Michigan Reimagined

We welcome back a good friend of the show, the Executive Director of Lansing 5:01, Chris Sell. For those unfamiliar, Lansing 5:01 has a unique and effective way to drive talent & workforce retention. In this episode, we’ll discuss the 2021 schedule and the effects of the pandemic.

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state’s spearhead when it comes to driving talent and prosperity in Michigan. Joining Chris to discuss a series of new initiatives approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund is the Executive Vice President & Chief Business Development Officer for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Josh Hundt!

The Tri County Regional Planning Commission is a critical and hard working advocate for mid-Michigan vibrancy. And they recently published their Annual Report during what we hope are the late stages of the Coronavirus Pandemic. Joining Chris to talk about the report is the Deputy Director of the Tri County Regional Planning Commission, Nicole Baumer.

Most Michiganders are loyal to their beloved Detroit Tigers, but if you roam around the state you can find serious baseball in most cities. Joining Chris to discuss some significant off-season changes to our local Lansing Lugnuts franchise is the General Manager, Mr. Tyler Parsons

A while back I hosted an interview about Opportunity Arts - a new affiliation for local artists to take advantage of. Joining Chris to discuss how things have ramped up locally is the Owner & Director of Opportunity Arts, Mike Marriott.

It’s difficult to go a week these days without hearing about a new small business victim of cyber crime. And I’m told that many don’t go reported. Joining Chris to discuss how outsourced IT firms are helping protect businesses large & small from the hackers and ransomware criminals is Chief Information Security Officer for Dewpoint, Don Cornish.

Climate change has been studied and discussed for decades now, and the politics behind the threat and the urgency to make fundamental changes continues to shift. Joining Chris to share his thoughts on what can be done here in Michigan is the Senior Environmental Scientist from Barr Engineering, Jason Linkimer.

February is Black History month as most of you know, and this year has been arguably the most strained since perhaps the 1960’s. One local artist has been processing this stressful time with an amazing new series of works titled "Black is King." Joining Chris to discuss her works is internationally known artist, Mila Lynn.

The Burgess Institute for Entrepreneurship and Innovation of Michigan State University has been highlighted on this show a number of times, and today we’re here to discuss a new partnership with a well known group of people. Joining Chris to discuss a bold new endeavor are Student Success & Advising Manager, Desiree Melfi Bozzo, and Managing Director of Academic Programs, Ken Szymusiak!

There is a lot said about the power of small business when it comes to vibrant and healthy communities. There is an equal amount of press about how small businesses are faring during the pandemic. Joining Chris to share her story of impressive growth is CEO and Founder of Peak Performance Physical Therapy, Jill Marlan!

In January 2019 I hosted an interview with the Gillespie Group regarding the launch of a new development project called BLOCK600. Joining Chris to follow up on the status of this transformational project in downtown Lansing is the President of the Gillespie Group, Pat Gillespie!

Chris often highlights the arts on this podcast because any vibrant community has a robust arts scene - be it music, theater or visual arts. Here to discuss Define Detroit and his new affiliation with Opportunity Arts, Mr. Torrey Gray.

In September 2018, Chris interviewed a new start up company aiming to help families with autistic members navigate new surroundings. 2.5 years later, this company has flourished, stayed true to its mission and expanded its offerings. Joining Chris to update us on the trajectory of Able Eyes is Co-founder and CEO, Meegan Winters.

There is an amazing opportunity for a small business or start-up being launched in the Lansing Region that needs to be shared. Joining Chris to discuss the Lansing Built-To-Last competition is the Vice President from Dewpoint, Michelle Massey!

The Coronavirus pandemic of 2020 has wreaked havoc on virtually all aspects of life, especially the momentum of Michigan’s vibrancy and business attraction initiatives. Joining Chris to shed some light on where we’ve been, where we are and where we’re headed from a real estate perspective are two senior associates from Martin Commercial Properties, Tom Jamieson and Chris Miller

Chris has highlighted different programs and subsidiaries of the Michigan State University Foundation and it’s fantastic ecosystem for students and faculty, but in this episode, we get to hear from the Executive Director of the Foundation, Mr. David Washburn!

Two themes covered on this show with some regularity are “how do we repurpose vacant retail shopping space”, and “how can we support the arts to drive more vibrancy in our communities”. In this episode, we’ll be discussing both as we converse with the CEO and Executive Producer of Greenwood District Studios, Amaru!

The Coronavirus pandemic has challenged the way pretty much everyone does business, but imagine being involved with movie theaters during a long stretch of shut downs. Joining Chris to discuss how one brand is responding is the Executive Vice President for NCG Cinemas, Ryan Jankovic!

These have been some very hectic and stressful times. One part of the average person’s lives that maybe hasn’t taken high priority during the Coronavirus pandemic are investments & financial planning. Joining Chris from TriStar Trust Bank are two Senior Vice Presidents - the Lansing Market Director, Ben Bakken and Chief Financial Officer Pavel Konecny.

There has been a lot of discussion about the loss of vibrancy and economic development momentum due to the Coronavirus pandemic. In Lansing, however, there is a sizable development project coming out of the ground called Red Cedar. Joining Chris to give us an update and some background of this massive development is the Executive Project Manager of Ferguson Development, Christopher Stralkowski.

During the Coronavirus many small businesses are in distress, but others are finding ways to pivot and move forward. Joining Chris to discuss an investment in a new offering for clients, is the Owner & CEO of Michigan Creative, Brian Town!

The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted our lives in countless ways. But imagine if your job - your mission - was to sell and orchestrate conventions and tourism for your region, how do you pivot? Joining Chris to discuss the efforts by the Greater Lansing Convention and Visitors Bureau is President and CEO, Julie Pinkston!

The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted our lives in countless ways, including new construction and economic development - or has it? Joining Chis to share a major investment in Grand Rapids is Brent Case, the Vice President of Business Attraction for the Right Place, Inc.

I often highlight the arts on this program because any vibrant community has a robust arts scene - be it music, theater or visual arts. In this episode, Chris is joined by regional artist Mila Lynn, Owner of Mind of Mila Artistry, to discuss what it means to be an "artistpreneur" and the upcoming Inktober!

The coronavirus wreaked havoc on the entertainment venues around the country. One local group - High Caliber Karting and Entertainment - opened a wildly unique indoor space to recreate and blow off steam. Not only have they thumbed their nose to the pandemic, they are doubling down but expanding their offerings significantly as they reopen. In this episode, Chris is joined by High Caliber Karting...