Western Wayne News Podcast

Dustin Purvis left Richmond to pursue graduate studies and an academic career, only to discover that the path home offered unexpected opportunities. In this episode, he shares how a Ph.D. in English Literature led to city planning, why he chose to build a life in Wayne County, and what convinced him that small communities can […]

Josh Smith has spent nearly three decades documenting the people and moments that define Wayne County, first as a newspaper photographer for the Palladium-Item and now as a freelance photojournalist who works with Western Wayne News and other clients. In this episode of the WWN podcast, he reflects on the craft and ethics of visual […]

Alexis Harmon returned to Wayne County expecting it to be temporary, but her work at the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce changed her perspective on what it means to build a career close to home. In this episode, she talks with Kate about authentic marketing, creating a student job portal that connects local high […]

In this episode of the Western Wayne News podcast, Kate sits down with Richmond entrepreneur and realtor Auntonio Brown to explore the experiences that shaped his drive to build businesses and invest in his hometown. From cutting grass for paying customers as a child to overcoming a life-altering health crisis and launching multiple ventures, Brown […]

In this episode of the WWN podcast, Jay Marshall discusses his path from a North Carolina dairy farm to a life of ministry, higher education, and financial planning in East Central Indiana. Drawing on his Quaker faith and decades of professional experience, he reflects with Kate on leadership, the challenges facing colleges today, and the […]

For Richmond native Stu Milligan, bicycles are more than a hobby. They’re a way to connect people to their community. In this episode of the Western Wayne News podcast, Stu reflects with Kate on growing up in Wayne County, building a small business from the ground up, and turning a personal passion for cycling into […]

In this episode of the Western Wayne News podcast, veterinarian Stacy Kostiuk joins to have an honest conversation about pet care and animal welfare in Wayne County. Kostiuk shares how her childhood love for animals guided her to a profession caring for nature’s various creatures. She opens up about the joys and hard truths in […]

In this episode of the Western Wayne News podcast, Jana Schroeder reflects on a life shaped by curiosity about people, community, and change, and the barriers that still shape who gets to fully participate in community life. From navigating Richmond as a blind resident to building meaningful connections through her work, Jana offers a candid […]

An actor, software developer, and tireless volunteer, Julie Pickett has spent more than two decades weaving together technology, theater, and community in Wayne County. In this episode of the Western Wayne News podcast, Julie reflects on how studying at Earlham College, working at DoxPop, and finding her voice at Richmond Civic Theatre shaped her path, […]

Throughout her time in different educational and nonprofit settings, Rachel Ulrich has built her career around a simple commitment: staying rooted in Wayne County while helping students succeed. In this episode of the Western Wayne News podcast, she shares with Kate what it’s like to build a meaningful career in a small community, why she […]

Mary Anne Butters has spent a lifetime insisting that government work in the open, and that ordinary people use their voices. A journalist turned public servant, Butters moved from the newsroom to city hall, from advertising executive to Wayne County commissioner, carrying with her a deep belief in transparency, equity, and civic responsibility. In this […]

In this episode of the Western Wayne News podcast, Kate Jetmore sits down with Mary Crumley-Effinger, managing partner of the Richmond Texas Roadhouse, to talk about growing up in Richmond and Wayne County, choosing to stay, and building a career here from the ground up. Mary shares her path from hostess to restaurant owner, her […]

Darcey Meridith has spent decades supporting children and families in Wayne County, and in this episode she pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening inside our schools, homes, and community systems. On this episode of the WWN podcast, she traces her path from Earlham College to leading Children and Family Services at Centerstone, then […]

Born and raised in Cambridge City, Tamra Davis believes in the power of small, even anonymous, acts of kindness to strengthen the community. In this episode of the Western Wayne News podcast, she sits down with Kate to discuss Tamra’s work as president of the Cambridge City Chamber of Commerce, her 24 years at the […]

Richmond family physician Dr. Andrew Deitsch has spent decades caring for patients in the same community where he grew up — and where his father practiced before him. In this episode of the Western Wayne News podcast, he reflects with Kate on the power of long-term relationships in medicine, the joys and challenges of small-town […]

In this episode of the WWN podcast, funeral director Alan Austin reflects on his unexpected journey from Detroit to Cambridge City, where he now leads Waskom Capitol Hill Chapel and serves as an active community leader. From his family’s deep roots in the funeral business to his own calling to serve others, Alan shares how […]