Sidewalk Talks

From Lebanon to selling suits in Saginaw...it's Sal, baby! In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Phil visits Sal, a longtime Saginaw tailor known as “Sal Baby,” for his first podcast, reflecting on how Sal helped save Phil’s wedding suit experience after a bad big-box chain encounter and how Sal’s shop treats customers like family. Sal describes running his store for about 38 years, traveling to trad...

Marlana Cork kicks off Season Three with a Sidewalk Talk about community-building! Be sure to subscribe to Sidewalk Talks and leave a review! 00:00 Season Premiere Banter 01:17 Aging and Dentist Days 02:31 Why Community Matters 03:53 Grandma’s Candy House 07:04 Showing Up When It’s Hard 10:24 Community as Relationship 17:13 Unsung Heroes and Commitment 21:38 Communication Meets Action 23:43 Confli...

A new season of Sidewalk Talks premieres Monday! Watch the video for a sneak preview of all of this season's amazing guests, and then subscribe to Sidewalk Talks and leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts.  Two new episodes will go up every week, so subscribe and don't miss an episode! 

On Saturday, September 28th at 7:30 p.m., the Saginaw Bay Symphony Orchestra (SBSO) continues its 90th Season with Music Reframed: Pictures at an Exhibition at the historic Temple Theatre in downtown Saginaw. This ambitious program pairs one of the most celebrated orchestral works of all time with bold contemporary compositions performed by their creators. The evening culminates in Modest Mussorgs...

In his first-ever podcast appearance, MLive journalist Justin Engel talks about his history and work in local journalism. The conversation centers on defining journalism and discusses misinformation, clickbait, and AI-generated content, and argues for news literacy and reading beyond headlines and comment sections. Justin and Phil emphasize the value of strong local media in the Great Lakes Bay Re...

From Saginaw to living to an RV and back again! In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Jessica Shepherd discusses her background in broadcasting and journalism, selling most of her belongings to travel full-time in an RV for about two and a half years, and work-camping around the country. She talks about life on the road and why she and her partner, Mark, chose to return home to Saginaw. 00:00 Mic Che...

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Eric Shevchenko talks about bringing New York-style pizza to Saginaw with Old World Pizzeria. He talks about the power of food as a way to keep people connected, preserve culture, evoke emotion, and be a vehicle for creativity.  Eric explains how pizza became his focus, including a 48-hour research trip to New York eating slices and revisiting favorites. Shevcenk...

Ja'Maiya Ryan is a Saginaw-based designer and she just released a new collection! In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, she talks about design, her history, and her love of not only designing, but creating accessible and beautiful accessories.  00:00 Celebrating the Win: The Iconic Happy Tears Photo 00:21 Behind the Scenes: Finding the Right Fashion Program 00:32 Hands-On Craft: Tools, Techniques, an...

Brian Pruitt was heading into the NFL draft as one of the best running backs in the country, when he received a phone call that changed his life forever. On NFL draft night, he received a call from his agent that he would not be drafted due to spinal stenosis discovered at the NFL combine, a condition the league was then weeding out because of neck-injury risk.  After three years of trying to retu...

In this indoor episode of Sidewalk Talks, the host sits down with Alexandria Renee over coffee to talk about local coffee shops, the Healthier Me podcast, and her work in public relations. Alexandria explains how Healthier Me began through Be Well Saginaw coalition partners after Saginaw County learned in January 2024 that it ranked number one in Michigan for obesity, with the goal of encouraging...

Samantha Engel discusses the READ Association of Saginaw County, founded in 1966 to help children improve reading skills and discover the joy of reading. She shares her background as a historian at Dow Gardens and the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, then explains why she joined READ in January 2024. The episode outlines READ’s core mentor program—trained adult volunteers paired one-on-one...

In the podcast’s first father-son episode, Phil interviews Bishop Hurley Coleman Jr. and Hurley Coleman III about their life paths, careers, and leadership in Saginaw. Hurley Coleman Jr. shares his upbringing and education, how he discovered parks and recreation as a career at Eastern Michigan University, and his work with Washtenaw County Parks, Saginaw County Parks, the City of Saginaw (includin...

A conversation with Saginaw County health leader Christina Harrington about the chaos and controversy of navigating the pandemic and how Saginaw’s approach—humility, grace, and authentic collaboration—strengthened partnerships instead of breaking trust. The discussion explains how that collaboration led to Be Well, a community-wide initiative guided by a three-year community health assessment and...

Phil talks with Kristen Squires, Director of Marketing at the Dow Event Center, about parenting, frost quakes and trees exploding, identical twin mix-ups, coming events at The Dow and more! Kristen shares how she intentionally returned to event-space marketing and gives a sneak peek at what to expect this year,  from hockey and monster trucks to Broadway and Bob Dylan! 00:00 Meet Kristen Squires 0...

Join us as we welcome Jamie Forbes once again to talk about an extraordinary mutual aid initiative happening in Saginaw. Jamie shares the inspiring story of how this grassroots effort started with a simple Facebook post and has now raised $17,600 to help Saginaw neighbors in need. Jamie explains the concept of mutual aid, the power of social media in mobilizing support, and the importance of commu...

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, we chat with the handsome, charming, and always charismatic Jeff Larsen! We talk about Saginaw’s food scene, Jeff's role at Great Lake Bay Health Centers, and the importance of serving the underserved, and his battles with imposter syndrome. We also touch on Jeff's personal life, especially parenting and the unique joys and challenges it brings.  Tune in for an e...

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, we sit down with Arshen Baldwin,  Assistant Principal at Saginaw United High School! Arshen shares her inspiring journey from generational poverty to becoming an educational leader, discusses the transformative power of education, the importance of building relationships with students, and her vision for the future of Saginaw United High School. She also talks ab...

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, we chat with Brian Keenan-Lechel, Director at Saginaw County Parks and Saginaw Community Foundation's Volunteer of the Year! Why are we sitting on a hill? Why does he have two last names? What's up with the outhouses and kickball?  AND HE CAN JUGGLE!? Check out the episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts!  Show Notes:  00:00 Introduction and Initial Bante...

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Christiana Malacara, journalist and creator of the podcast That's What She Said on WSGW! Christiana shares her journey of interviewing over 60 women from the Great Lakes Bay region, the inspiration behind her show, and the powerful lessons learned from amplifying women's voices. Key Topics & Highlights The Saginaw community and the power of local connections...

It's a Sidewalk Party! Just as Christiana Malacara from That's What She Said! Radio Show on WSGW and I were sitting down for a Sidewalk Talk, Cassi Zimmerman from the City of Saginaw Government walked by. Then Hurley TJ Coleman III from Saginaw County Community Action Committee (CAC). Then Ben Wieland (also from the City), then co-owners of Old Town Wonder Dyann Fulgencio and Isobel Jarema, then A...

Join us in an inspiring conversation with Nyesha Clark-Young as she discusses the impact of the environment on our perceptions, the essential role of art in society, and the intersection of STEM and creativity. Discover how Saginaw's unique gritty history shapes its vibrant artistic community and learn about the upcoming community event, 'The Last Splash,' aimed at transforming the local skate par...

Saginaw is starting a new school, and to help kick it off, Superintendent of Saginaw Public Schools, Dr. Ramont Roberts, joins us for a Sidewalk Talk!  We talk discuss everything from the transformative journey initiated by the 2020 bond to future strategic plans to how the entire community of Saginaw  can support the educatioan and future of our kids. Watch the episode here or listen to Sidewalk...

In this episode of Sidewalk Talks, Tina Dowe Swanton, CEO of the Saginaw Community Food Club and Kitchen,  gives us the scoop on this incredible project that will increase access to quality food in the City of Saginaw. The Food Club will feel and act like your favorite grocery store, but with a very different approach to pricing. Members will pay $12 to $16 a month—a sliding scale based on income...

We dive deep with Jimmy Green, discussing the essence of authenticity in life and marriage, the importance of being genuinely oneself, and the significance of honesty in personal growth and relationships. He also passionately talks about his recent initiative, 'Safety Around Water,' aimed at teaching kids essential swimming skills to ensure their safety, demonstrating how individual actions can sp...

Jamie Forbes joins the discussion about the significance of community organizing and its impact on making lasting positive changes. The conversation explores personal experiences, the art of communication, and practical tips for those looking to drive change in their communities. Jamie shares stories about the transformative power of phrases like 'tell me more,' the importance of building relation...