West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)

On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower explores some of the most pressing challenges facing Michigan today—from youth mental health to the future of social services and the growing need for affordable housing. Phil is joined by Dave Morin, CEO of Samaritas , a 90+ year-old nonprofit serving vulnerable populations across Michigan. With demand for social services rising and resour...

PFAS—often called “forever chemicals”—are nearly impossible to break down, and they’ve quietly become one of the most widespread environmental and public health concerns facing Michigan and the Great Lakes region. On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, Phil Tower speaks with Tony Spaniola, co-founder of the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network , a coalition driven by people directly impacted by toxi...

On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower sits down with Sara Maurer to explore her powerful debut novel, A Good Animal. Set in the rural landscape of Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula, A Good Animal is a deeply emotional story of first love, identity, and the life-altering weight of a single decision. The novel follows Everett, a young man determined to stay and rebuild his famil...

On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend with Phil Tower, we welcome  David Pogue — Author of: Apple: The First 50 Years.   Few companies have shaped modern life as profoundly as Apple—from the earliest days of personal computing to the smartphones that millions of us carry every day. As the company reaches its 50-year milestone, award-winning journalist, longtime tech columnist, and...

What careers are growing fastest in West Michigan—and which ones offer strong pay without requiring a four-year degree? On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower talks with Amy Lebednick, Business Solutions Director for West Michigan Works! , about the newly released 2026 HotJobs! List, highlighting more than 100 careers that are in high demand across seven West Michigan counties....

In a culture that celebrates productivity and work ethic—especially here in West Michigan—it’s easy for work to become more than just a job. But what happens when work starts to quietly take over our identity, our relationships, and our mental space? On this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower speaks with Dr. Guy Winch, clinical psychologist, TED speaker , and author of the new book...

In this episode of iHeartRadio's West Michigan weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Adam London , Director of The Kent County Health Department , for an important conversation about the invisible health risks that can impact families this time of year—and the simple steps we can take to stay safe. National Radon Action Month was observed in January, and radon remains the second leading cause of l...

On this episode of iHeartRadio’s West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower chats with W endy Wigger, President and CEO of Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids , about LaughFest 2026 and the 25th anniversary of Gilda’s Club.  The nation’s first community-wide festival of laughter features more than 30 free and ticketed events across Grand Rapids and at Gun Lake Casino Resort. Highlights include comedian Adam Ray...

In this episode of  West Michigan Weekend , host Phil Tower welcomes Derek Lencioni, Show Manager for the  West Michigan Home & Garden Show , to preview the region's largest event for homeowners and green thumbs alike. Taking over DeVos Place from February 26 to March 1, 2026, this year's show is packed with inspiration, from 12 massive feature gardens to over 300 local vendors ready to help y...

On this edition of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower talks with Chad Livengood, politics editor and columnist at The Detroit News , about the escalating battle over Michigan’s state budget after House Republicans moved to claw back $645 million in previously approved funding. Democrats have called the move unconstitutional, Attorney General Dana Nessell has weighed in, and a lawsuit is before...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Andy Balaskovitz, Managing Editor of Crain’s Grand Rapids Business, for a look at the biggest business stories shaping West Michigan in 2025—and what should local leaders, entrepreneurs, and residents be watching in 2026 and beyond? We dig into major development projects like the Fulton & Market “three towers” proposal and the uncertain future of Michi...

In this segment, host Phil Tower welcomes   Ben Anema, Attorney with Mika Meyers Law Firm.   Data centers are the backbone of our digital lives, but as they rapidly proliferate across Michigan, they are becoming flashpoints for local communities. Driven by the explosive growth of AI, developers are eyeing the Great Lakes State for its cooling climate and tax incentives. However, projects in places...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Braden Engstrom, MD , a board-certified pediatrician at UM Health-West Hudsonville Pediatrics.  In early January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced an unprecedented overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule that recommends fewer shots to all children. Under the change — effective immediately — the vaccine schedule will more clos...

Guest Segment 1: On this episode of iHeartradio’s West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Emerson Eggerichs, New York Times bestselling author of the landmark relationship book Love & Respect,  to discuss his just-released new book, Lightbulb Moments in Marriage: 12 Biblical Perspectives for Successful and Satisfied Couples (Thomas Nelson). Dr. Eggerichs introduces the idea that la...

Guest Segment 2: Dan McMinn, Executive Director, Great Lakes Learning Academy (GLLA) Dan joined host Phil Tower for a conversation about Great Lakes Learning Academy(GLLA) , a tuition-free, online public school serving students statewide in Michigan. Great Lakes Learning Academy offers digital access for all Michigan students. Geographically, Great Lakes Learning Academy serves students in the Det...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes back guest Dawn Baker, the Show Manager for the Michigan International Auto Show.  Dawn joined the program for a preview of one of the largest displays of new and exotic cars in the Midwest. The 28th Annual Michigan International Auto Show, which rolls into DeVos Place January 29-February 1, 2026, offers the best opportunity to view hundreds of vehicles fr...

In this episode of West Michigan weekend, host Phil Tower speaks with  Don Saldia, Division Manager,  Area Agency on Aging 3A , Health & Community Services. Don joined us to discuss a powerful new resource for identifying caregiving help in Michigan. Mi Caregiver Connection is designed as a starting point for finding real, local caregiving support. The site is specifically designed for persons...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes back Michael Wildschut, director of the January Series at Calvin University. Michael joins the program for a preview of the 2026 January Series, presented by and hosted at Calvin University.  For nearly 40 years, people have been showing up from all walks of life, ready to be challenged, enlightened, and connected to something far beyond themselves. This y...

In this episode host Phil Tower welcomes Christy Buck, CEO and Founder of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, joins host Phil Tower to discuss the national expansion of the life-saving "Be Nice" program. Be Nice originally began as a school-based initiative, but now, thanks to some incredible connections, Christy has developed throughout West Michigan and far beyond. Be Nice has now rea...

ArtPrize 2025 has officially wrapped, leaving a lasting impression throughout downtown Grand Rapids.  In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes back Catlin Whitington, Executive Director of ArtPrize , to reflect on the success of this year’s international art competition and its evolving role in our community. Inside This Episode, we discuss: Celebrating the Winners: We di...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Karl Brauer, Executive Analyst with  iSeeCars.com. Karl joined us to break down the results of a recent study from the team at iSeeCars.com. The Study revealed that the prime season for finding a used car deal is predominantly November through March, and the single best day to purchase a used car is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which offers 65.5% more good...

In this episode, we welcome Brittany Primeau, the Director of Communications at Crystal Mountain, and  Caroline Rizzo, Communications Manager with Grand Traverse Resort. Britney & Caroline joined host Phil Tower in-studio in this segment to discuss the benefits of enjoying the great outdoors during wintertime in Michigan. Specifically, we focused on the MyWinterTrails.com website. The site is...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith, Chief of Staff, The Colossian Forum. About our guest: Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith serves as Chief of Staff at The Colossian Forum, a Christian nonprofit based in Grand Rapids. The Colossian Forum equips believers, churches, and organizations to engage conflict not as something to avoid or fear, but as an opportunity for growth, deeper rela...

We welcome Alicia Sledge, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) and chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission (GTSAC), for this segment of West Michigan Weekend. Alicia joined host Phil Tower for an overview of a serious and aggressive effort to reduce traffic fatalities in Michigan. SAFER by 2030 … . Is the name of the initiative AND SAFER is an acrony...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes back  Randy Thelen…President and CEO of The Right Place. He joined us for this segment of West  Michigan Weekend to take a closer look at the economic health of our region as we head into 2026. The Right Place—West Michigan’s leading economic development organization—just released its annual  State of the Region  report in early December. It provides a det...