One whistle can make half the crowd cheer… and the other half lose their minds.

Logan sits down with Kevin Crampton to talk about what it’s really like officiating high school football and basketball across Mid-Michigan.

From screaming parents and packed gyms to split-second decisions and playoff pressure, Kevin shares what most fans never see behind the whistle.

They discuss:

•  Why there’s a shortage of referees and umpires 
•  The pressure of making game-changing calls 
•  How officials train and work their way up 
•  The difference between football and basketball officiating 
•  Handling angry coaches, fans, and players 
•  What happens when officials disagree on a call 
•  The mechanics behind officiating a football game 
•  And why sports officials deserve more respect than they get 

This episode is a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at one of the hardest — and most misunderstood — jobs in sports.

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00:00 – Why Referees Matter More Than People Realize
Kevin’s journey into officiating

03:20 – The Referee Shortage Problem
Why fewer people want to do it

07:15 – Thick Skin & Tough Crowds
Handling criticism from fans and coaches

11:10 – “Blow the Whistle”
The importance of decisiveness

15:45 – How Officials Get Started
Youth sports to high school progression

20:30 – The Structure of Football Officiating Crews
Breaking down each position

27:10 – What Officials Actually Watch During a Play
Zones, keys, and mechanics explained

35:20 – How Calls Are Made & Communicated
Inside referee decision-making

42:00 – Basketball vs Football Officiating
Why basketball is harder

48:10 – Big Games & High Pressure Situations
10,000 fans and playoff intensity

54:45 – Coaches, Fans, and Ejections
Handling conflict during games

1:00:30 – Respect for Officials & the Future of Sports
What needs to change

Kevin Crampton, Talk Midland podcast, High school sports officiating, Midland Michigan sports, Football referee, Basketball official, Youth sports referees, MHSA officials, Sports officiating shortage, High school football Michigan, Basketball refereeing, Midland MI podcast, Sports leadership, Referee stories, Behind the whistle

Logan Richetti sits down with Carrie Everett — owner of Midland’s award-winning C&A Servicez and the inventor behind the brand-new Safiee cleaning tool container. Carrie shares the full journey: the light-bulb moment while scrubbing a toilet, the prototype built by SVSU’s innovation lab, navigating patent decisions, finding local support through CMURC and the Midland Business Alliance, and her bold vision to take Safiee to market. Her story reveals the gritty, behind-the-scenes reality of turning an idea into a patented product — all while juggling business, motherhood, and sheer determination.

But Carrie's entrepreneurial story is only half of her truth. She opens up about addiction, recovery, rebuilding her self-worth, and the unshakable mindset that fuels her today. From being denied a gas station job due to her past to becoming Midland’s top-rated cleaning company and building a viral TikTok presence, Carrie explains how she transformed the same energy that once fed her addiction into a force for creation, action, and impact. This episode is raw, inspiring, and a reminder that the next big idea can be born anywhere — even bent over a toilet with a scrub daddy in hand.

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 TikTok: @TalkMidland
 YouTube: @TalkMidland
 Apple Music: @TalkMidland Podcast
 Spotify: @TalkMidland Podcast

Join the conversation and be part of the Midland, Michigan community!
#TalkMidland 

Keywords

Keri Everett, C&A Service, Safie, Safie cleaning product, Midland Michigan, Midland small busines, Midland entrepreneurs, Female entrepreneur, Cleaning business, Cleaning products, Product invention, Patent process, Addiction recovery, Entrepreneurship, Saginaw Valley State University, Talk Midland Podcast

Chapter Notes

00:00 – Meet Keri Everett
Keri introduces C&A Services and shares the recent recognition her cleaning company received in Midland.

02:30 – What Is Safie?
The everyday cleaning problem that sparked Keri’s idea for a brand-new product.

05:00 – Turning an Idea Into a Patent
Keri discusses navigating patents, trademarks, attorneys, and decisions she had never faced before.

08:00 – Midland Resources That Helped Make It Possible
How the Midland Business Alliance, CMURC, grants, and other local resources helped Keri move forward.

10:30 – Pitching the Idea to Scrub Daddy
Keri shares the funny response she received after reaching out to Scrub Daddy early in the Safie journey.

13:00 – The Cost of Manufacturing an Invention
What it could cost to turn Safie from a prototype into a product—and how Keri plans to make it happen.

15:30 – Creating the 3D-Printed Prototype at SVSU
Inside the local prototype lab that helped turn Keri’s idea into something she could actually hold.

18:00 – Putting Yourself Out There
Keri talks about taking risks, being willing to learn, and continuing even when she's nervous.

20:00 – Keri Opens Up About Addiction & Recovery
A deeply personal conversation about addiction, treatment, recovery, and how those experiences shaped the person she is today.

23:00 – The Importance of Self-Worth
What Keri would tell her younger self about confidence, self-love, and the choices we make.

25:00 – Rejected From a Job to Starting Her Own Business
After a background check prevented Keri from getting a job, she decided to create an opportunity for herself—and started cleaning.

27:00 – The Moment Safie Was Born
How cleaning a toilet led to the lightbulb moment behind her invention.

29:00 – The People Who Keep Her Motivated
Keri shares why the people she's lost continue to motivate her to chase opportunities they never had.

30:00+ – TikTok, Going Viral & What's Next for Safie
From a cleaning tip reaching one million views to building an e-commerce site and exploring TikTok Shop and affiliate marketing, Keri talks about her plans to get Safie in front of customers.

Have you tried O’s Mid & Main yet?

Logan sits down with Marc Owczarzak to talk about the story behind bringing O’s Mid & Main to downtown Midland—and everything customers never see when they sit down for dinner.

Marc’s journey is anything but typical. After earning an engineering degree and spending decades working professionally, he eventually realized hospitality was where he truly wanted to be. Today, his family operates restaurants in Auburn, Bay City, and now Midland. 

They talk about the financial and personal risk of opening another restaurant, Marc’s daughter Riley stepping into the family business, building and training a brand-new team, creating consistency in the kitchen, dealing with customer expectations and online reviews, and why hospitality means much more than simply delivering a meal.

One of the biggest takeaways? Tell your server when they’re doing a great job. Marc explains that sometimes a few genuine words of encouragement can mean as much as the tip itself. 

If you love local restaurants, small business, entrepreneurship, or downtown Midland, this is a conversation you’ll want to hear.

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Chapter Notes

00:00 – Meet Marc Owczarzak
The family and story behind O’s

04:30 – From Engineering to Hospitality
Why Marc left a long professional career

10:00 – How the Auburn Restaurant Started
Taking the first entrepreneurial risk

15:30 – Expanding Into Bay City
Building H2O’s and making the career change

21:00 – Why Midland Became the Next Location
How the opportunity developed

27:00 – Bringing Riley Into the Family Business
A daughter leaving the corporate world for restaurants

33:00 – Building O’s Mid & Main
The menu, downtown location, and opening process

39:00 – The Risk Behind Opening a Restaurant
Money, staffing, real estate, and uncertainty

45:00 – Finding Your Passion
Why Marc believes passion makes taking risks easier

51:00 – Restaurant Consistency Is Harder Than It Looks
Getting every meal right every time

57:00 – Managing a New Kitchen & Team
Training talented people to work the same system

1:03:00 – Social Media & Customer Expectations
How reviews impact restaurants

1:09:00 – A Message for Restaurant Customers
Why telling your server “great job” matters

Downtown Midland Michigan, Midland MI restaurants, O’s Pub and Grill, H2O’s Waterside Grill, Midland small business, Restaurant entrepreneurship, Family business, Restaurant ownership, Hospitality industry, Downtown Midland, Customer service, Local restaurants, Talk Midland Podcast

What does it really take to build a business around people—and do it well?

Logan Richetti sits down with Ali Huntoon, founder of Allied HR Solutions and Allied Group Fitness, to unpack the realities of entrepreneurship, employee retention, workplace culture, and why movement is just as important for mental health as it is for physical health.

Ali shares how she launched a fractional HR firm at the very start of 2020, why small businesses don’t need full-time HR to do things right, and how thoughtful leadership, communication, and culture-fit hiring can make or break an organization. The conversation also dives into Ali’s second passion—fitness—and how building an inclusive, judgment-free community has transformed the way people experience exercise.

This episode is packed with real-world insight for business owners, leaders, and anyone passionate about building healthier workplaces and stronger communities.

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Chapters / Timestamps 

00:00 – Entrepreneurship looks easier than it is
02:15 – Introducing Ali Huntoon & her two businesses
05:10 – Launching Allied HR Solutions in early 2020
09:30 – What fractional HR really means
14:45 – Handbooks, compliance, and modern HR challenges
20:30 – Employee retention, culture, and career pathing
27:40 – Leadership, feedback, and communication
34:50 – Transition to Allied Group Fitness
39:30 – Redefining fitness and mental health
46:10 – Spin, yoga, pound, and building inclusive fitness spaces
52:20 – Community involvement and giving back in Midland
58:40 – Final thoughts on people, culture, and collaboration

Key Keywords

Fractional HR, Employee retention, Workplace culture, Small business HR, Leadership development, Hiring for culture fit, Employee engagement, Mental health and movement, Group fitness community, Women in business, Entrepreneurship journey, Midland Michigan business, Community leadership, Fitness for beginners, Building strong teams

The decisions made at the township level impact your roads, parks, fire protection, elections, zoning, and future growth—but many people don't know how local government works.

Logan sits down with Mary Draves, candidate for Larkin Township Clerk, to discuss her lifelong connection to Larkin Township, her 30+ year leadership career at Dow, and why she's running for office.

Mary explains the responsibilities of township government, the role of the Township Clerk, and the challenges facing one of Midland County's fastest-growing communities. From water taps and fire protection to long-term planning and community engagement, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at the decisions shaping Larkin Township's future.

In this episode:

•  Mary's career at Dow and leadership experience 
•  Growing up in a fourth-generation Larkin Township family 
•  What a Township Clerk actually does 
•  How township government works 
•  Water taps and future development 
•  Fire protection and long-term planning 
•  Why communication with residents matters 
•  Supporting local businesses and economic growth 
•  The importance of community service 
•  Why informed local elections matter 

Whether you live in Larkin Township or simply want to better understand local government, this episode provides valuable insight into how decisions close to home affect everyday life. 

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#TalkMidland 

00:00 – Meet Mary Draves
Growing up in a fourth-generation Larkin Township family

04:15 – A 30+ Year Career at Dow
Leadership, sustainability, and building experience

10:45 – Family Business & Community Roots
Why Midland has always been home

17:30 – Why Run for Township Clerk?
What motivated Mary to seek office

24:10 – How Township Government Works
Understanding the roles and responsibilities

31:30 – Water Taps & Community Growth
Planning for Larkin Township's future

39:45 – Fire Protection & Long-Term Planning
Preparing for the next generation

47:20 – Communication with Residents
Keeping citizens informed

54:00 – Leadership Through Service
Why community involvement matters

Mary Draves, Larkin Township, Larkin Township Clerk, Midland Michigan, Township government, Local government, Elections, Community leadership, Dow, Midland County, Fire protection, Water taps, Economic development, Local politics, Talk Midland Podcast

This is one of the most powerful conversations we've ever had on Talk Midland.

Logan sits down inside the Recovery Pod at the Midland County Jail with Johnny Saunders to hear the raw, heartbreaking, and hopeful story of a man who has spent decades battling addiction.

Johnny opens up about growing up with parents addicted to drugs, entering foster care, losing his sister, years of addiction, multiple prison sentences, and the choices that brought him back behind bars.

But this conversation isn't just about addiction.

It's about responsibility, redemption, second chances, and a groundbreaking program inside the Midland County Sheriff's Office that's helping inmates rebuild their lives before they return to the community.

In this episode:

•  Growing up in a home filled with addiction 
•  Entering foster care as a child 
•  How addiction slowly took over his life 
•  Multiple prison sentences and life as a career criminal 
•  The moment he realized he wanted something different 
•  Inside Midland County's Recovery Pod 
•  Drug Court and why accountability matters 
•  Rebuilding self-worth after addiction 
•  The fear of starting over 
•  Why hope still exists 

Whether you've experienced addiction personally, have a loved one who's struggling, or simply want to better understand recovery, this conversation is one you won't forget. 

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@TALKMIDLAND

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#TalkMidland 

00:00 – Meet Johnny Saunders
Inside the Midland County Recovery Pod

04:20 – Growing Up Around Addiction
Life with two addicted parents and foster care

11:00 – Losing His Sister
How tragedy fueled addiction

18:30 – From Drug Use to Career Crime
The choices that led to prison

27:15 – Hitting Rock Bottom
The cycle of addiction and relapse

35:00 – Inside the Recovery Pod
How Midland County is doing things differently

44:15 – Drug Court & Accountability
Learning responsibility for the first time

52:10 – Preparing for Release
The fear of starting over

59:45 – Building a New Future
Hope, support systems, and second chances

Recovery Pod, Johnny Saunders, Scott Holzinger, Midland County Sheriff's Office, Addiction recovery, Drug Court, Foster care, Substance abuse, Second chances, Mental health, Criminal justice reform, Recovery program, Midland Michigan, Talk Midland Podcast

What makes someone choose one car wash over another?

Logan sits down with Tom Terry, Site Leader at Tommy's Express Car Wash, to talk about bringing a new business to Midland, creating memorable customer experiences, and why putting people first has been the key to their success.

Tom shares how Tommy's Express has grown by focusing on exceptional customer service, investing in employees, supporting local organizations, and creating an experience that keeps customers coming back.

In this episode, you'll learn:

•  Why Tommy's Express chose Midland 
•  What makes their car wash different from the competition 
•  The importance of customer service in today's world 
•  How they develop future leaders from within 
•  Why they believe in giving people second chances 
•  The story behind one of their most loyal customers 
•  Why community involvement matters to their business 
•  How unlimited memberships work 
•  What goes into building a successful local business 

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or someone who appreciates great customer service, this episode is full of valuable insights. 

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#TalkMidland 

Chapter Notes

00:00 – Meet Tom Terry
How Tommy's Express came to Midland

03:45 – Building a New Business
Why Midland was the perfect location

08:30 – What Makes Tommy's Different
Hot water, free vacuums, and customer service

14:20 – Creating a Better Customer Experience
Memberships, technology, and convenience

20:10 – The Story of Derek
A customer who reminds everyone why people matter

26:15 – Why Businesses Open Near Competitors
The strategy behind location selection

32:30 – Developing Future Leaders
Growing employees from within

39:00 – Giving People Second Chances
Building a workplace that cares

46:15 – Community Partnerships
Supporting Midland schools and nonprofits

53:00 – Why Customer Service Still Wins
Old-school values in a modern business

Keywords

Tommy's Express Car Wash, Tom Terry, Midland Michigan, Customer service, Small business, Car wash, Leadership, Employee development, Midland Business, Entrepreneurship, Local business, Community involvement, Unlimited car wash, Talk Midland Podcast, Midland MI

Could your child get themselves out of a pool if they accidentally fell in?

Logan sits down with Abigayle Bundze of Schieber Swim School 2.0 and the Schieber Swim Foundation to discuss one of the most important life skills a child can learn: water safety.

Abbi explains why traditional swim lessons aren't always enough, the difference between learning to swim and learning to survive, and why every child should know how to roll onto their back, float, get to the wall, and climb out safely.

They discuss:

•  Why drowning is often silent and happens faster than people realize 
•  The difference between self-rescue swim lessons and traditional lessons 
•  Why flotation devices can create a false sense of security 
•  The biggest mistakes parents make around pools 
•  Teaching babies as young as four months old 
•  Building confidence after a near-drowning experience 
•  Why every child should know how to safely exit a pool 
•  The mission behind the Schieber Swim Foundation 

If you're a parent, grandparent, or caregiver, this conversation could change the way you think about water safety. 

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@TALKMIDLAND

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#TalkMidland 

Chapter Notes

00:00 – Drowning Happens Faster Than You Think
Why water safety is so important

03:10 – Meet Abbi Bundze & Schieber Swim School
The mission behind self-rescue swim lessons

07:30 – Learning to Swim vs. Learning to Survive
The difference every parent should know

13:00 – The Biggest Pool Safety Mistakes
False confidence and flotation devices

18:45 – Can Babies Really Learn Self-Rescue?
Starting lessons as young as four months

25:10 – Helping Kids Overcome Water Fear
Building confidence after a scary experience

32:20 – Why Floating Comes Before Swimming
The foundation of self-rescue

39:30 – How Long Does It Take to Learn?
What parents can realistically expect

46:00 – Group Lessons vs. One-on-One Lessons
Finding the right approach

53:10 – The Schieber Swim Foundation
Making life-saving swim lessons accessible for everyone

Schieber Swim School, Abigayle Bundze, Water safety, Swim lessons, Self-rescue swimming, Drowning prevention, Infant swim lessons, Midland Michigan, Child water safety, Pool safety, Swim school, Schieber Swim Foundation, Parenting, Talk Midland Podcast, Swimming for kids

Thousands of people cried watching this Shark Tank pitch.

Logan sits down with Trevor Szafranski, founder of R1SE: Education & Recreation, to discuss his incredible journey from public school teacher to Shark Tank entrepreneur.

Trevor shares the behind-the-scenes story of getting the call from ABC, stepping into the Tank, receiving praise from all five sharks, and ultimately landing a deal with Barbara Corcoran.

But this episode is about much more than television.

Trevor explains how R1SE is helping students build confidence, supporting overwhelmed parents, and creating environments where kids can thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

In this episode:

•  The Shark Tank audition and filming process 
•  What happened that didn't make it on TV 
•  Why Barbara Corcoran was Trevor's first choice 
•  How R1SE is transforming before and after-school care 
•  The emotional response from families across America 
•  The future of franchising R1SE nationwide 
•  Supporting students beyond academics 
•  Building a mission-driven business 
•  Balancing affordability with growth 
•  And what's next after Shark Tank 

This is an inspiring conversation about entrepreneurship, education, and creating something that truly changes lives. 

Stay Connected with Us!
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Follow #TalkMidland on social media for the latest updates and episodes:
@TALKMIDLAND

Join the conversation and be part of the Midland, Michigan community!
#TalkMidland 

Chapter Notes

00:00 – Meet Trevor Szafranski & R1SE
How a teacher became an entrepreneur

04:15 – The Problem R1SE Is Solving
Helping students and parents

10:20 – The Call From ABC
Getting invited to Shark Tank

16:30 – Behind the Scenes of Shark Tank
Preparing for the biggest pitch of his life

24:10 – The Sharks' Reactions
What surprised Trevor the most

31:45 – Barbara Corcoran's Offer
Why she was the perfect partner

39:20 – The Emotional Response From America
Thousands of emails and messages

47:15 – The Future of R1SE
Franchising and national growth

55:00 – Building a Mission-Driven Business
Purpose before profit

1:02:40 – What's Next for Trevor and R1SE
The future after Shark Tank

Trevor Szafranski , R1SE Education and Recreation, Shark Tank, Barbara Corcoran, Midland Michigan, Education entrepreneurship, After school programs, Student mentorship, Childcare innovation, Franchising, Small business success, Family support, Talk Midland Podcast, ABC Shark Tank, Educational leadership

When everyone else is running away from danger, firefighters are running toward it.

Logan sits down with Midland Fire Marshal John Jurek to discuss what it really means to serve our community through fire prevention, emergency response, and public safety.

John shares his unique journey into the fire service, inspired by his mother—one of the first female firefighters in Washtenaw County—and discusses everything from fire inspections and firefighter training to major emergencies, floods, and the realities of modern firefighting.

In this episode, you'll learn:

•  What a Fire Marshal actually does 
•  How businesses are inspected for fire safety 
•  The path to becoming a firefighter 
•  Why firefighter training never stops 
•  What happens when the alarm goes off at 3 AM 
•  Midland's fire stations and emergency response system 
•  Mutual aid and how departments work together 
•  Stories from floods, fires, and emergency situations 
•  The future of fire protection in Midland 
•  And John's passion for educating the public through social media and YouTube 

This conversation offers a fascinating look behind the scenes of one of Midland's most important public safety organizations.

Stay Connected with Us!
Please like, share, and subscribe to the #TalkMidland Podcast to stay updated on future episodes and help spread the word about the amazing people and programs in Midland, Michigan.

Follow #TalkMidland on social media for the latest updates and episodes:
@TALKMIDLAND

Join the conversation and be part of the Midland, Michigan community!
#TalkMidland 

Chapter Notes

00:00 – Meet Fire Marshal John Jurek
His role with the Midland Fire Department

03:15 – Fire Inspections & Fire Code Enforcement
How businesses stay safe

08:20 – Growing Up Around Firefighters
The influence of John's mother

13:10 – One of the First Female Firefighters
A trailblazing story

18:45 – The Reality of Firefighter Training
Why learning never stops

24:30 – How to Become a Firefighter
Career paths and certifications

31:20 – Life Inside a Fire Station
24-hour shifts and emergency response

38:10 – Midland's Fire Stations Explained
How resources are deployed

44:45 – Fire Department Staffing Challenges
Meeting community needs

50:15 – Major Emergencies & Mutual Aid
How departments work together

56:20 – The 2020 Flood & Community Response
Lessons learned from disaster

1:02:00 – Fire Prevention & Public Education
Keeping Midland safe before emergencies happen

John Jurek, Midland Fire Department, Fire Marshal, Midland Michigan, Firefighter career, Fire safety, Fire inspections, Emergency response, Fire prevention, Midland podcast, Public safety, Firefighter training, Mutual aid, 2020 Midland flood, Talk Midland Podcast