Michigan Reimagined

Chris has said a number of times, Michigan may have the most competitive and effective start-up ecosystems in the country. Two major players in that space are the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan State University Research Foundation. Joining him to share the details of the 2026 PitchMi event details - which is fully in swing - is the Director of Portfolio Management at Re...

Michigan is a state that “makes stuff” - and we’re hell bent to keep it that way. We have massive manufacturers, and we have many thriving small manufacturers as well. One resource available to them is through the Capital Area Manufacturing Council. Joining Chris to discuss their work, and an upcoming event is Executive Director of CAMC, Cindy Kangas!

If you feel frustrated by politics, you’re not alone. It feels like our political system is dominated by special interests & SuperPACs. There is a Michigan-based volunteer-run, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to educating the Michigan public about Ranked Choice Voting - or RCV. Joining Chris to share more about their mission is the Executive Director for the Rank MI Vote Ballot...

Life can be hard, and work can be hard. When the pressure gets too high, sometimes people lean on destructive habits to get through the days. Those who fight their way out of those habits can use all the help they can get. Joining Chris to tell a pretty remarkable story of an employer earning a “Recovery Friendly Workplace” status is Partner & President of Rathbun Insurance of Lansing, Laura S...

Like most cities, Lansing has a robust park system. But parks don’t just happen - they need to be funded, maintained, and marketed as well. Joining Chris to tell us about complexities of funding a metropolitan park system is the is new Executive Director of the Lansing Parks Foundation, Samantha Harkins!

Lansing has produced a lot of talented people, and talented people are often lured away to chase their dreams elsewhere. Every now and then we get a star to return home. Joining Chris to share the story of Lansing School’s Student Development Program is its founder, Jon Horford!

Custom Built has been offering first class design and home renovations in Michigan for 20 years. Now, as they are hitting their stride, their leaders are here to share big news about the acquisition of a complimentary local business. Joining Chris to share the details are Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, Michael Flory, and Director of Marketing and Sales, Isabelle Braeutigam!

Outdoor Recreation is a critical component to a vibrant and energized city. Lansing is a river city afterall, so let’s discuss how you can get out on the water! Joining Chris to share the offerings and passion behind Rivertown Kayaks with Co-Founder Paul Brogan!

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity - or LEO - and the Michigan Center for Employee Ownership - or MICEO - announced the State’s second company to transition to Employee Owned - and that company is Lansing’s DBI, a local and legacy Haworth furniture dealer. Joining Chris to share what this means and why it’s important are DBI President & CEO Mr. George Snyder, and Vice Pr...

Chris has touted Lansing’s depth and breadth of business support for years. Today’s show is yet another example of ways your business can get the tools it needs to thrive. Joining him to share the details of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce’s new THRIVE series - “Leadership Development for Every Stage” is their Talent Development Manager, Sarah Bakken!

In August 2021, Hip Hop Appreciation month became a state holiday. All of the Above Hip Hop Academy (AOTA) immediately got after it. On August 15th, AOTA will be hosting the 5th annual Cap City Breaking Jam at the Lansing Shuffle. Joining Chris to share the history and details of this amazing event is the Executive Director of All of the Above Hip Hop Academy, Ozay Moore!

It’s become commonplace for people to complain about work. Many will flippantly make disparaging comments about their jobs, and others feel real disdain and disengagement about their worklives. A group of professionals have decided it’s time to change that thought process and launched the Empowerment Institute for Michigan. Joining Chris to discuss their mission and curriculum are President, Dr. T...

Success begets success, and investment often begets investment. I recently saw an article about sections of Kalamazoo making major investment, and learned more about how that might affect the housing nearby. Joining Chris to share his perspective of these endeavors is a Realtor with EXP Realty of SW Michigan, Jared Stout!

Artificial Intelligence is here, and here to stay. Many are tinkering with its abilities, but others are diving into the deep end to become experts and assist others with their journeys. Joining Chris to speak on their new endeavor - Compound - is the Founder of Super Web Pros and teacher of AI systems and organizational design at Michigan State, Jesse Flores and Founder of Lead With Collective, a...

East Lansing has undergone a major transformation in the past decade, East from Hannah Plaza and the Hub, through downtown’s Landmark & Abbot projects, and West to Skyview and Red Cedar. Some say that’s enough, others say more is needed. Joining Chris to discuss another project downtown East Lansing called “The Howard” is the Chief Executive Officer for Harbor Bay Ventures, Mark Bell!

The MSU Research Foundation has been at the forefront of fostering Michigan start-ups for years. They recently announced a new investment in East Lansing. Joining Chris to discuss what that means and why it’s important is the Director of Research Parks for the MSU Research Foundation, Jeff Smith!

Michigan’s K-12 education performance is a hotly discussed topic lately. But it’s hard to make considerable improvements until you first address the teacher shortage. One lifelong educator has launched an organization focused on doing just that - building a more robust educator pipeline. Joining Chris to tell the story of Michigan’s Educator Workforce Initiative is its Founding Partner & CEO,...

Non-Profit Helps Returning Vets Get Into Skilled Trades

Housing opportunities and solutions may be the largest challenge Michgian is facing. The City of Detroit has an established organization called the Detroit Housing Commission - and they are providing an amazing amount of support to its residents. Joining Chris to share their story, their mission and their services are Detroit Housing Commission Executive Director, Arthur Jemison and Chief Operatin...

Walsh College Laser Focused on Developing Students Proficient in AI and Advanced Tech

MDARD Offers Solutions to Agribusiness and Rural Communities - Recently With Food Insecurity

Next Street Prepares Downstream Supply Chain Partners to Engage With Buyers On A Large Scale

Rental Property Owners Association Advocates For Housing Solutions Statewide

Lansing’s Rivertrail has been loved by many for decades. In recent years, the Capital Region Community Foundation has invested in several downtown venues along the trail, and now there is a website - lansingriverfront.org - hosting a bevy of information for residents and visitors alike. Joining Chris to discuss the details of these spaces and their offerings is the President & CEO of the Commu...

Oakland County Offers Robust Talent Development Solutions - Aligns with Business