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"The West Michigan Weekend Podcast with Phil Tower is a production of WOOD Radio and iHeartRadio in West Michigan. Stay connected with the people, places, and events shaping our community...
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"The West Michigan Weekend Podcast with Phil Tower is a production of WOOD Radio and iHeartRadio in West Michigan.
Stay connected with the people, places, and events shaping our community and our great state by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love your feedback as well, so please consider leaving us a review!
For more of our episodes, find us here, or find us on the iHeartRadio app. Thanks for listening!"
mostra meno
Stay connected with the people, places, and events shaping our community and our great state by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love your feedback as well, so please consider leaving us a review!
For more of our episodes, find us here, or find us on the iHeartRadio app. Thanks for listening!"
West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)
West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)
WOOD RadioEpisodi & Post
Episodi
Post
Trascritto
17 GEN 2026 · In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes back guest Dawn Baker, the Show Manager for the Michigan International Auto Show. Dawn joined the program for a preview of one of the largest displays of new and exotic cars in the Midwest. The 28th Annual Michigan International Auto Show, which rolls into DeVos Place January 29-February 1, 2026, offers the best opportunity to view hundreds of vehicles from over 30 global manufacturers, including a variety of trucks, SUVs, electrics, and performance vehicles.
Gentex Corporation returns as the presenting sponsor of the 28th Annual Michigan International Auto Show, and they’re once again bringing the world-renowned Ringbrothers along for the ride. This year, Ringbrothers presents its custom 1971 Aston Martin DBS OCTAVIA.
Other show features include:
Electric Avenue: Electric Avenue display returns to Hall C with a line-up of fully EV vehicles.
Million Dollar Motorway: A collection of performance and exotic vehicles with an emphasis on Aston Martin.
After Market Features: Gas Pedal Customs and Auto Image.
More info at: https://showspan.com/mas/
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17 GEN 2026 · In this episode of West Michigan weekend, host Phil Tower speaks with Don Saldia, Division Manager, https://www.kalcounty.gov/243/Area-Agency-on-Aging, Health & Community Services.
Don joined us to discuss a powerful new resource for identifying caregiving help in Michigan.
https://www.micaregiverconnection.com/ is designed as a starting point for finding real, local caregiving support. The site is specifically designed for persons who are helping a parent, partner, or friend. Mi Caregiver Connection is comprised of the 16 https://www.micaregiverconnection.com/find-your-local-center in Michigan.
There are an estimated 63 million caregivers in the U.S., paid or unpaid, who provide care for people who rely on them for basic needs. The caregiving workforce is under increasing strain. Americans are living longer, and the growing number of people needing care is at odds with the limited resources available to provide it.
Online: https://www.micaregiverconnection.com/
See thehttps://publichealth.jhu.edu/2025/what-is-the-caregiver-crisis:
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16 GEN 2026 · In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes back Michael Wildschut, director of the January Series at Calvin University.
Michael joins the program for a preview of the 2026 January Series, presented by and hosted at Calvin University.
For nearly 40 years, people have been showing up from all walks of life, ready to be challenged, enlightened, and connected to something far beyond themselves.
This year’s lineup of speakers will no doubt challenge and enlighten, and inspire attendees both in person and online.
By promoting education, civic engagement, and open inquiry, The January Series at Calvin University has been growing a community of lifelong learners who don’t want to be passive observers but active participants in creating a better, more inspired, more inclusive world.
This year's January Series begins on Monday, January 19, and runs through Friday, January 30th.
The January Series lectures are available to watch live in person or on-demand the day of the event.
Online: https://calvin.edu/january-series
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16 GEN 2026 · In this episode host Phil Tower welcomes Christy Buck, CEO and Founder of the Mental Health Foundation of West Michigan, joins host Phil Tower to discuss the national expansion of the life-saving "Be Nice" program.
Be Nice originally began as a school-based initiative, but now, thanks to some incredible connections, Christy has developed throughout West Michigan and far beyond. Be Nice has now reached the National Football League, recently being adopted by the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Jaguars partnered with Be Nice as part of an expanded focus on staff well-being and psychological safety within their organization.
Christy joined us to talk about the importance of noticing changes in mental health and the powerful impact that the Be Nice program can have everywhere, including the National Football League.
Online Resources:
https://www.benice.org/
https://www.jaguars.com/video/k000550-jacksonville-jaguars-partner-with-the-be-nice-foundation
Be Nice encourages you to get help right now if you are thinking of harming yourself or if you are in emotional distress. Please reach out.
Texting "nice" to 741741 (Crisis Text Line) is a good way to cool down and get some positive coping mechanisms to manage how you're feeling right now.
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3 GEN 2026 · ArtPrize 2025 has officially wrapped, leaving a lasting impression throughout downtown Grand Rapids.
In this episode of West Michigan Weekend, host Phil Tower welcomes back Catlin Whitington, Executive Director of ArtPrize, to reflect on the success of this year’s international art competition and its evolving role in our community.
Inside This Episode, we discuss:
Celebrating the Winners: We discuss the $100,000 Grand Prize winner who captivated both the public voters and the juried art judges.
https://www.artprize.org/2025-winners
https://www.artprize.org/2025-winners an evocative textile installation by the artistic duo Second Vibess (Camille Steverson and Kaitlynn Fitzpatrick).
The Evolution of ArtPrize: Catlin shares how the event has matured, becoming a more decentralized, global stage for art, and still maintaining the accessibility factor for artists from all walks of life.
The crowds are back: ArtPrize 2025 saw crowds that were more in line with the pre-COVID numbers that the event had drawn before.
Digital Engagement: A look at how the public interacted with the art this year through QR codes and the impact of digital voting on the visitor experience.
Economic & Cultural Impact: Beyond the galleries and venues, we explore what ArtPrize means for West Michigan’s economy and how it continues to shape Grand Rapids' identity on a global scale. Catlin shared that the economic impact of ArtPrize for 2025 exceeded $80 million.
ArtPrize Runs On Donor Support: donations keep this world-class event free and accessible to all. Donations also help provide $200,000 in grants to artists, as well as access for thousands of Michigan students experiencing ArtPrize this year. https://www.artprize.org/donate
ArtPrize 2026 planning is underway. The next event is September 17 through October 3, 2026.
More Online: https://www.artprize.org/
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27 DIC 2025 · In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Karl Brauer, Executive Analyst with iSeeCars.com.
Karl joined us to break down the results of a recent study from the team at https://www.iseecars.com/
The Study revealed that the prime season for finding a used car deal is predominantly November through March, and the single best day to purchase a used car is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which offers 65.5% more good deals than average, according to the latest iSeeCars.com study.
The study analyzed over 40 million used car sales to calculate the chances of finding a good deal at specific times of the year, with a good deal defined as saving at least 10% (approx. $2,689) off the average price of a used car ($26,889).
See the https://www.iseecars.com/best-times-to-buy-cars-study
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27 DIC 2025 · In this episode, we welcome Brittany Primeau, the Director of Communications at Crystal Mountain, and Caroline Rizzo, Communications Manager with Grand Traverse Resort.
Britney & Caroline joined host Phil Tower in-studio in this segment to discuss the benefits of enjoying the great outdoors during wintertime in Michigan.
Specifically, we focused on the https://www.mywintertrails.org/website.
The site is packed with helpful information for those who love winter sports, and 80 includes a list of 17 Michigan ski resorts and winter sports destinations comprising the Great Lakes Winter Trails Council. These destinations in Michigan alone offer some of the best groomed cross-country skiing trails and snowshoeing terrain in the Midwest.
Outdoor activities highlighted at MyWinterTrails.com include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat-tire biking, winter rafting, Nordic ski walking, and more.
We also discussed the numerous activities scheduled across the state for https://www.mywintertrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Screen-Shot-2025-11-26-at-5.07.23-PM.png on January 10, 2026.
Online:
https://www.crystalmountain.com/
https://www.grandtraverseresort.com
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21 DIC 2025 · In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith, Chief of Staff, https://colossianforum.org/
About our guest: Rev. Dr. Tanner Smith serves as Chief of Staff at The Colossian Forum, a Christian nonprofit based in Grand Rapids.
The Colossian Forum equips believers, churches, and organizations to engage conflict not as something to avoid or fear, but as an opportunity for growth, deeper relationships, and spiritual formation. Their work is rooted in the conviction that “all things hold together in Christ” (Colossians 1:17).
The Colossian Forum’s work is guided by a compelling and timely mission:
to help Christians think, act, and lead more like Jesus—especially in moments of disagreement and tension—so that churches and communities can embody unity, compassion, and maturity even amid big differences.
Episode Overview:
In this conversation, Rev.Tanner Smith explores how Christians can faithfully navigate conflict in personal relationships, work life, church life, and many other places—without retreating into avoidance or hostility.
Topics Discussed
- The programs, trainings, and presentations offered by The Colossian Forum
- What it means to be a non-anxious presence in an anxious and divided culture
- Navigating tense holiday gatherings and extended family relationships
- Approaches to healing or engaging with an estranged family member
- Why avoiding conflict altogether is not a faithful or effective solution
Key Themes: Conflict resolution • Faith and spirituality • Emotional and spiritual maturity • Unity amid political division • Christian leadership in polarized times
Learn More: https://colossianforum.org/
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13 DIC 2025 · We welcome Alicia Sledge, director of the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning (OHSP) and chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Commission (GTSAC), for this segment of West Michigan Weekend.
Alicia joined host Phil Tower for an overview of a serious and aggressive effort to reduce traffic fatalities in Michigan.
https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/ohsp/gtsac/safer-by-2030. Is the name of the initiative AND SAFER is an acronym for “Statewide Action to Reduce Fatalities Encountered on our Roadways” by 30 percent by 2030.
The new program involves several state of Michigan agencies and departments working collaboratively to create a culture of safe driving in Michigan, to work towards Zero Traffic Deaths.
In 2024, 288,880 traffic crashes in Michigan took the lives of 1,099 people. Those 1099 fatalities were an increase over the 2023 number of 1095 automotive fatalities.
The SAFER by 2030 initiative focuses on three key areas of Awareness, Engagement, and Enforcement.
Helpful Links:
https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/ohsp
https://www.michigan.gov/msp/divisions/ohsp/gtsac/safer-by-2030
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13 DIC 2025 · In this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes back Randy Thelen…President and CEO of The Right Place.
He joined us for this segment of West Michigan Weekend to take a closer look at the economic health of our region as we head into 2026.
The Right Place—West Michigan’s leading economic development organization—just released its annual State of the Region report in early December. It provides a detailed look at trends in jobs, wages, business growth, population, and more across our 13-county region.
Randy helped us unpack some of the key takeaways from the https://online.flippingbook.com/view/184063943 which measured several economic benchmarks, including the local job market, wages and cost of living, housing affordability, industry strengths, and emerging sectors, the state of regional talent and population trends, the small business climate in the region, and the state of local infrastructure.
Online-https://www.rightplace.org/
Download the complete https://online.flippingbook.com/view/184063943 from The Right Place.
"The West Michigan Weekend Podcast with Phil Tower is a production of WOOD Radio and iHeartRadio in West Michigan. Stay connected with the people, places, and events shaping our community...
mostra di più
"The West Michigan Weekend Podcast with Phil Tower is a production of WOOD Radio and iHeartRadio in West Michigan.
Stay connected with the people, places, and events shaping our community and our great state by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love your feedback as well, so please consider leaving us a review!
For more of our episodes, find us here, or find us on the iHeartRadio app. Thanks for listening!"
mostra meno
Stay connected with the people, places, and events shaping our community and our great state by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. We'd love your feedback as well, so please consider leaving us a review!
For more of our episodes, find us here, or find us on the iHeartRadio app. Thanks for listening!"
Informazioni
| Autore | WOOD Radio |
| Organizzazione | iHeartRadio |
| Categorie | News |
| Sito | - |
| - |
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