City of Ames’ Podcasts
The City of Ames Podcast Network is a collection of shows designed to help residents better understand, connect with, and participate in life in Ames. Rather than following a single format, the network brings together a variety of conversations that blend civic information, behind-the-scenes insight, community education, and personality-driven storytelling. Each podcast takes a more approachable, conversational tone, going beyond basic announcements to explore why topics matter, who is involved, and how they impact everyday life in the community.
Get more information about things happening in Ames at www.CityofAmes.org
Listen on:
Ames in Focus
Ames in Focus is the City’s flagship conversational podcast, featuring City staff, community partners, and local experts discussing programs, projects, and everyday topics that shape life in Ames, from parks and recreation to construction, sustainability, public safety, and library programming. The tone is relaxed and personable, often starting with how guests got into their work before diving into the topic, which helps humanize City staff and make local government feel more approachable. At its core, the show takes topics that might otherwise feel technical or bureaucratic and turns them into clear, engaging conversations that residents can easily understand and connect to.
These 15 to 20 minute episodes drop every Tuesday.
Is there a City program, initiative, ordinance, or department that you would like to know more about? Email Eric.Gebhart@CityofAmes.org
From Agenda to Action
From Agenda to Action is the City’s City Council-focused podcast that helps residents understand what is coming up for discussion and what decisions are being made, typically featuring conversations with Mayor John Haila and occasional councilmembers. The show highlights key agenda items, explains why they matter, and breaks down how those decisions may impact daily life in Ames, from infrastructure and housing to public safety and community development. By turning complex agenda packets into clear, conversational insights, it serves as an accessible guide that helps residents feel more informed, engaged, and connected to local government.
Each meeting cycle includes two episodes. On the Friday before each City Council meeting, we preview key agenda items and upcoming topics for discussion. On the Friday after each meeting, we recap the actions taken by Council, including votes, next steps, and what those decisions mean for the community.
The podcast is designed to make local government more accessible and to help residents feel informed and connected every step of the way.
Live Well, Be Well
The goal is simple: honest conversations that make wellbeing feel more human, achievable, and relevant.
Up Close
How well do you know your neighbors? Up Close is a podcast all about connections. Each week, Engagement Coordinator, Casandra Eames, builds connections with Ames' residents. These stories range from those born and raised in Ames to those from other parts of the world. No matter how different we are, we can all find a way to connect with those around us.
These 45 to 60 minute episodes drop every Thursday.
Would you like to have a conversation with Casandra? Send her an email at Casandra.Eames@CityofAmes.org
Episodes
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
In this episode of Up Close, host Casandra Eames sits down with Daniel Pixley, whose journey started in Ames before taking him across borders. Casandra and Daniel reflect on what it means to live in different parts of the world, and how two people from very different places ended up meeting at Iowa State University.
They talk about the rhythm of life in Ames, from early mornings at the Main Street Farmers’ Market to the quiet, steady pull the city has on those who’ve called it home. Daniel shares what keeps drawing him back to Ames, and why, even after time away, it still feels like the place he belongs.
If you'd like to be featured on Up Close, contact Casandra Eames in the City Manager’s Office or email her at Casandra.Eames@CityofAmes.org.
The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views of the City of Ames or its employees.
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
In this episode of Ames in Focus, we zoom in on the Ames Public Library and how community support turns a great library into something extraordinary. From career journeys to curated booklists, it’s a behind-the-scenes look at what makes the library tick and how you can be part of it.
You’ll learn how donations fuel programs like the IDEA Center, youth outreach, and tech resources, and how the Ames Public Library Friends Foundation keeps it all running. We also talk holiday shopping with a twist: library-branded tees, gift certificates, and staff-picked booklists that double as great presents and subtle literacy encouragement.
Plus, hear about a clever tool for making smarter buying decisions with free access to Consumer Reports through your library card. And discover how even a small donation can help keep library magic going all year long.
What’s Inside:
How community support powers beyond-the-basics library services
The Foundation’s role in fundraising and outreach
Booklists tailored for readers of all ages and picky gift recipients
Local library-themed merch that gives back
Gift certificates from Literary Grounds Bookstore
Why Consumer Reports access is your new secret shopping weapon
How to donate, get involved, and make a difference
Explore More:📚 Donate or Learn More: Ames Public Library Friends Foundation🛍️ Bookstore, Booklists & Gift Ideas: AmesPublicLibrary
Don’t Miss Out:Subscribe to Ames in Focus for more stories and ideas from around the City, plus a few gift ideas you won’t find in aisle five.
Thursday Nov 27, 2025
Thursday Nov 27, 2025
In this episode of Up Close, host Casandra Eames welcomes back three recent guests: Dylan Kline, Sarah Huffman, and Angie DeWaard. Together, they reflect on the themes that connect their stories, including community, curiosity, and care.
Casandra shares the threads she noticed across their conversations, from volunteering and raising kids to the small but meaningful ways people find connection in Ames. The group talks about what draws them to seek out new experiences, how the community shows up for one another, and what it means to build a life here.
If you'd like to be featured on Up Close, contact Casandra Eames in the City Manager’s Office or email her at Casandra.Eames@CityofAmes.org.
The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views of the City of Ames or its employees.
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Curious what it’s like to ride shotgun in a patrol car or dust for fingerprints at a mock crime scene? In this episode, Community Resource Officer Nate Rivera returns to Ames in Focus to pull back the curtain on the Citizen Police Academy. This hands-on program gives Ames residents a rare peek inside the day-to-day world of local policing.
Since launching in 1999, the Academy has served as a bridge between the Ames Police Department and the community. Participants don’t just sit and listen. They step into the action with crime scene simulations, controlled scenarios, and real-time ride-alongs with patrol officers.
Whether you’re interested in law enforcement or simply want a new way to connect with your city, this eight-week Thursday night program is a standout experience.
🔍 Episode Highlights
What the Citizen Police Academy offers and who it’s for
Hands-on activities like mock investigations and patrol shifts
The goals of transparency, education, and relationship building
The program’s 25-year legacy in Ames
Details on how and when to sign up for the next session
Who’s eligible: Anyone age 19 or older who lives or works in AmesWhen: Thursday evenings starting January 8, 2026Where to sign up:Visit the Ames Police Department at 515 Clark AvenueCall the non-emergency number at 515.239.5133Email Officer Nate Rivera at nathan.rivera@cityofames.org
Cost: Free
Want to see your city from a whole new angle? Apply for the Citizen Police Academy and subscribe to Ames in Focus for more stories from around town.
Thursday Nov 20, 2025
Thursday Nov 20, 2025
In this episode of Up Close, host Casandra Eames talks with Angie DeWaard, who first came to Ames to study literature at Iowa State. Though her career path has taken her into the world of IT, Angie’s love for stories and observation shines through in a different way, behind the lens of her camera.
Angie shares some of her favorite spots around Ames to take photos and enjoy time with her family. She and Casandra reflect on the experience of raising kids in Ames, the little things that make the city special, and how a place can grow with you over time.
If you'd like to be featured on Up Close, contact Casandra Eames in the City Manager’s Office or email her at Casandra.Eames@CityofAmes.org.
The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views of the City of Ames or its employees.
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
In this episode, we welcome back Vanessa Baker-Latimer, Housing Coordinator and longtime organizer of the City’s annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration. Vanessa shares what’s in store for the 2026 event, happening January 19 at the Ames City Auditorium. From powerful speakers and moving tributes to student voices and community connection, this celebration continues to honor Dr. King’s legacy in meaningful ways.
What You’ll Hear:
A preview of the MLK Day Celebration: what to expect (COOKIES) and how to attend
Details on the Humanitarian Award and its importance to our community
Information about the MLK Essay Contest for high school students, including deadlines and prizes
How the event invites all Ames residents to reflect, connect, and act
Event Details:🗓️ Monday, Jan. 19, 2026📍 Ames City Auditorium🍪 Cookies at 6 p.m. | 🎤 Program at 6:30 p.m.📺 Livestream available on Facebook and YouTube
Essay Contest Info:Open to students in grades 9–12 in Ames and Story County.Prompt: “How has Dr. King, Jr.'s advocacy impacted your life, and how does it motivate or inspire you to continue his legacy?”Deadline: Sunday, Dec. 7 at 11:59 p.m.Prizes: $500 (1st), $300 (2nd), $200 (3rd)Winning essay will be read during the celebration.
🔗 Learn more and enter at: CityofAmes.org/MLKDay
Thursday Nov 13, 2025
Thursday Nov 13, 2025
In this episode of Up Close, host Casandra Eames talks with Sarah Huffman, whose path to Ames included a lot of movement, from travel across the U.S. to couch surfing and time spent living abroad.
Now rooted in Ames, Sarah shares how the city became more than just a stop along the way. As a volunteer and active community member, she finds Ames to be a place where connections happen naturally and often, a firm net of people who genuinely want to stay connected.
She and Casandra talk about what it means to choose community over prestige, including the surprising moment Sarah turned down a job offer from Columbia University to stay in Ames.
If you'd like to be featured on Up Close, contact Casandra Eames in the City Manager’s Office or email her at Casandra.Eames@CityofAmes.org.
The views and opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not reflect the views of the City of Ames or its employees.
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
In this Veterans Day edition of Ames in Focus, host Bill Gebhart talks with two City of Ames employees who have dedicated their lives to service in more ways than one. Jason Ziph, a Fire Inspector and Navy veteran, and Brad Campbell, a Police Officer and member of the Army National Guard, share how their time in the military has shaped their careers and continues to influence their work in public safety.
They reflect on the values instilled through military service and how those same principles guide them in their roles today. It's a conversation about purpose, resilience, and what it means to serve both country and community.
Highlights:
Jason and Brad’s journeys into fire service and law enforcement
Insights into their military experiences and what they learned
How service in the armed forces influences their current roles
Reflections on the meaning of Veterans Day
Personal messages to fellow veterans
Visit CityofAmes.org and follow us on social media for more stories and updates from around Ames.