200th Episode Discover Montcalm featuring of Local Stories

200th Episode Discover Montcalm: Welcome to Part 1 of our four-part 200th episode milestone series! To mark this huge achievement, host Mark Brewster steps into the interviewer’s seat to turn the tables on Duane Weed, Host and Producer, also owner of DW Video.

From 1980s Video Equipment to Digital Podcasting

Mark and Duane go back 44 years—to their early college days at Ferris (1982). In this opening episode, they reflect on how media production has transformed over four decades.

The Original Vision: How a proposed 2014–2015 Montcalm County documentary evolved into a weekly podcast.
Preserving Local History: Capturing priceless interviews with community leaders like former Reynolds Township Supervisor Ralph Hauenstein.
Tech Tuesdays: Why educating local entrepreneurs on AI, video marketing, and social media became a key pillar of the show.
Montcalm County is anchored by its three incorporated cities, which include Greenville (the county’s largest city), Carson City, and Stanton, which serves as the county seat. The county is also home to six vibrant incorporated villages, including Edmore, Howard City, Lakeview, McBride, Pierson, and Sheridan. Local governance across the rural areas is structured into twenty civil townships, which include Belvidere, Bloomer, Bushnell, Cato, Crystal, Day, Douglass, Eureka (the county’s sole charter township), Evergreen, Fairplain, Ferris, Home, Maple Valley, Montcalm, Pierson, Pine, Reynolds, Richland, Sidney, and Winfield townships. Completing the local landscape are several census-designated places and historical unincorporated communities, including Amble, Cedar Lake, Conger, Coral, Crystal, Entrican, Fenwick, Gowen, Langston, Sidney, Six Lakes, Trufant, Vestaburg, Westville, and Wyman.

200th Episode Discover Montcalm: The Original Vision: How a proposed 2014–2015 Montcalm County documentary evolved into a weekly podcast.

Preserving Local History: Capturing priceless interviews with community leaders. Beyond business tips, this opening episode highlights the true heart of the podcast: preserving Montcalm County’s living history. Duane reflects on early interviews with local figures like former Reynolds Township Supervisor Ralph Hauenstein who passed in 2022, capturing moments and perspectives that would otherwise be lost to time.

For Duane, recording these stories isn’t just about producing content—it’s about creating a lasting digital archive for the townships, small businesses, and families that make up our region. As Mark and Duane discuss the shift from heavy 1980s tape gear to modern smartphone setups, they also look toward where local digital media is headed.

Episode 200 marks more than just a personal milestone; it serves as a foundation for empowering area entrepreneurs, training the next generation at the local career center, and keeping Montcalm County connected. Whether you’re a long-time resident or a local business owner, this four-part series offers a unique behind-the-scenes look at how community storytelling comes together. Watch the full video above or stream the audio on your favorite podcast app. Stay tuned for Part 2!

Montcalm County:

Greenville Carson City Stanton Howard City Lakeview Edmore Sheridan Pierson McBride Trufant Six Lakes Vestaburg Crystal Gowen Coral

Watch or Listen to the Full Episode

This episode is especially helpful to watch on YouTube where screen examples are shown.

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Together, we are building something bigger than a podcast—we are building a digital legacy.

What’s New in 2026

We’re not slowing down—we’re expanding.

On-Location Podcasting

We now bring the podcast to your business, capturing your story in your environment.

Chatting Local Segments

Expanding beyond Montcalm County—while keeping our local roots strong.

Tech Tuesdays

Practical insights on:

SEO
Podcasting
AI tools
Digital growth strategies

Your Story is the Fuel

When you sit down on the Discover Montcalm Podcast, you’re not just promoting your organization.

You’re:

Strengthening the community
Expanding local reach
Creating lasting digital content
Helping Montcalm County grow

Discover Montcalm Podcast
Produced by Duane Weed of DW Video & Multimedia LLC
Celebrating over 40 years of storytelling and media production in Montcalm County.

Contact
Call 231-250-9624

Duane Weed at 231-250-9624 or duane@dwvideo.com. Together, let’s showcase the heart of Montcalm County, one story at a time.

Check out this video!

Love stories that celebrate local people, places, and progress?
Subscribe to the Discover Montcalm Podcast and explore the voices that shape Montcalm County and beyond.

Have a story to share? Contact host Duane Weed at 231-250-9624 or duane@dwvideo.com to be featured in a future episode — whether at your location or in-studio.

Catch up on all episodes and discover the soul of small-town Michigan:
discovermontcalmpodcast.com/category/podcast

Produced by: https://www.dwvideo.com
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