African American Women During the Progressive Era in Grand Rapids
Sophiaâs done a significant amount of research on early African American womenâs clubs and the remarkable women who led these organizations here in Grand Rapids.
She spoke with us about the progressive era and what it was like for women living in Grand Rapids during that period.
Online: The Greater Grand Rapids Womenâs History Council
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