Positivity in Practice

Welcome to another inspiring episode of "Positivity and Practice"! 🌟 In this episode, host Meg Heritage sits down with Melissa Myers of MMA Wealth Management to uncover the real story behind her journey into financial advising. Melissa opens up about the early career challenges that transformed her mindset and inspired her to pioneer "lifestyle financial planning"—a unique, client-centered approach that prioritizes your personal goals, risk management, and long-term success over risky stock trading.Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take control of your financial future, Melissa’s insights prove that financial planning is for everyone, no matter your wealth level. She shares practical tips on building savings, reviewing insurance, and taking proactive steps toward financial security. Plus, Melissa talks about her empowering book, Going Rogue, with all proceeds going to support local nonprofits.Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable advice, inspiration, and a fresh perspective on what it means to truly plan for your future. Hit play and discover how you can start your own journey toward financial confidence today!⏰ Timecodes:00:00 – Introduction & Melissa’s Early Career Struggles 04:15 – What is Lifestyle Financial Planning? 10:30 – Making Financial Planning Accessible for Everyone 18:45 – Practical Steps: Savings, Insurance, and More 25:20 – About Going Rogue and Giving Back to the Community 👍 Like, subscribe, and share if you find value in this episode! 👇 Drop your questions or thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear from you!

Ready to sell your home this spring? In this episode, broker Meghan Heritage from Blues Properties shares the final and perhaps most important tip to get your house market-ready: know the math before making any improvements! www.bluesproperties.com

In Tip 5 of our 5 Tips to Get Your Home Ready to Sell This Spring, Meghan highlights why it's essential to consult a real estate professional before investing time or money in repairs or updates. Find out how expert guidance can help you avoid unnecessary projects, focus on upgrades that truly matter, and maximize your property’s value and return on investment.

Take the guesswork out of prepping your home for sale—use our 20+ years of real estate know-how to ensure every step you take delivers results.

For more expert advice and answers to all your questions, visit bluesproperties.com and let Meghan Heritage and her team guide you through a successful sale!

Don’t forget to subscribe for more valuable home-selling tips every week.

Join host Meg Heritage for an inspiring episode of Positivity and Practice with special guest Sarah Lewakowski, MA, Executive Director of Mosaic Counseling. In this heartfelt conversation, Meg and Sarah dive into the transformative work Mosaic Counseling is doing for mental health and wellness in Ottawa and Kent Counties. Whether you’re seeking support, know someone who is, or are looking to make a meaningful impact through giving, this episode shines a light on how easy and accessible professional counseling can be for everyone—no matter your insurance status or financial situation.

Sarah shares how Mosaic works to eliminate barriers to mental health care, their unique intake process, and the powerful school outreach programs making a difference in students' lives. Hear Meg's personal journey—both as a donor and as someone who bravely reached out for help—and gain insight into overcoming the stigma and self-bias around seeking therapy.

We also discuss the upcoming Mosaic Cabaret event, ways to support Mosaic’s mission, and the ripple effect that accessible mental health care has on the entire community.

If you’re interested in mental health advocacy, community support, or need resources for yourself or a loved one, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

00:01:39 - What is Mosaic Counseling? How it makes getting counseling "the easiest" and helps everyone regardless of insurance.

00:06:21 - Mosaic serves all ages, issues, and insurance statuses—including a story of personal experience and removing the stigma.

00:14:06 - The School Outreach Program: Bringing therapy into local schools, serving thousands of students for free.

00:18:39 - How donations help: $1,200 sponsors a student for a year; Mosaic's impact on the whole community.

00:22:39 - Upcoming events & how to support Mosaic through tickets, sponsorships, and fundraisers.

Resources:

Mosaic Counseling: [https://mosaiccounseling.com](https://mosaiccounseling.com)

Contact Sarah Lewakowski: https://mosaiccounseling.com/about-mosaic/staff/

Event Info & Tickets: https://mosaiccounseling.com/events/

Feeling isolated or worried about someone you love? Remember, support is just a call or click away. Together, we can break down barriers and build a stronger, healthier community.

Subscribe for more inspiring episodes and practical ways to boost positivity in your life!

If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share. Let’s keep the conversation going!

#MentalHealth #CommunitySupport #PositivityAndPractice #Counseling #MosaicCounseling #MentalHealthMatters

Looking to make your home stand out this spring selling season? In this episode, broker Meghan Heritage from Blues Properties highlights her essential Tip #4: Neutralize and Brighten! www.bluesproperties.comDiscover how updating paint with light, neutral colors and maximizing natural lighting can transform your space—and your listing photos. Meghan shares why painting rooms in popular neutrals from Sherwin-Williams or Behr attracts more buyers and how bright, inviting spaces help potential buyers picture themselves at home.For more expert real estate advice and answers to all your selling questions, visit bluesproperties.com and let Meghan Heritage’s 20+ years of experience guide you every step of the way!Don’t forget to subscribe for weekly home selling tips and strategies.

Thinking about selling your home this spring? In this episode, broker Meghan Heritage from Blues Properties reveals a simple but powerful strategy: tackle those small repairs! www.bluesproperties.comIn Tip #3 of our 5 Tips to get your home ready to sell, Meghan explains how fixing little issues—like broken door handles or burned-out light bulbs—can make a big impact. These quick fixes send a clear signal to buyers that your home has been well cared for, putting them at ease and protecting your asking price.For more expert real estate advice and to get all your questions answered, visit bluesproperties.com and let Meghan Heritage’s 20+ years of experience guide your sale!Subscribe for weekly home selling tips and strategies!

Welcome to the Positivity and Practice Podcast! In this episode, host Megan Heritage sits down with Dave Ruwe, local realtor and treasurer of Homeless Prevention Partners, a nonprofit working to keep families housed and prevent homelessness in Michigan’s Tri-Cities area.

Dave shares eye-opening stories about the realities of housing insecurity—even in communities where “you don’t see tents on the street”—and explains why hundreds of local families are just one misfortune away from losing their homes. Learn how Homeless Prevention Partners steps in fast with a “hand up, not a handout,” providing crucial support with rent, mortgages, utilities, and even emergency car repairs to help neighbors stabilize and stay on their feet.

Megan and Dave dig into how their organization operates with lightning speed and low overhead, what philanthropic events are coming up (think Soup For All, a Great Gatsby murder mystery, and more!), and why early intervention and honest conversations about budgeting are so critical. They also discuss the collaborative magic of the nonprofit world, how businesses and individuals can get involved (yes, your $25 can truly change a life!), and share practical advice to avoid housing crises before they spiral.

Whether you’re a local seeking resources, a business or individual looking to give back, or simply interested in grassroots solutions to housing affordability, this episode is packed with real-world insights, heartfelt stories, and actionable ways to help everyone in your community have a safe place to call home.

Timecodes:

00:00 – The Hidden Face of Homelessness in the Tri-Cities

01:41 – Meet Dave Ruwe & the Mission Behind Homeless Prevention Partners

03:46 – “Hand Up, Not a Handout”: How the Program Works

05:20 – The Power of Early Help & Financial Education

08:03 – Homeowners, Renters, and the Real Risks

10:26 – Navigating Landlord Relationships & Rapid Response Aid

13:45 – Collaborating with Local Nonprofits & Food Banks

14:18 – Holiday Miracles: Stories that Keep Families Together

15:24 – Upcoming Events: Soup for All, Gatsby Gala, Golf Outing & More

17:23 – Why Community Gatherings Matter

18:24 – Seeing the Unseen: Student Homelessness & Stigma

20:25 – Making a Difference: Monthly Donors, Volunteers, and You

21:42 – Low Overhead, High Impact: Where Your Money Goes

22:02 – Get Involved: Time, Talent, or Treasure

Links:

Homeless Prevention Partners – https://www.homelesspreventionpartners.org

Join us for an empowering, authentic discussion on community, compassion, and the power of neighbors helping neighbors. No one should fall through the cracks—together, we can make sure they don’t.

#homelessness #community #nonprofit #grandhaven #housing #positivity #philanthropy #soupforall #springlake #giveback #TriCities

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Ready to sell your home this spring? In this episode, broker Meghan Heritage from Blues Properties shares her top tip to get your house market-ready: focus on deep cleaning! www.bluesproperties.com

In Tip 2 of our 5 Tips to get your home ready to sell this spring, discover why going beyond basic tidying is essential—think sparkling baseboards, dust-free ceiling fans, and spotless windows. Meghan explains how a thorough deep clean not only impresses buyers, but also highlights your pride of ownership and the care you’ve put into your property.

For more expert real estate tips and answers to all your questions, visit bluesproperties.com and put Meghan Heritage’s 20+ years of experience to work for you!

Don’t forget to subscribe for more home selling strategies every week.

Ready to sell your home this spring? In this episode, broker Meghan Heritage from BlueWest Properties shares her top tip to get your house market-ready: decluttering! www.bluewestproperties.com

In Tip 2 of our 5 Tips to get your home ready to sell this spring, learn how clearing out closets, garages, and unused spaces can make your home more appealing to buyers—and give you peace of mind. Whether you’re moving or just want a fresh space, this actionable advice will help you take the first step toward a successful sale.

For more expert real estate tips and answers to all your questions, visit bluewestproperties.com and put Meghan Heritage’s 20+ years of experience to work for you!

Don’t forget to subscribe for more home selling strategies every week.

Welcome to the Positivity and Practice Podcast! In this episode, host Megan Heritage sits down with Erin Lyon, Grand Haven City Council member, entrepreneur, and passionate nonprofit leader behind Kinsey’s, a café creating meaningful employment for people with disabilities.

Erin shares her inspiring (and winding!) journey from international finance and law school to local coffee shop owner and changemaker. Discover how she transformed personal pivots and a desire for purposeful work into a movement, launching and supporting workforce development cafés that empower people with disabilities to gain job skills and independence. Learn what sets Kinsey’s apart, how the B Café model is spreading, and why inclusive employment is good for everyone.

The conversation also dives into Erin's candid experiences with public service—running for and now serving on Grand Haven City Council—and how she brings compassion, courage, and real-world perspective to tough community issues like affordable housing, public transportation, and supporting marginalized groups. Megan and Erin talk about balancing hats, overcoming negativity, and the power of joy, collaboration, and grassroots kindness to transform lives and communities.

Whether you’re interested in disability inclusion, nonprofit startups, city leadership, or just need a boost of positivity, this episode is packed with authentic stories, practical ideas for action, and hope for a more welcoming world.

Timecodes:

00:00 – Meaningful Work: Employment for People with Disabilities

01:15 – Meet Erin Lyon: From Law & Finance to Coffee & Community

04:52 – Career Pivots & The Journey to Jumpin Java

09:18 – The B Café Model: Workforce Training that Changes Lives

13:01 – Growing a Movement: Replicable Nonprofit Cafés

18:14 – The Joy & Social Impact of Inclusive Spaces

21:10 – Facing Opposition & Choosing Positivity

28:00 – Community Rallies: The Power of Paying it Forward

29:10 – Serving Grand Haven: City Council, Housing, Transit, & More

36:00 – Why Affordable Housing Matters Locally

38:44 – Bringing Compassion & Collaboration to Civic Leadership

40:17 – How YOU Can Get Involved & Make a Difference

Links:

Kinsey’s Café – https://www.kinseyscafegf.com/

Connect with Grand Haven City Council – https://www.grandhaven.org

B Café Model Info – https://thebcafe.org/

Join us for a heartwarming, honest conversation about reinvention, resilience, and the practical ways we can all help build a more inclusive, joyful community.

#disabilityinclusion #community #nonprofit #positivity #grandhaven #citycouncil #employment #housing #kindness

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Welcome to the Positivity and Practice Podcast! In this episode, host Meg Heritage welcomes Josh Bytwerk, Executive Director of Love in Action of the Tri Cities. Together, they dive deep into the incredible impact of Love in Action, exploring how this local nonprofit brings "love in action" to life through food programs, healthcare services, housing assistance, and so much more.Josh shares his inspiring journey from volunteering to leading the organization, and reveals how Love in Action addresses poverty by focusing on freedom, empowerment, and community transformation. Discover how programs like the co-op market, food trucks, financial fitness classes, and free dental and medical clinics are making a real difference in the Tri Cities area.Whether you're passionate about community service, curious about nonprofit work, or looking for ways to get involved, this episode is packed with heartwarming stories, practical insights on addressing poverty, and the power of generosity and partnership. Plus, learn about exciting new developments like The Storehouse, Love in Action’s expanded food and donation warehouse serving thousands in need.Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode!Timecodes:00:00 – Introduction: The Opposite of Poverty is Freedom00:19 – Meet Josh Work & The Story Behind Love in Action04:33 – How Love in Action Serves Food, Health, Housing & More09:58 – Opening The Storehouse: Expanding Local Impact13:46 – Who Can Receive Help? Serving the Greater Tri Cities15:42 – Financial Literacy & Building Long-Term Freedom18:51 – The Hidden Healthcare Crisis & Love in Action Clinics22:35 – Volunteer Power: The Heartbeat of Love in Action28:46 – The Challenge of Affordable Housing & Community Growth31:35 – The Power of Generosity & Invitational ServiceLinks:Love in Action of the Tri Cities Website – https://loveinactiontricities.org/Volunteer or Donate – https://loveinactiontricities.org/get-involved/Join us for a powerful conversation on compassion, local leadership, and the practical steps we can all take to make our communities stronger!#community #nonprofit #positivity #poverty #generosity #housing #foodsecurity #healthcareLike and subscribe to support more inspiring conversations!