What happens when pop songwriting meets the power of a full orchestra?

Currently: The Conversation is brought to you by TVC Cherry Capital Airport - Your Northern Michigan Connection.

Composer, singer-songwriter and orchestrator Tony Manfredonia joins Christal to discuss his eclectic musical influences, his work on video games including Minecraft and his journey back to performing after years behind the scenes. He also previews "A Symphonic Celebration of Home," an original concert inspired by the people, places and spirit of Northern Michigan, coming to the City Opera House on August 23.

The Conversation is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

Election results are in, and new developments are taking shape across the Traverse City area.

Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community.

Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) break down the key local and statewide primary results, the latest development news from East Bay Township, and a fresh roundup of restaurants and retailers opening, closing, and making moves across the region.

Currently is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

Discover why Traverse City has become one of the country's premier food and wine destinations as Christal sits down with Traverse City Tourism's Mickey Graham to preview Traverse City Food & Wine 2026.

Currently: The Conversation is brought to you by TVC Cherry Capital Airport - Your Northern Michigan Connection.

Mickey shares how the festival was created to showcase what makes Northern Michigan unique—from award-winning wineries and acclaimed chefs to the local farms, orchards, fisheries, breweries, and distilleries that supply them. They discuss what organizers learned from the festival's successful debut, why Traverse City is uniquely positioned to host an event of this scale, and how the celebration has grown into a true community effort involving dozens of local partners.

The conversation also highlights this year's biggest experiences, including chef dinners, tastings, educational events, and the signature Grand Tasting at the Open Space, while exploring the festival's impact on tourism, local businesses, and the region's growing culinary reputation.

Whether you're planning to attend or simply curious about what makes Northern Michigan's food scene so special, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the people, partnerships, and passion that make Traverse City Food & Wine unlike any other festival.

The Conversation is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

The long-awaited independent investigations into allegations of sexual abuse at Interlochen Center for the Arts have been released, and this week we're breaking down what the reports found and what happens next.

Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community.

Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) unpack the findings of a report addressing decades of abuse allegations at Interlochen before turning to the sudden firing of Traverse City Planning Director Shawn Winter, and examining the questions surrounding the city's decision and what it could mean for future development.

Currently is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

Changes are coming to Traverse City this week on Currently!

Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community.

Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) break down several major decisions taking shape across the city. From competing proposals for the West End to plans for making two-way traffic permanent on downtown streets, we look at how Traverse City could change in the years ahead. Beth also explains the latest developments surrounding TIF and what comes next for Hickory Hills. Finally, the conversation shifts to Garfield Township, where officials are considering an 18-month moratorium on data centers while they update local zoning rules.

Currently is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

For 75 years, Northwestern Michigan College has been "The Community's College," and we're diving into the celebration.

Currently: The Conversation is brought to you by TVC Cherry Capital Airport - Your Northern Michigan Connection.

Dr. Stephen Siciliano, Vice President for Educational Services at NMC, joins Christal to explore the people, programs and pivotal moments that shaped Michigan's first community college into the institution it is today. They discuss how NMC has evolved alongside Northern Michigan, what the college's history reveals about its future, and the work behind a new digital timeline spanning more than 100 milestones. Plus, a preview of NMC's July 25 History Day, including the opening of a 50-year-old time capsule and the creation of another for the college's centennial.

The Conversation is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

Roads take center stage this week on Currently!

Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community.

Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) breaks down where major projects stand across Northern Michigan. From the latest on the US-31 construction project to improvements at the Cass Road and South Airport intersection and newly approved repairs on Beitner and Hammond roads, we cover the projects that could impact your daily commute. Then, the conversation shifts from the roads themselves to the people overseeing them, as Beth explains growing concerns surrounding the chair of the Grand Traverse County Road Commission and what those developments could mean moving forward. Plus, we look at the City of Traverse City's latest street condition ratings and how officials decide which roads get repaired first.

It's another week of local news, context, and conversation, all helping you stay informed about the stories shaping Northern Michigan.

Currently is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

Everyone deserves friendship, purpose, and a place where they truly belong.

Currently: The Conversation is brought to you by TVC Cherry Capital Airport - Your Northern Michigan Connection.

Christal sits down with Jamie Bell and Kate Mead of Better Together of Northern Michigan to explore how the organization is creating meaningful connections for adults living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. What began as a vision to combat isolation has grown into a vibrant community where friendships are formed, confidence is built, and caregivers find support alongside their loved ones.

The conversation explores why true inclusion goes far beyond accessibility, the challenges many families face after school-based services end, and how Better Together is helping fill a critical gap by creating spaces where people can simply be themselves. Jamie and Kate also share stories of joy, belonging, and the growing impact the organization is having throughout Northern Michigan.

Whether you're looking to volunteer, support the mission, or simply gain a new perspective on what community can look like, this is a conversation that reminds us we're all better together.

The Conversation is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

Downtown Traverse City's landscape continues to evolve, and this week on Currently, Christal and Beth Milligan (Traverse City Ticker) break it all down.

Support for Currently comes from West Shore Bank, committed to the well-being of our community.

They discuss what's next for the iconic Trains & Things building, why one of the region's most popular restaurants is moving to Front Street, and what the redevelopment means for the future of downtown.

Then, Beth shares a preview of the Dennos Museum Center's newest exhibits, celebrating Indigenous art and culture, along with the museum's fresh new brand and 35th anniversary. Plus, hear about the Folded Leaf Bookstore's transition to a nonprofit, local arts events happening over the holiday weekend, and a few great ways to spend Cherry Festival in Northern Michigan.

Currently is a Compass Local podcast produced by Pancake Boy Productions.

On this episode of Currently: The Conversation, Christal Frost sits down with longtime Northern Michigan leader, public servant, and first-time author Deb Allen to discuss her new book, "Flipping the BITCH Switch."

Currently: The Conversation is brought to you by TVC Cherry Capital Airport - Your Northern Michigan Connection.

Allen reflects on her journey from overcoming childhood dyslexia to becoming an author, the leadership lessons she's learned throughout her career, and the challenges women continue to face in professional spaces. She also shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped her writing, including the recent loss of her husband, and explains why grace, gratitude, and resilience can coexist even in life's most difficult moments.

It's an honest conversation about leadership, vulnerability, personal growth, and empowering women to find—and embrace—their own voice.

The Conversation is a Compass Local podcast, produced by Pancake By Productions.