5 MAY 2024 · On this week's program, host Phil Tower welcomes Nick Nerbonne, the Digital and Industry Relations Director with Travel Michigan. Nick joined us on the program to talk about the impact of sports and tourism on the state of Michigan.  Nick told us that sports tourism is a huge and very important part of the overall tourism picture for the state’s economy. The 2024 NFL Draft in downtown Detroit concluded in late April, and city officials anticipate the economic impact to be significant. Detroit ended the NFL Draft by setting the attendance record with over 700,000 fans at the event, beating the record of 600,000 fans set in 2019 in Nashville. Detroit also set the record for the highest attendance on Day one of the draft, with 275,000 fans. Nick also talked about The Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism, which was held in April and is the biggest event of the year for the entire tourism industry and related businesses. The conference tracks over 500 tourism leaders and industry representatives from across Michigan. Online: https://www.michigan.org/ In part two this week, Phil spoke with Bob Hughes and  Joe DiBenedetto, both Co-Chairs for this year's Armed Forces Thanksgiving celebration on May 17 at The J.W. Marriott in downtown Grand Rapids.  The Armed Forces Thanksgiving event was created in 2014 by a group of Grand Rapids businessmen to raise awareness and dialogue on the contributions our military personnel have made - and continue to make - on behalf of their families, friends, and country. The annual Armed Forces Thanksgiving celebration provides a vehicle for our community, from teens to adults, to understand, honor, and express thanks for the service of those who have served or are serving in our Armed Forces.  Funds raised after expenses are donated to the West Michigan Veterans Coalition so that they can continue their mission of improving the lives of veterans and their families by connecting them to all available support services and resources in West Michigan.  Bob and Joe stressed that the organization is still looking to attract more high schools and students to participate in the annual event.   Online: https://www.armedforcesthx.org/

27 APR 2024 · In this week's program, host Phil Tower welcomes back Chad Livengood, politics editor and columnist at The Detroit News.   Chad joined us in this program to discuss a broad range of political topics, focusing first on Michigan politics and the recent criminal charges brought against former speaker of the house, Lee Chatfield, by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.  In mid-April, Nessel unveiled 13 criminal charges against former House Speaker Lee Chatfield, saying he had flagrantly misused nonprofit dollars to pay off his personal credit card and fund purchases at wineries and luxury retail stores. Chad told us that the Michigan Attorney General's office has also brought charges against Lee Chatfield's wife, Stephanie, for her role in the alleged scheme. Chad also discussed the growing problem of many Michigan lawmakers having pockets of money available through funds connected with their office, a third-party pack, or some other group. Later, according to Livengood, we talked about Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer, a potential presidential candidate for 2028 and possibly even for 2024. A major publisher is set to release a book this summer by Gretchen Whitmer about her life and years as governor of Michigan, another sign of a signal of the Democrat's expanding national profile. The book, titled "TRUE GRETCH: What I’ve Learned About Life We Are, Leadership, and Everything in Between," is set to go on sale July 9,  Link: https://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/columnists/chad-livengood/2024/04/20/michigan-legislature-lee-chatfield-dana-nessel-officeholder-expense-fund/73366968007/.  

21 APR 2024 · On this week's program, host Phil Tower welcomes Michigan Civil Rights Commission Chair Gloria Lara.  The Michigan Civil Rights Commission is sponsoring the final of four statewide public hearings on housing discrimination right here in Grand Rapids at the Community Center for Transformation on Sunday, April 28, 2024. The Michigan Department of Civil Rights will be hosting this special gathering for individuals to voice their hopes, concerns, and experiences regarding housing-related issues directly to Michigan Civil Rights Commission members.  Chair Lara told us that insights gathered from these hearings will be pivotal in shaping future plans, policies, and programs concerning housing rights and equality. Later on, the commission will be convening a Civil Rights Summit on June 12, 2024, where the findings from these hearings will be discussed and utilized to inform decision-making processes.  Online: https://www.michigan.gov/mdcr Phil spoke with Sara Mulder, Development Coordinator for The Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding in part two of the program. The Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding works with kids and adults with special needs, providing a sense of independence and freedom that defies disabilities. Sara spoke with us about the power and benefits of therapeutic riding for persons with emotional and physical disabilities.  Equest Therapy combines instruction in traditional horsemanship skills with concepts of physical therapy, occupational therapy, and social/emotional therapies.  The Equest Center is holding its biggest fundraiser of the year….called Horsing Around at the Derby for Equest’s Riders, on Saturday, May 4, at The Equest Center’s facilities in Rockford, MI. Learn more about the event: https://equestderby.com/ https://equestcenter.org/

13 APR 2024 · On this week's program, host Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Meg Jay, Ph.D.  Meg Jay. Meg is a developmental clinical psychologist who specializes in twentysomethings. She is also the author of a brand new book…..The Twentysomething Treatment: A Revolutionary Remedy for an Uncertain Age, and the author of “The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter and How to Make the Most of Them Now”  and “Supernormal: The Secret World of the Family Hero.”   Meg also has one of the most-watched TED talks to date. It can be viewed here: In her new book, The Twentysomething Treatment: A Revolutionary Remedy for an Uncertain Age, Dr. Meg Jay reveals why most young adults don’t have disorders that need to be treated; they have problems that can be solved.  Readers will learn why mental health is most likely to improve outside a doctor’s office—through skill-building—and why, for the twentysomething brain, the time for skill-building is now.  https://megjay.com/ https://www.amazon.com/Twentysomething-Treatment-Meg-Jay-ebook/dp/B0CHPZ3SZY In part 2 of this week's program, Phil speaks with Corey Adkins, VP of Standup Great Lakes, Content and Communications Director for The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum, and Kwin Morris, co-founder of Stand Up for Great Lakes. Kwin is a skilled waterman, traveler, and adventurer. He is a science teacher in the Elk Rapids School District and a Great Lakes Historical Shipwreck Society board member.    Kwin told us he has crossed all of the great lakes by paddleboard, but most recently, one of the more challenging crossings was the crossing of Lake Ontario.  That crossing became the subject of a documentary that Kwin and Corey worked on together.  The documentary, Crossing Ontario, debuted in January of this year at the Thunder Bay International Film Festival. Emmy-award-winning videographer Corey Adkins was with them for the majority of their crossings, and this momentous crossing became the subject of their most recent documentary. Stand Up for Great Lakes goal has been, and continues to be, the preservation and education on the beautiful lakes, rivers and streams in Michigan. Online:https://standupforgreatlakes.com/ The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is one of Michigan’s most popular destinations in the cultural tourism industry, attracting nearly 100,000 visitors each season. Museum patrons learn about the perils of maritime transport on the Great Lakes at the Whitefish Point Light Station, a historic site on the National Register of Historic Places. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum is also home to the Whitefish Point Light Tower, which has been in continuous operation since 1861, making it the oldest lighthouse on Lake Superior. Online: https://shipwreckmuseum.com/

7 APR 2024 · On this week's episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Taylor Olson, the Director of Marketing for The Detroit Tigers. We hit the road for this special segment and recorded live on location from Comerica Park as the Tigers rolled out the red carpet for the media to discuss “What’s New” at Comerica Park for the 2024 Detroit Tigers season.  Taylor shared many exciting details about the upcoming Tigers season, including new food items, fan giveaways, and updated merchandise items.  We also learned about a new 15,000 square-foot Videoboard recently installed at Comerica Park… The largest of its kind in the league.  At Comerica Park's newly unveiled Kulture City Sensory Room, Taylor also talked about the importance of making Comerica Park a welcoming place for all families, including those with kids with special sensory needs. Special days at Comerica Park this year will celebrate all kinds of unique things, including the 40th anniversary of the Tiger's 1984 World Series championship and former Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland. ONLINE: https://www.mlb.com/tigers   In part two of the program, Phil speaks with Katie Bower, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. As part of supporting National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, police agencies throughout Michigan are teaming up with the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) for a high-visibility enforcement effort during April.  According to Michigan Traffic Crash Facts, 15,441 confirmed motor vehicle crashes involving a distracted driver in Michigan during 2022, the most recent year for which data is available. Distracted driving crashes resulted in 5,905 injuries and 57 fatalities. Katie reminded us that violating Michigan’s Hands-Free Driving Law is costly: For the first offense, a $100 ticket and/or 16 hours of community service; for the second offense, a $250 ticket and/or 24 hours of community service; and for a third offense, within three years, the driver is to complete a driving-improvement course. Online:  http://www.michigan.gov/DistractedDriving.

29 MAR 2024 · On this week's program, host Phil Tower welcomes  Ava “Attari,” Higher Education Partnerships Director with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. The State of Michigan has launched a new incentive program to retain and attract more college students to live here in the Great Lakes State after graduation. The new program promotes semiconductor, electric vehicle, and mobility careers.  It’s called The Michigander Scholars Program. Online:  https://www.michiganbusiness.org/why-michigan/workforce/the-michigander-scholarship/ In the program's second half, Phil welcomes International best-selling author Don Winslow.  Winslow will be a featured guest on the National Writers Series stage on Sunday, April 7, in Traverse City. Winslow will be interviewed by guest host, co-founder of the National Writers Series, and New York Times best-selling author Doug Stanton as Winslow tells the story of his newest book, City in Ruins–the explosive conclusion of his epic Danny Ryan trilogy. Although it follows City on Fire and City of Dreams, you can read the three novels in any order, according to Winslow.  Beyond being a bestselling author, Winslow is a former investigator, anti-terrorist trainer, and trial consultant. Winslow recently announced that City in Ruins will be the final novel of his extraordinary career.  Online:  https://nationalwritersseries.org/don-winslow/

24 MAR 2024 · On this week's program, host Phil Tower welcomes Gary Schuler, the founder and president of GTF Technologies. Gary was recently featured on iHeartRadio's CEOs You Should Know Podcast Series. GTF Technologies was founded in 2014 and specializes in creating secondary applications for unused plant-based materials such as fruit and vegetable side streams and brewer's spent grain from larger juice food processors.    GTF Technologies uses a revolutionary drying and pulverizing technology that enables materials to be “re-valued” into new “green” materials such as consumer food products, next-generation animal feed, bio-degradable plastic, and building products.   GTF uses an innovative way to divert food waste and perishable food from landfills. As Founder and President, Gary is GTF Technologies' visionary. He also leads strategic growth and oversees business development. GTF Technologies is located in Ada Michigan. Online:http://www.gtf-technologies.com/

19 MAR 2024 · On this week's program, host Phil Tower speaks with Chad Somerville, Outreach Manager with MI Student Aid with MiLEAP — Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential. For parents and students preparing for college, after a long delay and some mistakes on the newly released FAFSA form, the federal government has just released a new and revised FAFSA — Free Application for Federal Student Aid form at fafsa.gov. This is the first year of using the new streamlined FAFSA, and any time a new program is rolled out, it takes some getting used to. Chad answered several common questions about the new form, including who should fill out the FAFSA and what the timing should be.  Online: http://www.studentaid.gov https://micollegeaccess.org FAFSA.gov Later, Phil speaks with Mike Gesler, Director of Escanaba in da Moonlight, and cast member Ron Jenkins, who plays deer camp dad Albert Soady in the new Lionheart productions presentation of Jeff Daniels’ Escanaba in da Moonlight. LionHeart Productions will present  Jeff Daniels’ Escanaba in da Moonlight Live on stage at the Grant Public Schools Fine Arts Center March 21-24, 2024.    Tickets for all the shows for Escanaba in da Moonlight are available at lionheartproductions.org/ https://lionheartproductions.org/current-production/  

11 MAR 2024 · On the program this week, host Phil Tower welcomes Noelle Riley, Marketing and Communications Director with the National Writers Series, Traverse City, Michigan. The National Writers Series is a nonprofit organization dedicated to engaging world-renowned authors in meaningful conversations in the Traverse City area. Since 2010, the National Writers Series has hosted more than 230 authors––including Alice Walker, Margaret Atwood, David Sedaris, Jodi Picoult, and many others––and drawn more than 70,000 people to our events, mostly held at the City Opera House. The events have also sold some 20,000 books through local bookstores. We spoke with Noelle about several great upcoming authors and that all of these best-selling authors' talks are available virtually on their website. Online: https://nationalwritersseries.org/ In part to the program this week, Phil speaks with Ellen Carpenter,  Executive Director of the Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan. The Ronald McDonald House has had a presence in Grand Rapids since 1990.  The actual Ronald McDonald House in Grand Rapids sits on 5 acres on the northeast side of town and has been, for decades, a place of hope and healing when families find themselves in situations with children in chronic situations hospitalized in Grand Rapids. The staff at Ronald McDonald House Charities West Michigan provide care, comfort, community, and a free place to stay so families can focus on what’s most important – the health of their child. Ellen also mentioned a strong need for volunteers and donations at local McDonald's restaurants… Two great ways to support the charity. https://rmhcwm.org

1 MAR 2024 · On the program this week, host Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Sandra Upton, Founder and Chief DEI Strategist with Upton Consulting Group (UCG), author of the new book, https://www.amazon.com/Make-Last-Roadmap-Practical-Strategies/dp/173522829X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3QAQI5RHTSRLE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.jVWRLDxvY0SzUMoc1PAR_BypXM4Rd63ogBSXV0PlO_U.h4IPgxDIrIMw1utsXSD6q0yF6DqwDAE8p7ZrleKfMg8&dib_tag=se&keywords=make+it+last+sandra+upton&qid=1709257348&sprefix=make+it+last%2C+sa%2Caps%2C128&sr=8-1 available on Amazon. Dr Upton and UCG work with DEI professionals and organizations around the globe. Before launching UCG, Dr. Upton was vice president of the Global Diversity Practice with the Cultural Intelligence Center and was responsible for providing strategic leadership and expertise on diversity, equity, and inclusion matters for numerous clients around the world. She is a frequent speaker, has written numerous articles and blogs, and has been featured on several podcasts. In 2023, she was selected as one of Crain's Grand Rapids Business's Notable Leaders in DEI. Her new book, "Make It Last: A Roadmap and Practical Strategies for How to Do DEI" was released in early February 2024. More Online: https://uptonconsultinggroup.com/ TOPICS ADDRESSED: diversity, equity, and inclusion, belonging, DEI in the workplace, pushback against DEI initiatives, DEI training, talent, recruitment, talent assessment.