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Catalyst Radio is the weekly public affairs radio program of the Grand Rapids Community Media Center, with multiple hosts. The program is a feature of WYCE and The Rapidian and includes interviews with organizations and people working on social change and community support. The program examines media and free speech issues, and takes a look at the behind-the-scenes of Rapidian reporting. You can catch it on air at noon every Friday on WYCE 88.1 FM or streaming on the Grand Rapids Community Media Center website. Past Catalyst Radio episodes are archived on The Rapidian. If interested in being on Catalyst Radio, call Matt at 459-4788 x 112.
In this interview, host Jenny Kinne speaks with Dani Vilella, Field Manager at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan and a longtime grassroots activist in Grand Rapids. Dani talks about how she grew to become an advocate for gender equality and reproductive healthcare. She also discusses the unique challenges and rewards of working with diverse groups of people, and she offers some words of wisdom for activists attempting to bridge divides and promote justice. Aired 2017-09-01
Host Cindy Kamp speaks with Katie Fahey, founder and president of Count MI Vote, a 5000+ member grassroots organization that includes Voters Not Politicians and the Voters Not Politicians ballot committee. The group is taking on gerrymandering in Michigan, citing unfairness in the drawing of Congressional, State House, and State Senate districts. Aired 2017-09-08
Episode 81: The Rapidian's 8th Birthday
On the occasion of The Rapidian's 8th birthday, Rapidian staff rounds up the recent conversations happening on the online news source. Then, Community Engagement Specialist Elizabeth Rogers Drouillard speaks with Rabbi David Krishef about his new Rapidian feature "Ethics and Religion Talk". Aired 2017-09-15
Episode 82: Grand Rapids Healing Yoga
Host Jessica Gladden speaks with Raechel Morrow and Betsy Rosenbook from Grand Rapids Healing Yoga. Aired 2017-09-22
Episode 83: ICE Rapid Response
Today's show features two volunteers for Grand Rapids's Rapid Response to ICE Team - Amy Carpenter and Sarah Doherty. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) is the entity responsible for all deportations in the United States. Grand Rapids's Rapid Response team works to protect individuals from deportation, as well as to provide resources to immigrant families in need. Sarah and Amy discuss why they do work with Rapid Response. They also lead us in thinking about how immigration policy affects our community. To get involved, you can visit facebook.com/RapidResponseGR, or you can email Amy Carpenter at [email protected]. Clarification Note: At one point in this interview Sarah talks about Turtle Island, which is the Anishinaabe name for North America. Aired 2017-09-29.
Episode 84: ACCESS of West Michigan
Host Leah Schumaker speaks with Emma Garcia, Co-director of Access of West Michigan, an organization helping to strengthen and develop holistic solutions to poverty by cultivating equitable systems through education and collaboration. Emma has worked in a variety of roles at Access over the last eight years and currently serves as one of two co-executive directors. Aired 2017-10-06
Episode 85: Grand Rapids Feminist Film Festival
Host John Moose Williamson speaks with Lydia VanHoven and Sarah Vesely, founders and organizers of Grand Rapids Feminist Film Festival. Aired 2017-10-20
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