West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)

Can Christians disagree without becoming divided? Author Skot Welch joins Phil Tower to discuss his new book,   Mending Sunday , exploring how churches can embrace diversity, strengthen unity, and build healthier communities through grace, understanding, and meaningful relationships. On this episode of iHeartRadio's West Michigan Weekend , host Phil Tower welcomes author Skot Welch to discuss his...

What does it take to turn a great idea into a successful business? On this episode of iHeartRadio's West Michigan Weekend , host Phil Tower talks with Paul Moore , Co-Director of Start Garden, about the complete reimagining of The 100 —West Michigan's longtime entrepreneurial competition that has helped launch hundreds of businesses over the past 13 years. This year's competition features more tha...

Northern Michigan's rich agricultural heritage, award-winning wineries, acclaimed chefs, and stunning waterfront setting all come together for one unforgettable celebration. On this episode of iHeartRadio's West Michigan Weekend , host Phil Tower welcomes Whitney Waara , Chief Operating Officer of Traverse City Tourism , to preview the second annual Traverse City Food & Wine Festival  happenin...

In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Tony Gerheiser, Executive Director of the West Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross.   Tony joins us on this episode to talk about the West Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross and their Roll Up & Give campaign in partnership with Neighborhood Michigan Ford Dealers. Tony explains why blood donations often decline du...

On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Alyssa Stewart, Director of Philanthropic Partnerships for Rx Kids. Alyssa joins us on the program to discuss Rx Kids , a groundbreaking program that is helping families across Michigan build stronger financial foundations during pregnancy and early childhood. Rx Kids is the nation’s first community-wide prenatal and...

On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Meena Ariagno, creator and host of Eavesdrop with Meena , a locally produced podcast with a global perspective that encourages thoughtful dialogue, curiosity, and respectful conversation across cultural, political, and spiritual divides. Meena shares the story behind her podcast, which began as a passion project durin...

What does the future of higher education look like in Michigan—and why does it still matter? On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, Phil Tower sits down with Russ Kavalhuna , the 10th president of Western Michigan University , to discuss his unique journey from commercial airline captain and federal prosecutor to university president, and his vision for one of Michigan’s leading public universi...

On this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes artist and designer turned best-selling author, Dave Eggers, for a conversation about his new novel, Contrapposto . Known for bestselling and critically acclaimed works, including his groundbreaking debut,  A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius , and What Is the What, Eggers joins the program to explore the inspiration behind Contrapposto , a sweeping...

On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes West Michigan author Natasha Warren to discuss her deeply personal memoir, Morphine and Malts: A Daughter's Path Through Her Father's Cancer, Caregiving, and Letting Go . Warren's book chronicles the 105 days between her father John's terminal cancer diagnosis and his passing, offering an honest and heartfelt look at the realities...

On this episode of iHeartRadio’s  West Michigan Weekend , host Phil Tower welcomes Mike Guswiler, President of the West Michigan Sports Commission , for a conversation about the continued growth and regional impact of the West Michigan Sports Commission and the exciting expansion of the Meijer Sports Complex in Rockford.   Mike shares news about the official opening of four new championship softba...

On this episode of iHeartRadio’s  West Michigan Weekend , host Phil Tower brings you an on-location conversation with Michael and Peter Laing, co-founders and co-owners of bigLITTLE Wines, based in Leelanau County, Michigan. The Laing brothers share their personal story behind their family’s journey into winemaking, which began in 2002 when their parents relocated to the Suttons Bay area and plant...

In this episode of iHeartRadio’s  West Michigan Weekend , host Phil Tower welcomes attorney and community advocate Tom Sinas, partner at the Sinas Dramis Law Firm . Tom shares details about the annual  Lids for Kids bike safety event happening Saturday, May 30, at Garfield Park in Grand Rapids. Families attending the free event can receive professionally fitted bike helmets for children, along wit...

On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Chip and Lisa St. Clair, founders of the St. Clair Butterfly Foundation, for a powerful conversation about trauma, resilience, and transforming lives through neuroscience-informed care. Our conversation explores the deeply personal story that inspired the foundation’s mission, including Chip St. Clair’s extraordinary...

In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower sits down with Rich MacKeigan, one of the key figures helping shape the future of entertainment, sports, and live events in downtown Grand Rapids. As General Manager overseeing Van Andel Arena, DeVos Place, DeVos Performance Hall, the brand-new Acrisure Amphitheater, and the future Amway Stadium, MacKeigan offers a behind-the-scenes look at...

This week on iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower talks with Charles Burke, President & CEO, Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park , about the powerful role art, culture, and nature can play in helping communities reconnect and heal during challenging times. Burke reflects on his first three years leading Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park, recently recognized...

West Michigan is coming together once again to honor those who’ve served—and to strengthen the bonds that connect our community. In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower sits down with Joe DiBenedetto , co-chair of Armed Forces Thanksgiving , and Adam Lancto, Principal at Grandville High School and board member, to explore the mission and impact of this powerful annual event. Retu...

In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes J enny Waugh, Vice President of Economic Growth at the Grand Rapids Chamber, to preview the inaugural Small Biz Week West Michigan. Kicking off Monday, May 4, at GLC Live in downtown Grand Rapids, this first-of-its-kind regional initiative is designed to support, connect, and inspire small businesses. Jenny shares how the Chamber a...

What if Grand Rapids could reconnect with the very natural feature that gave the city its name? On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend , host Phil Tower sits down with Matt Chapman, Executive Director of Grand Rapids WhiteWater , to explore a bold and long-awaited effort to restore the historic rapids to the Grand River. For nearly a century, those rapids have been hidden beneath d...

On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend , host Phil Tower welcomes author Brooke Jevicks to discuss her new faith-centered devotional, Becoming.  Written from the trenches of her own adversity, Brooke moves past the pressure of "perfection" to meet readers in the middle of real life. Our conversation focused on how her book helps women rediscover their identity in Christ, with pract...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Rev. Peter Jonker of LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church. Rev. Jonker gave us an inside look at the vital work being done through the Partners in Ministry initiative.   The positive impact this collaboration has had in just its first winter season is impressive, but there is much more to come. While the doors at the Westminster location may be closed...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Nick LaCasse, Executive Director of the Gilmore Car Museum.   From classic cruisers to futuristic dream cars, the story of the automobile is as much about design and imagination as it is about engineering—and this season, that story is on full display in West Michigan.   Nick LaCasse, Executive Director of the Gilmore Car Museum, gives Phil a close-up look...

On this episode of   iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend , host Phil Tower dives into one of the most consequential legal battles of the decade: the challenge to the executive order attempting to dismantle birthright citizenship. Following oral arguments heard by the Supreme Court on April 1st, we speak with Brendan Beery, Constitutional Law Professor at Cooley Law School , to unpack the "Citizens...

On this segment of  West Michigan Weekend , host Phil Tower sits down with A licia Sledge, Director of Michigan’s Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP), to discuss the critical issue of distracted driving. Despite the implementation of Michigan’s  Hands-Free Law , recent data shows a concerning rise in mobile device use and driver fatalities. This episode breaks down the latest statistics and t...

On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes back Kent Riddle, CEO of Mary Free Bed Rehabilitation . Kent shares with us his personal story of how a family tragedy led to his opportunity to serve Mary Free Bed as a board member and later CEO.  Under Kent's 15 years of leadership, Mary Free Bed has grown tenfold: From 10,000 patients a year to over 120,000 patients.  Mary Free...

On this episode of West Michigan Weekend , host Phil Tower explores a bold idea that could transform how people travel across the state—Michigan’s proposed  North + South Passenger Rail project . For many communities in Mid- and Northern Michigan, getting around still means getting behind the wheel. But what if there were a reliable rail option connecting Southeast Michigan to the northern Lower P...