Ep .41: A Marine, a Fire Captain & a Senate Race Walk Into a Podcast . . .

On this episode, Sarah and Jennifer interview Chedrick (Yes it’s pronounced like Cheryl) Greene, who’s running for Michigan’s 35th Senate District — covering Saginaw, Midland, and Bay City, aka the land of hardworking folks and very opinionated snow. Who’s Chedrick? He’s basically the Avengers if the Avengers were just one guy: • 30 year Marine veteran who made Sergeant Major (peak of the enlisted world). • Fire captain, meaning he saves people, teaches rookies to wipe their feet, and supervises emergencies with a calm--but firm--dad energy. • Serial community volunteer who is everywhere — food drives, literacy programs, veteran groups, mentoring teens, you name it. Why he's running: While working as district assistant to Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet, Chedrick met everyone — farmers, school leaders, county officials — and noticed something big: people across the district have different lives but the same concerns . . . and he basically held the Senate office together like duct tape until someone could be elected. So he looked in the mirror and said, “If I were voting . . . I’d vote for me.” And thus, a campaign was born. What he stands for: Community, service, showing up, and doing the work without needing a camera pointed at him. He believes small things add up — like snowflakes eventually covering a whole yard. (He’s clearly done real time in Michigan winters.) Fire captain life? He sees people on their worst days and treats them with care, respect, and boot wiping etiquette. He wants firefighters to be at community events before emergencies — especially because it helps recruit future firefighters (and gives kids a chance to honk the horn). Hype songs? • Before debates: “I Ain’t No Joke.” • After rough days: “Off the Wall.” This man is service, sincerity, and swagger wrapped in firefighter gear.