City of Ames’ Podcasts

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, stea...

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 ...

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 dr...

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 Departmen...

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 exper...

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’...

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 genu...

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 ...

In this episode of Up Close, host Casandra Eames sits down with Dylan Kline, a builder in more ways than one. After arriving in Ames for a construction job, Dylan found himself laying deeper foundations as a leader, a volunteer, and a father.

Dylan shares how his role with the Ames Alliance allows him to help shape the city’s future, while his evenings are filled with family life, youth sports, and the everyday rhythm of home. He a...

In this episode of Ames in Focus, we're joined by Curtis Spence, Assistant Director of Ames Electric Services, to explore the future of energy in Ames. At the heart of our conversation is the Ames Energy Center, a major initiative designed to modernize the city’s electric infrastructure, improve reliability, and support sustainability goals.

Curtis shares insights into the planning process, the reasons behind retiring aging infrast...

It’s a five-Thursday month, which means it’s time for a special Up Close conversation with your host Casandra and Producer Bill!

This is the first time Casandra and Bill have been on the pod together since Casandra was out recovering from knee surgery, and there’s a lot to catch up on. They talk about what it was like for Bill to guest host in her absence and reflect on what it means to step in when someone else needs a hand.

From ...

In this episode of Ames in Focus, host Bill Gebhart talks with Deputy Fire Chief Tom Hackett about the proposed relocation of Fire Station #2. The conversation comes just ahead of the public bond referendum on Tuesday, November 4.

Tom shares how he got into public safety, explains the challenges at the current Campustown location, and outlines the benefits of moving to a new site on State Avenue. The episode breaks down what this p...

In this special episode of Up Close, host Casandra Eames reunites her last three guests: Zhengyuan Zhu, Jen Tipton, and Craig Kaufman, for a roundtable conversation about community, connection, and the threads that tie their stories together.

Though they come from different backgrounds and walks of life, Zhengyuan, Jen, and Craig quickly find common ground in their shared experiences. From raising kids in Ames to supporting local t...

As colder weather rolls in, utility bills often rise, and that can pose real challenges for many Ames residents. In this episode, we're joined once again by John Odenweller, Utility Accounts Supervisor for the City of Ames, to break down the resources available to help households stay warm without breaking the bank.

John explains how the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) works, who qualifies, and what documentation...

In this episode of Up Close, host Casandra Eames talks with Craig Kaufman, a familiar face in Ames known for bringing people together through events, in parks, and around music.

Craig shares what it was like to return to Ames after years on the East Coast and how his perspective on the city has deepened since coming back. He and Casandra talk about the joy and challenge of organizing community events, the richness of outdoor life i...

In this heartwarming episode, Bill Gebhart welcomes Sergeant Amber Christian of the Ames Police Department along with a very special four-legged guest, Penny, the department’s new crisis response dog. While still in training, Penny is already bringing comfort, calm, and connection to officers and community members alike. Amber shares what inspired the program, how Penny is being trained, and what her day-to-day role will look like ...

Host Casandra Eames sits down with Jen Tipton, a longtime Ames resident, for a heartfelt conversation about finding home in a place that is always changing.

Jen shares what it is like to build a life and raise a family in a college town, and why she feels so connected to the Ames community. She and Casandra talk about the energy that Iowa State brings to the city, how to stay grounded amid change, and the quiet joy of appreciating ...

In this episode of Ames in Focus, we’re turning up the heat in the best way possible. Deputy Chief Karen Tapper and Commander Brad Jerkins from the Ames Fire Department join Bill Gebhart for an inside look at Fire Prevention Week, the department’s annual Open House, and important updates about the future of Fire Station 2.

Whether you're a longtime Ames resident or new to the area, this conversation is full of practical fire safety...

After a short break for knee surgery, host Casandra Eames returns to Up Close with a special guest: Dr. Zhengyuan Zhu, professor in the nation’s oldest statistics department at Iowa State University.

In this intimate and engaging conversation, Dr. Zhu shares his journey from China to Ames, and what drew him to a career in statistics and life in a small Midwestern city. With his children growing up, Dr. Zhu now spends his weekends o...