Chris Moyer and Allie Walker look back at the Michigan stories that defined 2025. They revisit the Northern Michigan ice storm that became the state’s largest natural disaster of the year, the tariff shock that disrupted the auto industry, and the early and crowded start to the 2026 governor’s race. They break down Detroit’s historic election of Mary Sheffield as the city’s first woman mayor, the long-debated road funding package that finally passed, and Ford’s late-year pullback from its EV plans. They also examine the growing scrutiny facing the MEDC and the uncertainty surrounding the future of Detroit’s Renaissance Center. 

New episodes each week from the team at Truscott Rossman. 

Chris Moyer and John Truscott break down the Michigan stories that may not dominate headlines but will shape the year ahead. They look at Detroit’s fast-moving mayoral transition, the Legislature’s end-of-year push in Lansing, and a new report on Michigan’s strengths — and vulnerabilities — in the auto and mobility sector.

Chris and John also share a history-and-politics holiday gift guide, highlighting books and experiences that bring clarity to a noisy moment. Then Chris is joined by Jer Staes of Daily Detroit to explore how local media is changing, why newsletters and podcasts matter, and what Detroit stories people are missing.

New episodes each week from the team at Truscott Rossman.

Chris Moyer and Allie Walker dig into three Michigan stories that all point to the same big question: who is steering the state’s future and who is paying for it. They look at the state’s fast-growing data center buildout and the local concerns around water, energy, and community impact. They break down the political heat on the MEDC as Quentin Messer Jr. defends Michigan’s strategy for attracting jobs and investment. And they walk through Sen. Aric Nesbitt’s argument that Michigan cannot “Make it in Michigan” without a major reset of K–12 education. 

In the deep dive, Chris and Allie explore the surprisingly human case for self-driving cars. They look at how autonomous vehicles could sharply reduce crashes, expand mobility for seniors and rural residents, and give Michigan a real advantage in the global race for smarter transportation. 

The episode wraps with a Disagree Better spotlight on Holland’s new Ice Park, a reminder that when communities dream big, good things can happen. 

New episodes each week from the team at Truscott Rossman. 

This week on Beyond Both Sides, Allie Walker and guest co-host Ryan Gajewski (filling in for Chris Moyer) dig into three Michigan headlines that all circle the same question: who has the power and who benefits? They break down Detroit’s next move on the long-blighted Packard Plant, a Detroit Free Press column on lobbyist perks and political optics, and a new Democratic push to tie tax incentives more tightly to job creation and retention.

Then they dive deep into Michigan’s never-ending redistricting saga — how map-making really works, why “fair” maps may be mathematically impossible, and whether it’s time to blow up the whole system with ideas like proportional representation and even a state constitutional convention.

The episode wraps with a look at the bipartisan wave of school cell phone bans, why Michigan lawmakers are circling the issue, and what it all means for kids, parents and classrooms.

In this episode:

• Detroit’s Packard Plant and the politics of redevelopment

• Lobbyists, Lansing culture, and the power of optics

• Tax incentives, jobs, and who actually wins

• Michigan’s redistricting fight and a bold case for proportional representation

• The growing push to limit smartphones in schools

Hit play to hear how disagreement can be sharp, funny, and still civil — even on the issues that quietly shape everything.

Chris Moyer and new co-host Allie Walker break down three major stories shaping Michigan’s future: an aging workforce that is slowing economic growth, a large share of young Detroiters who are thinking about leaving the city, and Michigan farmers facing collapsing exports linked to tariff fallout. Together, these trends show the growing gap between the state’s long-term goals and the daily pressures people are experiencing. 

In the deep dive, Chris and Allie offer practical ways to navigate political conversations at Thanksgiving. They explain how to set the right intentions, avoid persuasion traps, look for common ground, and keep discussions respectful even when viewpoints differ. 

The episode ends with a Disagree Better segment highlighting a Michigan Chronicle story on the success of Black-owned PR agencies. 

New episodes each week from the team at Truscott Rossman. 

Chris kicks things off with the big Michigan stories of the week, from a major shift in voter sentiment to Ford’s $1.2B new HQ and a potential development boom in Grand Rapids.

Then Ryan and Allie dive into the passing of former Vice President Dick Cheney — his complicated legacy, his influence on today’s GOP, and how leaders evolve in public.

Plus: a surprising moment of political humility from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene sparks a conversation about what it really takes to disagree better.

Smart politics. Honest conversations. No spin. Tune in now.

John Truscott and Chris Moyer unpack the deal ending the nation’s longest government shutdown, who won, who lost, and what it means for Michigan. They also dig into the state’s worst monthly job losses of the year and ask whether the Michigan Economic Development Corporation can be saved or if reform is the only path forward. 

Then, a deep dive with Ryan Gajewski on how algorithms are shaping what we see, what we believe, and how we talk to each other, and what communicators can do about it. 

Chris Moyer and guest host Ryan Gajewski, Chief Strategy Officer at Truscott Rossman, unpack OpenAI’s massive Michigan investment, the future of economic development in the state, and key local election results. Plus, a deep dive into what Mary Sheffield’s historic election as Detroit’s first female mayor means for the direction of the city.

In this episode, Allie Walker and Ryan Gajewski welcome Ryan back to his old stomping grounds (yes, the red couch lives on).

At the time, he was serving as Community & Partnerships Manager at The Dispatch, where he managed community engagement and podcast production. Before The Dispatch, Ryan spent nearly two years at NBC’s Meet the Press, researching interviews, crafting panel segments, and producing episodes of the Chuck Todd-cast. His path started with the John Carroll–Russert Fellowship at Meet the Press…and, even earlier, a formative internship right here at Truscott Rossman. 

In this episode of Beyond Both Sides, hosts John Truscott and Chris Moyer unpack Michigan’s biggest political stories — from a Lansing court fight and new road-funding taxes to a sweeping legislative transparency package reshaping ethics in government.

Then, they’re joined by Allie Walker, President of Truscott Rossman and Crain’s Grand Rapids 40 Under 40 honoree, for a candid conversation about leadership, communication, and finding common ground in divided times.

Allie shares her path from Capitol Hill to the C-suite, the lessons she’s learned about curiosity and collaboration, and why authenticity is key to leading in today’s fast-changing media landscape.

🎧 Tune in for real talk on politics, purpose, and public affairs — from three voices shaping Michigan’s communications conversation.