Michigan Reimagined

Outdoor Recreation is a critical component to a vibrant and energized city. Lansing is a river city afterall, so let’s discuss how you can get out on the water! Joining Chris to share the offerings and passion behind Rivertown Kayaks with Co-Founder Paul Brogan!

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity - or LEO - and the Michigan Center for Employee Ownership - or MICEO - announced the State’s second company to transition to Employee Owned - and that company is Lansing’s DBI, a local and legacy Haworth furniture dealer. Joining Chris to share what this means and why it’s important are DBI President & CEO Mr. George Snyder, and Vice President and COO Mr. Steve Klaver

Chris has touted Lansing’s depth and breadth of business support for years. Today’s show is yet another example of ways your business can get the tools it needs to thrive. Joining him to share the details of the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce’s new THRIVE series - “Leadership Development for Every Stage” is their Talent Development Manager, Sarah Bakken!

In August 2021, Hip Hop Appreciation month became a state holiday. All of the Above Hip Hop Academy (AOTA) immediately got after it. On August 15th, AOTA will be hosting the 5th annual Cap City Breaking Jam at the Lansing Shuffle. Joining Chris to share the history and details of this amazing event is the Executive Director of All of the Above Hip Hop Academy, Ozay Moore!

It’s become commonplace for people to complain about work. Many will flippantly make disparaging comments about their jobs, and others feel real disdain and disengagement about their worklives. A group of professionals have decided it’s time to change that thought process and launched the Empowerment Institute for Michigan. Joining Chris to discuss their mission and curriculum are President, Dr. Tonya Bailey, and COO Amy Partin!

Success begets success, and investment often begets investment. I recently saw an article about sections of Kalamazoo making major investment, and learned more about how that might affect the housing nearby. Joining Chris to share his perspective of these endeavors is a Realtor with EXP Realty of SW Michigan, Jared Stout!

Artificial Intelligence is here, and here to stay. Many are tinkering with its abilities, but others are diving into the deep end to become experts and assist others with their journeys. Joining Chris to speak on their new endeavor - Compound - is the Founder of Super Web Pros and teacher of AI systems and organizational design at Michigan State, Jesse Flores and Founder of Lead With Collective, and a 20-year people-and-HR leader for global, Fortune 1000 companies, Julie Mann!

East Lansing has undergone a major transformation in the past decade, East from Hannah Plaza and the Hub, through downtown’s Landmark & Abbot projects, and West to Skyview and Red Cedar. Some say that’s enough, others say more is needed. Joining Chris to discuss another project downtown East Lansing called “The Howard” is the Chief Executive Officer for Harbor Bay Ventures, Mark Bell!

The MSU Research Foundation has been at the forefront of fostering Michigan start-ups for years. They recently announced a new investment in East Lansing. Joining Chris to discuss what that means and why it’s important is the Director of Research Parks for the MSU Research Foundation, Jeff Smith!

Michigan’s K-12 education performance is a hotly discussed topic lately. But it’s hard to make considerable improvements until you first address the teacher shortage. One lifelong educator has launched an organization focused on doing just that - building a more robust educator pipeline. Joining Chris to tell the story of Michigan’s Educator Workforce Initiative is its Founding Partner & CEO, Jack Elsey!

Detroit's Neighborhood Economic Development Team Helps Small Businesses Thrive

Non-Profit Helps Returning Vets Get Into Skilled Trades

Housing opportunities and solutions may be the largest challenge Michgian is facing. The City of Detroit has an established organization called the Detroit Housing Commission - and they are providing an amazing amount of support to its residents. Joining Chris to share their story, their mission and their services are Detroit Housing Commission Executive Director, Arthur Jemison and Chief Operating Officer, Irene Tucker!

Walsh College Laser Focused on Developing Students Proficient in AI and Advanced Tech

MDARD Offers Solutions to Agribusiness and Rural Communities - Recently With Food Insecurity

Next Street Prepares Downstream Supply Chain Partners to Engage With Buyers On A Large Scale

Rental Property Owners Association Advocates For Housing Solutions Statewide

Lansing’s Rivertrail has been loved by many for decades. In recent years, the Capital Region Community Foundation has invested in several downtown venues along the trail, and now there is a website - lansingriverfront.org - hosting a bevy of information for residents and visitors alike. Joining Chris to discuss the details of these spaces and their offerings is the President & CEO of the Community Foundation, Laurie Baumer!

Oakland County Offers Robust Talent Development Solutions - Aligns with Business

Miller Johnson Growth Advisors Assists Developers & Municipalities on Unique Funding Solutions

Central MI University President Explains Complexity of Higher Ed Leadership

Belle Isle - Larger Than Central Park - Funds and Coordinates Renovations For User Experience

5 years beyond the pandemic, what does the new 'workplace' look like? How are organizations balancing the need for both collaborative and private spaces? We are beyond everyone figuring it out, there is some stabilization. Joining Chris to share his perspective to the workspace landscape it General Manager of Interphase Interiors, Brian Johnson!

MichAuto Association Focuses on Advocacy, Talent, and Industry Transition in Mobility Space

Livonia Offers RFP For Redevelopment of Alfred Noble Historic Site

Michigan Works! Connects Job Seekers and Employers via Statewide Network

Small Business Development Centers Offer Free Services Statewide

If you’re looking for a career in financial planning, you want to be sure YOUR financial planner is following the fast moving trends of today and hires and trains new talent the right way, you want to listen to this next conversation. Joining Chris to share the culture of Waggoner Financial and how they remain up-to-date on employee development and industry trends are Director of Advisory Services, Jordan Bowman and Wealth Management Associate, Tobin Zeluff!

Oakland County CFO Explains New Development Plan in County Seat of Pontiac

Michigan Chief Mobility Officer Explains Confidence & Complexity of Legacy Industry

Cohort Launches "Innovation Alliance" Encouraging Start-Ups to Scale in Michigan

The Grand Hotel Celebrates 140 Years with a "Season to Celebrate"

Most urban areas have nodes of density & vibrancy that set them apart from the city as a whole. Lansing’s Old Town is one such node. Joining Chris to share the mission and successes of the now 30 year old organization is Old Town Commercial Association Executive Director, James Lenon!

Michigan, and mid-Michigan have been virtually flat in population for decades. A recent study shows that Michigan is projected to shrink, while the Lansing region is slated to grow. But is the news encouraging? Joining Chris to share important details is COO of LEAP, the Lansing Economic Area Partnership, Keith Lambert!

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and it serves as an important reminder that simple actions — like taking an extra second to look twice — can save lives. Joining Chris to talk about how Michigan is working to improve motorcycle safety, and the role awareness campaigns play in changing driver behavior, are the Deputy Chief of External Affairs from the Michigan Department of State, Joshua Elliott, and Sr. Strategist and Research Manager from Güd Marketing, Chelsea Maupin!

The MidMichigan Environmental Action Council - or MidMEAC - is doing amazing things in our community. Joining Chris to share their mission and the many ways they work to make our communities cleaner and more safe for us to live in, is Executive Director, Theresa Lark, and President of the Board, Dennis Louney!

There’s a new development project planned for the intersection of Holmes and Pleasant Grove in Southwest Lansing. This project is unique as it provides a creative investment opportunity for citizens. Joining Chris to share the vision and the strategy for the Holmes & Pleasant Grove project are members of the Lansing Growth Fund, Brent Forsberg and Melissa Hall!

Lansing is in the process of getting a new downtown music and arts venue called The Ovation. There have been many organizations working together to make this a reality, and there have been recent breakthroughs bringing us closer to the finish line. Joining Chris to give us an update on this exciting attraction is the Founding Director at Ovation Center for Music and Arts, Dominic Cochran!

Environmental sustainability has become more than a buzz-word - it’s a permanent way of life for many people and a growing strategy for corporations. Here to share the role marketing plays in broadcasting the message are two superstars from Güd Marketing in Lansing’s Old Town District. Joining Chris are Senior Client Strategist & Research Manager, Chelsea Maupin and Account Manager, Lauren Abbott!

Michiganders have pretty solid access to quality baseball. Most are loyal to their beloved Detroit Tigers, but if you roam around the state you can find serious baseball in many cities. Joining Chris to discuss the kick-off to their 30th season is the General Manager for the Lansing Lugnuts, Zac Clark!

Lansing 5:01 is a wonderful mid-Michigan organization doing great work. They’ve been highlighted in Michigan Reimagined many times. For the first time since they were founded, they have a leadership change. Joining Chris to tell us about the history and the future of Lansing 5:01 is their President & CEO, Samantha Harkins!

The community is a richer place to live when individuals find their true calling and dare to buck the trends by opening unique businesses. Today I want to highlight a special business in Lansing’s Old Town, Chengdu Teahouse. Joining Chris to share her journey and offerings is the owner of Chengdu, Elyse Ribbons!

We’re on the cusp of the newest season of the award winning Capital City Film Festival! Joining Chris to share this year’s hot new details - are Festival Event Director Emma Selby, Program Director Pete Johnston, and Film Programs Manager, Jaden Deibel.

Chris has said a number of times, Michigan may have the most competitive and effective start-up ecosystems in the country. Two major players in that space are the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and the Michigan State University Research Foundation. Joining Chris to share the amazing PitchMi event are the VP of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at the MEDC, Alison Todak and the Director of Portfolio Management at Red Cedar Ventures, Pete Martin!

Chris has said many times on this show that a quality community values art and the artist. I’ve also highlighted people who have made significant pivots in their careers. In this episode, we delve into both! Joining Chris to share his story and new art installation is local artist Jason Keusch.

Artificial Intelligence is being incorporated in all manners of life. Joining Chris to share how AI is used in Real Estate and to give a general update on the status of resident real estate in Michigan is the owner of Keller Williams - Advantage in Team, Chris Silker!

The Lansing Economic Area Partnership (LEAP) recently introduced LEAP Thrive, a program that partners with developers to facilitate community-oriented development projects. Joining Chris to explain more is LEAP Thrive Board President & COO of LEAP, Keith Lambert and Thrive Board Member and Executive Director of the Ingham County Land Bank, Roxanne Case!

Society is clamoring for health care reform, along with a fundamental shift from Sick Care to truly affordable Health Care. Joining Chris to discuss an upcoming event called ‘HEALTH’CARE 2026 is the Founder & CEO of Health Bar, Nathan Baar!

Seemingly out of nowhere Data Centers have been proposing new facilities in many Michigan communities. Most are being met with strong opposition, but it’s hard to keep up with what the concerns are, what the rebuttals have been - and ultimately what the truth is. Joining Chris to discuss the topic on a broader scale, as well as some details on the proposed Lansing-based project, is the Vice President of Strategy and Operations for Deep Green, Luke Gavin!

Insurance is something most people would rather not think about. After all, people and businesses pay money in the hopes of never having to use the services they’re paying for. Many think that getting the cheapest policy, and foregoing a live Agent, is the best path. Joining Chris to shed some light on why NOT having a live expert advising you is State Farm agent, Kirk Byrens!