The Collective Us: An NMCAA Podcast

Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency
  • 5.0 (2)
  • NON-PROFIT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

This podcast is produced by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency. The Collective Us: An NMCAA Podcast focuses on inspiring you through stories of those we've helped by linking local resources to community members in need. Join us as we learn about the programs offered through NMCAA and how we touch people's lives every day.

  1. JAN 2

    Ep. 67 - Moments That Mattered

    [DONATE to NMCAA] The Collective Us: An NMCAA Podcast Episode 67, “Moments that Mattered,” reflects on the most meaningful conversations of 2025, highlighting how NMCAA’s work strengthens families and communities through early support, stable housing, strong partnerships, and a culture of care. Erica Austin and Ryan Buck revisit powerful moments from parents, partners, staff, board members, and community leaders that show how stability begins long before crisis, how asking for help takes courage, and how housing, dignity, and trust create the foundation for long-term success. The episode connects personal stories to measurable impact through data and reporting, celebrates staff milestones and everyday leadership, emphasizes the importance of advocacy and staff wellness, and explores legacy giving as a way to sustain the work into the future. Together, these moments underscore that NMCAA’s impact is collective and ongoing—driven by people showing up for one another and working together to make lasting change as the organization moves into 2026.

    17 min

  2. 12/05/2025

    Ep. 66 - Gift Giving in Action

    [DONATE to NMCAA] The episode of The Collective US focuses on NMCAA’s new Gift Guide, a way for donors to support community members through three core “buckets”: Educational Opportunities, Housing Support, and Economic Stability. Erica Austin, Ryan Buck, and guest Melissa Thompson explain that while gifts are framed as things like safety items for families, classroom supplies, home repairs, or Meals on Wheels support, the money actually goes toward flexible funding that fills gaps federal and state dollars can’t cover. They tie the guide to NMCAA’s Cornerstones of Culture—respect, accountability, acceptance, compassion, and cooperation—and show how giving moves people from being “them” to part of the “us.” Throughout the episode, they share stories and sound bites from staff, clients, and volunteers that illustrate impact: helping a single mom repair an ice-damaged mobile home, supporting a client named Larry from apartment to homeownership and then crucial repairs, delivering 187,000+ meals to seniors, and the deep personal connections Meals on Wheels drivers and other volunteers build. They emphasize that any level of giving—one-time, recurring, matched, or legacy—creates life-changing opportunities and invite listeners to donate, volunteer, and see themselves as part of the broader community action network.

    1 hr

  3. 10/31/2025

    Ep. 65 - Mindful Meals and Thriving Families

    [DONATE] The episode spotlights NMCAA’s work in early childhood and the collaboration between Head Start and Michigan State University —connecting nutrition, movement, and mindfulness to build healthy, lifelong habits for 3–4 year-olds and their families. Dr. Jiying Ling (MSU College of Nursing) and Shannon Phelps, NMCAA's Child and Family Development Director explain Dr. Ling's program "Food - Body - Mind" is being utilized in the classroom and how it is impacting families at home. Shannon also discusses food insecurity and how NMCAA is addressing this issue across the region, including a new partnership with with Father Fred bringing food pantries to the locations of the classrooms to streamline community resources so children are healthy and ready to learn. With food insecurity rising—and a possible SNAP disruption mentioned—the hosts point listeners to local pantry finders and support: the Manna Food Project’s pantry locator the Northwest Michigan Food Coalition’s Find Food map the Wexford–Missaukee Resource Directory’s food page The national FoodFinder search tool NMCAA's Food Pantry is located at 7110 E 34 Road, Cadillac, MI Open on Monday and Tuesday from 10am -1pm For more information on NMCAA or to donate - check out www.NMCAA.net

    33 min

  4. 10/03/2025

    Ep. 64 - DATA COLLECTION

    [DONATE TO NMCAA] The Collective US welcomes data leads Tish Stave and Grant Card to demystify how NMCAA uses the ROMA framework—Results Oriented Management and Accountability—to plan, measure, and continuously improve services. They explain how community needs assessments and outcome tracking inform funding, board decisions, and day-to-day pivots, balancing hard numbers with client stories. A new cross-program database, Empower, now de-duplicates records and reveals full client journeys across housing, Head Start, Meals on Wheels, financial education, and more—showing NMCAA served ~10,000 people in a recent year. The team discusses confidentiality, informed consent, and tailoring data visuals for different audiences, plus near-term goals like universal intake and after-hours, client-facing tools. They share real examples of adapting programs (e.g., COVID shifts, caseload acuity) and celebrate staff milestones and kudos. In a fun closer, Grant likens data to hip-hop—steady beat, highs and lows, and collaboration—underscoring how data guides action without replacing compassion.

    53 min

  5. 09/19/2025

    Ep. 63 - HR & Employee Wellness

    [DONATE TO NMCAA] HR at NMCAA is in a celebratory transition. Long-time Human Resources Director Betsy Reese (20 years with the agency; 18 in HR) joins the show to reflect on a career of building people-first systems—from launching a year-long Leadership Class (2016 & 2019) to a major pay scale revamp (2015) and clear explanations of COLA, market adjustments, and new 401(k) contributions. Stepping into the role, Abria Morrow shares her relationship-centered approach: listening, being available across 10 counties, “office hours,” and practical wellness habits that balance the weight of that infamous “admin tab.” Together they connect employee wellbeing to client impact, highlight NMCAA’s Cornerstones of Culture (Respect, Accountability, Acceptance, Compassion, Cooperation), and offer burnout buffers: PTO planning by quarter, EAP, walking groups, team-building, and timely recognition (anniversaries, Kudos Corner). We also celebrate remarkable staff longevity—evidence that culture and care keep people here. Tune in for real tactics any nonprofit can use to support teams—plus a few fun HR “first-aid kit” surprises—and a simple message to every employee: you are worth it, and you deserve the time to recharge.

    1h 1m

  6. 09/05/2025

    Ep. 62 - Back to School

    [DONATE TO NMCAA] This “behind-the-scenes” back-to-school episode of The Collective US features hosts Ryan Buck and Erica Austin with lead teachers Judy Abernathy (34 years with Head Start) and Jessica Youhouse, who share how they came to early childhood education—Judy from classroom volunteer to college-educated lead teacher, Jessica from ECE studies through varied roles back to the joy of the classroom—and why preschool matters: firsts, silliness, big hugs, safety, and friendships that last. They trade summer snapshots (softball scouting; lake life with hand-fed bass), then unpack the real prep: rooms reset after carpet cleaning, audit-driven paperwork, labeling everything, allergy/meal plans, attendance and parent communication via Learning Genie, with 1:1 orientations and open houses to build trust. Classroom culture includes Judy’s “Love Notes” family photo pockets, feelings wheels on every chair, first-day photos, portfolios, and a “waving window” goodbye ritual. The first two weeks emphasize routines, independence, and social skills; challenges are met with patience, humor, and teamwork (last year they potty-trained 7 of 8 students). Advice to new teachers: communicate, delegate, breathe, be flexible—“nobody’s on fire.” The show spotlights staff milestones and kudos, answers a few fun questions (adult recess = swings; emergency kit = snacks—Goldfish!), and closes with reminders about home-based Head Start options, weatherization help, and how to donate to NMCAA.

    1h 5m

  7. 08/22/2025

    Ep. 61 - Estate Planning and Legacy Giving

    [DONATE] This episode of The Collective US podcast by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency focuses on the importance of wills, trusts, and estate planning for individuals at any stage of life, regardless of income. Hosts Erica Austin and Ryan Buck speak with Melissa Thompson, NMCAA’s engagement manager, and attorney Mary Ann Wehr, founder of Great Lakes Center for Estate Planning. The discussion covers the basics of wills—as “maps” through probate—and trusts, which can help avoid probate and keep matters private. Mary Ann Wehr emphasizes simplicity, communicating wishes clearly, and the role of wills in naming guardians for children, which can prevent them from entering foster care if parents die unexpectedly. For older adults, planning can address long-term care costs, Medicaid eligibility, and asset protection. The conversation also explores common reasons people delay estate planning, such as procrastination and the belief they’re too young, and stresses updating documents after life changes. Guests highlight that legacy giving, such as leaving a percentage of an estate to nonprofits like NMCAA, can significantly support community programs like Meals on Wheels, particularly during the ongoing “great wealth transfer” from the baby boomer generation. They share stories of impactful bequests, creative non-cash gifts, and the benefits of unrestricted donations. Mary Ann Wehr shares a deeply personal story about losing her son, a firefighter, during the COVID-19 pandemic and how that inspired her to focus on estate planning to help families avoid unnecessary hardship. The episode closes with resources, advice to “just do it” when it comes to planning, and reminders that it’s about creating a roadmap for loved ones, not just preparing for death, but also leaving a meaningful legacy.

    55 min

  8. 08/08/2025

    Ep. 60 - Ice Storm Update and Disaster Relief

    [DONATE] This episode of The Collective US podcast from Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency focuses on the devastating March 2025 ice storms in Northern Michigan and the community’s response. Hosts Erica Austin and Ryan Buck speak with Emmet County Emergency Management Coordinator Matt Blythe, Emmet County Recycling’s Lindsay Walker, and NMCAA Housing & Energy Efficiency Services Director Tish Stave. The guests describe how advance warnings from the National Weather Service prompted limited pre-storm coordination with partners like the Red Cross, Salvation Army, and the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. The first wave seemed typical, but a second wave brought heavy ice, high winds, massive tree loss (millions in Emmet County), widespread power outages, and dangerous road conditions. Nearly 88% of roads closed, critical facilities like hospitals and jails lost generator power, and fuel shortages forced emergency vehicles to refuel far from the county. Response efforts included opening 11 shelters (including the casino), conducting wellness checks, clearing roads for medical transport, and coordinating food and water distribution. Volunteer amateur radio operators provided field reports when other communications failed. Walker’s role focused on debris management, securing contractors to process wood waste for biomass energy, and exploring better food waste recovery methods. Stave described flexible local grant funds that helped residents with uninsured or underinsured losses, from roof and window repairs to replacing a broken well pump or car windshield. Long-term recovery needs include homeowner debris removal support, better generator access for critical facilities, stronger communication systems, and planning for food preservation during extended outages. Guests emphasized Northern Michigan’s resilience, neighbor-to-neighbor help, and the value of partnerships between local government, nonprofits, faith groups, businesses, and volunteers. They also urged residents to prepare with basic supplies, communication plans, and a willingness to seek available help. Months later, debris cleanup continues, biomass facilities have reached capacity, and grant programs remain open for affected households. The episode closes on the importance of improving preparedness, strengthening recovery systems, and mobilizing community volunteers to restore parks, trails, and natural areas.

    58 min
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About

This podcast is produced by Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency. The Collective Us: An NMCAA Podcast focuses on inspiring you through stories of those we've helped by linking local resources to community members in need. Join us as we learn about the programs offered through NMCAA and how we touch people's lives every day.

Information

  • Creator
    Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency
  • Show Website
    The Collective Us: An NMCAA Podcast