What's Up Big Rapids?

Locals Chris Jane and Pat Brooks share the latest weekly happenings and events important to Big Rapids, Michigan, and the surrounding areas.

What's Up Big Rapids? is a news podcast hosted by What's Up Big Rapids, with 81 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

What's Up Big Rapids hosts What's Up Big Rapids?, a news show with 81 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #32

  Purpose, Pork & Positive Things Happening

  Aug 12, 202651 minS2

  This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, we catch up on everything happening around town, from trivia wins and dream gigs to new businesses finally opening their doors. Our guests are Liz Prescott and Alex Ashley from Pork For a Purpose, who share the incredible story behind one of Mecosta County's favorite community fundraisers. We talk about how it got started, the families it's helped over the years, and why this event continues to bring people together. Plus: Cottage Inn is officially open, Burlington is on the way, Raised on Radio is coming to Pocket Park, and somehow Jimothy the raccoon returns... with a friend. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 0:53 – Chris' dream gig playing drums with Michael Olmen 2:15 – Thanks to Chad Coon for joining us last week 3:46 – Why joining the Chamber is worth considering 5:30 – Pat's championship trivia team 7:50 – Featured Creature: Freshwater Stingray 11:25 – Guest intro: Liz Prescott & Alex Ashley (Pork For a Purpose) 11:42 – How Pork For a Purpose got started 13:45 – How much has been raised? 14:20 – The families and causes it's helped ❤️ 15:25 – Favorite part of putting on the event 16:45 – What else happens at the pig roast? 17:42 – How to attend and get involved 18:26 – Pork For a Purpose is August 29 19:27 – Volunteer opportunities 20:39 – The moments that make it all worthwhile 21:39 – Liz shares her family's deeply personal connection to the event 23:55 – Returning home to Michigan 24:55 – Pork For a Purpose merchandise 26:47 – Other upcoming events 29:07 – Thanks to Liz and Alex 30:26 – Something new is coming to the east side of town 31:17 – Planet Fitness temporary closure 31:55 – Burlington opening update ️ 32:16 – Cottage Inn is officially open! 33:24 – Raised on Radio at Pocket Park 34:34 – Final Bandshell concert of the summer 34:55 – The Andrews at Pocket Park 35:10 – Tire Recycling Event ♻️ 35:22 – A packed August 15: Baker Auto Carnival, Stanwood Summerfest & Jurassic Park at the airport 37:27 – Angels of Action Back-to-School Giveaway 38:18 – Business After Hours at The Banded Raccoon 39:39 – Big Dam Bike Ride 42:52 – Labor Day Festival preview 43:57 – Jimothy gets a friend named Johnmothy 44:41 – Nicolas Cage as John Madden? 45:50 – Soccer celebration... interrupted 47:50 – Introducing Liz and Alex to Jimothy 48:35 – Pumpkin Spice season is back ☕ 50:00 – Outro & goodbye #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #SupportLocal #CommunityStrong #PorkForAPurpose

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  Episode #30

  Small Towns, Big Dreams & Summer Nights

  Jul 29, 202656 minS2

  This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, Chris shares stories from playing with the Kelly Quinn Blues Experience at Horrocks, the crew recaps helping with the Res Life livestream, and we remind everyone that High Strung Steel is back at the Sawmill this Saturday. Our guest is Tyler Huntey, who talks about the incredible momentum happening in Stanwood, why investing in small communities matters, and how the Chamber of Commerce is helping create opportunities for businesses and families alike. Plus: concerts, movie giveaways, Jurassic Park at the airport, bike rentals, wrestling, recycling, and somehow... a viral raccoon named Jimothy. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 1:00 – Chris plays Horrocks with the Kelly Quinn Blues Experience 2:40 – WUBR helps with the Res Life livestream 4:05 – Movie ticket giveaway winner announced! ️ 5:30 – Have you seen High Strung Steel yet? 6:42 – Featured Creature: "Piglet" the Fly River Turtle 8:45 – Guest intro: Tyler Huntey 11:55 – Tyler's path to the Chamber of Commerce 14:10 – Why regional collaboration is working 15:05 – Chamber Investor Drive & Quiz Bowl at Crankers 17:50 – Stanwood's surprising resurgence ✨ 19:00 – How one relationship led to downtown investment 21:00 – New indoor play place for kids 25:40 – White Pine Bike Rentals opens 29:30 – Why invest in a small town? 33:00 – Help preserve Stanwood's history 36:40 – Stanwood Summerfest preview 39:05 – Thinking about starting a business? The Chamber can help. 40:10 – This week's live music lineup 41:57 – Dueling Pianos giveaway at The Peaks 43:15 – Jurassic Park movie night at Roben-Hood Airport 44:20 – Business After Hours at The Banded Raccoon 44:50 – Meet Jimothy the viral raccoon 48:30 – Youth Wrestling Tournament 49:25 – Tire Recycling Event ♻️ 51:15 – Spider-Man premiere & Comic-Con excitement ️ 55:17 – Outro & goodbye Hashtags #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #SupportLocal #CommunityStrong #ShopLocal

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  Episode #29

  Public Art, Popcorn & Big Rapids Creativity

  Jul 22, 202655 minS2

  This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we catch our breath after another busy summer weekend, swap fair stories, talk movies, and spend some time appreciating one of the things that makes Big Rapids unique—its public art. Our guests are Carrie Weis and Steve Gove from the Public Art Collective , who share how the organization got started, why public art matters, and the story behind the new book highlighting the sculptures and murals that have become part of our community. Plus: new businesses, concerts, movie talk, bike rides, golf outings... and whatever a marshmallow-stuffed donut is supposed to be. 0:00 – Intro & welcome 0:55 – Busy summer weekends all around ☀️ 2:20 – Pat's demolition derby recap 2:37 – Spain wins the FIFA World Cup ⚽ 4:15 – What's coming up this week 5:25 – Walmart's surprisingly great playlist 6:26 – Featured Creature: Chinchilla 9:15 – Appreciating the public art around Big Rapids 10:45 – Shoutout to the Public Art Collective's new book 11:53 – Guest intro: Carrie Weis & Steve Gove 15:15 – What first drew them to art? 17:07 – Sharing your passion with others 17:52 – Carrie's role at Ferris and in the community 19:08 – How the Public Art Collective began 22:49 – Where to get the new book 23:07 – What's next for the organization? 26:05 – Chris shares his appreciation for collecting art 27:05 – Future public art projects 29:22 – Why art matters in a community 31:28 – How to get involved 32:45 – Thanks to Carrie & Steve ❤️ 33:41 – Ferris dorm construction update ️ 34:46 – Kraken Jiu Jitsu officially opens 36:45 – Movie ticket giveaway winner announced ️ 37:58 – Odyssey and Avengers movie discussion 40:11 – Tell Pat your favorite movies of the year! 41:37 – Pocket Park concert this Friday 42:28 – Thursday Night Concerts begin 43:25 – Bandshell concert tonight 43:55 – Christmas in July Golf Scramble ⛳ 45:10 – Quantum Wellness Summer Bash 45:46 – Big Rapids All-Class Reunion 46:55 – Big Dam Bike Ride 49:05 – Pork for a Purpose 50:07 – Bison vs. tourist... the internet delivers again 52:35 – Marshmallow-stuffed donuts? 55:00 – Outro & goodbye #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #SupportLocal #CommunityStrong #PublicArt ⏱️ Timecodes Hashtags

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  Episode #28

  Chicken, Community & Caring for Neighbors

  Jul 15, 202659 minS2

  It's Chicken BBQ week in Big Rapids! This week on What’s Up Big Rapids, we talk summer heat, golf, county fair week, Five Below, and somehow find time to laugh at a picture of Dom dressed as a giant chicken. Our guest is Kim Easler, Executive Director of Angels of Action, who shares what it takes to organize one of the community's biggest fundraisers, how the organization continues to grow, and the many ways volunteers make a difference throughout the year. If you've ever wondered where your Chicken BBQ dollars go—or how you can help your neighbors—this is a great conversation. ⏱️ Timecodes 0:00 – Intro & welcome 1:15 – Surviving the summer heat & Chicken BBQ volunteer tips ☀️🍗 3:39 – Golf season is in full swing ⛳ 4:45 – Dom... in a chicken costume 🐔 5:32 – Conor McGregor discussion 6:18 – Five Below grand opening review 🛍️ 9:18 – Featured Creature: African Pygmy 🐟 11:05 – Guest intro: Kim Easler (Angels of Action) ❤️ 12:30 – Is the Chicken BBQ the biggest fundraiser? 13:00 – Behind the scenes of organizing community events 13:54 – How many dinners were served last year? 14:50 – Pat declares this year's chicken the best ever 🍗 17:20 – Shoutout to Mancino's for donating bread 🥖 18:22 – Chris rolls the dice on eating lettuce 😄 20:13 – How many chickens does it take? 22:32 – Kim's journey with Angels of Action 23:25 – What she's most proud of 24:00 – Growing the Literacy in Action program 📚 26:00 – Why literacy matters 27:40 – What's next for Angels of Action? 28:00 – Virtual cooking classes for families 👩‍🍳 29:30 – Volunteers are always needed 30:40 – Other ways to support the mission 33:10 – Christmas in July Golf Scramble 🎄⛳ 35:05 – Managing multiple golf outings 36:40 – Back-to-school event coming soon 🎒 36:58 – Looking ahead to Light Up the Night ✨ 37:50 – Final Chicken BBQ days! 38:18 – How to volunteer or donate 39:30 – Special Olympics Ice Cream Social 🍦 40:13 – High Strung Steel & Whorled at Quinn's 🎶 41:50 – Pat's movie ticket giveaway 🎬 43:54 – Pocket Park concert series continues 🎵 44:42 – Blue Water Ramblers at the Bandshell 45:15 – Fair Week is here! 🎡 47:21 – Thursday Night Concerts begin next week 49:12 – H.O.B.O. Basketball Camp 🏀 50:35 – Chris doesn't have room for another cult 😂 50:55 – Cornhole tournament at The Peaks 52:12 – Quantum Wellness Summer Bash 52:40 – Eagles 80th Anniversary Open House 54:06 – Pork for a Purpose 🐖 54:51 – AI imagines Big Rapids 🤖 57:02 – Daylight Saving Time update ⏰ 58:25 – Outro & goodbye 📣 Hashtags #WhatsUpBigRapids #BigRapidsMI #SupportLocal #CommunityStrong #AngelsOfAction

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  Episode #27

  Global Connections, Great Pizza & Summer in Full Swing

  Jul 8, 20261h 10mS2

  Summer keeps rolling in Big Rapids! This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , the guys recap the Fourth of July festivities, debate whether they've officially become too old to get excited about fireworks, and somehow end up talking movies again. Our guest is Tara Braun , Executive Director of International Studies at Ferris State University and outgoing Rotary President. It's a fascinating conversation about international education, why over 60 countries are represented right here in Big Rapids, and Tara's vision for creating sister-city relationships that could connect our community to the rest of the world. Plus: Cottage Inn sneak peeks, Five Below finally opens, Fair Week begins, and there's live music just about everywhere you look. 0:00 – Intro & welcome 1:25 – Chris Jane Sells Houses is back! 🏡 2:50 – Fourth of July parade & fireworks recap 🎆 4:40 – Movie reviews return (and Chris struggles with movie trivia again) 🎬 8:45 – Heat wave reminders ☀️ 9:15 – Featured Creature: Serpae Tetra 🐟 11:20 – UFC legends making comebacks 🥊 12:40 – USA falls to Belgium in the World Cup ⚽ 15:10 – Guest intro: Tara Braun 🌎 18:00 – Growing up in Big Rapids and discovering the world 20:45 – First international trip and how it changed her perspective 22:10 – The value international students bring to a community 24:35 – More than 60 countries represented at Ferris 🌍 30:20 – Connecting international students with the community 33:15 – Michigan's sister relationship with Shiba, Japan 🇯🇵 36:30 – Building future sister-city relationships 39:30 – "Is this like dating for cities?" 😄 42:00 – How to get involved 45:15 – Thanks to Mark Brejcha 46:00 – New wheelchair swing at Hemlock Park ❤️ 47:15 – Sneak peek inside Cottage Inn Pizza 🍕 48:05 – Five Below & Whipped and Dipped are open! 50:10 – Fill-A-Bus for the Youth Attention Center 🚌 52:08 – Pocket Park & Bandshell concerts continue 🎶 53:20 – Fair Week begins! 🎡 56:45 – Were you a 4-H kid? 59:15 – More live music around town 🎸 1:01:45 – H.O.B.O. Basketball Camp 🏀 1:03:25 – Cornhole tournament at The Peaks 1:04:00 – Quantum Wellness Summer Bash & Eagles Open House 1:06:09 – Big Rapids High School All-Class Reunion 1:07:53 – Drone light show & Dom's all-time worst dad joke 😂 1:09:15 – Outro & goodbye #WhatsUpBigRapids#BigRapidsMI#SupportLocal#CommunityStrong#SummerInBigRapids

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