Michigan Reimagined

The winter holidays are upon us, and many people think about attending community events & sharing culture this time of year. In this episode Chris welcomes back the Owner & Director of Opportunity Arts, Mike Marriott, to discuss the upcoming "12 Days of Christmas" Art Event Series hitting Lansing this year!

There are several what I would call behind-the-scenes industries when it comes to the revitalization of Michigan; one of them being environmental consulting. A Lansing-area owned and operated firm has been growing and winning awards and joining Chris to share their story is the CEO and Principal Scientist for Triterra, Don McNabb!

Financial Institutions are critical to the economic development of our communities. I’ve also learned that banks are not all the same. Joining Chris to share the Capitol National Bank story, and a new endeavor, is the President of Capitol National Bank, Ed Harden!

On March 3rd, 2020 I completed an interview with our next guest. Little did I know it would be the last face-to-face interview I’d conduct for a while. Back then, we discussed the beginning of a transformational redevelopment project of the Allen Neighborhood Center in Lansing's Eastside. Joining Chris to share the status of this great project is the Director of the Allen Neighborhood Center, Joan...

The Gillespie Group has been breathing new life throughout Michigan with unique and inspired redevelopment projects. Joining Chris to discuss a few new concepts and some recent grand opening announcements is the President of the Gillespie Group, Pat Gillespie!

These have been challenging times for everyone, and the pandemic has stretched us all profoundly and differently. But I often pause to reflect on how good I have it, and remind myself that there are many dealing with true hardships, as compared to my inconveniences. Joining Chris to discuss a local organization serving those who are really in need is the Executive Director for Haven House, Gabriel...

Healthcare is a hotly debated topic. Some ask, how do we modernize processes, encourage affordability and truly drive wellness in our population? Joining Chris to share his relatively new business endeavor is the Founder & CEO of HealthBar, Nathan Baar!

If you don’t live in Lansing, or haven’t been down Michigan Avenue in the past 18 months, you may be unaware of the massive Red Cedar Project residential and commercial project taking place. Joining Chris to discuss what is live, and what is still to come is the Executive Project Manager of Ferguson Development, Christopher Stralkowski!

Cyber crime has wreaked havoc on businesses large and small, yet many still believe it’s not going to happen to them. Joining Chris to discuss how outsourced IT firms are helping protect businesses large & small from the hackers and ransomware criminals is CEO and Founder of Doberman Technologies, Ian Richardson!

The Coronavirus pandemic has caused stressful times for all. Good thing there are venues like High Caliber Karting and Entertainment - opened a wildly unique indoor space to recreate and blow off steam. Joining Chris to discuss what guests can experience there this fall is President Jordan Munsters and General Manager Zach Bingham!

Whether you’re a fan of our fabled Detroit Pistons, our beloved MSU Spartans lead by legend Tom Izzo, or any other professional or college basketball team, you are in for a treat! Lansing is getting its own professional basketball team and joining Chris to discuss the launch of the Lansing Pharaohs is Founder & President, Chris Jackson.

Michigan has done an admirable job establishing various Economic Development organizations, targeting specific objectives. One group - Downtown Lansing Inc - is focused on just that, downtown Lansing’s vibrancy as we recover from the Coronavirus pandemic and the fallout it has caused. Joining Chris to discuss their mission and some new initiatives is Downtown Lansing Inc.’s Executive Director, Cat...

Michigan State Federal Credit Union - or MSUFCU - is a financial institution many Michiganders are familiar with. What you may NOT be familiar with is their Desk Drawer Fund. Joining Chris to discuss the Fund, its mission, and how it benefits our communities is Chief Community Development Officer for MSUFCU & President/Executive Director of the Desk Drawer Fund, Whitney Anderson-Harrell!

The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted all walks of life - business, schooling and entertainment alike. Things seems to be opening back up and we are finally getting closer to “normal”. Joining Chris to discuss an annual event, that had to take a hiatus last year but is back on track for 2021, is the Co-founder of the Capital City Film Festival, Cameron Gnass!

Michigan is made up of amazing individuals doing wonderful things to make our towns cooler. In this episode, Chris is joined by Najeema Iman; a self professed people collector & connector, creator of art, curator of pop-up market spaces, entrepreneur, and more!

Almost one year ago I hosted a show announcing a new mechanism for early state funding for Michigan Technology Start-ups called Michigan Rise. In this episode, we’ll hear how this still-new pre seed funding, offered through the Michigan State University Foundation is going. Joining Chris to give us the scoop is the Executive Director of Michigan Rise, Jeff Wesley!

Community Colleges have provided educational opportunities for years, and Michigan is proud to have a robust network of these higher education campuses. Joining Chris to talk about the Lansing Community College Foundation and its important work, is Executive Direct Cathy Zell.

As many of you know, I’m a firm believer that a robust arts scene is critical for a region to be considered vibrant. Michigan has long been a hot spot for the arts, and the talent seems to be gathering momentum. Joining Chris to discuss a new faction of the arts are a pair of the Four Aces of Arts - Sarah Sanders & Autumn Hopkins, and the Owner & Director of Opportunity Arts, Mike Marriott!

If you have children - pretty much of any age - you’ll hear parents lament the chronic gaming and streaming and wish being outdoors and exercise was more of a priority. Joining Chris to discuss an exciting concept planned for our region called Strikeout Baseball is Vic Verchereau and Jeff Lazaros! Visit www.strikeoutbaseballusa.org for more information!

A few short months ago Chris shared the story of the Lansing Built to Last competition and today we’ll discuss the outcome! There is an amazing opportunity for a small business or start-up being launched in the Lansing Region that needs to be shared. Here to discuss the Lansing Built-To-Last competition is the Vice President from Dewpoint, Michelle Massey, and the winner, owner of Sweet Encounter...

Employment has been front & center over the past few years. Pre Pandemic, unemployment was exceedingly low and employers were clamoring for talent, then the pandemic spiked unemployment numbers. Now, as things reopen, employers are trying desperately to find talent again. Joining Chris to discuss what we're seeing and to deliver tips and strategies is an owner of DS Employment Services, Daniel Shi...

The coronavirus pandemic has significantly disrupted virtually every facet of our lives. Culture and education venues shared in the disruption. Joining Chris to discuss how recent events have affected Impression 5 Science Center is the Executive Director Erik Larson!

If you’ve driven by the Lansing Mall, you may have noticed some activity on site, and if you network or engage in social media in the Lansing region, you’ll know that Greenwood District Studios is gearing up for a big summer. In this episode, Chris speaks with the CEO and Executive Producer of Greenwood District Studios, the legendary Amaru!

One element of a community's vibrancy is public art, and arguably the most prominent public art are the large murals you see in cities and small towns alike. But those mural’s don’t just appear - there’s a strategy and process to locate space, commission them & maintain them. Joining Chris to discuss how the mural scene works here locally is Downtown Lansing Inc.’s Marketing and Design Specialist,...

Manufacturing has a long history in Michigan, and here in Lansing as well. The Capital Area Manufacturing Council supports this massive employment base, and they’ve recently hired a new Executive Director. Joining Chris to discuss her new role and the mission of the Council is Cindy Kangas!