Calvin College - Inner Compass Michigan

Our Hosts:

Shirley Hoogstra

Karen Saupe

Inner Compass is a television interview show that explores how people make their decisions about ethical, religious, and social justice issues. Guests include authors, activists, religious leaders, and engaging thinkers from around the world.

Inner Compass broadcasts on public television stations across the United States, starting in West Michigan. Viewers & programmers outside West Michigan can see the national selection of upcoming Season 2 episodes here.

Latest West Michigan Broadcasts:

Enfolding Ex-Prisoners

Forever defined by their worst choices, former prisoners re-enter a society that locked them up and tried to throw away the key. Harold Dean Trulear of the Howard University School of Divinity and The Center for Public Justice shows how churches across the nation work to provide a warmer return for these citizens. Karen Saupe hosts.

Religion & Reporters: Oil & Water?

As religion becomes a central theme in the headlines of the day, many journalists find themselves to be under-informed. Michael Cromartie of the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C. describes how he brings religion experts and reporters together for some revealing conversations.

Forsaking the Fast Track

John Rodden, a scholar and writer who no longer specializes in one area of study, describes his motivations and adventures after walking away from a promising career as a professor in order to pursue his dreams. Karen Saupe hosts.

Up Next:

Issues with Alzheimer's

Alzheimer’s Disease strikes 1 in 4 older Americans, and the ethical dilemmas that come with it strike many more than that. Hessell Bouma III of the Calvin College biology dept. shows host Karen Saupe how we can best prepare for this unexpected situation, and how we can support those who are facing difficult decisions. Features a special short interview with Ken & Jean Andree, an Alzheimer's patient and his wife.

Inner Compass airs nationally on public television stations at various times. The newest season airs first on WGVU-TV throughout southwest Michigan Sundays at 1:30 p.m. in Standard Def and High Def (pre-empted currently for pledge programming). National broadcast times and locations (PDF, 268Kb) vary.

Grand Rapids: channel 35 or cable channel 6
Kalamazoo: channel 52
Calvin College: campus cable channel 12

Inner Compass to your town

In July 2009 Inner Compass began offering its second season of 13 episodes to all public television stations in the U.S. E-mail us for ideas on how to bring Inner Compass to your area. Business owners have special opportunities.

Awards

#711 Supporting Locally Owned Businesses
Host: Karen Saupe

Two Bronze trophies from the 29th Annual Telly Awards competition, which received over 14,000 entries from all 50 states and many foreign countries.

#715 Authentic Race Relations
Host: Shirley Hoogstra

2007 Awards of Distinction from The Communicator Awards

#612 Redefining Masculinity
Host: Shirley Hoogstra

Two 2007 Awards of Distinction from The Communicator Awards, an international video competition "recognizing creative excellence in the communication field," for "exceeding industry standards in quality and excellence."

2007 Awards of Distinction from The Communicator Awards

#622 Eating Like a Woman
Host: Karen Saupe

Bronze Winner in the 27th Annual Telly Awards competition, which received over 12,000 entries from all 50 states and 5 continents..

"Award of Excellence" from The Accolade Competition, honoring outstanding craft and creativity in film, video, television, and commercials.

"Award of Distinction" from the Videographer Awards international video production competition for being "clearly above industry standards."