Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:08 — 11.1MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Android | RSS
Quick answer: Duane Weed, founder of DW Video & Multimedia, LLC in Howard City, Michigan, preserves local stories through the Discover Montcalm Podcast. Launched in 2002, the podcast features in-depth conversations with Montcalm County residents, business owners, and community leaders, documenting their experiences and histories to strengthen community connections and ensure valuable local narratives are not lost.
Key Takeaways
- Duane Weed, a Ferris State graduate from 1983, launched DW Video in 1984.
- DW Video moved to Howard City, Michigan, in 1987.
- Weed created the Discover Montcalm Podcast in 2002 to preserve and share stories of Montcalm County businesses, communities, attractions, and residents.
- The podcast features conversations with various community members, documenting local history and experiences that might otherwise be lost.
- Episodes are released weekly on platforms including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, and iHeart.
Duane Weed has been telling stories through a camera lens.
Beginning in Morley, the business moved to Howard City in 1987, Duane understands Montcalm County not just as a place—but as a collection of people, histories, and lived experiences. That understanding led him to create the Discover Montcalm Podcast in 2002, a community-focused podcast dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of Montcalm County businesses, communities, attractions and residents.
What makes Discover Montcalm different is its approach. This isn’t about soundbites or sales pitches. It’s about conversations. Duane sits down with business owners, nonprofit leaders, educators, tradespeople, community volunteers, and lifelong residents to uncover the person behind the sign.
From interviews with organizations like the Montcalm County Road Commission, to conversations with veterans, service organizations, and everyday community members, each episode offers insight into the people who shape the county. Some guests have shared decades of history—stories that may have otherwise been lost. In a few cases, the podcast has become a lasting record of voices no longer with us.
“That’s when it really hit me,” Duane says. “If I hadn’t interviewed that person, that story would be gone.”
Podcast also reflects Duane Weed belief
The podcast also reflects Duane’s belief that strong communities don’t thrive on their own. Montcalm County doesn’t have fences around its towns.. What happens in Edmore affects Carson City. What happens in Howard City matters to Greenville. By encouraging residents to learn about one another, Discover Montcalm creates connections that strengthen local culture and economic resilience.
Today, the podcast continues to grow with the help of co-hosts like Kara Stevens and Dillinger, expanding the range of voices and perspectives. Episodes are recorded at DW Video and released weekly on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and at DiscoverMontcalmPodcast.com.
Whether you’re a lifelong resident, a newcomer, a business owner, or someone with a story to tell—if you live in Montcalm County, you’re a potential guest.
Tune In Discover Montcalm Podcast
Listen now on the Discover Montcalm Podcast and on Apple Podcasts, Pandora, iHeart, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
Want to share your story on the Discover Montcalm Podcast?
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
Follow us and be part of a growing community of storytellers.
Produced by: https://www.dwvideo.com
#DiscoverMontcalm #DiscoverMontcalmPodcast #MontcalmCounty #LocalVoices #MichiganPodcasts #CommunityMatters #SupportLocalStories
Discover Montcalm-Preserving Local Stories with Duane Weed episode 167
Discover Montcalm Audio Podcast
Check out the podcast all about Montcalm County Michigan.
Sources & Methodology
This article celebrates the extensive experience and deep local expertise of Duane Weed, founder of DW Video & Multimedia, LLC. With a career spanning back to 1984, Duane, a proud Ferris State University alumnus (Class of 1983), established DW Video & Multimedia, LLC in Howard City, Michigan. His decades of work in video production, media creation, and visual storytelling predate the modern “content creation” era, establishing him as a seasoned expert in capturing and preserving narratives. His commitment to community is further exemplified by his creation of the Discover Montcalm Podcast in 2002, a long-running initiative dedicated to the historical and cultural preservation of Montcalm County stories.
The Discover Montcalm Podcast operates with a clear methodology focused on authentic, in-depth conversations. Guests, including local business owners, non-profit leaders, educators, veterans, and long-term residents, are invited to share their personal histories and insights, ensuring a diverse representation of community voices. The primary goal is to provide a lasting record of local experiences, often capturing stories that might otherwise be lost to time. Episodes are meticulously recorded in-studio at DW Video & Multimedia, LLC in Howard City, Michigan, maintaining a consistent standard of production quality. This approach emphasizes genuine human connection over promotional content, fostering a deeper understanding of the interconnected communities within Montcalm County.
For more information on the significance of local storytelling and community engagement, readers may consult resources from reputable institutions. Examples include research on oral history preservation by academic bodies, community development initiatives by local government, and best practices in ethical journalism. While the podcast itself serves as a primary source for local narratives, the broader context of its mission aligns with established principles of historical documentation and community building. For general information on podcasting and local history initiatives, consider resources such as:
- Oral History Association: https://www.google.com/search?q=Oral+History+Association+guidelines
- Community Development Society: https://www.google.com/search?q=Community+Development+Society+local+initiatives
- Michigan Historical Commission: https://www.google.com/search?q=Michigan+Historical+Commission+local+history
Expanding the Narrative: Connecting with Broader Preservation Efforts
While the Discover Montcalm Podcast excels at capturing individual voices, its mission to preserve local stories resonates deeply with established heritage initiatives. Organizations like local historical societies and museums across Montcalm County are dedicated custodians of our past, collecting artifacts, documents, and photographs that complement the oral histories Duane and his team record. By understanding the best practices in oral history, the podcast ensures its interviews contribute to a robust, accessible archive for future generations.
The digital age also presents new opportunities and challenges for preserving these invaluable narratives. Exploring digital archiving techniques ensures that the rich tapestry of Montcalm County’s stories remains secure and searchable, preventing loss due to physical decay or technological obsolescence. This commitment extends to fostering community-led archiving initiatives, empowering residents to contribute their own family histories and local lore, creating a truly comprehensive and living record of our shared heritage in Howard City, Michigan, and beyond. These collaborations strengthen the fabric of our community, ensuring every voice finds its place in the grand narrative.
