Michigan Reimagined

Trying to track the economy in a post covid world is complex; nothing seems certain or logical. Luckily, we have some professionals who live in this space and share their research. Joining Chris to discuss all this and more is the Managing Partner for Waggoner Financial, Eric Waggoner!

There’s been a lot of prognostication and chatter about return to office protocols as the pandemic fades further away. Joining Chris to give us the unique perspective from the Office Furniture industry is the Vice President of Sales for MarxModa, Brian Johnson!

Nonprofits are vital to the overall well being of any community, and it’s important to have dynamic leaders with long term vision in place to ensure they remain effective and relevant. Joining Chris to share the work of Child & Family Charities in mid-Michigan is their CEO, Julie Thomasma!

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? And how do you find a new gear now that things are pretty much back to a new normal? Joining Chris to discuss the work of Choose Lansing - the organization formally known as the Greater Lansing Convention...

The Fledge has become a Lansing institution steeped in helping others, and whose newsletter touts the slogan “fostering genius and cultivating community." Joining Chris to discuss this amazing space and its newest initiatives is the founder, Jerry Norris!

I’ve always said the arts play a major role in driving community and vibrancy. Chris makes a point to spend time with the local arts scene and in this episode we get to meet a musician playing around the state. Joining Chris to discuss the music scene and what it’s like post-pandemic is Singer/Songwriter & Musician, Sean Anthony Sullivan!

There are a lot of people and organizations in our communities that can use a bit of help. Luckily there are charities and some do-gooders who offer to assist. Joining Chris to discuss a unique approach to helping others out is the CEO of Revel Marketing in Muskegon, Jason Piasecki!

Our great state is made up of amazing people who bring many talents to our communities. Today we speak with a great local businessman who has a unique opportunity to represent Michigan in an upcoming event. Joining Chris is the Co-Founder and Visionary of Good Fruit Video, Justin Caine!

Downtowns, no matter where you are, tend to have the same general make-up: housing, offices, retail shopping, and of course restaurants. Downtown Lansing recently announced the opening of a unique dining hall called the Macotta Club. Joining Chris to explain what it is and why it’s unique is the Director of Downtown Community Development for Downtown Lansing, Inc, Julie Reinhardt and Founder/Owner...

The Coronavirus Pandemic disrupted everything you can possibly think of, including the arts in our community. Joining Chris to discuss how the industry is rebounding and changing, is good friend and the Owner & Director of Opportunity Arts, Mike Marriott!

More than a year ago, Chris introduced you to a start-up company that discovered a process to remediate PFAS in our environment. Today we’ll get an update on their important work, and hear more about a new facility they’ll be operating out of soon. Joining Chris is teh Co-Founder and CEO of Enspired Solutions, Dr. Denise Kay, and the Director for Michigan Rise, Prem Bogotala!

Construction Companies and General Contractors arguably have a rough-and-tumble, male-dominated, my-way-or-the-highway reputation. Joining Chris to give us a different take on this industry is the CEO of West Michigan’s Freedom Construction, Carrie Wilson!

Volunteerism is a huge contributor to making our communities the homes we love so much. Habitat for Humanity has long been an organization coordinating residents to local housing need opportunities & education. Joining Chris to share the work of the Habitat for Humanity of Kent County is the Executive Director, Beverly Thiel!

We’ve talked regularly about the housing needs in Michigan, but what about the true affordability of housing and how it drives economic growth. Joining Chris to talk about the effects of housing affordability is the President of TA Forsberg, Brent Forsberg!

In July 2021 we introduced a concept being discussed called Strikeout Baseball, and the plan to establish a facility here in Lansing. Two years - and lots of hard work later - the team is back to give us a status update. Joining Chris to discuss an exciting concept planned for our region is the Founder of Strikeout Baseball, Jeff Lazaros and Member of the Board of Directors, Ben Bakken!

As a native Philadelphian, Chris is often on the lookout for quality Italian food. Joining Chris to discuss the offerings from Toscana Restaurant and Wine Market, is General Manager, Eric Weber, and Director of sales for Concord Hospitality, Corri Harvey!

Lansing has been incrementally activating it’s downtown riverfront - first with Rotary Park, and now with a massive playground that goes well beyond the traditional. Joining Chris to discuss the details of this amazing space is the President & CEO of the Capital Region Community Foundation, Laurie Baumer!

When people think of Michigan’s economy, they immediately think of automotive, and honestly that’s not incorrect. But the state clearly has many industries driving it - like engineering, life sciences, medical devices, furniture, agriculture, tourism, AND insurance. Joining to discuss the impact of the insurance industry in Michigan is the Executive Director of LIAM - the Life Insurance Associatio...

Chris is blessed to have a lifestyle that allows him to travel this great state to meet fantastic people and companies. Their stories inspire him enough to host this podcast, and today’s guest is a perfect example of Michigan passion. In this episode, we get to hear the story of photographer and emmy-award winning filmmaker, Stephen McGee!

Non-profit leaders and small business owners are aruably the most passionate people in our community - you just need to ask them about their “why” and let them speak and you’ll be amazed at what you hear. Joining Chris to share his journey and how it has shaped his small business company culture is the Owner/CEO of Custom Built Design & Remodel, Michael Flory!

Lansing has produced a lot of talented people, and talented people are often lured away to chase their dreams elsewhere. Every now and then we get a star to return home. Joining Chris to share his journey, and a few of the ways he’s currently giving back to his community, is former local basketball star turned businessman/lobbyist, Jon Horford!

Artificial Intelligence is here in a real and accessible way for the masses. Joining Chris to share with us how to navigate this and what we need to consider as AI becomes a larger part of our day-to-day lives is the Founder of Artificial Intelligence Consulting, David Silva Smith!

Housing continues to be a concern when it comes to attracting new residents for much needed population growth in our state. Joining Chris to talk about attainable & workforce housing, pricing trends, and what solutions are needed to allow for more residential development is the President of TA Forsberg, Brent Forsberg!

Chris has shared the story of the Lansing Built To Last competition in the past, and today we get to discuss the recently named winner of this wonderfully collaborative competition. Joining Chris to discuss the Lansing Built-To-Last competition is the Vice President of Community Outreach and Customer Operations for Techsmith, Michelle Massey, and this year’s winner - Founder & Director of OurS...

Grand Rapids has dozens of high quality breweries, but Brewery Nyx does things quite a bit differently. Joining Chris to discuss the vision of Brewery Nyx and how it’s going is the Founder, Ms. Jessica Stricklen!