It’s Your Community

March 6, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Whitney Bunn, Associate Director, Playworks Michigan. A steward of leveraging the power of play in elementary schools for more than 25 years, Playworks Michigan has announced the official launch of a “Corporate Recess” program for companies and corporations throughout the region. As employers continue to wrestle with a range of issues and considerations related to continued remote and/or hybrid workplaces, Playworks’ Corporate Recess initiative aims to foster connection, social interaction and mutual respect while building colleague rapport, teamwork, and trust. Sessions, featuring games and other activities, are interactive and customizable and are available both digitally and socially distanced in-person for groups of any size. In 2021, Playworks held pilot initiatives with the Skillman Foundation and with Detroit information technology company, Integral. The success of those ventures, as well as expressed interest from additional companies, motivated the organization to develop the program further and make it available on a wider scale in this region and in varied formats.

February 27, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Robert Palmer from the Raven Institute. He is a writing coach and team builder. He has been an educator and school leader for 25 years. Robert taught at Eton Academy, a National Exemplary School in Birmingham, MI, for six years and Royal Oak Alternative Education for 11 years where he co-founded the school. He has now founded three schools. Constantly encouraged for years, Palmer finally decided to create The Raven Institute, offering five schools of personal and professional mastery in a new consciousness available throughout MI, nationwide, and internationally.

January 20, 2022 ~ M.K. Lever, a former Division 1 athlete and PhD candidate at UT Austin, combines her personal experiences as a college athlete and the weight of her academic research in areas concerning NCAA rhetoric, discourse, and policy to create her stunning and emotionally driven literary debut. Surviving the Second Tier depicts a new day in college athletics in which the old multi-sport model has collapsed and the bare bones, but extremely profitable Amateur Fighting Association has risen in its place. Where students once competed in a multitude of sports on a variety of playing fields, now college athletes have only the AFA ring in which to prove themselves in full-contact, no holds barred fights to the finish.

February 13, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Marci S. Grossman, C.P.A. In 2021 she decided it was time to leave her job to see if she could do better. She created a website, http://www.moneymarci.com and wrote a book "MoneyMarci's Guide to Financial Literacy". She published on amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09P8L6VDJ. She created financial literacy videos a few years ago (2019), but wanted to do more. Her hope is teach basis financial literacy and by sharing tips, mistakes others have made and successes people have experienced with money management. about financial situations in a way that shows their lack of understanding. There are posts on Facebook and articles written about people not understanding how to manage their money. Most of the articles and books written that she has come across seem to be about managing money if you have it.

February 6, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Kathy Tosoian, a certified instructor of the Dale Carnegie® Course, motivating and inspiring audiences since 1993. Kathy combines her love for people and her passion for excellence to help men, women, and teenagers build their confidence, strengthen people skills, communicate more effectively, manage stress, improve their attitude and develop stronger leadership abilities. Her clients encompass a variety of organizations in the automotive, service, sales, business, and educational communities. Vanessa talked with Kathy about her teen program following the shooting tragedy Oxford Schools. To learn more about Dale Carnegie Training, please contact Kathy at 248-867-6138 or [email protected].

January 30, 2022 ~ Vanessa Interviewed Shanthi Appelö, a registered dietitian and health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan based in Detroit, Michigan. She earned Bachelor of Science in Nutrition with a minor in Business Administration and holds a Master of Science in Public Health Nutrition from the University of Tennessee.

January 23, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed ML Elrick, who recently ran for Detroit City Council. He was also one of the Detroit Free Press team members who uncovered the Kwame Kilpatrick scandal.

January 16, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Don Steele, Owner, Performance Learning, Inc. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Arts Degrees from Central Michigan University and My Doctor of Philosophy Degree from The Ohio State University, He is passionate about teaching, coaching and writing. He served as the Superintendent of Schools in my home town of Saginaw, Michigan. He then served as Superintendent of Schools for the Toledo Public Schools and then for the Seattle Public School District. In 1985, he founded Performance Learning, Inc. a business dedicated to educating, motivating and empowering athletes, entertainers and leaders and teams across the spectrum of business, industry and education. He also served as an adjunct professor and/or speaker at several universities including, but not limited to Harvard University, The Ohio State University, Central Michigan University and Saginaw Valley State University.

He has authored nine books, the most recent being: Undefeated, the true story of the successful three generation, family owned and operated, Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry Service. Rebel Without Applause, the true story about Jon Hall and the success of his family owned and operated, Glastender, LLC. The Misfit, the legacy of dyslexic entrepreneur, Terry Duperon. He is completing my 10th book, yet untitled, that captures the life and times of Brigadier General (RET) and decorated Viet Nam war hero, John Kulhavi.

January 9, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Brent O’Bannon. His life in coaching started at 17-years-old when he felt a calling to inspire people. He began serving in church and speaking to a small congregation where he honed his skills as a leader and speaker. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Masters of Behavioral Science. He is a Gallup Certified Strengths Coach. Vanessa talked to Brent about how to use your strengths in strategic planning for 2022.

January 2, 2022 ~ Vanessa talks to Counselor Iklas Bashi about New Year's resolutions, the Catholic faith, and the various events and workshops she has facilitated.