Made In Walker

City of Walker MI

5.0 (6)
GOVERNMENT
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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.

10H AGO

Toolbox To Community: Inside Grand River Makerspace

A city feels different when there’s a place you can walk into with a half-formed idea and walk out with something real in your hands. We sit down with Josh and Chris from Grand River Makerspace to unpack how a shared workshop in Walker, Michigan, is giving people the tools, confidence, and community to make things that matter—from five-foot 3D-printed dragons to a toddler mobility trainer built from open-source plans. We talk through what a makerspace is in plain terms: imagine a gym membership, but for tools and training. The space blends a full woodshop with a 3D print farm, laser cutters, and CNC machines, creating a creative hub where beginners learn the ropes and experienced builders prototype, iterate, and launch small product lines. Josh and Chris share smart, low-pressure onramps—open houses, intro classes, and punch cards—plus clear membership options for individuals and families. Along the way, they show how access lowers barriers for side hustles, Etsy sellers, architects-turned-artists, and anyone who wants to test an idea without buying expensive gear. The human stories shine. From Scouts shaping Pinewood Derby cars and racing them on-site, to Sunday Craft Noons with tea, cookies, and painters sharing tables with sewists, the makerspace revives the “third place” many of us have missed. The highlight is a powerful account of volunteers who sourced materials, printed parts, and invited a family to assemble a custom mobility trainer for their daughter—proof that when machines meet neighbors, impact scales fast. If you’re curious about 3D printing, laser engraving, CNC carving, or simply finding a welcoming place to learn, this episode offers practical steps to get started and a dose of inspiration to keep going. Subscribe for more stories from the people shaping Walker. If this conversation sparked an idea, share it with a friend, leave a review, and tell us what you’d build first. If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY

14 min
MAR 2

A Conversation About Social Security

Ready to lock in a Social Security strategy you won’t regret later? We sit down with Hillary Hatch from the Social Security Administration to demystify the rules that decide how much lands in your bank account each month. From understanding your full retirement age to weighing early versus delayed filing, we unpack the choices that shape lifetime income, using clear examples and practical decision points for people born in 1960 or later. We walk through the math behind claiming at 62, 67, or 70, why benefits don’t “reset” to the full amount once you hit your full retirement age, and how delayed retirement credits can boost your check until 70. If you plan to keep working, you’ll learn how the earnings test can reduce benefits before full retirement age and why that matters for near-term cash flow. We also address the most common myths around spousal benefits, including when the 50 percent rule applies, what happens if your own benefit is higher, and why filing early can limit future spousal amounts. Planning starts with good data, so we highlight the My Social Security account at ssa.gov as your personal hub for estimates, earnings records, and easy self-service options. For those in the Walker area who prefer in-person help, we share how to schedule appointments and where to find the Grand Rapids office on Knapp Street NE. By the end, you’ll know the key levers—timing, work income, spousal coordination, and verified earnings—that turn Social Security from a confusing acronym into a dependable pillar of your retirement plan. If this helped clarify your next steps, follow the show, share it with someone who’s planning to retire, and leave us a quick review so others can find it too. If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY

13 min
FEB 16

A Small Business Moves, Grows, And Welcomes A New Generation

The heartbeat of a great neighborhood is often a single place where curiosity turns into connection—and for Walker, that place might be Siciliano’s. We sit with owners Dan and Tiffany to unpack how a family-owned specialty market evolved into a community hub for homebrewing, wine kits, cigars, and curated pairings, all while honoring the legacy that started it in the 90s. From the first “build your own six-pack” to a modern mix of local coffee, artisan cheese, and zero-proof options, their story shows what happens when service and education come first. We talk candidly about growth: moving from the West Side to Walker, adding space and parking, and scaling up with new walk-in coolers, a three-times-larger humidor, and hundreds more wines and spirits. That expansion unlocked bigger tastings, better events, and room for a thousand-plus beers. The secret isn’t just selection; it’s curation. Partnerships with Magnum Coffee, The Cheese Lady, Grand Ice, and Semifreddo turn a simple stop into a full experience you can taste, share, and bring home. Education drives everything. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned brewer, the team helps you start with approachable wine kits, connects you with local homebrew clubs, and invites you to free events like the annual homebrew competition and Big Brew Day at Trail Point. It’s no surprise that several local breweries began in these aisles. Along the way, Dan and Tiffany open up about running a growing shop, raising a young family, and serving Walker on the downtown authority—proof that small business can shape a city’s culture. Ready to explore, learn, or brew your first batch? Hit play, subscribe for more stories from Walker, and share this episode with a friend who loves craft, flavor, and community. Your review helps more neighbors find the show—what should we taste or brew together next? If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY

17 min
FEB 4

From Typewriters To AI: Noordyk’s Third Generation Journey

A lot can happen between a basement repair bench and a statewide service team. We invited Kara and Will, third-generation owners of Nordyk Business Equipment, to share how a company that started by fixing typewriters now helps organizations manage secure, AI-enabled document workflows without losing the personal touch that built their name. Their story blends legacy and leap: faith-driven values shape daily decisions while smart adoption of software, security, and automation keeps customers moving faster with fewer headaches. We dig into what has actually changed in the copier and printer world—less the box itself and more the brains behind it. From authentication and scan-to-cloud to OCR and routing, the modern “printer” is really a document infrastructure hub. Kara and Will explain how their team evaluates real workflows before quoting, why paperless still depends on great scanning, and how AI can trim manual steps without creating new complexity. They also talk about the moment COVID forced a rethink on hiring, shifting from process-based checklists to culture-first recruiting that finds people who care, learn, and stay. Growth brings tests, and their 2023 acquisition in Lansing became a masterclass in integration. They walk through maintaining service standards, aligning tools and policies, and keeping customers protected while expanding coverage. Throughout, a theme stays steady: human trust matters. When a deadline looms, someone picks up the phone—and sometimes a box of toner—and gets it done. That’s how a local team can out-serve big competitors with 800 numbers and long approval chains. If you’re curious how a multigenerational business stays relevant, builds a culture that lasts, and uses technology to solve real problems, you’ll find practical takeaways and candid lessons here. Subscribe, share this episode with a business owner who values service, and leave a review to tell us what legacy and innovation look like in your world. If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY

17 min
JAN 19

Why Mayor Gary Carey Says Community Beats Personal Legacy

A clear plan, a steady hand, and a community-first mindset—Mayor Gary Carey opens up about how Walker stayed focused through change and turned long-term planning into everyday wins. We talk about the five pillars that guide our decisions, why public safety sits at the top, and how a once-sparse industrial park became the tax base that funds more officers, a full-time fire department, better parks, and stronger infrastructure. We share the backstory behind those big moves: partnerships that made shovel-ready land possible, the FedEx facility that sparked momentum, and a pro-business stance that still screens for the right fit. Then we get into the hard parts—trade-offs of a full-time fire service, from staffing to facilities and long-term funding, and how shifting medical calls from police to fire unlocks capacity where it matters most. On housing, we break down the master plan’s push for balance, the financial realities of rental versus single-family in a city like ours, and why every approval must be weighed against ten-year consequences. Looking ahead, we lay out the leadership transition in City Hall, from the city manager’s retirement to commission seats that need steady, policy-minded people. If you’ve served on a committee or want to learn, now is the time to step up. We also highlight regional wins—dedicated Rapid bus routes in Walker for the first time and Metro Council support that helped us build smarter. Through it all, we come back to civility: disagree without breaking trust, and keep the city pointed forward. If this conversation resonates, subscribe, share with a neighbor, and leave a review to help others find the show. Ready to get involved or have a topic we should tackle next? Email us at podcast at walker.city and tell us what you want to hear. If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY

19 min
JAN 5

Trails That Connect A Region

Imagine rolling from your neighborhood straight onto fresh singletrack without loading a car. That’s the promise at Johnson Park, where we’re building a new regional trailhead on the Grand River Greenway with six to eight miles of purpose-built mountain bike trails, a four-season restroom, expanded parking, and welcoming gathering spaces. We’re joined by Kent County Parks and the West Michigan Mountain Bike Association to unpack how smart design, committed partners, and an energized community are turning dirt into access, connection, and measurable economic lift. We dig into the design choices that make these trails work for everyone: an inner green loop with wider tread for adaptive riders, beginners, and families, plus optional progressive lines for riders who want to build skills. With Spectrum Trail Design leading construction, the system balances flow, challenge, and sustainability so new riders feel safe and experts stay engaged. Best of all, the layout connects directly to the Greenway, letting riders pedal from Grand Rapids, Walker, or Granville, ride the park, and head home—no car required. Trails also mean business. We look at national case studies and local forecasts that show visiting riders spend hundreds per trip on food, lodging, and gear. By placing high-quality, inclusive singletrack next to urban amenities, Johnson Park is poised to become a destination that supports small businesses and strengthens the talent story for employers. We outline the funding stack—per-foot build costs, a DNR grant for amenities, and an active campaign with the Kent County Parks Foundation to extend from six to eight miles—along with a summer 2026 target to bring the full experience online. Want to track progress, volunteer, or donate? We share exactly where to go for updates and trail days so you can be part of the build. If this kind of connected, inclusive outdoor access matters to you, follow along, share the episode with a friend who rides, and leave a quick review so more neighbors discover the project. Your support helps us grow the miles—and the community that will ride them. If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY

15 min
12/22/2025

The Grandville Walker Foundation: Neighbors Who Fund Change

Want to see how small grants make big things happen? We sit down with Teresa from the Grandville Walker Foundation to unpack a simple, powerful model for local impact in Walker and Grandville. From funding a refrigerator that expands Senior Neighbors’ capacity at the Walker Center to backing a music garden near the library and exploring support for a Johnson Park-connected bike trail, these $500–$2,500 grants deliver real results you can visit, use, and feel. We walk through exactly how the foundation works: two grant cycles per year, a clear focus on projects that directly benefit residents in Walker or Grandville, and a practical approach that helps nonprofits close funding gaps and get to “done.” Teresa shares what the board looks for—impact on a larger number of people, readiness to execute, and alignment with improving quality of life—and why early applications help the board collaborate with applicants and strengthen proposals. If you’re leading a local nonprofit or community initiative, you’ll get concrete guidance on preparing to apply and timing your request for the spring window. We also talk funding and growth: how small donations, legacy gifts, and community fundraisers like a new 50/50 raffle fuel the foundation’s work, and why no gift is too small. Teresa opens up about her motivation to serve, the board’s low time commitment, and the skills that can make a difference right now—marketing, legal, outreach, and simple willingness to show up. Along the way, we highlight the power of placemaking: trails, parks, and gathering spaces that knit neighborhoods together and make daily life better. If you care about local change, this conversation offers a roadmap. Learn where your project fits, how to give in a way that matters, and what it feels like to hand a check to neighbors doing vital work. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves community, and email us your thoughts or project ideas at podcast@walker.city. If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY

11 min
12/08/2025

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 thoughtful business model, steady mentorship, and civic service can shape both a team and a city. From the careful story behind the salon’s name to the systems that let four generations feel at home in the chair, Cindy shows how culture and consistency turn a storefront into a community anchor. We talk about building a beautiful space for talented stylists, then scaling without losing what matters: empathy, reliability, and craft. Cindy explains why the industry’s faster pace pushed her team to adopt level-based pricing, robust training, online scheduling, and shorter, high-impact services. She shares how a shoulder surgery tested—and proved—the salon’s resilience, with cross-trained colleagues stepping in so clients stayed cared for. For aspiring stylists, her take is practical and generous: join a learning culture, replace yourself over time, and build a career that’s sustainable. Cindy also opens the door to city-building. Serving on Walker’s DDA gave her a front-row seat to controlled growth in Standale, including ideas for community-friendly development behind the fire station. If you’ve wondered how to get involved without a huge time commitment, her roadmap is clear: monthly meetings, occasional subcommittees, and a real voice in what gets built. Along the way, you’ll hear why local businesses thrive when owners and residents show up—on the street, in the chair, and at the table where plans become places. If this conversation resonates, follow the show, share it with a neighbor, and leave a quick review. Your support helps more people discover the stories shaping Walker. If you have comments about this podcast, or ideas for future episodes, please email us at PODCAST@WALKER.CITY

14 min

5

out of 5

6 Ratings

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.

Creator

City of Walker MI
Years Active

2024 - 2026
Episodes

32
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Made In Walker
Show Website

Made In Walker