West Michigan Weekend (A Public Affairs Program from iHeartradio)

In this segment, host Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Andrew Jameson, the Specialty Medical Director at Trinity Health Medical Group in West Michigan and Section Chief of Infectious Diseases at Trinity Health Grand Rapids hospital. Michigan currently has 15 confirmed measles cases, with 7 cases considered part of an ongoing outbreak, according to the State of Michigan. This outbreak is the first in Michigan since 2019. Without any doubt, measles presents a significant public health concern when identified in any community. Dr. Jameson discussed how measles is a highly contagious, vaccine-preventable disease that is spread by direct person-to-person contact and that it can live for up to 2 hours in the air after an infected person has left the area. Nearly 90% of unvaccinated individuals who are exposed to measles will become infected. Online: Trinity Health Medical Group, Infectious Disease - Grand Rapids Campus Phil

On this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes Kimberly M. Large, an estate and family law attorney with Mika Meyers. Kim joined us to talk about a growing type of divorce. A collaborative divorce is a process designed as an alternative to traditional litigation to end a marriage. It is sometimes referred to as “divorce with dignity,” “peaceful divorce,” or the “gentler divorce. It is intended to offer you and your spouse the support, guidance, and resources of each having a collaboratively trained attorney, working as a team, to allow you to avoid going to court. There are many differences between the collaborative process and litigation. https://www.mikameyers.com/how-does-collaborative-divorce-differ-from-litigated-divorce/ Topics Addressed: marriage and divorce, divorce as a contributor to health and emotional issues, collaborative divorce, family law, estate planning, Michigan divorce law. Online: https://www.mikameyers.com/attorneys/kimberly-m-large/ Collaborative divorce is a method of dissolving a marriage where both parties commit to reaching a settlement outside of court, with the support of legal and other professionals. It emphasizes cooperation and communication to resolve issues like child custody, property division, and financial arrangements, aiming to minimize conflict and promote a more amicable separation

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

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.

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.

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

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

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?

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

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. Kent County residents now have a way to 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 reducing landfill waste, Kent County recycling, plastics recycling, foam, polystyrene recycling, curbside recycling.

In this episode, Phil Tower welcomes Dr. Jerry Avorn, MD, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and a senior internist in the Mass General Brigham health-care system.Dr. Avorn joined us to discuss his excellent new book, RETHINKING MEDICATIONS. Groundbreaking research has given us many decades of remarkable new medicines, but America’s drug evaluation process, once the envy of the world, is being seriously compromised. Under pressure from drugmakers, the FDA has been lowering its approval standards and has let poorly effective or risky products enter the market, while our prescription prices, the highest in the world, put crucial treatments beyond the reach of many. Get the Book: RETHINKING MEDICATIONS, - Simon & Schuster (Blackstone Publishing, Inc.)

On this episode, host Phil Tower welcomes three individuals to talk about Michigan's newly updated law regarding surrogate parenting. Phil spoke with Tammy Myers, a Michigan mother who was forced to adopt her biological twins in 2021 due to Michigan’s outdated surrogacy laws; Melissa Neckers, an attorney at Miller Johnson, and an expert in assisted reproduction and surrogacy law; and Jarret Zafran, a NYC-based attorney he is the founder and executive director of Brownstone Surrogacy. All three guests join the program to talk about the new Michigan Family Protection Act. The new law, which took effect on April 1, 2025, decriminalizes surrogacy in Michigan and establishes clear legal frameworks for families formed through assisted reproduction and surrogacy. The law ensures legal recognition of intended parents in surrogacy arrangements from the moment of birth and provides protections for children, surrogates, and intended parents. Michigan was the only state where surrogacy was still a felony, and it was the first state where surrogacy became a felony.

In this episode, we speak with Alicia Mathieu, president and founder of Down to Defend. Alicia is the mother of three children, one of those children is living with Down syndrome. When Alicia received her son Levi’s diagnosis, she said she was empowered to change the gut-wrenching statistics that she unveiled during her research. We spoke with her about her journey to this role as president and founder of Down To Defend.The mission of Down to Defend is to educate and equip those living with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing safety classes and resources to lead a more fulfilling life. Online: Down To Defend

In this segment, host Phil Tower, welcomes Katie Tucker, a personal injury attorney with Sinas Dramis Law Firm. Katie specializes in advocating for the rights of people who have been seriously injured or killed in Michigan auto accidents, motorcycle accidents, pedestrian-motor vehicle accidents, etc. She's also an expert on child safety seat laws in Michigan. Katie joined us to breakdown Michigan’s new child passenger safety laws which took effect on April 2, 2025. Some of the key changes with the new child safety seat laws involve extending the rear-facing car seat requirement until the age of 2 or the child exceeds the maximum height or weight limit specified by the manufacturer. Changes with a forward, facing car seats, changes with children, who use booster seats, and no guidance on property use of adult seatbelts for older children. We also learned that any child under the age of 13 in the state of Michigan is still required to sit in the back of a vehicle. Katie also spoke about the upcoming Sinas Dramis Bicycle helmet giveaway, known as “Lids For Kids” coming up on May 25 here in Grand Rapids. Lids for Kids is West Michigan’s Biggest FREE Bike Helmet Giveaway” and also offers free bicycle helmet fitting along with giveaways. The Grand Rapids event is Saturday, May 31, from 10 AM – 12 PM at Garfield Park. Read More: New Laws Seek to Protect Michigan Children Involved in Car Accidents Online: Lids For Kids

In this episode, host Phil Tower speaks with automotive experts Al Schwinkendorf, and John Puhek. Al and John are both ASE certified automotive technicians with Verburg’s Automotive in Grand Rapids. Al and John are also hosts with Michigan's Auto Talk Podcast …a Grand Rapids-based podcast for car and truck lovers, backyard mechanics, and automotive enthusiasts. They joined Phil on this program to talk about the five most common mistakes that car owners make, and how to avoid them. More: Troubleshooting Common Car Problems With Napa Auto More: Verburg's Automotive

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 the highest annual attendance in the organization’s 30-year history and welcoming its 15 millionth visitor. Meijer Gardens has been recognized as the Best Sculpture Park in the United States by USA Today’s "10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards" in 2023 and 2024 and consecutively named one of the Best Places to Work in West Michigan, further solidifying its reputation as a cultural landmark of international acclaim. Charles brings a strong vision of accessibility, transparency, and creativity to every aspect of Meijer Gardens and he was a has a very compelling personal and professional journey to this position. We talked about his background and passion for music, and the arts. We also talked a year-long celebration recognizing 30 years of Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park and the powerful legacy created by Fred and Lena Meijer. Online: Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park

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 Living and Dying with No Regrets. Those 5 keys then led them to create The Fourth Quarter of Your Life: Embracing What Matters Most, a workbook to help people do just that: Discover and plan how to intentionally live their fourth quarters with confidence, boldness, and passion. You can experience his life-changing discoveries and coaching for yourself. Learn more about Allen: Online: Fourth Quarter Guy

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. Permit-Ready Plans, a collaborative partnership between the City of Grand Rapids, MEDC, Michigan Municipal League (MML), and Driven Design, LLC, lowers the barrier for infill housing development by decreasing construction costs and shortening permit processing timelines. Infill housing is the process of putting additional housing units into an already-approved subdivision or neighborhood. They can be provided as additional units built on the same lot, by dividing existing homes into multiple units, or by creating new residential lots by further subdivision or lot line adjustments. Housing plans include single-family, two-family and multi-family housing types, providing communities and prospective developers with options that will work best for each property. Plans for the three housing types can be found here. The target audiences are small- to medium-sized developers trying to enter the housing market and local municipalities seeking to line up pre-reviewed plans with fewer barriers to building more homes.” The City of Grand Rapids Planning Department will be hosting a Lunch & Learn at the Development Center, which will provide a comprehensive review of the Permit-Ready Plans Program, how to participate, and what to expect on May 20th. Online: Permit-Ready Plans Program Resource Links MEDC Developer Toolkit City of Grand Rapids Permit-Ready Plans Program Landing Page City of Grand Rapids Emerging Developer Grant Michigan Municipal League Pattern Book Homes

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 invited! Kelly told us that every dollar raised at this event goes directly towards scholarship funds to ensure that all special needs riders are able to continue participating in our programs. The Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding is a year-round facility located in Rockford, Michigan. They offer equine-based therapy programs to those with physical, mental, and social/emotional disabilities and they serve over 200 individuals ages 2-100 each week. Online: The Equest Center for Therapeutic Riding Topics Addressed: recreation therapy, Post traumatic stress disorder, military veterans, special needs children, disability awareness, equine therapy.

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 breaks. Comprehensive OST programs ideally include both expanded learning opportunities to support the school day and school-age care to support working families. Online: The Michigan Afterschool Partnership