West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)
Host Phil Tower brings you the latest news and developments from area non-profit organizations and their leaders, plus issues of importance nationally and globally with experts and authors. Tune in weekly for thoughtful conversation, inspiration and enlightenment.
Episodes
April 18, 2025 • 29 mins
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 destinations to new heights, including achieving...
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 destinations to new heights, including achieving...
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April 13, 2025 • 16 mins
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 the Fourth Quarter: the 5 Keys to Livin...
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 the Fourth Quarter: the 5 Keys to Livin...
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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 housing in existing neighborhoods. Per...
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 housing in existing neighborhoods. Per...
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April 5, 2025 • 14 mins
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 with the Equest Bunny event and all are ...
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 with the Equest Bunny event and all are ...
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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 programs that occur during school bre...
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 programs that occur during school bre...
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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 recognized, while others, such as Sue Hub...
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 recognized, while others, such as Sue Hub...
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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. Richard shared his story of how he and his ...
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. Richard shared his story of how he and his ...
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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 us that the average American worker spe...
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 us that the average American worker spe...
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March 6, 2025 • 10 mins
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 organization was created to provide sol...
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 organization was created to provide sol...
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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 and healthcare systems across Michigan....
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 and healthcare systems across Michigan....
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March 6, 2025 • 13 mins
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 Presumed 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 Innocent.
His virtual event with The National Writer...
His virtual event with The National Writer...
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March 6, 2025 • 14 mins
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 Gentex is most notably known for its auto...
Zeeland-based Gentex is most notably known for its auto...
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February 24, 2025 • 18 mins
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. James joined us live from the Mic...
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. James joined us live from the Mic...
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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 Gilmore Car museum including, “Without ...
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February 9, 2025 • 15 mins
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 what will be a spectacular event for We...
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 what will be a spectacular event for We...
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February 9, 2025 • 13 mins
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 sizes, and ski and surf Inboard boats...
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 sizes, and ski and surf Inboard boats...
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February 2, 2025 • 13 mins
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. Andrea told us that specific treatment i...
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. Andrea told us that specific treatment i...
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February 2, 2025 • 14 mins
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 include Adam Ray, Gabby Bryan, Dan Sode...
Major comedy headliners for LaughFest 2025 include Adam Ray, Gabby Bryan, Dan Sode...
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Five Great Lakes… One grand adventure. The Growing Popularity of Cruising The Great Lakes (01-26-25)
January 26, 2025 • 14 mins
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 individual passengers, representing a near...
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 individual passengers, representing a near...
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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 skiing and snowboarding but continued ...
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 skiing and snowboarding but continued ...
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