WYCE's Community Closeup is a weekly public affairs program featuring community leaders and nonprofit organizations. WYCE is West Michigan's only independent, commercial-free, community radio station serving the greater Grand Rapids metro. WYCE programs an eclectic blend of folk, rhythm & blues, hip-hop, rock, jazz, and world music to the West Michigan community and beyond. Listener-sponsored, volunteer-powered. WYCE is a proud service of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center. We exist because of listener support. Please support us to keep the music playing: http://www.wyce.org
WYCE's Community Connection (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)
Claim This Podcastby WYCE Independent Community Radio
5.0(8 reviews)
214 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
55
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality87
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement60
Podcast Overview
WYCE's Community Closeup is a weekly public affairs program featuring community leaders and nonprofit organizations. WYCE is West Michigan's only independent, commercial-free, community radio station serving the greater Grand Rapids metro. WYCE programs an eclectic blend of folk, rhythm & blues, hip-hop, rock, jazz, and world music to the West Michigan community and beyond. Listener-sponsored, volunteer-powered. WYCE is a proud service of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center. We exist because of listener support. Please support us to keep the music playing: http://www.wyce.org
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
7/24/2020
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55
Podcast Authority
BetaFairBased on show quality, social media presence, reviews, charts, and more
Quality87
Social0
YouTube0
Engagement60
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excellent
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Recent Episodes
June 19, 2026
Empowering Next-Gen Leaders at the 2026 National Civics Bee (06-20-26)
<p>In this episode of Community Closeup, WYCE Station Manager Phil Tower dives into the highlights of the <a href="https://grandrapids.org/national-civics-bee/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>2026 National Civics Bee</strong>. </a></p><p><br></p><p>On April 15th,<strong> the </strong><a href="https://grandrapids.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce</strong> </a>hosted the prestigious regional competition at the Ford Presidential Museum, bringing together 20 talented middle school finalists from across the area to showcase their civic knowledge.</p><p>We are joined by <strong>Andy Johnston</strong>, Senior Vice President of Strategic Initiatives with the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, along with two inspiring regional contestants from Riley Street Middle School in Hudsonville: <strong>Hadley Baer</strong> and <strong>Siddhi Pandey</strong>. </p><p>We spoke with both Hadley and Siddhi about their experience competing on the big stage, what it takes to prepare for a civics bee, and how this unique initiative is building essential skills for the next generation of leadership.</p><ul><li><p><strong>Inside the Competition:</strong> A recap of the April 15th regional event at the Ford Presidential Museum and what the competition looked like for the 20 local finalists.</p></li><li><p><strong>The Stakes:</strong> How top state winners earn prizes of up to $1,000, and how Michigan’s first-place winner advances to the National Championship in Washington, D.C., this fall to compete for a $100,000 contribution to a 529 college savings plan.</p></li><li><p><strong>The Mission:</strong> Why the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched this annual, nonpartisan competition to increase civic literacy, skills, and community disposition among young Americans.</p></li></ul><ul><li><p>Learn more about local business advocacy and initiatives: <a href="https://www.grandrapids.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Grand Rapids Chamber</strong></a><strong></strong></p></li><li><p>Learn more about the competition: <a href="https://www.uschamberfoundation.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>National Civics Bee / U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation</strong></a><strong></strong></p></li></ul><p>WYCE’s Community Closeup is a weekly public affairs program produced in partnership with the G<strong>rand Rapids Community Media Center,</strong> bringing you diverse perspectives from community leaders throughout West Michigan.</p><p> </p>
June 12, 2026
Mapping the Future: An Inside Look At Grand Rapids’ New Mobility Blueprint (06-13-26)
<p><strong>I</strong>n this episode of Community Closeup, host Phil Tower sits down with Max Gilles, Strategic Initiatives Manager for <a href="https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/departments/mobile-gr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Mobile GR</strong></a>, to discuss the future of urban transit in West Michigan. </p><p>Max joins the program for a discussion about the city's upcoming long-range framework, major changes to the downtown shuttle system, and transit solutions for the city’s newest entertainment hubs.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Key Topics Covered In This Episode:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>The City’s </strong><a href="https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/media/2gaj22uj/mobility-blueprint-commission-overview-2-10-2026.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>New Mobility Blueprint</strong></a><strong>:</strong> Max gave us an inside look at the development of Grand Rapids' new long-range multimodal framework prioritizing safety, equity, and sustainability.</li><li><strong>The Reimagined </strong><a href="https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/departments/mobile-gr/mobility/downtown-area-shuttle-dash/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>DASH Route:</strong></a> Why the city of Grand Rapids chose to roll out a tighter, one-direction loop that slashes wait times down to 8 minutes while addressing rising transit costs.</li><li><strong>Downtown Grand Rapids </strong><a href="https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/departments/mobile-gr/parking/venue-access/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Venue Transportation</strong>:</a> How Mobile GR plans to efficiently move crowds to and from the new Acrisure Amphitheater and Amway Soccer Stadium.</li></ul><p>Learn More at <a href="https://www.grandrapidsmi.gov/departments/mobile-gr/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Mobile GR</strong></a>.<br></p>
June 5, 2026
Together We Glow: Inside the 2026 Grand Rapids Pride Festival (06-06-26)
<p>In this episode, host Phil Tower sits down with <strong>Jazz McKinney (they/them)</strong>, Executive Director of the <a href="https://grpride.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>Grand Rapids Pride Center</strong></a>, to look ahead to one of the city's most vibrant and impactful summer traditions: the <a href="https://grpride.org/pride-festival/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>2026 Grand Rapids Pride Festival</strong>.</a></p><ul><li><p><strong>Dates & Times:</strong></p><ul><li><p>Saturday, June 20 (12:00 PM – 10:00 PM)</p></li><li><p>Sunday, June 21 (12:00 PM – 8:00 PM)</p></li></ul></li><li><p><strong>Location:</strong> Calder Plaza, Downtown Grand Rapids</p></li><li><p><strong>Theme:</strong> "Together We Glow"</p></li><li><p><strong>Admission:</strong> General admission is <strong>free</strong> (donations are highly appreciated).</p></li></ul><ul><li><p><strong>38 Years of Pride:</strong> How the vision for the Pride Festival has evolved since its inception in 1988 into one of the city's largest events.</p></li><li><p><strong>Festival Footprint & Guidelines:</strong> What to expect at Calder Plaza this weekend, including city guidelines designed to keep the space streamlined for community safety and joy (service/therapy animals only; no external signs or banners inside).</p></li><li><p><strong>More Than a Party:</strong> The critical connection between attending Pride Fest and funding the Grand Rapids Pride Center, as the festival serves as their largest annual fundraiser.</p></li><li><p><strong>Year-Round Support:</strong> How festival donations directly fuel vital community programs, including the Therapy Assistance Program (TAP), the Health Equity Program, and an array of peer social and support groups (Youth, BIPOC, Timeless Pride Connections, and Trans/Nonbinary groups).</p></li></ul><p>The Grand Rapids Pride Center is the longest-running LGBTQ+ resource center in Michigan. </p><p>To learn more about their services, year-round programming, or how to support their mission, <a href="https://grpride.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer"><strong>visit their website </strong></a>or stop by the center.</p><p> </p>
214 total episodes available
Recent guests on WYCE's Community Connection (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)
Guests from recent episodes — sign up to see every guest that has ever appeared on this show.
Wardell Frazier Jr
Guest
J-Lin Tamminga
Guest
Sasha Wolff
Guest
Brendan Kelly
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Sharon Caldwell-Newton
Guest
Phil Tower
Guest
Lakiya Jenkins
Guest
Donald Thompson
Guest
Dana Romero
Guest
Adrienne Goodstal
Guest
Deep-dive analytics for WYCE's Community Connection (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)
Frequently asked questions
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- What is WYCE's Community Connection (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)?
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This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 10 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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