Max Loves Midland

Holly Miller, President and CEO of United Way of Midland County, joins Kevin to share how her journey from the creative industry into nonprofit leadership has shaped her life. The two stress the importance of this year's United Way Community Campaign. She explains that United Way is an impact organization that listens, uses data, and convenes partners. Hence, resources reach people efficiently, and she underscores that campaign dollars are the how, not the what. The 2025 community campaign runs primarily from early September through early November. This year's goal is $ 4.4 million to fund programs aligned with Midland's most pressing needs. Holly invites everyone to take part by giving what they can, volunteering, or lending their voice, and she notes that current matching opportunities can double individual gifts at unitedwaymidland.org.

Join Kevin LaDuke for a heartfelt conversation with Gary Billotti, Outreach Coordinator for the Midland Area Wellbeing Coalition, as we explore how a one-time skeptic of Midland became one of its most dedicated champions. Gary reflects on growing up in Metro Detroit. This career took him from the YMCA and DuPont to leading Health and Human Performance at Dow. This journey deepened his passion for community connection, mental health, and collaboration across sectors. We dig into Welcome2Midland, a new ambassador initiative helping newcomers and longtimers plug into local life through personal introductions, starter kits, and genuine relationships. We highlight Neighboring Week and how simple acts like a block party build the confidence and belonging that keep people here. Gary shares family stories, favorite Midland days, and hopes for a community where opportunity and access reach every neighbor.

In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, Kevin LaDuke sits down with Terri Johnson, President and CEO of Greater Midland, to explore the organization's incredible impact on our community. From leading programs in childcare, corporate wellness, and active adult fitness to nationally-recognized events, Terri highlights how Greater Midland touches the lives of nearly 80% of Midland County residents. She shares her journey from her early career at Dow to her leadership at Greater Midland, reflects on raising a family in Midland, and talks about what it means to build a welcoming, thriving community for every generation.

On this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, host Kevin LaDuke sits down with Lily Kelsey, Conservation Outreach Coordinator for Little Forks Conservancy, to talk about her journey from growing up in Flint to finding her calling in Midland. Lily shares how athletics, time spent outdoors, and the Flint water crisis shaped her passion for conservation and community work. She explains the mission of Little Forks Conservancy, the importance of protecting rivers and natural spaces, and how conservation is about both preserving land and building connections with people. From favorite preserves and kayaking spots to the role of collaboration, diversity, and accessibility in nature, Lily paints a picture of why Midland is such a unique place for outdoor recreation and community engagement.

Brandon Morey, Co-Owner of Crepes Et Amis, Iron Dame, and Enjoy! Bakery, alongside his wife Katie, joined the Max Loves Midland Show to share his journey from a nursing student (and small-town skateboarder) to an award-winning entrepreneur helping shape the heart of Downtown Midland. In this episode, Brandon discusses starting with a $20 crepe skillet, building a loyal following at the Midland Farmers Market, and growing that following into three thriving businesses. He opens up about the challenges of the pandemic, the importance of community support, and his latest role as recipient of the MYPros Community Crowdfund for the Downtownsend Terrace project—a collaborative effort to create a vibrant, café-style streetscape benefiting multiple local businesses on Townsend Street. From stories of family and business scaling to his vision for placemaking in both Downtown and the Circle, Brandon’s passion for creativity, collaboration, and Midland’s future is on full display. 

Recorded live from Main Street during River Days 2025, this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show features a heartfelt conversation between host Kevin LaDuke and Dennis Pilaske, Executive Director of the Chippewa Nature Center. Dennis shares his 28-year journey with the Nature Center, his rural upbringing in Michigan’s Thumb, and how his love for nature and music have shaped his work and life in Midland. The two discuss community transformation, the importance of outdoor access, and how music, mentorship, and meaningful partnerships create deep connections across generations. With reflections on biking the rail trail, kayaking the rivers, and raising a family rooted in music and service, Dennis paints a vivid picture of why he believes in the power of living where you are and investing in what makes a community thrive.

In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, host Kevin LaDuke sits down with Natalia Iakovleva, one of the four owners of Chef Sergey’s Bakery, a European-style bakery nestled in Midland’s Center City. Natalia shares the incredible story of how her family fled Ukraine and, through an unlikely partnership with another refugee family, found hope and purpose by opening a bakery that has quickly become a beacon of community, comfort, and culture. From the classic Ukrainian saying, “bread is the head of everything,” to a deeply rooted philosophy of making everything from scratch, Natalia discusses how bread became not just a product, but a way to nourish lives and bring people together. Hear how Chef Sergey’s was supported through the Midland Area Community Foundation’s impact investing initiative, and how Natalia and her team are creating a new generation of bakers and community builders—right in the heart of the Circle. This episode is a celebration of food, resilience, and the quiet magic that happens when people care deeply for one another.

On this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, we sit down with Cailey Brown, Forensic Interviewer and Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) Coordinator at the Midland Child Advocacy Center (CAC), to talk about one of the most important — and often unseen — support systems in our community. Cailey shares her story of growing up in small-town Merrill, Michigan, her unexpected path into the world of psychology, and how that journey led her to a career in child advocacy and direct service work. We explore what the CAC is, how it operates at the intersection of prevention and intervention, and why its collaborative approach is so vital for families navigating some of the hardest moments of their lives. Cailey pulls back the curtain on what a forensic interview actually looks like, how prevention education plays a role in keeping kids safe, and what it means to truly support children and families in moments of crisis. We also talk about Midland — her initial perceptions of the community, how they’ve changed over the past three years, and what she hopes to see in Midland’s future. Plus, Cailey gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the CAC’s annual Arts & Advocacy event on May 1 at Creative 360 — a night that brings together art, conversation, and community support for a critical cause. This episode is a reminder that sometimes, the quietest work happening in a community is also the most powerful.

In this episode of the Max Loves Midland Show, we sit down with Penny Miller-Nelson, Superintendent of Midland Public Schools (MPS), to talk about her journey, passion for public education, and the bond proposal currently in front of our community. From her upbringing on a dairy farm in West Branch to her current leadership role in one of the top-performing districts in Michigan, Penny shares her heartfelt perspective on what it means to build a school system—and a community—that truly serves its people. We dive into proposed facility improvements, including new elementary and middle schools, enhanced safety measures, reconfigured learning environments, and expanded preschool and special education spaces. Penny walks us through the "why now" of the proposal, explains the real-world impact on families, and gets candid about the emotions of letting go of old school buildings while building something new. We also explore the academic excellence MPS is known for, the critical role of early childhood education, and how facilities can shape performance, pride, and belonging in a community. From civic engagement and community feedback to the role of arts, athletics, robotics, technical education, and more, this episode is a deep dive into how public schools touch every corner of a city—and how the choices we make today can shape the Midland of tomorrow. Don't miss Penny's insights on leadership, love for learning, and the power of people coming together. For more information on the bond proposal, visit www.midlandps.org. Explore Midland through the lens of its people! Check out more episodes at maxlovesmidland.com.

In this episode of Max Loves Midland, we’re hanging out with Jacqueline Leapheart—someone who seems to have her hands in everything great happening in Midland. Whether you know her from Adoption Option Inc., WindowStill Real Estate, her uplifting TikToks at Joy with Jax, or one of her other many community endeavors, Jacqueline brings nonstop energy, passion, and a deep love for Midland. We talk about her journey growing up, what keeps her so involved, and why she’s always rocking something red. From her cheerleading days at Dow High to her work supporting kids and families, Jacqueline shares stories that will make you laugh, think, and appreciate the power of showing up for others. She even gets into her love for The Infinite at Midland Center for the Arts, her obsession with shark movies, and what it’s like tutoring a student who keeps her on her toes. This one’s full of heart (and heart-shaped glasses).