January 13, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Matt Derrenberger, CEO/Owner, Ann Arbor Insurance Associates. The insurance industry is teetering on a major financial crisis, thanks to mounting catastrophes like the California wildfires and impactful weather storms across the country. Even though Michigan remains a safer region from such calamities, homeowners insurance here is also being impacted.

January 13, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Jeremy Lopatin, Jeremy Lopatin, EOS Implementer, EOS Worldwide. EOS is a widely-used framework designed to help businesses clarify and achieve their vision through simple concepts and practical tools. Jeremy Lopatin, an EOS Implementer, shares his journey from co-founding an online retail business, Arbor Teas, to discovering his passion for digital marketing. He joined a struggling marketing agency that adopted EOS, leading to significant growth and team harmony.

January 13, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Mark Munzenberger, Financial Education Manager, University of Michigan Credit Union for this week's Money Monday with UMCU. Mark addresses common financial concerns, particularly among young adults in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, about investing and market volatility. He reassures individuals that market fluctuations are normal and advocates for a long-term investment perspective instead of reacting to short-term changes. Mark offers free financial education classes to the community, emphasizing the importance of financial planning as people age. He discusses the necessity of consulting financial advisors to manage assets and make informed decisions, especially for older adults facing immediate financial concerns.

January 10, 2025 ~ Dean Erskine talks with Wendy Welch from the Humane Society of Huron Valley for Pet of the Week. The Humane Society of Huron Valley (HSHV) offers a range of programs and services to support pet owners and homeless animals. One highlighted service is the adoption of Clementine, a four-and-a-half-year-old German Shepherd mix, known for her happy demeanor and love of walks. She is available for adoption at the shelter, which is open daily without appointments.

January 10, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Perry Seibert with the Michigan Movie Critics Guild for this week's Talking Pictures. “The Brutalist,” directed by Brady Corbett, is a low-budget film with a $10 million budget that spans decades, exploring themes like World War II, the immigrant experience of artistic Jews in post-war America, and drug addiction. Despite its three-hour and 35-minute runtime, which includes a rare 15-minute intermission, the film is praised for balancing epic scope with intimate storytelling, largely through dialogue-heavy scenes between two characters.

January 10, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Ashley Schafer, MSAA Executive Director as we go downtown with the Main Street Area Association. Downtown Ann Arbor is hosting several events to attract visitors despite the cold weather. Restaurant Week, from January 19th to 24th, will feature around 40 restaurants offering special prix fixe menus starting at $24.95 per person, encouraging people to try new dining experiences or revisit favorites. On February 8th, a Valentine’s Day-themed event called “Gales and Pales” will occur, allowing participants to use a passport system for discounts and activities at participating businesses, with a chance to win a local gift basket by completing the passport. Last year, approximately 28 businesses participated in this initiative.

January 9, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Michael Bright, Assistant Calendar Editor at the Ann Arbor Observer, who details various weekend events in the area. Key performances include “History That Doesn’t Suck” at the Arc, featuring Greg Jackson’s history podcast with live music for $40, and a free jazz performance by saxophonist Vincent York at Blue Llama as part of the WEMU 501 Jazz Series. Later, Detroit jazz singer Olivia Van Goor will perform, with tickets available for $75 including dinner or $40 with a drink credit. On Saturday, Peter Madcatruth and tabla player John Churchville will play at Cafe 704 for $10. Other events include “Musicians of the Tensho Embassy” at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, a program about Japanese musicians from the Renaissance, and a concert by an orchestra of University of Michigan medical staff at Hill Auditorium on Sunday, celebrating its 25th anniversary with Bruckner’s Symphony No. 8. Additionally, the Xavier Davis Trio will perform at Carytown Concert House, with tickets priced between $29 to $40. More details are available in the Ann Arbor Observer.

January 9, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with Andrea Salemi, Executive Officer, Builders & Remodelers Association of Greater Ann Arbor. Drawing more than 4,000 visitors, BRAG Ann Arbor's Home, Garden & Lifestyle Show is the largest of its kind in the greater Ann Arbor area. It's coming up on Saturday and Sunday, March 15 & 16 at the Washtenaw Farm Council Grounds.

January 9, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance is joined by Nick Nerbonne, Media/Digital/Industry Relations Director at Travel Michigan for this week's Pure Michigan Moment. Detroit is gaining recognition as a vibrant travel destination, being named by the New York Times as one of the 52 places to visit this year. This acknowledgment is supported by accolades from other national publications like Travel and Leisure and CNN. Key factors enhancing Detroit’s appeal include renovations at Michigan Central Station and the upcoming Gordie Howe Bridge. The city’s economy is flourishing, fueled by events and activities in downtown areas, with major sports teams contributing significantly.

January 8, 2025 ~ Lucy Ann Lance talks with business partner, Dean Erskine, Co-Owner, Lance & Erskine Communications and Producer Derek Laughlin for Dive In With The Dean! They discuss recent changes in Meta’s censorship and fact-checking policies, as announced by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, which have sparked mixed reactions, particularly among liberal users. These changes include ending partnerships with independent fact-checkers and lifting restrictions on certain topics, leading to discussions about perceived hypocrisy and elite privilege.