Michigan Reimagined

Downtown Lansing has been reinventing itself before, during and after the pandemic. One venue type that people have been clamoring for is event space. Joining Chris to discuss a new endeavor - Grewal Hall at 224 - is a partner, Scott Bell!

Technology has taken the world by storm in recent decades and it's latest and greatest emergence is that of Artificial Intelligence. But the million dollar question remains: how will it impact our businesses and economy? Joining Chris to answer that and more is the Managing Partner for Waggoner Financial, Eric Waggoner!

There are many non-profits out there delivering services to people who need it, and many host fundraising events to keep their mission moving forward. Joining Chris to share the story of the Davies Project, and their upcoming installment of Max’s Race is the Executive Director, Pam Miklavcic and two members of the race committee, Jann Nestell and Mike Murshak!

The skilled trades and the construction industry built this country. For more than 100 years, the Associated General Contractors of Michigan has served this industry in many ways. Joining Chris to tell us more about the AGC is their Director of Workforce Development, Anne Brown!

Michigan has a powerful network of airports throughout the state that make significant contributions to the regional economy. Joining Chris to discuss the Capital Region Airport Authority’s recent exciting activity is their President & CEO, Nicole Noll-WIlliams!

Haslett was recently named the 23rd best place to live in Michigan by Niche magazine, and it sounds like they’re just getting warmed up. Joining Chris to discuss some new developments is the Neighborhoods and Economic Development Director for Meridian Township, Amber Clark!

Michigan is working tirelessly to attract new companies, and with it - jobs by the thousands. As a state with a flat population base in recent decades, the conversation has turned to housing. Most agree we need more, and a wider variety - but how many of what kind do we actually need? Joining Chris to talk about a recently completed study for Mid-Michigan is the Deputy Director of the Tri County R...

Whether you’re a consumer receiving slow customer service, or a business leader struggling to reach the output levels you’re used to - you may notice there aren’t as many people on the team as there were pre-pandemic. Joining Chris to share why childcare is a significant driver to our staffing levels is the Co-Executive Director of Pulse at the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, Kathy...

Mental health has become a significant concern for many, and there’s a certain sense of urgency needed when it comes to helping our children navigate life’s challenges. Joining Chris to share one Grand Rapids-based organization's efforts in this space is the President & CEO of Wedgwood Christian Services, Dr. Daniel Gowdy.

Whether it’s workforce participation statistics or what’s called the Great Resignation, people are certainly considering how and why they work. Joining Chris to share her personal journey and decision making process is former insurance industry worker-turned entrepreneur, Katie Krick!

More and more we're reminded that “Michigan makes things”, and the recent news talks quite a bit about companies coming to Michigan to bolster our mission to continue to make things, but in this episode we’re talking about making things from the arts perspective. Joining to share why you don’t want to miss ScrapFest 13 are its Executive Director, Mike Baass and the President of Friedland Industrie...

Having local and convenient access to the arts is a major component of driving a vibrant community. You may have heard that Lansing is in the process of getting a new downtown music and arts venue called The Ovation. Joining Chris to tell us the progress of this exciting attraction is the Director of the Lansing Public Media Center, Dominic Cochran!

Just before the pandemic, a local group of entrepreneurs opened a high energy entertainment venue. Little did they know we’d all need to blow off steam in new and creative ways. Joining Chris to discuss the newest evolution of High Caliber Karting & Entertainment is it’s Marketing Director, Jacki Krumnow!

In early March, Spartan Innovations hosted a grand opening for a highly-anticipated incubator space called the Bridge. Joining Chris to share what the Bridge is and why it’s important are the Director of Health Innovations, Kyle McGregor, and the Executive Director for Spartan Innovations, Jeff Wesley!

Michigan is filled with creative & inspiring individuals and Chris loves helping them share their stories. Joining him to discuss his path of education, fashion and sustainability is the Founder of Grow the Earth Coffee, J. Moore!

As the world returns to closer to normal from the pandemic, social activities are resuming. Joining Chris to discuss the 2023 installation of the Capital City Film Festival are Board Members Nicole Szymczak and Samantha Le as well as Festival Manager Emma Selby!

Chris loves discovering new talent in and around Michigan, and he was grateful to have a friend show me the press release for our next guest. Joining him to discuss her series of "Conscious Conversations" is the host and recent MSU graduate, Abrielle Mason!

Efficient and affordable public transportation is discussed wherever I learn about keys to a successful and vibrant community. Joining Chris to help us learn more about mid-Michigan’s transit system and its efforts to progress is Brad Funkhouser, CEO/Executive Director of the Capital Area Transportation Authority’s (CATA).

Michigan is a state that “makes stuff” and we’re hell bent to keep it that way. Michigan has announced billions of new investment and thousands of new jobs in manufacturing, and we need the talent to fill these positions! Joining Chris to discuss the work the Capital Area Manufacturing Council is doing, and an upcoming event, is the Executive Director of CAMC, Cindy Kangas!

Healthcare has historically been an important topic, but even more so as we navigate our way out of a global pandemic. Joining Chris to talk about one local university’s endeavors is the Executive Vice President for Health Sciences at Michigan State University, Dr. Norm Beauchamp!

After the great recession of 2008 through the early teens, the US economy had a historic stretch of prosperity, until the pandemic in 2020. Joining Chris to discuss where we’ve been and where we are likely headed as an economy is the Managing Partner for Waggoner Financial, Eric Waggoner!

Chris talks quite a bit about vibrancy and modernization of our communities on this show. Business development and attraction is a big part of that endeavor, but Community Development - the infrastructure to support these jobs - is just as important in the formula. Joining Chris to discuss one municipalities strategy on this front is the Neighborhoods and Economic Development Director for Meridian...

It’s been a chaotic 15 years, spanning from the great recession, to the longest stretch of prosperity we’ve seen, to a global pandemic. One thing is for sure, it’s prudent to protect what you’ve built - what you’ve worked so hard for. Joining Chris to discuss some best practices and things to really think about as we move forward, is the Owner of the Great Lakes State Insurance Agency, Pam Lambrop...

The entrepreneur ecosystem is alive and well and there are many places where business start-ups can go to pitch their ideas and earn some funding. Joining Chris to discuss how Lansing’s StartUp Grind has evolved is the Principal Strategist and Owner of mConnexions, Julie Holton!

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is a hot topic and many organizations are making a real impact in this area. Joining Chris to discuss the recent resurgence of the Greater Lansing Hispanic Chamber are Matt Thornton, Owner of Scheme Team Consulting and Brent Forsberg, President of TA Forsberg!