It’s Your Community

November 13, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Gary Bubar from AAA Michigan. The interview included a conversation about the impaired Driving Summit, the Slow Down Move Over/Move Over for Me ahead of Crash Responders Safety Week in November, Young Drivers on the road and Deer Crash Safety. They also discussed a survey and news release that we sent out in September that showed many Michigan holiday travelers were planning to book their flights by the end of September.

October 30, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Kevin Szawala, a.k.a. Mr. Peace for October which is Bullying Prevention Month. Mr. Peace is a Nationally-Recognized Youth Motivational Speaker from Metro Detroit who specializes in bullying prevention, character education, student mental health, diversity and inclusion and suicide awareness. Known by many as Mr. Peace for the peace, nonviolence and social justice work he has done at U of M over the last decade through the annual P.E.A.C.E. (Promoting Ethnic And Cultural Equality) Day he hosts every September in conjunction with the United Nations International Day of Peace (September 21st), he has now transitioned his non-violence work year round by talking at schools all over America, and taking to the road to speak at elementary, middle and high schools and share his heart. As the founder of “Mr. Peace, Inc.” 501(c)(3), a motivational speaking non-profit organization designed to help at-risk youth, Mr. Peace has found that his sole purpose for being on this earth is to help others find their true purpose. His main message when it comes to treating people kindly is to look at one’s heart first, to see them like you would see your own best friend, to see them as one race: human. He believes that while “hurt people, hurt people”, “healed people can heal people”. www.mrpeace.org.

October 23, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Brigadier General Carol Ann Fausone. She served her country for 36 years. She served as the Assistant Adjutant General of Veterans Affairs for the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs of the State of Michigan advocating for Veterans from 2003-2011. General Fausone served as the Assistant for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs from 2001-2005 working directly with the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, Force Health Protection, and Readiness. Serving in this capacity, she assisted in developing and implementing programs, policies, and operations for Reserve Affairs. The interviewed focused on Veterans Day on November 11 and ways to honor veterans.

October 16, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Megan Gregg, the senior events manager for the Detroit Zoological Society. A member of the team for more than 6 years, Megan is vital to the planning and success of all Detroit Zoo events. The interview included a discussion on Zoo Boo, Wild Lights, Wildlife Photographer of the Year art exhibition and Polar Bears. The focus was on the fall and winter season at the Detroit Zoo as well as the year-long-events, Zoo hours, Zoo membership and special events. www.detroitzoo.com

September 25, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Jotham Stein, author of the award-winning book Negotiate Like a CEO: How to Get Ahead with Lessons Learned from Top Entrepreneurs and Executives, was interviewed by Ida Crawford on the Just Minding My Business podcast. During the interview Stein commented how the saddest, and most tragic, cases he faces are when family members, college buddies or childhood friends steal a company out from under a co-founder or major stakeholder. He said it’s more common than one might think and never easy to deal with. Which then took him back to telling the audience to protect one’s investments and equity stakes with iron clad contracts, making sure to seek out third-party advisers who can spot the trap doors and loopholes in the complex legalistic language. Recent awards for Negotiate Like a CEO are Best Business Book at the Los Angeles Book. Festival and Outstanding Creator Awards and Best in Career category at the Firebird Book Awards.

September 18, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Magee Humes, Executive Director of MARL (Michigan Animal Rescue League) in Pontiac. She would be able to speak to several areas including changing dynamics (post pandemic) related to pet adoptions, pet ownership, and overall animal welfare and care. We discussed state of pet adoptions/ownership/welfare today. There are many things to consider when considering adopting a pet, animal welfare at MARL.

September 11, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Dan West, president of the Livonia Chamber of Commerce. They discussed the new diversity initiative. In a new effort to promote Livonia as an inclusive business community, the Livonia Chamber of Commerce will begin distributing “(We) Welcome Everybody” stickers for local businesses to display on their office and store doors.

August 21, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Laura Bonnell. Laura is a former news reporter at WJR and freelance writer for many local papers and magazines. Laura started her Foundation in 2010 and three years ago decided to work full time on The Bonnell Foundation: Living with cystic fibrosis. The Bonnell Foundation helps cystic fibrosis families with lung transplant grants, financial assistance and college scholarships. Laura is also a full time advocate which includes trying to get Michigan lawmakers to make the Rare Disease Advisory Council law. This would give a voice to the 1 million people with rare diseases in Michigan. Bonnell is also pushing to raise awareness about people of color who are underdiagnosed in the U.S. and people in the Middle East who just recently discovered CF existed. The average life expectancy for a person with CF in the U.S. today is 53 years old. In Egypt it's 8 years old.

August 14, 2022 ~ Vanessa interviewed Adrienne Woodland, spokesperson, AAA-The Auto Club Group. A national survey - conducted by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety - reveals many Americans admit to taking one or more potentially impairing medications before getting behind the wheel. AAA’s study focused on commonly used medications such as antihistamines, cough medicines, antidepressants, prescription pain medicines, muscle relaxants, sleep aids, and amphetamines. These are identified as potentially driver impairing (PDI) medications. PDIs put drivers at risk by causing nausea, sleepiness, blurred vision, slowed reaction time, and attention problems. While the side effects can vary by individual, these medications have the ability to reduce a person’s ability to drive safely. Throughout the course of a 30-day period, about half of Americans reported using a potentially driver impairing medication.

Vanessa interview Dr. Barry Franklin. Next to food and clothing, achieving personal and professional success is at the very top of most people’s hierarchy of human needs. But life’s opportunities, career advancement and financial success don’t just happen – you create them. The recently-published book, “GPS for Success: Skills, Strategies and Secrets of Superachievers,” (Productivity Press, NY, NY), provides a detailed roadmap for young people to achieve their dreams and a fulfilling life. The book was research-based and written over several years by Barry Franklin, PhD, for recent graduates and young career professionals. During an esteemed 45-year career motivating patients to make lifestyle changes to prevent or halt heart disease, Franklin’s secondary passion has been studying behavioral characteristics of highly successful people in all walks of life. He scoured the world’s literature and interviewed highly successful people to provide a “one-stop” resource of proven and practical recommendations for future success. www.drbarryfranklin.com.