Made In Walker
The Made In Walker Podcast connects you to the people, stories, and ideas shaping our community. From local innovators to everyday change makers, we are diving deep into what makes Walker Michigan a great place to live, work, and grow.
Be sure to "like" and subscribe to Made in Walker so you never miss an episode.
To contact us about this podcast please send an email to Podcast@Walker.City.
Episodes
25 episodes
From Scissors To City Service: Seven and Mane Owner Cindy Ludwick’s Path
A neighborhood salon can be more than a place for great hair—it can be a quiet engine of trust, training, and local pride. We sit down with Seven in Main Salon owner and Downtown Development Authority member Cindy Ludwick to uncover how a thoug...
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13:54
Finding a Walker Home That Fits Your Life - A Conversation with Scott Zokoe
If you’re confused by headlines but serious about finding a home that fits your life, this conversation brings the noise down to human scale. We sit with Scott Zokoe of the Zokoe Team to unpack how Walker’s market evolved from pandemic bidding ...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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16:20
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Fruit Ridge Bridge Open, Watch Walker Go.
A bottleneck that lasted decades is finally gone, and you can feel the difference the first time you cross it. We bring together MDOT’s John Richard and Walker City Engineer Scott Connors to unpack how the new Fruit Ridge Bridge and interchange...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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13:21
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Skilled Trades, Real Futures: A conversation with Preferred Flooring owners.
Skip the tired script about success requiring a four-year degree. We sit down with Daniel and Jose Gonzalez of Preferred Flooring to explore how a hands-on trade can become a vehicle for purpose, community, and a resilient career. From weekend ...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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15:04
A Legacy of Kindness: Remembering Officer Trevor Slot Through Community, Family, and Service
Some names turn into anchors for a whole community. Trevor Slot is one of those names. We open the door to his life through vivid memories, honest grief, and the living legacy he left inside the Walker Police Department and within the hearts of...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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17:53
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Working on Walker's Wheels: The Hidden World of City Vehicle Maintenance
Every time a police officer responds to an emergency call, a firefighter races to a blaze, or a snowplow clears your street after a winter storm, there's an unsung team of experts making it all possible. In this fascinating conversation with Be...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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15:42
State of Walker: 2025 Acceleration
Mayor Gary Carey delivers his State of the City Address for 2025, highlighting "acceleration" as this year's theme to reflect the increased velocity of growth and development in Walker. Public safety remains a top priority with exceptional comm...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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20:37
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The Long Game: Senator Huizenga and Walker's Future
The bridges we build, the roads we travel, and the paths we create literally shape how our communities grow and connect. In this enlightening conversation with Senator Mark Huizenga, we dive deep into the infrastructure projects that have trans...
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Season 1
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Episode 18
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19:06
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Fire & Leadership: Walker's New Chief Steps Up
What makes someone leave the warmth of the Gulf Coast to lead a fire department in Michigan? For Russell Schoultz, Walker's new Fire Chief, it was the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in a community that immediately felt like home.
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Season 1
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Episode 17
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16:01
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Aging with Purpose: Senior Neighbors of Kent County
Growing older doesn't mean giving up independence, purpose, and connection. Discover how Senior Neighbors of Kent County is transforming the aging experience for adults 60+ throughout our community, including right here in Walker.Suzann...
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Season 1
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Episode 16
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15:18
National Night Out: When Business and Police Unite, neighborhoods thrive.
Police-community relationships often fluctuate like a rollercoaster, affected by events across the nation in ways most professions never experience. Yet in Walker, Michigan, a unique partnership between electrical contractor Feyen ZyIstra and t...
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Season 1
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Episode 15
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11:47
Community Connections: Rep. Glanville's Observations on Walker's Growth
What makes a community thrive when others struggle? State Representative Carol Glanville pulls back the curtain on Walker's remarkable growth story in this revealing conversation about public service, community development, and the power of mea...
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Season 1
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Episode 14
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15:14
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Driving Success: Tim Horvath's Journey with HD5 Designs
Tim Horvath doesn't just design graphics for race cars - he creates brands, builds relationships, and offers sanctuary in a high-speed world. The founder of HD5 Designs opens up about his remarkable journey from a kid in the fourth turn at Berl...
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Season 1
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Episode 13
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21:19
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The HOPE Collaborative: Empowering Walker from Within
What happens when a community decides to take care of its own? The HOPE Collaborative—Helping Others Prosper Every Day—represents a powerful answer to that question. This grassroots initiative brings together Walker's businesses, schools, churc...
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Season 1
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Episode 12
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15:21
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From Typewriters to Tech: Three Generations of Noordyk
From the humble beginnings of a basement typewriter repair shop to weathering a global pandemic, Noordyk Business Equipment stands as a testament to family business resilience in Walker, Michigan. Will Noordyk takes us through his ...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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12:08
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Walker Ice and Fitness Center: Where Health Meets Community
Step inside one of Walker's most vibrant community hubs with Mary Kay Sherman, Facilities Director at the Walker Ice and Fitness Center. Having served since six months after the center opened more than 25 years ago, Mary Kay offers an insider's...
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13:22
Faith Under Fire: How Walker's Chaplains Help First Responders Process Trauma
Walker's chaplains serve dual roles supporting both law enforcement officers and community members in times of crisis. The volunteer chaplains work 24/7 to provide emotional and spiritual support during and after traumatic incidents.• C...
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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13:40
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Small Batch, Big Dreams: Lost Art Brewery's Journey From Home Brewing to Neighborhood Institution
Three friends turned their home brewing passion into a thriving community hub during one of the most challenging periods for small businesses in recent memory. When Lost Art Brewery opened its doors in July 2020 amid pandemic restrictions, foun...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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18:17
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Beyond the Double Dip: Finding Purpose in Community Service
What happens when a teenage promise becomes reality? In this heartwarming conversation with James Dewinter, we explore the remarkable journey of a local entrepreneur who transformed from a 14-year-old ice cream shop employee to the proud owner ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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18:01
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Coffee, Cops, and Community: A Refreshing Conversation
In this engaging episode of "Made in Walker," we sit down with Tyler Glass and Mitch Harkema, community resource officers at the Walker Police Department. They share insights on how their role extends beyond traditional policing; it's about bui...
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15:28
Building Resilience and Innovation: Tim Sobie's Journey with Sobie Meats and Community Collaboration
Join us on a captivating journey as we sit down with Tim Sobie, the passionate owner of Sobie Meats in Walker, Michigan. Tim's story is one of resilience and dedication, transitioning from layoffs to launching a thriving butcher shop that champ...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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14:19
Empowering Walker's Future: The Mayor's Youth Academy and Civic Engagement with Mayor Gary Carey
What if the future of your city depended on high school students? Mayor Gary Carey Jr. is banking on it. Join us as we explore his pioneering approach with the Mayor's Youth Academy, a dynamic initiative aimed at shaping the City of Walker's ne...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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13:56
Fruit Ridge Bridge Replacement Preview
Excitement is building for Walker’s Fruit Ridge Bridge project set for 2025, a crucial endeavor designed to relieve traffic congestion and enhance connectivity within the community. Through detailed insights from city engineer Scott Conners, th...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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11:12
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Building a Connected and Thriving Community: Insights from Walker's Mayor Gary Carey
Curious about how a city transforms communication and community engagement in the modern age? Join us as we kick off the Made in Walker podcast with an enlightening conversation featuring Walker’s very own Mayor Gary Carey. We promise you’ll un...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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14:27
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