Make It Happen

Spring has officially sprung in the 419! 🌸 In this April edition of What’s Happening , we’re bringing you all the best things to do in Northwest Ohio—from farmers markets and Earth Day cleanups to Broadway shows, jazz nights, bull riding (!), and tech meetups. Bre drops her Top 3 picks for the month, Vince talks running (or cheering for runners), and we issue a special challenge to try something...

Join host Mike Vanderpool as he sits down with Bob Savage on the Make It Happen podcast to discuss the power of education and community collaboration. Bob shares his journey growing up in Toledo, why he chose to stay, and how his nonprofit, Toledo Tomorrow, is working to improve education and career access across the region. From early childhood education to workforce development, Bob highlights t...

Join us for an insightful conversation on the 'Make It Happen' podcast with host Mike Vanderpool and guest Matt Kibler, Director of Business Development at Custom Training Solutions. In this episode, we explore how Ohio’s Tech Cred program is transforming workforce development by providing funding for businesses to upskill employees in high-demand tech and manufacturing fields. Discover ho...

In this episode of Make It Happen , host Mike Vanderpool sits down with Tom Bush to dive into the world of AI, technology, and the future of innovation in Northwest Ohio. From transforming Toledo’s reputation beyond manufacturing to the power of AI in business and automation, they explore how technology is shaping industries. They also discuss entrepreneurship, augmented intelligence, and how AI i...

Vince Croci and Bre Yarnell highlight some of the cool events happening in Toledo and Northwest Ohio! For more about these events and others, please visit: https://www.toledo.com/events/

In this episode of Make It Happen , host Mike Vanderpool sits down with Linda Amici , an instructional design coach at Westerville City Schools , to explore how education can evolve to better engage students and prepare them for the future. Linda shares insights on project-based learning, design thinking, and the power of curiosity in the classroom. She discusses the challenges of traditional educ...

Rocket Hacks 2025 – Innovation, Tech, and Hackathons 🚀 Rocket Hacks 2025 is here! Join host Mike Vanderpool on the Make It Happen podcast as he sits down with three passionate University of Toledo students leading this year's hackathon. Discover how the RocketHacks team is bringing together tech minds to tackle real-world challenges in AI, sustainability, healthcare, and finance —all in just 24 h...

Step inside the ring of life with Make It Happen , where passion, discipline, and dedication collide. Hosted by Manav Misra, this podcast brings raw insights into professional wrestling, technology, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Whether it's breaking down historic Royal Rumbles, exploring the evolution of AI in coding, or discussing the art of continuous learning, this show is about pu...

In this lively and candid conversation, Bre Yarnell joins the podcast to talk about life in Toledo, local culture, and the power of community. From growing up in the city to working in the local bar scene and being part of Premier Pour, Bre shares her love for the area, her journey, and her passion for connecting with people. We dive into everything from childhood dreams to the magic of Legos, the...

🎙️ Make It Happen: Host Mike Vanderpool sits down with special guest Vince Croci (aka VC the MC) for an engaging conversation about creativity, connection, and community in Northwest Ohio. Vince shares his journey from growing up in Toledo to becoming a sought-after master of ceremonies, an advocate for local innovation, and a champion of the arts and tech scenes. In this episode, Mike and Vince d...

In this episode of the Make It Happen Podcast, we chat with Adam Cassi, Executive Director of Keep Toledo Lucas County Beautiful, about his journey into environmental leadership and the impactful work being done to beautify and sustain Toledo. Adam shares insights into restoration ecology, the importance of urban tree canopies, and how community initiatives like "Ramp It Up" and "The Litter League...

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Dery, a veteran broadcaster and the voice behind the Locked On Lions podcast. Matt shares his incredible journey from Pistons pre-game radio to becoming one of the original hosts of the Locked On Podcast Network. Hear how he helped build the network from the ground up, his insights on the Lions’ remarkable rise, and what it takes to keep listeners engaged in...

Host: Mike Vanderpool Guest: Valerie Thompson, President of the Toledo Chapter of the American Advertising Federation (AAF) In this episode of Make It Happen, host Mike Vanderpool chats with Valerie Thompson, an influential figure in Toledo’s design and advertising community. As the president of AAF Toledo, Valerie shares her insights into the world of design, commercial art, and the evolving adve...