WYCE's Community Closeup (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)


50 Years of Recovery and Healing with Our Hope Association (09-12-26)

In this episode of WYCE's Community Close-Up, we welcome Alli Benedict, Fund Development Director for Our Hope Association, a nonprofit providing residential treatment an

Behind the scenes with the Eastown Community Association... Connected and weird since 1973! (09-05-26)

On this episode of WYCE’s Community Closeup, host Phil Tower welcomes Steve Staggs, Executive Director of the Eastown Community Association, and Justen Bowden, Chair of t

More Than a Market: The Vibrant Community Behind Fulton Street Market (08-29-26)

Fulton Street Market has been a Grand Rapids gathering place for more than a century, connecting the community with local farmers, growers, food producers, artisans, and

Better Together: KConnect’s Vision for Kent County (08-22-26)

In this episode of WYCE’s Community Closeup, host Phil Tower talks with Salvador López, President & CEO of KConnect, a Kent County network bringing together community lea

ArtPrize 2026: Four Weekends, One Grand Rapids Celebration (08-08-26)

In this episode of WYCE’s Community Closeup, host Phil Tower welcomes Tyler Loftis, Director of ArtPrize, and Coleman Brook, Co-Director of ArtPrize, for a preview of Art

How The Steelcase Foundation Is Building Stronger Families and Communities In West Michigan(07-24-26)

Strong families are the foundation of strong communities—but what does it take to help families truly thrive? On this episode of WYCE's Community Closeup, Phil Tower ta

Revitalizing A Baseball Gem: A $5.75M Community Home Run for Fans of Valley Field (07-18-26)

On this episode, we welcome Steve Tibbe, Director of Operations for Fans of Valley Field. Steve joins us to discuss the monumental $5.75 million revitalization of Grand

From Scavenger Hunts to Foam Parties: KDL’s Ultimate Summer Guide (07-11-26)

In this episode of Community Closeup, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower sits down with Lynn Goldberg, a branch librarian and member of the Summer Wonder Workgroup. Lynn s

How GR-MiFi Is Building the Next Generation of West Michigan Filmmakers(07/04/26)

On this episode of WYCE's Community Closeup, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower welcomes Victor Williams, founder and president of the Grand Rapids Media Initiative & Film I

Enhancing Independence with Renew Mobility (06/27/26)

In this episode of WYCE’s Community Closeup, host Janet Zahn sits down with Heather Obrien (Program Manager) and Victor Sultana (Board Member) from Renew Mobility to disc

Empowering Next-Gen Leaders at the 2026 National Civics Bee (06-20-26)

In this episode of Community Closeup, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower dives into the highlights of the 2026 National Civics Bee. On April 15th, the Grand Rapids Chamber

Mapping the Future: An Inside Look At Grand Rapids’ New Mobility Blueprint (06-13-26)

In this episode of Community Closeup, host Phil Tower sits down with Max Gilles, Strategic Initiatives Manager for Mobile GR, to discuss the future of urban transit in We

Together We Glow: Inside the 2026 Grand Rapids Pride Festival (06-06-26)

In this episode, host Phil Tower sits down with Jazz McKinney (they/them), Executive Director of the Grand Rapids Pride Center, to look ahead to one of the city's most vi

Art, Nature, and Connection: A Conversation with Charles Burke, President/CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

In this episode of Community Closeup, our weekly public affairs program produced in partnership with the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, host Phil Tower sits down wi

What’s Happening This Summer at John Ball Zoo (05-23-26)

In this episode, WYCE’s Janet Zahn welcomes Mariah Malone, Communications coordinator with John Ball Zoo, to talk about upcoming summer events, highlights, and ways you c

Building Community in Creston with the ⁠Creston Neighborhood Association (05-16-26)

On this week's episode, WYCE's Janet Zahn speaks with Alex Karatkiewicz (Executive Director) and Kelly McCabe (Program Coordinator) from the Creston Neighborhood Associat

How Blandford Nature Center Engages West Michigan in Nature with CEO Stacy Stout (05-09-26)

In this week’s edition of Community Closeup, WYCE’s Janet Zahn sits down with Stacy Stout, the President & CEO of Blandford Nature Center⁠ , to explore how this West Mich

Previewing Buses By The Beach 2026 with with Buses By The Beach & The Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors

In this episode, we welcome Derek Reed, Vice President with Buses By The Beach, and Jeremy Czubko, Ambassador with the Phoenix Society for Burn Survivors.  Derek and Jer

Previewing "Textured Dreams," WMCAT’s 2026 Student Fashion Showcase (04-25-26)

On this week's episode, we welcome John Cox, fashion design teaching artist with WMCAT. WMCAT is the West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology. John joined us on th

How the Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan is empowering older adults to live independently and with dignity. (04-18-26)

In this episode of WYCE's Community Closeup, host Janet Zahn welcomes Taryn Dole and Liz Barnett with the Area Agency on Aging West Michigan. The mission of the Area Age