Residents who follow the page Yes, There Really Is A Kalamazoo Meme Page on Facebook and Instagram frequently comment on the page's original memes saying "This is so true." The page nods to neighborhood inside jokes, winks about local heroes, and waves a big red flag toward nefarious characters. So who are these meme makers? Their names are Joel Crookston and Tyler Dancer - but what is their motivation and inspiration? Joel and Tyler get vulnerable while using humor to keep things light, and explain why it is so important to use that mindset while creating content for the meme page.

From the episode:

Toxic Action Lab

Try Googling: "Otsego Story Project"

TDancerMusic

Joel Oliver Crookston

Joel Oliver Crookston Facebook

Pure Memeigan

Discover how Kalamazoo Youth Development Network is changing the landscape of youth services in our community. Unlike distant foundations, KYD Net provides hands-on support, valuable assessment tools, and actionable improvement strategies—all at no cost to local programs. What makes their approach so effective? Why do community leaders consider their expertise "priceless"? Join us as three team members from KYD Net reveal their collaborative method for strengthening youth programs and the real-world impact of their work. Learn how this accessible resource is elevating youth development across Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, one program at a time.

Reforest Vine can install a curb garden in one day. Mitch Lettow fills us in on the process and how these tiny gardens impact biodiversity and habitat availability for the smallest creatures.

Stop by the Kalamazoo Valley Museum for an early season tour of their rain gardens. These gardens help keep storm water drains clean, as well as help to keep flood-prone spaces from getting soggy.

Every year, Charlie's P.L.A.C.E. and the Rotary conduct big clean ups in Kalamazoo's Douglass neighborhood and on the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail.

The Edison neighborhood got together for Earth Day to tackle a large dumping site and to plant trees in the space.

Audubon Society of Kalamazoo, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, and Wild Ones lead us on a Signs of Spring tour for Earth Day in Upjohn Park. Connecting Communities presents a pod short showcasing the presenters as they discussed the natural habitat of the park with participants of the walk.

Connecting Communities pod short with Mike List, a representative of the Edison Resident Scholars group discussing the cleanup on Earth Day at the Literacy Lane and Albert White Literacy Trail.