Despite Impossible

Turn on your listening ears for another back-to-school throwback! As the school year gets underway, we’re going back over our episode with Plymouth-Canton Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Monica Merritt. She’s been honored as Michigan’s 2023 Superintendent of the Year, three impressive decades after starting her career in education as a high school English teacher. This is her story.


At the end, take advantage of a teachable moment by helping your child learn about money management with Greenlight. The banking app and debit card are made for kids and teens, plus protected by parental controls. Your subscription is complimentary when you connect your Community Financial Credit Union account as your child’s funding account. Go ahead and invest in their financial future at cfcu.org/greenlight!

Today’s guest is Greg Mitchell. Born into a family of farmers in the Midwest, he grew up to become a devout Christian, a Coast Guard member, a Disco dancer, and the CEO of First Tech Credit Union. All the way through, his life’s work has been making the most of his gifts to assist other humans in reaching their potential. This is Greg’s story.

Listen in for our back-to-school throwback! To celebrate the start of the school year, we’re going back to our episode with Northville Public Schools Superintendent Dr. RJ Webber. His career in education has comprised not only leadership but also teaching, presenting, and consulting.

Today’s guest is Andy Janning. He’s a self-described “nerd” who loves telling stories through words and pictures – from books and speeches to films and photos – especially about cancer advocacy. Inspired by his wife’s cancer-related challenges and successes, Andy is passionate about pausing cancer debt and ending terminal debt for patients through his programs partnering with financial institutions. This is Andy’s story.

Today's guest is Jack Wernstrom. Jack is a 21-year-old senior at Michigan State University. Jack is also an experience team intern at our Playground location.This is Jack's story.

Today's guest is Joy Lewis. Joy is proud of her Westside of Lansing roots, she is an innovator and a visionary, and a driven individual committed to making the world a better place. She is also the owner of Joyola Mei Hair, a specialty hair salon providing sustainable and eco-friendly products for clients with wavy, curly, textured, and coily hair in Detroit's Corktown neighborhood. This is Joy's story.

To learn more about Joy and Joyola Mei Hair visit https://www.joyolamei.com/

Today's guest is Randy Harrington. He is a seeker, a parent, a husband, and a person that can see potential and goodness in people. He is also the Founding Partner at Strategic Arts & Sciences. Randy considers himself to be both a student and a practitioner in the science and art of long-term strategic planning. This is Randy's story.

Today's guest is Matt Nahan. He is an artist, a friend, a collaborator, an advocate for social causes, a son, a partner, and a dog dad. He is also the executive director at our Relentless Care Foundation, leading the philanthropic impact CFCU ignites across Michigan. This is Matt's story.

Today's guest is Arlita Ibach. She is someone who enjoys life, people, and all the small things in between that combined become people's journeys. She is also an entrepreneur and the founder of Red Dot Coffee Company here in Northville. This is Arlita's story.

To learn more about Arlita's invitation to approach life with the "you are here!" attitude that her Red Dot on the map represents, visit: www.reddotcoffeeco.com/our-story

Today's guest is Clint Smiley, a second-generation lifelong educator, raising a third generation of educators and a through-and-through Michigander. He is also West Middle School's retiring Principal. This is Clint's story.