West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)

In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with automotive experts Al Schwinkendorf, and John Puhek. Al and John are both ASE certified automotive technicians with Verburg’s Automotive in Grand Rapids. Al and John are also hosts with Michigan's Auto Talk Podcast …a Grand Rapids-based podcast for car and truck lovers, backyard mechanics, and automotive enthusiasts.  They joined Phil on this program to...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Charles Burke, the President & CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park.   Charles joined us on the program to  discuss his unique and inspired journey to his current position as President and CEO of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park.    Since  becoming president and CEO in February 2023, Charles has led the wildly popular destinati...

In this episode, Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Allen Hunt  … “The Fourth Quarter Guy” . He helps people discover how to become the best version of themselves in the Fourth Quarter of life.  A four-time #1 Amazon best-selling author, Allen collaborated with Matthew Kelly to write  No Regrets: A Fable about Living Your Fourth Quarter Intentionally.  In that fable, they share the ground-breaking secrets of...

On this episode host Phil Tower speaks with Michelle Parkkonen, Managing Director of technical assistance programs at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation MEDC. Michele spoke with us about the exciting new collaboration between the City of Grand Rapids and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) is unveiling resources that will streamline the process for communities to add ho...

In this episode, host, Phil Tower, welcomes Kelly Alcock, a Client Program Coordinator with the Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding. Kelly joined us on the program to talk about the power of equine therapy and the hundreds of clients who benefit from it who are served by the Equest Center. April 19th is the date that the Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding will be holding their annual Easter wit...

In this episode, host, Phil Tower, welcomes Erin Skene-Pratt, Executive Director at The Michigan Afterschool Partnership. The Michigan Afterschool Partnership advocates for equitable systems that support and expand quality out-of-school time experiences for all youth in the state. Out-of-School Time (OST) refers to youth development programs that occur before and after the school day, as well as p...

In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with Dianna Higgs Stampfler, author of  Kalamazoo County Characters. Dianna's book  Kalamazoo County Characters, is from the History Press.  Since its founding in the early 1800s, Kalamazoo has welcomed a variety of notable characters who have shaped the community’s legacy in their own special way. Some, like Orville Gibson and Derek Jeter, are nationally re...

On this week's program, host Phil Tower speaks with Richard Anderson, co-founder and co-owner of Iron Fish Distillery in Thompsonville, MI.   On this week's program, we feature a CEO You Should Know, Richard Anderson, with Iron Fish Distillery. Iron Fish Distillery was founded in 2016 as Michigan’s first farm distillery. It grows grain, distills spirits, and barrel-finishes sourced whiskey. 
Richa...

In this week's episode, host Phil Tower chats with  Dr. John Eliot, co-author of  How to Get Along with Anyone The Playbook for Predicting and Preventing Conflict at Work and At Home   In his new book, Dr. John Eliot and co-author Jim Quinn help you defuse any heated conflict by learning which of the five conflict styles YOU are and how to resolve even the most sensitive dispute. Dr. Elliott told...

In this episode, Phil Tower speaks with  Dr. Sarena Shivers, Executive Director of the Michigan Nonprofit "Talent Together." Dr Shivers joined us on the program to discuss how MI Talent Together is ensuring all students have qualified teachers. Talent Together is a relatively new nonprofit here in Michigan and one of the nation’s largest ‘grow your own’ teacher programs.  Dr. Shivers told us the o...

In this segment host, Phil Tower welcomes  Dr. Sonia Hassan,  founding director of Wayne State University’s Office of Women’s Health SOS MATERNITY Network, a network seeking to end preventable causes of death in mothers and children. SOS Maternity is a healthcare collaborative led by the Wayne State University’s Office of Women’s Health. It’s comprised of 14 maternal-fetal medicine universities an...

On this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Scott Turow, NY Times Bestselling author, writer, and former practicing lawyer, who is the author of thirteen bestselling works of fiction, including P resumed Innocent. Scott’s a wildly successful best-selling author and writer,  and a former practicing lawyer, who is the author of thirteen bestselling works of fiction, including Presumed Innocen t.  His...

On this week's episode host Phil Tower welcomes Craig Piersma, the Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Communications with Gentex. Craig joined us live from the Michigan International Auto Show in Grand Rapids in early February to discuss the importance of the Gentex partnership with the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association and supporting the Grand Rapids Auto show.   Zeeland-based Gente...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes James Morin, an EV expert and founder of the blog on owning electric vehicles, ElectricMitten.com.  James embraces the electric vehicle as the future of transportation while acknowledging that EVs are not for everyone. James blog shares what its like to live with an EV in Michigan, and to highlight some of the great things our wonderful state has to offer....

In this episode host, Phil Tower welcomes Jay Follis, Collection Specialist, at Gilmore Car Museum. Jay joined us, live from the floor of the Michigan International Auto Show. For over 25 years, the Gilmore car Museum in Hickory corners. Michigan has brought cars from its massive collection of North America’s Largest Auto Museum to the show. Jay spoke about some of the upcoming events at the Gilmo...

On this episode, host  Phil Tower welcomes  Mike McNett, Freshwater Fishing Director at USAngling.  The 2025 World Ice Fishing Championship will happen on Tamarack Lake in Lakeview, 16 miles north of Greenville in West Michigan – the first time for Michigan to host this event. The event happens February 11-16. In this segment, we had the opportunity to catch up with Mike to give us a preview of wh...

Host Phil Tower speaks with Ben Nielsen, Show Manager, in this episode. Now in its 80th year, the Grand Rapids Boat Show, February 12-16, at Devos Place is launching into an era where it will show our broadest array of power boats ever...over 400 boats, especially for the Great Lakes and inland fishing. Ben noted that boat show attendees will see yachts, cruisers, runabouts, fishing boats of all s...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Andrea Keller, anti-human trafficking coordinator at Wedgwood. Andrea joined us for a discussion about human trafficking, and specifically to talk about Wedgwood’s Manasseh Project Trauma Recovery Center. This is a residential treatment program for girls ages 12-17 who have been victims of sex trafficking or have a history of extensive sexual trauma. Andre...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Shawn Campbell, Vice President of Fund Development & Engagement at Gilda’s Club Grand Rapids. Shawn shared some of the highlights of this year’s upcoming 2025 LaughFest . The event, now in its 15th season, runs March 5-9 and includes a wide and diverse dose of comedy across several venues in West Michigan. Major comedy headliners for LaughFest 2025 inc...

In this episode post, Phil Tower speaks with John Schmidt, Program Manager with Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers Council.   They operate the "Cruise the Great Lakes" initiative.  John joined us on the program to discuss the 2025 forecast for cruising on the Great Lakes, as interest continues to grow year after year. John told us that Great Lakes cruises will welcome over 22,000 indi...

In this episode, Phil Tower welcomes Brittney Primeau, the Director of Communications at Crystal Mountain.  Brittany joined us from Crystal Mountain to discuss the resort's growth and improvements made over the years and its significant impact on the positive economic growth in the region. Brittney also discussed the plethora of winter sports available at Crystal Mountain with a primary focus on s...

In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with Dawn Baker, Show Manager for The Michigan International Auto Show.  Dawn joined us for a preview of this year's show and the upcoming  Cars for Kids Gala on Wednesday, January 29th at DeVos Place. Mary Free Bed is this year’s charity partner for the annual " Cars for Kids Gala" as chosen by the Grand Rapids New Car Dealers Association. Proceeds will sup...

In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes back guest Michael Wildschut, Director of the January Series at Calvin University.  The January Series is a free, 10-day event filled with brilliant speakers, fascinating topics, and enlightened conversation. The long-running series presented by Calvin University, features prominent academics, educators, artists, activists, and others to present thought-pr...

On this week's episode, host Phil Tower welcomed Randy Thelen, President & CEO of The Right Place. Community business leaders and economic experts gathered in downtown Grand Rapids in early December for the 2025 Economic Outlook for the Greater Grand Rapids Region. The event, hosted by The Right Place, Inc., looked at the current state of the region’s economy. It also offered forecasts on the...

On this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes  Kevin Klein: CEO of Cherry Capital Airport. Kevin Klein is in his 22nd year with Cherry Capital Airport. He started in 2002 as operations manager and today oversees every aspect of the airport as CEO. Klein was named Airport Manager of the Year by the Michigan Association of Airport Executives in 2017.  Kevin told us about exciting plans for the airport....