Max Loves Midland

On this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, host Kevin LaDuke sits down with Matt Smith, a father, veteran, entrepreneur, real estate professional, community leader, and chair of Midland’s America’s 250 Celebration. Matt shares his journey from growing up in Sanford to serving in the Army, building Smitty’s Iron Works, finding a new path in real estate, and giving back through mentorship, veter...

On this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, Kevin LaDuke sits down with Wendy Traschen, Tournament Director of the Dow Championship, to preview one of Midland’s signature summer events. The tournament runs from June 8-14 at Midland Country Club. The Dow Championship is the LPGA Tour’s only team event and brings world-class athletes, thousands of fans, and major energy to Midland and the Great L...

Sam McKenzie, President and CEO of Hidden Harvest, joins the Max Loves Midland Show for a heartfelt conversation about food rescue, regional collaboration, and what it takes to ensure good food reaches the people and programs that need it most. Sam shares how Hidden Harvest works with restaurants, grocery stores, bakeries, farmers, schools, hospitals, shelters, food pantries, recovery programs, an...

In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, host Kevin LaDuke sits down with Jesse Fletcher, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Midland County, to talk about her journey through the Great Lakes Bay Region, her path into nonprofit leadership, and the powerful connection between people and animals. Jesse shares how her career led her from the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce to United Way of...

In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, Kevin LaDuke sits down with Renee’ Deckrow, co-owner of Live Oak Coffeehouse and a driving force behind the Ashman Plaza, for a heartfelt conversation about community, belonging, and the power of creating spaces where people feel welcome. Renee’ shares the journey that brought her family to Midland, the organic growth of Live Oak from a dream into a r...

In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, Kevin LaDuke sits down with longtime Midlander John Metcalf, a designer, volunteer, storyteller, and community builder whose life journey stretches from rural Ohio to Japan and ultimately to Midland, Michigan. John shares how his early love of art and reading led him into industrial design, how living and working in Japan shaped his worldview, and how...

In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, Kevin LaDuke sits down with Rhiannon Gonzales, Midland Destination Ambassador for Go Great Lakes Bay, to talk about what it means to love where you live and help others discover it, too. From the Midland Visitor Center on Main Street to regional gems like Dow Gardens, the Alden B. Dow Home and Studio, Dow Diamond, the Midland Center for the Arts, and...

On this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, Kevin LaDuke sits down with Patrick McElgunn, director of the Alden B. Dow Center for Creativity and Enterprise at Northwood University, to talk about entrepreneurship, placemaking, family life, and why Midland continues to be a community worth investing in. Patrick reflects on growing up in Midland, leaving, and ultimately finding his way back to bui...

In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, Kevin LaDuke sits down with Ben Marsh, co-founder of Creation Coffee, third generation Midlander, husband, and new dad, to talk about the unexpected journey that turned a college coffee hobby into one of Michigan’s largest coffee roasting operations. As Creation Coffee approaches its 10 year anniversary, Ben shares the origin story behind the business...

This Week on the Max Loves Midland Show: Jennifer “Jen” Acosta (Housing Forward)   What does it really take for Midland to be a place people choose to stay, build a life, and thrive? This week, Kevin LaDuke sits down with Jennifer “Jen” Acosta, a hockey mom, poms mom, real estate developer, and one of the leading voices behind Housing Forward, an initiative working to expand attainable housing, li...

Holly Miller, President and CEO of United Way of Midland County, joins Kevin to share how her journey from the creative industry into nonprofit leadership has shaped her life. The two stress the importance of this year's United Way Community Campaign. She explains that United Way is an impact organization that listens, uses data, and convenes partners. Hence, resources reach people efficiently, an...

Join Kevin LaDuke for a heartfelt conversation with Gary Billotti, Outreach Coordinator for the Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition, as we explore how a one-time skeptic of Midland became one of its most dedicated champions. Gary reflects on growing up in Metro Detroit. This career took him from the YMCA and DuPont to leading Health and Human Performance at Dow. This journey deepened his passion for...

In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, Kevin LaDuke sits down with Terri Johnson, President and CEO of Greater Midland, to explore the organization's incredible impact on our community. From leading programs in childcare, corporate wellness, and active adult fitness to nationally-recognized events, Terri highlights how Greater Midland touches the lives of nearly 80% of Midland County resid...

On this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, host Kevin LaDuke sits down with Lily Kelsey, Conservation Outreach Coordinator for Little Forks Conservancy, to talk about her journey from growing up in Flint to finding her calling in Midland. Lily shares how athletics, time spent outdoors, and the Flint water crisis shaped her passion for conservation and community work. She explains the mission o...

Brandon Morey, Co-Owner of Crepes Et Amis, Iron Dame, and Enjoy! Bakery, alongside his wife Katie, joined the Max Loves Midland Show to share his journey from a nursing student (and small-town skateboarder) to an award-winning entrepreneur helping shape the heart of Downtown Midland. In this episode, Brandon discusses starting with a $20 crepe skillet, building a loyal following at the Midland Far...

Recorded live from Main Street during River Days 2025, this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show features a heartfelt conversation between host Kevin LaDuke and Dennis Pilaske, Executive Director of the Chippewa Nature Center. Dennis shares his 28-year journey with the Nature Center, his rural upbringing in Michigan’s Thumb, and how his love for nature and music have shaped his work and life in M...

In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, host Kevin LaDuke sits down with Natalia Iakovleva, one of the four owners of Chef Sergey’s Bakery, a European-style bakery nestled in Midland’s Center City. Natalia shares the incredible story of how her family fled Ukraine and, through an unlikely partnership with another refugee family, found hope and purpose by opening a bakery that has quickly be...

On this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, we sit down with Cailey Brown, Forensic Interviewer and Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Coordinator at the Midland Child Advocacy Center (CAC), to talk about one of the most important — and often unseen — support systems in our community. Cailey shares her story of growing up in small-town Merrill, Michigan, her unexpected path into the world of psychol...

In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, we sit down with Penny Miller-Nelson, Superintendent of Midland Public Schools (MPS), to talk about her journey, passion for public education, and the bond proposal currently in front of our community. From her upbringing on a dairy farm in West Branch to her current leadership role in one of the top-performing districts in Michigan, Penny shares her...

In this episode of Max Loves Midland, we’re hanging out with Jacqueline Leapheart—someone who seems to have her hands in everything great happening in Midland. Whether you know her from Adoption Option Inc., WindowStill Real Estate, her uplifting TikToks at Joy with Jax, or one of her other many community endeavors, Jacqueline brings nonstop energy, passion, and a deep love for Midland. We talk ab...

Join us for a stellar episode of the Max Loves Midland Show as we go to space—well, sort of! This week, we sit down with Alex Woody, Communications Manager for Midland Center for the Arts, to talk about The Infinite, an out-of-this-world immersive experience that brings real astronaut footage from the International Space Station right here to Midland. Alex shares insights on how the Center continu...

In this special 20th episode of The Max Loves Midland Show, host Kevin LaDuke sits down with Tonia West from The ROCK Center for Youth Development to explore her journey as a “boomerang” who returned to Midland and found a renewed sense of community. Tonia shares her experiences growing up as a military kid, her path from journalism to wellness and education, and how she’s making a difference as a...

Erin Patrice, founder of The Breaking Bread Village, joins Max Loves Midland to share her journey of moving to Midland, Michigan, over 20 years ago and finding her purpose in fostering meaningful dialogue and community connections. She recounts her transition from Cincinnati, the challenges of adapting to a less diverse environment, and the pivotal moments that led her to create The Breaking Bread...

🌲 Welcome to Nord Social! In this video, we talk with Grant Murschel, a Midland local who’s done it all—city planning, real estate development, and now launching a Scandinavian-inspired social club called Nord Social. His journey is about bringing people together, creating spaces, and helping communities grow. We explore how Grant’s rural upbringing shaped his passion for building strong communit...

In this episode, host Kevin LaDuke sits down with Mike Williams, the Midland Market President for Isabella Bank. Mike shares his passion for community banking and Isabella Bank's important role in supporting the community. You'll learn about Isabella Bank's support of the revitalization of Midland's Center City District, Mike's involvement with Midland Noon Rotary Club's annual Pancake Dinner (Feb...