The Collective Us: An NMCAA Podcast

Ep. 74 - Moving Forward & Working Better Together

[DONTATE to NMCAA] NMCAA is moving forward—and doing it together. In this episode, Erica and Ryan reflect on how the agency is breaking down silos, strengthening collabor

Ep. 73 - Kindergarten Ready

[DONATE] In this episode of The Collective Us, NMCAA Education Coach Manager Dru O’Connor and Manton Elementary Principal JP Katona discuss how families, preschool progra

Ep. 72 - Clean Clothes, Confidence & Community

[DONATE to NMCAA] In this episode of The Collective Us, hosts Erica Austin and Ryan Buck explore how something as basic as clean clothing can affect a person’s confidence

Ep. 71 - Navigating Homeownership in 2026

In this episode of The Collective Us, hosts Erica Austin and Ryan Buck explore the realities of homeownership and housing stability in Northern Michigan with guest Grant

Ep. 70 - NW Michigan Community in Action

[DONATE TO NMCAA] In this episode of The Collective Us, hosts Ryan Buck and Erica Austin celebrate Community Action Month and explore the many ways impacts communities ac

Ep. 69 - More Than A Meal

[DONATE to NMCAA] This episode highlights the impact and community support behind the Meals on Wheels program through the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency. The

Ep. 68 - The Power of Preschool

[DONATE to NMCAA] This episode of The Collective Us focuses on the power of preschool through the voices of NMCAA staff, a teacher, and parents. Hosts Erica Austin and Ry

Ep. 67 - Moments That Mattered

[DONATE to NMCAA] The Collective Us: An NMCAA Podcast Episode 67, “Moments that Mattered,” reflects on the most meaningful conversations of 2025, highlighting how NMCAA’s

Ep. 66 - Gift Giving in Action

[DONATE to NMCAA] The episode of The Collective US focuses on NMCAA’s new Gift Guide, a way for donors to support community members through three core “buckets”: Educatio

Ep. 65 - Mindful Meals and Thriving Families

[DONATE] The episode spotlights NMCAA’s work in early childhood and the collaboration between Head Start and Michigan State University —connecting nutrition, movement, an

Ep. 64 - DATA COLLECTION

[DONATE TO NMCAA] The Collective US welcomes data leads Tish Stave and Grant Card to demystify how NMCAA uses the ROMA framework—Results Oriented Management and Accountab

Ep. 63 - HR & Employee Wellness

[DONATE TO NMCAA] HR at NMCAA is in a celebratory transition. Long-time Human Resources Director Betsy Reese (20 years with the agency; 18 in HR) joins the show to reflec

Ep. 62 - Back to School

[DONATE TO NMCAA] This “behind-the-scenes” back-to-school episode of The Collective US features hosts Ryan Buck and Erica Austin with lead teachers Judy Abernathy (34 yea

Ep. 61 - Estate Planning and Legacy Giving

[DONATE] This episode of The Collective US podcast by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency focuses on the importance of wills, trusts, and estate planning for indiv

Ep. 60 - Ice Storm Update and Disaster Relief

[DONATE] This episode of The Collective US podcast from Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency focuses on the devastating March 2025 ice storms in Northern Michigan a

Ep. 59 - LIVE from MCA Summer Conference SPECIAL EPISODE

Summary of “LIVE from MCA Summer Conference - SPECIAL EPISODE” (The Collective US Podcast, Ep. 59) This special live episode of The Collective US podcast was recorded at

Ep. 58 - BTS at MCA Summer Conference

In this lively on-location episode of The Collective Us, hosts Erica Austin and Ryan Buck attend the Michigan Community Action (MCA) Summer Conference in Grand Rapids. Th

Ep. 57 - Mental Health and Crisis Support

[DONATE] In this episode of The Collective Us podcast, the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) explores the deep connection between mental health, housing

Ep. 56 - Economic Impact on Northwest Michigan

[DONATE] This episode of The Collective US podcast, produced by the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency (NMCAA) and hosted by Erica Austin and Ryan Buck, highlight

Ep. 55 - Landlord Partner Benefits

[DONATE] Episode 55 of The Collective Us podcast explores the powerful impact of landlord partnerships in addressing homelessness through Northwest Michigan Community Act