Episodios

  • Biggby Coffee Co-CEO Michael McFall on his new book, "Grow: Take Your Business from Chaos to Calm" (06-22-25)

    Biggby Coffee Co-CEO Michael McFall on his new book, "Grow: Take Your Business from Chaos to Calm" (06-22-25)
    Jun 27 2025
    In this segment, host Phil Tower welcomes Mike McFall, co-CEO of Biggby Coffee. Mike and business partner Bob Fish helped create one of the great specialty coffee brands in America. Today, Mike is co-CEO with Bob, and BIGGBY has over 250 stores open throughout the Midwest. Mike is the author of Grind, a book that focuses on early-stage businesses, and we spoke with him about his newest book, Grow: Take Your Business from Chaos to Calm*Encore replay from 07-30-23


    Online: Michael J. McFall
    Biggby Coffee
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    28 m
  • Ryan VerWys on How ICCF Community Homes is developing affordable homes, and thriving neighborhoods (06-15-25)

    Ryan VerWys on How ICCF Community Homes is developing affordable homes, and thriving neighborhoods (06-15-25)
    Jun 19 2025
    In this segment, host Phil Tower speaks with Ryan VerWys, the President & CEO, ICCF Community Homes

    ICCF Community Homes is the oldest nonprofit affordable housing provider in Michigan.
    They’ve been active in the Grand Rapids area since 1974 and engage 2,000+ households each year with housing-related services.
    Ryan and his leadership team at ICCF Community Homes manage over 600 units of affordable rental housing and provide homeownership education and home purchase opportunities to hundreds of neighbors.
    In partnership with local churches, ICCF Community Homes plans to develop 200 affordable homes in West Michigan over the next two to five years.
    With the generosity of a $6 million lead gift, which will match every additional donation dollar for dollar up to the full $12 million goal, they are poised to make a significant impact and positive difference in our community!
    To date, the campaign has already raised over $10.6 million!

    Learn more about the campaign.


    ICCF Community Homes



    Topics discussed: homelessness and the housing crisis, housing affordability, rental housing affordability, homeownership, and homeownership education.
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    29 m
  • A Major Makeover Brings Brighter Days For The Kent County Animal Shelter (06-08-25)

    A Major Makeover Brings Brighter Days For The Kent County Animal Shelter (06-08-25)
    Jun 7 2025
    In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Angela Hollinshead, Director of the Kent County Animal Shelter.Angela joined us to talk about the reopening of the Kent County Animal Shelter in its primary location after three months of renovations.
    The shelter’s animals were moved to a temporary facility nearly a mile away from the current home on Fuller Avenue Northeast in January and then moved back to the main location at 740 Fuller Ave. NE in April. The shelter has now reopened to the public with improved amenities designed to enhance animal care and community services.
    Angela told us they have plenty of pets available for adoption, and the process is simplified and easy.
    Learn more about pet adoption by visiting the Kent County Animal Shelter’s website.




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    9 m
  • How a "Huge Need" Helped Launch Trinity Health's Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program (06-08-25)

    How a "Huge Need" Helped Launch Trinity Health's Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders Program (06-08-25)
    Jun 7 2025
    In this episode, we welcome Dr. Kevin Foley, Medical Director of Trinity Health’s Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Program, and Associate Professor and Director of Geriatrics, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine.
    Dr. Foley told us he had a good reason for opening an Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders Program at the Trinity Health Hauenstein Neuroscience Center.
    “Nobody else was doing it. It was a huge need.”

    As the population ages, the need will become greater and the search for better treatments more urgent. His faculty appointment at the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine opened the door for collaboration between the medical school and Mercy Health.
    Foley hopes to inspire medical students to join the battle against memory disorders.
    Foley noted, “I looked at what I was doing at the Trinity Health Hauenstein Neuroscience Center, and I was taking care of a landslide of people. I wasn’t making enough of an impact.

    Dr. Foley was instrumental in establishing West Michigan’s first and most experienced Alzheimer’s disease and memory disorders program at Trinity Health. The program has been focused for years on being able to accurately diagnose and manage all patient and caregiver needs related to memory disorders or dementia.

    Services provided by the Trinity Health Medical Group, Alzheimer's & Memory Clinic:
    Diagnosis confirmation and follow-up care
    Memory loss medication management
    Mood and behavior management
    Support for medical, legal, and residential placement options
    Connection to caregiver resources and support services
    Caregiver support group
    Comprehensive patient education

    Online: Trinity Health Medical Group, Alzheimer's & Memory Clinic
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    20 m
  • How “stepping Out In Faith” paved a path to the Calvin University presidency for Greg Elzinga (06-01-25)

    How “stepping Out In Faith” paved a path to the Calvin University presidency for Greg Elzinga (06-01-25)
    May 30 2025
    On this week's episode, host Phil Tower devotes the full program to a conversation with Greg Elzinga, President of Calvin University.
    Greg Ezinga was officially named the 13th president of Calvin University in October 2024.

    He joined us to talk about his path to this significant and esteemed leadership position at one of the nation's most respected and successful Christian universities.

    Elzinga is a 1990 graduate from Calvin University, and he served as president of Calvin University since February 2024.

    Before that, he served as the university’s vice president for advancement.

    Previously, Elzinga served as director of global engagement at Partners Worldwide, following a successful business career.

    Things we touch on in this exclusive interview with Greg Elzinga, President at Calvin University:

    **Being the first in his family to attend college.

    **How and why Calvin University pre-health graduates are in high demand.

    ** National Notoriety and success for Calvin:
    U.S. News & World Report's 2025 Best Colleges Guidebook lists Calvin University as the best university for undergraduate teaching and as the second most innovative school in its Regional Universities Midwest category.

    **Greg's powerful story about a real "stepping out in faith" moment."

    **His special experience speaking to graduates at the Calvin Prison Initiative program

    **Why Calvin University has strong commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

    **His excitement about the Calvin University Knights football team and their first season of football last year.

    More online: Calvin.edu
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    29 m
  • How Michigan's Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) is working to protect our Michigan lakes and streams(05-25-25)

    How Michigan's Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) is working to protect our Michigan lakes and streams(05-25-25)
    May 26 2025
    In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Jo Lattimore, Ph.D. , director of the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps).

    Dr.Latimore spoke about the opportunity for Michigan residents to sign up for volunteer lake monitor training through the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps).
    MiCorps is a statewide network focused on water quality, has been running its Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program for 51 years, with support from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
    MiCorps is administered by Michigan State University Extension under the direction of EGLE and in partnership with the Huron River Watershed Council and Michigan Lakes and Streams Association.

    More Online: Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps).


    Questions about getting involved with MiCorps?
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    13 m
  • How GVSU's Next-Ed Co-Lab is creating new paths for all types of learners (05-25-25)

    How GVSU's Next-Ed Co-Lab is creating new paths for all types of learners (05-25-25)
    May 26 2025
    In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with Steven Hodas, executive director of GV NextEd Co-Lab.
    The GV NextEd Co-Lab furthers GVSU's commitment to creating new paths to and through the University for all learners in all communities.
    The Co-Lab works with traditional and non-traditional partners inside and outside GVSU, and harnesses universities’ powerful credentialing fulcrum to improve outcomes, not just in higher education but in the K12 and workforce sectors as well.
    As an incubator, the Co-Lab values growth and impact equally.
    The Co-Lab welcomes ideas and new partners and is especially interested in facilitating innovative research and practice ideas from GVSU faculty and students.

    Reach out to colab@gvsu.edu.

    Online: GV NextEd Co-Lab
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    14 m
  • Kent County DPW tackles recycling of a notoriously stubborn form of plastic: Foam polystyrene(05-18-25)

    Kent County DPW tackles recycling of a notoriously stubborn form of plastic: Foam polystyrene(05-18-25)
    May 18 2025
    In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with Matt McPherson, Communications Manager, Kent County Department of Public Works.
    Matt joined us to talk about the new foam polystyrene drop-off recently announced by the Kent County Department of Public Works.
    New at the North Kent Transfer Station and in West Michigan, the Kent County Department now has a way to recycle a notoriously stubborn form of plastic waste: Foam polystyrene, commonly called Styrofoam. Public Works (DPW) has installed a polystyrene densifier, which compacts the material and bales it so it can be taken to a processor and reused. The material was previously not accepted, ending up in a landfill, because it is difficult to recycle due to being mostly air.
    The densifier is available for Kent County residents to drop off foam polystyrene at the North Kent Transfer Station, located at 2908 Ten Mile Road in Rockford. Only clean, white polystyrene is accepted, including items like foam cups, coolers, packaging, and takeout food containers. Packing peanuts, colored foams, meat trays, and items with food residue are not accepted.

    Residents can visit the North Kent Transfer Station every day except Sundays from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Foam polystyrene is only accepted at this location.

    Online: Reimaginetrash.org
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    11 m