Duane Weed of Discover Montcalm Podcast
Keep Montcalm and Carry On
As host of the Discover Montcalm podcast and owner of DW Video & Multimedia, Duane Weed captures the sights and sounds of the Montcalm community
Duane Weed has much to celebrate lately. 2024 marks his 40th year as a video producer and business owner in Howard City, as well as a milestone for his podcast, Discover Montcalm – 100 episodes. The podcast “takes a look at the communities, the businesses, the attractions and the people that make up Montcalm County.”
“Montcalm County has a lot to offer,” he said. "It is made up of wonderful people working hard to make it a better place to work, live and play. That is the story I want to tell and share!"
Born in Pensacola, Florida, while his dad was in the Army, Duane and his family came back to Michigan when he was a year old. He grew up in Morley, Michigan, with his younger brother, and graduated from Morley Stanwood High School in 1979. Duane then received a Bachelor of Science degree in television production from Ferris State College in 1983, before it became a university in 1986.
In 1984, he started his business as Duane Weed Productions in Morley, later changing it to DW Video & Multimedia, LLC. DW Video is a full-service media production company, producing videos and websites for customers to sell and market their products and services, as well as digitizing media. In 1987, Duane married his wife Brenda and moved to Howard City where they raised two children. He built a studio attached to their home which he still works out of today.
The idea of capturing the essence of Montcalm County began as a documentary in 2018. To get the Discover Montcalm documentary started, Duane began videotaping interviews, but finding the funding to take on a multiyear project was challenging. Then 2020 happened, and Duane transitioned the project from a documentary to a podcast concept in 2022.
With the podcast, Duane’s passion for supporting local businesses and communities drives him to investigate the past, with a focus on today, and a glimpse into the future. He also wants to capture local history told by the people, doing it now before local historians are gone. Episodes feature everything from local musicians and authors to cheesemaking and barn histories.
“I love promoting local and learning why someone does what they do,” he said. “This podcast is not about me or my views, it is about the people. I joke that the reason I am the host is that I am the cheapest one I can find and will also carry and set up all the equipment.”
In addition to changing the trajectory of the Discover Montcalm project, 2020 also brought Duane a new career opportunity. In August 2020, Duane received a phone call from Shannon Tripp, director of Early College at the Montcalm Area Career Center (MACC), asking him if he knew anyone who would teach a new Digital Arts program at the MACC. For Duane, it was a serendipitous moment.
“The first year, we worked on getting accredited with the state. There were two students, and the second year two more were added. For 2022-2023, there were 15 students, and for the start of the 2023-2024 school year, there were 26 signed up. I joke that after I do a big production, I hurt. I don’t hurt after a day of teaching; maybe a little frustrated, but that is okay. We are all learning. I love seeing the student’s face when the light bulb comes on, when they figure it out and get it. Then to watch them take it to the next level and to help others. True teamwork. I see this as my opportunity to give back and I am loving it.”
The program continues to grow, with a new classroom and a room for a studio. Second-year students work on producing their own podcast, including overseeing content, writing, producing, being the talent and teamwork. Duane calls it a “fun and interesting challenge.”
Whether it’s teaching, recording the podcast or continuing his video production work, Duane has no plans to slow down.
“I will always have to do something. There are many more stories to tell, videos and films to transfer, businesses and organizations to help and being four years in at the MACC, I still have a program to build. As long as I am healthy and can fulfill the duties needed of me, I do not have a date for stopping.”
