Denise Ilitch show

"Empathy is the highest form of knowledge because it comes without judgement." Ken Daniels    Denise talks to Emmy award-winning sportscaster Ken Daniels, who in 1997 achieved his lifetime goal of becoming the TV Play-by-Play voice of a National Hockey League team, his dream since the age of ten.  Ken is currently the lead hockey announcer for the Detroit Red Wings of the NHL on Bally Sports Detro...

"I have two choices every day when I get up—one is happy, one is unhappy. I don't like unhappy. So, I try to make the best of every single day." Florine Mark   Denise talks to Florine Mark , a lover of Detroit, entrepreneur and philanthropist who brought Weight Watchers (WW) to Michigan after she tried the program, having always struggled with her weight. After being denied a bank loan because she...

"The fact that I can define evil means there is goodness." Rachael Denhollander   Denise talks to Rachael Denhollander , attorney and the former gymnast who was the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nassar, the former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics' team doctor, of sexual assault. As a result of her activism over 300 women—including numerous Olympic medalists—came forward as survi...

" If you admit your failures, other people are less likely to point them out ." Dana Nessel   Denise talks to Michigan's 54 th Attorney General Dana Nessel . If Dana could put her proudest moment on her Wikipedia page, it would be the work she did while in private practice on the DeBoer v. Snyder lawsuit, challenging Michigan's ban on adoption by same-sex couples to jointly adopt their children. T...

"Don't ever love anything that can't love you back. Don't fall in love with things, fall in love with each other." Gail Perry Mason   Denise talks to Gail Perry Mason , a respected authority in the financial industry and bestselling author whose proudest accomplishments have nothing to do with money. One of her favorite achievements is to plant seeds in young people and see them become even more s...

"If you really want something, no matter what it is, don't expect somebody to give it to you. You have to go out and get it." Hank Winchester   Denise talks to Hank Winchester , broadcast journalist and consumer investigative reporter for Michigan's WDIV Channel 4 News. Although Hank is most proud of being a parent, he's a very proud Michigander—born, raised and never plans to leave. He loves doin...

"The Music Keeps Me Alive: A Conversation with Toby Murray"   "Behind all the cultural differences between generations…people just want to be seen."   Toby Murray   In this episode Denise talks to her nephew  Toby Murray , an entrepreneur in Detroit. As a teen he knew he wanted to be a concert promoter and started taking steps in that direction. After his first show was a complete flop, it took hi...

"Confidence comes from not what you do but who you are."  Lisa Murray   In this episode Denise talks to her sisters,  Lisa  and  Carole .  Their cheerful banter is a hopeful reminder of the importance of family and what having each other has meant to them over the years—three sisters in a family of seven siblings. Listen to their heartwarming conversation on topics such as:   Stepping out on Faith...

  "Clinical depression is considered by the World Health Organization to be the number one most disabling illness in the world…the goal of starting the Depression Center was to say we have to do something about this."  Dr. John Greden  In this episode Denise talks to Dr. John Greden who says that indisputably the most important thing he's ever accomplished was starting the Depression Center at the...

"Substance abuse is a disease; it is not a moral failing, and there is help out there."   Linda Davis   In this episode Denise talks to  Judge   Linda Davis , whose life's work has always been about helping fellow Michiganders.  Beginning with some bad advice of a high school counselor gave her, her tenacity and passion for helping families with loved ones who struggle with addiction has been fuel...

"Every big thing that's happened over the last decade has been influenced so strongly by the voices of younger people."   Jordan B. Acker   In this episode Denise talks to Jordan Acker, Michigan native, fellow Wolverine and an attorney with a passion for politics.    Find out from Jordan:   Which of his accomplishments he's most proud of   How he dealt with the toughest situation of his life—likel...

"The only thing nobody can take away from you is your education.  And the only person who may not disappoint you for the rest of your life is yourself."   Joumana Kayrouz   In this episode Denise talks to attorney  Joumana Kayrouz , a native of Lebanon, she humbly refers to herself as a 'little girl from the Middle East' who came to the United States with $1,000 in her pocket at age 22, already a...

"If you want to get something done, you figure out how you're gonna get it done, and you don't let someone stop you from getting it done."   Debbie Dingell   In this episode Denise talks to U.S. Congresswoman  Debbie Dingell  about how focusing on helping others, even in the face of great loss—there's or your own—can be a source of strength in getting through tough moments.  People might assume th...

"Show Yourself Compassion: A Conversation with Meryl Davis"   "You have to wake up every day, give your best and if you fall, it's really about getting up that matters most."   Meryl Davis   In this episode Denise talks to the Olympic, World and U.S. Champion ice dancer,  Meryl Davis .  The challenges of being an elite performance athlete have been opportunities for Meryl to grow in confidence and...

"The Importance of Exposure: A Conversation with Dennis Archer Jr."   "When you are around a diversity of people all the time, it's very easy [to learn to treat everybody the same]."   Dennis Archer Jr.   In this episode Denise talks to  Dennis Archer Jr.  who is quick to credit his success, at least in part, to growing up in a loving family of privilege.  He's grateful to have learned by watching...

"It takes a lot of courage to grieve."  Kristen Meekhof   In this episode Denise talks to  Kristen Meekhof  whose success as a writer, speaker and lecturer came quite accidentally, after authoring the book she wished she had to read after her husband's surprising death at age 33.  They had been married only four years.  Born in South Korea, she was abandoned on the streets as an infant and adopted...

"People who understand and appreciate struggle, are able to understand why they were created and what they were sent here to do."   Richard Bernstein   In this episode Denise talks to Michigan Supreme Court Justice  Richard Bernstein , who recounts a tragic story that led to a valuable life lesson.  One day while walking in Central Park in New York City, Richard was struck by a bicyclist traveling...

THE DENISE ILITCH SHOW   Inspiring You to Step into Your Full Potential   "I grew up in a very diverse community and a humble background and I decided that I wanted to share optimism not all the obstacles, because we get to choose how to get around obstacles…Everybody deserves a chance to get on the path that they want, and so those of us that can assist, we should."   Sandy Pierce   In this episo...

Launch date is Oct 6th, 2021