What's Up Big Rapids?

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 conv...

Happy (almost) Fourth of July! This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we celebrate America's 250th birthday, recap a fantastic ArtStock weekend, talk summer heat, golf, weddings, and all the events filling up the calendar. Our guest is Mark Brejcha —retired military officer, longtime educator, and Director of Michigan Boys State. He shares his remarkable journey from Big Rapids to military servic...

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we're squeezing the show in early before one of the busiest weeks of the summer. Chris is headed off for his 20th straight year serving with Through the Roof Disability Ministry, Pat is filling his calendar with golf outings, and Big Rapids is packed with events as we head toward Independence Day. Our guests are Jennifer Thede and Bonnie Clark from TNR Mecos...

This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we catch up on summer concerts, birthday parties, movie nostalgia, and a whole lot of community momentum. Our guest is Tyler Schuberg , lifelong Big Rapids resident, fourth-generation business owner, Chamber President, and apparently a seven-time insurance sales champion with a surprisingly good Macho Man Randy Savage impression. We talk about what makes Big Rap...

Summerfest is in the books, the Golden Glizzy has a champion, and Big Rapids is rolling full speed into summer. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , the guys take a breather from guest interviews and catch up on everything happening around town. From the massive success of Summerfest and Back to the Bricks, to new businesses taking shape, summer concerts kicking off, and some truly questionable vir...

Summer has officially arrived in Big Rapids, and so has one of the busiest weekends of the year. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we celebrate Dom's 50th birthday , preview Summerfest , debate the upcoming hot dog eating contest , and welcome Sarah Dixon and Matt Schneider from the newly formed Regional Chamber. We dig into why the new Chamber was created, what it hopes to accomplish, and h...

Big Rapids is officially in full summer mode. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we cover everything from road trips and Korean BBQ to a growing list of events, projects, and momentum across the community . We’re joined by Jennifer Faris Jones , Director of Explore Big Rapids, who breaks down how the Chamber, DBA, and Explore Big Rapids all work together , and what’s being done to bring more visi...

Big Rapids is hitting that early summer stride — and this week’s episode covers a little bit of everything. Chris recaps a trip to the Chicago Drum Show , Hand of Giants gets ready to open for Saving Abel , and the guys try to make sense of Detroit sports and… whatever was going on with nutrition in the 80s 😄 This week’s guest is Luke Wyckoff , a National Geographic photographer and Ferris alum w...

Big Rapids is buzzing — and not just with birds. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we celebrate the unveiling of the new bird statue at Northend Riverside Park , talk bird walks, and even float the idea of bringing back the local Audubon Society. We’re joined by Jenn Rumsey , owner of Schuberg’s Bar and Grill and President of the Downtown Business Association. From growing up in the Schuberg’s l...

Big Rapids is officially in that sweet spot — trees blooming, projects moving, and the calendar filling up fast. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we finally solve the mystery of those white flowering trees downtown (spoiler: not dogwoods), check in on the Chipotle construction progress , and recap a busy weekend that included live music, a marriage retreat, and a whole lot of community activity...

Winter tried to sneak back in this week… but Big Rapids isn’t slowing down. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we recap a huge community turnout for the National Championship parade , celebrate local wins in real estate and business growth, and look ahead to a packed spring calendar full of events. We’re joined by Arthur Johnson , Director of Artworks, who shares his journey into the role, his vi...

Big Rapids is buzzing this week — with Championship Weekend , new development across town, and one of the fastest-growing sports in the country taking center stage. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we send our thoughts to those affected by recent flooding, celebrate community efforts like Rotary’s highway cleanup, and check in on exciting progress around town — from the new Chipotle build to To...

Spring has finally arrived in Big Rapids… even if everyone’s a little too busy to enjoy it. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we cover everything from the aftermath of The Masters and a successful Chamber kickoff to a wave of new development and momentum across town . We’re joined by representatives from the Ferris State Toastmasters Club , including Dr. Scott Dell and student president Alex. It...

Spring break is over, but Big Rapids didn’t slow down for a second. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we celebrate a huge win for the University of Michigan basketball program , Chris somehow winning the WUBR March Madness pool, and the long-awaited reopening of the Big Rapids Movie Theater to rave reviews 🎬 We’re joined by Trudi Clark from Papa’s Place , an organization providing care, connect...

Spring is officially here, and this week’s episode is packed with fresh energy, new beginnings, and one of the most impressive young guests we’ve ever had on the show. We welcome Andrew Hinkle , a young creator and builder who’s already diving into websites, apps, and big ideas — including his project SpendSomeTime. It’s a fascinating conversation about creativity, technology, and what it looks li...

Spring is trying to show up, and Big Rapids is right there with it. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , we celebrate some big wins — Taste of Mecosta was a hit , March Madness is heating up (with Chris somehow in the lead), and most importantly… the Big Rapids Movie Theater is officially reopening next week 🎬 We’re also joined by returning guest Mayor Dr. Fred Guenther , who brings a full slate o...

March is rolling, and Big Rapids is buzzing. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , Chris shares his experience trying authentic African drumming, Pat recaps a full weekend of Gus Macker basketball, and the guys embrace the chaos of Michigan weather while gearing up for March Madness . But the big story this week? The return of the Big Rapids Movie Theater . We sit down with new owner Jordan Stancil...

⛳🦎🎙️ The weather has been all over the place lately, but one thing is clear — spring energy is starting to build in Big Rapids. This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , Chris reports that the spring real estate market is waking up , the Banded Raccoon continues to expand its lineup of creative events , and Chris checks off a major musical bucket-list moment by performing at the Pyramid Scheme with Ha...

Chris returns from a massive road trip to New Mexico after attending the Drum Circle Facilitator’s Guild Conference , and it turns out the experience may have been life-changing. Along the way the guys debate vacation workouts, Pat confesses a run-in with Insomnia Cookies, and Dom launches into a passionate cookie war between Crumbl and Insomnia . This week’s guest is Dr. Kate O’Conner , Dean of F...

❄️🔥🌲 Winter Whiplash, Wild Adventures & Local Legends | What’s Up Big Rapids – 2.25.26 Winter made a surprise return this week — along with a head cold for Chris — but that didn’t slow down another packed episode of What’s Up Big Rapids . We cover everything from a local fire reminder (clean those dryer vents!) to the sale of a longtime red-roofed landmark to expand EMS services. There’s big...

📚🐦🎶 Birding, Books & Big News | What’s Up Big Rapids – 2.18.26 This week’s episode is packed with local momentum — from birding breakthroughs and basketball milestones to big retail rumors becoming real applications. Chris may have officially caught the birding bug, Shavon surprised him with concert tickets, and downtown continues to build steam with new businesses on the horizon. But the h...

❄️✨🎭 Fresh Signs, Full Schedules & February Feels | What’s Up Big Rapids – 2.11.26 We’re officially 10% of the way through 2026 — how are those New Year goals holding up? This week on What’s Up Big Rapids , downtown momentum continues with new signs going up at The Banded Raccoon and Cottage Inn Pizza & Pub , Festival of the Arts is in full swing, and there’s no shortage of things to do...

🌱❤️🎉 Fresh Starts, Full Focus & February Fun | What’s Up Big Rapids – 2.4.26 February is here, and the guys check in on New Year goals, weekend adventures, and a surprisingly controversial food discovery that may or may not change salads forever. With Dom away on a missions trip, Kenzie is back behind the producer desk, and the show rolls on with plenty of laughs, community updates, and a me...

🐾❄️🎨 Frigid Days, Full Hearts & Festival Season | What’s Up Big Rapids – 1.28.26 This week’s episode of What’s Up Big Rapids starts on a tender note as Chris and his family say goodbye to a beloved four-legged friend. From there, the conversation moves through the very real challenges of sub-zero temperatures, frozen pipes, and winter wear-and-tear — balanced by gratitude, creativity, and a...

🎸🐡🏙️ Frozen Furnaces, Fiddle Traditions & Downtown Momentum | What’s Up Big Rapids – 1.21.26 Winter is testing everyone this week — from furnaces and fitness goals to snow-packed weekends — but Big Rapids keeps moving forward. Chris battles studio heating issues, Pat bounces back strong after illness, and the guys talk habits, health, and why sticking with change takes longer than people thi...